Ohio Valley Politics » Guns

Rep. Space introduces bipartisan gun legislation

Blue in Athens — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 04:27:59 +0000

Today Zack Space (D-18th) along with Republican Steve King of Iowa unveiled the Comprehensive Firearms Reform Act of 2007. The press release says: “We can and will make it more difficult for criminals to get their hands on guns while making sure we protect the civil rights of Americans.” Well, you be the judge:

This legislation would:

* Create a system to provide more flexibility in punishing those who violate gun sales laws.
* Establish a solid legal requirement for determining the willful violation of the law.
* Creates specific sentencing guidelines for dangerous felons convicted of a gun offense.
* Set limitations on the availability of electronic gun owner information to protect the privacy of law-abiding citizens.
* Ban the federal background check tax.
* Allow security companies and ammunition manufacturers to purchase machineguns for product testing and international security personnel training.
* Ease the restriction on the importation of replacement parts for military-style semiautomatic rifles.

So, if more parts are imported for semiautomatics, like AK-47s, won’t that make more working assault rifles available? I’m not sure how I feel about this one yet, I guess Zack will do what he’s gotta do.

The Dangers Of Concealed Carry Permits

David — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:07:05 +0000

This evening at the K-Mart in St. Clairsville, Oh there was another mall shooting of sorts. Thankfully no one was injured, in fact there wasn’t even a gunman. A 44-year-old man was shopping when his .32-caliber handgun slipped out of his pocket. Upon hitting the floor the gun discharged, firing a single shot into the floor.

The man isn’t an idiot though, he learned his lesson. He told a local newspaper:

“I don’t think I’ll carry a gun anymore. This accident could have been really tragic. … It was a total accident. I forgot it was in my pocket.”

Let’s hope so. I do have to wonder how someone could forget something like a loaded gun being in their pocket though…

The K-Mart store has now posted signs prohibiting firearms.

Zack Space Praises Supreme Court For Reviewing D.C. Gun Ban

David — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 15:10:38 +0000

I don’t really know what to say about this one other than that it’s going to make some people mad.

“This is the best chance we have had in a very long time to create some clarity on 2^nd Amendment issues. If the Supreme Court strikes down this ban, it will set a precedent that will have a real impact on gun owners across the U.S.
“Finally, gun owners could be given the right they are promised in the Constitution.”
– Rep. Zack Space