The Donkey
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imported post
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9. Mark Warner embraces override of DC gun laws
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The Washington Post belittles Mark Warner for supporting the Second
Amendment.
If only Governor Kaine understood the issue as well as Mark Warner
does. But Kaine remains lost in the inner-city Richmond mentality on
guns.
http://tinyurl.com/4l7vpp
washingtonpost.com
Pandering on Guns
Mark Warner, who should know better, puts politics ahead of D.C. home
rule.
Monday, September 22, 2008; A14
DISTRICT RESIDENTS are accustomed to politicians with no stake in
their city playing games with their rights. There's a special insult,
though, when people who profess to care about the District throw its
interests under the bus for political gain. Such is the case with
Senate hopeful Mark R. Warner (D) and his disappointing embrace of a
bill that would strip the city of any ability to regulate guns within
its borders.
As governor of Virginia, Mr. Warner prided himself on his willingness
to work across borders for regional needs. Now, locked in a battle for
a Senate seat with another former governor, James S. Gilmore III (R),
Mr. Warner shows no compunction in turning his back on the needs of a
neighboring jurisdiction and its right to self-government. In a recent
debate, Mr. Warner joined Mr. Gilmore in endorsing efforts in Congress
to usurp the District's ability to write its own gun laws in response
to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision overturning the city's long-
standing ban on handgun possession. Mr. Gilmore's position is equally
indefensible but not unexpected. It was jarring, however, to see Mr.
Warner take a position at odds with his well-groomed image of a
moderate. As he knows, D.C. officials already are working to bring the
city in compliance with the ruling of the high court, and Mr. Warner
would never countenance for Virginia a law as extreme as that proposed
for the District.
What's clear about Mr. Warner's stance is his desire not to raise the
ire of the powerful gun lobby as he seeks the seat long held by John
W. Warner (R). Indeed, the gun bill passed the Democrat-controlled
House in a vote for which 85 Democrats joined with 181 Republicans
because of the National Rifle Association's unabashed threat to punish
opponents of the measure in November. We hope that a more prudent
Senate will kill this irresponsible bill and a new Congress will show
more spine in defending the home rule rights of D.C. residents.
**************************************************
9. Mark Warner embraces override of DC gun laws
**************************************************
The Washington Post belittles Mark Warner for supporting the Second
Amendment.
If only Governor Kaine understood the issue as well as Mark Warner
does. But Kaine remains lost in the inner-city Richmond mentality on
guns.
http://tinyurl.com/4l7vpp
washingtonpost.com
Pandering on Guns
Mark Warner, who should know better, puts politics ahead of D.C. home
rule.
Monday, September 22, 2008; A14
DISTRICT RESIDENTS are accustomed to politicians with no stake in
their city playing games with their rights. There's a special insult,
though, when people who profess to care about the District throw its
interests under the bus for political gain. Such is the case with
Senate hopeful Mark R. Warner (D) and his disappointing embrace of a
bill that would strip the city of any ability to regulate guns within
its borders.
As governor of Virginia, Mr. Warner prided himself on his willingness
to work across borders for regional needs. Now, locked in a battle for
a Senate seat with another former governor, James S. Gilmore III (R),
Mr. Warner shows no compunction in turning his back on the needs of a
neighboring jurisdiction and its right to self-government. In a recent
debate, Mr. Warner joined Mr. Gilmore in endorsing efforts in Congress
to usurp the District's ability to write its own gun laws in response
to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision overturning the city's long-
standing ban on handgun possession. Mr. Gilmore's position is equally
indefensible but not unexpected. It was jarring, however, to see Mr.
Warner take a position at odds with his well-groomed image of a
moderate. As he knows, D.C. officials already are working to bring the
city in compliance with the ruling of the high court, and Mr. Warner
would never countenance for Virginia a law as extreme as that proposed
for the District.
What's clear about Mr. Warner's stance is his desire not to raise the
ire of the powerful gun lobby as he seeks the seat long held by John
W. Warner (R). Indeed, the gun bill passed the Democrat-controlled
House in a vote for which 85 Democrats joined with 181 Republicans
because of the National Rifle Association's unabashed threat to punish
opponents of the measure in November. We hope that a more prudent
Senate will kill this irresponsible bill and a new Congress will show
more spine in defending the home rule rights of D.C. residents.
