The
2012 Republican Platform was discussed in prior post.The 2012 Democratic
National Platform provides:
“Firearms.
We recognize that the
individual right to bear arms is an important part of the American
tradition,
and we will preserve Americans’ Second Amendment right to own and use firearms.
We
believe
that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation. We
understand the terrible
consequences
of gun violence; it serves as a reminder that life is fragile, and our time
here is limited and
precious.
We believe in an honest, open national conversation about firearms. We can
focus on effective
enforcement
of existing laws, especially strengthening our background check system, and we
can work
together
to enact commonsense improvements – like reinstating the assault weapons ban
and closing the gun show loophole – so that guns do not fall into the hands of
those irresponsible, law-breaking few.”
Not
nearly as strong as the Republican platform reviewed earlier. First it states
that firearms are subject to “reasonable regulation.” This sounds like the minimal judicial
scrutiny under which almost all regulation is upheld. “Reasonable” is a very
vague standard. No mention of
self-defense or the thousands of incidents of lawful self-defense that occurs
with firearms every year. They call for an “honest, national conversation about
firearms.” This has never happened before
and probably never will As indicated in a prior post, the individual
rights interpretation of the Second Amendment (D.C. v. Heller)hangs by one vote
on the U.S. Supreme Court. Anyone who
thinks that Obama will put a pro-Heller Justice on the Court is living in a
dream world. His first appointee,
Sotomayor voted against making the Second Amendment applicable against the
states. Notice the call for reinstatement of the “assault weapons” ban. It didn’t have any effect on crime when it
was in force. Yes, life is fragile and
we need more effective enforcement of existing laws (no more BATF “fast and furious”
fiascos). More hot air. On this issue,
Dems speak with forked-tongue. On the
other hand, party platforms are often ignored once the election is over.
Perhaps the Democratic left (which dominates the party) will get off this
hobby-horse. I doubt it. This issue has too strong an ideological hold
on the Left.