Sportsmen for Obama? - Obama 2004 Pushing Federal Gun Control

Obama 2004 Pushing Federal Gun Control

Friday, 18 April 2008

In 2004 Barack Obama was running for the U.S. Senate in Illinois. The Chicago Tribune provides these tidbits:

All of the candidates endorsed stricter gun-control measures, but each said tougher enforcement of existing gun-control laws should be a priority over the introduction of new laws.

Each candidate supported closing loopholes that allow gun shows to sell weapons to unauthorized buyers. Each also advocated the renewal of a federal ban on the sale of assault weapons, which expires in September.

Obama, however, called for a host of new gun-control measures: strengthening the assault-weapons ban to include high-capacity clips made prior to 1994; holding parents criminally responsible for children who injure someone with a gun found in the home; placing trigger locks on all guns; and allowing gun buyers to purchase only one weapon per month.

Hynes advocated increasing penalties for crimes committed with a gun, and Hull would increase funding to update technology that provides instant background checks on gun buyers.

All of the candidates, except Hynes, said they opposed allowing citizens to carry concealed weapons. Hynes and Chico said states, not the federal government, should regulate the matter.

"I consider this an issue for the states to decide, not the federal government," Chico said.

Obama disagreed. He backed federal legislation that would ban citizens from carrying weapons, except for law enforcement. He cited Texas as an example of a place where a law allowing people to carry weapons has "malfunctioned" because hundreds of people granted licenses had prior convictions.

"National legislation will prevent other states' flawed concealed- weapons laws from threatening the safety of Illinois residents," Obama said. (emphasis mine)

So, not only does Barack support the standard laundry list of gun control, he also wants federal legislation to override state concealed carry laws.

From David Mendell, "Democratic hopefuls vary a bit on death penalty," Chicago Tribune, February 20, 2004.

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