OBAMA HAS SUPPORTED INEFFECTIVE GUN BANS
Obama Supported The D.C. Gun Ban, Which Is Similar To Chicago's Gun Ban :
During An Interview, Obama Acknowledged His Support For The D.C. Gun Ban.
Questioner Leon Harris: "One other issue that's of great importance here in the district as well is gun control. You said in Idaho recently – I'm quoting here – 'I have no intention of taking away folks' guns,' but you support the D.C. handgun ban." Obama:
"Right." (Leon Harris and Sen. Barack Obama, Forum Sponsored By ABC And
Politico.Com, Washington, DC, 2/12/08)
In The Same Interview, It Was Indicated Obama Feels The Law Is Constitutional. Harris:
"And you've said that it's constitutional. How can you reconcile those two different positions?" Obama: "Oh, because I think we have two conflicting traditions in this country. I think it is important for us to recognize that we've got a tradition of handgun ownership and gun ownership generally. And a lot of people, law-abiding citizens, use it for hunting, for sportsmanship, and for protecting their families. We also have violence on the streets that is a result of illegal handgun use. And so, there is nothing wrong, I think, with a community saying we are going to take those illegal handguns off the streets
…" (Leon Harris and Sen. Barack Obama, Forum Sponsored By ABC And Politico.com,
Washington, DC, 2/12/08)
NOTE: Obama Later Stated That He Agreed With The Supreme Court's Decision
Overturning The D.C. Gun Ban And Establishing An Individual Right To Bear Arms.
Obama: "I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms, but I also identify with the need for crime-ravaged communities to save their children from the violence that plagues our streets through common-sense, effective safety measures … The Supreme Court has now endorsed that view, and while it ruled that the D.C. gun ban went too far, Justice Scalia himself acknowledged that this right is not absolute and subject to reasonable regulations enacted by local communities to keep their streets safe. … Today's decision reinforces that if we act responsibly, we can both protect the constitutional right to bear arms and keep our communities and our children safe."
(Jake Tapper, "Obama Embraces Supreme Court Decision As 'Well-Needed Guidance,'"
ABC News' "Political Punch" Blog, blgos.abcnews.com,
6/26/08)
Chicago Also Has A Ban On Guns, Except For Police Officers, Alderman "And A
Handful Of Others." "In Chicago, unless your gun was purchased before the ban went

into effect in 1982, it is illegal to possess a handgun within city limits. Only police officers, aldermen and a handful of others are exempt from the ban. While other firearms can be registered, under current law, handguns cannot be registered and are considered illegal." (Dana Kozlov, Mike Flannery, Kristyn Hartman and Joanie Lum, "Gun Lobby
Quickly Sues To Overturn Chicago Ban," cbschicag2.com, 6/26/08)
Despite Chicago's Gun Ban, Gunfire Is "Routine" In Chicago, Where Authorities
Estimate There Are Close To 70,000 Gang Members:
Authorities Estimate There Are Close To 70,000 Gang Members In Chicago. "[I]n
Chicago, gunfire is a routine feature of the city's dominant criminal dynamic, a deeplyentrenched, multi-generational gang system with, authorities estimate, close to 70,000 members citywide." (Murray Whyte, Op-Ed, "A Look Beyond The Handgun Ban," The
[Toronto] Star, 4/27/08)
"Chicago Police Department Statistics Show That From 2004 To November
2007 There Were 43,685 Firearms-Related Violent Crimes In The City."
(Melissa Patterson and Jeff Coen, "Mayor Daley Calls Supreme Court's Gun-Ban
Reversal 'A Very Frightening Decision,'" Chicago Tribune,
6/26/08)
In 2003 Chicago Was The Nation's "Murder Capital." "In 2003 … Chicago retook the dubious title of the United States' murder capital with 599…" (Murray Whyte, Op-Ed, "A
Look Beyond The Handgun Ban," The [Toronto] Star, 4/27/08)
"Chicago Had 599 Homicides, Compared With 594 In New York City And Fewer Than
500 In Los Angeles. But Chicago's Homicide Rate Is Three Times That Of New York,
Which Has Nearly Three Times The Population."
(David Heinzmann, "Murders Drop, But Chicago Leads U.S.," Chicago Tribune, 1/1/04)
Chicago Also Led The U.S. In Murders In 2001 And Was Second To Only Los Angeles
In 2002. "After dipping to 631 in 2000, the number shot up to 665 in 2001, and Chicago topped the nation in homicides. In 2002, the number fell to 648--second only to 658 in
Los Angeles." (David Heinzmann, "Murders Drop, But Chicago Leads U.S.," Chicago
Tribune,
1/1/04)

In April Of This Year There Were "At Least" 48 Shootings In Ten Days:
From April 18 To April 28 Of This Year There Were 48 Shootings In Chicago. "Since
April 18, at least 48 shootings have taken place in the Chicago area resulting in at least 15 deaths. Law enforcement officials have expressed concern that as the weather warms, gang violence will remain elevated." (Sen. Dick Durbin, "Durbin, Obama Ask for
Meeting with DOJ Officials to Discuss the Inclusion of Chicago In Comprehensive Anti-
Gang Initiative," Press Release, 4/28/08)
In April Of This Year There Were 40 Shootings In Chicago "In Less Than A Week"
"CHICAGO—Deputy Police Chief Eugene Williams had a tough week.
Wednesday morning, a two-storey house in his jurisdiction on the South Side. Five people, shot dead. The following afternoon, two more shootings. Another that night, nonfatal, shot in the leg and back.
And all of this following a hail of gunfire that had peppered the city's toughest neighbourhoods just a few days before: In less than a week, more than 40 shootings, at least a dozen of them fatal." (Murray Whyte, Op-Ed, "A Look Beyond The Handgun
Ban," The [Toronto] Star,
4/27/08)
Chicago Deputy Police Chief Eugene Williams Highlighted The Staggering Numbers Of
Weapons Recovered In Chicago: "We've Been Averaging 10,000 Weapons Every Year."
"'The regular citizen in Chicago cannot go anywhere and buy firearms,' says [Deputy
Police Chief Eugene] Williams, eyebrows raised. 'And yet, in one year, in the 1990s, we had more than 19,000 weapons recovered. In one year. We've been averaging 10,000 weapons recovered every year for the last 10 or 12 or 14 years.
And that's with a ban.'" (Murray Whyte, Op-Ed, "A Look Beyond The Handgun Ban,"
The [Toronto] Star, 4/27/08)
OBAMA HAS A WEAK RECORD ON CRIME
Obama Supports Intervention And Education Over Punishment To Prevent Crime:

Obama Prefers To Emphasize Intervention And Education Over Punishment.
Obama: "My philosophy is the best crime prevention is a job and the second best is an education. It cannot be stressed enough - strong prevention and intervention prevents crime and recidivism." (Beverly A. Reed, "Barack Obama Promises Vision, Leadership
In 1st Congressional Seat," Chicago Defender, 2/12/00)
Obama: "[I] would look to increase the number of non violent offenses that are expungeable." (Beverly A. Reed, "Barack Obama Promises Vision, Leadership In 1st
Congressional Seat," Chicago Defender,
2/12/00)
In 2000, Obama Boasted He Was Only One Of A Few People To Vote Against The
Illinois State Budget Because "Too Much Money Was Going To The Prisons." Obama:
"The first year I was (in Springfield) I was one of a handful of people who voted against the entire state budget because I thought too much money was going to the prisons."
(Corey Hall, "Disagreements, Differences On Display At 1st Congressional District
Candidates Forum," Chicago Weekend, 3/16/00)
Obama Has Refused To Get Tough On Gang Activity:
In 1998, Obama Was One Of Only Three Senators To Vote Against Criminalizing For
Those On Probation To Affiliate With Gangs. In 1998, Obama voted against S.B. 1846:
"Creates the offense of unlawful contact with streetgang members. Provides that it is a
Class A misdemeanor for a person who is sentenced to probation, conditional discharge or supervision for a criminal offense or who is released on bail to knowingly have direct or indirect contact with a streetgang member if a condition of that sentence or bond is for the person to refrain from contact with streetgang members." (S.B. 1846: Senate Floor
Concurrence With House Amendment No. 1, Passed, 54-3-1, Obama Voted Nay,
5/21/98)
In 2001, Obama Voted In Committee Against Defining The Crime Of Unlawful Contact
With Streetgang Members As Knowingly Having Contact With Streetgang Members In
Violation Of A Court Order, Parole Conditions, Or Supervised Release Conditions.
(H.B. 2296: Senate Judiciary Committee, Passed, 6-3-1, 5/1/01, Obama Voted Nay)

In 2001, Obama Voted Against Extending The Death Penalty For Murders Committed In
Furtherance Of Gang Activity. (H.B. 1812: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 44-9-5,
5/15/01, Obama Voted Nay)
Obama Supports Decreasing The Federal Penalties For Convicted Crack Cocaine
Offenders:
Obama Supports Ending The Disparity Between Crack And Powdered Cocaine
Sentencing. Obama: "I will … eliminate the disparity between sentencing for crack and powder cocaine." (Sylvester Monroe and Kevin Chappell, "The Candidates Make Their
Case For Black Votes," Ebony,
1/1/08)
Obama Supported A Decision By The U.S. Sentencing Commission To Reduce
Sentences For Imprisoned Crack Cocaine Offenders, And Even Wants The Decision
Applied Retroactively. "[T]he U.S. Sentencing Commission … reduced sentences for imprisoned crack cocaine offenders - reversing years of policy that treated crack far differently from powder cocaine … The other surprise was the decision to make the lighter sentences retroactive, so the change would apply to more than 19,000 federal prisoners nationwide. … The issue has split the Democratic presidential candidates. Sen.
Hillary Clinton of New York has come out against retroactivity, while Sen. Barack
Obama of Illinois supports it." (James Oliphant, "Drug Ruling Not Likely To Free
Many," Chicago Tribune, 12/17/07)
Obama Wants To Decriminalize The Use Of Marijuana:
Obama Wants To Decriminalize The Use Of Marijuana. "'I think we need to rethink and decriminalize our marijuana laws,'" Mr. Obama told an audience during a debate at
Northwestern University in 2004. "But I'm not somebody who believes in legalization of marijuana." (Jen Haberkorn, "Obama: Decriminalize Pot," The Washington Times,
1/31/08)
Obama Has Come Out Against Mandatory Minimum Sentences:

Running For The U.S. Senate In 2004, Obama Opposed Mandatory Minimum Sentencing
Question: "Do you support … mandatory sentencing?" Obama's
Response: "No, judges must be given greater discretion in how sentences are crafted and handed down." (Independent Voters Of Illinois Independent Precinct Organization 2004
General Candidate Questionnaire, Barack Obama Responses, 1/5/04)
"When Asked To Name What Federal Law Should Be Abolished, All Of The [Illinois
U.S. Senate] Candidates … Said Mandatory Sentencing Laws Should Be Overturned To
Give Judges More Discretion And Provide More Equitable Treatment For Minorities."
(David Mendell, "Democratic Hopefuls Vary A Bit On Death Penalty," Chicago Tribune,
2/20/04)
Obama: "I will review these mandatory minimum sentences to see where we can be smarter on crime and reduce the blind and counterproductive warehousing of nonviolent offenders." (Sylvester Monroe and Kevin Chappell, "The Candidates Make Their Case
For Black Votes," Ebony,
1/1/08)
Obama Was Weak On Crime In The Illinois State:
In 1997, Obama Voted Against Allowing Law Enforcement Officers To Execute A
Warrant And Enter Premises Without Knocking If There Is Reasonable Belief A Weapon
Would Be Used Against Them Or That Evidence Would Be Destroyed. (H.B. 172:
Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 43-9-3, 5/16/97, Obama Voted Nay)
In 2001, Obama Voted "Present" On A Bill Restricting "Adult Use"
Establishments Near Schools, Churches, And Homes. In 2001, Obama refused to support a bill restricting "adult use" establishments by prohibiting locations of such establishments within 1000 feet of schools, parks, places of worship, preschools, day cares and other residential areas. (S.B. 609: Senate Floor Third Reading, Failed, 33-15-
05, 3/29/01, Obama Voted Present)

In 1999, Obama Voted "Present" On A Proposal To Deter Defendants Or Cohorts From
Murdering Witnesses By Allowing Prior Statements Of Dead People As Evidence. (H.B.
41: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 52-3-3, 5/7/99, Obama Voted Present)
In 1999 Obama Was The Only Illinois State Senator To Refuse To Support Legislation
To Protect The Privacy Of Sex-Abuse Victims By Allowing Petitions To Have Their
Trial Records Sealed. (H.B. 854: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 58-0-1, 5/11/99,
Obama Voted Present)
In 1999, Obama Voted "Present" On A Bill Requiring Mandatory Adult Prosecution For
Aggravated Discharge Of Firearms On Or Near School Property. (S.B. 759: Senate Floor
Third Reading, Passed, 52-1-5, 3/25/99, Obama Voted Present)
In 1999, Obama Voted Against Making It Harder For Children To Access Pornography
On School Computers. Obama voted against a bill to require schools "to equip computers with software that seeks to prevent minors from gaining access to explicit sexual material through internet connectivity." (H.B. 1812: Senate Floor Third Reading,
Passed, 38-18-3, 5/13/99, Obama Voted Nay)
In 2001, Obama Voted "Present" On A Bill To Increase The Penalties For Delivering
Drugs Such As Ecstasy. (H.B. 126: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 51-1-3, 5/10/01,
Obama Voted Present)
In 2001, Obama Failed To Support An Initiative To Strengthen The Investigatory Process
And Toughen Laws Against Pedophiles And Rapists By Revamping The Sexually
Violent Persons Commitment Act (SVP Act).
(H.B. 2088, Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 47-1-6, 5/10/01, Obama Voted Present)
Obama Has Stated His Support For Needle Exchanges:
"Democratic [Sen.] … Barack Obama [Has] Said [He] Would Move To Repeal The Ban
[On Using Federal Funds For Needle Exchanges] If Elected President…" (David Crary,

"NAACP, Other Groups Seek End To Ban On Federal Funding For Needle Exchange,"
The Associated Press, 2/7/08)
VIDEO: Obama: "It means that we have to look at the drastic measures potentially, like needle exchange, in order to assure that drug users are not transmitting the disease to each other." (Sen. Barack Obama, Remarks At A Forum Sponsored By ABC And
Politico.Com, 2/11/08)
FLASHBACK: In 2003, Obama Voted To Allow Adults To Buy Up To 20 Hypodermic
Needles Without A Prescription. (S.B. 880: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 30-24-2,
3/24/03, Obama Voted Yea)
OBAMA HAS AN INCONSISTENT RECORD ON THE DEATH PENALTY
Obama Claimed To Support The Death Penalty In The Wake Of The Recent Supreme
Court Decision Striking Down The Death Penalty For Child
Rapists:
When Asked About The Supreme Court Decision Striking Down The Use Of The Death
Penalty For A Child Rapist, Obama Stated That He Disagreed With The Decision
Because "The Death Penalty Should Be Applied In Very Narrow Circumstances."
REPORTER: "Senator, what's your reaction to the Supreme Court's decision striking down the death penalty for a child rapist?" OBAMA: "I disagree with the decision. I have said repeatedly that I think that the death penalty should be applied in very narrow circumstances, for the most egregious of crimes. I think that the rape of a small child, 6 or
8 years old, is a heinous crime. And if a state makes a decision that under narrow, limited, well-defined circumstances, the death penalty is at least potentially applicable, that that does not violate our constitution. Now, I think it's -- you know, had the Supreme
Court said we want to constrain the ability of the states to do this to make sure that it's done in a careful and appropriate way, that would have been one thing. But it basically had a blanket prohibition and I disagreed with that decision." (Sen.
Barack Obama, Press Conference, Chicago, IL, 6/25/08)

NOTE: Justices Breyer, Ginsburg, And Souter Joined In The Supreme Court's Majority
Opinion Striking Down A Louisiana Law That Authorizes The Death Penalty For
Anyone Who Rapes A Child Under The Age Of 12.
"In a 5 to 4 decision, the court struck down a Louisiana law that had authorized the death penalty for anyone who rapes a child under the age of 12. … Justice Anthony M.
Kennedy joined the court's more liberal members in continuing the court's trend of narrowing the number of criminals eligible for death. … Justices John Paul Stevens,
David H. Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen G. Breyer joined the decision, which overturned the death penalty for Patrick Kennedy, 43, who was convicted of raping his 8year-old stepdaughter in 1998--an assault so brutal that the girl required surgery." (Robert
Barnes, "Supreme Court Rejects Death Penalty In Child Rape Cases," The Washington
Post, 6/25/08)
When Asked Who He Would Model His Nominee's After, Obama Said Justices Breyer,
Ginsburg, And Souter. Blitzer: "Are there members, justices right now upon who you would model, you would look at? Who do you like?" Obama: "Well, you know, I think actually Justice Breyer, Justice Ginsburg are very sensible judges. I think that Justice
Souter, who was a Republican appointee, is a sensible judge." (CNN's "The Situation
Room," 5/8/08)
However, While Running For The Illinois State Senate, Obama Filled Out A
Questionnaire Stating Opposition To The Death Penalty:
Running For The Illinois State Senate In 1996, Obama Opposed The Death Penalty.
Question: "Do you support … capital punishment?" Obama's
Answer: "No." (Independent Voters Of Illinois Independent Precinct Organization 1996
General Candidate Questionnaire, Barack Obama Responses, 9/9/96)
Obama's Campaign Claims The Questionnaire Was Filled Out By A Staffer.
"The Obama campaign … disavowed a questionnaire he submitted to the Independent
Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization in
1996 to support his state Senate candidacy." (Lynn Sweet, "The Past Haunts Obama?"
Chicago Sun-Times, 12/12/07)
"LaBolt Said The Staffer Was Then-Obama State Senate Campaign Manager Carol
Harwell, Who Could Not Be Reached … For Comment." (Lynn Sweet, "The Past Haunts
Obama?" Chicago Sun-Times, 12/12/07

"A Spokesman For The Illinois Group Said The Excuse Is Ridiculous Because They
Interviewed Him In Person." (Todd Venezia, "Going Barack & Forth," The New York
Post, 12/23/07)
In 2000, Following Illinois Gov. George Ryan's Moratorium On Executions In Illinois,
Obama Spoke Out For Reform Of The Death
Penalty:
Obama Faulted "The System," Including Prosecutors And "The Police Code Of Silence."
Obama: "Prosecutorial immunity insulates prosecutors on a host of issues … There are a few bad apples. The system, with problems like the police code of silence, makes it difficult to work things through internally." (Elizabeth J. Ptacek, "Execution Moratorium
Prompts Debate At U. Chicago Law School," Chicago Maroon, 5/17/00)
Obama Also Faulted The Political System. Obama: "We [politicians] need to look at ourselves, not just at the judicial system. A political environment has arisen where, if an elected official is not punished for wrongful prosecution, he is punished for being perceived as being soft on crime …" (Elizabeth J. Ptacek, "Execution Moratorium
Prompts Debate At U. Chicago Law School," Chicago Maroon, 5/17/00)
In 2001, Obama Opposed The Death Penalty For Murders Done By Gang
Members:
In 2001, Obama Voted Against Extending The Death Penalty For Murders Committed In
Furtherance Of Gang Activity. (H.B. 1812: Senate Floor Third Reading, Passed, 44-9-5,
5/15/01, Obama Voted Nay)
H.B. 1812: "Provides that a person who is convicted of first degree murder may be sentenced to death if he or she committed the murder in furtherance of the activities of an organized gang or by his or her membership in or allegiance to an organized gang, and the murdered victim was not a member of an organized gang." (H.B. 1812: State Of
Illinois 92nd General Assembly, Introduced 2/15/01)

The Bill Was In Response To The Murder Of A 14-Year-Old. "Lawmakers have been pushing the measure in response to the January murder of 14-year-old Chicagoan Severo
Enriquez, who resisted efforts by a gang member to respond to a gang sign before being shot in the back five times. . . . A series of other violent, gang-related acts would result in longer jail terms." (Dave McKinney and James Fuller, "Bill Seeks Death Penalty For
Gang Killings," Chicago Sun-Times, 5/16/01)
"Sen. Barack Obama (D-Chicago), Who Voted Against The Plan, Said It Would Hit
Black And Hispanic Neighborhoods Hardest, And That Lawmakers Should Quit Creating
Tougher Criminal Penalties On The Basis Of One Or Two Particular Incidents." (Dave
McKinney and James Fuller, "Bill Seeks Death Penalty For Gang Killings," Chicago
Sun-Times, 5/16/01)
Obama Criticized Death Penalty Legislation For Gang Members. "Critics say the legislation should spell out how a murder must be linked to gang activity in order for the death penalty to apply. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Chicago, said death penalty laws should be as specific as possible so they are applied fairly." ("The Day At The Statehouse,
Tuesday, May 15," The Associated Press, 5/15/01)
Obama: "It's problematic for us to continually pass criminal laws based on anecdote.
When we have a single situation when a prosecutor doesn't get what he wants, we come down here and pass a law, which is why we have a criminal code rife with contradictions." (Dave McKinney and James Fuller, "Bill Seeks Death Penalty For Gang
Killings,"
Chicago Sun-Times, 5/16/01)
Obama: "The legislature has a difficult time voting against anything involving the death penalty or anything involving gangs … They don't want to be perceived as coddling gangs." (Jeff Zeleny and Ray Long, "Senate Oks Expanded Death Penalty," Chicago
Tribune, 5/16/01)
Obama: "There's a strong overlap between gang affiliation and young men of color … I think it's problematic for them to be singled out as more likely to receive the death penalty for carrying out certain acts than are others who do the same thing." (Christi
Parsons, "Ryan Vetoes Expanded Death Penalty," Chicago Tribune, 8/18/01)
"HB1812 Passed 44-9, With Five 'Present' Votes." ("The Day At The Statehouse,
Tuesday, May 15," The Associated Press, 5/15/01)

In 2001, Obama Expressed Some Support For Striping The Illinois State Supreme Court
Of Its Jurisdiction Over Death-Penalty Cases:
"The Senate Judiciary Committee Approved A Proposed Constitutional Amendment That
Would Strip The State Supreme Court Of Its Jurisdiction Over Death-Penalty Cases And
Put All Criminal Cases Under The Eye Of A Newly Formed Court Of Criminal Appeals."
("Gov. Ryan Signs Bill To Extend Insurance Coverage," The [Springfield, IL] State
Journal-Register, 5/2/01)
"The Governor Would Appoint The Seven Judges, With Advice And Consent Of The
Senate. They Would Serve For Life Terms." ("Gov. Ryan Signs Bill To Extend Insurance
Coverage," The [Springfield, IL] State Journal-Register, 5/2/01)
"Sen. Ed Petka, R-Plainfield, The Sponsor Of Senate Joint Resolution Constitutional
Amendment 18, Said He Envisions The Court As A Body Of Great Experience In The
Judicial And Trial Process. He Also Said He In No Way Intends This Move To
Undermine The Respect Of The State Supreme Court, Which Would Have Final Say
Over All Civil Cases Under The Proposed Change." ("Gov. Ryan Signs Bill To Extend
Insurance Coverage," The [Springfield, IL] State Journal-Register, 5/2/01)
"Sen. Barack Obama, A Chicago Democrat, Said That While He Likes The Concept, He
Is Not Convinced Enough Studies Have Been Conducted To Take Such A Radical Step."
("Gov. Ryan Signs Bill To Extend Insurance Coverage," The [Springfield, IL] State
Journal-Register, 5/2/01)...