Liberty Belles - Leave No Child Behind: Backdoor Gun Control

Leave No Child Behind: Backdoor Gun Control
by Jennifer Freeman

Home

Join or Donate

Shop

Lounge

Buzzworthy

Belles Blast

In an attempt to further their own agenda, while riding on the coattails of President Bush's popularity, congressional Democrats have introduced two bills that would eliminate a number of our remaining firearms freedoms, under the guise of being "for the children."

The bills are inappropriately named the Leave No Child Behind Act of 2003. The problem with this name is that President Bush signed into law an education bill known as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a blueprint that would hold educators and institutions accountable for providing a quality education. Any state that agrees to participate in the program will receive federal money to implement their education plan.

In contrast, the Leave No Child Behind Act of 2003 would ban private party transfers at gun shows, would ban the import of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds, would require trigger locks to be sold with every firearm, and more. This is hardly a bill "for the children" as much as it is a sneaky way to pass gun control legislation that would otherwise be unpassable.

By taking advantage of an existing program supported by the President and the American people, the anti-gun congressional Democrats hope to dupe Americans into supporting an underhanded scheme that is as anti-American as it is deceitful.

Although the Liberty Belles is a non-partisan organization, it seems evident by this action that the Democratic Party, in general, has no interest in supporting the Second Amendment rights of Americans. To the contrary, they are actively working to eliminate these rights.

And so, we have elected influential government officials who cannot be trusted to preserve our precious freedoms. It remains our responsibility, therefore, to maintain an ever watchful eye on these officials and their various proposals. They must not go unchallened or ignored, but must be recognized and held accountable to their oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution.

The only way we can really make a lasting difference is by voting for the candidates who hold our liberties sacred. If you have moved recently or are not currently registered to vote, please register to vote today. Make a difference that will last for generations.

NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT OF 2001
Signed into law in 2002

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 contains one firearms regulation known as the Gun Free Schools Act of 1994. In general, this act requires a minimum of one year expulsion for a student who has been determined to have brought a weapon to school. The act contains a few provisions and exceptions. Highlights are as follows:

The student is entitled to due process under the U.S. Constitution.
The act does not preclude classes such as military or hunting education, or activities such as before or after-school hunting, or rifle clubs, which may involve the handling or use of weapons.
Private schools not participating in LEA programs may be exempt.
A state may request a waiver of these requirements if that action will increase the quality of instruction or will improve the academic performance of the students.
For the purposes of this act, a weapon is generally defined as a firearm, starter gun, firearm muffler or silencer, explosive, incendiary, or poison gas; a bomb, grenade, rocket, missile, mine, or similar device.

LEAVE NO CHILD BEHIND ACT OF 2003
Legislative bill - not signed into law yet

In 2003, congressional Democrats introduced two legislative bills, one in the House and one in the Senate, known as the Leave No Child Behind Act of 2003 - H.R. 936 and S.448, respectively.

Unlike President Bush's education bill, the Leave No Child Behind Act is filled with a variety of gun control measures that have failed on their own merits. The bills include the following anti-self defense measures:

Extension of Brady background checks to gun shows; i.e., would prohibit private party transfers at gun shows in all 50 states.
Mandatory trigger locks included with all firearm purchases.
Ban on the importation of "large capacity" magazines or feeding devices (Note: "large capacity" generally refers to anything over 10 rounds).
Authorizes $70,000,000 for the fiscal year 2004 for the improvement of the national instant criminal background check system established under section 103 of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (18 U.S.C. 922 note), including the improvement of the records described in subparagraph (B), and especially felony and misdemeanor convictions for crimes of domestic violence and restraining orders with respect to incidents of domestic violence.

Locate Your Representative

Find Your Senator

(click)

Leave No Child Behind Act of 2003 - H.R. 936 and Leave No Child Behind Act of 2003 - S. 448

Representatives who co-sponsored the Leave No Child Behind Act of 2003

Senators who co-sponsored the Leave No Child Behind Act of 2003