Staff Editorial: Don't let assault weapon ban die

This Monday, the Federal Assault Weapons Ban that has been in place since 1994 will expire. Currently, Congress appears unwilling to even address extending the ban. Letting the ban expire is a dangerous and irrational action.

Polls consistently show that public sentiment backs extending the ban. According to the Annenberg Center for Public Policy, 68 percent of Americans support extending the ban, including 57 percent of people with a gun in their home and even 32 percent of the National Rifle Association.

Despite this, and repeated urging from grassroots organizations, Congress is determined to disenfranchise its constituents with all the grace of a four year old putting his hands over his ears and yelling, "Nah nah nah."

In anticipation of the expiration date, gun companies all across America are offering programs to ship parts to consumers that would restore pre-ban features to their guns. These include clips with more than 10 rounds, bayonet lugs and collapsing stocks.

The gun companies are trying to capitalize on the period between the ban's expiration and its possible reinstatement.

The idea of gun companies profiting by saturating American neighborhoods with AK-47s, TEC-9s and other assault weapons is as distasteful as it is unethical.

The argument for the right to own assault style weapons does not fall within the traditional arena of how we interpret the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Nor does not fall within the debate over the right to self-defense.

There is simply no logical reason why a private citizen not involved with the military, law enforcement or other such organizations needs an assault weapon. In fact, in terms of law enforcement, the prevalence of assault weapons on the street puts police officers at a dangerous disadvantage. Washington, D.C. Police Chief Charles Ramsey has called assault weapons "a threat to the safety of our dedicated police officers and public."

For all involved citizens, this issue is important. For students and residents in a big city, this issue is critical. West Philadelphia has come a long way, and is not nearly as dangerous as it once was. But flooding the streets with assaultstyle weapons will do a lot to set back that progress.

Write to our senators, Arlen Specter (arlen_specter@specter.senate.gov) and Rick Santorum (santorum.senate.gov/emailrjs.html), and Rep. Chaka Fattah (www.house.gov/writerep) to make sure they get the message.

It is an election year and the NRA is a powerful organization. Don't let it decide this issue over the will of the public.

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