http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=6960824&page=1

I couldn't be more disappointed. Why push such a divisive issue during our current economic woes, it just makes no sense. It'd be one thing if there was clear empirical evidence this ban would reduce crime or make it harder for a criminal to get his hands on a gun, but the only thing I see this doing is rallying the right. I can just hear the republifags now, and I AGREE WITH THEM. DAMN YOU OBAMA!!!

I can't tell you how many times I said "He's not gonna take away your f*cking guns." I've got to apologize to half a dozen people now.

My favorite reddit quote on this :

Quote:Bush did everything the right is screaming about, except he left guns alone. As Greenwald said:

The Bush admin. began "limitless, unchecked surveillance activities, detention powers with no oversight, expanding federal police powers, secret prison camps, even massively exploding and debt-financed domestic spending."

And nobody on the right said jack shit about it. But Bush left guns alone. That was his genius. Savant retard genius, but genius nonetheless.

I agree about this being a politically detrimental move. Unless this ends up being something he can sacrifice later, giving the Democratic party leverage - but there is no evidence of this.

I don't see this as "taking away our guns" exactly since people still had guns back in 2003 when this was in effect. It will restrict some of the overkill type firearms; but it probably goes too far for some. I am open to the idea of regulating gun ownership in some fashion, but I see no pressing need for political capital to be spent on this right now.

"I see no pressing need for political capital to be spent on this right now"

Bingo!

Obama is backing off.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/193589/page/1

Update:
Obama: "I have not backed off' on assault weapons ban"