September 7, 2004
Drudge Report

Was Dem presidential hopeful John Kerry seen this weekend waving a gun which would have been banned if legislation he co-sponsored became law?

Kerry co-sponsored S. 1431 last year (“The Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003) which would have banned a "semiautomatic shotgun that has a pistol grip.”

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Kerry was presented with the gun during a Labor Day stop in Racine, West Virginia.

[It is not clear if Kerry completed the required paperwork (Form 4473) before he claimed the gun. Kerry's gun bill would also ban any "gift" transaction.]

"I thank you for the gift, but I can't take it to the debate with me," Kerry told a cheering crowd as he held up the device.

Photos show Kerry's hand resting on the semiautomatic shotgun's "pistol grip."

Kerry's bill would ban millions of semi-automatics, including those with "pistol grips." [Section SEC. 2; (H) (ii)]

Opponents of the bill successfully argued how nearly all guns have "pistol grips," including millions of Browning Auto-5 shotguns produced since 1903.

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Cartoon courtesy of Jeff Riffle