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DeWine: Gun shows put U.S. at risk
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
DeWine: Gun shows put U.S. at riskBy Michael Collins, Post Washington BureauWASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine waded deep into the fight over gun control on Wednesday, arguing that a loophole in existing law has allowed foreign terrorists to buy firearms illegally.The Springfield Republican and U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., advised their Senate colleagues in a letter that they will try to force a vote early next year on legislation that would require background checks on anyone who buys firearms at gun shows.People who buy guns from licensed dealers have been required to undergo criminal background checks since Congress passed the Brady Bill in 1994. But it doesn't apply to private dealers, who often sell at gun shows.Gun-control advocates say on at least two occasions - in Michigan and Florida, and possibly in Texas - suspected terrorists have gotten around the background checks by purchasing weapons at gun shows.''These are tangible examples of where a current loophole allows bad people to get guns,'' DeWine said.Eighteen states already have put in place restrictions to close the loophole. But 32 others - including Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana - have not. In Ohio alone, there have been 78 major gun shows scheduled this year, with shows to be held next month in Dayton and Cincinnati, according to Americans for Gun Safety.DeWine and McCain, along with Democratic senators Joe Lieberman of Connecticut and Charles Schumer of New York, filed legislation earlier this year that would mandate background checks on people who buy firearms at gun shows.The National Rifle Association and other opponents say the additional background checks are unnecessary and accuse supporters of shamelessly exploiting the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.Both the House and the Senate passed similar bills in 1999, but the proposals died when the two chambers could not agree on how to do the background checks.DeWine and McCain said they plan to force a vote on the current version by attaching their bill to ''the first appropriate, amendable vehicle'' - possibly homeland security legislation - when the Senate reconvenes in January.''We cannot and should not keep rolling the dice with American security,'' they wrote.Gun-control advocates consider DeWine's support significant.DeWine has said he strongly backs the right of Americans to own a gun, but he has broken ranks with the Republican Party in the past and has voted in favor of some gun-control measures.''It's important that this issue be handled in a centrist, moderate commonsense way,'' said Matt Bennett, spokesman for Americans for Gun Safety. ''That is essentially what Sen. DeWine stands for on most things - he takes a moderate, centrist approach.'' http://www.cincypost.com/2001/nov/29/guns112901.html
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