House Vote on Assault Weapons Puts GOP Moderates on Spot

In an awkward twist to Republicans’ campaign theme of “promises made, promises kept,” the House is scheduled to vote today on a controversial measure to repeal a 2-year-old ban on certain assault weapons--allowing GOP leaders to make good on a long-standing promise to the National Rifle Assn. and its allies in Congress.

The vote will put an election-year spotlight on an emotional issue that many moderate Republicans had hoped to avoid--and that Democrats seized as an opportunity to portray the GOP as in the pocket of the gun lobby.

“The extreme elements of the Republican Party are giving in to the NRA,” said House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.).

It is an issue that starkly divides President Clinton from his chief rival for the presidency, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.).

Clinton is a strong supporter of the weapons ban and has promised to veto its repeal.

“I believe it would be deeply wrong for Congress to repeal this assault-weapon ban,” Clinton said Thursday. “It doesn’t need to be voted on in the House or the Senate and, if it is passed, I will veto it.”

Dole on Thursday reiterated his support for repealing the weapons ban.

“It is clear to me that the so-called assault-weapons ban does not do that and is simply a public relations exercise, not effective policy,” Dole said in a statement.

But at a time when Dole is beginning to turn his campaign focus from the party faithful who vote in GOP primaries to the general election, he is clearly in no hurry.

“It’s not a priority,” Dole said, adding later that he would “confer with my colleagues on the best course of action” after the House vote.

Although the House is expected to pass the repeal bill, Dole said: “I am not optimistic that there is sufficient support in the Senate to pass the repeal.”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), a leading proponent of the ban, promised to stage “the mother of all filibusters” against the repeal measure if it comes up in the Senate.