Sanders: 'We must follow New Zealand's lead' and ban assault weapons

[Uncle Joe]

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) on Thursday praised New Zealand's leaders for banning military-style rifles and semi-automatic guns in the wake of a shooting there that left 50 people dead, saying the U.S. should follow suit.

"This is what real action to stop gun violence looks like," tweeted Sanders, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate. "We must follow New Zealand's lead, take on the NRA and ban the sale and distribution of assault weapons in the United States."

(snip)

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the country would ban the sale of all assault rifles and semi-automatic guns, less than a week after a shooter opened fire at two mosques in Christchurch, killing 50 people.

"We will ban all high-capacity magazines. We will ban all parts with the ability to convert semi-automatic or any other type of firearm into a military-style semi-automatic weapon," she said. "We will ban parts that cause a firearm to generate semi-automatic, automatic or close to automatic gunfire."

(snip)


https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/435093-sanders-we-must-follow-new-zealand-and-ban-assault-weapons

[Renew Deal]

1. Better late than never

[Uncle Joe]

6. Bernie first proposed banning Assault Weapons in April of 2013

perhaps before then but that's the earliest that I have found

.

Sanders Votes for Background Checks, Assault Weapons Ban
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
WASHINGTON, April 17 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today voted for expanded background checks on gun buyers and for a ban on assault weapons but the Senate rejected those central planks of legislation inspired by the shootings of 20 first-grade students and six teachers in Newtown, Conn.

“Nobody believes that gun control by itself is going to end the horrors we have seen in Newtown, Conn., Aurora, Colo., Blacksburg, Va., Tucson, Ariz. and other American communities,” Sanders said. “There is a growing consensus, however, in Vermont and across America that we have got to do as much as we can to end the cold-blooded, mass murders of innocent people. I believe very strongly that we also have got to address the mental health crisis in our country and make certain that help is available for people who may be a danger to themselves and others,” Sanders added.

The amendment on expanded background checks needed 60 votes to pass but only 54 senators voted for it. “To my mind it makes common sense to keep these weapons out of the hands of people with criminal records or mental health histories,” Sanders said.

Under current federal law, background checks are not performed for tens of thousands of sales – up to 40 percent of all gun transfers – at gun shows or over the Internet. The amendment would have required background checks for all gun sales in commercial settings regardless of whether the seller is a licensed dealer. The compromise proposal would have exempted sales between “family, friends, and neighbors.”

In a separate roll call, the Senate rejected a proposal to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. That proposal was defeated by a vote of 60 to 40.

https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-votes-for-background-checks-assault-weapons-ban

[Politicub]

13. I read your post as...

Bernie late than never

[Mr Tibbs]

18. Bernie supported every measure in Obama's gun control package after Sandy Hook

Information is a good thing.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/sanders

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. Why rely on facts, when you can bash Bernie instead?!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[guillaumeb]

2. But the Second Amendment, as edited by Scalia.

Edited by Scalia to disregard the clause speaking to the "well-regulated militia".

[Socal31]

3. I think Gorsuch and Mr. Beerbong will rule "common use".

[lapucelle]

4. Let's start by repealing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act

This was a policy goal in our 2016 platform.

Apparently some who voted in favor of this legislation have evolved on the issue of special protections for gun manufacturers.

https://democrats.org/about/party-platform/#gun-violence

[BannonsLiver]

5. +1 I guess Bernie is into irony.

He has had a poor record on this subject for a long time, as with the Russia sanctions.

[dalton99a]

7. The Federal Assault Weapons Ban signed by Bill Clinton

is conveniently forgotten - along with attempts at renewal by Obama et al

[namahage]

21. You mean the one that was part of the

Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994?

AKA the bill that Biden is demonized for co-writing, Hillary was demonized for saying the “s word” in a speech, and Bernie voted for but that’s different because reasons?

[Mr Tibbs]

19. He has a very good record on this subject

[BannonsLiver]

23. Yes, I'm sure every Bernie supporter believes that.

[NurseJackie]

8. Newtown Action Alliance Outraged by Bernie Saners' NRA Stance on Gun Industry Immunity

https://www.newtownactionalliance.org/naa-press-media/uncategorized/newtown-action-alliance-outraged-bernie-sanders-nra-stance-gun-industry-immunity

[dalton99a]

9. But the lawsuits would result in 'ending gun manufacturing in America'

Very progressive stance

[sheshe2]

10. Thanks for the link, NurseJackie.

Breaks my heart reading it.

[lunamagica]

16. Thanks for the link, Nurse Jackie

[Control-Z]

36. Thanks, NurseJackie.

I swear, I agree with your posts so often I don't have to make replies myself. Yes, I can be a bit lazy but your responses are better than mine and you include links I'd never find. I really appreciate your posts!

[NurseJackie]

38. ...

[hack89]

11. The irony is that VT is a "constitutional carry" state

The State neither issues nor requires a permit to carry a weapon on one's person, openly or concealed. This is known in the U.S. as constitutional carry, since one's "permit" is the United States Constitution. Vermont is the only state where this has always been the case (hence the alternative term Vermont carry[4]). Vermont law does not distinguish between residents and non-residents of the state; both have the same right to carry permit-free while in Vermont.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_Vermont

They have the laxest gun laws in the country. I guess it was not a priority until he decided to run for President.

[Mr Tibbs]

20. Federal Senators don't make state laws

State legislators do that.

[hack89]

24. So he is drastically out of sync with his state and constituents?

Really.

[Mr Tibbs]

25. So you believe that Sanders should have a more pro gun stance?

Well that's just silly!

[hack89]

27. It depends what group he is appealing to

In VT, if not pro- gun, he at least keeps quiet about gun control. To a national audience he says what he can’t say in VT.

[Uncle Joe]

30. Wouldn't the national audience include Vermont with T.V. the Internet, USA Today and

other publications?

It's not they're living a vacuum, if Bernie speaks to the nation, a small state like Vermont most assuredly hears him.

[hack89]

33. He doesn't need VT to win the presidency

They are pretty irrelevant to him right now.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

34. You may not have heard but he's the most popular US Senator (on the planet lol).

[hack89]

39. Did I say we wasn't?

I am just pointing out how his views on gun control have "evolved" depending on his political ambitions.

[Uncle Joe]

37. Vermont is Bernie's home and they know he has been against Assault Weapons throughout his career.

Even if the Pony Express still existed they would've known it years ago.

[hack89]

40. But he apparently has no issues with Constitutional carry.

which is fine.

[Blue_true]

28. The same people that give Bernie a pass pillor Gillibrand for changing her tune on guns

several years back. They say that she was being "opportunistic". Funny how that works.

[Power 2 the People]

12. Thanks Uncle Joe!

Bernie leading the way again!

[Nanjeanne]

14. Actually Bernie favored banning assault weapons as far back as 1994.

Link to tweet

[Uncle Joe]

17. Thanks for the addition Nanjeanne.

[namahage]

22. What a courageous stance.

That wouldn't have anything to do with his vote for the 1994 crime bill, would it?

The one that Bernie gets credit for regarding the positives (Violence Against Women Act, Federal Assault Weapons Ban) but Biden and Hillary get demonized for regarding the negatives?

[Blue_true]

29. Funny how that works, Isn't it? It's hipocracy. nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

35. But, but, but... Bernie's not a Democrat!! Haven't you heard?!

Wait... but he is a Democrat!!! nm


Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Welcome to the revolution!!!

[theboss]

15. This primary is really going to be everyone topping everyone else with Nevernever policies, isn't it

This is going to be exhausting.

[Beartracks]

26. NZ's leadership is amazing. A life-affirming decision to put their people first. n/t

==============

[SidDithers]

31. "Guns in Vermont are not the same as guns in Chicago"...nt

Sid