In case nobody noticed, Mexico's 'president', Felipe Calderon, urged Congress to REINSTATE the hopelessly-flawed and hypocritically-named 'Assault Weapons Ban' to 'cut cross-border gun smuggling and reduce drug gang violence' for our 'southern neighbor'. Umm, Felipe, ol' son, lemme tol' you sump'm ... them guns you're talkin' about are FULL-AUTO, and American citizens can't legally OWN 'em unless they're purchased thru a LEGAL gun dealer, pay a $200 Federal TRANSFER FEE, and subject themselves to UNANNOUNCED inspections by BATF to check on the gun's presence and condition. It's the MEXICAN DRUG GANGS that are using full-auto AK's, M-16s, Ma Deuces, grenade launchers, anti-tank weapons, and grenade launchers - WE can't OWN those things. Bite me, Felipe ...

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http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE64J5W920100520?type=domesticNews&feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews

Calderon urges U.S. to reinstate assault weapons ban

(Reuters) - Mexican President Felipe Calderon urged the U.S. Congress on Thursday to reinstate a ban on assault weapons to help cut cross-border gun smuggling and reduce drug gang violence for its southern neighbor.

U.S.

In a speech to a joint session of Congress, Calderon described efforts to fight organized crime in Mexico, where 23,000 people have been killed in drug violence since he came to power in late 2006 and launched an army offensive.

Washington is also aiding Mexico's battle against drug gangs with a 2007 pledge of $1.4 billion for equipment and police training to help fight the cartels that ship some $40 billion worth of illegal drugs north each year.

The drug violence has become a major political test for Calderon and a growing worry for Washington and foreign investors as violence has spread across the southwest border.

"There is one issue where Mexico needs your cooperation. And that is stopping the flow of assault weapons and other deadly arms across the border," Calderon said to a standing ovation from U.S. lawmakers.

Calderon said the increase in violence in Mexico had coincided with the 2004 lifting of a U.S. assault weapons ban.

The 10-year ban on the sale of assault weapons to civilians expired without being extended by Congress. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder has said the administration favors reinstituting the ban, though gun rights groups oppose it.(Note: RIGHTLY SO.)

Calderon said he respects Americans' Second Amendment right to bear arms but said many of the guns are getting into the hands of criminals. (These two statements cannot be logically congruent).

SEIZING GUNS

Mexico has seized around 75,000 guns and assault weapons in the last three years, Calderon said. He said more than 80 percent of them came from the United States and noted there were more than 7,000 gun shops along the border. (Really? On WHICH side?)

"I would ask Congress to help us, with respect, and to understand how important it is for us that you enforce current laws to stem the supply of these weapons to criminals and consider reinstating the assault weapons ban," he said.

Though Calderon's request received applause and a standing ovation from mainly Democratic lawmakers, Republicans criticized the Mexican leader for discussing U.S. laws.

"It was inappropriate for President Calderon to lecture Americans on our own state and federal laws," said Senator John Cornyn, a member of the Republican leadership. "Moreover, the Second Amendment is not a subject open for diplomatic negotiation, with Mexico or any other nation."

On immigration -- a common theme during his visit to Washington -- Calderon said his country was trying to improve economic conditions so Mexicans would not feel the need to leave their country in order to succeed. (Oh. Really ... ?)

He said Mexico expected more than 4 percent growth this year, even though data released on Thursday showed the economy shrank quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter of this year.

Millions of people are still crossing the U.S. border illegally to seek work. An estimated 10.8 million illegal immigrants live in the United States, most of them from Mexico and Central America.

Calderon repeated his opposition to a new Arizona law that requires police to check the immigration status of anyone they suspect is in the country illegally.

"We must find together a better way to face and fix this common problem," he said.

He thinks he is the leader of Mexico and like all leaders has an opinion.

So what?

I never expect anything less from your responses ...

Get used to it.

I would wager, auto-fire weapons are easier to get and cheaper when bought bulk from Russia. They could even get great discounts on bulk ammo also..

They could pick 'em up just off shore or by paying off an underpaid Immigration officer on the southern border.

If I was lookin' to get 'em up the southern border, one of my enforcers would give border patrol the option of takin' a few pesos to look the other way or have his whole family wiped out, leaving him alive with his arms whacked off.

I believe he would say,"Show me da' money!!"

Obama is only angering more and more Americans....MOST DOCUMENTED AMERICANS want illegal immigration STOPPED and MOST want our federal government to ENFORCE the law to the letter if a person enters or stays in this country illegally.

New slogan for America....FIND EM CATCH EM DEPORT EM

Make 'em walk back.

How about "open season on all illegal immigrants caught crossing the border. That means we all get to line up and take shots at them like they do to us from the other side of the border.

F Mexico! I never want to go there again anyways. they can't get their act together and want to blame us for their problems??? Up theirs with a huge bloated donkey prong!

2 more years til we vote again.

And in between, there's November 2, 2010 ...

Go Libertarian Party!!!