June 20, 2013

State lawmakers, governors talk guns after Newtown

BY: AP Staff Writer DECEMBER 21, 2012 | MODIFIED: DECEMBER 21, 2012 AT 6:15 AM
Leave a comment

ATLANTA (AP) — Here's a sampling of proposals and policy statements that state legislators and governors have made since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at a Newtown, Conn., school.

CALIFORNIA: Various Democratic legislators want to tighten an existing assault weapons ban; limit ammunition purchases; and force schools to update emergency response plans. A Republican, previously an opponent of gun restrictions, wants to permanently block gun ownership for anyone determined by a court to be mentally unstable.

COLORADO: Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat, said "the time is right" for gun-control discussion. Democratic lawmakers have talked about banning assault weapons, but nothing is introduced yet.

FLORIDA: The Republican sponsor of the "stand your ground" law wants to allow teachers and principals to carry weapons while at work.

GEORGIA: In a gun-friendly state, Republican Gov. Nathan Deal has avoided comment on gun laws, saying he will assess school safety procedures, emergency response protocol and public mental health services.

MINNESOTA: Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, says he'll listen to "anything and everything." But, "There's a limit to what society can do to protect people from their own folly."

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Phil Bryant, a Republican, is "opposed to any limitation of the right to arms as protected by the Constitution."

NEW YORK: Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to tighten an existing assault weapons ban and extend it to "large magazines."

NEW JERSEY: Democratic lawmaker wants to create a commission to study gun violence, expand behavioral health treatment for potentially violent offenders.

OKLAHOMA: Two Republican lawmakers have called for teachers or school personnel who receive special training to be armed. Legislative leaders have sidestepped questions on the proposals.

PENNSYLVANIA: Urban Democrats want to tighten limits on possession and purchases, but Republicans control the legislature.

SOUTH CAROLINA: A South Carolina lawmaker has pre-filed a bill for the upcoming session that would allow public school employees with concealed weapons permits to carry guns on school grounds.

TENNESSEE: A Republican lawmaker has called for adults on campus to be armed.

WISCONSIN: Democratic representative wants an assault weapons ban, among other ideas. Republican Gov. Scott Walker didn't reject the idea, but says focus should be on mental health.

UTAH: Republican attorney general reaffirmed support for existing law that allows concealed weapons on public property, including schools.

View article comments Leave a comment

More from washingtonexaminer.com

From the Weekly Standard

  • June 17, 1953

    Today, speaking at the Brandenburg Gate, President Obama paid appropriate tribute to the brave East Germans who rebelled 60 years ago against Communist dictatorship:

    Read More...
  • Problems of the Second Generation

    The Boston Marathon bombings highlighted, once again, the challenges of assimilating Muslim youth. And while the onus of accountability ought not rest exclusively on Muslim Americans, it...

    Read More...
  • Release Osama Bin Laden’s Files on Taliban

    The Obama administration announced on Tuesday that it was moving forward with its attempt to negotiate with the Taliban, which has opened a long-awaited political office in Doha, Qatar. The...

    Read More...