E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
President Barack Obama empaneled a new task force led by Vice President Joe Biden to develop comprehensive proposals to address gun violence no later than next month.
In the wake of last week's shooting at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., the president announced a new initiative that would include members of his cabinet and outside organizations to generate proposals to rein in gun violence. He said that any effort should include new restrictions on guns, but also improved access to mental health services and better management of violence in popular culture.
Obama vowed that the new task force would not be just another Washington commission, shorthand for the groups sometimes tasked with studying an issue or event but which often delay or dilute solutions long past the time when the original impetus for such a panel has passed.
President Obama announced Wednesday that Vice President Joe Biden will be developing proposals to curb gun violence, some of which may include banning military-style assault weapons and high-capacity gun clips or magazines. NBC's Pete Williams reports.
Obama said he had asked Biden "to lead an effort that includes members of my cabinet and outside organizations to come up with a set of concrete proposals, no later than January," which the president would then push "without delay."
"This is not some Washington commission. This is not something where folks are going to be studying the issue for six months and publishing a report that gets read, and then pushed aside," the president said. "This is a team that has a very specific task: to pull together real reforms, right now."
Obama expressed support -- restating the position of his press secretary, Jay Carney -- for certain gun measures, including the assault weapons ban, limits on ammunition and closing a loophole allowing gun buyers to elude background checks at gun shows. But he stressed that those were only components of a broader effort to address violence.
The president suggested that stakeholders in those deliberations could possibly include the National Rifle Association -- the gun rights group that had gone silent in the wake of the Newtown shooting, but will hold a press conference on Friday. The president argued that mothers and fathers who compose the NRA's membership had also been impacted by the Newtown shooting.
Alex Wong / Getty Images
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph Biden arrive at an announcement on gun reform in the James Brady Press Briefing Room of the White House December 19, 2012 in Washington, DC.
"Their task is going to be to sift through every good idea that's out there, and even take a look at some bad ideas before disposing of them," Obama said of the task force's efforts.
Already, Democrats on Capitol Hill have started to initiate some gun control efforts in the aftermath of Newtown. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called Wednesday for Republicans to bring up a vote on high-capacity ammunition magazines by this weekend. And West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D, introduced legislation to study the impact of violent video games on children.
Additionally, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., has said she'll bring up a bill to reinstate the lapsed ban on assault weapons of the first day of the next Congress.
Few Republicans have stepped forward to embrace any of these gun measures, though, and have focused instead on the need for improved mental health services, or school safety.
Obama said his task force's proposals would make up part of his State of the Union address, and he expressed hope that the searing images from last week's shooting in Connecticut would last in the public conscious and help advance his eventual proposals.
"I would hope that our memories aren't so short that what we saw in Newtown isn't lingering with us -- that we don't remain passionate about it, only a month later," he said.
Leave a Comment:
Quick someone invent a time machine and go WAY back and kill the chinese person that made gun powder, that should stop all the gun killings. Then they will use bow & arrow again.
Hell lets just go back to the stone age before they had GUNS. Some of you on here seem to think that it was the GUN that jumped up and killeda ll these people. In that case that BAD gun killed Adam also. Bad gun, go to your room and do NOT come out till you know what you did WRONG. Put that damn thing in time out. For all you people that feel you should NOT dicipline your kids.
Many Rightwingers "traditional" values would involve a cape and a hood,burning cross optional.
WOW another IGNORANT LIBERAL left wing @!$%# for brains.
How about a panic button type of arrangement in schools that the front office could push to lock all the doors, including classrooms. Only someone inside the room could let you in. It isn't perfect, but it might actually help minimize casualties unlike banning weapons. Any weapon (knife, machete, chainsaw, etc) is pretty effective against the defenseless.
Myth 7. Violent video games affect only a small fraction of players.
'
Facts: Though there are good theoretical reasons to expect some populations to be more susceptible to violent video game effects than others, the research literature has not yet substantiated this. That is, there is not consistent evidence for the claim that younger children are more negatively affected than adolescents or young adults or that males are more affected than females. There is some evidence that highly aggressive individuals are more affected than nonaggressive individuals, but this finding does not consistently occur. Even nonaggressive individuals are consistently affected by brief exposures.
http://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2003/10/anderson.aspx
I see where Paul Simon sang at the funeral for one of the slain teachers,when will Ted Nugent the NRA gun nut "hero" perform in Newtown Conn? Can you imagine these piece of garbage onstage with his assault weapons yelling racist remarks and yelling:NRA NRA. That would work quite well no doubt. And did I mention Mr NRA Tough Guy is a yellow coward draft dodger?
Yet you are on here SPEWING hatred you POS. it is people like you that cause these unstable people to SNAP.
Most if not all of these gun nuts are very unstable and very ignorant with minimal education,and yet they own many weapons! Makes the rest of us sensible gun owners just shake our heads. Guns truly are their life and their obsession. Did I mention they are also paranoid and scared,that's why they need so many guns,especially assault type weapons. You can tell them the Boogeyman is coming to take away their guns and these frightened paranoid children will literally run to the nearest gun shop to buy more weapons! So scared!
Ok lets put it this way. Obama gets his gun ban. How many criminals are going to turn in their guns? A BIG FAT 0. He will only be taking them from the honest law abiding citizens in America.
OK lets put is this way: more assault type weapons the GREATER the chance wack jobs get ahold of them. Way too many unstable people have access to these weapons and gun nuts propose doing nothing. Please explain this rational to the parents of the 20 dead school children, better yet,explain why ANYONE needs these weapons. Good luck with that one. And another thing the MAJORITY of Americans WANT something constructive done. Majority wins! Don't like it too bad.
OK tony the retard. I will explain it so SIMPLE MINDED PEOPLE LIE YOU WILL UNDERSTAND.
First Adam killed his MOM. I believe that is Illegal in ALL states.
2nd He had stolen weapons to do this. That is ILLEGAL also.
3rd Transporting a LOADED gun is also ILLEGAL.
4th Breaking into a school. You guessed it ILLEGAL.
5th Killing little kids. Still ILLEGAL in ALL STATES.
Yet you think if we had more laws that this would not of happened.
Adam did NOT care about any laws, he would of BROKE them also. When are you going to figure it out it is NOT the style of gun or brand of gun. It was a .223 that is .003 larger than a .22, sure it has more gun powder in the larger casing, that does NOT make it an assault weapon.
You do know that a fork if you assault someone with it then it is an assault weapon.
Bats are used mor in assaults than GUNS why are you not wantong to BAN or limit how you can get your hands on baseball or softball bats.
TYPICAL IGNORANT LIBERALS wanting to take more freedoms away.
Not to belittle this tragedy but the worst school killing was in the Bath school killing in 1927. Forty four people died because of a bomb. Don't trust me...look it up for yourself.
Psychotic people will find a way to accomplish their goal. The method is immaterial except to say it was more convenient. Do you really think that someone this unhinged would not find a way to kill if guns did not exist?
How about rampages with cars? There have been more than one double digit murder with vehicles. Again please don't take my word....look it up.
It's easy to lay blame on guns, everyone needs a villain.
The NRA will lose this time Guaranteed. Get used to it gun nuts,go buy more guns I know you will, because you are so SCARED+PARANOID.
The NRA is a
Place to learn firearms safety:
http://training.nra.org/
Place for Law Enforcement training and competitions:
http://le.nra.org/
Place to see the National Firearms Museum:
http://www.nramuseum.org/the-guns/featured-guns.aspx
Place to train for the Olympics:
http://www.usashooting.org/membership/youth-programs/youthrifle
Place to go to purchase a WWII M-1 Garand Rifle through the Civilian Marksmanship Program:
http://www.odcmp.com/
.
Instead of blindly bashing an organization you know nothing about, shall we have a real discussion on what seem to be the commonalities and causes of these tragedies?
This whole school shooting/assaulting thing started in 1999 in Colorado (at the height of the AWB).
.
Did you know that both Harris and Klebold played violent video games? Did you know that Harris created his own levels in Doom? Did you know that it is claimed that Dylan had early on created Doom levels that closely mimicked the layout of Columbine High School?
.
.
Tony the worthless pos has no need for FACTS. he only want to spew his beliefs and thinks he has the all mighty OBLAMER to back him.
It is also amazing how Tony The Military Cook, who claimed earlier that he actually owns guns himself & is a responsible gun owner (while calling other gun owners cowards), doesn't realize that there is no difference between a semi-automatic AR-15 used during this tragedy & a magazine fed semi-automatic hunting rifle with wood stocks.
That's right Tony you can buy a magazine fed semi-automatic hunting rifle that functions the exact same way as an AR-15. You can even buy one chambered in .223 caliber (same as the AR-15).
Of courses most hunting rifles are chambered for larger more powerful calibers than .223, which means they are even more deadly & can cause more damage than an AR-15. Many hunting rifles are also bolt-actions.
However, this just proves how ridiculous the argument for banning AR-15s & similar rifles is. LOL
Violent video games are significantly associated with: increased aggressive behavior, thoughts, and affect; increased physiological arousal; and decreased prosocial (helping) behavior. Average effect sizes for experimental studies (which help establish causality) and correlational studies (which allow examination of serious violent behavior) appear comparable (Anderson & Bushman, 2001).
http://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2003/10/anderson.aspx
NRA talking points are bull crap total bull crap, But the ignorant gun nuts buy the NRA BS hook line and sinker. If the NRA told them to buy more guns,they would say: how many?
Myth 7. Violent video games affect only a small fraction of players.
.
Facts: Though there are good theoretical reasons to expect some populations to be more susceptible to violent video game effects than others, the research literature has not yet substantiated this. That is, there is not consistent evidence for the claim that younger children are more negatively affected than adolescents or young adults or that males are more affected than females. There is some evidence that highly aggressive individuals are more affected than nonaggressive individuals, but this finding does not consistently occur. Even nonaggressive individuals are consistently affected by brief exposures.
http://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2003/10/anderson.aspx
TonyWarVet.....Did you ever once stop to think that legal gun owners in the United States of America get their guidance from the Constitution.
The one guiding document that led the birth of this nation out from under the wrath of a tyrannical government.
The one guiding document that established "liberty and freedom for all".
The one guiding document that so many liberals want to change or subvert by giving back those freedoms.
If you are a true vet....you above all should know that not only in your mind, but also in your heart.
Most people in law enforcement are AGAINST civilians having Assault type weapons and large magazine,so many in law enforcement don't buy the NRA BS. And the NRA was FOR cop killer bullets the type that pierce vests. 100% of all law enforcement people I know were against that. Stop spreading your NRA lies and BS,we don't buy it!
You do KNOW that an assault type weapon is an AUTOMATIC, a revolver is a semi automatic. 1 pull of the trigger 1 shot. These are NOT military type weapons, they do NOT have the AUTOMAIC sear pin in it.
They did BAN the cop killer rounds that we all seen on TV. IGNORANT people like you still believe they are on the streets. If they ever do get to the streets it will be from someone in law enforcement or the military.
TonyWarVet....as always don't just spout opinions...
Show me the facts and data to support your position.
Otherwise, you are classified as just another liberal who will bend the truth or lie to gain advantage....
The NRA pushes weapons that are as powerful of more powerful then what law enforcement ultiizes. Yeah the police want to be outgunned,thanks NRA.
Ignorant people like you push taking away OUR RIGHTS.
Love it when racist gun nuts spew their asinine racist retorts. Were you born without a brain or what? Posterchildren for ignorance!
The NRA is a
Place to learn firearms safety:
http://training.nra.org/
Place for Law Enforcement training and competitions:
http://le.nra.org/
Place to see the National Firearms Museum:
http://www.nramuseum.org/the-guns/featured-guns.aspx
Place to train for the Olympics:
http://www.usashooting.org/membership/youth-programs/youthrifle
Place to go to purchase a WWII M-1 Garand Rifle through the Civilian Marksmanship Program:
http://www.odcmp.com/
.
Instead of blindly bashing an organization you know nothing about, shall we have a real discussion on what seem to be the commonalities and causes of these tragedies?
This whole school shooting/assaulting thing started in 1999 in Colorado (at the height of the AWB).
.
Did you know that both Harris and Klebold played violent video games? Did you know that Harris created his own levels in Doom? Did you know that it is claimed that Dylan had early on created Doom levels that closely mimicked the layout of Columbine High School?
.
.
Gun nuts are getting very frightened I see,go hug your arsenal. Better yet buy more guns to sooth your fragile nerves. Do you have names for every weapon you own? Bet you do! Guns are your life and your obsession.
Don't care at all about preventing these tragedies, I see.
All you have is a puerile fear of guns.
"A fear of weapons is a sign of retarded sexual and emotional maturity."
-Sigmund Freud, General Introduction to Psychoanalysis (1952)
Ever notice the more scared and frightened a gun nut is the more weapons especially more powerful weapons he has. the really paranoid ones probably have land mines along their property lines.
Is that why I have (2) .22's (1) 16 gauge (1) 12 gauge, because you think I am scared. I like to HUNT you ignorant ass. Has NOTHING to do with the drivel you post on here. You are talking about maybe 1/2% of all gun owners maybe less. You want to group all gun owners in the same boat. That is like saying all LIBERAL HACKS like yourself are STUPID AND RETARDED. I know NOT all are just you and few others are. It is a very small percentage, so I will treat those that treat me and others with respect, respectfully.
YES TONY I HAVE LOADED GUNS IN MY HOUSE AT THIS MOMENT. My doors are NOT locked to keep me safe. They are locked to keep you safe. If my doors are locked, ENTER AT AYOUR OWN RISK.
Steve...you realize that TonyWarVet is just a hired troll by Soros/Bloomberg and Obama....
They are paid to spout falsehoods and vitriol to get a response.
If you will notice, over the last two days, when faced by facts it is they who lose their cool and start following the standard liberal mode of action....play the race card and start calling others names
The facts and data support our position.....They don't support theirs.
Just continue to maintain the high ground, your dignity and provide them with facts that show the focus should be on improved mental health and security, not taking away Constitutional rights...
The Biggest waste of Gun use in this country is having someone guard Hussein's Miserable Life. While he Denied a Marine the use of Bullets to Protect our Embassador in Benghazi. Do us all a favor Hussein and Suck on a Barrel of One and PULL The Trigger.
TONYWARVET Most if not all of these gun nuts are very unstable and very ignorant with minimal education
tony it takes all kinds...
when you were at war did you ever come across any of the enemy that were ignorant or uneducated perhaps unstable as well?
What is the /your definition of a "gun nut" and honestly the vast majority of people Registered with the National Rifle Association are responsible enough to realize the accountability that is inherent with weapon ownership. "The right "and it is a right not a privilege like a drivers license. The right too personally protect one's person and family. IS paramount and protected by our founding documents.
Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State:
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed
Noun: Arms
right to keep and bear arms
1. The right to hold weaponry or armor for personal use, or to declare war if necessary, especially in the United States.
Verb: in·fringe
1.disobey or disregard something: to fail to obey a law or regulation or observe the terms of an agreement 2.encroach on somebody's rights or property: to take over land, rights, privileges, or activities that belong to somebody else, especially in a minor or gradual way
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state...
This statement is as it pertains to the several states being that it is each state's responsibility too maintain a well regulated Militia necessary for security... (state name)--->National guard...
Bottom line: If the people of these United States of America Do not like the Second Amendment then they have the constitutional right to form a petition of re-dress and express their desire to form a constitutional convention to change it. However untill then I as with most others in this Nation will just have too live bvy the letter of the law as set forth by the founders...
Oh, and btw When they used the term ( Arms ) that made the case for protection timeless and gave room for progression they knew that technology would advance past black powder muskets, so that is why they refered to the word Arms / weapons...
Remember Freedom is not free, and Liberty is not only a Want but a need/right---->
"Get used too it"
Educate yourself.
Google 10USC311
Steven B....so by that definition, all able bodied males between those ages are "part of the militia", including TonyWarVet.
Interesting. And he does not even realize that based on his rantings out here, he would be one of the "unarmed" militia....Good luck with that!
Thank you!
The 2nd amendment, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights, was incorporated into our Constitution in 1791. We were a very different country then and guns were very different, too. We've grown from 4 million people in 1791 to 300 million now. Some estimates put the number of guns owned by civilians today at nearly 300 million, almost one per person. The kinds of guns available has changed, too, from hand-made single shot muzzle loaders to mass produced AR-15 semi-automatics with large capacity (30 rounds) magazines.
We also have more crazy people today than we did in 1791, simply because there are more of us, and more places where large numbers of people congregate...schools, movie theaters, etc. If you want to kill a lot of people in one place as was done in Columbine or Aurora or Sandy Hook or Ft. Hood, it can be accomplished much more easily than was possible in 1791. My point is that that the law written in 1791 does not directly apply to conditions today and it should be modified to better reflect our time.
I am a Republican gun owner and an occasional hunter. I, for one, am open to serious discussion about this issue and I am happy to see that we might be willing to do it, finally, on a national level. At any rate, we've got to try. Enough is enough.
If they had to fight against the government what tyoe of guns did they have back then.
If they will use the same type today so will I.
It is NOT law abiding citizens that are doing these shootings. WHY do you want to PUNISH the law abiding people. If you OUTLAW guns then only outlaws will have GUNS.
Violent video games are significantly associated with: increased aggressive behavior, thoughts, and affect; increased physiological arousal; and decreased prosocial (helping) behavior. Average effect sizes for experimental studies (which help establish causality) and correlational studies (which allow examination of serious violent behavior) appear comparable (Anderson & Bushman, 2001).
http://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2003/10/anderson.aspx
If the NRA thinks this horrendous massacre of little children is going to fade away like other incidents it is sorely mistaken. This was a day infamy and will never be forgotten. Millions of people like me will keep the memory alive for all the years to come.You can be sure of that! You cannot pull off your usual PR blitz. This time it will, absolutely not work.
Myth 8. Unrealistic video game violence is completely safe for adolescents and older youths.
Facts: Cartoonish and fantasy violence is often perceived (incorrectly) by parents and public policy makers as safe even for children. However, experimental studies with college students have consistently found increased aggression after exposure to clearly unrealistic and fantasy violent video games. Indeed, at least one recent study found significant increases in aggression by college students after playing E-rated (suitable for everyone) violent video games.
http://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2003/10/anderson.aspx
So PUNISH those that had NOTHING to do with this. Makes as much sense as to throw you in jail for someone elses CRIME.
All of this gun ban talk is having the opposite effect. I was in a large national sports chain over the weekend and saw people who you'd think would never own a gun buying one. There has probably bean millions of guns sold in the U.S. over the last week than ever before. Stop looking at at inanimate objects and start focusing on the real problems. This nation clearly has been divided. We no longer can pray and in some cases not even say the Pledge of Allegiance in schools any more. Every one is offended by something these days. It's ok to be proud to be Latin American, proud to be an African American. If your proud to be white, you're labeled a racist, but the Balck Panther Party is not seen as racist. Every one is a victim, and no one is responsible for their actions. There is a lot more going on than just guns.
A Little Gun History Lesson
In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. From 1929 to 1953, about 20 million dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
In 1911, Turkey established gun control. From 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Germany established gun control in 1938 and from 1939 to 1945, a total of 13 million Jews and others who were unable to defend themselves were rounded up and exterminated
China established gun control in 1935. From 1948 to 1952, 20 million political dissidents, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Guatemala established gun control in 1964. From 1964 to 1981, 100,000 Mayan Indians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971 to 1979, 300,000 Christians, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated.
Cambodia established gun control in 1956. From 1975 to 1977, one million 'educated' people, unable to defend themselves, were rounded up and exterminated...
Defenseless people rounded up and exterminated in the 20th Century because of gun control: 56 million.
It has now been over 16 years since gun owners in Australia were forced by new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by their own government, a program costing Australia taxpayers more than $500 million dollars. The first year results are now in:
Australia-wide, homicides are up 3.2 percent
Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 percent
Australia-wide, armed robberies are up 44 percent (yes, 44 percent)!
In the state of Victoria alone, homicides with firearms are now up 300 percent. Note that while the law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did not, and criminals still possess their guns!
It will never happen here? I bet the Aussies said that too! Here is a link to an article on Wikipedia on what Aussies have to do to get a legal firearm!
While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in the past 12 months, since criminals now are guaranteed that their prey is unarmed.
There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of the ELDERLY. Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was expended in successfully ridding Australian society of guns. The Australian experience and the other historical facts above prove it.
You won't see this data on the US evening news, or hear politicians disseminating this information.
Guns in the hands of honest citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws adversely affect only the law-abiding citizens.
Take note my fellow Americans, before it's too late!
The next time someone talks in favor of gun control, please remind him of this history lesson.
With Guns...........We Are 'Citizens', Without Them........We Are 'Subjects'.
During W.W.II the Japanese decided not to invade America because they knew most Americans were ARMED!
Note: Admiral Yamamoto, who crafted the attack on Pearl Harbor, had attended Harvard U 1919-1921 & was Naval Attaché to the U. S. 1925-28. Most of our Navy was destroyed at Pearl Harbor. Our Army had been deprived of funding and was ill prepared to defend the country.
It was reported that when asked why Japan did not follow up the Pearl Harbor attack with an invasion of the U. S. Mainland, his reply was that he had lived in the U. S. and knew that almost all households had guns.
I haven't read all of the comments but the ones I have read have not mentioned mental illness. Every mass shooter has been mentally ill. Isn't logical that we do more for these people? That we reform our programs for mental illness? I don't own guns and don't have any plans to. That is being said so people will not think I am a gun enthusiast. I feel that gun reform will not stop the problem. If a mentally ill person wants to do damage, they will find another way. Look at what household items you have. A lot of them mixed together can be fatal. A lot can cause serious injury. A person with an agenda will find a way to follow it, with or without guns. We need to address the root cause. Its easier to put on a bandaid, but they eventually fall off.