Gun Control?!?
- San Bernardino. Colorado Springs. Roseburg, Oregon. Chatanooga, Tennessee.
- Moms Demand Action. Stop Handgun Violence. Everytown for Gun Safety.
- Executive Order from the White House. Congressional opposition. Second Amendment rights. National Rifle Association.
Yikes.
At the cusp of our 2016 Presidential election year, in the light of mental illnesses, police violence and global terrorism, the national debate on gun control is quickly rising to the forefront in political contests across the country. Television, print media, and social media alike are inundating citizens – consumers, voters, parents – with often conflicting messages, pro and con, on the subject of guns and gun control.
The League of Women Voters is not silent on this subject. Here’s our national position, adopted in 1990 and amended in 1994 and 1998:
The League of Women Voters of the United States believes that the proliferation of handguns and semi-automatic assault weapons in the United States is a major health and safety threat to its citizens. The League supports strong federal measures to limit the accessibility and regulate the ownership of these weapons by private citizens. The League supports regulating firearms for consumer safety.
The League supports licensing procedures for gun ownership by private citizens to include a waiting period for background checks, personal identity verification, gun safety education and annual license renewal. The license fee should be adequate to bear the cost of education and verification.
The League supports a ban on “Saturday night specials,” enforcement of strict penalties for the improper possession of and crimes committed with handguns and assault weapons, and allocation of resources to better regulate and monitor gun dealers.
Seemingly clear: but what does it mean in light of today’s debate?
If you’d like to know more, come to the Marin League’s January Justice Committee meeting on Thursday, January 7, 10:00 – 11:30 in the League office. We’re going to discuss the possibility of examining gun control issues more closely in 2016, particularly as those issues impact life in Marin County. No reservations required!
