From: [l p hq] at [access.digex.net] (Libertarian Party Headquarters) Newsgroups: talk.politics.guns,talk.politics.misc,alt.politics.libertarian,alt.news-media Subject: Press Release: Assault Weapons Bill is "Attempt to Revoke 2nd" Date: 7 May 1994 23:02:28 -0400 NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY 1528 Pennsylvania Avenue SE Washington DC 20003 For immediate release: May 6, 1994 For additional information: Bill Winter, Director of Communications (202) 543-1988 Libertarian Party: Assault Weapons Bill is an "Attempt to Revoke the Second Amendment" WASHINGTON, DC - "The so-called assault weapons ban passed by the U.S. Congress is an unconstitutional attempt to revoke the Second Amendment by the installment plan," charged the Chairman of the Libertarian Party today. Stephen Dasbach, head of America's third-largest political party, said, "Congress continues to chip away at the Second Amendment, using scare tactics and lies to disarm the American public and reduce our Constitutionally protected freedoms. This bill is only the latest tragic example." Dasbach said he was disappointed that members of Congress - those who voted for the bill, and even many of those opposed to it - didn't seem to understand the true purpose of the Second Amendment. "The Second Amendment isn't about your right to go hunting, or even your right to defend your family - although both are important. No, the Founding Fathers of this nation wrote the Second Amendment to ensure that the American people never lost control of their government; to serve as the last bulwark of freedom against tyranny. The Bill of Rights recognizes that an armed citizenry is essential to a free society." Noting that 38 Republicans voted for the bill, Dasbach said, "This proves once and for all that the Republican Party cannot be trusted to defend the Second Amendment. Any gun owner who continues to vote for Republicans is living in a fantasy world. They sold you out on the Brady Bill, and they sold you out on this bill, too. Only Libertarians will consistently vote to uphold the Second Amendment - 100% of the time." On the subject of the Second Amendment, the Libertarian Party platform says: "We affirm the right to keep and bear arms and oppose all laws at any level of government restricting, regulating, or requiring the ownership, manufacture, transfer, or sale of firearms or ammunition." Approximately 120 Libertarians currently serve in elected and appointed office around the country, and Libertarian candidates for state and federal offices won 3.7 million votes in 1992. # # # -- The Libertarian Party America's third largest political party 1528 Pennsylvania Avenue SE (202) 543-1988 Washington DC 20003 Internet: [L P HQ] at [digex.net] ***Send email or call 1-800-682-1776 for free information package by mail***