Dem. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy Plans New Gun Control Bill in Wake of Giffords Shooting

The alleged gunman who shot Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday and 19 other people, killing six, used a Glock 19 9mm semi-automatic pistol.

/ AP

Democratic Rep. Carolyn McCarthy of New York plans to introduce legislation in the coming days that would limit access to the type of weaponry used to gun down Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D) and 19 other people.

Giffords remains in critical condition after 22-year-old alleged gunman Jared Loughner open fired at a town hall-style meeting at a Tuscon grocery store on Saturday. Twenty people were shot and six were killed. The shocking incident prompted the House of Representatives to call off this week's planned business and has spurred some lawmakers to propose some new laws related to the shooting, including McCarthy's proposals.

McCarthy today will officially announce she is working on a bill targeting the high-capacity ammunition clips the gunman allegedly used in the shooting, as Politico first reported.

"My staff is working on looking at the different legislation fixes that we might be able to do and we might be able to introduce as early as tomorrow," she told Politico.

The congresswoman plans to discuss the legislation this week with Speaker John Boehner and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, her staff confirms to CBSNews.com.

"We need to look at how this is going to work, to protect people, certainly citizens, and we have to look at what I can pass," McCarthy said. "I don't want to give the NRA - excuse the pun - the ammunition to come at me either."

The Glock 19 9mm semi-automatic pistol the alleged shooter used was purchased legally. The gun's high capacity magazine would have been illegal under the assault weapons ban, which Congress allowed to expire in 2004.

Arizona's gun laws are some of the most lax in the nation, the Washington Post reports. Any law-abiding resident older than 18 can purchase a firearm, and Loughner passed the federally-required instant background check.

Meanwhile, Democratic Rep. Robert Brady of Pennsylvania plans to introduce a bill to make it a federal crime to use language or symbols that could be perceived as threatening or inciting violence against a member of Congress or federal official, CNN reports.

"The president is a federal official," Brady said. "You can't do it to him; you should not be able to do it to a congressman, senator or federal judge."

Saturday's shooting has led to a national debate over whether the current climate of partisan rancor led to the shooting.

"This is not a wake up call, this is major alarms going off," Brady said. He took specific issue with some of the rhetoric used by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

"You can't put bulls eyes or crosshairs on a United States congressman or a federal official," he said. "I understand this web site that had it on there is no longer in existence. Someone is feeling a little guilty."

A staffer for Palin over the weekend insisted there was nothing wrong with the crosshairs imagery Palin used during the 2010 elections and that the ex-governor had nothing to do with the tragedy.

Complete Coverage: Tragedy in Tuscon
Tucson Suspect Jared Loughner Due in Ariz. Court
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords "Holding Her Own"

33 Photos

Congresswoman Shot in Arizona

[jgbNbjb]

Well I assume Ireland also has a weapons ban as well, but the ira still manages to get them and bombs. So the criminals have them and we the people don't. Wow thats superior intelect for you. So go ahead and ban them... Maybe the next time you can have another Oklahoma instead.

[rpb1]

Even supposing every law abiding citizen turned in their evil magazine.

Here's the thing:

Criminals bring tons of drugs into the country weekly.
Jared knew where to buy them.
Don't think criminals can bring magazines into the country?


Got any dogs trained to sniff plastic yet?
Got any plastic in your cell phone, car, luggage?
Is the polyester in my shirt a plastic?
Tear apart anything made of plastic that comes in?

You don't think Jared could find out where to buy one?
He found where to buy drugs.
You don't think those drug cartels will also sell magazines if it's profitable, and be easier to sneak by the dogs?

So, what did you accomplish?
You got millions of them out of the hands of people who weren't committing crimes and used them at the practice range.
You got millions of them out of the hands of people who could use them for defense, since it isn't unknown for one criminal to fight after being shot 17 or more times.
You got millions of them out of the hands of people who needed more when attacked by multiple attackers, who turned theirs in.

Crackheads will have them, bought on the same corners they get the drugs, just through the new distributor, sales tax not included. Current distribution network suffers job losses, tax revenues decrease, yeah, we need more of that.

[mdgelly]

The fact is that I feel more safe around a nutty drug addict than a lunatic with a gun.

Technology will be developed to "sniff out" plastics and illegal guns. It's time for our Constitutional rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" to win over the "right to bear arms." Just like second-hand smoking was found to be dangerous to innocent people, so will guns.

I pray.

[MJD0615]

I am a registered Independent, so I am not a Repubican or a Democrat. But, I feel Democrats put their own political spin on tragedies. They seem to use them to foster their own agendas. Case in point, is Carolyn McCarthy. She is a one-trick pony. She doesn't do anything except crusade for stricter gun control. I am sorry that Colin Ferguson shot and killed her husband, but she is pushing her personal views down peoples' throats. She is pushing her own agenda, even though it is not what her constituents want. The Democrats only chose her as a candidate because of her tragedy. She needs to resign or retire. I'm tired of listening to her distorted rhetoric.

[rpb1]

To Realtalk29
You know in New Zealand the Police didn't carry guns and were just fine.
You might enjoy this video if this link will post http://www.ch9.co.nz/content/should-new-zealand-police-be-armed%3F

(Don't get me wrong, I'm pro police really, and lost 2 best fiends on duty, and donated many firearms to my local DEPT at my own expense when they still carried revolvers ,,, that's how 1 was lost, trying to reload)

I know of no one more pro=police than I, however, if I'm on a trip and there's a hurricane Natural Disaster, I'd like enough to get home during a tile people will kill you for food, and a drive slowly by every officer who made a traffic stop, in case he needs help (it's rare, but it does happen) I actually carry spare mags of the type my officer buddies carry to toss them one if their well runs dry.

[MightyFoFaad]

I have been a NRA member since 1969. In fact I am a Life Member. Not only a Life Member, but a Benefactor Life Member. I truly believe in the 2nd Amendment and a devotee in believing everyone has the right to own firearms except criminals & mental defectives. HOWEVER, no one, I repeat, no one needs a pistol that holds more than ten rounds ... period. No one in the real world (civilian or police) has ever needed more than ten rounds to defend themselves. Bottom line: IF YOU DO need more than ten rounds to hit your assailant, you need to sell your pistol and buy a shotgun. These <10 round magazines should be outlawed.

[rpb1]

I've never been a member of the NRA or any such group.
I have 2 concerns about your statement "no one needs a pistol that holds more than ten rounds ."

Firstly, I disagree that you know what a person needs following a disaster like a hurricane when people will kill you for your food.

Secondly, if legislators have a right to control what people want, rather than need, I'd ask what options you bought with your car, and if you really NEED ice cream in your freezer, and if you'll allow me to decide if you may have those or not.

[rpb1]

Soooo what about the Florida incident when was it?

Anyway, I've talked to law enforcement officers who've shot criminals over 30 times before they even went down, murderers who take shotgun shells as if they were nothing. Adrenaline can make humans a very stubborn beast to kill.

Shot placement matters, but if you are really a LEO, you know there isn't a Hollywood one-shot stops each guy immediately magic heatseeking missle bullet.

And, if you want to read about one of my friends, Google Officer Jeff Ginn, who at a range of 6 feet, both the perp and officer fired until both guns were empty, neither hit the other ... you know good and well how adrenaline affects aim if you are a LEO.

[twofornein]

It figures now that a Federal Judge and a Politician have been shot/killed that "everyone" wants action. This comes after a nearly all time high number of law enforcement officers Killed in the Line of Duty deaths but no one is concerned about that of course. It's just the "Cops". That's what they do...

Enforce what exists already and allow everyone to defend themsevele's from these Wolves.

[Realtalk28]

We cant ban guns here, it wont work. Its our culture, we are violent people us Americans. It can work in Europe for sure, just not here. Gun killings are almost un heard of in most Euro countries. Just like over there the help for the poor and the govt assistance works, just here people live to abuse it and are lazy. There is not a real answer other than completely changing our culture which will take time. Of course the minute a politician wants to start slowly showing us new policies that lean more towards the Euro style they are accused of socialism. Grow up people, and give peace a chance!

[cdh32]

If you had your facts straight you would realize that England's violent crime rate has risen dramatically since there weapons ban. Just because people are not being killed by guns doesn't mean they are not being killed. Some people are violent by nature. It's everyone's right to be able to protect themselves and with the best means necessary.

[rpb1]

If by Europe you mean places like the U.K., then check out London's murder map and see where each murder occurred and by what means ... you'll be surprised, here's the link http://www.murdermap.co.uk/murder-map.asp

[rpb1]

"since assault weapons are only useful for hunting people and killing large numbers of innocent people"

oops, You mean they are only good for defending your life from 5 home invaders?

Home Invasion-Intruder Shot with AK-47 - invaded by 4 or 5 invaders
3405 Farmosa, NW of Mission,Tx in Hidalgo County
The owner shot at the intruders with his AK -47 hitting one of the suspects in the chest.

[rpb1]

Hidalgo County hom,e invasion January 10, 2011 at 9:14p.m

Google it, I was robbed by 5 armed guys once, another time by two ...

Criminals like to travel in groups, there's safety (for them) in numbers, they can shoot you 5 times to your one shot. In Miami years ago, a criminal was shot over 30 times, and was still firing at people ... this ain't hollywod, there's no magic bullet that makes someone stop attacking with 1 shot.

I knew a guy who was shot 6 times, took the gun from the assailant, beat him with it. The ambulance had to take the criminal first, he was hurt worse.

[LoneHaranguer]

I suggest the possibility that criminals who choose to violate murder laws will violate gun control laws.

[liberal_truth]

I agree that assault weapons and high capacity magazines should be banned. However, since assault weapons are only useful for hunting people and killing large numbers of innocent people, the police should be banned from possessing assault weapons or extra-large magazines. The police only need defensive guns, not weapons of mass destruction like these evil guns.

[Realtalk28]

Friend you are wrong on one of you assumptions. I am a police officer, and although i think high capacity magazines and assault weapons need to be banned for the public. Police officers should have them. As a cop you are not paid to fight fair or to equal the force brought against you. Ive been shot at and been in confrontations with pure killers armed with assault weapons. This Country is not Mayberry and i would be willing to bet that if you had to go out and stop an man on a rampage armed with an AK47 you would not want to do it armed with a 9mm handgun that only has 12 rounds. All cops should have assault weapons to bring these people down and save lives. You should open your mind a little and realize that 99% of cops are out there trying to keep their communities safe and return home to their families, taking assault weapons from them and high capacity magazines would be a death sentence. Gang members would be outgunning the police and that would mean disaster.

[cdh32]

Your blaming the gun and calling it evil? I don't get that. Guns are not inherently Evil. A gun can not pick itself up and kill someone. If you are going to blame the gun for murder than you need to blame the spoon for making people fat and the car for someone driving drunk and killing an innocent person. We need to focus more on keeping guns out of the hand's of crazy people.

We don't need more gun laws. People who are going to break the law are not going to care what laws are on the books. We as individuals have the right to defend our self's!