In wake of violence, some lawmakers defiant in calls for tougher gun laws

CBS

(CBS News) In the aftermath of last month's shooting in Colorado, in which graduate-school dropout James Holmes allegedly opened fire on a theater full of moviegoers with four legally purchased guns, killing 12 people and wounding 58 more, it seemed unlikely that politicians would embrace a serious conversation about gun laws. Gun control has long been seen as a politically toxic issue for Republicans and Democrats alike, and in a Congress defined by its bitterly partisan nature, the possibility of passing stricter gun laws is seen as a non-starter.

On Sunday, however, mass gun violence broke out in America for the second time in about two weeks, when a gunman opened fire in and outside of a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, killing six people before being fatally shot himself. The gun used in the attacks, a 9 mm pistol, was purchased legally "relatively recently" by the suspect at a local gun shop, according to CBS News source.

On the same day, three victims from the 2011 Tucson shootings, in which then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., was shot in the head and six others were killed, appeared in an ad demanding that President Obama and Mitt Romney outline a plan to reduce gun violence in the United States.

Now, despite a widespread reticence among members of Congress and political candidates to raise the issue of gun control on the campaign trail, some candidates and Congress members are renewing the calls for new gun control measures.

"Our hearts are heavy today with the weight of another shooting massacre that has shattered a peaceful community, and our thoughts are with those in mourning and others still recovering from their wounds," said Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., in a statement. "We send a message of sympathy to the family and friends of the victims and ask colleagues in government and Americans across the country to join together and redouble our efforts to prevent gun violence."

It's an issue that has gained little traction in Congress in recent years, even among Democrats.

"The votes aren't there for gun control," said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, in an interview with the Huffington Post. "We certainly aren't going to be able to do it in this Congress, and I don't know that we would be able to do it in a Democratic Congress because it takes a lot of votes to go down that path." 

But not everyone is content with that response.

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[erasmus111]

Here is something for the gun lovers to read.


http://news.sympatico.ca/oped/coffee-talk/american_police_officer_bemoans_lack_of_guns_in_canada/5161d1e6

[expatriate2]

Five years ago I probably would have agreed with you. I live in Mexico and life was peaceful and violence was almost unknown. Today we have gun battles in the streets and one hs to wonder how much better off we would be if people were armed and prepared to defend themselves.

[erasmus111]

"Today we have gun battles in the streets and one hs to wonder how much better off we would be if people were armed and prepared to defend themselves"


Ummmm, I'm thinking you would be much better off if America would quit selling your people GUNS!

What little gun crime we have, the guns are traced back to the United States. We have managed to keep them out for the most part, but it's just a matter of time before the DISEASE spreads. America isn't happy just destroying themselves, they have to contaminate everyone else too.

[erasmus111]

Ahhh, I see all my comments were removed. I was wondering why it took so long! The gun lovers just can't handle the TRUTH.

And Americans think they are FREE. Hahahaha, you don't even have FREEDOM OF SPEECH!

[1stlttightwad]

Politicians aren't stupid, most of the time..They realize that proposing ANY changes with their name on it in the gun laws also includes their resignation letter..It is political suicide and they know it. Just try and tell 140,000,000 gun owners in the US you're going to mess with their guns...

[expatriate2]

The question of gun control has so many conflicting issues that it is difficult to define. I believe, however, that those standing in favor of the measure can justify their position by counting the many incidents of school intrusions and the number of deaths that resulted. The Gifford shooting, the Aurora and Sikh temple incidents certainly validates their position. But whether anyone likes to admit it or not, America is in an age of incredible uncertainty and never before in its history has there been a lower trust level in its government. The Bush era brought the nation as close to a dictatorship than it has ever been and the remnants of that time linger in the Homeland Security Act and the diluted civil rights once enjoyed by all citizens. Martial Law was a common theme on Capitol Hill and National Identity Cards were in the planning stages.
Considering that, those opposing gun control easily defend their posture with the understanding that the right to bear arms is defined by 31 states as the right to defend one's self or their home. But never do the states express, "against whom?" Hitler permitted only his army to possess arms and Germany paid dearly for it. Arms maintained within homes are the last and only defense the people have against a government that has forgotten how to serve them and for the past 50 years has sought only to control them.

[ammo17]

this just goes to show you the democrats think it is ok for holder and the atf to send 2000 assault weapons ILLEGALLY across the border ,two us border patolmen killed ,probably thousands of innocent mexican citizens,but this seems to be alright,but when one crazy sob goes crazy the sky is falling.please democrats grow a spine,you cannot have it both ways.you are for or against.

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

erasmus - on the healthcare issue, I agree with you!

But the rest is ridiculous! Racism is everywhere. Criminals are everywhere. And corruption will happen everywhere there are humans!

I won't sit here and argue "my country is better than your country" with you though - thats not too far from "my Daddy's bigger than your Daddy!" LOL! I'd rather discuss things ONE issue at a time! : )

[AOCGUY]

Maybe, just maybe, since the discussion (or lack thereof) seems to be centered around the differeing views as to what the second amendment really was intended to do, that we should have a national referendum on the amendment (maybe even amend the 2nd) to clarify that is in fact the constitutional right of individual citizen to posses firearms. This issue belongs to all of us not just those that choose to own weapons. Have a national dialogue, put it to a "popular" vote and change the constitution so that it is clear to everyone.

I suspect the problem is that people on both sides fear that such a referendum might go the "wrong" way.

[seabass6251]

Because our Constitution is not designed to be amended in that way.

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

Because even a constitutional amendment would not prompt many law-abiding gun owners to just voluntarily give up their guns! And we all know the criminials wouldn't be voluntarily handing theirs over!

[foo8259]

I have never seen a so called "assault rifle."

[AOCGUY]

Haven't been paying attention then.

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

ping

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

So tell me, what exactly is it you fear? And please don't give me the garbage about all the animal life around you. We have that too and we seem to manage alright without a gun. - erasmus
--------------------------------
Just for you, since we are usually on the same side, I'll leave the animals out of it. I'll even leave the local criminals out of it.

But this I cannot leave out of it, I live in a state bordering Mexico. Where people are being found 20+ at a time with their heads chopped off! And I live out in the country 30 minutes from the nearest law enforcement. I will say one more time, I have to depend on myself.

[seabass6251]

Check your facts. Most guns can NOT be directly traced back to America as the point of sale origin.

Gun violence in Mexico would dramatically decrease if its citizens were allowed to own firearms and protect themselves. Their laws make them victims. Ask one. Cops, politicians, etc. are all dirty and they can't defend themselves.

[Dancing-in-the-Streets]

erasmus - all I can tell you is I haven't sold any guns to citizens from Mexico or Canada! And hate to tell you this, but there are guns all over the world! We don't make them all, we don't sell them all, we don't have them all!

Have a good night! : )