Washington Post Feb 6, 2012
Republicans in Virginia push conservative agenda, with bills on guns, gays
Less than a month into the General Assembly session, Republicans have passed bills expanding gun rights and rolling back abortion rights, gay rights and -- at least as Democrats see it -- voting rights. Dozens of other bills remain in the works. Although it's no surprise that Republicans would go after those issues, the speed with which they have gotten them past floor votes has surprised some Richmond observers. "There's a pent-up demand,'' said former lieutenant governor John Hager, a Republican who presided over the state Senate for four years. "It says who's in charge." Republicans have not gotten everything they wanted -- ...read the full article


Washington Post Blog - On Faith Feb 4, 2012
Not pretty in pink: Komen has a trust gap
The Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the nation's largest breast cancer charity, has had tremendous success in getting the color pink to be a nationally recognized symbol to raise breast cancer awareness. But a huge trust gap has opened up for Komen after the charity decided to pull funding for Planned Parenthood for breast cancer prevention, screenings and education. With a spreading backlash, and a precipitous decline in donations to the charity , founder Nancy Brinker issued an apology and said the charity has reversed its decision about Planned Parenthood funding. Sort of. The problem is, this is a self-excusing ...read the full article


Washington Post Feb 4, 2012
Lax U.S. gun laws enable killing in Mexico
DO AMERICA'S failed gun policies contribute to the terrible violence in Mexico? Alejandro A. Poire Romero makes a compelling case that the answer is yes. Law enforcement officials in both countries acknowledge that 70 to 80 percent of the traceable guns seized in Mexico can be tracked to the United States. Mr. Poire Romero, a top Mexican national security and criminal justice official, offers additional evidence that the United States has been an enabler of the violence. In 2005 roughly one-third of the seized guns were assault weapons. Today, according to Mr. Poire Romero, assault weapons represent 60 to 65 percent of ...read the full article


US Department of State Feb 2, 2012
Black History Month 2012: Astrid Dorelien
Astrid Dorelien is a 2010 Presidential Management Fellow in the Office of the Haiti Special Coordinator (S/HSC). As a foreign affairs officer in S/HSC, Astrid is the principal point of contact for health, labor, and economic affairs. She also works closely with the Deputy Coordinator for Assistance to oversee the U.S. Government's food and economic security programs in Haiti. Astrid came to the State Department from the Department of Housing and Urban Development in August 2011, where she worked in the Office of Healthcare Programs and the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement. Astrid brings with her to the State ...read the full article


Washington Post Feb 2, 2012
Va. House passes repeal of 18-year-old one-gun-a-month bill, Senate prepares to follow suit
Va. House passes repeal of 18-year-old one-gun-a-month bill, Senate prepares to follow suit By Associated Press, Published: February 1 RICHMOND, Va. -- A law Virginia passed a generation ago to end the states' reputation as a haven for gun runners is on the verge of being repealed. On a largely party-line vote, the House passed Wednesday with a 66-32 vote the measure to end the law that limits handgun purchases to one a month. Only two Democrats -- Portsmouth's Johnny Joannou and Washington County's Joe Johnson -- siding with the GOP majority. A Republican, David Albo of Fairfax, voted with Democrats to oppose it. A ...read the full article


Village Voice Feb 2, 2012
Cop Shooter's Gun Could Have Been Bought For As Little As $30
​The revolver used in the shooting of Police Officer Kevin Brennan has a controversial history, and a reputation as a poorly made street gun that was likely passed from hand to hand over a period of many years and may have been used in other crimes before it got to would-be killer Luis Soto. The RG 40, a .38-caliber revolver with a two inch barrel, and its brethren are cheap, easy to use knockoffs of a standard Colt design. Critics say the weapon have no useful purpose other than to kill people at close range. Firearms experts say the company which distributed ...read the full article


Village Voice Feb 2, 2012
Cop Shooter's Gun Could Have Been Bought For As Little As $30
​The revolver used in the shooting of Police Officer Kevin Brennan has a controversial history, and a reputation as a poorly made street gun that was likely passed from hand to hand over a period of many years and may have been used in other crimes before it got to would-be killer Luis Soto. The RG 40, a .38-caliber revolver with a two inch barrel, and its brethren are cheap, easy to use knockoffs of a standard Colt design. Critics say the weapon have no useful purpose other than to kill people at close range. Firearms experts say the company which distributed ...read the full article


New York Times Feb 2, 2012
Further Pressure on Holder Over Failed Gun Operation
WASHINGTON -- Republicans and Democrats in Congress on Thursday traded barbs again over the yearlong probe into Operation Fast and Furious, as Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. testified for the sixth time about the disputed investigation into a gun trafficking network based out of Arizona. Enlarge This Image During a hearing of more than four hours before the House Oversight and Government Affairs Committee, Republicans ripped into Mr. Holder, accusing the Justice Department of a "cover-up" and declaring that senior officials either knew or should have known about the use of "gunwalking" -- the tactic of failing to seize illegal ...read the full article


Los Angeles Times Feb 1, 2012
'Soul Train' creator Don Cornelius dead in apparent suicide
"Soul Train" creator Don Cornelius was found dead at his Sherman Oaks on home Wednesday morning. Law enforcement sources said police arrived at Cornelius' home around 4 a.m. He apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the case was ongoing. The sources said there was no sign of foul play, but the Los Angeles Police Department was investigating. In a 2010 interview with The Times, he said he was excited about a movie project he was developing about "Soul Train." "We've been in discussions with several people about getting a movie off the ...read the full article


Daily Sundial Feb 1, 2012
California outlaws open carry of unloaded handguns
Gov. Jerry Brown has outlawed openly carrying unloaded handguns despite heavy resistance from gun enthusiasts. Though it was already illegal to openly carry loaded handguns, AB 144 expands California's firearm regulations by nixing people from openly carrying an unloaded handgun outside of a person's home or vehicle. AB 144 was approved on October 13, 2011 and became law Jan. 1. Violators could face up to one year in prison and/or a fine of $1,000. The bill does exempt hunting and shooting events and does not apply to those who are given permits to carry concealed weapons by local law enforcement. Bejan Hejazi, a CSUN ...read the full article