113th Congress
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."
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.
“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.”
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.
U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., previously filed the bill in December 2011 but it died in committee.
The bill will not help veterans who have already been booted from the country, but it will ensure due process and require the authorization of the Secretary of Homeland Security before vets could be deported.
AMERICAN CANYON â€" For decades, the most common images of concussions have been of unconscious athletes wheeled away on stretchers, or helped off a field with shaky speech and gait.
But an increasing number of trainers and doctors are sounding the alarm about less obvious, but more common, collisions they say can turn young athletes' brains into ticking time bombs if not properly treated. On Wednesday night, three of them shared their message at American Canyon High School in a forum to foster awareness of sports-related brain trauma, and how to recognize and treat it.