David Skaggs: “the Oklahoma City bombing has left Americans looking for ways to prevent other terrorist assaults on innocent victims.…”

“the Oklahoma City bombing has left Americans looking for ways to prevent other terrorist assaults on innocent victims. One thing Congress can do is refuse to let the gun lobby blow away the landmark gun control laws passed during the 103d Congress. Today I am introducing a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that the Brady bill, the assault weapons ban, and the juvenile handgun ban should not be repealed. These laws are balanced efforts to control crime that are proving effective in keeping guns out of the wrong hands, while respecting the rights of law-abiding Americans to own firearms. To let these laws be tossed aside as a political favor to a special interest would be a national tragedy. At the beginning of this Congress, the gun lobby announced its plan to get these laws taken off the books. They have paused in their effort in the wake of the Oklahoma tragedy. But rest assured, it is only a tactical pause, and it will not last long. Oklahoma City is chilling evidence that a few individuals with extremist views can use weapons of enormous power to kill and maim. Tragically, the toll inflicted each day with handguns and military-style assault weapons is almost as great. Our commitment to fighting domestic terrorism should start with keeping the Brady bill, the assault weapons ban and the juvenile handgun ban in effect. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.”