OFFICIALS: BAN WON'T DETER CRIME

For different reasons, neither U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, nor Cape Girardeau Police Chief Howard "Butch" Boyd believe a ban on assault weapons will put a significant dent in crime.

"As one who believes strongly in protecting our constitutional rights, I am deeply troubled about the outcome of this vote," said Emerson Thursday. "I truly do not believe gun control translates into crime control. The way to get at those who use guns to commit crimes is through mandatory minimum sentences and other forceful penalties for breaking society's laws."

The House voted 216-214 Thursday to ban 19 types of assault-style weapons. Among some of the weapons banned are: AK47, Uzi mini carbine, Uzi carbine, Uzi pistol, Striker 12 revolving cylinder shotguns, MAC11 Carbine type and Weaver Arms Nighthawk.

Said Boyd: "This isn't going to take assault weapons off of the street. It will only slow down the manufacture of the guns here."

Boyd said he believes the real culprit is the government allowing assault rifles made in China to be imported into the U.S. at a much cheaper price than weapons made here.

"I think the government is trying to cure the very problem it created," said Boyd. "When President Nixon went to China and opened up trade with the U.S., it then became cheaper to obtain an assault rifle than a .22 (caliber gun).

"I learned the other day that it's illegal for Israel to export assault rifles, but China is still exporting the weapons. We don't import farm equipment from China, but we do allow assault weapons to come here."

The police chief said he rarely comes in contact with assault weapons in Cape Girardeau.

"Most of the cases we make involve a convicted felon in possession of a firearm rather than an automatic weapon being used in a crime," said Boyd.

Cape County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle applauded the ban on assault weapons, but also said the cases he tries have not involved such guns.

"I'm in favor of legislation that would make it easier and safer for our law enforcement officials to do their job, but I don't believe there is a problem with assault weapons in Cape Girardeau," said Swingle. "It's probably going to make more of an impact in larger cities."

But Emerson said the ban on assault rifles is only the first step in a push to ban all types of rifles.

"With this vote to ban a number of semi-automatic weapons, I think Americans should keep an extra careful watch on those in the gun control lobby as they try little by little to erode our Second Amendment rights," said Emerson. "What's going to be next on their list, the Browning automatic shotgun that Southern Missourians use to go dove hunting?"

Added Emerson, "The influence used by the Clinton administration to narrowly win this vote again illustrates that this White House feels that big government knows best. When will they understand that criminals will still have access to guns whether they're banned or not? Gun controls only disarm law-abiding citizens."

Emerson launched an impassioned speech before the House of Representatives Thursday. "The name `assault rifle' is merely hype by the anti-gun lobby and the liberal media to make them seem more deadly," said Emerson. "They may look more powerful, but the fact is they're not. In fact, there is no functional difference between what proponents of this bill call assault weapons and those they claim to protect through exemptions.

"So essentially, Mr. Speaker, we are beginning a process here for banning certain firearms because they look meaner," said Emerson. "They might have a folding stock or they might be mounted with a tripod, but these items affect the appearance not the performance of the gun. I challenge anyone here to tell me how a tripod or a folding stock makes the gun more lethal."