According to Main Justice on Aug. 4th: President Barack Obama might soon nominate the chief of the Chicago office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to lead the Justice Department agency, The Washington Post reported. Special Agent in Charge Andrew Traver would be the bureau’s first Senate-confirmed director, if approved. Temporary appointees [...]
The NRA is about to lose yet another fight — this time hoping to stop Elena Kagan’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. But Ms. Kagan’s confirmation is all but certain. The NRA is simply using the Senate’s vote as yet another shameless opportunity to throw it’s weight around. According to the Los Angels Times [...]
Supreme Court Stills Holds that Common Sense Gun Laws Are Constitutional and Can Be Enacted to Save Lives and Protect Communities For Immediate Release Contact: Thom Mannard, Executive Director, ICHV tmannard@ichv.org Scott Vogel, Communications Director, States United to Prevent Gun Violence scott@supgv.org (June 28, 2010, Chicago) – The Supreme Court extended the scope of the [...]
There is a founding and governing principle that holds that civilian government controls the military, not the other way around. It was made crystal clear today when President Obama relieved Gen. Stanley McChrystal from overseeing the war in Afghanistan after the general made disrespectful and disparaging remarks in Rolling Stone magazine about the President, Vice [...]
Proponents for “openly carrying” loaded guns in public revealed their true colors in Arizona on May 30th. Neo-Nazi members and racists showed up at a peaceful immigration rally carrying loaded handguns and rifles and said their weapons were not for show and would use them if necessary. Such threatening hate speech is beyond the pale [...]
David Corn of Mother Jones posted a strong critique of President Obama’s complete lack of leadership on supporting a ban on military-style semiautomatic assault rifles. Corn’s piece on May 21, is a must-read. David Corn When Mexican President Felipe Calderon addressed the US Congress on Thursday, he called for the United States to reinstate the [...]
(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Violence Policy Center). Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck Featured Speakers at NRA Convention Washington, D.C.–This weekend, Tea Party advocates Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck will be featured speakers at the National Rifle Association’s annual convention being held in Charlotte, NC. Palin will be speaking [...]
The AP reported on April 27th: LAS VEGAS (AP) — Ian Deutch survived a recent tour of duty in Afghanistan, identifying Taliban targets for artillery strikes. But he didn’t make it through his second day back on the job as a rural Nevada sheriff’s deputy. Deutch was gunned down Monday by a man wielding an [...]
(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2010 MEDIA CONTACTS: CSGV: Ladd Everitt, (202) 701-7171, leveritt@csgv.org ROOT: Kenny Barnes, (202) 431-6646, kennysr@rootinc.org NRA Has Deliberately Misled Congress About Substance of D.C.’s Current Gun Laws Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) [...]
State Advocates Update Heeding God’s Call: Pennsylvania Church Members Hold Vigil On Good Friday Protesting Gun Violence — Also See Bishop Peggy Johnson’s Reflections On Vigil: Many of our pastors bury young people on a regular basis who have died from gun violence. It is just too easy to do nothing and in doing so…it [...]
Ed Schultz slammed Fox “News”, right-wing zealots, and gun extremists for peddling conspiracy theories that President Obama is “disarming” Americans of their guns. In fact, as Schultz points out, President Obama received an “F” on a report card from the Brady Campaign on the President’s policies with respect to the gun issue. Watch Video:
(Photo from ‘open carry’ gun protest in Virginia, April 19th 2010) GunGuys.com Editorial It is deeply disturbing that gun proponents chose the solemn 15th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing to organize anti-government rallies and urge attendees to carry loaded handguns and assault rifles in public to demonstrate their anger at the Obama administration and [...]
The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence posted the following video from the “open carry” gun protest at Fort Hunt, Virginia on April 19th, the 15-year anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing — proof of the sheer extremism of the “open carry” movement.
(We are pleased to post the following guest commentary from Cathie Whittenburg, Director of New England Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. Send comments or questions to necpgv@gmail.com). Patriot – A person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its interest. Paranoid – Exhibiting or characterized by baseless and extreme fear or distrust [...]
On April 10th, Columbus, Ohio’s NBC Channel 4 covered an ‘open-carry’ gun protest on the steps of the state capitol:
(On April 19, 1995, at 9:02 a.m., an explosion ripped through the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Okla. At the time, it was the worst terrorist attack ever undertaken on American soil. The blast killed 168 people – 19 of them children – and injured hundreds). (We are pleased to post the [...]
According to Cleveland’s local Fox News Channel 8 on April 14th: CLEVELAND – Matthew Warmus, the man accused of shooting and killing a parking lot attendant over a parking spot Friday night, made his first court appearance Tuesday morning. Cleveland Police say Warmus shot parking lot attendant David Williams,27, three times, after the two got [...]
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart posted a must-see video on April 12th, about the “open carry” handgun movement, including an interview with Paul Helmke, the President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. WATCH DAILY SHOW VIDEO The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Open Carrier Discrimination www.thedailyshow.com [...]
Is the gun lobby going to wage a political war now with the United States Air Force, claiming the service is denying soldiers and airmen their “Second Amendment rights”? And since the NRA routinely says that registering firearms is the first step to confiscating all guns, is the gun lobby accusing the Air Force of [...]
(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence). BRADY CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Contact: Peter Hamm, 202-289-5792 Washington, D.C. – The Starbucks Coffee Company allows customers to carry guns, yet prohibits employees from having weapons in Starbucks stores. [...]
(We are pleased to post the following guest commentary from Josh Sugarmann, Executive Director of the Violence Policy Center. Mr. Sugarmann’s essay was originally posted on the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence’s “Insights” section on its website). March 10, 2010 Since its inception, the Violence Policy Center (VPC) has approached gun violence as a broad-based [...]
According to the Palm Beach Post updated on March 1st: A gun instructor accidently shot a student in the foot Saturday during an NRA class to receive certification to carry a concealed weapon, Orlando police said. Robert Frauman Jr., 50, was taken to Florida Hospital after instructor Michael Phillips’ firearm discharged about 11:45 a.m., police [...]
(We strongly urge you to read Josh Sugarmann’s new piece on the Huffington Post published on March 1st. Sugarmann is the Executive Director of the Violence Policy Center in Washington, DC.) Tomorrow “Sport Shooting Ambassador Award” winner Antonin Scalia will hear oral arguments in McDonald v. Chicago, a case that will decide whether the opinion [...]
(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence). For Immediate Release Contact: Thom Mannard (312) 341-0939 / cell (847) 997-3020, tmannard@ichv.org Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence Says Communities Must Have the Right and Authority to Enact Sensible Gun Laws to Save Lives and Protect Public Safety (March [...]
(We are pleased to post the following guest commentary from Mark Karlin, editor of BuzzFlash.com). Once our National Parks were a refuge of nature and tranquility, but that part of the American Dream just got shot full of holes by the NRA. Attached to the so-called credit card reform bill that went into effect on [...]
(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Violence Policy Center). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 CONTACT: Marty Langley, Policy Analyst, 202-822-8200 x109, mlangley@vpc.org Washington, DC–More than one out of four assault weapons incidents involve police, according to “Target: Law Enforcement—Assault Weapons in the News,†a new study released today [...]
The Washington Post’s editorial on Feb. 18th, accurately says it all: “If Virginia lifts gun-buying limit, get ready for mayhem.” IN A RARE moment of gun law sanity, Virginia enacted a bill 17 years ago limiting the purchase of handguns to one a month. Almost immediately, the numbers of guns traced to Virginia that were [...]
The New York Times education blog posted a lengthy profile on Feb. 15th, on Andy Pelosi and the Campaign to Keep Guns Off College Campuses. NYT noted the shooting at Alabama University in Huntsville, where a female biology professor, Amy Bishop, killed three fellow professors and wounded three others because, allegedly, she was denied tenure. [...]
TPMMuckraker posted an article on Jan. 22nd about just how extreme right-wing activists have become, including a call to form a militia armed with fully automatic machine guns and military weapons to protect citizens against “the government.” A group of nearly 200 “extremely concerned citizens” in a small Montana county are demanding that local leaders [...]
(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Violence Policy Center). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 CONTACT: Mandy Wimmer, Communications Associate, 202-822-8200 x110, mwimmer@vpc.org At Least 51 Innocent People Have Been Killed in Recent Mass Shootings Involving Concealed Handgun Permit Holders Washington, DC–Christopher Bryan Speight, the 39-year-old man who allegedly [...]
According to the Associated Press on Jan. 20th: APPOMATTOX, Va. – A gunman suspected of killing eight people before disappearing into dense Virginia woods and firing on a police helicopter surrendered at sunrise Wednesday, ending an overnight hunt by dozens of law enforcement officers. Christopher Speight, 39, approached officers at the scene of the shootings [...]
The New York Times wrote an editorial on Jan. 18th chastising America’s political leaders, including President Obama, for failing to stand-up to the gun lobby and pass an effective ban on semi-automatic assault weapons. The result of this “political cowardice” is that criminals are arming themselves with more lethal and powerful weapons, including semi-automatic military-style [...]
Spotlight: Keep Guns Off College Campuses Visit the Campaign To Keep Guns Off Campus Web Site. In Response To Glenn Beck, Watch ABC News 20/20 Report “If I Only Had a Gun” That Demolishes the Myth That Armed Students Can Stop an Attack. AZ: Gun Lobby Wants To Force Loaded Handguns On College Campuses – [...]
Stephen Colbert satirized the NRA on his show last night on Jan. 13th, along with Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards. It’s a very funny segment. The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Violence Policy Center). For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 Contact: Mandy Wimmer, Violence Policy Center, 202-822-8200 x110, mwimmer@vpc.org Washington, DC–Concealed handgun permit holders have killed at least nine law enforcement officers in addition to 108 private citizens (including 13 shooters who killed themselves [...]
(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus). For Immediate Release Contact: Andy Pelosi, 914-629-6726, andy@gunfreekids.org John Johnson, 319-389-7382, johnwjohnson@mchsi.com Bills Fail In Michigan and 11 Other States in 2009. Colorado State University Bans Guns On Campus In December; Momentum Builds To Protect Universities and Student Safety [...]
On Jan 3rd, Think Progress posted an unsettling video of Tea Party activists in New Mexico who openly carried loaded guns and assault weapons as a threat against “the government” and President Obama. Nearly 350 right-wing protestors crowded a New Mexico town’s busiest intersection yesterday to protest President Obama’s supposed anti-gun agenda and the “government [...]
(We are pleased to post the following guest commentary from Freedom States Alliance affiliate, the New England Coalition To Prevent Gun Violence.) A recent Associated Press story highlighted the push by the NRA to loosen gun laws across the country. Kowtowing to the pressure of the NRA, legislators in a number of states have passed [...]
(Use this link to purchase your copy today from Amazon.com and support the Freedom States Alliance. When shopping online at Amazon.com, up to 5% will be donated back to our efforts to save lives from gun violence). Freedom States Alliance communications director, Scott Vogel, interviewed Dennis Henigan, author of a vitally important and new book, [...]
(We are pleased to post the following guest editorial from Mark Karlin, editor of BuzzFlash.com, a progressive news web site, and gun control advocate). Did you know that the shooter at Fort Hood did not use an army issued gun? No, he bought his weapon legally at a firearms store with the name of “Guns [...]
On Nov. 20th, a media research firm called Media Curves.com used a CNN report about an extremist organization called “Oath Keepers,” to analyze beliefs and attitudes around militia groups and the Second Amendment. In short, once Americans become aware of the militia movement’s extremist anti-government rhetoric, support the “Second Amendment” declines drastically. (See results below). [...]
Watch Stephen Colbert’s video on Nov. 19th, 2009. John Pike talks about the popularity of the AK-47 as the Russian designer celebrates his 90th birthday. The Colbert Report Mon – Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Mother Jones posted a insightful analysis on Nov. 16th about Sen. Burr’s irresponsible amendment to allow mentally incapacitated or incompetent veterans to buy guns, despite a spike in suicides, domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and crimes committed by soldiers returning from multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Major Nidal Hasan, accused of killing 13 [...]
(We are pleased to post the following press release from our Freedom States Alliance affiliate, the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence). Press Release: Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence Nov. 13, 2009 Toledo, OH: On Nov. 12th the Eighth Appellate District Court of Ohio released their ruling deciding that Ohio’s firearms preemption statute, R.C. 9.68, is [...]
Peggy Schulz wrote a brilliant column in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel on Nov. 2nd that is worth reading. The overall safety of the general public as we move through our lives on a daily basis is – or at least should be – the top priority for lawmakers, both local and national. We live in a [...]
(We are pleased to post the following joint press release from the Campaign To Keep Guns Off Campus, Freedom States Alliance, Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence, and Students For Gun-Free Schools). For Immediate Release Monday, October 19, 2009 Contacts: Andy Pelosi, Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus and GunFreeKids.org, 914-629-6726 Peter Hamm, Brady Campaign [...]
According to Talking Points Memo (TPM) on Oct. 16th: The National Rifle Association is in the field with a call campaign asking recipients a rather leading question — “Should third-world dictators and Hillary Clinton dictate our gun policy?” – according to several TPM readers who have reported receiving the call. While TPM has not been [...]
(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence, a Freedom States Alliance affiliate). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 16, 2009 Area Clergy Lead Interfaith Prayer Vigil For Homicide Victims Central Ohio’s first Interfaith Prayer Vigil for homicide victims and survivors will occur Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 5 [...]
(We are pleased to post the following commentary from Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence in response to the Indy Star’s investigative report about Indiana’s broken and flawed CCW permit system). The Indy Star’s exceptional investigative report, “Should these men have been allowed to carry a gun?†on Oct. 11, should force state lawmakers to reform [...]
According to the News Observer on Oct. 12th: RALEIGH The N.C. Supreme Court attracted national attention a few weeks ago as the first court in the nation to rule that a convicted felon has a right to own a gun. What drew little notice is that Edward Thomas Brady, the justice who wrote the 5-2 [...]
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