The internet is buzzing with multiple theories of what will or will not happen during election year 2004 when the Clinton "assault weapons" ban is set to sunset and expire.

The Bush White House has publicly stated that they "support" renewal of the ban.

The Republican controlled House [federal] has stated that they will not pass an AW renewal [expansion] out of the House.

Many in the gun owning, civil rights community are feeling rather confident right now that the misguided 1994 legislation will expire.

I do NOT share that confidence. Here is why.

What most seem to have missed during the current debate is that the House did NOT pass an AW Ban BILL in 1994. The STAND-ALONE Assault Weapon Ban bill debated in the House was not enacted into law. So how did we get the ban?

It was attached as an AMENDMENT to that federal beast that gobbles up huge chunks of our money and liberty... the OMNIBUS BILL. In 1994 it was the OMNIBUS CRIME BILL.

We in Missouri remember all too well that the amendment that attached the AW Ban was successful, and that the overall OMNIBUS CRIME BILL was then successfully passed because "there is too much good in the overall bill to vote no" just because it contained the AW Ban.

That is where pro-rights supporters need to be watching the closest... the AMENDMENT process to the OMNIBUS bills.

Those of us who have been in this a long time remember the gun ban added by amendment on the floor after midnight years ago when most of the senators have left...

Those of us who have been paying really close attention witnessed the Senate passing the Brady Bill with only three Senators present in the chamber [and VP Al Gore in "the chair" presiding].

We know that when it comes to the federal government, Thomas Jefferson was right when he stated that "the price of liberty is eternal vigilance" and keeping a close eye on what happens inside DC.

My advice to all who really want to see the AW ban reach its deserved sunset would be to watch for, and work to prevent, the attachment of any AW AMENDMENT.

When the debate on the AW Ban renewal really heats up beginning later this year and into next year´s full up election cycle... stay tuned to GCLA´s legislative updates.

If you haven´t joined a pro-gun, pro-civil rights groups yet and you value your rights... join one today!

Thanks,