Even in the midst of an increase of gun sales and countless videos and statements from gun advocates that promise to start a civil war if strict laws are put on guns, politicians who trump gun-control reform are absolutely winning this week.
VIDEO: Joe Biden & Chris Christie Add Video Games & Mental Health To Gun-Control Debate
First, President Barack Obama, who was rumored to consider executive orders (full-force law) on guns is planning on embracing a comprehensive plan to reduce gun violence. That legislation will expand background checks for gun purchases, include efforts to ban assault weapons and high capacity clips, impose limits on guns imported from overseas and encourage federal agencies to share mental health records.
Given the divide in Congress to reform gun laws, Obama has reiterated that he will act on his own to pass the legislation if need be to lay out 19 separate actions.
There are no games being played here, people.
But Obama is not the only one about his business!
Vice President Joe Biden, who has been leading efforts in the gun-control task force in Washington, is busy drawing up reform proposals that Obama requested for this month. News that Biden is recommending a law that could define gun trafficking as a federal crime comes on the heels of his meetings with different gun organizations to discuss change.
While the specifics of the legislation is unknown, gun reform advocates are thrilled, as they have warned for years that the absence of such a bill aids the flow of illegal firearms in the nation. Currently, to convict someone of illegal gun distribution, law enforcement must prove that a person who transferred a weapon to a felon knew or had reasonable cause to believe that that person was indeed a felon.
VIDEO: New Civil War: Gun Advocates To “Start Killing People” If Obama Takes Away Guns
And New York Democrats are also flexin’ their muscles in the gun-control battle. Just yesterday, NY legislators reached a deal with Gov. Andrew Cuomo on a package of gun restrictions in the state (which already boasts some of the strictest gun laws in the nation).
The deal, which is set to go to assembly today, will expand the state’s assault weapons ban and enact a handful of laws to keep guns away from the mentally ill.
It was reported that not one Republican from the rural upstate caucus voted on the bill.
“Make no mistake, we are saving lives by passing this bill tonight. For that, everyone in this chamber has my tanks, whether it’s in allowing it to come to a vote or casting a vote in favor of it,” said Sen. Mike Gianaris, D-Queens.
The only Republicans to speak on the bill were Kathy Marchione of Halfmoon and Greg Ball of Putnam County. Ball said the bill should have included a greater overhaul of the state’s mental health system, and would simply end up burdening lawful gun owners.
“We haven’t saved any lives tonight, except for one: the political life of a governor who wants to be president,” he said. “I voted no, and I only wish I could have done it twice.”
Hmm. This is reminding me of The Power Rangers “Megazord.” If they combine all of this gun reform power, do you think they could beat the existing gun system that has arguably failed us?
SOURCE: NY Times | Huffington Post | Times Union
