Calderon urges Congress to reinstate ban on assault weapons
224 replies, posted
[quote]Mexican President Felipe Calderon asked members of the U.S. Congress on Thursday to reinstate a ban on assault weapons to help clamp down on violence in both Mexico and the United States.
During his speech Thursday to Congress, Calderon said the challenge to Mexican security has "roots on both sides of the border," including the high demand for drugs in the United States.
Tackling other politically sensitive issues such as immigration, the Mexican leader said, "I strongly disagree with the recently adopted law in Arizona. It is a law that not only ignores a reality that cannot be erased by decree" but also introduces the "terrible idea" that racial profiling is acceptable.
Calderon on Wednesday had characterized the Arizona law, which is meant to crack down on illegal immigrants, as discriminatory.
The measure, which will allow law enforcement officers to ask for proof of legal residency of anyone who is being investigated for a crime or possible legal infraction, has drawn widespread criticism in Mexico.
Critics contend, among other things, that the law will lead to racial profiling against Hispanic residents.
The Mexican government rejects efforts "to criminalize migration so that people (who) work and provide things to this nation will be treated as criminals," Calderon said in a briefing to reporters on Wednesday, alongside President Barack Obama. "We oppose firmly" the Arizona law, which is "partial and discriminatory."
A Mexican official familiar with arrangements for Calderon's visit cautioned that it would be wrong to let the controversy over Arizona's law overwhelm the rest of the visit.
"It will not define the visit or the relationship," the Mexican official said. "The U.S.-Mexican relationship is much more rich and diverse than one issue."
A senior Obama administration official, however, acknowledged that "this is an issue that has resonated in Mexico (and) is of deep concern to the Mexican government."
The two countries also face other common challenges, including climate change and organized crime -- a rising threat to border stability, Calderon said Wednesday.
Drug violence claimed 6,500 lives in Mexico last year. About 90 percent of the cocaine that is smuggled into the United States moves through Mexico, which is also a gateway for marijuana and other illegal drugs.
Moving in the other direction, Mexican authorities in recent years have seized 45,000 weapons that could be traced to the United States.
But what ultimately "turns us into good neighbors" is a common belief in "freedom, justice and democracy," Calderon said.
Obama noted that his administration is now screening 100 percent of south-bound rail cargo. He also cited new initiatives to cut U.S. demand for illegal drugs.
"As your partner, we'll give you the support you need to prevail ... against the drug cartels that have unleashed horrific violence in so many communities," Obama told Calderon.
Obama also ticked through a list of items he said the two leaders had agreed upon during their meeting. On the economy, he said, they had agreed to streamline regulations while strengthening protection of intellectual property.
To facilitate trade, they had reaffirmed a "commitment to a 21st-century border that is modern, secure and efficient."
He also pledged to expand joint initiatives promoting renewable energy and "smart grid" technology.
Obama also noted Mexico's current seat on the U.N. Security Council, highlighting the two countries' agreement on possible sanctions against Iran to stop Tehran's current nuclear program.[/quote]
[b]Source:[/b] [url]http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/05/20/mexico.president.congress/index.html?hpt=T2[/url]
:cawg:
Isn't there already a ban on assault weapons?
He should fuck off and mind his own business.
[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;22063833]Isn't there already a ban on assault weapons?[/QUOTE]
Federal ban was from 1994-2004. Some states such as California don't allow them. But most states do.
[QUOTE=The News Quote]
A [B]senior [/B]Obama administration official
[/QUOTE]
You may aswell call it a [B]señor [/B]Obama administraton official.
[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;22063833]Isn't there already a ban on assault weapons?[/QUOTE]
Not anymore, here's restriction on Class III's, machine-guns, short barreled rifles and shotguns, and destructive devices, ie rocket launchers, things that are clearly different from firearms with a sporting purpose. Assault weapons is just a made up term that gives anti-gun groups the right to ban anything that looks militaristic or is semi-automatic because that makes it more dangerous than other guns... Like a Sako chambered for a .338 magnum with an effective range of 1,500 yards is ok, but a Ruger 10/22 commonly used for varmint hunting is a dangerous murder-tool designed by Satan himself that must be banned because it has a detachable magazine. On the old ban there was even a weight limit on handguns, because you know heavier handguns are more dangerous than light ones. The logic behind the ban was never really present, and it isn't now, considering the majority of weapons are coming from Mexico, it's not like they're sending agents across unarmed and the local gangs aren't going down the street to Walmart to pick up a machine gun, so using that as a basis for the ban doesn't make much sense either, this sorta thing happens all the time, tends to fail.
Ah okay. I thought Assault Weapon referred to Military Assault / Battle Rifles.
[QUOTE=windwakr;22064706]But without our assault rifles, how will we fend off burglars?
[editline]...[/editline]
:downs:[/QUOTE]
I know you're being sarcastic, but that's not really a widespread point as to why there's nothing wrong with these weapons. Most people aren't going to use an AR15 or AK47 for home defense because it's not safe. The rounds would go out the home and could potentially hit an innocent person.
[QUOTE=JDK721v2;22064793]I know you're being sarcastic, but that's not really a widespread point as to why there's nothing wrong with these weapons. Most people aren't going to use an AR15 or AK47 for home defense because it's not safe. The rounds would go out the home and could potentially hit an innocent person.[/QUOTE]
Yeah it's not like the point of having a gun is to hurt people or anything.
[QUOTE=blubafoon;22065009]Yeah it's not like the point of having a gun is to hurt people or anything.[/QUOTE]
newsflash: most gun owners are law abiding citizens. having a gun =/= automatically hurt people
Guns are designed to kill.
You cannot say otherwise.
Here we go again.
[QUOTE=windwakr;22065203]Ok, they wouldn't be used for self defense, and you wouldn't use them for hunting.
So, why do people need them? I can see why people need normal rifles, shotguns, and pistols. But I see no legitimate reason as to why people need to own assault weapons.
EDIT: Guy below me, nice avatar![/QUOTE]
1) Less money
2) Ammo is cheaper and more abundant
3) Easy to maintain
4) Lighter and smaller
5) Less recoil
6) Funner
etc.
[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;22064545]Ah okay. I thought Assault Weapon referred to Military Assault / Battle Rifles.[/QUOTE]
Military-grade assault weapons are being used by the drug cartels, and those happen to not be legal for sale to the general public. It's a lie when they say that the US is producing them and that gun control will stop them from buying more; it won't. Average citizens can't distribute them, and only the government actually has legal access to, say, buy from Colt's stock of M16s.
Anti-gun groups use the term "Assault weapon" simply because it makes people think of M16s, AK-47s, and other types of assault [I]rifles[/I].
Essentially, it's a loaded word, similar to how PETA might try to ban eating meat, calling it a ban on "violent flesh eating."
Dear America, our country sucks dick, can you make some laws over there to ban assault rifles so that our drug cartels have to use shotguns and grenades instead? Thanks!
-Mexico
They can't take our guns :911:
I really don't like the idea of Mexico trying to ban stuff in our country.
[QUOTE=Boba_Fett;22066558]I really don't like the idea of Mexico trying to ban stuff in our country.[/QUOTE]
Are you OK with them saying we should decriminalize certain drugs?
Target practice. That is why I have guns. They are fun to shoot at targets with. There is almost no chance I would ever use my guns for hunting or anything. I just like working on my marksmanship. Why do people have baseball bats? They are dangerous when used to harm people, but quite useful to have fun with. Guns are much more dangerous, but the logic still stands.
[QUOTE=PrismatexV8;22066896]Are you OK with them saying we should decriminalize certain drugs?[/QUOTE]
Depends what drugs.
[QUOTE=PrismatexV8;22066896]Are you OK with them saying we should decriminalize certain drugs?[/QUOTE]
Drugs that make you flip out and wrap your baby in tinfoil and put it in the microwave.
Yes those should be banned in every country.
[QUOTE=ThePunisher1;22065285]Guns are designed to kill.
You cannot say otherwise.[/QUOTE]
[img]http://www.murdoconline.net/2007/ruger_mkii-thumb.jpg[/img]
I'm saying otherwise.
(If you don't understand, that gun is made for target shooting)
[img]http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll277/whitey12345678/Redneck.jpg[/img]
yeah john boy did you read that there computer. theys trying to take our guns away.
[QUOTE=Mudbone;22067866][IMG]http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll277/whitey12345678/Redneck.jpg[/IMG]
yeah john boy did you read that there computer. theys trying to take our guns away.[/QUOTE]
I like how you can stereotype gun owners on Facepunch, but doing so to any other group is likely to get you banned. [B][IMG]http://02d9656.netsoljsp.com/SarcMark/images/graphics/rk.png[/IMG][/B]
[QUOTE=windwakr;22065203]Ok, they wouldn't be used for self defense, and you wouldn't use them for hunting.
So, why do people need them? I can see why people need normal rifles, shotguns, and pistols. But I see no legitimate reason as to why people need to own assault weapons.
EDIT: Guy below me, nice avatar![/QUOTE]
My uncle is a cop and he owns an M4 Carbine.
[QUOTE=the_KMM;22067930]I like how you can stereotype gun owners on Facepunch, but doing so to any other group is likely to get you banned. [B][IMG]http://02d9656.netsoljsp.com/SarcMark/images/graphics/rk.png[/IMG][/B][/QUOTE]
you like to hunt im fine with hunting rifles. Pistols for self defense and shotguns for bird shooting but why the fuck does anyone need a fully automatic ak-47 or an Uzi.
[QUOTE=Sir_takeslot;22067804]Drugs that make you flip out and wrap your baby in tinfoil and put it in the microwave.
Yes those should be banned in every country.[/QUOTE]
[url]http://snopes.com/horrors/drugs/babysitter.asp[/url]
[QUOTE=Boba_Fett;22066558]I really don't like the idea of Mexico trying to ban stuff in our country.[/QUOTE]
We should ban Mexicans.
Oh, sorry, too late.
[QUOTE=lulzbocks;22067981]We should ban Mexicans.
Oh, sorry, too late.[/QUOTE]
Hey. Guys.
Hey, hey I have a great idea!
Let's sum up a law the entirely wrong way!
[editline]04:02PM[/editline]
[QUOTE=Mudbone;22067966]you like to hunt im fine with hunting rifles. Pistols for self defense and shotguns for bird shooting but why the fuck does anyone need a fully automatic ak-47 or an Uzi.[/QUOTE]
You can't own those here unless they're registered before 1986, and even those cost somewhere along the lines of $3000. And the permit is nigh impossible to get if you have any offenses beyond traffic violations.
Nobody is saying we need to unban those things.
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