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House Democrats Suggest 15-point Gun Safety PlanRelated Content
The House Democrats' Gun Violence Prevention Task Force released 15 principles Friday that it says will shape its recommendation for upcoming legislation. The principles include very broad ideas, such as to "support initiatives that prevent problems before they start," as well as more specific proposals, such as to "reinstate and strengthen a prospective federal ban on assault weapons."
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., named Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., to lead the task force in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Over the last two months, the task force has sought the input of a number of different people and groups with a vested interest in the issue, including law enforcement officials, mental health experts, gun safety advocates, hunters, gun manufacturers, gun owners, representatives of the entertainment industry and educators. The task force also consulted Vice President Joe Biden -- who ran his own task force on reducing gun violence -- and met with both Democrats and Republicans on the issue. "As a hunter and gun owner I believe we should protect law-abiding individuals' 2nd Amendment right to own firearms," Thompson said in a statement Friday. "As a father and grandfather I also believe that we have a responsibility to make our schools, neighborhoods and communities safe. This comprehensive set of policy principles accomplishes both those goals and Congress should act on them without delay." One member of the task force, Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., expressed some reservations about the list: "While I agree with many recommendations made in this report, I also have serious and honest concerns with others," he said in a statement. Dingell specifically said he does support improving the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, properly enforcing existing laws, adequately funding mental health programs, and cracking down on straw purchasers and gun traffickers. However, he added, "I believe we must also not propose any misguided or sweeping gun ban that does far too little to address the real causes of gun violence, and far too much in limiting the rights of sportsmen and responsible gun owners," he said. The full list of recommendations is below: * Support the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans * Support citizens' rights to possess firearms for hunting, shooting sports, defense, and other lawful and legitimate purposes * Reinstate and strengthen a prospective federal ban on assault weapons * Reinstate a prospective federal ban on assault magazines * Require a background check for every gun sale, while respecting reasonable exceptions for cases such as gifts between family members and temporary loans for sporting purposes * Strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database * Prosecute those prohibited buyers who attempt to purchase firearms and others who violate federal firearm laws * Pass legislation aimed specifically at cracking down on illegal gun trafficking and straw-purchasing * Restore funding for public safety and law enforcement initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence * Support initiatives that prevent problems before they start * Close the holes in our mental-health system and make sure that care is available for those who need it * Help our communities get unwanted and illegal guns out of the hands of those who don't want them or shouldn't have them * Support responsible gun ownership * Take steps to enhance school safety * Address our culture's glorification of violence seen and heard though our movie screens, television shows, music and video games |
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Alaskagunhunter said on Thursday, Feb 14 at 7:18 AM
First registration than confiscation, hitler knew how well it worked. Give up a little, loose alot!
113502841Big Dan said on Friday, Feb 8 at 2:17 PM
Chad pretty much covered my comment. And I agree with Rob, just what the hell is an assault weapon, you 32 oz framing hammer, a crow bar, a baseball bat? It sure as heck isn't my semi auto hunting rifle.
113134501Chad said on Friday, Feb 8 at 1:21 PM
True assault weapons are already heavily regulated and have been since 1934. No more have been made since 1986. There is a lot of red tape to gt through before even purchasing the firearm, which itself cost $10k . They are only banning look alikes that have cosmetic similarities to assault weapons. Its like taking the body of a Bugatti Veyron 16.4 and putting it on the chassis of a Gremlin. It looks like a 258mph $2,500,00 car but its only worth $2,000 or whatever Gremlins are going for.
113130765commonsense said on Friday, Feb 8 at 12:37 PM
has any one bathered to ask why DHS is soliciting for 21.6 million rounds of ammo and 7000 Select Fire AR's that they classify as "personal defense weapons" on top of the millions of rounds they acquired last year. And they have the nerve to be worried about We The People having a few firearms for sporting, hunting and personal defense. Write Congress and tell they NO MORE FUNDING for guns and ammo for rouge agenciews.
113128112HedleyLamar said on Friday, Feb 8 at 11:26 AM
Are these the actual words used? Can we get a link the actual document?
113123341Rob said on Friday, Feb 8 at 10:03 AM
assault weapons.......No such thing.
113118012conflictingbill said on Friday, Feb 8 at 9:22 AM
starts with defend 2nd amendment and then proceeds to water it down. If they want to change 2nd amendment then there needs to be a constitutional convention and then they will get their big fat NO from the people.
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