Matthew Balan | January 08, 2013 | 19:42
White House, NRA to meet amid push for new gun control laws
The White House and the nation's leading gun lobby will meet face to face Thursday amid an intensifying effort in Washington to craft new gun control measures, in what could be a testy session.The National Rifle Association confirmed to Fox News that the group has accepted an invitation to meet with the Vice President Biden-led task force examining ways to curb gun violence. The task force was formed in the wake of the Connecticut school massacre and is running up against an end-of-the-month deadline to produce a set of proposals.
The administration says mental health and the entertainment industry will likely be examined as part of that process. But much of the discussion, and proposals from Democratic members of Congress, continue to center around gun control.
Shootings Prompt New Gun Bill
A new bill would restrict ammunition sales in California
The
massacre in Newton, Conn., and other mass shootings have prompted for a
call to curb gun violence. California assembly member Nancy Skinner
answered that call with a proposal to restrict ammunition sales in the
state. Marianne Favro reports.
The massacre in Newton, Conn., and other mass shootings have prompted for a call to curb gun violence.
California assembly member Nancy Skinner answered that call with a proposal to restrict ammunition sales in the state.
“2,800 people in California were
killed last year by gunfire," Skinner said. "It is easier to buy bullets
than cough medicine or alcohol. It should not be that easy. We need to
have much more scrutiny when it comes to the purchase of guns."
Monday she unveiled Assembly Bill 48.
It would require bullet buyers to show identification. It would also
require ammunition dealers to be licensed and report all sales to the
department of justice.
Emmeryville police chief Ken James supports the tighter restrictions.
”Right now you can buy bullets in any
store and the sale is not recorded”, James said. "Gun violence will
continue unless we control the sale of bullets."
Oakland mayor Jean Quan also said she
supports the bill and that Oakland has seen too much gun violence and
the changes may help.
The so-called "bullet bill" would
also ban kits to convert ammunition clips into high-capacity magazines.
At the same time, this debate goes on some are questioning why a new gun
shop is now open for business In Los Gatos.
Templar Sports on University Avenue opened Dec. 29 and employees say business has been steady. Templar Sports did not respond to our request for an interview.
Current situation: Staffers talk about first meeting with Al Jazeera
- Last Updated: 10:45 AM, January 8, 2013
- Posted: 11:09 PM, January 7, 2013
Linda Stasi
TV Critic
Yesterday morning, the still shell shocked staff at Current TV was called to an all hands staff meeting at its San Francisco headquarters, which was teleconferenced to their offices in LA and NYC, to meet their new bosses.
That would be two of Al Jazeera’s top guys: Ehab Al Shihabi, executive director of international operations, and Muftah AlSuwaidan, general manager of the London bureau.
Ominously missing was the creator of Current, the self proclaimed inventor of the Internet and savior of clean energy, Al Gore, although his partner, Joel Hyatt, stood proudly with the Al Jazeera honchos.
Getty Images
“He’s supposed to be the face of clean energy and just sold [the channel] to very big oil, the emir of Qatar! Current never even took big oil advertising—and Al Gore, that bulls***ter sells to the emir?”
Illinois House Approves Licenses For Undocumented Immigrants
Getty Images/MLS
The Illinois House on Tuesday approved legislation allowing undocumented immigrants to obtain temporary driver's licenses.
The bill was OK'd by a vote of 65-46 and now heads to Gov. Pat Quinn's desk for approval.
Under the plan, drivers would get
three-year licenses, called Temporary Visitor Driver’s Licenses, and
would be required to take a driver's education class and carry car
insurance. Lawmakers believe there are as many as 250,000 undocumented
immigrants on Illinois roads and that more than 40 percent of deadly
Illinois crashes involve drivers who don't have a license.
Quinn applauded the House's action,
saying the bill will save lives as well as "help ensure every
Illinois motorist is properly licensed and empower more immigrants to
become stronger contributors to our economy."
"Illinois roads will be safer if we
ensure every driver learns the rules of the road and is trained to drive
safely," Quinn said.
Secretary of State Jesse White and
State Police Director Hiram Grau said Monday in a joint statement that
approving the plan not only will make roads safer but also lower
insurance rates and strengthen the economy "from the work and buying
power of all of our state’s residents."
"Unlicensed, uninsured drivers pose a serious risk to every driver and passenger on Illinois roadways," they said.
"Unlicensed, uninsured drivers pose a serious risk to every driver and passenger on Illinois roadways," they said.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said the legislation is "true to our values as a city and will create value for our city."
New Mexico and Washington passed
similar laws that White and Grau said have seen traffic accidents
involving uninsured drivers plummet.
In November multiple state politicians -- including Emanuel, Senate President John Cullerton, House Republican Leader Tom Cross and former Illinois governors Jim Edgar and James Thompson -- joined to support the bill. Prior to that, 28 Chicago aldermen signed a resolution supporting it.
In November multiple state politicians -- including Emanuel, Senate President John Cullerton, House Republican Leader Tom Cross and former Illinois governors Jim Edgar and James Thompson -- joined to support the bill. Prior to that, 28 Chicago aldermen signed a resolution supporting it.
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