Thursday, April 18, 2013
The U.S. Senate voted down a measure that would require tougher background checks for those who purchase guns. We’d like to get your take on the issue!
President Barack Obama called the U.S. Senate’s April 17 vote denying stricter background checks for gun purchases “shameful.” The proposed law was shot down 54 to 46 with some Democrats joining Republicans in rejecting the measure, which was hoped to curb gun violence like that witnessed in the Newtown, Conn., massacre last year, according to the Huffington Post. The number of votes was less than the 60 needed to break a filibuster. If approved, the measure would have extended the country’s background check system to include gun shows and Internet purchases of weapons. The failure of the measure likely signals defeat for any other major legislation meant to clamp down on gun violence, the Post says. Other measures that “appear headed for …
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Do you think the current gun background check system in place works?
Largo Mayor Patricia Gerard is one of 40-plus mayors in Florida and one of more than 900 mayors nationwide that are a part of "Mayors Against Illegal Guns". Today the group released a PSA in hopes to ramp up the pressure on Congress to act on tightening gun laws in America. The PSA features mayors from Boston, Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Gainesville and San Francisco. Mayors Against Illegal Guns is, "demanding that Congress take action to pass legislation to require background checks for all sales, limit military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and make gun trafficking a federal crime." “Americans overwhelmingly support background checks to keep guns out of the hands of criminals,” said Mayors Against Illegal Guns Co-…
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Local city and community leaders from across Florida asked their local legislative officials Monday to stand up and support President Obama's gun violence prevention policies.
City leaders and community activists rallied around the state Monday to advocate for stronger background checks in hopes local legislative leaders would support President Barack Obama's new gun control initiatives. At the St. Petersburg City Hall on Monday, leaders called on U.S. Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Indian Shores) to support Obama's gun violence prevention proposals. St. Pete resident Lisa Brown began her speech Monday by reading the names of gun violence victims in St. Pete and Pinellas County. "Officer Crawford." "Paris Whitehead." "Officer Yaslowitz." "Destynee Burkes." She concluded by saying one last name, her son, "Cabretti Wheeler". "All victims of gun violence," Brown said Monday. "Victims that were murdered senselessly. …
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Largo Mayor Patricia Gerard wants 'high capacity rifles... off the streets.'
Largo Mayor Patricia Gerard is among 35 Florida mayors to sign a letter urging President Obama to "get high capacity rifles and ammunition off the streets." The "Mayors Against Illegal Guns Letter," sent to the President Dec. 19, was signed by a total of 750 mayors nationwide. The letter notes last week's shooting of 20 children at a Connecticut elementary school and argues the need for reform. The letter urges asks President Obama to set an agenda for gun legislation that would require every buyer to pass a background check, including purchasers who buy from unlicensed and online private sellers. The letter also calls on Congress to make it tougher for people with documented mental illness to buy guns and to ensure that felons who try to …
As America continues to reel in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., slayings we asked Largo residents to weigh in about proposed gun control legislation.
As people across the country talk about tightening gun control legislation in the aftermath of the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Dunedin residents have their own opinions on the topic. When Patch asked people across Tampa Bay what they thought about banning assault weapons, here’s what Largo Patch readers and Facebook fans had to say: NEVER! When you can assure me that all the gangbangers and criminals no longer have firearms then 'Maybe" I'd agree with that. Until then.... ammo up. Because the police don't protect... only respond after the fact. - Tina Marie, Largo Patch reader What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
In light of the Newtown, Conn., shootings major retailers across the county are pulling certain assault weapons from their shelves. The National Rifle Association has even issued a statement that it’s ready to make “meaningful contributions.”
As the cry for tighter gun control laws sounds louder throughout America and right here in Tampa Bay, major retailers are reacting. Walmart has announced plans to stop selling the Bushmaster Patrolman's Carbine M4A3 Rifle through its online store. That particular assault rifle is in the same family of guns as the one Adam Lanza, the 20-year-old shooter in the Newtown massacre, reportedly used in the massacre, the Huffington Post reports. Dick’s Sporting Goods, which has a number of Tampa Bay area locations, has also announced a shift in its stocking preferences. That store has suspended the sale of some semi-automatic weapons from all stores in the chain. In a statement, the store said it ordered the move out of respect for the victims …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Florida is poised to become the first state to have issued 1 million concealed gun permits. Why?
As Florida is poised to become the first state to have issued 1 million concealed firearm permits, Patch wants to know: Why are there so many guns here, and is there such a thing as too many guns? Florida had issued more than 993,000 active permits as of Nov. 30, Bloomberg.com reports. Adam Putman, Florida’s commissioner of agriculture and consumer affairs, said at a news conference Wednesday that the state will pass the 1 million mark next week. “Floridians have a great respect and appreciation for their Second Amendment rights,” Putnam said. The news comes just days after a shooting spree at an Oregon mall left two people dead, as well as a murder-suicide by an NFL player, which prompted some high profile calls from the media for gun …
Dan Pressler
12:04 pm on Monday, May 6, 2013
the question is - would any of these laws prevent the people who already get guns illegally anyway from getting them now ? If not what is the point of the law - more gov't? more ›