April 16, 2009 6:32 PM

Obama Likely Won't Pursue Assault Weapons Ban

By
Michelle Levi
Topics
Mexico
President Obama said in Mexico Thursday that while he continues to back bringing back the expired assault weapons ban, it would be politically difficult to do so.

He called instead for greater enforcement of existing laws despite the fact that, according to Mexican President Filipe Calderon, such weapons have strengthened organized crime groups in Mexico who are fueling border violence and the drug trade.

"I have not backed off at all from my belief that the assault weapons ban makes sense, and I continue to believe that we can respect and honor the second amendment right in our Constitution," he said during a press conference with Calderon.

"Having said that," he continued, "I think none of us are under any illusion that reinstating that ban will be easy. So what we focused on is how we can improve enforcement of our existing law."

Calderon said that Mexico has seen an increase in organized crime since the ban expired; on "Face the Nation" Sunday, Mexican Ambassador Arturo Sarukhan said that "ninety percent of all weapons we are seizing in Mexico, Bob, are coming from across the United States" – a comment echoed by both leaders today.

"He is well aware of our problems, and we have described it as it is," Calderon said with regard to Mr. Obama at the press conference.

"We definitely respect the decision of the US Congress and the US people in this regard," the Mexican president said. He acknowledged that the ban "is a politically delicate topic because Americans truly appreciate their Constitutional rights."

Calderon said he is hoping for a solution which respects the rights of the Constitution as well as keeps assault weapons trade at bay.

Add a Comment See all 85 Comments
by globalcoolin April 17, 2009 10:52 PM EDT
Great question raflin1.
The way we know is from crime studies done by the federal Government- some required by the ban it's self. One commissioned by none other than bill clinton.
Another way to tell was to read the law. Not what politicians said it would do. They lied.
The law it's self was toothless as a responce to violence in the USDA, and it was clear it's key point was to serve as a gimmick for a discrimination campaign against firearms owners in the USA.
It's the longest run, most viscious and well funded discrimination campaign going right now--from LIBERALS and the left wing.
The explination points are conditioned from listening to Obama.
" We're GONNA! WE'RE GONNA! WE'RE GONNA GONNA !" Swahili I think it is. He did say we all gotta learn another language.
I didn't . I got a T-shirt that commands "Eng Speaklish Fother Mucker!" I live in the USA, you see?
If in the MANY US studies the ban had reduced crime at all-better than mid-night basketball, lets say-- it would STILL be law now.
Reply to this comment
by payasyougo April 17, 2009 8:58 PM EDT
" Obama Likely Won?t Pursue Assault Weapons Ban"
----
That means they are spending extra effort determining how to remove weapons from the US voting population.

And CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC are doing their best to support their agenda.
Reply to this comment
by erasmus111 April 17, 2009 6:06 PM EDT
Posted by ralpherus at 12:36 AM : Apr 17, 2009

And you're an ass.
Reply to this comment
by JimInHouston April 17, 2009 6:01 PM EDT
"1) How would anyone know just how much violence would have occurred during the 10 years those types of weapons were banned? (Are you psychic?) "

Well, the crime rates were not affected by the imposition of the ban and were not affected by the repeal of the ban.
Reply to this comment
by globalcoolin April 17, 2009 3:26 PM EDT
The lie about "assault" weapons activism is the idea is to make a typical firearms owner believe the firearm being banned is very different from a gun you own.
this is because the campaign amplifies small differeences (like pistol grip!).
but the law AS WRITEN focuses on what is IDENTICLE to your gun and the onse banned so YOURS falls under the ban!
It's not about "Assault Weapons!" And it ignores we already have tough control laws on real asault weapons .
It's a scam! And as such, it didn't reduce any violence while it was law for ten years--which many legislators know while the Obama Administration trys to ignore it!
Don't be fooled!
Reply to this comment
by actornaught April 17, 2009 12:38 PM EDT
NPR did it correctly, it's Assault STYLE Weapons. As far as fire power, they're usually pretty tame.

Ask Bambi's mom...
Reply to this comment
by mattcat25 April 17, 2009 12:29 PM EDT
Carl T. Rowen was Gun Control advocate that actually shot a non-threatening youth that was using Rowen's swimming pool. Rowen used an illegal .22 pistol and offered several conflicting stories as to how he came into it's possession.

Rowen?s trial was declared a mistrial because the jury could not reach an undeadlocked decision.
Carl T. Rowen was never retried and said that he favors gun control but admits to being a hypocrite.


One really needs to evaluate what, how, and why they need personal protection. If a firearm is your chosen method then I suggest seeking professional guidance from a Range Master. Legal ownership and proper TRAINING (this could be fun) should be the course that one should search for if they chose to arm themselves.

Fences block walls, lighting, alarm systems with video monitoring and possibly even a good old barking dog are all other means to protect yourself and your family. There are lots of options, and of course I stress when there is a situation in doubt call the police.
Reply to this comment
by weedapeapl April 17, 2009 11:48 AM EDT
The rest of us need to be armed just for the protection from them.
Posted by mattcat25 at 8:40 AM : Apr 17, 2009

Isn't that what Carl Rowan said?

Look it up....
Reply to this comment
by mattcat25 April 17, 2009 11:40 AM EDT
Guns are not the problem, REPUBLICAN EXREMIST GUN FREAKS ARE!

The rest of us need to be armed just for the protection from them.
Reply to this comment
by weedapeapl April 17, 2009 11:07 AM EDT
I say, ban GUNS and GARLIC BREAD both!!
Posted by raflin1 at 7:51 AM : Apr 17, 2009

How about swimming pools?

Those are a lot of work to clean, too.

And they kill more children than handguns.

I know a man who got stabbed in the chest by his wife, who used a big kitchen knife from the woodblock.

We should ban woodblock knife sets, too.

And knives.

Including box cutters.

And those heavy toenail cutters with the sharp sharp point.

I can't get on the plane with nose hair scissors, but I can with heavy toenail clippers (and I have several times).

Why is that?
Reply to this comment
See all 85 Comments
.

Follow Political Hotsheet

Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »
CBS News on Facebook
  • Building You a Better Morning

  • CBS This Morning

    "CBS This Morning," anchored by Charlie Rose, Gayle King and Erica Hill, airs weekdays from 7 to 9 a.m. ET and at the same time in other time zones.
    Learn more...