Report: Dem Congressmen Introduce Assault Weapons Ban
Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) formally introduced a bill on Monday to ban assault weapons. The legislation, called the Assault Weapons Ban of 2018, was introduced less than two weeks after the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida.
The gunman used an AR-15 assault weapon during the shooting, one of the many firearms that would be banned under the bill.
The bill prohibits the “sale, transfer, production, and importation” of semi-automatic rifles and pistols that can hold a detachable magazine, as well as semi-automatic rifles with a magazine that can hold more than 10 rounds. Additionally, the legislation bans the sale, transfer, production, and importation of semi-automatic shotguns with features such as a pistol grip or detachable stock, and ammunition feeding devices that can hold more than 10 rounds.
Cicilline’s legislation names 205 specific firearms that are prohibited, including the AK-47 and AR-15. However, the ban wouldn't apply to semi-automatic weapons that were "lawfully possessed" when the measure went into effect. The bill also requires the attorney general to create a public record of semiautomatic assault weapons that have been used in crimes. More than 150 Democrats have signed on in support of the legislation
The White House has already come out against such a ban, which is strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association. Exactly what constitutes an "assault weapon" is a contentious issue.
The AR in AR-15 does not stand for assault rifle or automatic rifle but dates back to the 1950’s and refers to the company that developed the weapon system, Armalite Rifle.
Harvard CAPS- Harris Poll: 61 Percent Support Banning AR-15 Rifles
The Harvard CAPS-Harris poll asks:
Which of the following do you think would do the most to curb school shootings?
- 36%: Banning assault rifles
- 32%: Enhancing school security
- 32%: Increasing commitment to mental health issues
Do you think school shootings are caused more by lack of gun control or lack of attention to mental health issues?
- 43%: Lack of gun control
- 57%: Lack of mental health issues
Do you think semi-automatic weapons (e.g., AR-15) should be banned for purchase or should adults who pass background checks be allowed to buy them?
- 61%: Banned for purchase
- 39%: Adults who pass background checks should be allowed to buy them
Harvard CAPS- Harris Poll: Voters say Trump is unfair to the media
The Harvard CAPS-Harris poll asks:
Do you think the mainstream media is treating President Trump fairly or unfairly?
- 54%: Fairly
- 46%: Unfairly
- Breakdown:
- Nearly 80% of Republicans say the media is unfair to Trump
- 84% of Democrats believe the president does get a fair shake from the press
- 55% of Independents believe the president does get a fair shake from the press
Do you think President Trump has treated the mainstream media fairly or unfairly?
- 41%: Fairly
- 59%: Unfairly
To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements: There is a lot of fake news in the mainstream media.
- 68%: Strongly/Somewhat Agree
- 36%: Strongly agree
- 32%: Somewhat agree
- 32%: Strongly/Somewhat Disagree
- 19%: Somewhat disagree
- 13%: Strongly disagree
Community Fights Back as California Overrun by Homelessness, Human Waste, Needles
In Orange County, California, they have started to dismantle a two-mile-long camp in their community. There is an estimated 700 homeless people currently living at this camp. The camp is just a short drive from Disney World, along the Santa Ana River, right outside of Angel Stadium of Anaheim.
Trash trucks and contractors in hazmat suits have descended on the camp. Up to this point they have removed 250 tons of trash, 1,100 pounds of human waste and 5,000 hypodermic needles. The decision was made in the fall of 2017 to close the homeless camp. For the people that are being evicted from this camp, there have been arrangements made for other options regarding living quarters.
The overflow of homeless led to a hepatitis outbreak in the communities surrounding the Santa Ana River. Allegedly, infecting 694 people, however, Orange County was not infected by this outbreak.
California accounts for 25 percent of all homelessness in all of the U.S. Orange County has 4,792 homeless people.
Todd Spitzer, Orange County Board of Supervisors who is the lead on this project said that homelessness is “becoming part of the permanent landscape in those communities and there is no way we are going to allow Orange County land that is supposed to be used by residents to be occupied by the homeless…That isn’t going to happen in our county. It’s not going to be our skid row.”
Spitzer blames the problem on two issues: legislation signed by Democratic Governor Jerry Brown who over the past several years that has eroded the penalties for drug use, possession and petty crimes to where police often don’t bother making arrests; and the change in a law so that treatment is no longer forced for drug abuse or mental health issues.
Mail Time!
- Bill, I was interested in the information you provided regarding the unintended consequences of the legalization of marijuana in Colorado. Last year I went to Denver on business. Walking down the hallway of my hotel, I realized the entire floor wreaked of marijuana. I called the front desk to report it. I was told I was on the cannabis floor! Did I want to change rooms? I asked why wasn't I told I was being sent to the cannabis floor and the response was you didn't ask!!! Then I said "this is a no smoking hotel" how can they smoke cannabis? The response was -- by law we have to have a cannabis floor! I was stunned. Remind your premium members when visiting a state where marijuana is legal to ask the hotel staff if they are placing you on a cannabis floor! What has this world come to?
- Have just finished your 2003 "Who's Looking Out for You?". In spite of the year, every chapter can be applied to today's issues. It is one of the best books I have read. Chapter 5, God Help Us is incredible. What insight! Thanks for writing it.
Word of the Day:Vexation |
