Gun bills may trigger split

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The Senate will begin another debate on federal gun laws this week, and at least one issue may put it at odds with Republicans in the other chamber.

A Republican-led bill to immunize gun makers from wrongful-death claims is expected to hit the floor tomorrow, but Democrats and liberal Republicans will propose an amendment to extend the federal assault-weapons ban, possibly setting up a showdown with the House.

President Bush supports the assault-weapons proposal as well as the overall immunity bill.

"With regard to the assault-weapons ban, he supports the extension of the current ban," White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan said. "On immunity, he doesn't believe manufacturers of a legal product should be held liable for the illegal use of that product."

The assault-weapons ban, signed in 1994 by President Clinton, outlawed the sale, import or manufacture of semiautomatic firearms with certain combinations of military-style features, such as bayonet mounts and flash suppressors.

The ban is set to expire Sept. 13, and a split could arise between the White House and House Republicans backed by some of the conservative movement's most powerful interest groups.

The president wants the extension to make good on his 2000 campaign promise to continue the "common sense" legislation. But he also wants to protect the gun industry from trial lawyers, a position supported by the National Rifle Association.

"Our position is very clear. This is not about extending the Clinton gun ban and it shouldn't muddy the waters," said Wayne LaPierre, NRA executive vice president.