Tag: gun control

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DOJ Considering Gun Restrictions For Trans People + More LGBTQ News

Some news items you might have missed:

• The Advocate: The Justice Department is considering restricting gun ownership for transgender people, following a deadly mass shooting at a Catholic church school in Minneapolis, in which the perpetrator has been alleged to be trans.

• Kenneth-in-the-212: Check out the latest in LGBTQ publications this week including Between The Lines rounding up a list of Winter Pride events across the country. Continue reading “DOJ Considering Gun Restrictions For Trans People + More LGBTQ News”

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News Round-Up: June 8, 2022

Lil Nas X slammed the BET Awards after the Grammy Award winner's debut album received zero nominations. Lil Nas X called out the homophobia.
Lil Nas X
Some news items you might have missed: • Out: Lil Nas X slammed the BET Awards after the Grammy Award winner’s debut album received zero nominations. “This not over no BET Award. This is about the bigger problem of homophobia in the Black community, y’all can sit and pretend all u want, but I’mma risk it all for us.” Continue reading “News Round-Up: June 8, 2022”

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4 Measures That Could Have Made A Difference In Mass Shootings

The New York Times analyzed data from all mass shootings since Columbine and found four legislative measures that might have saved lives in some of the mass shootings
(photo: Maurício Mascaro/Pexels)
The New York Times took a look at the federal legislative options being considered to curb mass shootings in the U.S. by analyzing the Violence Project Mass Shooter Database. That analysis found 4 measures currently proposed by Democrats in Congress that might have changed the course of at least 35 mass shootings that killed a combined 482 people. Continue reading “4 Measures That Could Have Made A Difference In Mass Shootings”

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Angela Lansbury Gets Lifetime Achievement Tony Award + More News

Angela Lansbury will be receiving a lifetime achievement Tony Awards at this year's festivities. It will be her 6th Tony Award.
Angela Lansbury (photo: Drama League/Flickr – CC license)
Checking in on the news this evening: • HuffPost: The Tony Awards will honor Angela Lansbury with a lifetime achievement nod at this year’s festivities. It will be her 6th Tony Award. Continue reading “Angela Lansbury Gets Lifetime Achievement Tony Award + More News”

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Biden Announces Modest Actions On Guns

President Joe Biden announces modest steps intended to curb gun violence

President Joe Biden announces modest steps intended to curb gun violence President Biden announced a series of modest steps today aimed at curbing gun violence. “Gun violence in this country is an epidemic, and it’s an international embarrassment,” said Biden during his announcement. From the New York Times:

Mr. Biden said the Justice Department would issue a proposed rule to curb the proliferation of so-called ghost guns — kits that allow a gun to be assembled from pieces with no serial numbers. The intention of the rule would be to require that the components in the kits have serial numbers that would allow them to be traced and for the weapons to be legally classified as firearms, with the buyers subjected to background checks.

Mr. Biden also said he would require that when a device marketed as a stabilizing brace transforms a pistol into a short-barrel rifle, that weapon is subject to the requirements of the National Firearms Act. The gunman in the Boulder, Colo., shooting last month used a pistol with an arm brace, making it more stable and accurate, he said.

Mr. Biden said the Justice Department would also publish model “red flag” legislation for states. The measure would allow police officers and family members to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from people who may present a danger to themselves or others.

With no serial numbers, ghost guns are virtually untraceable making them appealing to criminals and extremists who want weapons that don’t require background checks. Biden can’t unilaterally pass a red flag law without Congress approving it first. But providing a blueprint for such legislation might help pass such laws in states that want to enact similar laws. And speaking of Congress, the president did urge the lawmakers to pass a number of reforms including banning assault rifles, requiring background checks for guns purchased at gun shows and more. Read the full article here.

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News Round-Up: February 28, 2020

(image via Instagram)
Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Woofy Joe Blizzard (above) thinks he looks ‘thick’ in this pic??? If only I were so ‘thick.’ Follow Joe on Instagram here. #beardgoals • New York Times: Stocks tumbled for a seventh consecutive day on Friday, with the S&P 500 index falling about 0.8 percent, bringing its loss for the week to more than 11 percent. It was the worst weekly decline for stocks since the 2008 financial crisis. • Washington Post: California has a second case of community transmission of the coronavirus, a 65-year-old resident of Santa Clara County who has no known history of travel to countries hit hard by the outbreak, people familiar with the case said Friday. There is also no apparent connection between the new patient and anyone else with the disease caused by the covid-19 virus. • KIT212: Kenneth rounds up the what’s what in local gay publications like Matt Spike on the cover of London’s QX Magazine (below).
(via QX Magazine)
• WDRB: Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear defended a photograph of him posing with drag queens at a gay rights rally and accused a Republican lawmaker of using homophobic tactics by displaying the photo at a recent campaign rally while accusing Democrats of corrupting traditional values. Beshear, a Democrat, told reporters Thursday that he would pose for the photo again, saying he was practicing his faith to treat everyone with respect. • ABC News: A 19-year-old was taking a video of herself with a gun when she allegedly shot her 10-year-old nephew in the abdomen by accident, according to Texas authorities. Caitlyn Smith, 19, has been arrested and charged with serious bodily injury to a child — a second-degree felony. • New Music: Lady Gaga released “Stupid Love,” the first single off her highly anticipated sixth studio album. The single is accompanied by a music video that was shot entirely on an iPhone 11 Pro and directed by Daniel Askill. The not-so-good news: the music video is kinda silly, the costumes look like something out of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and the choreography is just so-so. The good news: Gaga is back in dance mode a la “Born This Way.” Her vocals are on point, the bop has serious bounce, and it’s all joy and love. This is one of those I’d rather listen to than watch 🙂

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Democratic Presidential Candidates Unite For Stronger Gun Laws

Eight of the top Democratic presidential candidates appear in a new video underscoring the need for gun safety. The gun control organization named after former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot at point blank range by a maniac, launched the video on Monday. The candidates featured in the video include former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke; California Sen. Kamala Harris; former Vice President Joe Biden; South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg; Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar; New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker; Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. In the video, the candidates focus on stronger gun laws to prevent school shootings and protect children. From the Giffords campaign for gun safety:

We deserve a president who listens to the American people, not the NRA.

We deserve a president who takes bold action to make us safer, not one who tweets thoughts and prayers then does nothing.

We deserve a president who fights for stronger gun laws, not gun lobby profits.

2020 Democratic candidates are vying to be that leader.

We sat down with Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar, Beto O’Rourke, Bernie Sanders, and Elizabeth Warren to discuss their plans to make us safer from gun violence.

Our kids deserve to be safe at school.

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News Round-Up: August 20, 2019

InstaHunk Alex Abramov says the world is not enough - BUT it is such a perfect place to start! Some news items you might have missed: • InstaHunks: Woofy Alex Abramov (above) says “the world is not enough – but it is such a perfect place to start!” • Washington Blade: VH1 has ordered two more seasons of the Emmy Award-winning, dragtastic series, RuPaul’s Drag Race. We can definitely plan on seeing Season 12 of RPDR, as well as a fifth season of, All-Stars. • The Atlantic: Just weeks ago, Donald Trump told the media he supported “meaningful background checks” for gun purchases after the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton. But it appears he has called National Rifle Association (NRA) CEO Wayne LaPierre to say he won’t pursue the issue, even though polls show Americans support the idea by 80+ support. • Vogue: A fan of Mayor Pete Buttigieg, designer Tom Ford reached out to offer some sartorial advice. While the White House hopeful demurred, Ford wasn’t upset. “Obviously he can’t wear my clothes. They’re too expensive, they’re wrong, they’re not made in America. And besides, whatever he’s doing is working. So does anyone need to fuck with it?” • Washington Post: You must read the latest essay from super-smart guy Michelangelo Signorile on Donald Trump’s devastating record on LGBTQ rights. • Out Music: We already know singer/songwriter Wrabel has the ‘magic’ touch when it comes to penning hit songs having written for major artists like Kesha, Pink, and the Backstreet Boys. So its no surprise this soulful new pop bop from the talented music man, appropriately titled, “Magic,” is a fun, easy on the ears track. And it’s definitely a departure from his more serious songs like “The Village” and “11 Blocks.” From his upcoming EP due out next month.