Feinstein to push assault-weapon ban

L.A. Daily News ^ | 2/26/2005 | AP

[Sterrins]

Feinstein to push assault-weapon ban

Shooting prompts senator to reintroduce bill

By Associated Press

Sen. Dianne Feinstein said Friday that she will reintroduce legislation banning assault weapons after a city maintenance worker allegedly shot and killed two fellow employees with an AK-47 assault rifle.

"Once again, we've seen the tragic consequences of the ready availability of assault weapons throughout our society," Feinstein, D-Calif., said in a statement.

Thomas Sampson, 25, was booked for investigation of first-degree murder early Friday for the deaths of his supervisor, Rene Flores, 54, and co-worker Ricardo Garris, 49, police said.

Sampson, who was held without bail, turned himself in Thursday after the late-afternoon shooting, said Officer April Harding, a police spokeswoman.

Garris, of Inglewood, and Flores, of the Sunland area, both had worked for the Bureau of Street Services for more than 20 years. The department fills potholes, fixes curbs and distributes asphalt in the city.

Feinstein in her statement said the shooting occurred just days before the anniversary of a Senate vote to extend the assault-weapons ban for 10 years. The legislation expired after President George W. Bush failed to urge Republican leaders to move the legislation, Feinstein said.

Feinstein said she intends to reintroduce the legislation next week and she hoped for support from Republican leaders.

Mayor James Hahn also sent a letter to Congress urging renewal of the assault-weapons ban. Though the city and state have laws banning assault weapons, they are still readily available across the state's borders, Hahn said.

"Therefore, it is critical to have an assault-weapons ban that prohibits the manufacture, importation and sale of assault weapons and ammunition throughout the United States," he said.

Sampson and Flores earlier Thursday afternoon had a dispute over Sampson being late for work, police said. Sampson later abandoned his city-owned truck on Interstate 10 in West Los Angeles and took a bus to where he parked his car. He then drove home, changed from his work clothes into a suit, armed himself with the AK-47 and drove to the field office where he waited for Flores, confronted him and shot him, police alleged.

Garris was shot because he happened to be in the office when Flores was attacked, police said.

[Navy Patriot]

Now, they're right back at it. They just can't help themselves.

Yep, that's what they are. It reminds me of severe addiction, even though they know it's bad for them they just keep wanting more.

[lastlostfight]

I will leave that to your interpretation.

Ok :-)