NBC New York Feb 1, 2012
Analysis: NYC, Boston Mayors Agree: We Need Federal Gun Control
Even as the Giants and the Patriots face off in the Super Bowl in Indianapolis, the mayors of their two cities have joined together in a tv commercial urging stricter federal gun control. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, founders of a group called Mayors Against Illegal Guns, recorded a commercial at a table laden with bowls of popcorn and Giants and Patriots caps. Words from Bloomberg on Twitter make the purpose clear: "We disagree on who'll win the #Superbowl, but @Mayor ...read the full article


New York Times Jan 31, 2012
Report by House Democrats Absolves Administration in Gun Trafficking Case
Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Tuesday are expected to publish a report on the disputed gun trafficking investigation called Operation Fast and Furious, concluding that agents in Arizona -- not Obama administration officials -- were responsible for the tactics used in the inquiry and for providing misleading information relayed to Congress. In an 89-page report, titled "Fatally Flawed: Five Years of Gun-walking in Arizona," the Democratic staff portrays Fast and Furious as the fourth investigation, dating back to 2006, in which Arizona-based agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives employed the tactic ...read the full article


Public News Service Jan 31, 2012
Proposed AZ Monument Shooting Ban Stirs Controversy
Recreational target shooting would be prohibited on the Sonoran Desert National Monument, southwest of Phoenix, under the preferred alternative of a draft 20-year management plan drawn up by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. The proposal has generated some controversy. On one side of the issue, The Wilderness Society has given the plan an award, partly because of the proposed shooting ban. Thom Hulen, president of the group Friends of the Sonoran Desert National Monument, says shooters have hauled tons of junk into the monument to use for target practice. "There are irresponsible shooters who bring trash out to shoot. And they would ...read the full article


WJLA TV 7 News Jan 31, 2012
Carry and conceal for Virginia professors up for Senate debate
The Virginia State House is considering a bill that would allow college professors to carry guns on campus. Manassas Republican Delegate Bob Marshall believes the law would prevent violence but opponents worry such a law would backfire. "Virginia needs to protect its students on campus and police cannot be there at all times," said Marshall. After the Virginia Tech massacre, Marshall says a professor at George Mason University asked him to support allowing concealed weapons on campus. "Just throwing our hands in the air and saying we're just going to shoot our way out of the problem, that we're going to allow professors to ...read the full article


Art on Issues Jan 31, 2012
Gunfire Deaths in Children vs Pro-Life: A Political Double Standard
Summary This article discusses the political double standard of legislating to protect the 'unborn child' while consistently opposing legislation that would help protect those that have already been born from the documented risk of gunfire-related death and injury. The nature and effectiveness of the NRA's political contributions and lobbying efforts are discussed, and the often used argument of traffic-related fatalities to defend the loss of life by firearms is explored. It is postulated that the issue of gun-related injuries and death in children, regardless of a 'constitutional right', will become the indefensible issue that will put pressure on politicians ...read the full article


Daily Review Jan 30, 2012
Political Blotter: Long guns now targeted for 'open carry' ban
Some California gun-rights advocates had reacted to the state's new law banning "open carry" of unloaded handguns in public places by openly carrying unloaded long guns instead, but a new bill from the same author aims to nip that in the bud, too. Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D-Pasadena -- now a lame duck, soon to be term-limited out of the Assembly and not pursuing a state Senate seat -- has introduced AB 1527, which would prohibit open carry of rifles and shotguns. "Last year, the state made it clear that this type of behavior had no place on Main Street, California," Portantino said ...read the full article


Citizens Voice Jan 30, 2012
With gun in tow, Hazleton man educates public on open carry
George Irizarry gets more than strange looks when people see him carrying a gun in a holster on his hip in Hazleton. Folks think he is breaking the law and telephone police. Police have drawn their guns on him and ordered him to drop to his knees. Irizarry takes their responses calmly, knowing that the law permits him to carry a gun openly. "I knew by open carrying I was going to get a lot of flack from the public and the local police department," Irizarry said. "Not only am I an open carrier, I'm a Hispanic male." He decided to carry his guns - ...read the full article


Associated Press Jan 30, 2012
New version of Arizona campus guns bill proposed
An Arizona lawmaker is renewing his fight to allow students and professors to carry guns on higher education campuses, raising a controversial issue that resulted in a veto by Gov. Jan Brewer last year. A bill that state Sen. Ron Gould introduced Monday with support from the National Rifle Association would allow people with necessary permits to carry concealed guns on campus grounds and prevent public universities and community colleges from restricting that privilege. Brewer, a Republican who has signed several gun-rights measures into law, vetoed a version of the campus guns bill in April. Gould said he's made changes in this year's ...read the full article


ABC News Jan 30, 2012
South Dakotans could be allowed to have guns in their car if bill passes
South Dakotans would be allowed to keep guns locked in their private vehicles at work if a House bill is passed and signed into law. The House Judiciary Committee on Monday voted to send the bill to the House floor. The bill, which has support from the National Rifle Association, would give an employee the right to store firearms and ammunition in a locked vehicle parked on work property. Those in favor say workers should have their guns for protection while driving to or from work, and also have them available for hunting outside of work hours. Rep. Roger Hunt, the committee's chair, says ...read the full article


Bangor Daily News Jan 30, 2012
Should nonresidents who are denied concealed weapons permits in other states be ineligible in Maine?
New York has strict gun laws for those seeking a concealed weapons permit. Maine, by comparison, has relatively moderate laws. However, because of loopholes in gun laws, a resident of New York can come to Maine and apply for a nonresident concealed weapons permit. If the permit is granted, that person can bring it back to New York, where the permit often is recognized. Maine State Police Lt. David Bowler calls this "permit shopping" and said it's the reason the Department of Public Safety has submitted a bill that prohibits Maine from granting a nonresident concealed weapons permit to anyone who has been ...read the full article