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Biden urges Democrats to comply with demands to curb U.S. gun violence
LEESBURG, Virginia (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Joe Biden urged fellow Democrats in the House of Representatives on Wednesday to comply with public demands for action to reduce gun violence.
It is unclear which, if any, of Biden's gun-control recommendations Congress might approve, but the vice president said legislators have an obligation to do as much as they can.
"I don't want to hear about 'well we can't take it on because it's too politically dangerous,'" Biden told House Democrats at the opening of a three-day retreat. "There's an overwhelming consensus about the need to act."
The politically powerful gun rights lobby, led by the National Rifle Association, opposes Biden's proposals, saying they would violate Americans' constitutional right to bear arms.
However, Biden urged lawmakers to stand up to these groups and side with the American people, who clearly favor tougher gun laws, according to recent polls.
Biden's proposals include a ban on semi-automatic weapons and limits on high-capacity ammunition clips, like those used at a school massacre at in Newton, Connecticut, in December that ignited the new push for gun control.
With many Republicans and Democrats from conservative states reluctant to embrace tougher gun laws, Biden and President Barack Obama have traveled the country to try, seeking public support for their proposals.
Biden said Congress should not yield to gun-control naysayers who contend that "the risk is too high, the outcome is too uncertain."
He acknowledged that members of Congress who backed a 1994 ban on assault weapons faced a voter backlash that year that may well have cost many of them their jobs.
"I'm here to tell you the world has changed since 1994," Biden said.
"I can't imagine how we will be judged as a nation, as a people, as individuals, if we do nothing. It is simply unacceptable."
http://news.yahoo.com/biden-urges-democrats-comply-demands-curb-u-gun-025058280.html
It is unclear which, if any, of Biden's gun-control recommendations Congress might approve, but the vice president said legislators have an obligation to do as much as they can.
"I don't want to hear about 'well we can't take it on because it's too politically dangerous,'" Biden told House Democrats at the opening of a three-day retreat. "There's an overwhelming consensus about the need to act."
The politically powerful gun rights lobby, led by the National Rifle Association, opposes Biden's proposals, saying they would violate Americans' constitutional right to bear arms.
However, Biden urged lawmakers to stand up to these groups and side with the American people, who clearly favor tougher gun laws, according to recent polls.
Biden's proposals include a ban on semi-automatic weapons and limits on high-capacity ammunition clips, like those used at a school massacre at in Newton, Connecticut, in December that ignited the new push for gun control.
With many Republicans and Democrats from conservative states reluctant to embrace tougher gun laws, Biden and President Barack Obama have traveled the country to try, seeking public support for their proposals.
Biden said Congress should not yield to gun-control naysayers who contend that "the risk is too high, the outcome is too uncertain."
He acknowledged that members of Congress who backed a 1994 ban on assault weapons faced a voter backlash that year that may well have cost many of them their jobs.
"I'm here to tell you the world has changed since 1994," Biden said.
"I can't imagine how we will be judged as a nation, as a people, as individuals, if we do nothing. It is simply unacceptable."
http://news.yahoo.com/biden-urges-democrats-comply-demands-curb-u-gun-025058280.html
“He acknowledged that members of Congress who backed a 1994 ban on assault weapons faced a voter backlash that year that may well have cost many of them their jobs.”
"I'm here to tell you the world has changed since 1994," Biden said.
So times have changed since 1994. You no longer have to represent your Constituents and you have no need to fear of losing your job? I really don’t think they are that stupid.
"I'm here to tell you the world has changed since 1994," Biden said.
So times have changed since 1994. You no longer have to represent your Constituents and you have no need to fear of losing your job? I really don’t think they are that stupid.
"I can't imagine how we will be judged as a nation, as a people, as individuals, if we do nothing. It is simply unacceptable."
True words...I don't see why ANY POLITICIAN would not want to be on board..It's just sickening to know they have that much power. The American People want it. their own constituents want tougher gun laws..What the hell is the problem?!?!?!....
True words...I don't see why ANY POLITICIAN would not want to be on board..It's just sickening to know they have that much power. The American People want it. their own constituents want tougher gun laws..What the hell is the problem?!?!?!....
Gun lobby seems to be pretty powerful.
Assault weapon ban and a tightening of restrictions for ownership.
Not a complete solution as it only addresses a part of the problem but it is a start.
Assault weapon ban and a tightening of restrictions for ownership.
Not a complete solution as it only addresses a part of the problem but it is a start.
You must have missed this part-
“With many Republicans and Democrats from conservative states reluctant to embrace tougher gun laws,” and this part,
“He acknowledged that members of Congress who backed a 1994 ban on assault weapons faced a voter backlash that year that may well have cost many of them their jobs.”
It could be suicide for their careers and also sacrifice more Seats in the House. I don’t think the Pros and Cons have been weighed out but it is coming from Biden so I’m not surprised.
He has a History of speaking before thinking.
“With many Republicans and Democrats from conservative states reluctant to embrace tougher gun laws,” and this part,
“He acknowledged that members of Congress who backed a 1994 ban on assault weapons faced a voter backlash that year that may well have cost many of them their jobs.”
It could be suicide for their careers and also sacrifice more Seats in the House. I don’t think the Pros and Cons have been weighed out but it is coming from Biden so I’m not surprised.
He has a History of speaking before thinking.
With many Republicans and Democrats from conservative states reluctant to
It could be suicide for their careers and also sacrifice more Seats in the House"
and
"I can't imagine how we will be judged as a nation, as a people, as individuals, if we do nothing. It is simply unacceptable."
Mostly we dont win the conservative states anyway. I think the fact that he is willing to step up and out and say that regardless...we have to do something is gallant.
Biden has nothing to worry about in his political life so he can say whatever he wants. The Blue Dog Dems who are in conservative states will probably lose those elections based on this issue alone.
And frankly why do we care what Europe thinks of the US? Why should we care?
It is unaccpetable if we give into irrational thinking and fear. It's unacceptable if we don't look at the real issue that drives gun violence. "Assault" weapons is not the gun violence we see and hear everyday.
This whole issue of gun violence is still about fear and going right over the head of the America people because no one has wanted to talk about the real issues that cause gun violence. Both sides are at fault.
And frankly why do we care what Europe thinks of the US? Why should we care?
It is unaccpetable if we give into irrational thinking and fear. It's unacceptable if we don't look at the real issue that drives gun violence. "Assault" weapons is not the gun violence we see and hear everyday.
This whole issue of gun violence is still about fear and going right over the head of the America people because no one has wanted to talk about the real issues that cause gun violence. Both sides are at fault.
We pass tougher gun laws.
We ban assault weapons.
We ban high-capacity clips.
And when the next Sandy Hook or Columbine happens? What then? You and I both know it's only a matter of time before it happens again. It ALWAYS happens again.
What do we do THEN?
As Vance stated, the real issues surrounding gun violence aren't being addressed. After the tougher laws are passed, everyone will stand around patting each other on the back and shaking each others hands, saying "Good job!", "Well done!", blah, blah, blah...
But in reality, NOTHING meaningful was accomplished, because as I've said 100 times before... bad people intent on doing bad things don't follow the law or abide by the rules of society.
I think there's a law written someplace, about it being illegal to rob banks, but I'm pretty sure that banks are still getting robbed.
Laws don't stop criminals and malintent people from doing bad things.
GUNS stop criminals and malintent people from doing bad things.
We ban assault weapons.
We ban high-capacity clips.
And when the next Sandy Hook or Columbine happens? What then? You and I both know it's only a matter of time before it happens again. It ALWAYS happens again.
What do we do THEN?
As Vance stated, the real issues surrounding gun violence aren't being addressed. After the tougher laws are passed, everyone will stand around patting each other on the back and shaking each others hands, saying "Good job!", "Well done!", blah, blah, blah...
But in reality, NOTHING meaningful was accomplished, because as I've said 100 times before... bad people intent on doing bad things don't follow the law or abide by the rules of society.
I think there's a law written someplace, about it being illegal to rob banks, but I'm pretty sure that banks are still getting robbed.
Laws don't stop criminals and malintent people from doing bad things.
GUNS stop criminals and malintent people from doing bad things.
"....I think there's a law written someplace, about it being illegal to rob banks, but I'm pretty sure that banks are still getting robbed...."
In fact, bank robberies have been decreasing for quite some time now.
See: Bank Robbers Going the Way of Blacksmiths?
By Brad TuttleFeb. 06, 2013
"....Last year, however, there were “just” eight bank robberies reported in the same area. In fact, the paper noted, the number of bank robberies around the country has been falling steadily for years:
According to the FBI, bank holdups have dropped nearly every year since 2003, when nearly 7,500 robberies were reported nationwide with $77 million taken. In 2011 – the last complete year for data – about 5,000 banks reported robberies with $38 million stolen.
The trend continued into 2012 with an especially sharp decline in bank heists, reports the Wall Street Journal. Nationwide, there were 3,870 bank robberies last year, according to preliminary data from the FBI. That’s roughly half the number reported in 2004, and a far cry from the high hit in 1991 of nearly 9,400 bank robberies in the U.S....."
http://business.time.com/2013/02/06/bank-robbers-going-the-way-of-blacksmiths/
In fact, bank robberies have been decreasing for quite some time now.
See: Bank Robbers Going the Way of Blacksmiths?
By Brad TuttleFeb. 06, 2013
"....Last year, however, there were “just” eight bank robberies reported in the same area. In fact, the paper noted, the number of bank robberies around the country has been falling steadily for years:
According to the FBI, bank holdups have dropped nearly every year since 2003, when nearly 7,500 robberies were reported nationwide with $77 million taken. In 2011 – the last complete year for data – about 5,000 banks reported robberies with $38 million stolen.
The trend continued into 2012 with an especially sharp decline in bank heists, reports the Wall Street Journal. Nationwide, there were 3,870 bank robberies last year, according to preliminary data from the FBI. That’s roughly half the number reported in 2004, and a far cry from the high hit in 1991 of nearly 9,400 bank robberies in the U.S....."
http://business.time.com/2013/02/06/bank-robbers-going-the-way-of-blacksmiths/
Well stage coach robberies have dropped since the 1800's also. LOL
You're obviously borrowing from Obama and I must admit that it suits you well.
I'll give you that...
I think the point you were trying to make, if I'm reading between the lines correctly, is that:
Laws put in place will help to CURB the occurrence of whatever the law was designed to do.
And I won't argue that point, because it's a valid one.
All I'm saying, is that we can't simply stop at the tougher gun laws & regulations, that Biden's attempting to get passed.
The answer isn't less guns, it's more guns. How do you stop criminals from acting out criminal activities where guns are involved? You shoot them... with a gun.
Have "gun free zones" by all means, but have a clause on your books, that allows for CHL holders to carry on your premises.
If I was intent on shooting a bunch of people, I'm not going to walk into a place where I KNEW people were "packing". I'd go to a school, or a movie-theater, or a school-bus.
I see your point, Mike, but I'm trying to look BEYOND. I just don't want Biden to stop, after the tougher rules & regulations are passed.
I think the point you were trying to make, if I'm reading between the lines correctly, is that:
Laws put in place will help to CURB the occurrence of whatever the law was designed to do.
And I won't argue that point, because it's a valid one.
All I'm saying, is that we can't simply stop at the tougher gun laws & regulations, that Biden's attempting to get passed.
The answer isn't less guns, it's more guns. How do you stop criminals from acting out criminal activities where guns are involved? You shoot them... with a gun.
Have "gun free zones" by all means, but have a clause on your books, that allows for CHL holders to carry on your premises.
If I was intent on shooting a bunch of people, I'm not going to walk into a place where I KNEW people were "packing". I'd go to a school, or a movie-theater, or a school-bus.
I see your point, Mike, but I'm trying to look BEYOND. I just don't want Biden to stop, after the tougher rules & regulations are passed.
I really wasn't making any subtle or read between the lines point el. The only point I was making is that bank robberies are down.
Hopefully laws discourage the type of acts that they make unlawful and I won't argue that they don't to some degree. That just wasn't my point. When I saw you reference bank robberies I recalled seeing a very recent article addressing bank robberies and I just threw it in there for fun.
Hopefully laws discourage the type of acts that they make unlawful and I won't argue that they don't to some degree. That just wasn't my point. When I saw you reference bank robberies I recalled seeing a very recent article addressing bank robberies and I just threw it in there for fun.
Fact of the matter is, all violent crimes have been on the decline.... but that doesn't matter? This conversation is old hat.
The government already has a registration of all guns bought legally. Everyone fills out a little piece of paper when they purchase a fire arm legally.
Legally bought firearms are still not the problem. Criminals stealing guns is part of it, sick people walking into schools and movie theaters and shooting them up is another part of it. Notice how we are not addressing those issues???
The government already has a registration of all guns bought legally. Everyone fills out a little piece of paper when they purchase a fire arm legally.
Legally bought firearms are still not the problem. Criminals stealing guns is part of it, sick people walking into schools and movie theaters and shooting them up is another part of it. Notice how we are not addressing those issues???
And frankly why do we care what Europe thinks of the US? Why should we care? "
Oh boy.
Oh boy.
"...Fact of the matter is, all violent crimes have been on the decline.... but that doesn't matter?........
That trend might be changing - just maybe. Not that it matters.....
FBI: Violent crimes increased slightly in first half of 2012
By Terry Frieden, CNN Justice Producer
updated 4:21 PM EST, Mon January 14, 2013
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
All types of violent crime increased 1.9% in first half of 2012
Murders declined 1.7%, while robberies and aggravated assaults increased
Statistics for the first half of a year give a clue for the entire year, officials say
Washington (CNN) -- After several years of slow decline, the number of violent crimes in the United States edged up during the first half of 2012, according to newly released FBI statistics.
The figures supplied by the nation's thousands of police agencies showed that overall violent crime increased 1.9% over the comparable period for 2011.
Officials say the preliminary figures provided for the first six months of the year frequently provide a guide to figures for the entire calendar year, which are released in the fall.
Despite the increase in overall violent incidents, the number of murders declined 1.7 percent, and the number of rapes dropped 1.4%. Those figures, however, were offset by a 2% increase in robberies and 2.3% hike in aggravated assaults.
Among property crimes, larceny-theft, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts were all up slightly during the first half of last year. The largest increase was in arson, which went up 3.2%.
Officials will not know until next year whether these initial figures for 2012 represent the beginning of an upward trend in violent crime or a blip on the chart, which has shown an almost continuous decline in crime over the past 15 years.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/14/justice/fbi-crime-statistics-2012
That trend might be changing - just maybe. Not that it matters.....
FBI: Violent crimes increased slightly in first half of 2012
By Terry Frieden, CNN Justice Producer
updated 4:21 PM EST, Mon January 14, 2013
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
All types of violent crime increased 1.9% in first half of 2012
Murders declined 1.7%, while robberies and aggravated assaults increased
Statistics for the first half of a year give a clue for the entire year, officials say
Washington (CNN) -- After several years of slow decline, the number of violent crimes in the United States edged up during the first half of 2012, according to newly released FBI statistics.
The figures supplied by the nation's thousands of police agencies showed that overall violent crime increased 1.9% over the comparable period for 2011.
Officials say the preliminary figures provided for the first six months of the year frequently provide a guide to figures for the entire calendar year, which are released in the fall.
Despite the increase in overall violent incidents, the number of murders declined 1.7 percent, and the number of rapes dropped 1.4%. Those figures, however, were offset by a 2% increase in robberies and 2.3% hike in aggravated assaults.
Among property crimes, larceny-theft, burglaries and motor vehicle thefts were all up slightly during the first half of last year. The largest increase was in arson, which went up 3.2%.
Officials will not know until next year whether these initial figures for 2012 represent the beginning of an upward trend in violent crime or a blip on the chart, which has shown an almost continuous decline in crime over the past 15 years.
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/14/justice/fbi-crime-statistics-2012
Mostly we dont win the conservative states anyway. I think the fact that he is willing to step up and out and say that regardless...we have to do something is gallant.
I agree.
Laws put in place will help to CURB the occurrence of whatever the law was designed to do.
And I won't argue that point, because it's a valid one.
All I'm saying, is that we can't simply stop at the tougher gun laws & regulations, that Biden's attempting to get passed.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Agree with that too! Geez, either I am agreeable today or the comments are ageeable to me on this bright morning.
nygirl...if you can make a snotty comment then why not answer the question?
I'd like to think that we believe that the opinion of our ALLIES is important to us. It was not important to Mittens and our BIGGEST ally, Great Britain (maybe you have heard of them?) just about lynched him while he was there.
Maybe we're just more cosmopolitan where I come from but yes, our allies opinions do hold weight with the average Joe let alone a politician.
Maybe we're just more cosmopolitan where I come from but yes, our allies opinions do hold weight with the average Joe let alone a politician.
Plus I dont know why you would bring Europe into it, maybe I missed that. Because most of them already have very strict gun laws in place?
I'm pretty sure Vance was referring to Biden's comment: "I can't imagine how we will be judged as a nation, as a people, as individuals, if we do nothing. It is simply unacceptable"
Judged as a nation... by Europe, etc.
Correct me if I'm wrong, Vance.
Judged as a nation... by Europe, etc.
Correct me if I'm wrong, Vance.
I thought that just recently, everyone on your team was shouting from the rooftops, about how violent crime was down, under President Obama.
But now, for the purpose of this particular argument, you produce an article that says that violent crime is up.
I'm confused.
Is crime UP or DOWN under President Obama?
But now, for the purpose of this particular argument, you produce an article that says that violent crime is up.
I'm confused.
Is crime UP or DOWN under President Obama?
I'm not on any team el. That might be how you see things and I understand that it makes it simpler for you but it really has nothing to do with me. You're the black and white guy - not me. You're the up or down guy el and that's about all you've been
I post articles that I think are relevant irrespective of how they relate to politics. That violent crime post was just like my post about bank robberies - there was no ulterior motive and I wasn't laying the tidbits between the lines. It was informational and that's all it was.
I know that you're confused el - that's been quite clear for some time now.
Good luck,
Mike
I post articles that I think are relevant irrespective of how they relate to politics. That violent crime post was just like my post about bank robberies - there was no ulterior motive and I wasn't laying the tidbits between the lines. It was informational and that's all it was.
I know that you're confused el - that's been quite clear for some time now.
Good luck,
Mike
Wow
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