Monday, March 27, 2023

Play

Mobilizing Georgia voters in a non-election year is crucial for voting rights groups, Philadelphians over 50 will play a major role in the mayoral primary, and the EPA is finalizing a new air quality rule.

Play

Michigan becomes the first state in decades to repeal a "right to work" law, death penalty opponents say President Biden is not keeping campaign promises to halt federal executions, and more states move to weaken child labor protection laws.

Play

Finding childcare is a struggle everywhere, prompting North Carolina's Transylvania County to try a new approach. Maine is slowly building-out broadband access, but disagreements remain over whether local versus national companies should get the contracts, and specialty apps like "Farmers Dating" help those in small communities connect online.

Gun-Safety Advocates Face Uphill Battle with Indiana Lawmakers

Play

Thursday, January 26, 2023   

Advocates of gun-law reform face an uphill battle to push their ideas through the Republican-controlled Indiana General Assembly, but say public sentiment on firearms safety may be moving some to action.

Groups seeking to change Indiana gun laws say recent high-profile shooting incidents heighten the need for universal background checks, storage regulations, raising the minimum age to buy and carry a gun, and the banning of homemade or "ghost" guns.

A poll by the Pew Research Center found more than 70% of Americans believe gun violence is either a "moderate" or "major" problem in the country.

Jerry King, president of Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence, said the gun lobby has a lot of influence in Indiana.

"A fanatical minority of people who think that any encroachment on possession is a violation, any kind of reasonable regulation is a violation, of the Second Amendment," King pointed out. "I think those folks will be with us for a long time."

King's optimism is a result of some gun reform measures getting bipartisan support on such issues as strengthened gun- and ammunition-storage regulations and closing loopholes in the state's "red flag" law. Republican leaders say their goal is to protect Second Amendment rights and make Indiana a safer place to live.

King explained the gun-storage regulations are partly aimed at slowing the high rate of suicide-by-gun incidents, with measures requiring guns and ammunition to be stored in separate rooms. He is also concerned another law, approved in 2022, makes guns too easy to get.

"Last year, Indiana passed permitless carry legislation, pretty much allowing any person of age to go into a gun shop and not sign any document," King noted. "They put their money down, and they walk out with a gun."

King believes public sentiment on gun regulation is on his group's side, but added it is important for voters of all stripes to make their feelings known to their legislators.

"One of our goals is to get more and more of those people to send emails to their legislators, call their legislators, write personal notes; even better," King urged. "Our goals ought to be to shift the balance on how lawmakers see public sentiment."

Disclosure: Hoosiers Concerned About Gun Violence contributes to our fund for reporting on Civic Engagement, Consumer Issues, and Gun Violence Prevention. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
During this year's ACA open-enrollment period, a record high of more than 16 million people signed up, with 4.4 million more enrolled for health insurance coverage since 2021, according to federal data. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

It's been 13 years since more than 156,000 West Virginians gained health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act. As sweeping and …


Social Issues

High school graduates have the option before taking their next academic step to choose a gap year - for traveling, relaxing, or researching different …

Environment

A bill designed to fight price-gouging at the gas pump is expected to pass the California State Assembly today and be signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom …


Student leaders learn about the estuary near Morro Rock, which is part of the proposed Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary. (Kai Monge)

Environment

This week, Hispanic environmental advocates are heading to Washington, D.C., from around the country to engage lawmakers on issues affecting us all…

Social Issues

More than one in three Ohioans are relying on credit cards for spending needs, and nearly a quarter say they've increased their credit-card use in …

2023 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year Dani Charbonneau, who runs the Project Vine Alternative Program at Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, is the first Martha's Vineyard teacher to win the state's top award for educators. (MTA)

Social Issues

Massachusetts, like other states, continues to struggle with a shortage of teachers. But for one English teacher at Martha's Vineyard Regional High …

Health and Wellness

Beginning next year, more Kentuckians will have expanded access to biomarker testing - which helps doctors customize cancer treatment. Advocates of …

Social Issues

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has proposed new regulations on credit card late fees, which could save Americans billions of dollars…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021