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Senate GOP blocks domestic terrorism bill, gun policy debate

76 Comments
By FARNOUSH AMIRI and LISA MASCARO

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The US Constitution, for better or worse, says all adult residents have the right to own firearms.

It does not. The 2nd amendment says, "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."

Which "well-regulated Militia" did the shooter with a semi-automatic assault weapon belong to?

The leading cause of death for children in America is from a gunshot.

Let that sink in for a minute.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It taught me that without the US, you guys would be Speaking fluent German.

LOL Americans thinking they defeated the Nazis single handedly, lol

fact is without the soviets America would be speaking German by now,or maybe even Japanese

4 ( +4 / -0 )

The percentage of people who want stricter gun laws oddly match exactly the sad Biden approval rate of 36%

actually the majority of Amerians want stricter gun laws

Bidens approval is around 41% still far better than Trumps 36% and who couldnt even get above 48,5% in 4yrs, all major polls not FOX polls

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Seeking perfection for any law is the way to get nothing accomplished.

I'm always surprised when non-Residents of the US seem to think that 535 people (House + Senate) can get guns removed from the US. It doesn't work that way.

The US Constitution, for better or worse, says all adult residents have the right to own firearms. Until that gets amended, only minor gun controls are possible. Amending the US Constitution isn't easy. Basically 75% of Americans need to agree to any amendment. Today, gun rights and gun control people are split about 60% pro-guns, 30% anti-guns and 10% don't care/know.

Amending the Constitution was supposed to be hard. For gun control, it will be nearly impossible. Too many families still like to hunt and take their kids hunting to get away from the city. Getting them to give up hunting is like asking Japanese to stop eating fish.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

bass4funkToday  11:53 am JST

"Europe can survive fine without any of that stuff."

You don’t have to worry about wild animals, bears, wolves cougars, dangerous snakes or anything like that, so relax.

Neither does anyone in New York City, or Las Vegas

"No one actually needs anything from America,"

Yeah, you do, especially when it comes to products, technology and military equipment.

There's nothing America currently provides other countries couldn't produce easily for themselves or get elsewhere.

Again, America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold.

All the more reason to have as little as possible to do with America, then. Who wants your germs?

no more than Americans actually need all those guns

Well, we do, you’re on an island, we are not, big difference, we have a violent cartel South of the border, you don’t. Context is everything.

So how do people in Minnesota need lots of guns because of a violent cartel South of the border?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

painkiller

And let's see your source for Japanese law that bans assault rifles.

https://www.businessinsider.com/gun-control-how-japan-has-almost-completely-eliminated-gun-deaths-2017-10

"They can only buy shotguns and air rifles — no handguns — and every three years they must retake the class and initial exam."

4 ( +4 / -0 )

It taught me that without the US, you guys would be Speaking fluent German.

I also speak fluent Japanese, learning languages opens up your mind, you should try it!!!

6 ( +6 / -0 )

painkiller

No. But they solved mass shootings.

Great.

Not that mass shootings are or were an everyday occurrence in any of those countries, or the US.

It's more than an everyday occurrence in the US. There have been 214 mass shootings so far this year and only 147 days. That's more than one mass shooting every day.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

It taught me that without the US, you guys would be Speaking fluent German.

I do speak fluent German , thanks.

Anyway, relax, this is not about any individual here, it’s about this crazy guy that killed all of these innocent kids.

You can be relaxed about children getting killed but I have a conscience!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

I get Europeans hate our 2nd amendment, but honestly, we don’t care. 

I agree, the right wing doesn't care how many children get killed.

Their fear of losing their non-existent masculinity drives them to arms themselves but as proven in Uvalade no one has the courage to use the arms against another armed person!!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Europe is an island????

UK, you knew what I meant, nice try as usual.

Is that is what is taught in home schooling?

It taught me that without the US, you guys would be Speaking fluent German. Anyway, relax, this is not about any individual here, it’s about this crazy guy that killed all of these innocent kids.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

Too much of relaxation in school prevents you from learning there are bears, wolves and other wild animals in Europe.

Not like ours, you don’t have Mountain lions and you don’t have rattle snakes. Again, a knife won’t stop them, we have larger farms, more widespread. I get Europeans hate our 2nd amendment, but honestly, we don’t care. When you guys can vote in our elections, then we will gladly listen and take your opinions into consideration, other than that, it’s just the typical European liberal bashing that means nothing.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

Well, we do, you’re on an island, we are not, big difference,

Europe is an island????

Is that is what is taught in home schooling?

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Republicans to block gun debate. Is that not obvious?

No, they’re not blocking gun debate, they’re blocking a measure that would once again in a sneakingly way lead to various forms of gun confiscation and Thank God for the GOP to not fall for that bait.

It only reflects the shallowness of US policy/law makers.

On the Democrats side, most definitely.

The real issue is to stop selling guns to public like other nations.

No, the issue is to aggressively enforce the laws on the books, hire and fund for more police, allow the police to do their jobs, increase police presence at more troubled public schools and study deeper effects on the trappings of mental illness for starters

They can never halt the lobbyists from filthy rich gun-makers, powerful rifle-clubs..

More complicated than that.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

You don’t have to worry about wild animals, bears, wolves cougars, dangerous snakes or anything like that, so relax.

Too much of relaxation in school prevents you from learning there are bears, wolves and other wild animals in Europe.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Uvalade has a police department , a SWAT team, they spend 40% of their budget on law enforcement and yet no one had the courage to engage the shooter and let him slaughter children for 1 hour.

So their arguments for arming teachers fall flat, when the cops don't have the courage to take on an armed person. Yet they oppose any law, measure which can prevent arms from falling into the hands into the hands of idiots.

That's all you need to know to understand how much they care about children!

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Europe can survive fine without any of that stuff.

You don’t have to worry about wild animals, bears, wolves cougars, dangerous snakes or anything like that, so relax.

No one actually needs anything from America,

Yeah, you do, especially when it comes to products, technology and military equipment. Again, America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold.

no more than Americans actually need all those guns

Well, we do, you’re on an island, we are not, big difference, we have a violent cartel South of the border, you don’t. Context is everything.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

People in Washington always want to look like they’re doing something, so their opponents look like they’re doing nothing.

Everyone is bickering, but nothing of substance ever changes.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

…and in such large numbers each time?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Since it’s not guns, what do you think is broken in the American psyche that causes you people kill each other so much?

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Republicans to block gun debate. Is that not obvious?

It only reflects the shallowness of US policy/law makers.

The real issue is to stop selling guns to public like other nations.

They can never halt the lobbyists from filthy rich gun-makers, powerful rifle-clubs..

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Blacklabel is correct. Guns don’t kill Americans, Americans kill Americans. For some reason they do it way more than the other civilization nations, but it’s clearly not a gun problem and is obviously a problem with the psyche of the American people.

yes it is. now we are getting somewhere.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

well, just heard that once again the FBI knew of this threat before it happened.

has there been any case recently they didnt know about it or hadnt already had contact with the shooter?

seems super common that they did know or did have contact.

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

painkiller

Which is easier do you think? Solving poverty, mental illness and immigration or banning assault rifles?

If you need some help ask UK, NZ or Australia, even Japan. They can tell you how they did it.

None of those countries solved poverty. Mental illness is alive and well in all of them. They all certainly have a history of racist immigration policies.

No. But they solved mass shootings.

Japan has a law specifying a ban on assault rifles?

Yes.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Blacklabel

one could kill someone with a pencil if they wanted to.

How many kids do you think would have died if this guy was armed with a pencil?

Not many.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Blacklabel

I am not fine with DUIs but I am not out there saying ban alcohol.

And nobody is suggesting banning guns. Just regulate them more. Like DUI is regulated.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Blacklabel is correct. Guns don’t kill Americans, Americans kill Americans. For some reason they do it way more than the other civilization nations, but it’s clearly not a gun problem and is obviously a problem with the psyche of the American people.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

The proposal would stop short of creating new federal statutes needed to prosecute domestic terrorism in the same way the U.S. prosecutes attacks inspired by foreign groups. It would not create new criminal offenses or new lists of designated domestic terrorist groups. And it would also not give law enforcement additional investigative powers.

It deserved to fail.

Bob FosseToday  09:33 am JST

Which is easier do you think? Solving poverty, mental illness and immigration or banning assault rifles?

If you need some help ask UK, NZ or Australia, even Japan. They can tell you how they did it.

None of those countries solved poverty. Mental illness is alive and well in all of them. They all certainly have a history of racist immigration policies. Japan has a law specifying a ban on assault rifles?

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

Elections have consequences. Don’t blame the Republican politicians. Blame the Americans who vote for these jokers.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

no, I already shared many many other things.

You can take your time to read them and then reply to me (or not).

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

But I am also realistic that guns, cars and alcohol or anything else that kills people (fentanyl) will not be going away nor successfully banned. So we need an actual solution, not just talk of something that wont happen.

No. You mean won’t happen in The US despite happening almost everywhere else.

Why is that?

5 ( +7 / -2 )

I am not fine with DUIs but I am not out there saying ban alcohol.

I am not fine with people dying in car crashes, but Im not out there saying ban cars.

I am not "fine" with anything bad happening to anyone, anywhere.

But I am also realistic that guns, cars and alcohol or anything else that kills people (fentanyl) will not be going away nor successfully banned. So we need an actual solution, not just talk of something that wont happen.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

no only 36% of people support more strict gun laws.

which is quite different from what you are trying to claim.

-9 ( +0 / -9 )

What is The US lacking?

only 36% of the people wanting it. 

muh democracy and stuff.

64% are fine with the chance of their kids not coming home from school? What a sick country.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Its not a trick, its reality. Read Obama's "dont forget the homie George Floyd!" tweet and listen to Biden's speeches after shootings and give me an example of something that is not an example of/or promoting divisiveness, fear, lies and distrust.

Instead of that how about you tell me why the US can’t learn about gun control from other countries who have successfully almost completely eliminated mass shootings?

It’s good to admit help is needed, that’s how we learn things.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Dagon,the different from me and you ,if I want to get something done, I hire a special civil prosecutor to mead out justice against those who violate my rights, people llke me do not have to wait on Congress for justice

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

it’s sad that you have been tricked into believing this.

Its not a trick, its reality. Read Obama's "dont forget the homie George Floyd!" tweet and listen to Biden's speeches after shootings and give me an example of something that is not an example of/or promoting divisiveness, fear, lies and distrust.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

What is The US lacking?

only 36% of the people wanting it.

muh democracy and stuff.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

How did so many other countries manage it? What is The US lacking?

Cohesion and a sense of obligation to society.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Europe can survive fine without any of that stuff. No one actually needs anything from America, 

I understand your anger, but this just simply isn’t true.

That’s what Russia thought. Push too hard and the world will find another way.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Politics and vote pandering by creating a culture of divisiveness, fear, lies and distrust. Dems did this. 

It’s sad that you have been tricked into believing this.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

As we grieve the children of Uvalde today, we should take time to recognize that two years have passed since the murder of George Floyd under the knee of a police officer.” Obama tweeted. “His killing stays with us all to this day, especially those who loved him.”

what "action" to prevent more school shootings is this proposing?

seems to me the action is forget about these children and put the focus back on racial division. Seems Obama is implying that because the shooter wasnt white, this particular shooting has no political value to him, so lets change the topic already.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

it is never going to happen so I dont understand the insistence of continuing to offer it like it is a viable solution.

How did so many other countries manage it? What is The US lacking?

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Politics and vote pandering by creating a culture of divisiveness, fear, lies and distrust. Dems did this.

The powers of partisan projection are immense.

Look at this topic and others and despair if you dare.

Doubt you have the powers of selfーawareness though

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Blacklabel

or banning assault rifles?

it is never going to happen so I dont understand the insistence of continuing to offer it like it is a viable solution.

They had a ban on assault rifles before, so I don't see why they can't do it again. If you look at other countries that have enacted bans on semi-automatic weapons, they have been very success in preventing mass shootings.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

Talking about an action that wont and cant happen is not "action".

its political talking, to use a tragedy to push an agenda.

Just like Barack Obama tweeted to take the focus off this to remind us of how much we miss the contributions of George Floyd to society instead.

Politics and vote pandering by creating a culture of divisiveness, fear, lies and distrust. Dems did this.

American people have had enough of it, as will be shown in November.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Last time we went through this, there was "no source of funding" for any of the legitimate solutions that were offered.

Yes, you are correct, no action should be taken. The number of children being shot in school is acceptable as it stands. Right?

 

...right?

9 ( +10 / -1 )

or banning assault rifles?

it is never going to happen so I dont understand the insistence of continuing to offer it like it is a viable solution.

-11 ( +0 / -11 )

Yes, you are correct in your underlying implication that this means no gun control legislation should be enacted whatsoever, and that the status quo is the ideal.

54 billion dollars could have helped.

Last time we went through this, there was "no source of funding" for any of the legitimate solutions that were offered.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

bass4funkToday  08:55 am JST

I could care less what the rest of the world thinks, when Europe can survive without our military currency, movies, millions of products.

Europe can survive fine without any of that stuff. No one actually needs anything from America, no more than Americans actually need all those guns.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Well, we all know who's bankrolling those GOP Senators' re-election campaigns, don't we.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Again, the left jumps on guns and ignores everything else, the GOP are not even going to fall for this ploy and thank god for that.

Because they’ve been bought by gun lobbyists and know if they don’t have the votes of the guns and god idiots they have no chance of holding their positions. Do you think anyone with any intelligence votes for horrorshow humans like Greene?

Let’s hope they calm down and have a sit down and talk about real lasting solutions and changes because we know there are more factors involved other than just the gun.

You mean America’s unique form of mental illness? Minorities? Poverty?

Which is easier do you think? Solving poverty, mental illness and immigration or banning assault rifles?

If you need some help ask UK, NZ or Australia, even Japan. They can tell you how they did it.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Weird to blame the problem on the police not recklessly risking death, rather than on the gunman. Or weak gun laws. Reeks of desperation to not admit America has a problem with children being shot up in public.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

The media is reporting that it took the police 54 minute of waiting outside the school while the gunman was inside slaughtering the kids and before they decided to go into the school and killed the gunman!!?

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Yes really.

I disagree, implement properly and they will work, that hasn’t been done.

By far the weakest gun laws in the civilized world. There isn't a civilized nation even in the same ballpark as America when it comes to gun laws.

I could care less what the rest of the world thinks, when Europe can survive without our military currency, movies, millions of products. I’ll listen until then, I’ll dismiss any comments coming from across the pond, doesn’t help us and not relevant politically.

I mean, I guess you could compare America to like Somalia or Sudan, and say that American gun laws are weak.

You can think whatever you want. No worries.

Quite a high bar you're setting for your country there mate.

I disagree, but again, think what you like.

-13 ( +0 / -13 )

Yesterday (you know who) “What have the Democrats done? Why don’t they do something? They don’t need Republican support. They won’t do anything”

Today (same peanut gallery) “I’m glad they can’t do anything.”

Pathetic with a capital P

Again, the left jumps on guns and ignores everything else, the GOP are not even going to fall for this ploy and thank god for that. Let’s hope they calm down and have a sit down and talk about real lasting solutions and changes because we know there are more factors involved other than just the gun.

-15 ( +0 / -15 )

American laws are weak on guns. Extremely weak. 

Not really

Yes really. By far the weakest gun laws in the civilized world. There isn't a civilized nation even in the same ballpark as America when it comes to gun laws.

I mean, I guess you could compare America to like Somalia or Sudan, and say that American gun laws are weak. Quite a high bar you're setting for your country there mate.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

Americans with rifles and hand guns killed more Americans this year alone than OBL did during the 9/11 terrorist attack, and yet the GOP refuses to STOP it.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

American laws are weak on guns. Extremely weak. 

Not really, just a lot of States don’t and won’t enforce the gun laws already on the books.

Gun ownership is a right provided by the Constitution. 

And that won’t change, another reason why the GOP blocked the measure.

And I think the GOP should be very vocal about blocking any changes to that right in the constitution. This will go over well with the public.

Depends

-14 ( +0 / -14 )

Hang your heads in shame.

9 ( +11 / -2 )

elections aren’t saving you.

How would they? I'm not American.

The percentage of people who want stricter gun laws oddly match exactly the sad Biden approval rate of 36%.

Sure. Keep pushing for the status quo. It's a good strategy to win in November, I'm sure of it.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

All Republicans voted against it.

Yesterday (you know who) “What have the Democrats done? Why don’t they do something? They don’t need Republican support. They won’t do anything”

Today (same peanut gallery) “I’m glad they can’t do anything.”

Pathetic with a capital P.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Is the Texas shooter considered a domestic terrorist and would fall under this bill?

would this bill have prevented this shooting or the Buffalo one?

no, it would not.

Yes, you are correct in your underlying implication that this means no gun control legislation should be enacted whatsoever, and that the status quo is the ideal.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

""Rejection of the bill, just two days after the mass shooting at Texas elementary school that killed 19 children and two teachers, brought into sharp relief Congress' persistent failure to pass legislation to curb the nation's epidemic of gun violence.""

This is a home made EPIDEMIC, it is the results of so many politicians with NO SOULS or the Patriotism to save the nation from this blood letting.

This is not about the second amendment or the right to bare arms, this is about saving lives and very young ones, this should NOT BE UP FOR DEBATE or even a VOTE not when it comes to saving so many innocent young lives, SHAME Shame Shame, the next election should FLUSH out all these rotten politicians.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

The Avenger

What is the purpose of gun laws that restrict guns when the laws are only obeyed by law abiding citizens, and there is no accountability for criminals who violate the laws?

You could say why have any laws at all because criminals will disobey them. But that would be silly.

Gun ownership is a right provided by the Constitution.

True. But the constitution says well regulated. Let's outlaw semi-automatic weapons. That would have word in this case.

and we need to increase security at schools.

In the case of the school in Uvalde, it already had increased security. Didn't work.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

Texas Democrats re-elected a pro NRA, anti abortion candidate.

elections aren’t saving you. The percentage of people who want stricter gun laws oddly match exactly the sad Biden approval rate of 36%.

this domestic terrorism bill doesn’t do anything but give the government more surveillance powers over law abiding citizens.

-12 ( +0 / -12 )

What is the purpose of gun laws that restrict guns when the laws are only obeyed by law abiding citizens

The legality of guns creates the availability of guns for the black market. This is why in Japan you don't see people shooting each other. The legal gun market is, for all intents and purposes, non-existent in Japan.

there is no accountability for criminals who violate the laws?

American laws are weak on guns. Extremely weak.

Gun ownership is a right provided by the Constitution.

And I think the GOP should be very vocal about blocking any changes to that right in the constitution. This will go over well with the public.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

I figure between obstruction of gun control rights, pushing anti-abortion and anit-choice bills, and oppressing homosexuality, the GOP is doubling down on policies that are not popular with the American people. I don't know if that's enough to help the Democrats come November, but if anything is going to help them, it's the GOP being public about going further extreme to the right.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

a domestic terrorism bill

Is the Texas shooter considered a domestic terrorist and would fall under this bill?

would this bill have prevented this shooting or the Buffalo one?

no, it would not.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Good. This bill was about Democrats removing political opposition from within our military & police, under the guise of "white supremacy", so much so that they are willing to create agencies that will do it for them. It was a useless & petty bill aimed at targeting conservatives. Thankfully, the GOP didn’t fall for that trap.

-14 ( +0 / -14 )

Chuck Schumer Blocks School Safety Bill Named After Parkland Victims

https://www.newsweek.com/chuck-schumer-blocks-school-safety-bill-named-after-parkland-victims-1710469

What is the purpose of gun laws that restrict guns when the laws are only obeyed by law abiding citizens, and there is no accountability for criminals who violate the laws? Gun ownership is a right provided by the Constitution. Guns often save the lives of law abiding citizens who are attacked by violent criminals. We do not need more anti-gun laws. We need to enforce the criminal laws on the books to the fullest extent, and we need to increase security at schools.

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

Republicans blocked a domestic terrorism bill that would have opened debate on difficult questions surrounding hate crimes and gun safety.

In the American monumentts to free speech and debate, blocking debate is showing their support for the Constitution and "free speech"?

Well done self own showing up their own hypocrisy for the GOP.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

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