Gun Control Advocates Frustrated with Kerry's Silence on Assault Weapons Ban

7/30/2004

Gun control advocates are angry that Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has been reluctant to mention the expiring federal assault weapons ban on the campaign trail, the Hill reported July 29.

Kerry's campaign is divided over whether the presidential candidate should get involved with the controversial issue. Currently, the campaign is running television commercials showing Kerry hunting and distributing literature promoting Kerry's support of the Second Amendment.

Although Kerry supports the ban and voted for its extension, gun control advocates said his actions aren't enough. They would like to see Kerry mention gun control measures in his speeches and as one of the issue topics listed on his campaign website.

"The National Rifle Association has done a very good job of convincing people after 2000 that the gun issue was harmful to the Democrats," said Peter Hamm, a spokesman for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.

The federal assault weapons ban is set to expire on Sept. 13.