Gun News from Around the Web: Week of Feb 21, 2011
AP finds few states follow mental health gun law
ATLANTA (AP) – More than half the states are not complying with a post-Virginia Tech law that requires them to share the names of mentally ill people with the national background-check system to prevent them from buying guns, an Associated Press review has found.
Gun lobby stands firm in opposing Obama’s ATF nominee
WASHINGTON — Andrew Traver, nominated to lead the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, faces a powerful foe on the road to Senate approval: the National Rifle Association.
House Green Lights Concealed Carry Without Permit
HELENA – The state House backed a bill Monday that would allow people to carry concealed weapons in urban areas without a permit, giving a victory to lawmakers and gun rights supporters who are pushing a slate of firearms legislation.
Lugar, Lieberman looking into ‘Project Gunwalker’ charges
Gun rights advocates following the “Project Gunwalker” story have received replies from their United States Senators, Richard Lugar (R- Ind) and Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn), who say they are aware of allegations about gun monitoring operations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) gone awry, and claim they are conducting staff investigations of the accusations.
ASU begins gun poll, concealed handguns could enter campus
SAN ANGELO, Texas — Students at Angelo State University are being asked to give their opinion on a controversial state bill that would extend the right to carry a concealed handgun to university campuses.
DC Crime museum promotes unhelpful firearm stereotypes
The National Crime and Punishment Museum on 7th Street N.W. in the District is a popular venue for District tourists and residents. I went there a few months ago to check it out and was pleased to discover that not only did the museum have many firearm related exhibits, if you bring a teacher with you and declare her occupation, you both get in free. A significant part of the museum is dedicated to firearm displays and there is even an interactive simulation where visitors can shoot it out with bad guys – check it out and see how you do. But when it came to accuracy and objectivity, this museum has some work to do.
Be careful of numbers in gun-rights debate
Setting aside for the moment the issue of constitutionality of the Second Amendment, let us look at statistics as your former columnist, Rick Malwitz, did recently citing the CDC’s tracking of deaths from firearms-related incidents.
Guns, cartels and escaping Mexico
Jim Pruett, a feisty Vietnam veteran, pats the sub machine gun he’s now licensed to carry. He has some flare rounds in the magazine he tells me, if the thieves ever return he won’t just shoot them; he plans to set them on fire too.
Ill. Lawmakers Look To Legalize Concealed Carry Of Firearms
(Springfield) — The National Rifle Association is helping put together the final package on a measure that would allow concealed carry in Illinois.
Colts worry bill will override stadium gun ban
The Indianapolis Colts have gone on the offense against a bill that would prevent cities and counties from adopting almost any ordinances restricting guns or ammunition. Senate Bill 292 passed the Senate earlier this week by a vote of 38-12 and is now headed to the House for consideration.
Texas Preps Bill for Guns on College Campuses
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas is preparing to give college students and professors the right to carry guns on campus, adding momentum to a national campaign to open this part of society to firearms.More than half the members of the Texas House have signed on as co-authors of a measure directing universities to allow concealed handguns. The Senate passed a similar bill in 2009 and is expected to do so again. Republican Gov. Rick Perry, who sometimes packs a pistol when he jogs, has said he’s in favor of the idea.
Guns in parks rule reaches one-year anniversary
One year ago today, on February 22, 2010, the National Park Service lifted the ban on carrying concealed weapons in the parks for those who have permits to do so.
Lawmakers push concealed carry proposals
SPRINGFIELD — After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a handgun ban in Chicago last year, lawmakers in Springfield started off the year by pushing to give people the right to carry concealed firearms in public.
The Star on “Gun rights vs. gun control”
I’m a little late posting about the Star’s recent attention to the issue of gun policy in the state and the nation, but it looks like it’s time for me to once again praise our Tucson daily after giving it a triple praise on Saturday. No, I’m not going soft. Credit where credit is due. Sunday, the Star ran an article, “Gun rights vs. gun control” by Brady McCombs and Tim Steller. It’s a well researched, balanced article which presents both sides of the issue fairly.
Gun Control Hot Topic In Legislature
MISSOULA, Mont. — Critics say a bill that would let anyone who is eligible carry a concealed weapon without a permit in city limits in Montana could make cities more dangerous. Proponents disagree and say House Bill 271 is about individual rights.
Food For Thought Panel: Gun Control
The latest Food for Thought discussion panel hosted by S.O.U.L.S. centered on the politics of gun control. Led by government professor Brad Bannon, the panel opened up with a slideshow presentation of gun statistics gathered by ABC News.
NRA vs. FMA: Bill banning docs from asking about guns passes
A controversial gun bill, strongly backed by the National Rifle Association and strongly opposed by doctors, passed through the Florida Senate Criminal Justice Committee Tuesday morning. SB 432 would not allow doctors to ask patients whether they own a gun. An offending doctor would be charged $10,000 for the first offense, at least $25,000 for the second offense, and a minimum of $100,000 for the third offense. Psychologists and psychiatrists dealing with emergency psychotic episodes would be exempt.
Judge revives Tennessee gun rights lawsuit
A Nashville judge has reversed himself and revived a lawsuit that may determine how much the state of Tennessee can regulate guns.
