The right to bear arms is being tested all across the country by groups looking to tighten gun control measures. The push to change some laws is coming just one month after the tragic school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
A call for change is coming from all over the country. In Lancaster, Mayor Rick Gray is urging Congress to pass stricter gun control measures. The federal government and states like New York are pushing the measure, trying to make sure something like the Newtown shooting never happens again.
Guns and gun control measures are in the spotlight once again, one month after the tragic Newtown school shooting that claimed the lives of 20 kids and 6 educators.
“We’re not going to let this happen again. We’re going to take steps,” said Mayor Rick Gray, (D) Lancaster.
Mayor Gray is a member of the group Mayors Against Illegal Guns. The dozens of city leaders are pushing for tighter gun regulations. It’s a message that is being heard loud and clear by the White House and the state of New York.
“If there is a step we can take that will save even one child from what happened in Newtown, we should take that step,” said President Barack Obama.
The federal government is considering some broad ranging gun control measures. Vice-President Joe Biden is expected to release the initial findings of meetings with both sides some time this week. They are expected to include, tightening background checks on all potential gun buyers. The measures are drawing sharp criticism from the NRA.
“I would say that the likelihood is that they are not going to be able to get an assault weapons ban through this congress,” said NRA President David Keene.
The state of New York is embarking on the passage of some of the tightest restrictions in the country. The impending law will ban the sale of assault style weapons, limit the size of magazines or clips and tighten background checks.
“There are some people who would say all these things you want to do, they won’t do anything. You have to begin somewhere dealing with the problem,” said Mayor Gray.
As for here in Pennsylvania, no gun control measures are in the works at this point. Governor Tom Corbett has said the state has a bunch of measures in place already. He believes the Commonwealth should focus on school safety and mental health issues, rather than guns themselves.
The timeline for action in Congress and New York is pushing fast. The New York State Senate passed the gun control measures yesterday and the House is expected to pass the law some time today. New gun control measures are expected to go before Congress after the inauguration which is scheduled for next Monday, January 21.