Editorial: President answers gun control critics

Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2000 | 9:41 a.m.

Last year the Republican leadership in Congress thwarted President Clinton's gun control legislation. GOP leaders insisted that the administration had failed to enforce the gun laws already in place, so there was no need to add even more. Although a valid point was raised about enforcement, this line of reasoning begged the question of whether a tougher waiting period to purchase a handgun was necessary.

But instead of simply dismissing his critics -- and playing into their hands -- Clinton announced Tuesday that he would ask Congress for a $280 million funding increase to crack down on those who break gun laws. If the Republicans fail to find common ground with Clinton after his willingness to beef up enforcement, it will be evident that their opposition has been purely political and nothing more than a favor to a big contributor, the National Rifle Association.

archive