AWB sunset UPDATE needed!

[possenti]

I'm sure this seems to be a stupid request, but could someone update me on the status of the AWB sunset? I'm wanting to fire out some letters to the appropriate people, but I need to know where they will have the most impact.

I've searched threads on THR and other forums, but most consist of "what you will/won't do if the AWB does/doesn't sunset." I checked out AWBsunset.com, and although there's a wealth of information there, I get lost easily since I'm not exatcly 'net literate. It's almost an overload of info.

Last I heard, the US Senate voted to re-new it. Then - is it a waste of time to bother writng my Senator? The House votes on it next (WHEN?) so I need to write my Representative - right? My Rep is Ken Lucas. He's a somewhat pro-gun Democrat, but he's retiring after this term. He has no worries about re-election. I want to take action, but I feel like I'd just be pissing in the wind. Who else could I write to? I'm willing to raise some hell, if someone could just point me in the right direction...

I recently read that the "Patriot Act" is up for renewal in Dec. this year. Some people have concerns that the AWB renewal will be "tacked on" to this bill. If the AWB does expire in September, will that leave us only a 3-month window to retain some of our gun rights?

I have a feeling that there's a hundred different scenarios that could happen, and no one knows for sure...

 

[Moparmike]

The senate voted to renew it and tacked it on to the Gun Manufacturer's Liability Bill. The bill was promptly voted down. So no renewal was passed.

I would focus on seeing who voted for the extension and work to get them out of office. Especially the RINO's.

 

[Guntalk]

To keep up on the fate of the Clinton Gun Ban . . .

http://www.awbansunset.com/

http://www.clintongunban.com

 

[Thumper]

The lawsuit immunity rider was considered by most to be the "last best chance" for an AWB renewal. It was shot down in flames. IMO the AWB is dead, but I've been wrong before.

Keep writing. Here are some sample letters as a primer:

http://www.awbansunset.com/writeofficials.html

For detailed info on individual Reps and potential folks to write to, here's this:

http://www.awbansunset.com/scoreboard.html

 

[DadOfThree]

I still haven't received a response from Sen. Lugar's office. I complained about his vote to his local office in Indianapolis and to his DC office. I was assured that Sen Lugar would quickly write a letter explaining his support of the AWB. Still nothing. :banghead:

 

[burbanite]

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for an explanation, it is the same canned response you'll get to anything gun related, throw it away without opening it.

I agree with Moparmike, if you want to help then check out your (our) candidates in the upcoming elections, vote accordingly.

Here is a link to Indiana politicians and guns .

 

[MMcCall]

I heard a news report just yesterday about the sheriffs of Multnomah and Clark counties here in the Portland area actively campaigning for AWB renewal, including petitioning President Bush (for what I'm not sure, maybe asking for an executive order?) The canned rhetoric about 'police saftey' and 'lowering gun crime' was sickening.

It was suprising and disconcerting, to say the least. It's enough to make me wish I lived in one of those counties to vote the cowards out of office.

 

[bogie]

I would focus on seeing who voted for the extension and work to get them out of office. Especially the RINO's.

Don't be so hasty... Remember that folks pretty much _knew_ that it wouldn't go... Especially el-presidente...

So, they make loud reassuring noises so that Suzy Soccermom thinks that they're "tough on crime - after all, look at the voting record!" - while at the same time, they knew that it had zero chance...

 

[Rob62]

Lots of good info here too.

http://glocktalk.com/showthread.php?threadid=181684&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Rob

 

[Bubbles]

Status Report on AWB Sunset

135 calendar days remain between now and 9/14. Congress will be in session for less than 40 of those.

Two months ago there was a bill in the Senate - S. 1805 - that would have protected firearm manufacturers from the frivolous lawsuits being filed holding them responsible for the costs of gun crime. They still would have been responsible for injuries resulting from product defects, just not when Crackhead One shoots Crackhead Two in a drug deal gone bad.

This bill passed the House cleanly, then it went to the Senate. During the debate an amendment was added by Senator Feinstein to extend the AWB for another ten years. This passed 52-47-1 on a roll call vote. Eventually, however, the whole bill was voted down because it had too many other poison pills attached in addition to the AWB extension.

Because this amendment passed on a roll call vote we know who has to be voted out of office next term. The lists of how each Senator voted - both on the original bill and on all of the amendments - is at http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/vote_menu_108_2.htm (do a text search on S. 1805 to find it).

So, the situation now is that there are a few bills tied up in committee that 1) extend the current AWB by ten years, 2) make the current AWB permanent, and 3) make it permanent and broader. None of these have been brought up for a vote (yet), and I doubt any of them will get past the House.

I have also been told, but can't verify, that if any of these bills do come up in the House, they will promptly be loaded down with poison pill amendments. One in particular would repeal the ban on full-auto firearms manufactured after May 19, 1986 - or in other words "go ahead and ban the semi's because we'll let the public start buying new machine guns again".

 

[Partisan Ranger]

My understanding is AWB is dead. No chance of it getting another hearing in the Senate this year. But I am sure anti-freedom bigots will be back and try to ram through an even more draconian AWB in the future.

Find out which of your reps and Senators voted for and against. Congratulate those who voted against and tell them you'll contribute to their reelection, and do so! Inform those who voted for AWB that you will never vote for them again and will actively work to get them out of office, unless they change their view.

My VA senator Allen is a good conservative who favored the AWB when he came into office. He educated himself apparently and has reversed his position. He now actively opposes the AWB. I have sent him a couple thank you letters and told him I'd contribute to his reelection.

Now Sen. Warner of VA, grrrrrr. That SOB went along with the gun grabbers and sponsored the AWB extension last month.

I sent him 2-3 letters on it and the response I get is full of Brady bunch drivel about how the AWB stops crime and doesn't infringe upon my rights.

I will never EVER vote for that ba#$%## again.