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Written by Bethany Lacy
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Thursday, 24 January 2013 00:00 |
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In the month following the Sandy Hook tragedy, Vice President Joe Biden and his team made of Cabinet members interviewed families of Sandy Hook victims about what measures they felt needed to be taken to reduce gun-related violence. Biden, who chaired a committee that had jurisdiction over these issues of guns and crime before becoming vice president, compiled a list of actions he and his task force thought would reduce gun-related violence. On January 16, President Obama signed 23 executive actions that should help reduce gun-related violence. President Obama gave a speech immediately before signing the orders to talk about key actions. At the top of the list are ● strengthening the background check system for people wanting to buy guns ● helping schools hire more resource officers depending on the individual schools’ wishes ● making sure mental health professionals know their options for reporting threats of violence ● funding research for for the Centers of Disease Control to study what causes gun violence and how to reduce it ● a ban on military-style assault weapons for civilians ● a 10-round limit on magazines ● stronger reprimands for people who intentionally sell guns to criminals After listing these key actions, President Obama said, “But as important as these steps are, they are in no way a substitute for action from members of Congress. To make a real and lasting difference, Congress, too, must act -- and Congress must act soon. And I’m calling on Congress to pass some very specific proposals right away.” Some politicians had negative views for Obama’s proposals. Congressman Tim Griffin from Arkansas’ Second District issued a statement that said, “Like most Arkansans, I’m concerned about our nation’s treatment of mental illness, our increasingly crude and violent culture, and a criminal justice system that allows repeat offenders to roam the streets.” Arkansas’ U.S Senator John Boozman issued his own statement on the issue. Boozman stated, “President Obama’s statements today touched on some areas of common ground, but ultimately his plans rely too strongly on the failed gun-control ideas of the past. While he is likely to find a broad base of support for some of his mental health directives and for providing incentives to hire school resource officers...Stricter enforcement of the laws on the books is where we need to start.” Both Griffin and Boozman stated that they believed learning more about mental illness is pivotal to reducing gun-related violence. Dr. Jan Kallberg, an assistant professor of emergency management, expressed similar views to the Arkansas politicians. He said, “Normally when we have an issue with guns and weapons, we tend to tighten the rules for people who actually behave. I can see a need for better background checks. However, we have a large number of people in different stages of mental illnesses which you will not detect with that kind of background check. So what would gain from saying that law-abiding citizens should have restrictions when they (the restrictions) are not capturing those who are the actual perpetrators.” “We overestimate the reach of government. People are pretty ingenious in thinking up ways to get what they want if they set out to do it,” Kallberg said. |
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Written by Bethany Lacy
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Monday, 20 February 2012 16:46 |
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Do you want to do something cheap and romantic for your significant other? Making cookies is a simple and tasty way to say "I love you."
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Written by University Relations
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Thursday, 22 September 2011 00:00 |
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Historic downtown Russellville is the place to be on Thursday, Sept. 29, as the Russellville Downtown Association, a committee of Main Street Russellville, hosts a special no-cost event to welcome Tech students back to Russellville.
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Written by Caitlin Holland
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Thursday, 08 September 2011 00:00 |
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As a freshman there are a lot of new opportunities you’ll get to experience. Here’s a list of the top 15 tips upperclassmen have for the freshman class.
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Written by Christina Guidry
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Thursday, 08 September 2011 00:00 |
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Oh the joys and terrors of being a freshmen in college. Seems just like yesterday, when I stepped on Tech’s campus for the first time. I remember being anxious about not being able to find my classes because the campus seemed extremely big at the time. I was happy to experience something new, but terrified since I didn’t know anyone.
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