Gore, Bush Speak Out About School Violence

Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush commemorated the one-year anniversary of the bloody rampage at Columbine High School with somber words Thursday, even as they carefully used the day to highlight their platforms on preventing school violence.

In separate appearances at different schools, each presidential candidate took small swipes at his rival, but at times they almost echoed each other as they called for more teaching of ethics and discipline in schools.

Gore spent the morning talking with students and parents at Fort Lee High School here, saying that the violence that left 15 dead in Littleton forced Americans to ask a troubling question.

“It represents in the minds of all of us all of the tragedies that have shocked us and stopped us in our tracks and caused us to wonder, ‘What in the world is going on and what can we do about it?’ ” he said.

Days after the Columbine shooting, Gore said, he and his wife, Tipper, met with families of the shooting victims in Littleton. He recalled the message one father whispered in his ear as they embraced: “Promise me that these children have not died in vain. Promise me.”

Said Gore: “That’s the kind of promise you take into your heart, and you ask yourself, ‘What are all the things I can do to make absolutely certain that I keep that promise?’ ”

Gore, the presumed Democratic presidential nominee, used the occasion to underscore his proposals to quell gun violence. He mentioned gun control but focused on character education. “I think the most meaningful solution for what happened at Columbine is better parenting,” he said. “And there has to be more meaning and purpose in the lives of all of our families and all of our children.”

Bush, the presumptive Republican nominee, struck a similar tone as he addressed students at Cater Elementary School in Temple, Texas, an hour north of Austin.

“Columbine was a sad lesson, but it’s a reminder to all of us to love our children and to be mindful of teaching our children what’s right in life and what’s wrong in life so our children can make the right choices when they grow up,” Bush said at a news conference after meeting with students.

Bush also said the federal government needs to move more aggressively against those who violate federal laws banning juvenile possession of handguns or felons in possession of such weapons.

His campaign released statistics showing that, from 1997 to 1998, only 11 juveniles were prosecuted by federal officials for possessing a handgun. Only 13 students were federally prosecuted for having a gun in a school zone.

“It’s important for the next administration to do something a little different, and that’s to enforce the laws on the books,” Bush said. The Gore camp countered that Texas, under Gov. Bush’s administration, has failed to file criminal charges against 600 felons who tried to obtain firearms illegally.

Gore defended the Clinton administration, saying enforcement of gun control laws has increased since President Clinton took office. He also argued that Bush would not have supported a recent Senate amendment to close a loophole in the Brady law, which established a waiting period for gun purchases.

“Gov. Bush, I’m told, is talking about character and spirituality as part of the issues related to gun violence,” Gore said. “And I compliment him for doing that. . . . But if we are serious in the aftermath of Columbine, we have to make some serious changes.”

Bush has taken heat from gun control advocates for signing a law in Texas that allows state residents to carry concealed handguns after obtaining permits and receiving firearms training.

But Bush defended his record Thursday, pointing to a new state program that, since last fall, has targeted gun law violators and resulted in 200 prosecutions and the confiscation of 600 guns.

Still, Bush said that better laws would not be a substitute for individual responsibility. “We can pass laws all we want, but the problem is, what government can’t do is make people love one another.”

On Thursday, Bush also stuck to his stance on South Carolinians making up their own mind on the Confederate flag, the day after former primary rival John McCain did an about-face and said it should come down from the state Capitol.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

Controlling Guns

Where They Agree

Regarding guns, Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore would, if elected president:

Support the current ban on assault weapons.

Prohibit juveniles from possessing assault weapons.

Ban imports of high-capacity ammunition clips.

Raise the minimum age for possessing a handgun from 18 to 21.

Require that trigger locks be sold with handguns.

*

Where They Differ

Bush also would:

Provide more money for enforcement of gun laws.

Support automatic detention for young people who commit crimes with guns.

Oppose government-mandated registration of guns owned by people who don’t break laws.

*

Gore also would:

Require photo licensing for handgun purchases.

Limit gun purchases to one per month and require a three-day waiting period.

Require manufacturers and federally licensed sellers to report sales to a state authority.

*

Source: Associated Press *

The Associated Press contributed to this story.