House Democrats suggest 15-point gun safety plan

The House Democrats' Gun Violence Prevention Task Force released 15 principles today that it says will shape its recommendation for upcoming legislation. The principles include very broad ideas, such as to "support initiatives that prevent problems before they start," as well as more specific proposals, such as to "reinstate and strengthen a prospective federal ban on assault weapons."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., named Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., to lead the task force in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Over the last two months, the task force has sought the input of a number of different people and groups with a vested interest in the issue, including law enforcement officials, mental health experts, gun safety advocates, hunters, gun manufacturers, gun owners, representatives of the entertainment industry and educators. The task force also consulted Vice President Joe Biden -- who ran his own task force on reducing gun violence -- and met with both Democrats and Republicans on the issue.

"As a hunter and gun owner I believe we should protect law-abiding individuals' 2nd Amendment right to own firearms," Thompson said in a statement today. "As a father and grandfather I also believe that we have a responsibility to make our schools, neighborhoods and communities safe. This comprehensive set of policy principles accomplishes both those goals and Congress should act on them without delay."

One member of the task force, Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich., expressed some reservations about the list: "While I agree with many recommendations made in this report, I also have serious and honest concerns with others," he said in a statement.

Dingell specifically said he does support improving the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, properly enforcing existing laws, adequately funding mental health programs, and cracking down on straw purchasers and gun traffickers. However, he added, "I believe we must also not propose any misguided or sweeping gun ban that does far too little to address the real causes of gun violence, and far too much in limiting the rights of sportsmen and responsible gun owners," he said.

See the full list on the next page.

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[Cowmpound]

Tick...tick...tick...

[frankie2fing]

I am all for gun ownership. What you gun nuts stand for I do not know. Just because someone makes a toy gun that looks like military issue, does not make you a soldier, it makes you look like a child. I do not need a gun to defend myself.
But, if you are so afraid of (what? Blacks, muslims, gays, Jews, I dunno, no one is really out to get YOU...) being attacked that you have to have something to defend yourself, first of all a SHOTGUN is the best home defense weapon. HeII you dont even have to be a good shot, just point in the general direction and you do not have to worry about blasting through a wall and harming someone else.
And if you are afraid that the government is going to...what? We have elections every two years. We ARE NEVER GOING TO HAVE A TYRANICAL GOVERNMENT. So you are just being delusional, which, BTW, is what the GOP want you to be (afraid, be VERY afraid). But even if you have an AR15, see how long it lasts against a blackhawk. Dumb de dumb dumb.
So, seeing how you still insist that you must have a gun, here is what I suggest:
Each and every gun must have a unique serial number. This is REGISTERED with the government and is issued ONLY TO YOU. You are responsible for this gun until it is OFFICIALLY registered to someone else.
You must have training. I prefer a course EVERY 6 months, but I guess I could live with yearly qualifications. You must demostrate PROFICIENCY in shooting, EACH AND EVERY GUN. Dont qualify? You forfeit the gun you did not qualify on.
You gun gets INSPECTED (probably during the proficiency test) and you MUST maintain INSURANCE.
You are responsible for the gun, if it is stolen, and used in a crime, you will be charged as an accessory (because you were too stupid to secure your weapons...). I would allow the following excuse: If the gun was secured in a vault that would require 20 LBS of dynomite to breach, then you would be off the hook.
Having a gun in your possesion that is not registered or not register to you, I propose a $250,000.00 fine for each violation AND 1 year in jail.
You must pass a background test and (yearly) submit to a drug test.
If you feel you have the right to own a gun, than any of this would a small price to pay for your security.
I know I would sleep better...

[farmrdave]

The thing about background checks is that we already have them. There is no "gun show loophole". Gun safety is taught to all persons as they learn to use a gun. It is basically this; "always treat any gun as a loaded gun no matter if it is loaded or not, never point a gun at anything you do not intend to shoot. Know that your backstop is sufficient before pulling the trigger". If those three rules are always practiced there is little more to add for greater gun safety.
If you are talking about controlling deranged idiots that commit mass killings that is a different matter. That matter has nothing to do with Americans enjoying their natural right to keep and bear arms, that "absolute right" is protected from infringement under amendment two of our constitution. Our congress persons and other members who collect pay checks from federal and state governments are all sworn to uphold constitutional law. If they pursue measures, laws, or legislation that are contrary to the intent of our constitution they are no longer entitled to hold their job or position. They are then "Domestic enemies of our constitution". Let them declare their positions, if they prove to be mutinous pretenders occupying government positions fire them and hire honest Americans to replace them.

[Cowmpound]

Dave,

You may have had gun safety taught to you, but it sounds like you were short changed. But you have to be delusional to say everyone who has a gun is taught gun safety.

Come on.

And there is no document that ever stated you could have whatever gun you wanted when you wanted it. That's NRA garbage. That being said, I don't want guns taken away. I want people with guns to behave appropriately. Until they do, guns can disappear.

[SD92040]

Cowpie- maybe you and your stupidity should disappear.....

[kernals12]

I say universal background checks, and more power for the ATF to stop gun trafficking, that will disarm all the dangerous people, while leaving law abiding gun owners alone

[ccb5508]

does anyone know why the government has been stock piling up on ammo? Since last spring, DHS has stockpiled more than 1.6 billion bullets-- mainly .40 caliber and 9mm-- That's enough ammo to shoot every American 5 times, including illegal immigrants-- They aren't giving reasons why either-
At the peak of the Iraq war, American troops were firing about 5 million rounds per month-- at the rate they are going, the DHS is now armed for a 24 year Iraq war--

[frankie2fing]

You know you people really need to seek professional help. Drudge is an idiot and you all read him like he is actually a reporter and not an idealogue.

NEWS FLASH: US stockpiles atomic bombs! Without a major enemy to use them on, we think that the Obama Administration is planning a strategic strike on red states, then declare himself KING!

Really, all you guys who need to have a gun to replace your useless phallus really need to try and get a girl...

[ccb5508]

sooooo, you're saying they are not?

[kcreligion]

Assualt magaizines? What exactly is that? A 30 round magazine is what I keep hearing about but there is all kinds of different ones. I have a 10 round one and another that holds 15. I also have have shot one that had a 20 round magazine. When I load my magazines I load all the shells in the box into multiple magazines. I am not "Barney Fife' running around with an extra loose bullet in my pocket. (that can get you in trouble at the airport). I load all of them cause they are much easier to use when I want to us them. I can unload my pistol in a snap and keep it safe with the magaizine in my pocket. The idea that limiting to 7 shots instead of 10 or 15 mean just harrasment. I can always stick 4 or 5 of those little 7 shot mags in my pocket and have more shots then I did before. What a dumb rule.

[Cowmpound]

Handle says it all. Might as well be in the middle east, religous zealots with guns.

[wizardlady]

Background checks are the first step to total registration which will lead to total confiscation.....that is, if you compare this scenario to say others like the 911 fifty-cent surcharge added to our telephone bills (with the promise that it would only be there for three years, now 12), the toll roads were only supposed to pay for themselves but now they produce revenue so that makes them necessary, AND driver licenses were implemented to ensure capable drivers controlling their vehicles to prevent accidents yet people are killed EVERY day.

Why can't someone say that making new laws, hashing out regulations, and doing a lot of anti-gun rhetoric will in no way bring back the loss of those twenty precious children nor will it guarantee the prevention of a future happening should someone go off the deep end?

Emotions cannot not be the driving force for rational thinking!

Support initiatives that prevent problems before they start (From list above) Statements like this give unlimited powers to those in control and before we know it we will be living in a POLICE STATE. It is too vague as it could refer to most anything.......say someone comes up with the idea that violence can be predicted in children and then the next step would be to form a data base with names, names which could then be used to prohibit owning guns as a preventive measure. A far fetched example I agree; however, we must THINK longterm as this is a quick changing world.

[SbroCali]

Yeah well, we've all got a few suggestions for house democrats too. Stick it where the gun don't shine!

[kentonator]

"Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence ... from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable ... the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference; they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
George Washington
First President of the United States

Can't say it better than the Pres. Washington himself. I am no conspericy theorist, but all this talk of banning semi-automatic "military-like" rifles (not even select fire, the true definition of "assault weapon" people!) makes me very uneasy! You are a nieve fool if you think giving up rights, like the ability to purchase and own a semi-automatic rifle with a flashsuppressor, piece by piece won't harm you because you are a "hunter or sportsman".

Before you get all crazy on me, I don't want children to be shot, I just know that banning any kind of weapon or accessory won't protect kids in the least. Oh, and by the way, the Clackamas Town Center Mall shooting two days before Newtown in Clackamas, Oregon, the shooter was confronted by a citizen conceal-carried handgun and the shooting was brought to a halt after the shooter killed himself! The shooter had an AR, the citizen had a handgun...would have been a bummer if the citizen was in NY and could have only had 7 bullets in his gun vs. an AR!

http://www.kgw.com/news/Clackamas-man-armed-confronts-mall-shooter-183593571.html

[raflin1]

The FACTS prove YOU wrong. (But "facts" are irrelevant to gun lovers like you. They're also irrelevant to crazy people who shoot people.)

[RCcheckitout]

Kentonator you are correct. As far as RAFFLIN1 he is upset that gun owners can deture criminals and that is a fact. there was a study done in florida that 800,000 -2,500,000 crimes and criminals were stoped by law abiding gunowners in the U.S. So these people who think that taking away guns from the law abiding American citizen and trust that the government and the police will protect them they are living in a dream world. I think we are from the same town. Glad we are on the same page.

[Cowmpound]

Tick...tick...tick....

What are you non hunting non sportsman insecure gun owners going to do?

Pretty scary to have to defend yourself without your assault rifle with expanded clip?

I have guns and hunt. Never even think about using them for protection. I don't own an assault rifle because those are for assaulting people, which I don't do.

Grow a pair.

[SilenceDogood2]

If you hunted and knew firearms you would know it's a clip for a M1 Garand, Magazine for a modern sporting arm (Ar15 style).
I have one that is made by Remington that chambers .308 Win. that I woods hunt with.

You are just a troll to not know this.

[seabass6251]

Your Garand must be modified then.

Garands were chambered in 30-06 and had internal magazines fed by stipper clips instead of an external magazine.