Senator Obama’s Choice, Joe Biden, a Good One for Gun Violence Reduction, Says Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 /
EMWNews
/ -- The Brady Campaign to

Prevent Gun Violence praised Senator Barack Obama's choice for his vice

presidential running mate, Senator Joe Biden.



    "Joe Biden is a straight talker about the need for common sense laws to

keep dangerous people from getting dangerous weapons," said Paul Helmke,

President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "He has been a

solid advocate for sensible gun laws that protect our police officers and

our families. I was proud to stand with him just weeks ago in Philadelphia

when he joined with our nation's mayors in supporting tough crime fighting

laws, and also last year when police leaders urged passage of common sense

measures to protect law enforcement officers. Our nation would be well

served with Joe Biden as our Vice President."



    During a Democratic Presidential debate on CNN, Senator Biden expressed

concern about a man who submitted a video question asking whether the

candidates would protect his "baby," a fully loaded semiautomatic assault

rifle. Senator Biden said "If that's his baby, he needs help." Then he went

on to say, "We should be working with law enforcement right now to make

sure that we protect people against people who are not capable of knowing

what to do with a gun because they are either mentally imbalanced and/or

they have a criminal record."



    Senator Biden has a comprehensive crime bill awaiting action in the

Senate (S. 2237) that would require background checks on all sales at gun

shows and reauthorize the now-expired federal ban on military-style assault

weapons.



    For more background on Senator Biden's record on common sense gun laws,

visit http://www.bradycampaign.org/elections/2008president.php.



    As the nation's largest, non-partisan, grassroots organization leading

the fight to prevent gun violence, the Brady Campaign, with its dedicated

network of Million Mom March Chapters, works to enact and enforce sensible

gun laws, regulations and public policies. The Brady Campaign is devoted to

creating an America free from gun violence, where all Americans are safe at

home, at school, at work, and in our communities.



    Visit the Brady Campaign website at http://www.bradycampaign.org. For

continuing insight and comment on the gun issue, read Paul Helmke's blog at

http://www.bradycampaign.org/blog/.