Why I Blame the NRA and Its Supporters

California Gun Control Leads the Nation

Mother Jones

California would ban the sale of all semiautomatic rifles that accept removable magazines, slap a hefty tax on ammo, and require every gun owner to take a yearly safety course under a new package of firearms laws that would give the Golden State the nation's strongest gun controls.

These and many other proposed firearms laws were announced late last week by leading state Democrats and the mayors of San Francisco and Los Angeles. Many of the laws are expected to pass, in part because the Democratic Party in California now controls the governor's mansion and a supermajority in the Legislature.

"As it is with many issues, California is out front on firearms regulations," said Mark Hedlund, a spokesman for California Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg. "We don't represent the NRA. We don't think that the NRA represents the majority of Californians, by a long shot."
California's newly proposed gun laws would:

• Ban the possession of ammunition magazines that hold more than 10 rounds
• Prevent the future sale, purchase, manufacture, importation, or transfer of any firearms that can accept detachable magazines
• Close the "bullet button" loophole by banning tools that allow the quick changing of gun magazines
• Regulate ammunition sales like the state regulates gun sales. Ammunition dealers would need to be licensed and anyone buying from them would need to obtain a permit and complete a background check.
• Create a 5 cent tax on each bullet purchased, for the purpose of funding crime prevention
• Prevent felons and other adults barred from gun ownership from living in a house that contains any guns
• Prohibit the loaning or sale of a firearm between people who know each other personally
• Take steps to phase out legal possession of assault weapons that were purchased before California outlawed their sale
• Require all firearms owners to take an hours-long gun safety course every year, similar to what the state now requires for obtaining a concealed-weapon permit
• Require gun owners to purchase insurance to cover damage they may inflict
• Require CalPERS and CalSTRS, two of the nation's largest pension funds, to divest from companies that make, sell, or market firearms or ammunition

Celebrities Who Have Accidentally Shot Themselves

The Week

 2. Al Capone
Twelve bodyguards apparently weren't enough to keep the mobster safe from bullets — his own. In 1928, Capone actually shot himself in both legs and the groin. According to reports at the time, Capone had just finished a round of golf with a friend and was entering the car to head home when his gun discharged accidentally. But more recent reports tell a different story. As Capone rummaged through his bag for a club, a revolver in the bag reportedly fired. Either way, the lesson is clear: When hitting the links, it's probably better to leave the firearms at home.

Courthouse Shooting in Delaware - 3 Dead - 2 Wounded

Huffington Post

Two women, including the shooter's estranged wife, were fatally wounded in the incident. Two police officers were also transported to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Authorities say the shooter -- identified as 45-year-old David Matusiewicz -- is dead.

Matusiewicz opened fire around 8:00 a.m. inside the public lobby of the courthouse, a state police spokesperson said. He did not pass through the security perimeter located a few feet inside the front doors.
Authorities said that there are eight to 10 officers on the courthouse campus at any given time.

Matusiewicz was at the New Castle County Courthouse in Wilmington on Monday morning for a child support hearing involving his three kids. He has fought for custody since being convicted of abducting his children in 2007.

The two officers were struck in their bullet-proof vests, according to Sgt. Paul Shavack of the Delaware State Police.

Sounds like another guy who shouldn't have had a gun. What do you think?

Please leave a comment.

Cenk Uygur with Brendan “Dan” McKown, Tacoma Mall Shooting Survivor

Negligent Lawful Gun Owner Drops Her Gun - It Discharges and Hits Husband

Local news reports with video.

More women are carrying guns, which means more negligent and dangerous women are carrying them.

"Third degree assault and reckless endangering" doesn't sound like enough to lose gun rights over.  What do you think?

Please leave a comment.

Accidental Shooting in Kentucky - 3-Year-old Dead - Mom's Boyfriend Arrested

Local news reports.

Paducah police are investigating the apparent accidental shooting of a three-year-old child Saturday afternoon at a home in the 1500 block of North 12th Street. The child died at about 8:30 p.m. at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. Detectives have charged, the mother's boyfriend, Nicholas D. Barbee, 21, with second-degree manslaughter. 

Police were called to a report of a "young male shot."  When officers arrived, the child was lying on his back on the floor with a single gunshot wound.  The child was taken to a local hospital, then airlifted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.

Barbee admitted, after questioning, that he accidentally shot the child.  He was booked into McCracken County Regional Jail.

Now, what's so difficult about that? The responsible person is arrested without delay.

To my way of thinking, the 3-year-old isn't the only victim here.  Young Nicholas, who was a product of his father and uncles and all the other rednecks in Paducah didn't stand a chance.

What's your opinion?  Please leave a comment.