Gun politics in the United States

Bloomberg targets political donations in latest gun-control push

Thomson ReutersJune 12, 2013 17:33

By Edith Honan NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in his latest bid for tougher gun control, is urging the city's legions of Democratic donors to withhold funds from four Democratic senators who opposed a background checks bill earlier this year.

Philippines passes strict gun measure

Agence France-PresseJune 2, 2013 12:13

Philippine President Benigno Aquino has signed a law making it harder for private individuals to own firearms following a series of high-profile deaths this year, a government spokeswoman said Sunday. Under the law signed last week, those seeking to buy firearms will have to undergo drug and psychological tests and should not have a criminal record or pending court cases. They will also have to show proof of income as well as a valid tax return and secure clearance from their respective city or municipal police offices.

Court allows rule designed to find bulk rifle sales

Thomson ReutersMay 31, 2013 11:01

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A federal appeals court on Friday upheld a gun reporting rule that the Obama administration adopted in 2011 to try to detect bulk sales of semi-automatic rifles to Mexican drug gangs. A unanimous panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit said the administration acted within its authority to adopt the rule, which affects firearms sellers in states bordering Mexico.

Ricin attack puts spotlight on Bloomberg's gun control push

Thomson ReutersMay 30, 2013 19:15

By Edith Honan NEW YORK (Reuters) - Letters laced with the deadly poison ricin sent to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the lobbying organization Mayors Against Illegal Guns illustrate how the group has emerged as a focal point of anger for opponents of gun control. Three letters containing an "oily substance" that turned out to be ricin were intercepted on their way to Bloomberg's office and the mayors group. A similar envelope was sent to President Barack Obama, the Secret Service confirmed on Thursday.

Ricin attack puts spotlight on Bloomberg's gun control push

Thomson ReutersMay 30, 2013 19:15

Ricin letter was from gun laws foe

Agence France-PresseMay 30, 2013 18:45

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg says a ricin-laced letter sent to him was "obviously" meant to show opposition to his lobbying for tighter gun ownership laws, but vowed to never "walk away." Two letters with traces of the deadly poison were sent last week, one to Bloomberg and one to an official with the gun laws group he helped found, Mayors Against Illegal Guns. The letters "obviously referred to our anti-gun efforts," he said at an event late Wednesday. ABC television posted what it said was an exclusive picture of the letter sent to Bloomberg on its website.

Threatening letters sent to N.Y. Mayor may contain ricin: police

Thomson ReutersMay 30, 2013 04:48

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Two letters addressed to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his gun control group contained material believed to be the deadly poison ricin, and referenced the debate on gun laws, police said on Wednesday. The New York Police Department said initial tests on the two letters, opened in New York and Washington, D.C., indicated the presence of ricin. Emergency workers who came in contact with the letters showed minor symptoms of ricin exposure, the police said.

Suspected poison letter sent to New York mayor

Agence France-PresseMay 29, 2013 19:15

Letters suspected of being laced with the deadly poison ricin were sent last week to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and to an official with the gun law lobby that he supports, police said Wednesday. The letters were opened in New York on Friday and by the director of the Bloomberg-supported Mayors Against Illegal Guns in Washington on Sunday. The letters contained "anonymous threats" and "when tested locally, preliminarily indicated the presence of ricin," New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said in a statement.

High-tech guns would allow users to track and disable their weapons remotely

The Canadian PressMay 21, 2013 12:30

SAN JOSE, Calif. - A high-tech startup is wading into the gun control debate with a wireless controller that would allow gun owners to know when their weapon is being moved — and disable it remotely. The technology, but not an actual gun, was demonstrated Tuesday at a wireless technology conference in Las Vegas and was shown to The Associated Press in advance. It comes at a time when lawmakers around the U.S. are considering contentious smart gun laws that would require new guns to include high-tech devices that limit who can fire them.

Texas House approves bill that would allow guns on college campuses

Thomson ReutersMay 15, 2013 14:52

By Corrie MacLaggan AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - The Texas House of Representatives on Monday gave final approval to a proposal to allow concealed handgun license holders to carry guns into buildings on college campuses. The proposal, which was approved on a vote of 102-41, would allow public colleges and universities to opt out of allowing guns in buildings after consulting with students, faculty and staff. Private colleges and universities could opt in.