Mexican President Calderon Calls for Reinstatement of the AWB

Bartholomew Roberts · May 24, 2010, 04:15 PM

On May 20, President Calderon addressed a Joint Session of Congress and said:

"And if you'll look carefully, you will notice that the violence in Mexico started to grow a couple of years before I took office, in 2006. This coincides with the lifting of the assault-weapons ban in 2004. One day, criminals in Mexico, having gained an access to these weapons, decided to challenge the authorities in my country. Today, these weapons are aimed by the criminals not only at rival gangs, but also at Mexican civilians and authorities. With all due respect, if you do not regulate the sale of these weapons in the right way, nothing guarantees that criminals here in the United States with access to the same power of weapons will not decided (sic) to challenge American authorities and civilians."

I won't bother going into the factual inaccuracies in his statement since those are already covered in this blog post by the Heritage Foundation.

It does raise an interesting question though. Why does Calderon want the AWB reenacted? From the standpoint of Mexican law, it doesn't ban even a fraction of the weapons that Mexican law bans. If there is really an issue with cross-border weapons trafficking, it seems that asking Congress to ratify the already-signed CIFTA treaty would be more productive from Mexico's standpoint. So why would the President of Mexico ask Congress to reauthorize a ban on cosmetic features that doesn't affect weapon functionality?

It just strikes me as a strange request given his stated concerns. "Would you please reinstate an obscure domestic gun control law that won't solve my problems in the least?" I wonder if Calderon understands what that law did?

DogoDon · May 24, 2010, 04:27 PM

It smells of some kind of behind-the-scenes political maneuvering, maybe a tit-for-tat arrangement? On its face, it doesn't make much sense, and since politicians rarely do things randomly, there's got to be more than meets the eye here.

alloy · May 24, 2010, 04:34 PM

Nobody asked him not to say it.
Aside from that, the Mexican Govt should put it's own house in order before it tries to set US policy.

gc70 · May 24, 2010, 04:48 PM

How about "I'll keep the borders open for your people if you demand that we reenact the AWB to protect your country?" Quid quo pro at its finest.

The administration was unsuccessful when it floated trial balloons about American weapons showing up in Mexico. Maybe Calderon's speech was intended to give new credibility to that theory.

My reaction is that the US should help Calderon by stop anything illegal from crossing the border ... in either direction.

vranasaurus · May 24, 2010, 05:20 PM

Last I checked the machine guns being used by the drug cartels are not available in US gun shops.

I doubt he is that dumb and that is what is most troubling.

Glenn E. Meyer · May 24, 2010, 05:49 PM

I have a theory - politicians are unable or unwilling to actually research what they are talking about.

Very well done research, sponsored by the DOJ, demonstrated that the AWB was not shown to have any effect on the standard crime indicators.

However, politicians seem to think that the AWB actually banned ownership and production of military derivative semiauto long arms of all types. They also think that that the bill was effective.

It became a slogan or magic mantra. It is chanted for political appeal to their constituents.

It would be intellectually honest to say that they want a new all inclusive ban on manufacture and ownership on such guns. But they deliberately don't understand the issue or are too stupid or ill-trained in analytic skills to know what is going on.

Retired15T · May 24, 2010, 05:57 PM

Personally, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to find out that statement was made at the request or "suggestion" of our very own President.

Double Naught Spy · May 24, 2010, 06:29 PM

Quote:

I have a theory - politicians are unable or unwilling to actually research what they are talking about.

I have another theory. They will promote their wants and desires regardless of the information from the research.

Glenn E. Meyer · May 24, 2010, 06:38 PM

That could be - but don't underestimate how folks can be delusional and/or selective of information.

Zealots of all political persuasions only choose to listen to whatever choir floasts their boat.

Examples would be a political war.

So it is the case that politician X might be duplicious or manipulative but folks on the same side of that cause can be delusional.

Works for the left and the right, I'm afraid.

Slamfire · May 24, 2010, 06:47 PM

The pictures I have seen of confiscated Drug Runner guns, I saw grenades, M2 50 Caliber machine guns, anti tank weapons, serious military weapons that did not come from gun shows.

These are US military weapons given to the Mexican Military as military aid. Then sold by corrupt Mexican military officials to the drug lords.

We should immediately suspend all military weapon aid and sales to Mexico. It is just that simple.

The basic problem is that drug money has taken control of Mexico. "After the arrests, it emerged that the top officials were paid up to $450,000 per month to funnel information to the drug lords."

http://www.thetrumpet.com/?q=5887.4259.0.0

$450,000 per month is a lot of money.

cbrgator · May 24, 2010, 06:50 PM

Mexico should know better than any other country that gun bans don't work. They have one in place and we know how well that is working out for them.

We always say, although it usually falls on deaf ears, that gun bans mean only criminals have guns. I think Mexico is direct, substantial, and unequivocal evidence that the statement is true.

pnac · May 24, 2010, 07:07 PM

Slamfire said:

Quote:

The pictures I have seen of confiscated Drug Runner guns, I saw grenades, M2 50 Caliber machine guns, anti tank weapons, serious military weapons that did not come from gun shows.

These are US military weapons given to the Mexican Military as military aid. Then sold by corrupt Mexican military officials to the drug lords.

We should immediately suspend all military weapon aid and sales to Mexico. It is just that simple

Bingo!!

cbrgator said:

Quote:

Mexico should know better than any other country that gun bans don't work. They have one in place and we know how well that is working out for them.

It depends on what you're trying to achieve. NYC's Sullivan Act made the city safer for criminals, Mexican anti-gun laws were made to do the same.

spanishjames · May 24, 2010, 07:46 PM

Political grandstanding and a political chess move. Instead of focusing on the high demand of narcotics, and the inconsistent border control on both sides of the Mexican border, including the border with Central America, they focus on the tools of the drug gangs. In order for the US to infringe on Americans' right to keep and bear arms, they must first demonize the tools used by the bad guys, then keep them away from everyone. I believe the Latino vote played a large part in electing a Liberal Democrat, President Calderon and the Dems are forming a united front to pressure lawmakers and persuade their constituents that banning these "evil weapons" is the only choice. Who would argue against peace at the borders?

ofitg · May 24, 2010, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Personally, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to find out that statement was made at the request or "suggestion" of our very own President.
Today 03:49 PM

Bingo. I was thinking the same thing.

Stephen A. Camp · May 24, 2010, 08:59 PM

Hello. Not that it means anything in the scheme of things, but I hold Calderon and his lying ilk in utter contempt as I do any enemy of freedom:

http://hipowers-handguns.blogspot.com/

Best.

Te Anau · May 26, 2010, 08:29 AM

Calderon is full of C***.Mexico is a screwed up mess because of internal incompetence and centuries of corruption.We need the East German side of the Berlin wall on our southern border!

dabigguns357 · May 26, 2010, 01:29 PM

It seems that even the media all the way down to the local news columist is saying it is our(America's)fault and we as Americans should take responsabilty for whats going wrong in mexico.Personally i think it's appauling and disgusting that media can get away with such B.S..

Quote:

How about "I'll keep the borders open for your people if you demand that we reenact the AWB to protect your country?" Quid quo pro at its finest.

If he thinks we should ban all assault weapons,then we should make him ban all illegals from coming to our country.

TexasFats · May 26, 2010, 01:43 PM

The history of weapons bans, from Middle Age Europe to the Tokagawa Shogunate of Japan, to the laws passed in the post-Civil War South, to the Britain's 1920 gun laws, to NY's Sullivan Law, until today prove that, rhetoric notwithstanding, they are not about controlling crime. They are about some elite controlling a much more numerous peasantry. Until we get that idea firmly fixed in our heads, we will never understand the importance of gun rights.

USAFNoDak · May 27, 2010, 02:29 PM

Prez. Obama: "Hey Caldy, I can't get away with mentioning anything about gun control without raising a big stink throughout the gun owning community which is about 80 million people. Why don't you call for a reinstatement of our expired assault weapons ban and make some hay by telling us how crime has gone up significantly in your country since it expired. We don't have the crime stats in the US to show that the AWB was anywhere near effective, but that won't matter if you bring you it up. In exchange, I'll have the democrats in Congress give you standing ovations for the AWB mention and for mentioning how bad the Arizona law is. I'll also be planning to have Holder sue Arizona for that stupid law. How dare they harrass your citizens who are here in the US to work and send money back to Mexico. That won't stand while I'm around. So, how about it? You scratch my back and I'll make sure your monies continue to flow south across the border? Deal? "

Prez. Calderon: "Si, Amigo. Deal."

Well, this president said he was going to be "transparent". We can certainly see right through him on certain political issues and his behavior regarding them.

Bartholomew Roberts · May 27, 2010, 04:09 PM

Even if you take the view that the current Administration bribed Calderon to make the request, it seems interesting that they went for the AWB instead of the CIFTA Treaty.

alloy · May 27, 2010, 04:17 PM

4 months in front of an election after being graded with a resounding F- by the Brady Group, and catching serious flack from another part of the base supporters over immigration reform that was promised, it's all politicing, it's not reality and logic doesn't apply.
Who will vote for certian candidates if not even the anti-gunners and immigration reformists? I don't look for deep meanings, I look for real shallow ones.

ScottRiqui · May 27, 2010, 06:14 PM

I look for shallow meanings as well - in this case, I don't even think you have to involve the Obama administration. It could be as simple as Calderon looking for some external factor to blame for the violent cesspool his country has become. It's been a pretty standard strategy from the politician playbook throughout history.

CUBAN REDNECK · May 27, 2010, 06:19 PM

Mexico has a serious crime problem. Mexico has an extremely draconian firearms policy. 2+2=4.

Silver Bullet · May 27, 2010, 10:21 PM

Quote:

These are US military weapons given to the Mexican Military as military aid. Then sold by corrupt Mexican military officials to the drug lords.

I read recently that the Clinton Administration is largely responsible for giving or selling weapons to the Mexican army. Is that true, or are many administrations to blame ?

Webleymkv · May 28, 2010, 02:11 PM

I really don't think this is as insidious as many think. It looks to me like Calderon is trying to distract everyone from the fact that he either can't or won't do anything about Mexico's real problems. It's easier and more politically expedient to pass the buck off to the United States. Calderon is probably smart enough to realize that he chances of a renewed AWB in the current political climate are slim at best, so he has a ready-made excuse, for the time being, as to why he's not getting results.

May 24, 2010, 04:15 PM	#1
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	Mexican President Calderon Calls for Reinstatement of the AWB On May 20, President Calderon addressed a Joint Session of Congress and said: "And if you'll look carefully, you will notice that the violence in Mexico started to grow a couple of years before I took office, in 2006. This coincides with the lifting of the assault-weapons ban in 2004. One day, criminals in Mexico, having gained an access to these weapons, decided to challenge the authorities in my country. Today, these weapons are aimed by the criminals not only at rival gangs, but also at Mexican civilians and authorities. With all due respect, if you do not regulate the sale of these weapons in the right way, nothing guarantees that criminals here in the United States with access to the same power of weapons will not decided (sic) to challenge American authorities and civilians." I won't bother going into the factual inaccuracies in his statement since those are already covered in this blog post by the Heritage Foundation. It does raise an interesting question though. Why does Calderon want the AWB reenacted? From the standpoint of Mexican law, it doesn't ban even a fraction of the weapons that Mexican law bans. If there is really an issue with cross-border weapons trafficking, it seems that asking Congress to ratify the already-signed CIFTA treaty would be more productive from Mexico's standpoint. So why would the President of Mexico ask Congress to reauthorize a ban on cosmetic features that doesn't affect weapon functionality? It just strikes me as a strange request given his stated concerns. "Would you please reinstate an obscure domestic gun control law that won't solve my problems in the least?" I wonder if Calderon understands what that law did?

May 24, 2010, 05:49 PM	#6
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	I have a theory - politicians are unable or unwilling to actually research what they are talking about. Very well done research, sponsored by the DOJ, demonstrated that the AWB was not shown to have any effect on the standard crime indicators. However, politicians seem to think that the AWB actually banned ownership and production of military derivative semiauto long arms of all types. They also think that that the bill was effective. It became a slogan or magic mantra. It is chanted for political appeal to their constituents. It would be intellectually honest to say that they want a new all inclusive ban on manufacture and ownership on such guns. But they deliberately don't understand the issue or are too stupid or ill-trained in analytic skills to know what is going on. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

May 24, 2010, 06:38 PM	#9
Glenn E. Meyer Senior Member Join Date: November 17, 2000 Posts: 20,064	That could be - but don't underestimate how folks can be delusional and/or selective of information. Zealots of all political persuasions only choose to listen to whatever choir floasts their boat. Examples would be a political war. So it is the case that politician X might be duplicious or manipulative but folks on the same side of that cause can be delusional. Works for the left and the right, I'm afraid. __________________ NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens

May 26, 2010, 08:29 AM	#16
Te Anau Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2004 Location: Somewhere south of the No Posts: 3,824	Calderon is full of C*.Mexico is a screwed up mess because of internal incompetence and centuries of corruption.We need the East German side of the Berlin wall on our southern border! __________________ "Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it." --American author Mark Twain (1835-1910)**

May 26, 2010, 01:43 PM	#18
TexasFats Senior Member Join Date: June 12, 2007 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 130	The history of weapons bans, from Middle Age Europe to the Tokagawa Shogunate of Japan, to the laws passed in the post-Civil War South, to the Britain's 1920 gun laws, to NY's Sullivan Law, until today prove that, rhetoric notwithstanding, they are not about controlling crime. They are about some elite controlling a much more numerous peasantry. Until we get that idea firmly fixed in our heads, we will never understand the importance of gun rights. __________________ Gun laws are designed to extend and solidify the power of an elite over a peasantry. Sauron lives, and his orc minions are on the march.

May 24, 2010, 04:27 PM	#2
DogoDon Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 368	It smells of some kind of behind-the-scenes political maneuvering, maybe a tit-for-tat arrangement? On its face, it doesn't make much sense, and since politicians rarely do things randomly, there's got to be more than meets the eye here.

May 24, 2010, 04:48 PM	#4
gc70 Senior Member Join Date: May 24, 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 2,903	How about "I'll keep the borders open for your people if you demand that we reenact the AWB to protect your country?" Quid quo pro at its finest. The administration was unsuccessful when it floated trial balloons about American weapons showing up in Mexico. Maybe Calderon's speech was intended to give new credibility to that theory. My reaction is that the US should help Calderon by stop anything illegal from crossing the border ... in either direction.

May 24, 2010, 05:20 PM	#5
vranasaurus Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2008 Posts: 1,184	Last I checked the machine guns being used by the drug cartels are not available in US gun shops. I doubt he is that dumb and that is what is most troubling.

May 24, 2010, 05:57 PM	#7
Retired15T Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 175	Personally, I wouldn't be the least bit surprised to find out that statement was made at the request or "suggestion" of our very own President.

May 24, 2010, 06:47 PM	#10
Slamfire Senior Member Join Date: May 27, 2007 Posts: 5,261	The pictures I have seen of confiscated Drug Runner guns, I saw grenades, M2 50 Caliber machine guns, anti tank weapons, serious military weapons that did not come from gun shows. These are US military weapons given to the Mexican Military as military aid. Then sold by corrupt Mexican military officials to the drug lords. We should immediately suspend all military weapon aid and sales to Mexico. It is just that simple. The basic problem is that drug money has taken control of Mexico. "After the arrests, it emerged that the top officials were paid up to $450,000 per month to funnel information to the drug lords." http://www.thetrumpet.com/?q=5887.4259.0.0 $450,000 per month is a lot of money.

May 24, 2010, 06:50 PM	#11
cbrgator Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Posts: 135	Mexico should know better than any other country that gun bans don't work. They have one in place and we know how well that is working out for them. We always say, although it usually falls on deaf ears, that gun bans mean only criminals have guns. I think Mexico is direct, substantial, and unequivocal evidence that the statement is true.

May 24, 2010, 07:46 PM	#13
spanishjames Senior Member Join Date: April 27, 2010 Posts: 553	Political grandstanding and a political chess move. Instead of focusing on the high demand of narcotics, and the inconsistent border control on both sides of the Mexican border, including the border with Central America, they focus on the tools of the drug gangs. In order for the US to infringe on Americans' right to keep and bear arms, they must first demonize the tools used by the bad guys, then keep them away from everyone. I believe the Latino vote played a large part in electing a Liberal Democrat, President Calderon and the Dems are forming a united front to pressure lawmakers and persuade their constituents that banning these "evil weapons" is the only choice. Who would argue against peace at the borders?

May 24, 2010, 08:59 PM	#15
Stephen A. Camp Staff In Memoriam Join Date: April 16, 1999 Posts: 2,570	Hello. Not that it means anything in the scheme of things, but I hold Calderon and his lying ilk in utter contempt as I do any enemy of freedom: http://hipowers-handguns.blogspot.com/ Best.

May 27, 2010, 02:29 PM	#19
USAFNoDak Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2000 Location: Minnesota, Twin Cities Posts: 1,076	Prez. Obama: "Hey Caldy, I can't get away with mentioning anything about gun control without raising a big stink throughout the gun owning community which is about 80 million people. Why don't you call for a reinstatement of our expired assault weapons ban and make some hay by telling us how crime has gone up significantly in your country since it expired. We don't have the crime stats in the US to show that the AWB was anywhere near effective, but that won't matter if you bring you it up. In exchange, I'll have the democrats in Congress give you standing ovations for the AWB mention and for mentioning how bad the Arizona law is. I'll also be planning to have Holder sue Arizona for that stupid law. How dare they harrass your citizens who are here in the US to work and send money back to Mexico. That won't stand while I'm around. So, how about it? You scratch my back and I'll make sure your monies continue to flow south across the border? Deal? " Prez. Calderon: "Si, Amigo. Deal." Well, this president said he was going to be "transparent". We can certainly see right through him on certain political issues and his behavior regarding them. __________________ "If you love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains set lightly upon you and may posterity forget that ye were our countrymen." Samuel Adams.

May 27, 2010, 04:09 PM	#20
Bartholomew Roberts member Join Date: June 12, 2000 Location: Texas and Oklahoma area Posts: 8,462	Even if you take the view that the current Administration bribed Calderon to make the request, it seems interesting that they went for the AWB instead of the CIFTA Treaty.

May 27, 2010, 06:14 PM	#22
ScottRiqui Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Location: Norfolk, VA Posts: 2,905	I look for shallow meanings as well - in this case, I don't even think you have to involve the Obama administration. It could be as simple as Calderon looking for some external factor to blame for the violent cesspool his country has become. It's been a pretty standard strategy from the politician playbook throughout history.

May 27, 2010, 06:19 PM	#23
CUBAN REDNECK Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2009 Location: SW FLORIDA Posts: 318	Mexican police/military/criminals=same Mexico has a serious crime problem. Mexico has an extremely draconian firearms policy. 2+2=4.

May 28, 2010, 02:11 PM	#25
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	I really don't think this is as insidious as many think. It looks to me like Calderon is trying to distract everyone from the fact that he either can't or won't do anything about Mexico's real problems. It's easier and more politically expedient to pass the buck off to the United States. Calderon is probably smart enough to realize that he chances of a renewed AWB in the current political climate are slim at best, so he has a ready-made excuse, for the time being, as to why he's not getting results.

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