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Anti-gun Resolution Fails at Democratic Convention

By Suzanne Sprague

Fort Worth, TX – Ambient sound of a crowd gathering in a large hall.

Suzanne Sprague, KERA 90.1 Reporter: The Tarrant County Convention Hall was filled with vendors trying to sell Democrats anything from merchandise to ideas.

Sound from a videotape begins to play.

Sprague: At the booth sponsored by the Texas State Rifle Association, Executive Director Randy Gibson was screening a video about gun safety starring the cartoon character Eddie the Eagle.

Randy Gibson, Texas State Rifle Association: It's been really phenomenal how many Texas State Rifle Association members and NRA members have stopped by our booth and said, "We are so thankful you are here today."

Sprague: Across the hall, Texans Against Gun Violence claimed it was receiving the same level of support. And one of its members, Kristina Woods of Houston, who was also a convention delegate, felt pretty good about the chances for a gun control resolution the group had proposed.

Kristina Woods, Texans Against Gun Violence: The resolution really asks the Democratic Party to support closing the gun show loophole, which means when people go to a gun show, they have to buy a gun from a federally-licensed dealer. They can't buy it from a collector, you know, who has no credentials.

Sprague: The measure also called for trigger locks on new gun sales and prohibiting anyone under the age of 21 from possessing a handgun. All of these measures have been hailed by Democrats at the national level. But in Texas, many Democrats are also proud gun owners, and they were determined to stymie the gun control resolution.

"Sputnik," Motorcycle Rights Caucus: So we ask that the Democratic Party knock off this bull____ about registering guns, taking guns because that's what they do in Europe and Canada and Australia and all them places. This is America, the land of the free and the land of the brave. We have that right to carry a weapon. Get the criminals off the streets and leave our guns alone.

Sprague: That's "Sputnik," the founder and state chairman of the Motorcycle Rights Caucus. Caucus members were out in force at the convention and were easily identified by their black leather jackets and biker boots. Six of them sat on the roughly 20-member Resolutions Committee. And they were largely responsible for tabling the gun control resolution before it could make it to the full convention for a vote. Dean Multsburger was a member of the Resolutions Committee and the Motorcycle Rights Caucus.

Dean Multsburger, Convention Delegate: Both sides of the debate admit that there's far too much crime, far too much violence. And something's got to be done about it. The difference is on the opinion of how to go about doing that.

Sprague: The demise of the gun control resolution could be significant as a harbinger of politics to come. Critics have said the Democratic Party is nearly in ruins since its statewide defeat in the 1998 elections. And that presents an opportunity for a well organized group, such as the Motorcycle Rights Caucus, to take center stage. Grady is a member of the Caucus from Bacliff, Texas.

Grady, Motorcycle Rights Caucus: We're trying to get the party back to where it belongs. It's gone way too far to the left. It needs to be brought back to the center where it belongs.

Sprague: The Caucus wants to rescind helmet laws and end welfare. Its members generally oppose abortion, and they want an equal access law to protect people based on their preferred method of transportation and style of dress. Their caucus was one of the most-attended at the convention, and included a parade of party stars, such as State Representative Terri Hodge of Dallas.

State Representative Terri Hodge: It is my distinct pleasure to stop by and say to some of my best friends, "Hello to ya! How do you do? Welcome to Fort Worth!" (Clapping)

Sprague: And Party Chairwoman Molly Beth Malcolm, who recalled back to her election in 1998.

Texas Democratic Party Chairwoman Molly Beth Malcolm: You can't say I'm not a motorcyclist at all. I mean, I made a promise to y'all and I kept it. As soon as I got off that podium after I won, I changed clothes, put on my jeans, and went riding with Sputnik without a helmet, as I promised I would do.

Sprague: The future for the motorcycle rights group appears promising. Malcolm has appointed five Caucus members to a blue ribbon committee which will plan out the future of the Democratic Party. And one of the biggest cheers in the convention arena came when the resolution guaranteeing bikers equal access to public accommodations passed overwhelmingly.

Sound of cheering.

Sprague: For KERA 90.1, I'm Suzanne Sprague.