SALINAS, Calif. - Since the Newtown, Connecticut mass shooting there's been a new push for stronger "gun control laws." The mayor of New York City, along with dozens of families affected by gun violence, demanded a plan to make sure this doesn't happen again. This current push involves banning assault weapons. So have our Central Coast elected leaders been swayed by mass shooting events. The answer is what you may think it is.
Mass shootings are now burned into our everyday psyche. Columbine 1999; Virginia Tech 2007 and since 2009, 5 mass murders: Alabama 10 dead; Binghamton, New York, 13 dead; Fort Hood, Texas 13 dead. This year, Aurora, Colorado 12 dead and now Newtown, Connecticut...28 dead.
Each time this occurs the gun control controversy surfaces. Recent shootings have been with legally obtained guns. So why the controversy?
Voting records for our central coast representatives have supported gun control. Sam Farr just after Columbine in June 1999 voted no on decreasing gun waiting period from 3 days to 1. In May of 2009 he voted to close the gun show loophole and restrict show sales. His colleague on the Central Coast Lois Capps has voted right along with him. Both are Democrats.
Central Coast U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein has led the ban on assault weapons in Washington for 20 years with some success. But in 2004 the federal ban was lifted after the law expired.
President Obama admitted on Sunday, "No single law, no set of laws can eliminate evil from the world or prevent every senseless act of violence in our society."
But on Sunday during meet the press Feinstein announced she would be pushing a new gun control bill on assault weapons. "But the purpose of this bill is to get just what Mayor Bloomberg said--weapons of war off the streets of our cities."
Feinstein also said today, "On the first day of the new Congress, I intend to introduce a bill stopping the sale, transfer, importation and manufacturing of assault weapons as well as large ammunition magazines, strips and drums that hold more than 10 rounds," Feinstein said. "I am in the process of gathering support for the bill in the Senate and House."
It seems each time a mass shooting occurs the gun control talk surfaces. Lawmakers vote on some form of legislation. Is there a flip flopping lawmaker in California? We couldn't find one. Most lawmakers vote along party lines. Democrats are largely pro gun control and Republicans are generally anti gun control.
Again, these recent shootings have occurred with legally obtained weapons. So one has to wonder if gun control is the answer.
