Bush a War Trophy Gun Owner?
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BryanP
Member
Here's a direct link to the story.
A Saddam Souvenir
President Bush keeps the former dictator's pistol at arm's reach
By MATTHEW COOPER
Saturday, May. 29, 2004
When Saddam Hussein was rousted from his spider hole in Dawr, a town near Tikrit, by U.S. soldiers last December, Iraq's fallen dictator was clutching a pistol. He is now in detention at an undisclosed location, being questioned by American authorities and awaiting charges for war atrocities and crimes against humanity. But what ever happened to the pistol?
The sidearm has made its way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Sources say that the military had the pistol mounted after the soldiers seized it from Saddam and that it was then presented to the President privately by some of the troops who played a key role in ferreting out the old tyrant. Though it was widely reported at the time that the pistol was loaded when they grabbed Saddam, Bush has told visitors that the gun was empty—and that it is still empty and safe to touch. "He really liked showing it off," says a recent visitor to the White House who has seen the gun. "He was really proud of it."
The pistol's new place of residence is in the small study next to the Oval Office where Bush takes select visitors after pointing out better-known White House pieces like the busts of Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower and a watercolor called A Charge to Keep, which gets its name from a Methodist hymn. The study—the one where Bill Clinton held some of his infamous trysts with White House intern Monica Lewinsky—has become a place where Bush keeps the memorabilia that hold special significance for him. Another of the room's mementos: a photograph of special-forces soldiers in Afghanistan praying after burying a piece of the World Trade Center there as a tribute to those who died in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
From the Jun. 07, 2004 issue of TIME magazine
A Saddam Souvenir
President Bush keeps the former dictator's pistol at arm's reach
By MATTHEW COOPER
Saturday, May. 29, 2004
When Saddam Hussein was rousted from his spider hole in Dawr, a town near Tikrit, by U.S. soldiers last December, Iraq's fallen dictator was clutching a pistol. He is now in detention at an undisclosed location, being questioned by American authorities and awaiting charges for war atrocities and crimes against humanity. But what ever happened to the pistol?
The sidearm has made its way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Sources say that the military had the pistol mounted after the soldiers seized it from Saddam and that it was then presented to the President privately by some of the troops who played a key role in ferreting out the old tyrant. Though it was widely reported at the time that the pistol was loaded when they grabbed Saddam, Bush has told visitors that the gun was empty—and that it is still empty and safe to touch. "He really liked showing it off," says a recent visitor to the White House who has seen the gun. "He was really proud of it."
The pistol's new place of residence is in the small study next to the Oval Office where Bush takes select visitors after pointing out better-known White House pieces like the busts of Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower and a watercolor called A Charge to Keep, which gets its name from a Methodist hymn. The study—the one where Bill Clinton held some of his infamous trysts with White House intern Monica Lewinsky—has become a place where Bush keeps the memorabilia that hold special significance for him. Another of the room's mementos: a photograph of special-forces soldiers in Afghanistan praying after burying a piece of the World Trade Center there as a tribute to those who died in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
From the Jun. 07, 2004 issue of TIME magazine
Waitone
Member
Now then. Is that last part indeed a fact of the story or is it helpful background information the "journalist" provided to make sure the reader understood all the ramifications of a firearm in the Oval Office.
I'll be willing to be the latter.
CAPTAIN MIKE
Member
Poignant Reminder
The small study just off the Oval Office. That is where the pistol (mounted by soldiers involved in Saddam's capture) is kept. The President takes pride in pointing it out to visitors. In the same room is artwork depicting American special forces soldiers in a circle, arms around each others' shoulders, in prayer, after burying a piece of the World Trade Center in Afghanistan.
This seems to me to be a much "Higher Road" use of the room. The previous President used to take Monica Lewinsky in there.
The small study just off the Oval Office. That is where the pistol (mounted by soldiers involved in Saddam's capture) is kept. The President takes pride in pointing it out to visitors. In the same room is artwork depicting American special forces soldiers in a circle, arms around each others' shoulders, in prayer, after burying a piece of the World Trade Center in Afghanistan.
This seems to me to be a much "Higher Road" use of the room. The previous President used to take Monica Lewinsky in there.
Sunray
Member
Isn't owning a pistol in D.C. illegal?
Hkmp5sd
Member
I wonder if they filled out the appropriate ATF forms to import a war trophy. Wouldn't want GWB to be in possession of an illegally imported handgun now would we? I also wonder if Bush used the "Gun Show Loophole" to take possession or did he undergo the background check.
If Bush wanted to do something nice, he should auction the gun to the public and used the funds to help the families of the KIAs.
If Bush wanted to do something nice, he should auction the gun to the public and used the funds to help the families of the KIAs.
SodiumBenzoate
Member
Yes, but it is probably government owned, and not actually Bush's.
Jim March
Member
OK, so what IS the danged thing?
Mr. Mysterious
Member
Boy, isn't that the truth...
Mr. Mysterious
Member
Only one that I could find
Waitone
Member
Someone email the WH and ask.
WonderNine
member
The gun they found him with was supposed to be a Makarov.
Zip06
Member
WonderNine is correct. It is a Mak
FPrice
Member
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101040607-644112,00.html?cnn=yes
"Bush Keeps Saddam Gun at White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A handgun that Saddam Hussein was clutching when U.S. forces captured him in a hole in Iraq last December is now kept by President Bush at the White House, a spokesman confirmed on Sunday.
Time magazine, which first disclosed the gun's location, said military officials had it mounted after it was seized from Saddam near his hometown of Tikrit last year, and soldiers involved in the capture gave it to Bush.
The magazine quoted a visitor who had been shown the gun, which is kept in a small study off the Oval Office where Bush displays memorabilia. It is the same room where former President Bill Clinton had some of his encounters with former intern Monica Lewinsky.
Bush shows Saddam's gun to select visitors, telling them it is unloaded, both now and when Saddam was captured, Time reported.
"He really liked showing it off," Time quoted a visitor as saying. "He was really proud of it."
White House spokesman Jim Morrell said, "The president was proud of the performance and bravery of our armed forces and was honored to receive it on behalf of the troops involved in the operation."
"Bush Keeps Saddam Gun at White House
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A handgun that Saddam Hussein was clutching when U.S. forces captured him in a hole in Iraq last December is now kept by President Bush at the White House, a spokesman confirmed on Sunday.
Time magazine, which first disclosed the gun's location, said military officials had it mounted after it was seized from Saddam near his hometown of Tikrit last year, and soldiers involved in the capture gave it to Bush.
The magazine quoted a visitor who had been shown the gun, which is kept in a small study off the Oval Office where Bush displays memorabilia. It is the same room where former President Bill Clinton had some of his encounters with former intern Monica Lewinsky.
Bush shows Saddam's gun to select visitors, telling them it is unloaded, both now and when Saddam was captured, Time reported.
"He really liked showing it off," Time quoted a visitor as saying. "He was really proud of it."
White House spokesman Jim Morrell said, "The president was proud of the performance and bravery of our armed forces and was honored to receive it on behalf of the troops involved in the operation."
Aguila Blanca
Member
All well and good if it STAYS in the White House when he leaves. He has no right to keep it in perpetuity once he reverts to being a "citizen" like the rest of us.
Unless the gummint suddenly decides to allow soldiers from the sandpile to keep any AK-47s and other assorted weapons they might come across. That would be one way to reduce the size of some of those arms caches we keep reading about.
Unless the gummint suddenly decides to allow soldiers from the sandpile to keep any AK-47s and other assorted weapons they might come across. That would be one way to reduce the size of some of those arms caches we keep reading about.
Ivy Mike
Member
Thats cool with me. The White House is more than just a place to keep the president. It is an exhibit that shows the strength and principles this country was founded on. The captured gun is just a reminder of how the US tries to make the world a better place.
mountainclmbr
Member
What!!! A gun in DC???? Won't the crime rate go up???? I can picture the violence...the same as a Hollywood movie!!!! It will start killing innocent people on its own!!! It would be safer if Saddam kept it!!!!
Oh, sorry, just trying to figure out how the left thinks.
Oh, sorry, just trying to figure out how the left thinks.
telomerase
Member
How did he get a permit for a handgun in DC?
Is it really legal for the President to have a handgun in DC? Not that he shouldn't, of course; most DC citizens should have a handgun. Just wondering how the legalities work.
Is it really legal for the President to have a handgun in DC? Not that he shouldn't, of course; most DC citizens should have a handgun. Just wondering how the legalities work.
Hkmp5sd
Member
Duplicate thread.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=84575
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=84575
MountainPeak
Member
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So!
Somehow, I don't think this was registered pre the 1976 handgun ban.
This will be sure to drive the murder rate through the roof.
Oh wait, it already is through the roof.
Washington DC 46.4 murders per 100,000 -- no handguns
Arlington, VA 2.1 murders per 100,000 -- handguns a'plenty
It's time to end the sham.
This will be sure to drive the murder rate through the roof.
Oh wait, it already is through the roof.
Washington DC 46.4 murders per 100,000 -- no handguns
Arlington, VA 2.1 murders per 100,000 -- handguns a'plenty
It's time to end the sham.
Stand_Watie
Member
Doesn't the DC ban exempt the military in the course of their duties? I imagine he could pull the commander in chief rank in a pinch. Otherwise he could have it put in a display case with a lock on it, the key in the pocket of whatever secret service agent was on duty at the time, and he wouldn't be in "posession" of it.
Edit to answer my own question. Here is the list of DC exceptions, nice and long to make sure that plenty of people in the special classes are allowed to own weapons that us second class citizens can't
****
TEXT
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA OFFICIAL CODE 2001 EDITION
DIVISION IV. CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE AND PRISONERS.
TITLE 22. CRIMINAL OFFENSES AND PENALTIES.
SUBTITLE VI. REGULATION AND POSSESSION OF WEAPONS.
CHAPTER 45. WEAPONS AND POSSESSION OF WEAPONS.
§ 22-4505. Exceptions to § 22-4504.
TEXT (a)
(a) The provisions of § 22-4504 shall not apply to marshals, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens, or their deputies, policemen or other duly appointed law enforcement officers, including special agents of the Office of Tax and Revenue, authorized in writing by the Deputy Chief Financial Officer for the Office of Tax and Revenue to carry a firearm while engaged in the performance of their official duties, and criminal investigators of the Office of the Inspector General, designated in writing by the Inspector General, while engaged in the performance of their official duties, or to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps of the United States or of the National Guard or Organized Reserves when on duty, or to the regularly enrolled members of any organization duly authorized to purchase or receive such weapons from the United States, provided such members are at or are going to or from their places of assembly or target practice, or to officers or employees of the United States duly authorized to carry a concealed pistol, or to any person engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing, or dealing in firearms, or the agent or representative of any such person having in his or her possession, using, or carrying a pistol in the usual or ordinary course of such business, or to any person while carrying a pistol unloaded and in a secure wrapper from the place of purchase to his or her home or place of business or to a place of repair or back to his or her home or place of business or in moving goods from one place of abode or business to another.
TEXT (b)
(b) The provisions of § 22-4504 with respect to pistols shall not apply to a police officer who has retired from the Metropolitan Police Department, if the police officer has registered a pistol and it is concealed on or about the police officer.
http://dccode.westgroup.com/Find/De...pe=W&DB=DC-TOC-WEB;STADCTOC&RS=WLW2.07&VR=2.0
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