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February 28, 2013
Other states would be urged to emulate California's system for seizing firearms from people who are no longer legally allowed to own them, under a bill unveiled Wednesday by two Bay Area House members.
But California's program is predicated on registration of certain firearms -- something most states don't do and are loath to consider.
February 28, 2013
A Democratic congressman from California said on Wednesday he wants to make a late addition to the gun proposals being considered by Congress and the White House.
Expanded background checks and a ban on high-capacity magazines have been all the talk in the push for gun control after the Newtown, Conn., schoolhouse massacre, but Rep. Mike Thompson said there should also be a discussion of paying states to take guns away from criminals and the dangerously mentally ill who are prohibited from owning them.
This week, Thompson introduced a bill that would do just that.
Expanded background checks and a ban on high-capacity magazines have been all the talk in the push for gun control after the Newtown, Conn., schoolhouse massacre, but Rep. Mike Thompson said there should also be a discussion of paying states to take guns away from criminals and the dangerously mentally ill who are prohibited from owning them.
This week, Thompson introduced a bill that would do just that.
February 27, 2013
A pair of House Democrats introduced legislation Wednesday aimed at removing guns from criminals and others barred from owning them.
Offered by Reps. Mike Thompson (Calif.) and Jackie Speier (Calif.), the proposal would provide federal grant money to states that launch programs to remove guns from those who buy them legally but later forfeit their ownership rights by either committing a crime or being deemed severely mentally ill.
The lawmakers said the bill will bolster public safety without trampling on constitutional freedoms.
Offered by Reps. Mike Thompson (Calif.) and Jackie Speier (Calif.), the proposal would provide federal grant money to states that launch programs to remove guns from those who buy them legally but later forfeit their ownership rights by either committing a crime or being deemed severely mentally ill.
The lawmakers said the bill will bolster public safety without trampling on constitutional freedoms.
February 27, 2013
HOST: A California gun control law that's been on the books for more than a decade could become a national model. Jacob Fenston reports a North Bay Congressman introduced the legislation Wednesday in Washington.
JACOB FENSTON: There are thousands of illegal guns that government agencies have the data to track down, but they lack the resources to sort through that data. California Attorney General Kamala Harris explains it's all about lists.
KAMALA HARRIS: "It is the list of those who have registered to own a gun, and then comparing that to two other lists."
February 27, 2013
New legislation was introduced Wednesday that lawmakers say is meant to keep firearms out of the wrong hands.
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05), chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and task force vice-chair Jackie Speier (CA-14) have introduced H.R. 848, the Armed Prohibited Persons Act of 2013.
This legislation will help states launch initiatives to remove guns from the hands of convicted criminals and the dangerously mentally ill.
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05), chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, and task force vice-chair Jackie Speier (CA-14) have introduced H.R. 848, the Armed Prohibited Persons Act of 2013.
This legislation will help states launch initiatives to remove guns from the hands of convicted criminals and the dangerously mentally ill.
February 27, 2013
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, introduced a bill Wednesday that intends to offer states incentives to create armed-prohibited person programs, which removes firearms from people who purchased them legally but were later convicted of crimes or were deemed dangerously mentally ill.
The bill would create a competitive grant program in the U.S. Department of Justice that would offer funding to states that create their own armed-prohibited programs, according to a news release from Thompson's office.
The bill would create a competitive grant program in the U.S. Department of Justice that would offer funding to states that create their own armed-prohibited programs, according to a news release from Thompson's office.
February 27, 2013
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05), chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, today with task force vice-chair Jackie Speier (CA-14) introduced H.R. 848, the Armed Prohibited Persons Act of 2013. This legislation will help states launch initiatives to remove guns from the hands of convicted criminals and the dangerously mentally ill.
February 22, 2013
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) today announced that the House of Representatives Wounded Warrior Program is accepting applications for positions in congressional offices around the country, including in his Vallejo office.
“As a combat Vietnam Veteran, it is my high honor to have the opportunity to add one of our nation's brave servicemembers to my dedicated staff,” said Thompson. “This is an excellent opportunity for the men and women who served our nation in the Armed Forces to continue their public service.”
“As a combat Vietnam Veteran, it is my high honor to have the opportunity to add one of our nation's brave servicemembers to my dedicated staff,” said Thompson. “This is an excellent opportunity for the men and women who served our nation in the Armed Forces to continue their public service.”
Issues:Veterans
February 22, 2013
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson today released the following statement in response to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announcing that local air traffic control towers could be shut down because of sequestration. Towers at the Napa County Airport and the Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport could be closed.
February 22, 2013
Far too many of America's vital public issues are allowed to become ridiculously polarized and devolve into a debate dominated by loud voices from the fringes who distort issues, pose false choices and vilify anyone with opposing views.
We know from vast experience that such discussions are antithetical to reasoned public policy.
It could be fairly argued that, over the years, the nation's debate over gun policies qualifies as a poster child for this dynamic.
We know from vast experience that such discussions are antithetical to reasoned public policy.
It could be fairly argued that, over the years, the nation's debate over gun policies qualifies as a poster child for this dynamic.