Sponsored by Roscoe Bartlett of MD with 16 Co-Sponsors
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Police cannot protect, and are not legally liable for failing to protect, individual citizens, as evidenced by the following:
(A) The courts have consistently ruled that the police do not have an obligation to protect individuals, only the public in general. For example, in Warren v. District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department, 444 A.2d 1 (D.C. App. 1981), the court stated: `[C]ourts have without exception concluded that when a municipality or other governmental entity undertakes to furnish police services, it assumes a duty only to the public at large and not to individual members of the community.'.
(B) Former Florida Attorney General Jim Smith told Florida legislators that police responded to only 200,000 of 700,000 calls for help to Dade County authorities.
(C) The United States Department of Justice found that, in 1989, there were 168,881 crimes of violence for which police had not responded within 1 hour.
(2) Citizens frequently must use firearms to defend themselves, as evidenced by the following:
(A) Every year, more than 2,400,000 people in the United States use a gun to defend themselves against criminals--or more than 6,500 people a day. This means that, each year, firearms are used 60 times more often to protect the lives of honest citizens than to take lives.
(B) Of the 2,400,000 self-defense cases, more than 192,000 are by women defending themselves against sexual abuse.
(C) Of the 2,400,000 times citizens use their guns to defend themselves every year, 92 percent merely brandish their gun or fire a warning shot to scare off their attackers. Less than 8 percent of the time, does a citizen kill or wound his or her attacker.
(3) Law-abiding citizens, seeking only to provide for their families' defense, are routinely prosecuted for brandishing or using a firearm in self-defense. For example:
(A) In 1986, Don Bennett of Oak Park, Illinois, was shot at by 2 men who had just stolen $1,200 in cash and jewelry from his suburban Chicago service station. The police arrested Bennett for violating Oak Park's handgun ban. The police never caught the actual criminals.
(B) Ronald Biggs, a resident of Goldsboro, North Carolina, was arrested for shooting an intruder in 1990. Four men broke into Biggs' residence one night, ransacked the home and then assaulted him with a baseball bat. When Biggs attempted to escape through the back door, the group chased him and Biggs turned and shot one of the assailants in the stomach. Biggs was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon--a felony. His assailants were charged with misdemeanors.
(C) Don Campbell of Port Huron, Michigan, was arrested, jailed, and criminally charged after he shot a criminal assailant in 1991. The thief had broken into Campbell's store and attacked him. The prosecutor plea-bargained with the assailant and planned to use him to testify against Campbell for felonious use of a firearm. Only after intense community pressure did the prosecutor finally drop the charges.
(4) The courts have granted immunity from prosecution to police officers who use firearms in the line of duty. Similarly, law-abiding citizens who use firearms to protect themselves, their families, and their homes against violent felons should not be subject to lawsuits by the violent felons who sought to victimize them.
RIGHT TO OBTAIN FIREARMS FOR SECURITY, AND TO USE FIREARMS IN DEFENSE OF SELF, FAMILY, OR HOME; ENFORCEMENT.
(a) Reaffirmation of Right- A person not prohibited from receiving a firearm by Section 922(g) of title 18, United States Code, shall have the right to obtain firearms for security, and to use firearms--
(1) in defense of self or family against a reasonably perceived threat of imminent and unlawful infliction of serious bodily injury;
(2) in defense of self or family in the course of the commission by another person of a violent felony against the person or a member of the person's family; and
(3) in defense of the person's home in the course of the commission of a felony by another person.
(b) Firearm Defined- As used in subsection (a), the term `firearm' means--
(1) a shotgun (as defined in section 921(a)(5) of title 18, United States Code);
(2) a rifle (as defined in section 921(a)(7) of title 18, United States Code); or
(3) a handgun (as defined in section 10 of Public Law 99-408).
(c) Enforcement of Right-
(1) IN GENERAL- A person whose right under subsection (a) is violated in any manner may bring an action in any United States district court against the United States, any State, or any person for damages, injunctive relief, and such other relief as the court deems appropriate.
(2) AUTHORITY TO AWARD A REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEE- In an action brought under paragraph (1), the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing plaintiff a reasonable attorney's fee as part of the costs.
(3) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS- An action may not be brought under paragraph (1) after the 5-year period that begins with the date the violation described in paragraph (1) is discovered.
We need to get this bill passed. I’m surprised though. Brown is a liberal democrat from a state that allows concealed carry, even though it makes it exceedingly difficult to get a CCW permit. If your Congressman is not a co-sponsor, write or e-mail and ask him to co-sponsor the bill. If your Congressman is on the House Judiciary Committee and/or its Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, write or e-mail and tell him to get this bill through Committee.
H.R.45: Blair Holt's Firearm Licensing and Record of Sale Act of 2009
Introduced by Bobby Rush of IL with no Co-Sponsors
Introduced by Bobby Rush of IL with no Co-Sponsors
(a) Findings- Congress finds that--
(1) the manufacture, distribution, and importation of firearms is inherently commercial in nature;
(2) firearms regularly move in interstate commerce;
(3) to the extent that firearms trafficking is intrastate in nature, it arises out of and is substantially connected with a commercial transaction, which, when viewed in the aggregate, substantially affects interstate commerce; horse manure
(4) because the intrastate and interstate trafficking of firearms are so commingled, full regulation of interstate commerce requires the incidental regulation of intrastate commerce; horse manure
(5) gun violence in the United States is associated with the majority of homicides, over half the suicides, and two-thirds of non-fatal violent injuries; According to the FBI 14,831 murders in 2007, 10,086 with firearms (excluding DC and FL) in 2007. The six states with the toughest gun control laws accounted for 29% of the murders and 29% of the firearms involved murders. All things being equal they should only have accounted for 12%. In 2004, 51.6% of suicides were committed with firearms. However, if firearms weren’t available, that wouldn’t necessarily lower the number of suicides, it would just change the methods. (Source is CDC). I wonder where he got his third part of this statement? CDC reports that for 2001 there 29,721,824 non-fatal injuries in this country. Of these 1,832,091 were assault related. 35,496 of these were by firearm and another 3,139 were by BB Gun. That’s only 2.1% not 2/3. 7.6% (the largest category) of non-fatal violent injuries were by edged weapons. So where’s the bill to license knives, axes, saws, etc?
(b) Sense of the Congress- It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) firearms trafficking is prevalent and widespread in and among the States, and it is usually impossible to distinguish between intrastate trafficking and interstate trafficking; and
(2) it is in the national interest and within the role of the Federal Government to ensure that the regulation of firearms is uniform among the States (Yes it is), that law enforcement can quickly and effectively trace firearms used in crime (Most guns used in crime are unregistered or stolen), and that firearms owners know how to use and safely store their firearms. Yes they should
(c) Purposes- The purposes of this Act and the amendments made by this Act are--
(1) to protect the public against the unreasonable risk of injury and death associated with the unrecorded sale or transfer of qualifying firearms to criminals and youth;
(2) to ensure that owners of qualifying firearms are knowledgeable in the safe use, handling, and storage of those firearms;
(3) to restrict the availability of qualifying firearms to criminals, youth, and other persons prohibited by Federal law from receiving firearms; and
(4) to facilitate the tracing of qualifying firearms used in crime by Federal and State law enforcement agencies.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
(a) In General- In this Act:
(1) FIREARM; LICENSED DEALER; LICENSED MANUFACTURER; STATE- The terms `firearm', `licensed dealer', `licensed manufacturer', and `State' have the meanings given those terms in section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code.
(2) QUALIFYING FIREARM- The term `qualifying firearm' has the meaning given the term in section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Amendment to Title 18, United States Code- Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(36) The term `qualifying firearm'--
`(A) means--
`(i) any handgun; or
`(ii) any semiautomatic firearm that can accept any detachable ammunition feeding device; and
`(B) does not include any antique.'.
In essence Rush wants to remove handguns and any magazine fed rifle or shotgun from those firearms that we may conveniently own. Not that we can’t own them, but it’s too hard to do so. Furthermore, section 401 of this bill imposes criminal liabilities on us if we don’t comply. Well, if it’s passed, which I doubt, I have no intention to comply. This is an ex-post facto law, which is unconstitutional. Furthermore, former Black Panther Rush knows that no criminals are going to abide by this anyway!
(1) the manufacture, distribution, and importation of firearms is inherently commercial in nature;
(2) firearms regularly move in interstate commerce;
(3) to the extent that firearms trafficking is intrastate in nature, it arises out of and is substantially connected with a commercial transaction, which, when viewed in the aggregate, substantially affects interstate commerce; horse manure
(4) because the intrastate and interstate trafficking of firearms are so commingled, full regulation of interstate commerce requires the incidental regulation of intrastate commerce; horse manure
(5) gun violence in the United States is associated with the majority of homicides, over half the suicides, and two-thirds of non-fatal violent injuries; According to the FBI 14,831 murders in 2007, 10,086 with firearms (excluding DC and FL) in 2007. The six states with the toughest gun control laws accounted for 29% of the murders and 29% of the firearms involved murders. All things being equal they should only have accounted for 12%. In 2004, 51.6% of suicides were committed with firearms. However, if firearms weren’t available, that wouldn’t necessarily lower the number of suicides, it would just change the methods. (Source is CDC). I wonder where he got his third part of this statement? CDC reports that for 2001 there 29,721,824 non-fatal injuries in this country. Of these 1,832,091 were assault related. 35,496 of these were by firearm and another 3,139 were by BB Gun. That’s only 2.1% not 2/3. 7.6% (the largest category) of non-fatal violent injuries were by edged weapons. So where’s the bill to license knives, axes, saws, etc?
(b) Sense of the Congress- It is the sense of the Congress that--
(1) firearms trafficking is prevalent and widespread in and among the States, and it is usually impossible to distinguish between intrastate trafficking and interstate trafficking; and
(2) it is in the national interest and within the role of the Federal Government to ensure that the regulation of firearms is uniform among the States (Yes it is), that law enforcement can quickly and effectively trace firearms used in crime (Most guns used in crime are unregistered or stolen), and that firearms owners know how to use and safely store their firearms. Yes they should
(c) Purposes- The purposes of this Act and the amendments made by this Act are--
(1) to protect the public against the unreasonable risk of injury and death associated with the unrecorded sale or transfer of qualifying firearms to criminals and youth;
(2) to ensure that owners of qualifying firearms are knowledgeable in the safe use, handling, and storage of those firearms;
(3) to restrict the availability of qualifying firearms to criminals, youth, and other persons prohibited by Federal law from receiving firearms; and
(4) to facilitate the tracing of qualifying firearms used in crime by Federal and State law enforcement agencies.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
(a) In General- In this Act:
(1) FIREARM; LICENSED DEALER; LICENSED MANUFACTURER; STATE- The terms `firearm', `licensed dealer', `licensed manufacturer', and `State' have the meanings given those terms in section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code.
(2) QUALIFYING FIREARM- The term `qualifying firearm' has the meaning given the term in section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by subsection (b) of this section.
(b) Amendment to Title 18, United States Code- Section 921(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(36) The term `qualifying firearm'--
`(A) means--
`(i) any handgun; or
`(ii) any semiautomatic firearm that can accept any detachable ammunition feeding device; and
`(B) does not include any antique.'.
In essence Rush wants to remove handguns and any magazine fed rifle or shotgun from those firearms that we may conveniently own. Not that we can’t own them, but it’s too hard to do so. Furthermore, section 401 of this bill imposes criminal liabilities on us if we don’t comply. Well, if it’s passed, which I doubt, I have no intention to comply. This is an ex-post facto law, which is unconstitutional. Furthermore, former Black Panther Rush knows that no criminals are going to abide by this anyway!
H. R. 197: National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009
Sponsored by Cliff Sterns of FL with 112 C-Sponsors.
SEC. 2. NATIONAL STANDARD FOR THE CARRYING OF CERTAIN CONCEALED FIREARMS BY NONRESIDENTS.
(a) In General- Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 926C the following:
`Sec. 926D. National standard for the carrying of certain concealed firearms by nonresidents
`(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the law of any State or political subdivision thereof, a person who is not prohibited by Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm and is carrying a valid license or permit which is issued by a State and which permits the person to carry a concealed firearm (other than a machinegun or destructive device) may carry in another State a concealed firearm (other than a machinegun or destructive device) that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, subject to subsection (b).
`(b)(1) If such other State issues licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms, the person may carry a concealed firearm in the State under the same restrictions which apply to the carrying of a concealed firearm by a person to whom the State has issued such a license or permit.
`(2) If such other State does not issue licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms, the person may not, in the State, carry a concealed firearm in a police station, in a public detention facility, in a courthouse, in a public polling place, at a meeting of a State, county, or municipal governing body, in a school, at a professional or school athletic event not related to firearms, in a portion of an establishment licensed by the State to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, or inside the sterile or passenger area of an airport, except to the extent expressly permitted by State law.'.
Outstanding! Now if we can get it out of committee and on the floor for a vote…Check the co-sponsor list, if your Congressman isn’t signed on, e-mail him/her and tell them to sign on. There are three companion bills:
1. H. R. 1620: Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2009, sponsored by John Boozman of AR with 31 Co-Sponsors
2. S. 371: Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009, sponsored by John Thune of SD with 22 Co-Sponsors
3. S. 845: Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009, sponsored by John Thune of SD with 22 Co-Sponsors
(a) In General- Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 926C the following:
`Sec. 926D. National standard for the carrying of certain concealed firearms by nonresidents
`(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the law of any State or political subdivision thereof, a person who is not prohibited by Federal law from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm and is carrying a valid license or permit which is issued by a State and which permits the person to carry a concealed firearm (other than a machinegun or destructive device) may carry in another State a concealed firearm (other than a machinegun or destructive device) that has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, subject to subsection (b).
`(b)(1) If such other State issues licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms, the person may carry a concealed firearm in the State under the same restrictions which apply to the carrying of a concealed firearm by a person to whom the State has issued such a license or permit.
`(2) If such other State does not issue licenses or permits to carry concealed firearms, the person may not, in the State, carry a concealed firearm in a police station, in a public detention facility, in a courthouse, in a public polling place, at a meeting of a State, county, or municipal governing body, in a school, at a professional or school athletic event not related to firearms, in a portion of an establishment licensed by the State to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, or inside the sterile or passenger area of an airport, except to the extent expressly permitted by State law.'.
Outstanding! Now if we can get it out of committee and on the floor for a vote…Check the co-sponsor list, if your Congressman isn’t signed on, e-mail him/her and tell them to sign on. There are three companion bills:
1. H. R. 1620: Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act of 2009, sponsored by John Boozman of AR with 31 Co-Sponsors
2. S. 371: Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009, sponsored by John Thune of SD with 22 Co-Sponsors
3. S. 845: Respecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2009, sponsored by John Thune of SD with 22 Co-Sponsors
H. R. 257: Child Gun Safety and Gun Access Prevention Act of 2009 Sponsored by Sheila Jackson-Lee of TX, No Co-Sponsors.
INCREASING YOUTH GUN SAFETY BY RAISING THE AGE OF HANDGUN ELIGIBILITY AND PROHIBITING YOUTH FROM POSSESSING SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS.
This is stupid. If passed it will become a felony for anyone under 21 years of age to possess a “semi-automatic assault gun or a large capacity ammunition feeding device”. The current law states “juvenile” and “handgun”. The Federal government not only allows, but desires, young men and women between the ages of 18 and 21 to vote, and to serve in the Armed Forces (where they will become quite adept with “semi-automatic assault gun or a large capacity ammunition feeding device”. This woman, from the State of Texas, is really trying to antagonize her constituents.
ENHANCED PENALTY FOR YOUTH POSSESSION OF HANDGUNS AND SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS AND FOR THE TRANSFER OF SUCH WEAPONS TO YOUTH.
The bill also removes the current ability of the Judge, in any court appearance, to apply probation vice incarceration.
GUN STORAGE AND SAFETY DEVICES FOR ALL FIREARMS.
The law requires that gun storage or locking devices accompany the gun unless the gun is sold to another dealer or a law enforcement officer. The bill removes the provision for law enforcement officers.
RESPONSIBILITY OF ADULTS FOR DEATH AND INJURY CAUSED BY CHILD ACCESS TO FIREARMS.
I have absolutely no problem with this. Kids will “play” with guns. If an adult is irresponsible enough to leave a loaded firearm where a child can get his hands on it, the adult should be incarcerated.
REQUIREMENT THAT CHILD BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT DURING A GUN SHOW.
I agree wholeheartedly.
GRANTS FOR GUN SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
The only problem I see with this provision is the grants come from the Attorney General and may be ONLY to police departments. Between the AG and the police department there will probably be a requirement to bring your own weapon, register it, and now the Feds know where to go get it. Keep the cops and the AG out of it. Make the grants only to recognized, not-for-profit firearms training groups like the National Rifle Association or Revolutionary War Veterans Association.
EDUCATION: NATIONWIDE FIREARMS SAFETY PROGRAMS.
This is good? Conduct firearms training as part of grade and high school curriculum. The National Education Association will come down on Jackson-Lee like a ton of bricks.
All in all this is a bad bill, drafted by an air-head who can’t get any co-sponsors.
This is stupid. If passed it will become a felony for anyone under 21 years of age to possess a “semi-automatic assault gun or a large capacity ammunition feeding device”. The current law states “juvenile” and “handgun”. The Federal government not only allows, but desires, young men and women between the ages of 18 and 21 to vote, and to serve in the Armed Forces (where they will become quite adept with “semi-automatic assault gun or a large capacity ammunition feeding device”. This woman, from the State of Texas, is really trying to antagonize her constituents.
ENHANCED PENALTY FOR YOUTH POSSESSION OF HANDGUNS AND SEMIAUTOMATIC ASSAULT WEAPONS AND FOR THE TRANSFER OF SUCH WEAPONS TO YOUTH.
The bill also removes the current ability of the Judge, in any court appearance, to apply probation vice incarceration.
GUN STORAGE AND SAFETY DEVICES FOR ALL FIREARMS.
The law requires that gun storage or locking devices accompany the gun unless the gun is sold to another dealer or a law enforcement officer. The bill removes the provision for law enforcement officers.
RESPONSIBILITY OF ADULTS FOR DEATH AND INJURY CAUSED BY CHILD ACCESS TO FIREARMS.
I have absolutely no problem with this. Kids will “play” with guns. If an adult is irresponsible enough to leave a loaded firearm where a child can get his hands on it, the adult should be incarcerated.
REQUIREMENT THAT CHILD BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT DURING A GUN SHOW.
I agree wholeheartedly.
GRANTS FOR GUN SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
The only problem I see with this provision is the grants come from the Attorney General and may be ONLY to police departments. Between the AG and the police department there will probably be a requirement to bring your own weapon, register it, and now the Feds know where to go get it. Keep the cops and the AG out of it. Make the grants only to recognized, not-for-profit firearms training groups like the National Rifle Association or Revolutionary War Veterans Association.
EDUCATION: NATIONWIDE FIREARMS SAFETY PROGRAMS.
This is good? Conduct firearms training as part of grade and high school curriculum. The National Education Association will come down on Jackson-Lee like a ton of bricks.
All in all this is a bad bill, drafted by an air-head who can’t get any co-sponsors.
H. R. 442: Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of 2009
Introduced by Denny Rehberg of MT with 85 Co-Sponsors
This bill, without going into all of its particulars, will allow veterans who acquired certain firearms before 1968 to register them in accordance with the IRC Code of 1986, Section 5841. Now I’m certainly not an attorney, just someone who reads and studies and draws LOGICAL conclusions. If Congress, in its “wisdom” passed a law in 1986 that they now are willing to grant amnesty to those veterans who had violated the law for more than 18 years BEFORE the law was passed is, in my opinion, an ex-post facto law, as will this bill be if passed, and as such is Unconstitional.
H.R.1303: Communities in Action Neighborhood Defense and Opportunity Act of 2009
Introduced by Bobby Rush of IL with 5 Co-Sponsors
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The Department of Justice Bureau of Statistics reports that over 45 Americans are killed daily by gun violence all across the United States. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Expanded Homicide Data Table the figure for firearms related homicides is 27.7 per day for 2005. According to the Center for Disease Control, there 83.2 firearms related deaths per day in the United States in 2005. If you remove the suicides, because they’d just find another way to kill themselves, that number drops to 36.6 per day. I have no idea where Mr. Rush got his statistics.
(2) In 2005, gun violence killed 3,027 American children and teens ages 19 and under, an average of 8 young people killed each day by guns in the United States, a total that is the highest of any developed country. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Expanded Homicide Data Table the tracking age is 18 and under, there were 1,446 juveniles under age 18 (4 per day) killed in all homicides in 2005. According to the Center for Disease Control, whose tracking ages are “5 to 14” and “15-24”, There were a TOTAL of 404 firearm related deaths for ages 14 and under in 2005. I have no idea where Mr. Rush got his statistics.
(3) In 2005, individuals between 17 years of age and 24 years of age made up 11.4 percent of the population but accounted for 33.7 percent of those killed by gun violence. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Expanded Homicide Data Table there were 798 victims under age 18, which is 10.9% of all homicide victims. According to the Center for Disease Control, there were 8,991 firearms related deaths of those between ages 15-24 in 2005. That’s 29.6% of all firearms related deaths in 2005.
(4) In 2005, firearm homicide was the second leading cause of injury death for men and women between 10 years of age and 24 years of age--second only to motor vehicle crashes. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Expanded Homicide Data Table there were a total, in all ages, of 14,860 homicide victims in 2005. Let’s compare apples to apples. If you want to compare motor vehicle accidents than you’ve got to compare it with accidental deaths by firearm. According to the Center for Disease Control, there were 45,354 deaths by motor vehicle accident and 789 deaths by accidental discharge of firearm. If you must compare automotive accidents to firearms homicides, than let’s look at all accidents:
a). 45,354 deaths due to motor vehicle accident
b). 23,618 deaths due to accidental poisoning
c). 19,656 deaths due to falls
d). 18,526 deaths due to other, unknown, accidents
e). 12,352 deaths due to homicide with a firearm
More Americans (12,928) died from Alcoholic Liver Disease than from firearm related homicide, bring back prohibition!
(5) In 2005, firearm homicide was the leading cause of death for black males between 15 years of age and 34 years of age. In actuality, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Expanded Homicide Data Table, there were 2,779 black male homicide victims, of all ages, and 2,893 black males who committed homicides. Of none of these perpetrators were attempting to emulate Mr. Rush when he was a member of the Black Panther Party were they?
I do not intend to even go into the rest of the bill. It’s bogus from the very beginning. But just for fun, the 5 cities with the most stringent gun control laws, AND violent crimes for 2006, are:
New York: 52,086
Chicago: 33,776 (Bobby Rush's hometown)
Washington: 8,408
Boston: 7,533
San Francisco: 6,533
(1) The Department of Justice Bureau of Statistics reports that over 45 Americans are killed daily by gun violence all across the United States. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Expanded Homicide Data Table the figure for firearms related homicides is 27.7 per day for 2005. According to the Center for Disease Control, there 83.2 firearms related deaths per day in the United States in 2005. If you remove the suicides, because they’d just find another way to kill themselves, that number drops to 36.6 per day. I have no idea where Mr. Rush got his statistics.
(2) In 2005, gun violence killed 3,027 American children and teens ages 19 and under, an average of 8 young people killed each day by guns in the United States, a total that is the highest of any developed country. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Expanded Homicide Data Table the tracking age is 18 and under, there were 1,446 juveniles under age 18 (4 per day) killed in all homicides in 2005. According to the Center for Disease Control, whose tracking ages are “5 to 14” and “15-24”, There were a TOTAL of 404 firearm related deaths for ages 14 and under in 2005. I have no idea where Mr. Rush got his statistics.
(3) In 2005, individuals between 17 years of age and 24 years of age made up 11.4 percent of the population but accounted for 33.7 percent of those killed by gun violence. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Expanded Homicide Data Table there were 798 victims under age 18, which is 10.9% of all homicide victims. According to the Center for Disease Control, there were 8,991 firearms related deaths of those between ages 15-24 in 2005. That’s 29.6% of all firearms related deaths in 2005.
(4) In 2005, firearm homicide was the second leading cause of injury death for men and women between 10 years of age and 24 years of age--second only to motor vehicle crashes. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Expanded Homicide Data Table there were a total, in all ages, of 14,860 homicide victims in 2005. Let’s compare apples to apples. If you want to compare motor vehicle accidents than you’ve got to compare it with accidental deaths by firearm. According to the Center for Disease Control, there were 45,354 deaths by motor vehicle accident and 789 deaths by accidental discharge of firearm. If you must compare automotive accidents to firearms homicides, than let’s look at all accidents:
a). 45,354 deaths due to motor vehicle accident
b). 23,618 deaths due to accidental poisoning
c). 19,656 deaths due to falls
d). 18,526 deaths due to other, unknown, accidents
e). 12,352 deaths due to homicide with a firearm
More Americans (12,928) died from Alcoholic Liver Disease than from firearm related homicide, bring back prohibition!
(5) In 2005, firearm homicide was the leading cause of death for black males between 15 years of age and 34 years of age. In actuality, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Expanded Homicide Data Table, there were 2,779 black male homicide victims, of all ages, and 2,893 black males who committed homicides. Of none of these perpetrators were attempting to emulate Mr. Rush when he was a member of the Black Panther Party were they?
I do not intend to even go into the rest of the bill. It’s bogus from the very beginning. But just for fun, the 5 cities with the most stringent gun control laws, AND violent crimes for 2006, are:
New York: 52,086
Chicago: 33,776 (Bobby Rush's hometown)
Washington: 8,408
Boston: 7,533
San Francisco: 6,533
H. R. 1684: Preservation of the Second Amendment in National Parks and National Wildlife Refuges Act
Sponsored by Doc Hastings of WA with 67 Co-Sponsors
SEC. 2. FIREARMS IN NATIONAL PARKS AND NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES.
Except as provided in section 930 of title 18, United States Code, a person may possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded, and operable firearms within a national park area or national wildlife refuge area in accordance with the laws of the State in which the national park area or national wildlife refuge area, or that portion thereof, is located.
Outstanding! Now if we can get it out of committee and on the floor for a vote…Check the co-sponsor list, if your Congressman isn’t signed on, e-mail him/her and tell them to sign on.
Except as provided in section 930 of title 18, United States Code, a person may possess, carry, and transport concealed, loaded, and operable firearms within a national park area or national wildlife refuge area in accordance with the laws of the State in which the national park area or national wildlife refuge area, or that portion thereof, is located.
Outstanding! Now if we can get it out of committee and on the floor for a vote…Check the co-sponsor list, if your Congressman isn’t signed on, e-mail him/her and tell them to sign on.
H.R.2296: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2009
Sponsored by Steve King of IA with 33 Co-Sponsors
Sponsored by Steve King of IA with 33 Co-Sponsors
Outstanding! Now if we can get it out of committee and on the floor for a vote…Check the co-sponsor list, if your Congressman isn’t signed on, e-mail him/her and tell them to sign on. Now the bad news. This Bill has been referred to two committees “for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker…” This little catch phrase means, in my experience, Screw You, it’s never going to reach the floor. There is a companion bill:
1. S.941: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2009; sponsored by Mike Crapo of ID with 2 Co-Sponsors.
1. S.941: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Reform and Firearms Modernization Act of 2009; sponsored by Mike Crapo of ID with 2 Co-Sponsors.
S.160: District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009
Sponsored by Joe Lieberman of CT
Sponsored by Joe Lieberman of CT
This Bill passed the Senate on 26 Feb 09 by a vote of 61-37. However, it has been “Held at the Desk” in the House since 2 Mar 09. That means by direction of the Speaker it has yet to be turned over to a Committee. 2 Democrats and 35 Republicans voted against the Bill. It’s plain to see why the GOP voted against it – it would give DC an Unconstitutional vote in the House and redistrict UT to add another Democrat in the House and set up some Republican’s district to make re-election impossible. Why should it be here? Well, you need to read the Bill. The first part of the Bill is: TITLE I--DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HOUSE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 2009. The second part of the Bill is: TITLE II--SECOND AMENDMENT ENFORCEMENT ACT and says the following;
SEC. 202. CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS. Congress finds the following:
(1) The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
(2) As the Congress and the Supreme Court of the United States have recognized, the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the rights of individuals, including those who are not members of a militia or engaged in military service or training, to keep and bear arms.
(3) The law-abiding citizens of the District of Columbia are deprived by local laws of handguns, rifles, and shotguns that are commonly kept by law-abiding persons throughout the United States for sporting use and for lawful defense of their persons, homes, businesses, and families.
(4) The District of Columbia has the highest per capita murder rate in the Nation, which may be attributed in part to local laws prohibiting possession of firearms by law-abiding persons who would otherwise be able to defend themselves and their loved ones in their own homes and businesses.
(5) The Federal Gun Control Act of 1968, as amended by the Firearms Owners' Protection Act of 1986, and the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993, provide comprehensive Federal regulations applicable in the District of Columbia as elsewhere. In addition, existing District of Columbia criminal laws punish possession and illegal use of firearms by violent criminals and felons. Consequently, there is no need for local laws which only affect and disarm law-abiding citizens.
(6) Officials of the District of Columbia have indicated their intention to continue to unduly restrict lawful firearm possession and use by citizens of the District.
(7) Legislation is required to correct the District of Columbia's law in order to restore the fundamental rights of its citizens under the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and thereby enhance public safety.
SEC. 203. REFORM D.C. COUNCIL'S AUTHORITY TO RESTRICT FIREARMS.
Section 4 of the Act entitled `An Act to prohibit the killing of wild birds and wild animals in the District of Columbia', approved June 30, 1906 (34 Stat. 809; sec. 1-303.43, D.C. Official Code) is amended by adding at the end the following: `Nothing in this section or any other provision of law shall authorize, or shall be construed to permit, the Council, the Mayor, or any governmental or regulatory authority of the District of Columbia to prohibit, constructively prohibit, or unduly burden the ability of persons not prohibited from possessing firearms under Federal law from acquiring, possessing in their homes or businesses, or using for sporting, self-protection or other lawful purposes, any firearm neither prohibited by Federal law nor subject to the National Firearms Act. The District of Columbia shall not have authority to enact laws or regulations that discourage or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms. Nothing in the previous two sentences shall be construed to prohibit the District of Columbia from regulating or prohibiting the carrying of firearms by a person, either concealed or openly, other than at the person's dwelling place, place of business, or on other land possessed by the person.'.
SEC. 204. REPEAL D.C. SEMIAUTOMATIC BAN.
(a) In General- Section 101(10) of the Firearms Control Regulations Act of 1975 (sec. 7-2501.01(10), D.C. Official Code) is amended to read as follows:
`(10) `Machine gun' means any firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or may be readily restored to shoot automatically, more than 1 shot without manual reloading by a single function of the trigger, and includes the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.'.
"This country has come to feel the same when Congress is in session as when the baby gets hold of a hammer." Will Rogers
God Bless,
Gunner Sends
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