Gun-Shy On Capitol Hill ; Why Democrats Are Not Rushing to Pass Strict New Weapons Laws

The Record, Bergen County, NJ › April 25, 2007

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Summary

SEN. BEN NELSON of Nebraska strode across an open field, a rifle draped over his shoulder. Brian Schweitzer, running for governor of Montana, wore camouflage as he peered through the viewfinder perched atop his gun.

Those images, featured in television ads promoting the candidacies of two Democrats, help explain why the Democratic- controlled Congress is not rushing to pass stricter gun laws in the wake of the shootings at Virginia Tech that left 33 people dead and spurred renewed calls in some circles for further restrictions on the sale of firearms.

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Gun-Shy On Capitol Hill ; Why Democrats Are Not Rushing to Pass Strict New Weapons Laws

Democrats have traditionally backed gun restrictions. President Clinton signed an assault weapons ban in 1994, a bill passed by a Democratic Congress. Following the deaths of 15 people at Colorado's Columbine High School in 1999, he and Democratic lawmakers pushed for more gun laws, but they were stymied by the Republicans who then held congressional m...

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