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Show All The Salt Lake Tribune UTAH/NATION Sunday, May 30,1999 Hyde Says HouseWill Illinois congressman gave a different impression during his speech beforehand. Ruzicka’s wife, Gayle, whois president of the Utah Eagle Forum, another Pass Gun-Control Law ultra-right group, agreed. Both oppose gun control, saying guns are not the problem. and the State Hospital, a psychiatricinstitution, for banning guns on their premis: “He talks on the one handthat these guns are not the problem,” Don Ruzicka @ Continued said of Hyde, “but on the other hand he appearsto be supporting some forms They were amongthe attendeesatlast year’s GOP convention that approved a resolu demning” state government, the Unive constitutionally to limit that, restrict that.” Hyde, who has co-authored gun-controlbills in the past, provided the strongest comments to date by a House Republican leader about the fate of gun-confrollegislation pending in Congress. The Senate sent it to the Houselast week. Hesaid his staff had begun researching the constitutionality of possible measures to be added to the Senate bill so that House Republican leaders will Shave them early next week” for consideration. Hydebriefly fielded a reporter's questions after a Provofund-raiser Friday night to benefit Rep. Chris Cannon, R-Utah. “At least the Senatebill will pass,” Hyde emphasized. Everythinginit? “I think so, yes.” ‘The evolving House plan, if approved in mid-June, would then go back to the Senate for concurrence, he gaid, adding that the proposals being considered likely would be passed as amendments to Utah GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch’sjuvenile crimebill. | Hyde said he could not be morespecific about how the entertainment industry might be targeted. But gecumably most of the constitutional questions bout any gun-controllegislation related to the en- ‘The Associated Press House Judiciary Chairman Henry Hyde,R-Ill. fertainment industry would focus on how far House Republicans can go in trying to curb portrayals of violence while not impinging on free-speech rights “He talks on the one hand that these guns are not the problem, but x control could also range from pornography to lag-burning. With a nod to veterans on Memorial to be supporting some forms ofgun controls. That seems to be in conflict.” underthe First Amendment. *< Any other measuresin the package beyond merely Day, Hyde said in his Provo speech that he,like Hatch, would support a constitutional amendmentto pan flag-burning. “Too many caskets have comebackwith it draped acrossthe topto treatit like a piece of cloth,” Hyde i on the other hand, he appears Don Ruzicka The legislative package will be taken up for consideration on the Housefloor starting the second week of June,he said. The entire GOP House leader- ship is behind this plan, Hyde maintained. ~ “Some moreeagerly than others — but I don’t see anydissenting sentiment.” At a time when the minority Democrats are not only fending off GOP plansbut having their way on issues such as gun control, Hyde’s remarks provide a further signal that the outpouring of public sentiment after the Littleton, Colo., and Conyers, Ga., Schoolshootings, has meant a significant turn in the national debate on gun-control measures. Republicans were outmaneuvered in the Senate, and now Hyde, along with other House Republican leaders, such as House Speaker Dennis Hastert, RTIL, are calling the gun controls ‘common-sense legislation.” In the House, Republican leaders such as Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas, also say they worry about the GOP'sslim five-vote margin. DeLay similarly had told The Tribune about a week ago that the House plans to approve its own package of gun-control measures based in part on support for the Democratic initiatives. Hastert, DeLay and House Majority Leader Richard Armey, R-Tex., all were opposed to the last major gun-controllegislation that passed the House. : Utah Republican Assembly one id. The Senate passed legislation that will require background checks of purchasers at gun shows, will ban importation of high-capacity ammunitionclips and will require that guns be sold with child-proof safety devices. Six Republicans gingerly crossed the aisle to vote with Democrats, giving Vice President Al Gore his first tie-breaking chancein four years and a possible boost to his presidential campaign. In contrast to his comments to The Tribune, Hyde was less emphatic about gun control during his speechat the Provo fund-raiser. “The problem is a spiritual vacuum... . New gun laws are not going to changethat,” he told the audience. ‘Thatisn’t to say there isn't the need for some new amendments.” Most whowerelistening, such as Dean Hawker of Provo, seemed to agree with Hyde’s message. “Any reasonable person is in favor of gun control. They don’t want a cannonin their neighbor's back yard — or a nuclear weapon,” Hawkersaid. Hyde was not entirely preaching to the choir, though. Don Ruzicka, a founder of the archconservative Utah Republican Assembly, said he was surprised by Hyde's remarks to a reporter, especially since the Featurin FAITH IN YOUR HEART LOVE SAVED THE DAY Duet with Award-winning Countryartist Billy Dean Shop Dillard's he best selection of men’s sportswear. A Shop Monday ‘Saturday 10-9 and Sunday 12-6 atail Dillard's locations. Newgate Mall. in Provo: Provo Towne Centre. In Salt Lake City Fashion Place and South Towne Center. In Mastercard? Visa® and We welcome your Dillard's Credit Caqy, T Amorican Expy Card, Dinars Club tiga in conflict. I’m not s with gun control, but |
