Posted on 02/21/2018 7:55:31 PM PST by TBP
In the wake of last week’s tragic shooting at a Florida high school, the national narrative has centered on guns. Democrats mostly argue for increased gun control measures, while Second Amendment advocates mostly oppose any new restrictions.
The debate usually dies quickly after a shooting, but it has remained strong over the last week. Now, even President Donald Trump is reportedly considering new restrictions on firearms.
No. 1: Raising the purchase age for certain firearms Axios reported Wednesday that Trump has privately discussed supporting a measure that would raise the purchase age for semi-automatic rifles from 18 to 21.
Currently, any 18-year-old who is lawfully able to purchase and possess a firearm can purchase a rifle or shotgun, including the controversial AR-15. Federal law requires a citizen to be 21 before purchasing a handgun.
According to the Washington Post, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed Tuesday the option is “on the table for us to discuss.”
What’s not clear is if Trump would advocate for new age restrictions at the federal level or if he would encourage state legislators to make the change.
No. 2: Increased background checks On Tuesday, Trump tweeted his support for “strengthening” the background check system.
Donald J. Trump ✔ @realDonaldTrump Replying to @realDonaldTrump and 2 others Whether we are Republican or Democrat, we must now focus on strengthening Background Checks!
8:18 PM - Feb 20, 2018 73.3K 37.3K people are talking about this Twitter Ads info and privacy Currently, federal law stipulates that any person purchasing a weapon from a federally licensed firearms dealer must have their background checked through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which takes just minutes. The system merely checks a person’s legal eligibility to purchase a firearm and no mental health evaluation occurs.
However, for private transactions in most states, which are a small share of all gun sales, no background check is required for long guns or handguns. Still, many states like North Carolina require a pistol permit or concealed carry license for private handgun transactions.
It’s not clear what improvements would be made to the NICS system.
No. 3: Ban bump stocks A bump stock is an inexpensive device that helps a shooter fire a standard semi-automatic rifle more rapidly, which makes the firearm behave more like a fully-automatic weapon. A bump stock was reportedly used in the Las Vegas massacre last year. The devices don’t actually make semi-automatic rifles fully-automatic, but they use recoil to increase the rate at which the trigger is pulled.
Trump said at the White House on Tuesday that he has instructed Attorney General Jeff Sessions to pursue legislation that outlaws the devices.
“We cannot merely take actions that make us feel like we are making a difference. We must actually make a difference,” Trump said, according to the New York Times.
Why is this time different? America has seen more than a dozen tragic mass shootings over the last few years and little has been done to prevent the next one. But this time appears to be different.
Most people are split over what to actually do and whether or not increased gun restrictions would prevent the next mass shooting remains to be seen. But the difference this time appears to lie with the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, who have been very outspoken about the need for gun control since the shooting.
Their dialogue has even sparked a CNN town hall, which will include the Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and National Rifle Association spokeswoman Dana Loesch.
Even Trump, seems to agree with the kids’ sentiment. “We have to do something. We’ve got kids dying,” he reportedly said during a private meeting on guns, according to Axios.
How many have died behind the wheel texting. Add smart phones to the ban. They don’t even have a special admendment to have.
Of course if you overlook the impact of tax reform and the “budget deal” on the national debt then you are correct. Trump wins every time!
I thought he wasn’t a politician...
As it is, they invest in nothing but words and even the words are designed to demoralize - and they call themselves "Principled Conservatives" -- go figure.
Thanks for being a bit of sanity FRiend.
Let’s raise the age for everything.
21 to drink or purchase alcohol or tobacco.
21 to vote
21 to purchase any weapon that uses compressed gas to launch projectiles (firearms, airguns, blow guns).
21 to purchase fireworks
21 for a credit card
21 for compulsory military service (or othe altruistic duty).
21 to drive? Sure why not.
And to make it all palatable:
21 to file Federal Income Tax.
(Insert semi-serious snark icon here)
I suppose we'll continue to warn other gun owners of likely legislation that will erode their rights. We will resist politically and otherwise.
In 2013, the Broward County School Board, in collusion with Eric Holder and the Obama Administration, put in place policies to prevent crimes comitted by minority students in school from being reported to the police!!!
Cruz was considered minority due to his last name. He previously brought bullets in his backpack! He comitted numerous crimes on school grounds, was caught, and never reported to police. They weren’t allowed to!
Please spread it far and wide. Copypasta this post to other school shooting threads. Post on facebook. Email to friends.
“Broward County schools intentionally created polices from 2010 through 2016 that culminated in the 2018 mass school shooting in Parkland. We know this with great specificity because five years ago we warned Broward County Florida school board members this could happen.”
What he should say “In answer to the questions of gun control, I’m challenging Congress to pass the National CC Reciprocity Act and the Hearing Protection Act, and to repeal the GCA of 1968 and the NFA of 1934. That’s how you negotiate, the libs never give up a damn thing, throw it back at them, and then actually bring this stuff up for a vote!
Federal law makes schools gun freezones meaning it was illegal to bring a gun on the school grounds.
Shooter didnt care about that law.
“He’s already came out and supported arming teachers and administrators, and removing those horrible gun-free school zone signs”
Also, lockable, robust doors should be installed for all classrooms, so that when a “lockdown” is called for, any shooters can’t access the students directly. A PA announcement should also be required anytime an alarm is set off. Those are low-cost, sensible measures that’d be easy to implement.
After 9/11 reinforced cockpit doors followed quickly. This is at least as important.
I agree with him on the background checks and security. I think the DC area principal was right when he spoke of metal detectors and bag checks. They do that in urban schools, and you don’t see mass shootings at them. I’m not sure about raising the age. I looked at the age of shooters, VERY few are in the 18-21 range. This guy was but should have not been allowed due to his mental health. Most are middle age men.
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