Tag: Sandy Hook Promise

Guns, History, National Security, Politics September 4, 2019January 7, 2020

Assault Rifle Ban | NRA’s Illogical 2nd Amendment Argument

Washington (GGM) Analysis | December 20, 2019
by Noreen Wise

The red flags and warning signs are everywhere. The time has come to act definitively on common sense gun legislation
and stop punting this vital life-saving, society-saving, democracy-saving, America-saving legislation down the road. #EnoughIsEnough.

Here are the facts:

2nd Amendment: “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
The 2nd Amendment was written using critical commas that have further exasperated clarification of the Amendment’s exact meaning.
However, if we dig deeper, we can clearly see that our founders were very aware
of human evil and it’s potential harm to democracy and thus created numerous checks & balances, most notably our three branches of government.
Further, throughout the 185 Federalist Papers, written for the purpose of justifying the need for a federal government as well as a Constitution, every single one of the letters highlights the importance of checking evil
The concept of “checks & balances” is ingrained in our rule of law, our institutions, and throughout American society and shouldn’t be foreign to any American
Checks & balances apply to gun ownership as well, and supports the concept of common sense gun legislation
Assault rifles and high capacity magazines are weapons of war and are NOT meant for civilians or self-defense

We had an effective Assault Weapons Ban from 1994 – 2004 that President Bush foolishly did NOT renew (Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, passed by a narrow margin of 4 votes, signed by President Clinton.)
The fact that assault rifle owners are threatening violence if their weapons of war are banned, is the very reason they need to be banned. For an American to believe that the way to resolve differences in a democracy is to slaughter those who don’t agree with them is a huge wake up call to all political leaders for the urgent need to #DoSomething.
In 2008, the Supreme Court ruled on District of Columbia v. Heller, whereby Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia ruled that even though the 2nd Amendment states “well regulated militia” it applies to personal protection as well, putting an end to the debate about whether or not the 2nd Amendment applies to the general public. However, Scalia did clarify that the public’s gun ownership can be regulated.

“…not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose.” ~Antonin Scalia, Supreme Court Associate Justice, 2008 ruling, District of Columbia v. Heller

On January 9, 2019, Senior Senator Dianne Feinstein of California again Sponsored and Introduced S. 66: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019. This is a bill “to regulate assault weapons, to ensure that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and for other purposes.”
Earlier versions of Assault Weapons Ban were introduced on November 8, 2017, following theOctober 2, 2017 Las Vegas slaughter of 58 using an assault rifle, and on March 14, 2013, three months after the world-altering Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre of 28 elementary school students and several teachers. If these shockingly vicious annihilations didn’t wake-up our representatives, we can’t give up… we simply must try harder. Case in point, the shutdown outrage became so forceful, that it even brought Mitch McConnell back to life.
The next step for the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 is to be considered by the judiciary committee. Unbelievably, the bill only has a 4% chance of being enacted.

There are 28 Democrat co-sponsors of the ban, all 28 joined the day it was introduced. There are no GOP sponsors.

S. 66: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 co-sponsors:

Blumenthal, Richard (D-CT)
Booker, Cory (D-NJ)
Cardin, Ben (D-MD)
Carper, Tom (D-DE)
Casey, Bob (D-PA)
Duckworth, Tammy (D-IL)
Durbin, Richard (D-IL)
Gillibrand, Kirsten (D-NY)
Harris, Kamala (D-CA)
Hassan, Maggie (D-NH)
Hirono, Mazie (D-HI)
Klobuchar, Amy (D-MN)
Markey, ED (D-MA)
Menendez, Bob (D-NJ)
Merkley, Jeff (D-OR)
Murphy, Chris (D-CT)
Murray, Patty (D-WA)
Reed, Jack (D-RI)
Sanders, Bernie (D-VT)
Schatz, Brian (D-HI)
Schumer, Chuck (D-NY)
Shaheen, Jeanne (D-NY)
Smith, Tina (D-MN)
Van Hollen, Chris (D-MD)
Warner, Mark (D-VA)
Warren, Elizabeth (D-MA)
Whitehouse, Sheldon (D-RI)
Wyden, Ron (D-OR)

It’s time to act one and for all to get S66 passed. Our lives and our democracy are at stake.

National Security, Public Safety April 23, 2019September 3, 2019

What’s the Progress on S66 Assault Weapons Ban?

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | April 23, 2019) – With the horror of 320 lives lost on Easter day, in coordinated attacks by ISIS across Sri Lanka in Christian churches and high end hotels, we have just learned that the slaughter was in retaliation of the New Zealand Mosque massacre by a white supremacist on March 15, 2019. Will this now morph into an epic see-saw battle that rages on for years? A never ending pendulum of attacks against soft targets all over the globe? What positive outcome has an eye-for-an-eye ever netted?

In light of this possibility actually occurring, it’s time for the American public to refocus our commitment on Common Sense gun laws.

January 9, 2019 Senator Diane Feinstein introduced S66, the Assault Weapons Ban 2019. It was quickly referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), where it has since languished for three and a half months, untouched.

This is a call to action to move forward with the Assault Weapons Ban. It’s imperative that the senate take American safety seriously. The Department of Homeland Security is in disarray following the resignation of DHS Secretary Kristjen Nielsen, and is now without an official secretary. Further, the agency has apparently narrowed, and redefined, it’s main purpose, now focusing its attention primarily on Southern Border security, leaving the impression that there are significant swaths of our national security that aren’t being properly monitored, specifically domestic terrorism and the white supremacist threat. These bad actors are seemingly the ones most inclined to rely on assault weapons as their preferred weapon of choice.

The best way to neutralize the white nationalist/white supremacist threat is to pass Common Sense gun legislation. Both the Background Check Bill HR8 and the Assault Weapons Ban 2019 S66 are stalled in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

It only takes 60 seconds for each of us to call our two Senators and demand that S66 and HR8 be scheduled for debate in May.

Guns, Legislative Branch, National Security, Public Safety February 25, 2019April 24, 2019

HR8 |Background Check House Vote Feb 27, 2019

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report | Perspective | February 25, 2019) – Following HR8’s approval by the Judiciary Committee on February 13, 2019, the Committee has moved one step further in bringing HR8 to the House floor for a full vote this week, barring any unforeseen political conflicts. However, Capitol Hill promises to be a turbulent landscape in the upcoming days, with Representatives being pulled in many important directions. Thus, timing the HR8 vote is critical. We need all the sponsors and supporters to be present for the vote, which will hopefully take place on Thursday, February 28, 2019, the 25 year anniversary of The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (the original background check bill) which went into effect on February 28, 1994. Interestingly, the initial background check legislation was first introduced in Congress by NY Representative Chuck Schumer in 1991.

The next few days on the Hill appear extremely busy:

TUESDAY Feb 26 – House vote to nullify Trump’s national emergency
- House Rules Committee Hearing on Migrant Family Separation Policy
- House Financial Services Committee Hearing with Credit Bureau CEO’s testifying
WEDNESDAY Feb 27 – Oversight Committee public hearing with Michael Cohen on Wednesday February 27, which may be the most significant event of the year if the Mueller report isn’t shared with the public
- Full House Vote on HR8 Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019

HR8 now has 232 bipartisan co-sponsors. The significant bipartisan support for the bill stems from 97% of the American public believing strongly that background checks should be required for every single gun sale. Background checks protect the public from those who seek gun ownership with ill intent. HR8 advocates simultaneously believe in the Second Amendment, and do support the right to bear arms, yet understand that common sense gun legislation makes sense. The success of our democracy stems from the fact that it’s stabilized by the rule of law. Borders and boundaries are essential. Evil exists in the world. The first three words of the Second Amendment clearly state: “A well regulated…”

HR8 | Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019 Explained: On January 8, 2019 Representative Mike Thompson of California’s 5th District introduced HR8. This simple, common sense gun bill is very basic : To require a background check for every firearm sale. The current background check bill has several significant loopholes that have proven deadly. Guns sold at gun shows, and guns sold among family and friends, currently do not require background checks.

The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act requires that before a firearm is purchased through a federally licensed dealer, manufacturer or importer, a background check must be performed. There are a list of nine prohibitions that would prevent approval. The operative words in the Brady Bill are “federally licensed.” Since the majority of sellers at gun shows, and on the streets, as well as family and friends, aren’t federally licensed, a loophole was soon exploited by those falling under the following nine prohibitions:

fugitive from justice
convicted in any court for a crime punishable by more than one year in prison
dishonorably discharged from military
illegal alien
user or addicted to a controlled substance
renounced citizenship
has a restraining order against them
domestic violence, convicted in any court of misdemeanor crime
in a mental institution or adjudicated as mentally defective

HR8 eliminates these existing loopholes, making it far more difficult for those who plot to harm the American public to succeed. The Second Amendment was intended for self-protection, not public annihilation.

CALL to ACTION: Contact your Congressional Representative TODAY to let them know: Yes to HR8.

https://www.house.gov/representatives | Search by name or state, must click the correct box. If not sure of Representative’s name, use the search box on top right of page
Text CHECKS to 644-33

Guns, Legislative Branch, National Security, Public Safety February 13, 2019September 3, 2019

HR8 Passes Judiciary Committee | 1st Time Gun Legislation Passes in Two Decades

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report) – It took all day, and well into the evening, but patience did not disappoint. HR8 was approved by the House Judiciary Committee and will now move forward to the House floor for a full vote. This typically takes place within 100 days of being approved by the Committee. We should know the outcome by early May. From there it proceeds to the Senate floor for another full vote. The Senate will be a much tougher battle of course, however, HR8 has 231 bipartisan cosponsors so there is much hope it will pass the Senate as well.

HR8 Explained: On January 8, 2019 Representative Mike Thompson of California’s 5th District introduced HR8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. This simple, common sense gun bill is very basic : To require a background check for every firearm sale.

Many more calls to Congress are necessary these next 100 days. Let’s mark our calendars now. One call per week for next 14 weeks.

CALL to ACTION: Contact your Congressional Representative TODAY to let them know: Yes to HR8.

https://www.house.gov/representatives | Search by name or state, must click the correct box. If not sure of Representative’s name, use the search box on top right of page
Text CHECKS to 644-33

Guns, Legislative Branch, National Security, Politics February 7, 2019September 22, 2019

HR8 | Bittersweet Gift Planned for February 13, 2019

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report) – Today House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler announced that the Judiciary Committee will markup HR8 next Wednesday February 13, 2019. This means the divisive committee will decide whether to amend, accept or reject HR8. With a Democratic majority, along with bipartisan support for HR8, it’s expected that the bill will be accepted and move to the House floor for a full vote by the end of May.

The markup for HR8 will be taking place the day before the tragic one year anniversary of the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Wednesday February 14, 2018, when seventeen innocent MSJ students were slaughtered at school. Hundreds of survivors became a powerful force, uniting millions of students around the country to let their legislators know that enough is enough. No more thoughts and prayers, they would only accept action, kicking off the forceful March For Our Lives movement that helped fuel the blue wave on November 6, 2018.

HR8 Explained: On January 8, 2019 Representative Mike Thompson of California’s 5th District introduced H.R. 8: Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019. This simple, common sense gun bill is very basic : To require a background check for every firearm sale.

CALL to ACTION: Contact your Congressional Representative TODAY to let them know: Yes to HR8.

https://www.house.gov/representatives | Search by name or state, must click the correct box. If not sure of Representative’s name, use the search box on top right of page
Text CHECKS to 644-33

Guns, Legislative Branch, National Security, Public Safety February 1, 2019September 4, 2019

Assault Weapons Ban of 2019

Washington (Gallant Gold Media Hill Report) – The one year anniversary of the slaughter of 17 innocent lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Valentine’s Day February 14, 2018 is two weeks away. Dozens of traumatized young survivors channeled their anguish and anger into a powerful force that propelled the American public to demand action from our elected representatives and pass common sense gun laws that respect the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms, but also acknowledge and honor the second and third words of the 2nd Amendment, “well regulated” … the very words that make it all work in our free and open society.

In the past 12 months, numerous states have responded to the public outcry of “enough is enough.” Common sense gun laws relating to background checks, concealed carry permits, and assault rifles are working their way through state legislatures from coast to coast. Red Flags laws have also begun passing in states.

On January 9, 2019, Senior Senator Dianne Feinstein of California again Sponsored and Introduced S. 66: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019. This is a bill “to regulate assault weapons, to ensure that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and for other purposes.”

Earlier versions of Assault Weapons Ban were introduced on November 8, 2017, following theOctober 2, 2017 Las Vegas slaughter of 58 using an assault rifle, and on March 14, 2013, three months after the world-altering Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre of 28 elementary school students and several teachers. If these shockingly vicious annihilations didn’t wake-up our representatives, we can’t give up… we simply must try harder. Case in point, the shutdown outrage became so forceful, that it even brought Mitch McConnell back to life.

The next step for the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 is to be considered by the judiciary committee. Unbelievably, the bill only has a 3% chance of being enacted.

There are 28 Democrat co-sponsors of the ban, all 28 joined the day it was introduced. There are no GOP sponsors.

S. 66: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 co-sponsors: