Second Amendment

Congressman John Yarmuth Urges Senate to Pass Gun Background Checks

Phillip M. Bailey — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:17:56 +0000

Speaking on the House floor Wednesday, Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth encouraged the Senate to pass legislation creating stricter background checks before purchasing a gun.

Yarmuth cited a constituent's letter in The Courier-Journal that criticized lawmakers for being beholden to the National Rifle Association over common sense gun laws. Poll numbers did indicate a large number of Americans backed tighter gun restrictions, but as NPR reported last month those figures began to wane to pre-Newtown levels in recent weeks.

But Yarmuth says the Senate needs to listen to the "vast majority" of Americans and Kentuckians and pass background checks for gun purchasers.

Watch:

Senator Rand Paul: President Obama Using Gun Victims, Families As 'Props'

Phillip M. Bailey — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:03:12 +0000

Speaking to reporters at an event organized by the Christian Science Monitor, U.S. Senator Rand Paul, R-Ky., blasted President Obama for using the families of gun violence victims in his push for legislative reforms.

From Huffington Post:

"I think gun control is a legitimate issue for us to debate," Paul said. "I hate to see using people, I think, as props and politicizing people's tragedy. When I see the father and the mothers and them testifying - and I know they're coming voluntarily, and they want to come and be part of this debate - but it still saddens me just to see them, and I think that in some cases the president has used them as props. And that disappoints me.

The president has reached out to family members of victims from the Newtown massacre in the aftermath.

One mother stood in for Obama during one of his weekly presidential addresses. In that speech Francine Wheeler, whose 6-year-old son was murdered during the shooting spree, pleaded for stricter gun control laws.

City Departments Hope Gun Owners Will Use Common Sense

Phillip M. Bailey — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 23:29:02 +0000

Louisville Metro Government departments are urging gun owners to use common sense now that firearms are allowed in city-owned buildings.

The General Assembly passed a state law forbidding cities from enacting stricter gun laws than the state in 2012, and the Metro Council changed its definition of deadly weapons last week as a result.

Under the new provisions taking effect this month, residents are allowed to openly carry a firearm in Metro facilities such as the mayor’s office and City Hall, as well as libraries, parks and the Louisville Zoo.

Fischer Backs President Obama's Gun Control Measures, but State Law Hampers City Efforts

Phillip M. Bailey — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:00:00 +0000

Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer says President Obama's proposal for gun control laws are rational and that he'd like to see new legislation passed.

But those comments are in stark contrast to a state law that is forcing changes to the city's definition of deadly weapons and now allow firearms to be carried in city-owned buildings.

WHAS's Mandy Connell Apologizes for ‘Yellow Star’ Remark

Phillip M. Bailey — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:53:21 +0000

WHAS radio host Mandy Connell has apologized for controversial remarks that compared gun registration to the tagging of Jews in Nazi Germany.

Last week, Connell had a debate with Democratic Congressman John Yarmuth over firearm regulations in the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary school massacre.

Second Amendment advocates have voice concern over new stricter laws, and Connell said legislation to register legal gun owners could be the first step to total citizen disarmament and was similar Jews being tagged with yellow stars during the Holocaust.

Speaking on her Tuesday morning broadcast, Connell said the comparison was inappropriate.

"It seemed to some that I was making light of the persecution of the Jews in Germany. That is not at all my intention—ever," she says. "I’m well aware of the horrors perpetuated on the Jewish people. And if my comments caused pain or unhappiness or discomfort to those in the Jewish community, I am truly, truly sorry."

Congressman John Yarmuth Backs Bill to Ban High-Capacity Ammo Magazines

Phillip M. Bailey — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 21:11:18 +0000

Third District Congressman John Yarmuth, D-Ky., is co-sponsoring legislation that would ban high-capacity ammunition magazines.

A pair of Democratic lawmakers introduced the same bill last summer in the wake of a mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater. But there is newfound pressure for gun control measures due to the massacre of students and faculty at Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut.

The measure would ban the sale or transfer of firearms that hold more than 10 rounds. Supporters point out that some gun magazines have 100 or more rounds.

Yarmuth says this measure is one of the least controversial attempts at gun control to prevent future massacres.

"These magazines serve no legitimate sporting purpose or even self-defense purpose. They are only there for mass killing," he says.

Yarmuth Calls for Comprehensive Gun Control in Wake of Sandy Hook Shooting

Phillip M. Bailey — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 18:01:29 +0000

Kentucky Third District Congressman John Yarmuth, D-Ky., says lawmakers need to get behind comprehensive gun control in the aftermath of a elementary school shooting in Newtown, Conn.

Last Friday, a gunman entered Sandy Hook Elementary School with an assault rifle and two semi-automatic pistols, killing 20 children and six adults. The shooting has sparked a national debate about the Second Amendment, and gun control groups have been pushing for stricter laws.

However, gun right's advocates such as Congressman Louie Gohmert, R-Tx., have suggested the school’s principal should have been armed as a way to protect the students and staff.

Yarmuth says arming more citizens is not the answer, and that groups like the National Rifle Association ought to be open to reasonable regulations.

"The National Rifle Association has spent untold millions of dollars instilling fear in our citizens and our politicians. That organization, which regularly fails to represent the responsible attitudes of its members, wants us to believe that the best protection against the irresponsible and lethal use of guns is for everyone to be armed," he says. "And while no specific gun regulation may have prevented the deaths of the 20 Sandy Hook Elementary children, 6 and 7-year-old children, the answer simply cannot be a gun in every elementary school lunchbox."

Noise and Notes: Shawnell Harrison's Concrete Dust and The Immovable Gun Debate

Phillip M. Bailey — Sun, 29 Jul 2012 02:30:00 +0000

When asked about his documentary debut, Louisville filmmaker Shawnell Harrison is direct about why he chose to tackle the razing of the historic Sheppard Square housing complex as his first project.

The 35-year-old director wanted residents to purge their feelings about the demolition and life in the projects, and Harrison's style dived into the Smoketown neighborhood where he received a raw and emotional reaction. Several residents offered him their explicit love and disdain for the 70-year-old housing project, including criticism of how the housing authority, Metro Police and media view them.

The last resident was relocated in March and demolition began in June, which leaves Sheppard Square as mostly rubble now. Construction of new homes has recently started near the former housing development that will pave the way for a mixed-income neighborhood.

Below is an excerpt of Harrison's film.

Beshear Unsure Tighter Gun Laws Could Prevent Massacre

Phillip M. Bailey — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear won't commit to additional gun control laws in light of the shooting spree at a Colorado theater last week.