21.   Bush, in explaining his opposition to new gun-control laws as a presidential candidate, has criticized the Clinton administration for lax enforcement of existing gun laws.

22.   But a florist said the gun laws should be stronger.

23.   But Barr appears resolved not to budge from his position that existing gun laws should be enforced before new laws are added.

24.   But cautious and pragmatic to the bone, he behaved like most other Tennessee Democrats when he became a politician, expressing opposition to gun laws.

25.   But experts say such shows in states with lax gun laws are of greater concern for guns being bought and sold outside the law.

26.   But gun rights groups and other conservatives said the prosecution is an unfair use of gun laws to blame a man who had no real connection to the shooting.

27.   But his critics note that several other Republican governors, including George Ryan in Illinois and George Pataki in New York, have pushed for stronger gun laws.

28.   But in either case, law enforcement officials and psychiatrists say, the ease with which he bought and kept his guns illustrates weaknesses in gun laws.

29.   But gun rights groups and other conservatives say the prosecution is an unfair use of gun laws to blame a man who had no real connection to the shooting.

30.   But it also weakened District of Columbia gun laws by voting to allow residents with no criminal history to possess loaded handguns in their homes.