Editorial: Heed police and support assault ban

Friday, Sept. 10, 2004 | 8:54 a.m.

There was a major flaw in the federal assault weapons ban that Congress passed and President Clinton signed into law on Sept. 13, 1994. It required Congress to re-authorize the law in 10 years. That time span ends after Monday and Congress is poised to let the law lapse. "I think the will of the American people is consistent with letting it expire, so it will expire," Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., said this week. He didn't mention the decline in violent crime over the past decade, or the polls showing that most Americans support the law.

Except for their appropriate use by police forces and the military, the law banned the production and sale of semi-automatic assault weapons and ammunition clips that hold more than 10 rounds. It also banned the importation of such weapons. The law also banned from general production and sale many other products with no reasonable civilian use, such as grenade launchers, threaded muzzles, protruding pistol grips and bayonet mounts. The law went out of its way to protect guns not equipped with assault features, such as hunting rifles.

Nevertheless, the National Rifle Association mounted an all-out lobbying campaign against the bill -- a campaign that never ended and apparently will be victorious. The NRA has been aided by Bush, who promised during his 2000 campaign to support renewal of the law. His support, however, has been tepid -- a clear sign to the pro-gun lobby that he's with them.

Since 9/11, Bush has seized every opportunity to laud firefighters and police officers. Now he has a chance to prove his words go beyond crafting an image for himself. Police officers all over the country are calling for renewal of the assault-weapons ban. "Our streets, our homes, our citizens and our police officers will face great danger unless the federal ban on assault weapons is renewed," Washington, D.C., Police Chief Charles Ramsey said this week.

It's time for President Bush to show that he truly supports a safer America and our first responders. He should come out -- strongly -- for renewal of the law.