Tag: guns

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NY: State legislature passes sweeping gun laws including banning assault weapons

The New York Senate has passed a landmark gun control bill that would ban assault weapons, the NYT reports:

The state Senate, controlled by a coalition of Republicans and a handful of Democrats, approved the legislative package just after 11 p.m. by a lopsided vote of 43 to 18. The Assembly, where Democrats who have been strongly supportive of gun control have an overwhelming majority, planned to vote on the measure Tuesday…

..The expanded ban on assault weapons would broaden the definition of such weapons, banning semiautomatic pistols and rifles with detachable magazines and one military-style feature, as well as semiautomatic shotguns with one military-style feature. New Yorkers who already own such guns could keep them but would be required to register them with the state.

The legislative package, which Mr. Cuomo said he believed would be “the most comprehensive package in the nation,” would ban any gun magazine that can hold over 7 rounds of ammunition — the current limit is 10 rounds. It would also require background checks of ammunition buyers and automated alerts to law enforcement of high-volume purchases.

The legislation would increase penalties for multiple crimes committed with guns, would require background checks for most private gun sales, and create a statewide gun-registration database.

UPDATE: The NY Assembly has passed the measure 104-43. Governor Cuomo has indicated he will sign the measure.

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Poll: 85% of Americans support background checks for ALL gun sales

According to a Pew Research Center poll, 85% of the public backs making private gun sales and purchases at gun shows subject to background checks, with comparable support across party lines. Other results from the poll:

• 80% favor laws to prevent mentally ill people from purchasing guns, with broad support from Democrats, Republicans and independent voters.

• 67% support creating a federal database to track gun sales, but there’s a partisan divide, with 84% of Democrats and only 49% of Republicans favoring the proposal.

• 55% favor a ban on assault style weapons, 54% back a ban on high capacity ammunition clips, and 53% support a ban on on-line ammunition sales, but again there’s a wide partisan divide between Democrats and Republicans on these proposals.

• 64% support putting armed security guards or police in more schools, but only four in ten say arming more teachers and school officials with guns is a good idea.

• 51% of Americans say it’s more important to control gun ownership than to protect gun rights. This is virtually unchanged from Pew poll that was conducted in the days following the Newtown, Connecticut shootings.

(via CNN)

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Another school shooting – this time in California

A Taft, Calif., school teacher and a campus supervisor talked a shooter into surrender on Thursday, the AP reports.

At least two people were shot – one was airlifted to Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, Calif. – and the suspect is reportedly in custody.

Authorities described the shooter as a 16-year-old student who attended the high school. He was armed with a 12 gauge shotgun.

Since 1982, there have been 62 mass shootings in America. Twenty-five of them occurred since 2006, with seven in 2012. 

More from YahooNews

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Former congresswoman Gabby Giffords works for responsible gun solutions

Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly have launched a new group and website to battle the gun lobby. Surely if anyone can speak to gun violence, it would be Gabby Giffords.

From Americans For Responsible Solutions:

Dear fellow American, Two years ago, a mentally ill young man shot me in the head, killed six of my constituents, and wounded 12 others. Since that terrible day, America has seen 11 more mass shootings – but no response from Congress to prevent gun violence. After the massacre of 20 children and six of their teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary though, it’s clear: This time must be different. Americans for Responsible Solutions will encourage elected officials to stand up for solutions to prevent gun violence and protect responsible gun ownership by communicating directly with the constituents that elect them. Join us today, and tell your elected leaders that Americans are demanding responsible solutions to reduce gun violence.

The Giffords say that they both own guns and support the Second Amendment. They clearly state what they are looking for are RESPONSIBLE solutions to gun violence in America.

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No pro-gun rights US Senators would appear on MEET THE PRESS

‘Meet The Press’ host David Gregory said that no pro-gun rights senators would agree to go on the show on Sunday.

“We reached out to all 31 pro-gun rights senators in the new Congress to invite them on the program to share their views on the subject this morning,” he said. “We had no takers.”

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) joined the show to discuss a greater need for gun control. She announced that Senate Democrats would intrduce a new bill banning assault weapons on the first day of the new Congress in January.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a staunch advocate for gun control, also appeared on the show. Bloomberg helped found the group “Mayors Against Illegal Guns.”

More at HuffingtonPost

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NC: A man, a rifle and a defenseless sign

Funny how proud & cool this guy thinks he is for shooting a sign.

Yep – he really took care of things.
(via JMG)

UPDATE – May 1, 2012: Cabarrus County deputies spent more than an hour at the teen’s home after learning about the video. They believe the 17-year-old Jonathan Wiles took the sign from an intersection and set it up in his backyard where he recorded himself firing several shots at it.

County officials said its investigation is not over. There is a county ordinance that deals with using firearms near other homes. Officials are also looking into the possibility of additional charges.

More here.