TheRepublic.com - Gun politics News

Dems divided on big issues as end of session nears

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:38:14 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Illinois Democrats seemed poised to rule almost unchallenged in the state Capitol after winning super majorities in the House and Senate last fall. But as intraparty divisions have surfaced, things haven't been that simple.

LAPD, feds probe alleged gun sales by officers

Sat, 25 May 2013 02:22:11 -0400

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Police Department has reopened an investigation into whether members of the SWAT and Special Investigations Section units violated the law by purchasing firearms and reselling them for profit.

Perry staying mum as special session talk ramps up

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:08:33 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Gov. Rick Perry wouldn't say Friday whether there is too much unfinished business at the Texas Legislature to adjourn next week as scheduled. His record the last 13 years says lawmakers aren't going anywhere.

Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:55:50 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Gun owners could carry concealed weapons in Illinois, the last state in the nation to prohibit it, under legislation that swept through the House Friday with the backing of the powerful Democratic speaker from Chicago, a city torn by violence despite what critics claim are the nation's toughest firearms restrictions.

Cullerton: Parts of House gun bill 'offensive'

Fri, 24 May 2013 17:28:45 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Illinois Senate President John Cullerton says a concealed carry bill that would wipe out all local gun ordinances in the state is "offensive."

Quinn: Concealed carry bill puts public at risk

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:52:12 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Gov. Pat Quinn is lashing out at lawmakers after the Illinois House approved a concealed carry bill that he says "puts public safety at risk."

Court rules against man who lost handgun permit

Fri, 24 May 2013 14:01:09 -0400

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - The Tennessee Appeals Court has ruled against a Brentwood man who claimed state law regulating the carrying of firearms was unconstitutional.

La. ranks high in gun violence, low in gun safety

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:52:25 -0400

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana - Louisiana has the highest rate of gun violence in the nation and the weakest gun safety laws, according to a recent national study, and state lawmakers are moving to expand the already permissive statutes.

Law officers seek spot for firing range at Ceres

Fri, 24 May 2013 04:38:27 -0400

VICKSBURG, Mississippi - More than 140 deputies, police officers and other law enforcement officials based in Vicksburg must compete for room near a nuclear plant for target practice, but a new location eyed in the county for a firing range is a cheaper option, officials said.

Quinn skeptical of Ill. House concealed-carry plan

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:13:52 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - A compromise plan on concealed weapons heading for a House floor vote drew swift opposition Thursday from Gov. Pat Quinn, whose office called it a "massive overreach" because of the way it would curb local firearms regulations.

UA, ASU boards opt out of campus gun law

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:35:27 -0400

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - Arkansas' two largest university systems voted Thursday to ban faculty and staff from carrying concealed handguns on campus, joining a growing number of schools in the state opting out of a new law allowing the firearms.

Ill. Gov. Quinn opposes House compromise guns bill

Thu, 23 May 2013 17:58:44 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn opposes the compromise gun-carry legislation that the Illinois House is readying for a floor vote on Friday.

Suit filed over Conn. gun law passed after Newtown

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:32:13 -0400

HARTFORD, Connecticut - A group of Connecticut organizations that support gun rights, pistol permit holders and gun sellers has filed a lawsuit in federal court against Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and other state officials, arguing the state's new gun control law violates their constitutional rights.

Gun owner among judges hearing Colo. gun lawsuit

Wed, 22 May 2013 21:23:06 -0400

DENVER - A federal judge assigned to hear a lawsuit filed by sheriffs challenging Colorado's new gun laws is a gun owner herself but says she doesn't believe a recusal is warranted.

Lawsuit filed against state of Conn. over gun law

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:52:51 -0400

HARTFORD, Connecticut - A group of Connecticut organizations that support gun rights, pistol permit holders and gun sellers filed a lawsuit in federal court Wednesday against Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and other state officials, arguing the state's new gun control law violates their constitutional rights.

Universal background checks clears state Senate

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:32:15 -0400

CARSON CITY, Nevada - Legislation mandating universal background checks for gun transactions in Nevada cleared the Senate on Wednesday along a party lines vote.

Speaker: House guns vote on Friday

Wed, 22 May 2013 19:05:34 -0400

SPRINGFIELD, Illinois - Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan says legislation allowing the carrying of concealed guns will get a vote Friday.

Alabama governor signs bill on carrying guns

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:37:01 -0400

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Alabama's governor has signed legislation that expands where people can carry guns in Alabama.

Lawmakers OK training Texas teachers as marshals

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:54:15 -0400

AUSTIN, Texas - Texas schools could train teachers as armed marshals to exchange gunfire with potential attackers under a bill approved by state lawmakers and sent to Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday, while a key lawmaker said attempts to allow concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons into college classrooms is likely dead.

Idaho rep complains lobbying helped kill gun bill

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:56:47 -0400

BOISE, Idaho - A lawmaker who had his firearms bill killed in the 2013 Legislature has complained to the secretary of state that it was torpedoed by lobbyists who weren't properly registered.

UN: New reports of chemical weapons use in Syria

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:56:43 -0400

UNITED NATIONS - The U.N.'s top Mideast envoy says there are mounting reports of chemical weapons use in Syria.

Kan. lawmakers give final approval to gun bill

Tue, 21 May 2013 20:44:30 -0400

TOPEKA, Kansas - Kansas legislators gave final approval Tuesday to restrictions on using state funds to promote or oppose gun-control policies, despite criticism that the new law would violate public officials' free speech rights.

Ala. legislators' view of session depends on party

Tue, 21 May 2013 17:47:43 -0400

MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Shortly after the Legislature's 2013 session ended, the public address system in the Senate began playing a recording of Otis Redding singing the bluesy lyric, "They call me Mr. Pitiful."

Lawyer: Colorado parolee made woman turn over gun

Tue, 21 May 2013 15:29:53 -0400

CENTENNIAL, Colorado - The woman accused of providing the gun used to kill Colorado's prisons chief was forced by the "wicked" parolee Evan Ebel to turn over the weapon, her attorney said Tuesday.

With high-tech guns, users could disable remotely

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:43:22 -0400

SAN JOSE, California - A high-tech startup is wading into the gun control debate with a wireless controller that would allow gun owners to know when their weapon is being moved - and disable it remotely.