Holder dials back his commitment to pushing ban on assault weapons

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It was bound to happen; someone in the Administration woke up and realized that any attempt at a renewed AWB just isn't worth the effort or consequences.

Now... maybe if a few of the bug-eyed hand wringers in Congress will get the message as well, we can put and end to this nonsense.

Attorney General Eric Holder is retreating on his commitment to pursue a controversial gun-control measure.

Holder’s statements, recently delivered to senators in writing, clearly indicate the Obama administration is in no rush to reinstate the assault weapons ban, which expired in 2004.

In response to written questions from Senate Judiciary Committee members, Holder adopted a much different tone on the ban than he did in February, when he said, “As President Obama indicated during the campaign, there are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons.”

That comment attracted many headlines, but the nation’s chief law enforcement officer is now downplaying his earlier remarks.

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Regarding the administration’s next step, Holder stated, "The department is currently reviewing existing gun laws to determine how best to combat gun violence and keep guns out of the hands of criminals and others prohibited from possessing them."

Holder's response to Coburn is the latest in a series of mixed messages from Obama and his team after the president vowed during his campaign that he would seek to reinstate the ban.

Complete article...

[JonQ]

1. Sounds like someone finally read the latest polls on the subject

and decided he might actually want to get reelected in 2012.

[derby378]

2. In all fairness, it didn't stop Clinton from getting re-elected in 1996...

...but it sure made Congress a lot harder to get along with in 1994 and beyond.

Actions do have consequences.

[benEzra]

5. It might have, had the Bobdole unit not decided to carpet-bomb gun owners

and essentially me-too the Clinton/DLC/Third Way position on guns.

The NRA's slogan that year was "Elect a Clinton-Proof Congress." They pointedly refused to endorse Dole, considering him no better than Clinton on the issue (which was IMO an accurate assessment).

Gun owners made big gains in both houses of Congress in '96, and in both parties, IIRC.

[Recursion]

3. At last a backpedal I approve of NT

[ProgressiveProfessor]

4. One of the few sensible things he has done....................n/t