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These are the 18 Americans who were killed this month in mass shootings in the Atlanta area and Boulder, Colorado. These are 18 people who might still be alive if only past Congresses and presidents had approved common-sense, obvious measures to limit gun violence.
Now, with Democrats in control of the House, the Senate and the White House, the chances for significant gun legislation seem better than in recent years. President Joe Biden and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-San Francisco, are demanding the reinstatement of a 1994 federal law which lapsed in 2004. With many exceptions, it prohibited the manufacture, transfer or possession of semi-automatic rifles and banned the manufacture of “ammunition feeding devices” that made it easy to rapidly fire 10 rounds or more.
A long list of Democrats also say there should be significant waiting periods after sales to lessen crimes of impulse. The accused gunman in Atlanta, whom The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board will not name under its policy regarding mass shootings, bought his weapon just hours before eight people were killed at three spas.
Even limited assault weapon bans are controversial on the right because of “slippery slope” arguments that they are a first step toward the scrapping of Second Amendment gun rights. But two very smart reforms involving background checks that the House passed on mostly party-line votes early this month should not fall prey to such arguments — because such checks are broadly supported by gun owners.
The first would close an outrageous loophole in gun laws by finally requiring that those buying weapons on the internet, at gun shows and in some private transactions be subject to federal background checks. It is astounding that an estimated one in five gun sales in the U.S. are conducted without such checks. The second would give authorities 10 business days to finish federal background checks, overturning the absurd present policy in which guns can be sold if the government can’t finish background checks of prospective buyers within three days. Both are a part of sensible gun reforms.
The Senate should pass them right away. Unfortunately, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, mocks the measures as “ridiculous theater” and claims that limiting access to gun ownership correlated with increased gun violence. Given that the U.S. has more weapons — and far more gun killings — than other developed nations, Cruz is offering his own ridiculous theater for the National Rifle Association.
If only America could have the epiphany seen in another nation with a history of venerating gun rights. In 2019, after 51 people were slain at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, lawmakers voted 119-1 in favor of a ban on semi-automatic rifles and parts that can be used to assemble prohibited firearms.
If congressional Republicans once again figure out to how to thwart gun reforms, California lawmakers should consider toughening the state’s already-strong laws. If court challenges ensue, so be it.
"Opinion" - Google News
March 27, 2021 at 09:21AM
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Opinion: Mass shootings in Georgia, Colorado show need for better gun laws - The San Diego Union-Tribune
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