Sunday, March 03, 2013

Newman: The time to stop gun violence is now

In her latest report, Rep. Stacey Newman, D-St. Louis, addresses the problem of gun violence.


OUR GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC
 A new poll was released Thursday by the Kaiser Family Foundation which shows that 42% of Americans worry more about being shot than losing their job or being unable to pay their mortgage.  THOSE WHO SAY THEY ARE WORRIED:
 And Johns Hopkins University just released a study this week showing that our lax gun laws have equaled an increase in gun violence in Missouri.  The studyHERE shows that between 2008 and 2010, homicides involving firearms in Missouri have increased 25%, while the national rate declined.  The study indicates that requiring background checks on ALL gun sales would be crucial to reduce gun violence.
 I am concerned and want something done to save lives.
 SO WHAT IS HAPPENING? 
 Wednesday the U. S. Senate Judiciary Committee held a lengthy hearing on Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D-CA) military-style assault weapons ban proposal with emotional testimony by a father of a Sandy Hook Elementary School 6 year old killed in the mass shooting along with Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn.
 Thursday the Maryland Senate passed gun control measures including licensing requirements for handgun buyers, tighter mental illness checks and limits on high capacity ammunition magazines - proposals advocated by Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley. And Friday over 2000 supporters rallied and hundreds signed up to testify in favor of the same proposals in the Maryland House of Delegates.
 Right here at home, the Clayton City Council voted 6-1 this week to adopt a resolution supporting Mayors AGainst Illegal Guns (MAIG), a coalition of almost 900 mayors around the country co-founded by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino.  Their resolution supports the Fix Gun Checks Act, a project of MAIG which calls for universal background checks on all gun sales.  Clayton Mayor Linda Goldstein joins other local mayors from University City (Shelley Welsch), Rock Hill (Daniel DiPlacido) and St. Louis (Francis Slay) who are also members of MAIG.
 AND IN OUR STATE CAPITOL?
 This week the Missouri Senate passed SB75, sponsored by Sen. Dan Brown (R-Rolla) which would allow Missouri school districts to teach the NRA Eddie Eagle gun safety program to first graders.  The bill has been referred to the House.
 Only two Senators voted NO - Sen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City) and Sen. Gina Walsh (D-North St. Louis).  I totally agree with their stance - the NRA has no business teaching our 6 year olds about firearms.  SB75 also includes a provision prohibiting school personnel from making value judgments about firearms.  One local educator wrote me, "It's like Joe Camel teaching our kids about cigarette safety or Ronald McDonald about nutrition."
 PLEASE THANK SENATORS JUSTUS & WALSH FOR STANDING UP TO THE NRA:
 Senator Jolie Justus - jolie.justus@senate.mo.gov    573.751.2788
Senator Gina Walsh - gina.walsh@senate.mo.gov      573.751.2420
 HOUSE BILL 187 - UNIVERSAL BACKGROUND CHECKS
 Even though 75% of NRA members and 90% of gun owners support background checks on all gun sales, my bill has stalled.  HB187 has been referred to the House General Laws Committee (as has every other firearm bill) but no hearing has been scheduled.  General Laws is chaired by Rep. Caleb Jones - 573.751. 2134 (caleb.jones@house.mo.gov).
 However House General Laws Committee did pass this week:
HB162 - Firearms Freedom Act - sponsored by Rep. Chrissy Sommer (R-St. Charles)
HB170 - Prohibiting federal officer from enforcing federal law re firearms if manufactured in MO - sponsored by Rep. Casey Guernsey (R-Bethany)
 WHAT YOU CAN DO
 Follow their St. Louis chapter on Facebook - just one of 80 chapters across the country founded the day after the Newtown CT tragedy.  You can be a mother, father, a grandparent or just someone who cares - check out all the Moms Demand Action Facebook pages.
 2) Join almost 2000 Missourians who have signed my petition to STOP PRO-NRA BILLS ATTACKING LEGISLATORS - sign here.
 THERE ISN'T ONE MAGIC ANSWER TO STOP THIS GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC BUT AS PRESIDENT OBAMA AND VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN INSIST, "NOW IS THE TIME".
 SOMETHING MUST BE DONE.  NOW.

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