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Gun Advocates in Alaska Wary of New Federal Gun ControlAs Obama readies new proposals, states take gun laws into their own hands.Related Content
ANCHORAGE - The national debate on guns is likely to shift Wednesday morning, when President Obama delivers a package of proposals to deal with gun violence. “Most of our customers are coming in here and buying most of this equipment out of fear,” Steve McDaniel said. As owner and operator of Alaska Tactical and Security for more than 30 years, his business has been brisk for weeks. But it’s been driven by what he calls a “knee-jerk” reaction to concern over new federal gun laws. It’s a debate he’s seen before. “When something like this happens, people always want to blame the utensil and not the individual,” he said. “It's very typical when it comes to firearms, its been that way forever, its always what’s blamed is the gun.” After mass shootings in Colorado and Connecticut, guns are again at the forefront of the national debate. As President Obama plans to reveal new proposals to curb gun violence Wednesday, many states aren't waiting to follow the federal government’s lead. In New York, the toughest gun control laws in the country have just been signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo. They expand the state's existing assault weapons ban, limit the amount of ammunition that can be stored in a single magazine, and expand the background checks necessary to obtain a gun. Elsewhere, several red states are moving in the opposite direction. In Wyoming, legislators say they're working on laws designed to protect existing gun rights, by making it illegal to enforce any new federal gun laws within their borders. And the Texas legislature plans to hear a bill that would appoint a "school marshal" from among a given school’s faculty, and train them to use and carry a concealed weapon. While Alaska doesn’t have any new gun control bills filed for the upcoming legislative session—only one bill pertains to guns, House Bill 55, and it focuses on letting school districts allow teachers to train for a concealed carry permit—McDaniels and other gun advocates in Alaska think more laws are not the answer. “It’s just like, if I want to jump out of an airplane, so, I need some formal training,” he said. “Or I'm going to do some diving and I need some one to show me how to do it, it’s the same thing with guns.” The White House today said the new proposals could include reinstating the assault weapons ban from 2004, as well as introducing a ban on magazines holding more than ten rounds. The president’s proposals are also expected to touch on mental health care, school safety, and violent media. |
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jl said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 3:56 PM
anyone who wants bans firearms are not true americans! 'those who give up essential liberty for temporary safety deserve neither' - benjamin franklin live free or die!
111576286Anonymous said on Thursday, Jan 17 at 12:01 PM
they are just whining because it cuts their profits on violence...the revolving door of criminal justice!
111559081ben said on Wednesday, Jan 16 at 12:44 PM
drunk drivers kill many people, but most can see that it was not the autos fault. according to the sheeples line of thought, why don't we ban fast cars and restrict the rest to only go 15-20 mph. and the right to own and bear driven viechles is not even protected in any constitution or bill. no one is going to protect you if you can not protect yourself, especially the government! places with armed citizens: low crime rates. places with unarmed citizens: highest crime rates in the world. our forefathers drafted the constitution and bill of rights so that the good people could always have a way to challenge any government and it's sheeple that had grown too obese. people have killed people since we figured how to pick up rocks and sticks and will continue to do so forever. guns are an equalizer and that means the loss of power for some. the loss of power equals fear and that leads to irrational decision making. will we have a war on guns? because the war on drugs is working real well!
111478011Anonymoose said on Wednesday, Jan 16 at 12:08 PM
@L Savage - the part you're not considering is that if so-called "assault weapons" (a term with shifting meaning) are banned, then it will be you with the baseball bat instead of guns. The murderous lunatic will still be armed with the AK.
111474791Andrew said on Wednesday, Jan 16 at 8:47 AM
Crazies run amok for various reasons, including drugs and schizophrenia. However once a crazy starts shooting, there is only one solution: one of his intended victims must return the fire immediately, and shoot him dead before he can do any more harm. Disarming potential victims only provides him with sitting ducks for targets.
111453151Anonymous said on Wednesday, Jan 16 at 8:37 AM
People should be fearful. Our Government has been lying to us for years. The fact of the matter is that most of these heinous crimes are committed by people hooked on legalized medication. Lawyers, doctors, and many institutes are content on continuing this lie. If you want to see the real effects from Obamacare, look at our prisons. Does anyone think they're non-violent?
111452181L Savage said on Wednesday, Jan 16 at 5:06 AM
Personally, I would rather be attacked by a lunatic with a baseball bat then a lunatic with a Ak47 and 50 round clip. Its just my preference. I have guns.
111435331Jeff said on Wednesday, Jan 16 at 2:49 AM
This entire gun debatacle has been bombarded by a baised media through rampant distortions, ommissions and malicious deceit. Psychiatrists, Parents, and People are to blame. Psychiatrists rather trat and attempt to contain by drugs, Parents aren't parents, and People dont report those who are a danger.
111429246Steve P. said on Tuesday, Jan 15 at 11:59 PM
Gun advocates? Nearly everybody in Alaska used to be gun advocate. How times have changed.
111424641Yer said on Tuesday, Jan 15 at 11:23 PM
A baseball bat could be an assault weapon. Media use the term too loosely for an agenda. If Alaska wants to join the knee jerk reaction, all public places need an artic entry that locks people in until they are cleared to enter. The schools could od this easy, once entrance, like it should be anyway, an entrapment area and buzzed in. Gee real hard to figure that out.
111422981Mike J. said on Tuesday, Jan 15 at 8:31 PM
Should read "passed lsws"
111415566Mike J said on Tuesday, Jan 15 at 8:26 PM
Recently found out that my old home state of NY past laws possibly making my 20 yr old beater 9MM Dbl Action handgun viewed as an assault weapon since it has a '14 shot'ammo clip.
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