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Q&A With Bob Levey
Bob Levey
Washington Post Columnist
Tuesday, June 10, 2003; Noon ET
"Levey Live" appears Tuesdays at noon ET.
Your host is Washington Post columnist Bob
Levey. This hour is your chance to talk directly to key Washington
Post reporters and editors, local officials and people in the news.
Today, Bob's guest is Sarah Brady, Chair of Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
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Sarah Brady
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Brady has been active in the gun control movement since the mid-1980s and became Chair of Handgun Control, Inc. in 1989. Two years later, she became Chair of the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence. Her husband Jim Brady and President Reagan were shot outside the Washington Hilton.
On November 30, 1993, Brady watched President Clinton sign the "Brady Bill." The bill, named for her husband, Jim, required a five-day waiting period and background check on all handgun purchases through licensed dealers. In 1996, Brady continued to lead the gun control movement by addressing the National Democratic Convention in Chicago, Ill.
In December 2000, the Boards of Trustees for Handgun Control and the Center to Prevent Handgun Violence voted to honor Jim and Sarah Brady’s commitment to gun control by renaming the two organizations the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence. The organization names were officially changed in June 2001.
Brady was named "Washingtonian of the Year" in 1983 by Washingtonian Magazine; "USO Woman of the Year" in 1984; one of MS. Magazine's "Women of the Year" in 1988; one of 1989's "100 Most Powerful Women in Washington" by Washingtonian Magazine; and one of Glamour Magazine's "Women of the Year" in 1990 (its inaugural year).
Brady was born in Missouri and was raised in Alexandria, Va. She received her B.A. from the College of William and Mary in 1964. She married in 1973 and had a son.
Brady’s autobiography “A Good Fight” was published in 2002.
Submit your questions and comments before or during today's discussion.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
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and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
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Bob Levey:
Good afternoon, Sarah, and thanks very much for joining us today on "Levey Live." Let's begin with a question about politics (what a surprise). You've been quoted as saying that you're very frustrated with the Republican Party because it's so inflexible on the gun control issue. Do you see any sign that this president (or his party) will ever bend on the issue?
Sarah Brady: Good to be with you. I have been frustrated with the leadership of the Republican Party - this is and should be a bipartisan issue - many fine GOPers are with us - and I am so happy that the President has indicated he will sign a renewal of the assault weapons ban when it gets to his desk - the real question is, will it.
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Washington, D.C.:
Why can't we just rely on strong state laws? If gun violence is a problem in New York but not in Vermont, can't New York handle it through their state legislature without imposing laws that effect every American citizen?
Sarah Brady: we do need some federal laws because of the problem of interstate trafficking - but then each state has the right to pass stronger laws if they feel they are necessary.
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Bob Levey:
I'm genuinely at a loss to understand the politics behind the gun control issue. Otherwise sensible people truly seem to believe that the government wants to confiscate all guns--when the only issue on the table is limiting access to guns for criminals. Can you sort out this strange mindset for us?
Sarah Brady: The gun lobby exists because it is successful at polarizing the issue - pro gun, anti gun. Of course most of us want sensible regulations that insure that firearms don't land in the wrong hands - fugitives, felons, kids, terrorists,etc. It's not a matter of taking guns away from the law abiding citizens - we must keep emphasizing that and try to reduce the polarization
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Silver Spring, Md.:
Criminals don't obey laws; that's what makes them criminals. Why then would a law against obtaining firearms stop any criminal from obtaining a firearm? Wouldn't it just keep firearms out of the hands of law-abiding citizens who want to protect themselves?
Sarah Brady: The point you are missing here is that we havae to do all we can to keep firearms from the criminals - thorough background checks certainly help to do this - we are not advocating taking law abiding citizen's guns away -
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Derwood, Md.:
Thank you for all you work.
How is Jim doing?
Sarah Brady: Thanks - Jim is doing great - smartest and funniest man I ever met -
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Wheaton, Md.:
Isn't it true that the Brady Law would not have prevented John Hinckley from obtaining the weapon he used against your husband?
Sarah Brady: It's possible that the law would have prevented Hinkley from getting the weapon he used. He lied on his federal form giving a false address - was no longer a resident of Texas where he purchased the gun - a thorough background check could well have prevented that purchase.
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Chantilly, Va.:
The state of Virginia requires a background check before a person can purchase a gun. This is done by calling the Virginia State Police, where they put your name through two national databases. If there are no flags, you get the okay to purchase the gun.
However, the County of Fairfax has its own three day waiting period prior to purchase. This check by the county has turned people down for various non related offenses, such as owing county tax and others.
Isn't the national database sufficient ?
Sarah Brady: Actually, the more thorough a background check, the better. After the federal and state checks, local officials should have the opportunity to run a check as well - many times they are aware of restraing orders, and misdemeanor spousal abuse offenses that are not on the national database.
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Bob Levey:
Does your organization directly support individual candidates for office?
Sarah Brady: We have a pac which does contribute to candidates.
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Virginia:
Hello. What is the difference between gun control and gun safety?
Sarah Brady: Gun Control is regulating access of firearms to be sure they don't land in the wrong hands - gun safety is learning to use a gun the proper way
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Springfield, Va.:
There are more than 20,000 gun laws on the books in this country. They have done NOTHING to reduce crime. Why don't you focus on keeping criminals behind bars through such programs as mandatory sentencing for perps who use guns to commit crimes? The certainty of punishment is a better deterrent than more meaningless laws that make liberals feel good about themselves.
Sarah Brady: Of course we need mandatory sentencing - tough penalities for criminals is essential - that's a no brainer - but it doesn't stop the crime before it occurs - the best way to do that is to make every effort possible to keep guns out of the wrong hands
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Rockville, Md.:
Nazi Germany practiced gun control as an effective means of instituting a dictatorship. When only the government can have guns, our freedom is at stake. How do you feel about having the same position on gun control as Nazi Germany?
Sarah Brady: Hitler took guns away from people - that is not what we're talking about - there is no attempt by anyone to prevent law abiding citizens from purchasing firearms - it's a ridiculous analogy.
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Brooklyn, N.Y.:
Sarah, I lost a loved one to gun violence and I wanted to thank you for standing up for all victims and saying "enough is enough." God Bless You and Jim!
Sarah Brady: Thanks so much -
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Bob Levey:
Please take us through the events of March 31, 1981. Your husband is seriously wounded in the gunfire outside the Washington Hilton Hotel. Your first thoughts that day? Your second?
Sarah Brady: What an awful day - at first I thought he had just been "winged" as they used to say in the old westerns - when I learned how serious he was, all I could do was to wait and pray he would make it though the operation - when he did, against all odds, I just knew he would recover. The thought of gun control never entered my mind - not for several years.
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Falls Church, Va.:
I'm wondering what you think of the Constitution of the United States of America. The Second Amendment clearly states the intentions of our forefathers. This country is built on that document.
Sarah Brady: I believe strongly in our Constitution. The Second Amendment has been interpreted by a majority of scolars and court decisions to mean the states right to bear arms against the federal government rather than the individual's right to bear arms - nevertheless, I don't want to take away any law abiding citizens ability to purchase a firearm.
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Fairfax, Va.:
I've heard about a few incidents lately that really get my goat. Children that are able to get handguns because the parents don't have them properly stored. I think the parents should be held liable for such incidents.
My guns are always stored in a fireproof safe and the combination is known only to myself and my wife.
Sarah Brady: That is a big problem. Guns need to be locked up and impossible for kids to get ahold of - many states have laws making the adult responsible if the child gets ahold of unsecured firearm - this makes good sense
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College Park, Md.:
Have you ever debated Charlton Heston?
Sarah Brady: No - just met him briefly on several occasions - not related to the gun issue
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Chantilly, Va.:
DC has one of the higher rates of gun related crime, yet no one is permitted to own a gun there. Where are they getting them ?
Sarah Brady: Gun trafficking - Virginia used to be the primary source state until it passed its "one gun a month" law which really worked in reducing the trafficking - now most weapons come from states with lax gun laws - primarily on the southern Atlantic coast.
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Worcester, MA:
I have read that some Democrats felt that former Vice President Gore was hurt in "rural states" due his position on gun control.
Do you agree that the gun control policies of the Democratic Party hurt him in the election?
Does this issue divide more along rural / urban lines than liberal / conservative?
Thank you.
Sarah Brady: I feel quite the opposite. I think that if Vice President Gore had more stronly articulated the differences between himself and then Gov. Bush he would have done much better - in the general election the differences were fuzzy leaving many folks who believe in strong laws believing that there was little difference between the two. Let's face it, the majority of Americans want stronger laws - it can only serve a candidate well if he supports them. If anything it is urban/rural but even in rural areas and southern states, pro gun control candidates have done well when they effectively articulate their beliefs - Look at Bill Clinton from Arkansas - always stood up for strong laws -
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Potomac, Md.:
Let's say you were held up at gunpoint in a dark alley. What would you rather have: a gun to protect yourself, or the knowledge that 20,000 gun laws say there is no possible way this could be happening to you?
Sarah Brady: First, I try to stay out of dark alleys - but seriously, statistics show that you're more likely to be hurt or injured by your own weapon than in successfuly warding off a perp. But, in case you didn't hear it the first ten times I said it, I don't believe in taking your ability to purchase a gun away if you're law abiding.
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Washington, D.C.:
Why do some members of Congress want to put AK-47s and Tech-9s back on to the street? Haven't these weapons already killed enough people?
Sarah Brady: That's the million dollar questions - we will be working hard this next year to be sure the assault weapon ban is renewed - to have repeats of Stockton, etc. and to see gangs with assault weapons again is scary to most of us -
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Bethesda, Md.:
Is it true Dick Cheney hid from you when you were lobbying for the Brady Bill?
Sarah Brady: He wouldn't answer my phone calls -
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Gaithersburg, MD:
I have all the respect in the world for you and your organization. Thank you for fighting the good fight.
I have taken gun safety classes, own historic firearms, practice shooting at a local range about once a month (with a rental -- I don't own a working firearm), and I believe completely in better gun control and gun registration. I believe that people do use guns for sport (as I do) and collecting (as I do, although mine don't fire), and if their purposes in using them are legitimate, they should have no problem with gun control.
Thanks again for all that you do.
Sarah Brady: thanks
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Bob Levey:
Please comment on where we are in reference to the horrors of Columbine. Most schools now require weapons searches (or at least permit them). Many schools have metal detectors at the doors. Is this sufficient?
Sarah Brady: It seems that not much has been done since Columbine. It is imparitive that we make every effort possible to be sure that firearms are not accessible to kids. That includes thorough background checks on all guns sold - whether at gun shows, through ads, internet, ets. Secondly, adults must be held responsible if their guns are not locked up properly.
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Alexandria, Va.:
Why has regulation of used gun sales (at gun shows) been relatively hands-off?
Sarah Brady: It's one that ought not be ignored. I am strongly in favor of thorough background checks on all sales of firearms. The gun lobby has fought it wanting only cursory checks - Colorado, however, did pass a law - but universal checks are needed at the federal level.
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Bob Levey:
Many thanks and best wishes to Sarah Brady. Be sure to join us a week from today when our guest on "Levey Live" will be Robert Peck, president of the Metropolitan Washington Board of Trade. Our visit with him will begin at noon Eastern time on June 17.
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Bob Levey:
That wraps up
today's show. Thanks to everyone who joined the
discussion.
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