Congressman brings common sense to gun control debate
Mar 28, 2013 21:33:07 #
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cap-guns-20130328,0,2865196,full.column
By George Skelton
Capitol Journal
March 27, 2013, 4:42 p.m.
SACRAMENTO As the national firearms debate reaches a crescendo, a Northern California congressman is proving that you can be both a gun lover and a gun controller.
Rep. Mike Thompson of St. Helena, a moderate "blue dog" Democrat who represents the premier Napa-Sonoma wine country, puts the lie to the National Rifle Assn. demagoguery that this is a firefight between pro-gun and anti-gun forces.
It's not about government agents swooping down in black helicopters to seize the guns of innocent, law-abiding citizens.
"As a hunter and gun owner, I will not give up my guns and I will not ask other law-abiding Americans to give up theirs," says Thompson, 62, a former state legislator and eight-term congressman. "But as a father and grandfather, I also know we have a responsibility to keep our kids, communities and country safe from gun violence."
He resists the term "gun control."
"My philosophy is it's not gun control, but gun violence prevention," he asserts. "We ought to have reasonable laws that protect the 2nd Amendment and keep our communities safe, and I think we can do both."
The U.S. Supreme Court, the congressman points out, ruled five years ago "that individuals have a right to own guns. Period. It also said that the government has a right to regulate firearms. Period."
Thompson has been a shooter practically all his life. The NRA's contention that gun owners need to protect themselves against gun grabbers is "ridiculous," he says. "I just think it's an argument ginned up as a means to generate more members for the organization.
"I know a lot of NRA members and I don't know of any who think they should have the same weapons as the police or military or should be able to buy a gun without a background check. What we're hearing from is the real extreme."
Thompson's portfolio exceeds a personal hunting arsenal. He's chairman of a House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, composed of Democrats. It recently issued a "set of policy principles" aimed at respecting gun ownership while reducing gun violence.
Among the panel's recommendations was reinstatement of the national assault weapons ban, championed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).
"I'm a gun guy, but I carried an assault weapon in Vietnam. And if I never see another one, it'll be too soon," says the former Army infantryman, who earned a Purple Heart.
Assault weapons "give a bad name to gun owners," Thompson continues. "There are more people who don't own guns than do. If they think all of us gun owners are running around with assault weapons, that's going to do us a real disservice. And we'll just fall out of favor with the voters."
But Feinstein's proposed assault weapons ban was stripped from Senate gun legislation by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Reid contended it had no chance of passage and only weakened the rest of the bill, which apparently will include requiring background checks for all purchasers of firearms at gun shows. Currently the checks are required merely when a gun is bought from a licensed dealer.
Thompson is practical. He brings common sense to the debate. He believes too much time and rhetoric may have been wasted on trying to ban assault weapons and more focus should have been placed on outlawing the sale of mega-magazines holding more than 10 bullets. They are, after all, what turn assault weapons into such mass-killing machines.
The congressman calls them "assault magazines."
"Take the assault magazine out of an assault weapon and all you have is an ugly semiautomatic," he says.
Thompson says he hasn't given up hope that the Senate will vote next month to ban high-capacity magazines. Reid has said he'll allow Feinstein to offer it as an amendment to the bill, and she intends to. If the magazine limitation were to pass the Senate, its prospects would improve in the Republican-controlled House, Thompson believes.
At any rate, Thompson intends to push bipartisan legislation to require background checks at gun shows, but exempt transfers within families or sales to hunting buddies. He'd also increase the penalties for illegal gun trafficking.
California, of course, has among the most restrictive gun controls of any state. And the Legislature is plowing ahead with even tougher legislation, much of it aimed at closing loopholes pried open by gun manufacturers.
Sales of assault weapons and magazines holding more than 10 rounds long have been banned in California. But old weapons and magazines were grandfathered in and remain legal.
There is new legislation to ban even the possession not just the sale of mega-mags. Another bill would bar the sale of any detachable magazine. Still another would require a license issued only after a background check to buy ammunition.
There's also a bill to prohibit anyone twice convicted of drunken driving within five years from owning a gun for a decade.
"That makes perfect sense; it's almost a forehead slapper," says Garen Wintemute, director of the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program. "Alcohol abuse is a huge risk factor for being a perpetrator and a victim."
The mass murder of first-graders at a Connecticut school in December "reawakened everybody that there's more to do," Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) says. "Our attitude is we ought to do more that is smart, reasonable and aggressive."
But Thompson says he's concerned that Sacramento unlike Washington may be "overreaching" on gun laws. "I just hope state legislators talk to people who know guns."
They could start by talking to Thompson.
george.skelton@latimes.com
By George Skelton
Capitol Journal
March 27, 2013, 4:42 p.m.
SACRAMENTO As the national firearms debate reaches a crescendo, a Northern California congressman is proving that you can be both a gun lover and a gun controller.
Rep. Mike Thompson of St. Helena, a moderate "blue dog" Democrat who represents the premier Napa-Sonoma wine country, puts the lie to the National Rifle Assn. demagoguery that this is a firefight between pro-gun and anti-gun forces.
It's not about government agents swooping down in black helicopters to seize the guns of innocent, law-abiding citizens.
"As a hunter and gun owner, I will not give up my guns and I will not ask other law-abiding Americans to give up theirs," says Thompson, 62, a former state legislator and eight-term congressman. "But as a father and grandfather, I also know we have a responsibility to keep our kids, communities and country safe from gun violence."
He resists the term "gun control."
"My philosophy is it's not gun control, but gun violence prevention," he asserts. "We ought to have reasonable laws that protect the 2nd Amendment and keep our communities safe, and I think we can do both."
The U.S. Supreme Court, the congressman points out, ruled five years ago "that individuals have a right to own guns. Period. It also said that the government has a right to regulate firearms. Period."
Thompson has been a shooter practically all his life. The NRA's contention that gun owners need to protect themselves against gun grabbers is "ridiculous," he says. "I just think it's an argument ginned up as a means to generate more members for the organization.
"I know a lot of NRA members and I don't know of any who think they should have the same weapons as the police or military or should be able to buy a gun without a background check. What we're hearing from is the real extreme."
Thompson's portfolio exceeds a personal hunting arsenal. He's chairman of a House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, composed of Democrats. It recently issued a "set of policy principles" aimed at respecting gun ownership while reducing gun violence.
Among the panel's recommendations was reinstatement of the national assault weapons ban, championed by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).
"I'm a gun guy, but I carried an assault weapon in Vietnam. And if I never see another one, it'll be too soon," says the former Army infantryman, who earned a Purple Heart.
Assault weapons "give a bad name to gun owners," Thompson continues. "There are more people who don't own guns than do. If they think all of us gun owners are running around with assault weapons, that's going to do us a real disservice. And we'll just fall out of favor with the voters."
But Feinstein's proposed assault weapons ban was stripped from Senate gun legislation by Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). Reid contended it had no chance of passage and only weakened the rest of the bill, which apparently will include requiring background checks for all purchasers of firearms at gun shows. Currently the checks are required merely when a gun is bought from a licensed dealer.
Thompson is practical. He brings common sense to the debate. He believes too much time and rhetoric may have been wasted on trying to ban assault weapons and more focus should have been placed on outlawing the sale of mega-magazines holding more than 10 bullets. They are, after all, what turn assault weapons into such mass-killing machines.
The congressman calls them "assault magazines."
"Take the assault magazine out of an assault weapon and all you have is an ugly semiautomatic," he says.
Thompson says he hasn't given up hope that the Senate will vote next month to ban high-capacity magazines. Reid has said he'll allow Feinstein to offer it as an amendment to the bill, and she intends to. If the magazine limitation were to pass the Senate, its prospects would improve in the Republican-controlled House, Thompson believes.
At any rate, Thompson intends to push bipartisan legislation to require background checks at gun shows, but exempt transfers within families or sales to hunting buddies. He'd also increase the penalties for illegal gun trafficking.
California, of course, has among the most restrictive gun controls of any state. And the Legislature is plowing ahead with even tougher legislation, much of it aimed at closing loopholes pried open by gun manufacturers.
Sales of assault weapons and magazines holding more than 10 rounds long have been banned in California. But old weapons and magazines were grandfathered in and remain legal.
There is new legislation to ban even the possession not just the sale of mega-mags. Another bill would bar the sale of any detachable magazine. Still another would require a license issued only after a background check to buy ammunition.
There's also a bill to prohibit anyone twice convicted of drunken driving within five years from owning a gun for a decade.
"That makes perfect sense; it's almost a forehead slapper," says Garen Wintemute, director of the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program. "Alcohol abuse is a huge risk factor for being a perpetrator and a victim."
The mass murder of first-graders at a Connecticut school in December "reawakened everybody that there's more to do," Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) says. "Our attitude is we ought to do more that is smart, reasonable and aggressive."
But Thompson says he's concerned that Sacramento unlike Washington may be "overreaching" on gun laws. "I just hope state legislators talk to people who know guns."
They could start by talking to Thompson.
george.skelton@latimes.com
Mar 28, 2013 22:58:57 #
He resists the term gun control but wants it.He says he's never met a NRA member that agrees that we should own what the police carry of something to that effect,Well it's because he hasn't talked to many.I guess he thinks I should turn in my Glock?Sorry,this guy is not a 2nd amendment supporter.He's a wolf in sheeps clothing.
Mar 28, 2013 23:51:29 #
Mar 29, 2013 00:44:50 #
RichieC
Loc: Adirondacks
Baaaaa Baaaaaaa.... The intent of the constitution was precisely opposite to what this man, who has pledged to uphold it, exposes. I imagine any law he would support would no doubt not cover him or the rest of his equals, just as many they have passed similarly do not. He should study the document he is an enemy of.
I do not believe we need bazookas, hand grenades or nuclear weapons to accomplish the original mission. Having 200 million people with rifles, shotguns and hand guns would make the government pause, which is the intent. Proof is in recognizing that the first thing every totalatarist government does is disarm its citizenry, usually saying it is meant to protect them . Then comes out stuff like gas chambers, killing fields, mass graves.... get it?
Here are the facts of the man who helped write the 2nd amendment, in case you wondered what it means.
James Madison was the primary author of the Bill of Rights, he is known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his central role in its formation, and was one of three authors of the Federalist Papers, a group of essays published in newspapers and books to explain and lobby for ratification of the Constitution.
In Federalist Paper 46, James Madison addressed the concern that a standing federal army might conduct a coup to take over the nation. He argued that this was implausible because, based on the country's population at the time, a federal standing army couldn't field more than 25,000-30,000 men. He then wrote:
To these would be opposed a militia amounting to near half a million of citizens with arms in their hands, officered by men chosen from among themselves, fighting for their common liberties, and united and conducted by governments possessing their affections and confidence.
Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of. Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.
I do not believe we need bazookas, hand grenades or nuclear weapons to accomplish the original mission. Having 200 million people with rifles, shotguns and hand guns would make the government pause, which is the intent. Proof is in recognizing that the first thing every totalatarist government does is disarm its citizenry, usually saying it is meant to protect them . Then comes out stuff like gas chambers, killing fields, mass graves.... get it?
Here are the facts of the man who helped write the 2nd amendment, in case you wondered what it means.
James Madison was the primary author of the Bill of Rights, he is known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his central role in its formation, and was one of three authors of the Federalist Papers, a group of essays published in newspapers and books to explain and lobby for ratification of the Constitution.
In Federalist Paper 46, James Madison addressed the concern that a standing federal army might conduct a coup to take over the nation. He argued that this was implausible because, based on the country's population at the time, a federal standing army couldn't field more than 25,000-30,000 men. He then wrote:
To these would be opposed a militia amounting to near half a million of citizens with arms in their hands, officered by men chosen from among themselves, fighting for their common liberties, and united and conducted by governments possessing their affections and confidence.
Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation, the existence of subordinate governments, to which the people are attached, and by which the militia officers are appointed, forms a barrier against the enterprises of ambition, more insurmountable than any which a simple government of any form can admit of. Notwithstanding the military establishments in the several kingdoms of Europe, which are carried as far as the public resources will bear, the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.
Mar 29, 2013 06:16:14 #
First piece of rubbish. Totalitarian governments seize control whether or not they have previously banned firearms.
Second. The logical end game you are advocating is another civil war.
Second. The logical end game you are advocating is another civil war.
Mar 29, 2013 06:35:09 #
The article is not only severely biased, it is infested with errors and deliberately misleading statements.
"Thompson is practical. He brings common sense to the debate. He believes too much time and rhetoric may have been wasted on trying to ban assault weapons and more focus should have been placed on outlawing the sale of mega-magazines holding more than 10 bullets. They are, after all, what turn assault weapons into such mass-killing machines." He is neither practical, nor possessing of common sense. Adding one inanimate object to another inanimate object does not create an animated object that commits mass killings. Without a person involved, no killing, mass or otherwise, is going to take place.
Mr. Thompson says he carried an assault weapon in Viet Nam, and if he never sees another one it will be too soon. If this man is in control of himself at all, he should be able to steer clear of assault weapons without too much trouble. It's not like they're growing on every tree! As for the rest of us: Leave us alone! He's still making decisions for others who are not asking for his help. He's really no different than the other "gun-grabbers" who are insisting they are not gun-grabbers. I, for one, am tired of these people lying to me, and then telling me they're not lying to me!
This guy, together with Dianne Feinstein, is thinking he's so much better, and smarter, than any of the rest of us and can dictate our lives as He sees fit. I say: "He is sadly mistaken."
I am NOT Adam Lanza, and I resent being treated like him.
"Thompson is practical. He brings common sense to the debate. He believes too much time and rhetoric may have been wasted on trying to ban assault weapons and more focus should have been placed on outlawing the sale of mega-magazines holding more than 10 bullets. They are, after all, what turn assault weapons into such mass-killing machines." He is neither practical, nor possessing of common sense. Adding one inanimate object to another inanimate object does not create an animated object that commits mass killings. Without a person involved, no killing, mass or otherwise, is going to take place.
Mr. Thompson says he carried an assault weapon in Viet Nam, and if he never sees another one it will be too soon. If this man is in control of himself at all, he should be able to steer clear of assault weapons without too much trouble. It's not like they're growing on every tree! As for the rest of us: Leave us alone! He's still making decisions for others who are not asking for his help. He's really no different than the other "gun-grabbers" who are insisting they are not gun-grabbers. I, for one, am tired of these people lying to me, and then telling me they're not lying to me!
This guy, together with Dianne Feinstein, is thinking he's so much better, and smarter, than any of the rest of us and can dictate our lives as He sees fit. I say: "He is sadly mistaken."
I am NOT Adam Lanza, and I resent being treated like him.
Mar 29, 2013 07:30:35 #
[
I am NOT Adam Lanza, and I resent being treated like him.[/quote]
And we have to take your word for that? People here keep saying that the important thing is to keep guns out of the hands of "criminals and nutters". Without background checks, how can you tell?
I am NOT Adam Lanza, and I resent being treated like him.[/quote]
And we have to take your word for that? People here keep saying that the important thing is to keep guns out of the hands of "criminals and nutters". Without background checks, how can you tell?
Mar 29, 2013 09:27:57 #
this is a quote from Danilo's post above: "I, for one, am tired of these people lying to me, and then telling me they're not lying to me!
This guy, together with Dianne Feinstein, is thinking he's so much better, and smarter, than any of the rest of us and can dictate our lives as He sees fit. I say: "He is sadly mistaken."
I am NOT Adam Lanza, and I resent being treated like him."
He is 100% correct in how politicians think. This is at every level. We just had a county commissioner say that we are like sheep and need him to lead us around because he can think better. Guess who will not get my vote in the next election. That is the real problem with all our politicians all the way up to our President. They forget who put them there and it is time for us all to realize it is up to us to get them out of office in the next elections. As some are so fond of saying......WAKE UP AMERICA. I for one am tired of politicians that think we are the idiots and too dumb to get out of the rain.
This guy, together with Dianne Feinstein, is thinking he's so much better, and smarter, than any of the rest of us and can dictate our lives as He sees fit. I say: "He is sadly mistaken."
I am NOT Adam Lanza, and I resent being treated like him."
He is 100% correct in how politicians think. This is at every level. We just had a county commissioner say that we are like sheep and need him to lead us around because he can think better. Guess who will not get my vote in the next election. That is the real problem with all our politicians all the way up to our President. They forget who put them there and it is time for us all to realize it is up to us to get them out of office in the next elections. As some are so fond of saying......WAKE UP AMERICA. I for one am tired of politicians that think we are the idiots and too dumb to get out of the rain.
Mar 29, 2013 11:35:07 #
Hmmm... my husband is a shooter. He dropped his NRA membership because he felt they were using the people,playing on their fears and hates. I agree with that. We used to get weekly correspondence from the NRA, most of it lambasting democrats and asking for more money. Hubby does not own an assault weapon nor does he want one. He shoots clay birds and pistols. He carries a gun when we go for drives into the wilds of White Country, which amuses me. But you never know what you may encounter when you drive down that one lane road that turns into a unpaved road, that winds up and down and round those hollers. Wait!! I think I hear banjo music! driver faster! Some of my relatives live in places like that and I know they won't shoot me. I really don't think anyone else that lives there will, either. If you live in fear, then it WILL consume you.
Mar 29, 2013 13:09:11 #
ntonkin
Loc: western Upper Peninusla of Michigan
A good view is the relatively recent and surprising interview on PBS with a George Wash Univ law professor who is a recognized expert on the 2nd Amendment. She brings out several significant points about legislative definitions - ie: "Assault weapons" which are actually semi-automatic carbines that have cosmetic features to make them look "cool" are not actually assault weapons which are by definition fully automatic.
"Outdoor Hub" has a video in which an Indiana Sheriff runs a test on large capacity magazines vs several small capacity magazines which results in very little difference in putting a large number of rounds on target.
Another fact that seems to be overlooked in this heated discussion about this effort to reduce mass killings by increased gun control - all of the incidents in question were done by mentally ill/disturbed people, NOT criminals. If we want to reduce mass killings it seems we should be considering mental health options and reporting requirements instead of banning weapons and large cap magazines.
"Outdoor Hub" has a video in which an Indiana Sheriff runs a test on large capacity magazines vs several small capacity magazines which results in very little difference in putting a large number of rounds on target.
Another fact that seems to be overlooked in this heated discussion about this effort to reduce mass killings by increased gun control - all of the incidents in question were done by mentally ill/disturbed people, NOT criminals. If we want to reduce mass killings it seems we should be considering mental health options and reporting requirements instead of banning weapons and large cap magazines.
Mar 29, 2013 13:43:32 #
I'm still looking for a reason to create new laws when current laws are not enforced. It seems that the first thing to be plea bargained out, discounted, or dropped entirely is the illegal use or possession of a firearm, which carries "mandatory" sentences in most states. If the body of law disregards what is already in place, then one bullet or a hundred, it just doesn't matter.
Mar 29, 2013 13:59:28 #
Good point!
I think with many DA's, it is a numbers game.
The do the sure winners and walk from the rest.
Too many plea bargains.
I think with many DA's, it is a numbers game.
The do the sure winners and walk from the rest.
Too many plea bargains.
Mar 29, 2013 14:13:44 #
amyinsparta wrote:
Hmmm... my husband is a shooter. He dropped his NR... (show quote)
I fear people like you. You say everyone is living in fear who is a member of the NRA - yes, you did say that. "He dropped his NRA membership because he felt they were using the people, playing on their fears and hates." As if the NRA is in control of mindless people. I fear people like you because you are so willing to give up your freedom (an our freedom) over gun control. If you do not want to own a gun then good for you. If I want to own a gun (which I don't) then good for me. After all, I am in control of my fears as I would also be in control of my guns.
Mar 29, 2013 14:30:38 #
Bangee5 wrote:
I fear people like you. You say everyone is living... (show quote)
great reply.& as for Bazamac..you Brits are a bit liberal with the word WE... WE as Americans could give a rats ass less about your opinion on USA gun control...deal with your own problems..
Mar 29, 2013 14:32:40 #
pbearperry wrote:
He resists the term gun control but wants it.He says he's never met a NRA member that agrees that we should own what the police carry of something to that effect,Well it's because he hasn't talked to many.I guess he thinks I should turn in my Glock?Sorry,this guy is not a 2nd amendment supporter.He's a wolf in sheeps clothing.
:thumbup:
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