Tag: Gun Control

  • Doing nothing is unacceptable

    GunsLess than a month ago, we watched the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history in Las Vegas—one of more than 360 mass shootings in 2017 alone.

    Thoughts and prayers aren’t enough. Now is the time to act. Say you’ll join the team that’s working for common-sense gun policies.

    Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) says:

    Three weeks ago, we watched the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history unfold in Las Vegas.

    We know what comes next — day after day of watching the gun lobby and their friends in Congress follow their empty, tired playbook:

    Thoughts and prayers. “Now is not the time.” And then … nothing.

    It’s what they told us after Orlando, and Virginia Tech, and San Bernardino, and Aurora, and after each of the 364 mass shootings in 2017 alone.

    It’s what they told parents in Newtown.

    And if this cruel, horrible pattern has made you cynical, I don’t blame you. It’s easy to watch it play out, time after time, and think that we can’t change things.

    Big social change takes time and effort, and we’re already making real progress.

    We’ve passed referendums on state ballots to tighten gun laws. We’ve elected members of Congress who care deeply about the issue. And an overwhelming majority of Americans support common-sense legislation — things like universal background checks and limiting access to assault weapons.

    90 percent of Americans are behind us. Our democracy doesn’t allow for elected officials to be so far out of step with the views and values of their constituents for very long.

    But it’s up to us to make sure: We need to talk to our families, friends, and neighbors. To attend rallies and make noise, online and offline. To make a small difference in the local and national conversation, every single day.

    So don’t give up. Let’s work harder. [2]

    References:

    1. Organizing for Action
    2. Senator Chris Murphy




  • Ordinance Holds Owners Responsible For Reporting Missing Guns

    Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has a new municipal ordinance “requiring prompt notification to authorities of lost or stolen firearms, and imposing penalties.” The new ordinance would require gun owners to report the loss or theft of any registered firearms within 72 hours of their discovery. The ordinance was passed unanimously by the Lancaster City Council.

    City officials say the new ordinance is not an infringement on gun ownership rights or a citizen’s right to privacy.

    “Law abiding people, if their gun is stolen, they’re going to report it,” said Lancaster mayor Rick Gray. “So, when (people) say, ‘only criminals wouldn’t follow this,’ they’re exactly right.”

    Mayor Gray, a lawyer, said the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals recently ruled the Second Amendment of the Constitution doesn’t apply to states and municipalities. “It only applies to the federal government,” he said.