 |
|
 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bush quietly signs NRA-backed gun billBy Jane Caplan/CNN
June 18, 1999 WASHINGTON (June 18) -- Texas Gov. George W. Bush signed Friday a bill that would prevent cities, counties and local governments from suing firearm and ammunition manufacturers for the public costs associated with gun violence. According to a spokesperson in his office, Bush signed the bill Friday afternoon with no public ceremony. The legislation is commonly referred to as a "lawsuit preemption bill" and was backed by the National Rifle Association. The Texas Legislature passed the bill in May, after defeating an amendment calling for mandatory background checks at gun shows. No Texas municipality had indicated an intention to file suit against gun manufacturers, but the NRA felt Texas had the right climate for passage of the bill. "Governor Bush has always been good on this issue," said NRA spokesman Bill Powers. The gun issue is a thorny one for Bush, the leading GOP presidential contender. So far he has been running as a candidate of "compassionate conservatism," appealing to centrist voters, particularly suburban women, by stressing issues like education and helping the underprivileged. Polls consistently show that this group of voters favor gun control. According to Bush spokesperson Scott McClellan, the Texas governor supports the bill because he believes that "in order to curb frivolous lawsuits, the attorney general should be the clearinghouse to review issues involving a legal product which is being misused for criminal purposes." |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MORE STORIES:Friday, June 18, 1999
• Roll call: House rejects gun control legislation • Roll call: House passes juvenile justice package • Roll call: House approves NRA-backed amendment on gun-show background checks • Roll call: House rejects measure for mandatory gun-show background checks • Roll call: House approves Ten Commandments provision • 'Political play of the week' emerges from gun debacle • Bush quietly signs NRA-backed gun bill • Election briefs: News on McCain, Keyes, Gore and Bush • Presidential candidate Bill Bradley rakes in the cash • House panel holds new round of campaign finance hearings • Gambling report urges restraint • Lawmakers to airlines: Voluntary passenger-rights plan must get off the ground • Helms says Holbrooke will likely be confirmed • Gore chips away at that wooden image • Republicans rivals use Bush's lead to appeal for money through mail • Candidates express mixed views on Commandments, gun controls • House panel, Clinton administration explore Social Security compromise • Justice Department opts not to retry Maria Hsia on tax evasion trial • Giuliani could have fight to face Hillary • Robertson warns GOP leaders Gore stealing their message • 'Compassionate conservative' is Bush campaign buzzword • Clinton to appear on CNN's 'Late Edition' Sunday • Ruling delayed on whether alleged Capitol gunman should be forced to take drugs • Reno says she's not bothered by Parkinson's • What it takes to pack the Clintons | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
