Rescue California

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Issa focuses on economy, not weapons
As governor, he would try to create jobs

June 29, 2003

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Last week, he said he had not read Feinstein's legislation and that he would view an extension skeptically "in light of my present belief that (the ban) has been a complete failure."

Asked about his views on California's 1989 assault-weapons ban – which the state Legislature broadened in 1999 to include more firearms – Issa said, "It's not an area of interest or concentration."

Issa said he hasn't even looked at the legislation, which outlawed more than 60 guns and was a response to a bloody attack on a Stockton schoolyard.

NRA spokesman Ted Novin said repealing the California ban remains one of his group's top priorities.

"We wish the congressman and his staff (would) take time to study this issue," Novin said. "Gun owners, who represent an active voting bloc in any election, are very concerned about" the ban.

Issa was similarly dismissive of other issues outside his chief interests. Acknowledging that murder, rape, robbery, burglary and vehicle-theft rates are rising in California, Issa said he would focus on the state's crime problems as necessary.

"I'm going to have to address that as governor, and the Legislature will send me a gaggle of legislation, and I'll have to look at every piece," Issa said. "But when it comes to what I'm going to work on, I'm going to work on making California at least somewhat business friendly."

Some observers suggested that Issa has plenty of opinions on gun control and other social issues, but that he fears Democrats will use his views to paint him as a right-wing extremist.

"All campaigns are basically about emphasis and salience," said Robert McClure, senior associate dean of the Maxwell School for Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. "You emphasize what will help you and de-emphasize what will hurt you."

This month, recall foes staged protests against Issa's abortion stands. While running for a California Senate seat in 1998, Issa said he supported amending the U.S. Constitution to ban abortion except in cases of rape and incest and to save the life of the mother. At the time, he also supported requiring parental consent for minors seeking abortions, banning late-term abortions and banning federal funding of abortions.

Asked to elaborate on his abortion stands, Issa expressed ambivalence.

"I'm torn on how to protect women from having no choice, while at the same time wanting there to be respect for the well-being of children that may be brought into the world," he said.