Obama: 'Whatever it takes' to end gun violence
MILWAUKEE (AP) - February 15, 2008 Obama said he spoke to Northern Illinois University's president
Friday morning by phone and offered whatever help his Senate office
could provide in the investigation and improving campus security.
The Democratic presidential candidate spoke about the Illinois
shooting to reporters while campaigning in neighboring Wisconsin.
The senator, a former constitutional law instructor, said some
scholars argue the Second Amendment to the Constitution guarantees
gun ownerships only to militias, but he believes it grants
individual gun rights.
"I think there is an individual right to bear arms, but it's
subject to commonsense regulation" like background checks, he said
during a news conference.
He said he would support federal legislation based on a
California law that would facilitate immediate tracing of bullets
used in a crime. He said even though the California law was passed
over the strong objection of the National Rifle Association, he
thinks it's the type of law that gun owners and crime victims can
get behind.
Five people, including the shooter, were killed during
Thursday's ambush inside a lecture hall. Authorities said the two
guns used were purchased legally less then a week ago.
"Today we offer them our thoughts and prayers, but we also have
to offer them our determination to do whatever it takes to
eradicate this violence from our streets, from our schools, from
our neighborhoods and our cities," Obama said. "That is our duty
as Americans."
Although Obama supports gun control, while campaigning in
gun-friendly Idaho earlier this month, he said he does not intend
to take away people's guns.
At his news conference, he voiced support for the District of
Columbia's ban on handguns, which is scheduled to be heard by the
Supreme Court next month.
"The notion that somehow local jurisdictions can't initiate gun
safety laws to deal with gang bangers and random shootings on the
street isn't born out by our Constitution," Obama said.
Obama also:
- Said Clinton now is attacking him for watering down a bill to
regulate the nuclear industry that she also voted for and touted on
her Web site. He suggested her attack was made out of desperation
because his campaign is ahead.
"I understand that Senator Clinton, periodically when she's
feeling down, launches attacks as a way of trying to boost her
appeal," he said. "But I think this kind of gamesmanship is not
what the American people are looking for."
- Seemed to hedge on his statement last year that he would
accept public funds if his Republican opponent did as well. Likely
GOP nominee John McCain has said he would adhere to such an
agreement, but Obama was not willing to make such a firm
commitment.
"If I am the nominee, then I will make sure that our people
talk to John McCain's people to find out if we're willing to abide
by the same rules and regulations with respect to the general
election going forward," Obama said. "But it would be
presumptuous of me to say now that I'm locking myself into
something when I don't even know if the other side is going to
agree to it and I'm not the nominee yet."
- Blamed problems with the economy on a "failure of leadership
in Washington" that includes decisions by the Bush administration
on taxes and the Clinton administration on trade. He criticized
"politicians (who) tout NAFTA as a success when they're in the
White House and then call it a mistake when they're on the campaign
trail."
- Said he has not considered whether he would give up his Senate
seat if he wins the presidential nomination.
---
On the Net:
http://www.barackobama.com