Russ Feingold sides with NRA on Gun Ban

[zulchzulu]

Russ Feingold is up for re-election and might be in for a tough fight. Why he chose to vote this bill is beyond me. It will only alienate those that are backing him. By the way, Feingold was the only senator to vote against the Patriot Act.

http://www.madison.com/wisconsinstatejournal/opinion/69374.php

Snip:

In siding with the NRA, Feingold defied his own history. Feingold voted for the Brady Bill requiring background checks of gun buyers. He voted for requiring weapons dealers at gun shows to conduct background checks on potential purchasers. He voted against protecting the gun industry from lawsuits. And in 1994, when the assault weapons ban passed the first time, Feingold was all for it. <

Feingold, who is up for re-election this year, said he changed his mind because the ban is a "largely arbitrary and symbolic measure." It's true that gun manufacturers have been busily and profitably evading the ban since day one by making minor cosmetic changes to these deadly weapons. As the May 2003 issue of "Gun World" magazine noted, "Strange as it seems, despite the hit U.S. citizens took with the onerous crime bill of 1994, ARs (assault rifles) are far from dead. Stunned momentarily, they sprang back with a vengeance and seem better than ever."

[lcordero]

1. He has talked to people about it at his listening sessions

http://www.greenbaynewschron.com/page.html?article=123810

"At these town meetings over the years, I've heard a lot of people say there might have been some misinformation about what these weapons - guns - really are," Feingold said. "There are some semi-automatics that really aren't assault (weapons)."

[leftistagitator]

2. He's right

The assault weapons ban is a complete joke. Why care so much for a bill that only bans muzzle flash hiders and other assorted gun accessories? The only reason to vote for it is just so one can say I voted to ban assault rifles in an election, the bill has no practical effect.

[zulchzulu]

3. If it's so meaningless, then why not vote for it and keep your base happy

Now Feingold can be branded as an NRA stooge.

[bobthedrummer]

4. Fuck Russ Darrow and all challengers to our Senator-

Russ Feingold will be re-elected here in now Democratic {again} Wisconsin!
:hi:

[FeebMaster]

5. umm

principles? maybe?

[Zero Gravitas]

6. exactly

The "Assault" weapons ban is merely window dressing. I'm amazed that anyone on either side of the argument gets so worked up about it. IF they wanted to legislate against "weapons of mass destruction" they'd have to ban all semi-automatic rifles and hand guns along with pump action shotguns. And thats not going to happen.

[w4rma]

7. Sen. Feingold is my favorite Senator. IMHO, he is exactly correct on this

I agreed with his vote against the Patriot Act. I agree with his vote against the AWB.

Gun control is an urban vs. rural ideology. It's not a liberal one.

[el_gato]

8. Smart Move

gun grabbers lose votes

[Hammie]

9. The AWB backfired

When it passed there was only a couple vendors of good quality AR's. Interest was primarily confined to knowledgeable enthusiasts. Since the AWB raised the awareness level, many more people have discovered what fine rifles they are. The number of suppliers have doubled and the variations available are almost uncountable, all in perfect compliance with the AWB. The one thing that hasn't changed is that AR's and other military pattern rifles (whether pre or post ban) constitute a minuscule fraction of the weapons that are criminally misused.

Feingold reevaluated his position in light of the facts and changed his mind. To my mind that makes him a man of integrity, good on him!