Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Senate Panel Approves 2 Gun Measures
Two measures that are designed to curb gun violence are heading to the Senate floor for a vote. The first measure would require background checks for private gun sales (passed the committee with no Republicans present to vote). The second measure is a grant program that would help schools improve security over a 10-year period (enjoyed more bipartisan support, however all nays were cast by Republicans). The article continues to discuss past and future legislature proposals that seek to acquire bipartisan support that would satisfy the protection of 2nd Amendment rights and initiate action to curb gun violence. Your take?
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I still stand by the idea that these laws won't really be effective in curbing gun violence. And while school safety seems like one of the more noble causes we could appropriate more money for, I don't think the extra $10 million is going to have any impact (other than on the budget). Look at our school. Not that I don't think our security guards aren't nice and helpful, but do you really think they're keeping us safe?
ReplyDeleteWe have to try to end gun violence. Yes, legislation can not completely eradicate the issue, but it can certainly help. And I am hesitant to see so much money spent on this, but if used appropriately, it could potentially help.
DeleteActually it cannot. Obama's plan for gun control is "geared to look like Chicago's hand gun ban." (Those aren't the words verbatim, but it's pretty darn close.) Take a look at Chicago's crime rate right now.... Is that what you really want the US to look like?
DeleteI agree with Grace. These measures do not seem like they would bring a great effect in preventing gun violence. Schools as of now do not provide much security, as our security guards cannot protect us adequately from a gun shooting. So potentially a program working to improve school security would be helpful, but the only logical measure I could see is that security guards hold guns themselves and I doubt that would happen.
DeleteGrace has a point, but I see the other side. Although our security guards are nice and helpful, they also stop a lot of fights or direct a lot of "trouble makers" to the office. I rather have these trouble makers taken away before they cause actual harm to someone, you know? But, I understand how they may seem like their not keeping us safe. I fell that these gun laws are good to have so that if someone tries to commit one of these crimes, they will be automatically sent to jail because there is a law on it and they have no excuse to not follow the law. It would bring more "bad" people to justice, which is what we need.
ReplyDeleteI think it is going to be hard to get a bipartisan agreement on this topic. I think the proposal about getting background checks on those buying guns is a very good idea. I don't think getting background checks will stop every criminal from buying a gun, but I think it will help.
ReplyDeleteI agree, getting background checks might help with people buying guns, but it's not completely perfect. There are still ways to getting around background checks and its possible for crimminals to get guns. While it is a good idea and it may help, it isn't fool proof.
DeleteI think it is going to be hard to get a bipartisan agreement on this topic. I think the proposal about getting background checks on those buying guns is a very good idea. I don't think getting background checks will stop every criminal from buying a gun, but I think it will help.
ReplyDeleteI think it is going to be hard to get a bipartisan agreement on this topic. I think the proposal about getting background checks on those buying guns is a very good idea. I don't think getting background checks will stop every criminal from buying a gun, but I think it will help.
ReplyDeleteI agree that background checks could only help,though I'm not so naive as to expect them to prevent all gun violence.
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ReplyDeleteI think we just need to keep trying everything until we see a change. Whether it with legislation or by implementing different school security procedures, anything and everything is worth a shot.
ReplyDeleteI think both of these are good ideas although they do have their flaws if they can deter a few serious gun crimes from happening I believe theyre worth a try
ReplyDeleteLet's face it, a ban on guns isn't going to happen... There's nothing that restrictions on law abiding citizens owning guns will fix. The people that need guns out of their hands are criminals, and since they deemed the term "criminal" they will do whatever it takes to get a gun.. leaving law-abiding citizens defenseless. The proposal about background checks is already being placed in effect from gun-selling companies. My dad and I recently went to a gun show. My dad wanted to buy a Baretta hand gun. Next to us was a seemingly harmless elderly man that also wanted to buy a Taurus hand gun. Both my dad and the elderly man had background checks conducted. My dad was approved and was thus allowed to get his hand gun. The other man was rejected, meaning he obviously had some form of criminal history with a gun on his record, and thus could not get the Taurus. So background checks are being done.
ReplyDeleteAlong with Liz, I am not naive enough to believe that these will completely fix the problems our nation is facing but if it means keeping even one person safe then it is worth a try. Yes, background checks are being done in some places but that is the problem. They must be done at every gun show and anywhere else firearms are beign sold to really make a difference.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree with the sentiment that this is not a complete solution, it is a stepping stone to future solutions. I don't believe that a ban on guns will happen over night, but progress is progress. It will likely be a long time until more progress than this bill and others like it comes along.
ReplyDeleteAs a few people have said background checks would be helpful for the majority of people but criminals already won't follow the law and still will end up with guns in the long run.
ReplyDeleteI'm certainly not surprised that the support of background checks was from the Democrats, and I can also understand why improving school safety is bipartisan considering that it effects everyone in some way. Although these background checks may not make a huge difference in the scheme of things, we must start somewhere.
ReplyDeleteBackground checks will obviously help keeping former criminals away from legally buying guns, but they will get guns some how. I also agree with those who said the school security won't change much. With that amount of money, it will be very miniscule changes that won't greatly impact anything.
ReplyDeleteBackground checks can't just be created but needed to be completely enacted where no one slips through. People will continue to get guns and its a part of American culture; our society just needs to do its job of minimizing it and enforcing safety (these are the correct steps to allow this).
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