U.S. CONGRESS, NRA, GUN VIOLENCE, MASS SHOOTING AND GUN-RELATED ISSUES

U.S. CONGRESS NEWS AND ARTICLES

The 111th Congress has wrapped up in December 2010 with some important measures sailing through. Few important pieces of legislation include: (1) Health reform bill, (2) $787 billion economic stimulus package, (3) $858 billion tax cuts deal arrived by Senate Republicans and White House, (4) Ending the so-called Don't Ask, Don't Tell, in vogue since 1993, (5) a landmark financial overhaul bill, (6) a $4.5 billion school nutrition bill, (7) a $4.2 billion Sep 11-related treatment package and (8) New START Treaty.

**************************** AUTHORIZATION OF FORCE ************************
Congress Set to Repeal Presidential War Authority

The U.S. Congress is set to correct the historical wrongs that it has committed in October 2002 and 1991 by passing authorizations of force against Iraq, thus giving the executive branch the carte blanche to launch a war on another nation. War powers should stay with Congress. The Dallas Morning News on March 28, 2023 reported that Congress would take action this week to repeal president's war powers. 

Senate Repeals Authorization of Force Granted to Executive Branch

Senate on March 29, 2023 repealed 66-30 the authorization of force against Iraq that had ceded Congressional authorities to the executive branch in 1991 and 2002. The future of the repeal measure is uncertain in the House of Representatives. The repeal will hand over the war power to the traditional seat of war power: Congress. The Senate vote marks the first time in half a century that war power is divested from the executive branch. The Gulf of Tonkin resolution that authorized military force in Vietnam was repealed in the early 1970s. 
**************************** AUTHORIZATION OF FORCE ************************



U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Plan to Downgrade Congressional Ethics Office Draws Fire
House Republicans on January 2, 2017 voted to significantly curtail the powers of independent Office of Congressional Ethics that had been established in 2008 after three members of Congress--Rep. Duke Cunnigham, R-California; Rep. William J. Jefferson, D-Louisiana; and Rep. Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio--were convicted and sent to jail for a variety of corruption. The move does not auger well for the 115th Congress as President Donald Trump's one of the election pledges was to drain the swamp from the Washington D.C. and an effort to abolish OCE ran counter to that pledge. Under the measure that House Republicans were considering, a new Office of Congressional Complaint Review will be created and report to the House Ethics Committee, a panel with history of ignoring complaints against the fellow members of Congress. What's more shocking about the whole episode was that the plan had been discussed behind closed doors and was only revealed on January 2, 2017 by the House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Robert W. Goodlatte, R-Va.

Pro-Trump Stefanik Elected as Number 3 in Republican Conference

After Liz Cheney, conference chair of the House Republican Caucus, continued to criticize Former President Trump and her own GOP colleagues for continuing the "Big Lie" that the 2020 election had been stolen, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy made her preference clear: it's time for Rep. Cheney to go. On May 12, 2021, Rep. Cheney was stripped of her conference chair position. New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, whom Donald Trump endorsed, was the party leaders' choice to succeed Cheney. However, Texas Rep. Chip Roy, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, raised concern over the conservative credentials of Rep. Elise Stefanik. On May 14, 2021, in secret ballot votes, Republican lawmakers voted Rep. Elise Stefanik for the House Republican Caucus' number 3 job by 134-46 votes. 

Juneteenth to be a Holiday as the Outcome of a Fast-moving Bill

A day after a Senate bill introduced by Senator John Cornyn of Texas passed unanimously by the chamber, the measure designating the Juneteenth as a federal holiday was passed overwhelmingly by the House of Representatives on June 16, 2021 by 415-14 votes. President Joe Biden will sign the bill on June 17, 2021.

Biden Signs Juneteenth as a Federal Holiday

On June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making June 19 as a federal holiday. On June 19, 1865, union troops landed in Galveston to convey the enslaved Blacks about their emancipation proclaimed two years ago. The 94-year-old Fort Worth civil rights icon Opal Lee, holding hands of Vice President Kamala Harris, was on hand in the White House as President Joe Biden signed the iconic measure. President Abraham Lincoln issued Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, freeing all slaves in the confederate territory. On June 19, 1865, Gen. Gordon Granger arrived at Galveston to inform some of the last enslaved Blacks that the Civil War had ended more than two months ago as Robert E. Lee had surrendered on April 9, 1865 to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse.

Gosar Censured, Removed from the Committee Assignment

In an almost party-line vote, U.S. House of Representatives on November 17, 2021 censured Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar for sharing a cartoon on his social media account depicting an attack on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with a sword. The vote was 223-207. Gosar was also removed from any committee assignment. Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy warned the House that "a new standard will continue to be applied in future", implying that similar actions would be taken against Democrats if the House was flipped in the next midterm election. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi dismissed such threat, saying that "we cannot have members joining murdering against each other".  

************************************** EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT ***************

House Passes a Measure to Extend ERA Deadline

House of Representatives on March 17, 2021 took a decisive steps to improve the chances of Equal Rights Amendment, or ERA, by passing a bill that would repeal the deadline of ERA ratification. The bill was passed by 222-204 votes. The bill now faces harder test at Senate.

************************************** EQUAL RIGHTS AMENDMENT ***************

************************************** VAWA **************************************

House Reauthorizes VAWA

House of Representatives on March 17, 2021 passed a bill to reauthorize Violence Against Women Act in 244-172 votes, with 29 Republican lawmakers joining the Democrats. 

Congress Renews VAWA

Congress renewed VAWA this week as part of the $1.5 trillion Omnibus spending bill that Senate had cleared on March 10, 2022. 

************************************** VAWA **************************************

************************************** PACT ACT 2022 *****************************

Biden Signs PACT Act

At the end of a long road and more than 13 years of fight by a Texas couple, it was a sweet victory for the nation's veterans as President Joe Biden on August 10, 2022 signed the landmark Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022. Comedian Jon Stewart was a steadfast supporter of the measure. Texan couple Le Roy Torres and Rosie Torres became the face of the movement for access to enhanced VA benefits for the nation's veterans who had been exposed to toxic burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. Le Roy Torres was afflicted with serious symptoms after getting exposed to burn pits while deployed in Iraq. After he was denied the VA benefit, he and his wife founded the organization and advocacy group Burn Pits 360. 

The Senate passed the PACT Act in June 2022 by 84-14 votes. But since the bill has a revenue-related provision, it has been at a technical fault as it has started at Senate. By law, any bill with revenue-related provision has to begin at the House. Thus, the new beginning of the bill's journey happened with the passage by the House of Representatives by 342-88 votes. But, when the bill returned to Senate for the second time, 25 Republican Senators, including Sen. Ted Cruz, flipped. While supporting the key goals of the bill, GOP senators argued for their nay votes in July 2022 that a switch of $400 billion in spending from discretionary to mandatory provision had forced them to withdraw their support. However, the measure's backers dismissed those criticisms.  Shamed by national veterans groups and even by many diehard Republicans, many of these Republican Senators eventually changed their stance, and on August 2, 2022, they joined with majority of their colleagues to pass the PACT Act 2022 by 86-11 votes. 

************************************** PACT ACT 2022 *****************************

**************************************** GEORGE SANTOS ************************

Rep. Santos Faces 13-Count Indictment

Disgraced House of Representative member George Santos on May 10, 2023 was indicted on 13 counts of federal charges ranging from fraud to deceit. Rep. Santos was freed in lieu of $500,000 bond.

Santos Faces New Indictments

A new 23-count indictment, involving some of the more serious charges of identity theft and other campaign finance law violations committed by Rep. George Santos, unveiled on October 10, 2023 is going to replace charges filed in May 2023. 

Motion to Oust Santos Defeated

New York Republicans introduced a measure to expel Rep. George Santos from Congress. However, the measure failed to get required two-third vote from the House of Representatives. 31 Democrats joined close to 182 Republicans to vote down the expulsion measure on November 1, 2023. 179 House members voted in favor of it. Many members are feeling leery to expel a fellow member pending an Ethics Committee investigation and a DOJ prosecution. 

House Ethics Committee Blasts Santos

The U.S. House Ethics Committee on November 16, 2023 issued a blistering report, calling out GOP Rep. George Santos for seeking to "fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit". The committee was unsparing in criticism Rep. Santos for showing no respect for personal integrity that his constituents deserved from their lawmaker. Rep. George Santos criticized the report as a "smear" attack and added that he would not seek reelection. 

House Expels Santos

Rep. George Santos became only the sixth House member to be expelled from the legislative body. After the House Ethics Committee's 56-page report was released on November 16, 2023, at least half of Republican House members were ready to vote on expelling Santos. The searing report was scathing and unsparing on lack of scruples and depth of dishonesty displayed by the New York Republican. The vote was more than two-third needed to kick out Santos. 105 Republican representatives joined 206 Democrats to vote in favor of kicking out Santos while 112 Republicans and two Democrats opposed the measure. The 311-114 vote is a manifestation of a remarkable bipartisan unity which found rare presence in the bitterly divided political landscape in the Capitol, all thanks to Rep. George Santos. 

**************************************** GEORGE SANTOS ************************ 

Schiff Censured for Trump Campaign-Russia Collusion-related Comment

House of Representatives on June 21, 2023 voted 213-209 to censure Rep. Adam Schiff, an avowed critic of Former President Donald Trump. The censure resolution condemned Rep. Schiff for abusing the "trust by saying there was evidence of collusion between Trump's campaign and Russia". Rep. Adam Schiff, who becomes the 25th member to be censured, has called the censure a badge of honor. 

*********** IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION AGAINST PRESIDENT BIDEN **********

Speaker McCarthy Launches Formal Impeachment Investigation against President

House Speaker Kevin McCarthy on September 12, 2023 launched an impeachment investigation that looked more like satisfying his restive hardline colleagues than inquiring into President Joe Biden's misdeeds while he was a vice president. However, the formal launch of impeachment investigation without holding a formal vote on the House floor is betrayal to his own demand in 2019 that the then-speaker, Nancy Pelosi, hold a vote before launching an impeachment investigation of Former President Donald Trump. Pelosi subsequently held a House vote before launching impeachment investigation. Although different House committees already looked at Hunter Biden's business dealings and whether President Joe Biden, then a vice president, had lent help to his son, they had yet to find any smoking mirror. The impeachment investigation may not yield to articles of impeachment.

House Votes to Approve Impeachment Hearing

The U.S. House of Representatives on December 13, 2023 voted to launch the impeachment process against President Joe Biden. The vote was 221-212 along the partisan line.

*********** IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION AGAINST PRESIDENT BIDEN **********

**************** KEVIN MCCARTHY'S FUTURE AS SPEAKER AT STAKE *************

Gaetz Bays for Speaker's Blood

After House Speaker Kevin McCarthy teamed up with Democrats to fund the federal government for 45 days and avoid a destructive shutdown at the very eleventh hour before the 12:01AM October 1, 2023, deadline, Rep. Matt Gaetz on October 1, 2023 said that he would bring a "motion to vacate" the chair of speakership. If the motion is successful, McCarthy will be the first speaker in the House history who will be removed through this rare measure. 

McCarthy Removed on a Rare Vote

In a historic vote that doesn't have any precedence, eight GOP lawmakers---many of them extreme right-wing GOP lawmakers---on October 3, 2023 joined all Democratic lawmakers to vote out Kevin McCarthy as the House speaker. The vote on the "motion to vacate" tabled by Rep. Matt Gaetz was 216-210.

Scalise Drops out of Speaker's Race

Eight days after Speaker Kevin McCarthy was removed by eight Republicans and 208 Democrats, members of the House Republican caucus on October 11, 2023 voted 113-99 to nominate Rep. Steve Scalise as the speaker of the House of Representatives. Many of the backers of Rep. Jim Jordan, however, were dug in, and after more than two hours of testy discussion among the GOP House members on October 12, 2023, it was not clear that Rep. Scalise had the necessary vote to move forward for a floor vote. At the end, Rep. Steve Scalise on October 12, 2023 decided to bail out of the speaker's race, throwing more uncertain components into the GOP legislative mix. 

Jordan Fails to Gain Necessary Support on Second Vote

A week after Rep. Steve Scalise bailed out of the top job of the House of Representatives, Rep. Jim Jordan is nowhere closer to speakership than Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. 

On October 17, 2023, Rep. Jim Jordan lost out in the first vote by receiving only 200 votes. Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democrats' choice for the top job, beat out Rep. Jordan by receiving 212 votes. 

On October 18, 2023, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries got 212 votes while Rep. Jordan lost one net vote to get support from 199 members of the House GOP conference. 

Jordan to Seek Third Floor Vote

Losing ground in the second try, conservative firebrand Jim Jordan is giving it a third try to secure speakership. Temper flared up on October 19, 2023 as Jordan floated the idea to give more authorities to Speaker Pro Tempore Patrick McHenry, a proposal shot down immediately by his loyal supporters too, to conduct House businesses. Currently McHenry can conduct very limited function such as convening a session, holding speaker vote and calling for a recess. After encountering strong opposition within his conference, Jordan called for a third, and most likely the last-ditch, vote on October 20, 2023 for winning the speakership.  House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan lost 20 GOP votes on October 17, 2023 and 22 votes on October 18, 2023. The deserters voted for other candidates such as Rep. Steve Scalise, Kevin McCarthy, or even Rep. Kay Granger. Three Texas Republican members of the House voted for others. Reps. Kay Granger and Tony Gonzalez voted for Scalise while Midlothian Rep. Jack Ellzey voted for his military buddy Rep. Michael Garcia. 

The opposition to Rep. Jim Jordan's bareknuckle tactics is also strong. On October 13, 2023, in a poor show of caucus backing, Chair Jim Jordan received only 124 votes against a feeble opponent whose few hours of campaigning got him 81 votes. In a subsequent secret ballot, 55 Republicans said that they opposed Jordan as their speaker. 

Jordan Drops out after Third Vote; Texan Enters

Combative Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan on October 20, 2023 called it quits as he had seen more desertions on the third vote. On the first vote, 20 GOP members deserted followed by 22 desertions on the second vote. On the third vote, it was worse as 25 GOP members deserted. In all three votes, Democrats remained united behind their leader Hakeem Jeffries. The first vote was 212-200 in favor of Jeffries, the second was 212-199 and the October 20, 2023, the vote was 210-194. Republicans currently hold a slim majority of 221-212.

What's pathetic for Rep. Jim Jordan is a subsequent vote by secret ballot showing a deeper resentment against Jordan as the vote has been 112-86 to strip the founder of Freedom Caucus from speakership. As Jim Jordan bowed out, Texas Republican Pete Sessions threw his hat into the ring. Under Pete Sessions, who then had headed the National Republican Congressional Committee, Republicans ousted Nancy Pelosi from the speakership in the 2010 midterm election in the largest electoral swing by any party in the recent memory by garnering 63 net seats. Two other Texans--Rep. Jodey Arrington, chairman of the Budget Committee, and Rep. Roger Williams, chairman of the Small Business Committee--are mulling to jump into fray. 

Emmer Bows out too, Louisianan Gains Traction

On October 24, 2023, the third highest-ranking Republican, Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, called it quits after besting seven other Republicans, including Pete Sessions of Waco, only Texan in a field of eight candidates after two other possible Texas aspirants--Rep. Jodey Arrington and Rep. Roger Williams--decided not to seek the nomination, but failed to earn 26 never-Emmer members' support. Emmer lasted the shortest span among three candidates--two others were Rep. Steve Scalise and Rep. Jim Jordan--as he topped after five ballots among eight candidates, including Pete Sessions. However, after four hours since the process began during the day, Rep. Tom Emmer bowed out after 26 members of the Republican caucus voted against him. Former President Donald Trump derided him on his Truth Social platform, mocking him "RINO". 

After Rep. Tom Emmer bowed out, another scramble began to elect a Republican speaker. However, their latest front-runner has a better chance a day before the floor vote. Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana received 128 votes on the third and final ballot, far ahead of 29 votes received by the second-place finisher Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida. However, to gauge whether he would be able to rally the caucus on the floor, no one voted had voted against him, clearly a departure from the fate of three other earlier front-runners. 

The House will hold a floor vote on October 25, 2023 on the fate of Rep. Mike Johnson. 

Johnson Wins Floor Vote to Break Stalemate

After failures from three other contenders, the fourth front-runner of the Republican Party won the speakership race on October 25, 2023 as all the Republican House members barring one--and that member was absent--voted for Louisiana Republican Rep. Mike Johnson helping him win by 220-209 votes. One Republican and three Democrats were absent. Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries received 209 votes. As the new House speaker, Rep. Mike Johnson will face gargantuan tasks of uniting his badly fractured caucus, working with the Biden administration to avoid a government shutdown by mid-November 2023 and balancing national security with penchant of far-right Republicans to cut off aid to Ukraine. 

Biden Presses Johnson for Ukraine Aid

On October 26, 2023, President Joe Biden met with the new speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in the White House. White House is pressing the new speaker to work on the $106 billion supplemental package that includes critical aid to Ukraine and Israel as well as funding for border security and shoring up security in the Indo-Pacific Theater. In addition, White House on October 25, 2023 sent a second supplemental aid request with a price tag of $53 billion, focusing mostly on domestic priorities. Although Speaker Mike Johnson expressed his pleasure to have met with the president, he remained non-committal on Ukrainian aid. 

McCarthy to Leave at the End of the Year

The decision has to come sooner or later. It came on December 6, 2023 as Rep. Kevin McCarthy announced that he would leave the Congress at the end of the year. 

**************** KEVIN MCCARTHY'S FUTURE AS SPEAKER AT STAKE *************

Yellen Criticizes House Bill to Aid Israel that would Cut IRS Funding

A bipartisan emergency measure as important as an aid package for Israel amidst Israel-Hamas war was held hostage by far-right Republican lawmakers and turned into a partisan bill. Last week, House passed a $14 billion aid package for Israel, but it funded the Israeli aid from by cutting the IRS budget. Non-partisan budget experts said that the House bill would increase the deficit in the long run as there would be less enforcement because of the budget cut. On November 7, 2023, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen panned the House bill at an IRS event to mark the new customer service improvements. 

GOP Links Biden's Supplemental Package to Border Security

That President Joe Biden's $106 billion supplemental package, meant to provide aid to Ukraine and Israel, is increasingly tied to the passage of a strict border security bill in the House is becoming clearer by the day. House Speaker Mike Johnson on December 5, 2023 put the border control at the front and center of the supplemental package, saying that the issue was the "hill to die on" for the Republicans. H.R. Bill 2 passed in mid-2023 calls for resuming construction of the border walls and making the asylum process stricter. Now, it's all but given that the Biden administration's $106 billion supplemental package will not be passed without a concurrent passage of H.R 2. A day earlier, December 4, 2023, the U.S. military issued a prognosis that it would run out of money and resources to send arms shipment to Ukraine after this month. 

House Members Urge White House to Seek Authorization Prior to Yemen Strikes

A bipartisan group of a couple of dozen House lawmakers, led by Ro Khanna, D-California, and Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, on January 26, 2024 asked the Biden administration in a letter to seek Congressional authorization prior to "conducting any more unauthorized strikes in Yemen". The letter implored that bypassing Congress was tantamount to violating the Constitution. 

******************* IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES AGAINST MAYORKAS ***************

House GOP Unveils Two Counts of Impeachment against Mayorkas 

The U.S. House GOP on January 28, 2024 unveiled two impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Rep. Mark Green, R-Tennessee, chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, said that Congress had a responsibility for holding executive branch responsible and accountable if it failed to carry out the legislative mandate. The first count is related to the "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law" and the second count is related to the breach of trust. If impeached, Mayorkas will become the first cabinet member in some 150 years to be impeached by Congress. However, the Constitutional scholars question the motive of impeachment as public officials should be impeached for high crimes not for the policy dispute. 

House Republican Impeachment Drive Fails Embarrassingly 

Few Republican lawmakers joined a united Democratic caucus on February 6, 2024 to defeat two impeachment articles against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas by 214-216 votes, embarrassing the entire Republican establishment and bringing ridicule of the House GOP leadership. If Mayorkas were impeached, he would have been the first cabinet secretary to be impeached since 1876, when a Congressional panel had found Secretary of War William Belknap running a kickback scheme startling even a scandal-plagued Ulysses Grant administration. Belknap resigned on the same day that he had been impeached by House, but subsequently acquitted by the Senate. 

Mayorkas First Cabinet Official to be Impeached in Circa 150 Years

After suffering an embarrassing floor defeat a week ago, House Republicans on February 13, 2024 voted 214-213 to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on two counts: "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law" and breach of trust. Three Republicans broke ranks, and voted against the articles of impeachment. They are Reps. Ken Buck of Colorado, Mike Gallagher of Wisconsin, and Tom McClintock of California. 

House Sends the Twin Impeachment Articles to Senate

On April 16, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives handed over the two impeachment articles to the upper chamber. 

Senate Quickly Dismisses the Impeachment Articles

In an embarrassing defeat of House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Republicans, the House impeachment managers even didn't get the opportunity to argue for removing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas from office. The Senate Democrats remained united, and on April 17, 2027, voted 51-48 and 51-49, respectively, to quickly dismiss the two impeachment articles. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski voted "PRESENT" in the first article that accused Mayorkas of pursuing "willful and systemic refusal to comply with the law" to enforce the nation's immigration law.

******************* IMPEACHMENT ARTICLES AGAINST MAYORKAS ***************

Bipartisan Child Tax Credit, Business Tax Deduction Bill Passed

The U.S. House of representatives on January 31, 2024 passed a bipartisan bill that would enhance child tax credit for 16 million children, an issue near and dear to Democrats, while extending three key tax deductions for businesses, making it palatable for Republicans. The bill passed the House by 357-70 votes. The bill will slowly raise the refundable tax credit from $1,800 in 2023 to $1,900 in 2024 to $2,000 to 2025. The refundable tax credits, applied to families earning at least 2,500 annually, will be indexed to inflation. Many families paying no federal tax will be eligible to receive child tax credit. On the Republican side, key tax deductions are related to upfront tax deduction for purchase of equipment and machineries as well as deductions related to R&D investments, giving the tool to American entrepreneurs to create jobs. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate. 

U.S. SENATE

Electoral Law Targeted to Bolster Election Integrity and Fairness

A bipartisan group of Senators on July 20, 2022 agreed to a framework to change the Civil War-era Electoral Count Act of 1887 in order to avoid future manipulation and hand-wringing as displayed by Donald Trump's followers to exploit the loopholes of "archaic and ambiguous" electoral measure. The Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act aims to remedy the shortcoming of the Electoral Count Act of 1887 by: (1) ensuring a single slate of electors; (2) identifying the governors for submitting the electors; (3) providing an expedited judicial reviews upon request; (4) limiting the role of Vice President to preside over the joint session of Congress during certification; (5) raising the bar to object to electors, (6) overriding an 1845 law that empowers state legislature to nullify the popular vote, (7) providing clear guidance on the time and conditions of getting federal assistance for presidential or VP candidate for transition.

Another legislative measure that this bipartisan group, led by Sen. Susan Collins and Sen. Joe Manchin, is pushing aims to protect the safety of poll workers, election employees and volunteers. The Enhanced Election Security and Protection Act strives for improving the access and ease of mail-in-voting in states where it is permissible and toughening the existing guardrails against electoral fraud and manipulation. 

******************************** INFLATION REDUCTION ACT 2022 *****************

Manchin, Schumer Agree on a $739 billion Measure to Tackle Climate Change, Drug Prices

In a political earthquake of sort, Democratic leaders in Washington have suddenly the legislative momentum in their favor as Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer and centrist West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin on July 27, 2022 have agreed on a 10-year, $739 billion package aimed at reducing soaring inflation, lowering the drug prices, investing in renewable energy, fighting climate change and extending healthcare subsidies. The measure will raise $739 billion over the next decade with a slew of measures such as15% corporate minimum tax rate, cutting drug prices through CMS negotiating with the pharma industry, gaining revenue from enforced tax mechanism and taxing the carried interest at a higher rate. Under the Manchin-Schumer deal, the package, formally known as the "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022", will fund $369 billion in climate and energy initiatives and $64 billion in federal tax credits for buying subsidized health insurance from the marketplace. 

Biden Lauds the Compromise Deal

President Joe Biden on July 28, 2022 lauded the compromise that Senators Joe Manchin and Chuck Schumer had agreed to a day earlier and exhorted the Democrats to pass the $739 billion package. The  725-page Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes, among others,

* Authorizing the Medicare to negotiate directly the prescription drug prices with the drug makers, thus realizing an estimated saving of $288 billion over a decade and plowing that money back to 

  - Lower the drug costs 

  - Offer free vaccines for seniors

  - Cap out-of-pocket medication costs at $2,000 for seniors 

* Extending subsidies for an additional three years beyond the end of 2022, the current expiry date of this benefit as stipulated by the COVID-19 relief package, to help consumers buy health insurance coverage from the insurance marketplaces

* 10-year, $369 billion funding of the renewable energy initiatives, including a $4,000 tax credit for buying used EV and $7,500 tax credit for buying new EV

Revenue Stream of the Measure

* Biggest component of the revenue sources will be a 15% corporate minimum tax rate for corporations with more than $1 billion in annual profits (Many corporations find innovative ways to avoid paying the current 21% corporate tax rate)

Surplus to be Paid towards Debt Reduction

* With revenue estimated $739 billion over 10 years and spending about $433 billion, a net saving of $306 billion will be used as a down payment to reduce the deficit

Priorities Set Aside by the Compromise

* $300 per month per child tax credit provided as part of the COVID-19 relief package that has been hailed as reducing the child poverty and hunger

* Free pre-kindergarten and free-community college

* Proposal for the nation's first family leave program that's designed to give $4,000 per month for pivotal events of life

Democrats Agree to Changes Proposed by Sinema

An 11th hour compromise was reached on August 4, 2022 between the U.S. Senate Democratic leadership and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema that would drop a proposed tax on the "carried interests", a popular vehicle for Private Equity company executives, and instead, would impose an excise tax on stock buyback. Next stop for the bill is at the desk of Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth McDonough, who will decide whether there is any provision in the bill that contradicts the Senate rules. 

What are in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (The Associated Press August 5, 2022)

* PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Authorizing the Medicare to negotiate directly the prescription drug prices with the drug makers, thus realizing an estimated saving of $288 billion over a decade and plowing that money back to 

  - Lower the drug costs 

  - Offer free vaccines for seniors

  - Cap out-of-pocket [Medicare Part D ] medication costs for at $2,000 for seniors beginning in 2025, but in 2024, CMS will get rid of 5% coinsurance that Medicare beneficiaries do pay now after exceeding the out-of-pocket costs for catastrophic threshold, which is $7,050 at present

  - Beginning in 2025, the CMS will bargain on 10 top Medicare prescription drug prices and expand the list to as many as 60 drugs by 2029

************************* DRUGS IDENTIFIED FOR PRICE NEGOTIATION

First 10 Drugs Selected for Price Negotiation

Biden administration on August 29, 2023 published the first 10 drugs that it would negotiate on their prices with the pharmaceutical companies. The drugs to be targeted for negotiation include:

(1) Eliquis, (2) Jardiance, (3) Xarelto, (4) Januvia, (5) Farxiga, (6) Entresto, (7) Enbrel, (8) Imbruvica, (9) Stelara and (10) Fiasp Insulin 

************************* DRUGS IDENTIFIED FOR PRICE NEGOTIATION

* HEALTH INSURANCE

Extending subsidies for additional three years beyond the end of 2022, the current expiry date of this benefit as stipulated by the COVID-19 relief package, to help consumers buy health insurance coverage from the insurance marketplaces

* CLIMATE

The bill will invest $374 billion over a decade in climate change-related priorities, including

  - $60 billion in clean energy manufacturing tax credit

  - $30 billion in production tax credit for solar and wind

  - Investments in renewable energy production

  - Provide $4,000 tax credit for buying used EV and $7,500 tax credit for buying new EV

  - Give tax credits to nuclear power industry and fossil fuel-fired utilities for carbon capture technology

  - Impose new fees on excess methane emissions from oil and gas drilling

  - Open access of more federal lands and water to fossil fuel industry (a key victory for Manchin)

 

* DEFICITS

With some $740 billion in new revenue and $433 billion in new investment, the balance will be used to reduce budget deficit

* FUNDING

   - Biggest component of the revenue sources will be a 15% corporate minimum tax rate for some 200 corporations with at least $1 billion in annual profits (Many corporations find innovative ways to avoid paying the current 21% corporate tax rate), leading to an estimated $258 billion in additional revenue

  - Net New revenue of $124 billion by going after tax cheats with about $80 billion in investment in IRS to augment tax services, enforcement and modernization that will lead to an estimated $203 billion in additional revenue

 - Raising about $74 billion in a decade by imposing an 1% excise tax on stock repurchases

 - No tax hike on families or businesses making less than $400,000 per year

Senate Votes to Debate the Climate Change, Drug Prices, Insurance Subsidy Package

In an election year achievement that will make the largest investment in climate priorities, U.S. Senate on August 6, 2022 voted 51-50 to push the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 to the next stage. Vice President Kamala Harris cast the tie-breaking vote. The August 6, 2022, vote came after the Senate parliament, Elizabeth MacDonough, upheld all but one provision of the 755-page bill. The component that Ms. Elizabeth MacDonough has the bill's proponents chopped off includes a hefty penalty on drug makers if prescription drug prices rise higher than inflation. 

Senate Passes Landmark Climate, Drug, Insurance Subsidies Bill with VP's Help

The U.S. Senate on August 7, 2022 handed President Joe Biden a solid victory in climate change, drug prices and health insurance subsidies that he had made promises on the campaign trail in 2020. With the Vice President Kamala Harris casting the tie-breaking vote, Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 was passed by the U.S. Senate without a single Republican vote. Republicans submitted several amendments to grind the passage of the $740 billion measure. However, Republican lawmakers were able to kill a provision that would cap the insulin costs at $35 per month in the private insurance marketplace. However, the Medicare beneficiaries will receive $35 a month insulin beginning January 2023. 

Measure Restores U.S. Leadership in Climate Change

That the Inflation Reduction Act not only will help the Medicare recipients to limit their out-of-pocket prescription drug costs to $2,000 per year and consumers to receive subsidies for an additional three years to buy health insurance in the marketplace, but will also restore U.S. leadership in shepherding the global climate policy for the years to come is clearly evident based on the impact analysis of the law done by various groups. According to the Rhodium group, The Associated Press reported on August 10, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act will help the U.S. to achieve the greenhouse gas reduction by a range between 31% and 44% compared to 2005 level by 2030. Although the Biden administration's original goal is to cut the greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030, the balance can be achieved through a set of executive actions, local and state measures. 

House Passes Historic Inflation Reduction Act

House of Representatives on August 12, 2022 passed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 by 220 to 207 votes, handing a great victory to Democrats in the run-up to midterm election. 

Biden Signs Legacy-defining Climate, Healthcare Reform Bill

President Joe Biden on August 16, 2022 signed Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, a $737 billion legislative package that would promote Democrats' domestic and climate programs and cement president's legacy in reinforcing nation's embrace of Green Energy. 

Environmental Justice Office Launched

A significant push of the $737 billion Inflation Reduction Act is to ensure the environmental justice to underserved communities, specially the communities of color impacted most adversely by inequitable policy prescriptions of the past. On September 24, 2022, the first African-American head of the EPA returned to the epicenter of the environmental justice movement to announce $3 billion block grants for the communities which had been neglected and harmed in the past. Surrounded by the civil rights and environmental activists at Warrenton, North Carolina, Michael Regan on September 24, 2022 announced the launch of the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. The new office will combine the functions of three programs--involving 200 employees in 10 regions--to oversee tens of billions of dollars allocated as part of the Inflation Reduction Act to be distributed to address embedded environmental inequities. 

******************************** INFLATION REDUCTION ACT 2022 *****************

************************ SEN. BOB MENENDEZ INDICTED

Sen. Menendez Indicted for the Second Time

As his first indictment led to dismissal of charges, the second indictment looks more like a career buster. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams on September 22, 2023 unveiled various charges of corruption and bribery against Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, for aiding Egyptian government and benefiting from the senator's official position to enrich his own family. New Jersey Gove. Phil Murphy called Menendez to resign. Investigators found cash worth of close to half a million dollars in envelopes at his home. Much of the cash was found hidden in clothing and closets. Additionally, authorities found $100,000 in gold bars at his New Jersey home.

Menendez, His Wife Plead not Guilty

Senator Bob Menendez on September 27, 2023 pleaded not guilty at a federal courthouse in Manhattan. Menendez's wife, Nadine Arslanian, also pleaded not guilty.

Menendez Accused of Working an Agent of Egyptian Government

On October 12, 2023, prosecutors filed a new charge in the Manhattan District Court, accusing Sen. Bob Menendez, his wife, Nadine Arslanian, and a businessman, Wael Hana, of conspiring to act as agents of the Egyptian government between January 2018 and June 2022. 

Menendez Pleads not Guilty

Appearing before the presiding U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein on October 23, 2023, Sen. Bob Menendez pleaded not guilty. Last month, he appeared before a magistrate judge in an arraignment hearing and was released in lieu of $100,000 bond. Senator didn't field any questions from the reporters assembled outside the Manhattan courtroom. 

Additional Counts Slapped on Menendez

Prosecutors on March 4, 2024 added additional counts of extortion and obstruction of justice against Sen. Bob Menendez and his wife, Nadine Arslanian, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes. This is the fourth time that the federal prosecutors have filed expanded charges against Sen. Menendez. First time, the federal charged Sen. Bob Menendez on September 22, 2023. Second time, they had filed expanded counts on October 12, 2024. 

On January 3, 2024, federal prosecutors enhanced their indictment with additional and new charges for the third time, accusing New Jersey's senior senator of taking payment and favor from Qatar and working on behalf of a foreign nation without appropriate registration. 

The fourth set of enhanced charges were slapped on Menendez, his wife, Nadine, and two other people--Wael Hana and Fred Daibes after another co-accused, Jose Uribe, had pleaded guilty and begun cooperating with the government. 

Menendez Pleads Not Guilty to the Fourth Set of Enhanced Charges, Judge Rejects Delay Plea

Appearing at a Manhattan federal court, Senator Bob Menendez on March 11, 2024 pleaded not guilty to the latest enhanced charges. So did his wife, Nadine Arslanian, and two co-accused, Wael Hana and Fred Daibes, respectively. Sen. Menendez requested for a delay to his trial scheduled for May 6, 2024. However, U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein rejected the delay plea. 

************************ SEN. BOB MENENDEZ INDICTED

************************ SENATOR DIANE FEINSTEIN'S DEMISE

Newsom Names Former Harris Aide to Feinstein's Seat

California Governor Gavin Newsom decided to fill the California Senate seat held by Sen. Diane Feinstein, who was reported to have breathed her last breath on early September 29, 2023, by a former aide to Vice President Kamala Harris. Laphonza Butler will be first Black LGBTQ member in the Senate. The Dallas Morning News reported on October 3, 2023 Butler's selection by Governor Newsom.

************************ SENATOR DIANE FEINSTEIN'S DEMISE

$118 billion Package Unveiled by Senators

As a fruit of an arduous bipartisan negotiation over the past several weeks--mostly led by Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut; James Lankford, R-Oklahoma; and Kyrsten Sinema, I-Arizona; respectively--there is at least an $118 billion package that includes $60 billion for Ukraine aid, $14 billion in military aid to Israel, $20 billion for immigration and border enforcement, including hiring hundreds of Border Patrol personnel, $5 billion for Asia-Pacific allies of the U.S., and humanitarian assistance to suffering people of Gaza Strip and Ukraine. The package was unveiled on February 4, 2024. The bill includes an automatic trigger to expel undocumented migrants at the border to Mexico if the five-day daily average exceeds 5,000. If the illegal crossings exceed 4,000, the bill empowers the president to expel undocumented migrants. If the daily arrests exceed 8,500, under the bipartisan bill, the asylum will be suspended. The bill also raises the standard for the first asylum interview, also known as credible fear screenings. This "border emergency authority" will remain in place for no more than (1) 270 days in the first year, (2) 225 days in the second year and (3) 180 days in the third and final year. Children are exempt from the "border emergency authority". 

There is a strong opposition too to the bipartisan bill. Speaker Mike Johnson expressed apprehension over lack of adequate focus on border enforcement. Sen. Bernie Sanders also decried $10 billion out of $14 billion allocated for Israel's offensive weaponry. Sen. Sanders wants to rescind that component. Speaker Johnson wants to push an alternative spending measure that will fund $17.6 billion in military aid to Israel. 

Pushed by Trump, Republicans Tank the $118 billion Package

Emerging out of a luncheon session with his caucus, Minority Leader Mitch McConnel said on February 6, 2024 on the Capitol Hill that there was not enough Republican support for the $118 billion package that pairs Ukraine aid with the aid to Israel and other allies, relief to Gaza Strip and Ukraine, and money for the enhanced border enforcement. Many GOP Senators caved in to Trump's pressure, leading President Joe Biden to urge GOP Senators to show "some spine". 

$118 billion Package Fails in Procedural Vote

As expected, but in a shocking setback to any hope for passing a measure that pairs a border enforcement deal with foreign aid measures, including aid to Ukraine and Israel, the $118 billion bipartisan measure--crafted by Sen. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma; Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, I-Arizona; and Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut; respectively--failed to pass the U.S. Senate on February 7, 2024 on a procedural vote. The vote was 49-50, 11 short of 60 needed to pass the procedural hurdle.  

********************** $95 billion Ukraine Package ***********

Senate Votes to Begin Debating on $95 billion Ukraine Package

After the spectacular failure this week to pass the $118 billion supplemental package, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had only few options left in his legislative toolbox. On February 8, 2024, he deployed one such tool as he brought a $95 billion aid package--$65 billion for Ukraine and $35 billion for Israel and other national security priorities--to the floor to dare pro-Ukrainian GOP senators to vote against the measure. The strategy worked, at least for the time being. By 67-32 vote, Senate on February 8, 2024 approved going forward with the debating the package. However, its future remains uncertain. 

Senate Approves $95 billion Package, Biden Asks Johnson to Hold Vote

The U.S. Senate at the dawn of February 13, 2024 passed a $95 billion package by 70-29 vote. 22 Republicans joined 48 Democrats to vote for the package that included $60 billion for Ukraine, $14 billion for Israel, $8 billion for Taiwan and Indo-Pacific partners, and $9.1 billion for the humanitarian assistance for conflict zones, respectively. 

Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon and Sen. Peter Welch of Vermont voted against the measure on the ground that it contained funding for offensive weapons to Israel. President Joe Biden on February 13, 2024 urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the bill to a floor vote. 

Speaker Johnson Pushes a Very Similar Package with the Help from Democrats

Speaker Mike Johnson on April 19, 2024 pushed the $95 billion package that included aid for Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan and other national securities priorities over the procedural hurdle with the help from Democratic lawmakers. The procedural vote was 316-94. 

Ukraine, Israel Aid Package, TikTok Ban Passed

As a strategy to garner more votes and give the lawmakers the leeway of moral compass, Speaker Mike Johnson split up the $95 billion package into several standalone sub-packages such as related to $61 billion in Ukraine funding, Israeli aid, Indo-Pacific priorities and other initiatives. As part of the overall package, lawmakers voted 360-58 to ban TikTok if its Chinese owner didn't divest within a year. All of the other measures were approved by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans against a push by the far-right members on April 20, 2024.

Zelensky Thanks House, U.S. for Approving Ukraine Package

In May 2022, a little-known Louisiana lawmaker named Mike Johnson was one of the 57 Republicans to oppose the $40 billion aid package for Ukraine. Dial forward almost two years. Rep. Johnson now holds the gavel of the House of Representatives and his change is transformative in pushing the Ukraine aid package over the finish line over the growing threat from the Far Right who are [politically] baying for his blood. 

The April 20, 2024, passage of four separate packages by the House of Representatives was the climax of Speaker Johnson's statesmanship and vision as far as foreign aid is concerned. 

* First package relates to Ukraine's aid of $61 billion in loan, including $13.8 billion for weapons purchase

* Second package relates to $17 billion in military aid to Israel, including arms and weapons aid, and $9 billion in humanitarian aid in Gaza Strip and elsewhere 

* Third package relates to $8 billion aid for the Indo-Pacific theater

* Fourth package relates to banning TikTok if its Chinese owner doesn't divest in a year and other priorities, including seizing Russian assets

On April 21, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky lauded and thanks U.S. House's vote.

Speaker Johnson Elevates to the Role of Churchill instead of Going to Quiet Sleep like Chamberlain 

Many political pundits are heaping praise upon Speaker Mike Johnson after he has balked his own party's right-flank and carried out the historic responsibility as the Speaker of the House instead of the Speaker of the GOP. Some of the overenthusiastic political commentators are seeing a parallel between what has happened in 1938 and what has been averted 86 years later.

After signing the Munich Agreement with Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini on September 30, 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned to assure his people that Hitler, under the Munich Agreement, would take control over the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia that would be the last territorial invasion by Nazi Germany in exchange for the U.K. not interfering in the Hitler's aggression. Chamberlain urged his country's people to have a "quiet sleep" as Hitler, under the 1938 Munich Agreement, had no additional expansionist plan. History taught us that Chamberlain was wrong and Churchill was right. 

As Mark Twain had famously has said that the history never repeats itself, but it often rhymes. We now see the Ukraine War is rhyming along the same rhythm of the consequences of Munich Agreement. However, Speaker Johnson this time played the role of Churchill instead of Chamberlain. 

Senate Passes the House Version of $95 billion Aid Package

U.S. Senate on April 23, 2024 passed overwhelmingly the foreign aid package passed by the House of Representatives in four tranches of legislative measures [(1) Ukraine package, (2) Israeli and humanitarian aid package, (3) Indo-Pacific region-focused aid package, (4) TikTok ban measure] three days ago. The margin was heavily tilted for the passage of the package, with 79 Senators voting in favor and 18 against. Senators Bernie Sanders, I-Maine, and Jeff Merkle, D-Ore, voted against the package in protest against the military aid to Israel. 

Biden Signs the $95 billion Foreign Aid Package, Vows to Send Military Aid to Ukraine in Hours

President Joe Biden on April 24, 2024 signed the $95 billion foreign aid package that included badly needed military funding for Ukraine, military aid for Israel, humanitarian aid for people in Gaza Strip and elsewhere, and strategic funding for Indo-Pacific Theater. Immediately after the signing, Biden greenlit $1 billion of $61 billion in shipment of defense shields, munition and other tactical weapons to Ukraine. 

********************** $95 billion Ukraine Package ***********

**** GOP LEADERSHIP CONTEST AFTER MCCONNEL'S RETIREMENT DECISION *****

Cornyn Likely to Seek Top GOP Senate Leadership Post

Sen. John Cornyn is likely to contest to become the GOP Senate leader after the February 28, 2024, announcement of Sen. Mitch McConnel on the Senate floor to step aside from the leadership position in November 2024. McConnel, the longest-serving Senate leader, also stated that this term would be his last term. 

**** GOP LEADERSHIP CONTEST AFTER MCCONNEL'S RETIREMENT DECISION *****

GUN-RELATED ISSUES

*********************************** GUN POLITICS *****************************
Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Straw Purchase of Gun
A divided U.S. Supreme Court on June 16, 2014 upheld the ban on the so-called "straw" gun purchase in which a buyer may buy gun for a third person. The ruling was on 5-4 vote.

Supreme Court Upholds the Local Rights to Ban Semiautomatic Guns
In a rare defeat for NRA, the U.S. Supreme Court on December 7, 2015 refused to take up a legal challenge by gun rights groups and NRA against Chicago suburb Highland Park's ban on the sale or possession of semi-automatic guns with capacity to carry more than 10 rounds of ammunition. The vote was 7-2. The case began in 2013 after the Highland Park had adopted the ban on semiautomatic weapons. Soon after, Arie Friedman and the Illinois State Rifle Association filed a suit, stating that Highland Park's ban was unconstitutional. A federal court judge first upheld the law. The plaintiffs then went to appeals court. A three-judge panel of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the lower court judge by 2-1 vote in April 2015. Friedman then filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in July 2015 when the NRA and state attorneys from 23 states had backed him. Ban on semiautomatic weapons was also held by, in addition to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, appeals courts in New York and San Francisco.

An Emotional Obama Vows to Act Unilaterally on Gun Control
Using his bully pulpit, President Barack Obama on January 5, 2016 held a very different sort of news conference from the White House's East Room, and vowed--at times shedding tears with voice turning emotional and surrounded by the gun victims and their families--to bypass Congress and take unilateral action on modest gun control measures. The measures include:
* Closing a loophole by requiring more sun sellers, especially who sell on internet and the gun shows, to register as a gun dealer and conducting background checks on potential buyers.
* Reporting to federal authorities any gun that has gone missing between a manufacturer and a gun seller
* A plan for 24/7 operation for background checks and hiring of 240 more FBI agents to run background checks
* Asking Congress to allocate $500 million for better access to mental health care and hiring 200 additional ATF agents for weapons investigation
* A call for Pentagon and other agencies to invest in research to bring "safe gun" technology quickly to the marketplace
* Seeking the help of states to share updated information with federal authorities. In this respect, Attorney General Loretta Lynch wrote a letter to the nation's governors on January 4, 2016 to improve the quality of information related to (criminal) background check and mental health of potential gun buyer as well as sharing the information with the federal authorities in an effort to make National Instant Criminal Background Check System more dynamic, usable and updated.
The reaction to Obama's executive action was along the familiar lines. Republicans blasted the move as government overreach and the gun control advocate called it overdue. Among the attendees in the White House's East Room on January 5, 2016 was former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Arizona, who was shot and seriously injured by a gunman at Tucson in 2011, and her astronaut husband Mark Kelly. The President, prior to beginning his 37-minute press conference, was introduced by Mark Barden, father of Daniel, 7, who was killed in December 2012 in a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Obama Holds Town Hall Style Meeting to Promote Gun Control
President Barack Obama took his battle for gun control straight to people with a two-pronged approach two days after taking a host of unilateral, but modest, measures through executive action at a partly emotion-, partly anger-filled White House press conference. President Barack Obama on January 7, 2016 wrote an op-ed in The New York Times, urging voters to force changes on gun control issue and vowing not to campaign for any candidate, irrespective of party affiliation, who would not commit to reasonable measures to contain gun violence. Later in the evening, President Obama held a town-hall-style meet, moderated by CNN's Anderson Cooper, at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, and tried to garner support for his executive action on gun control issued two days earlier. Obama took NRA to the task for refusing to participate in the town hall event although many of its members were present. The event attracted about 100 participants, including some of the high-profile names on this issue such as Gabrielle Giffords, Taya Kyle, wife of Chris Kyle on whom the American Sniper was made, and Cleo Pendleton, whose daughter was shot and killed near Obama's Chicago home.

California Imposes Additional Gun Restrictions
California's Democratic Governor Jerry Brown on July 1, 2016 signed six gun control measures into law while vetoing five others. Among the measures he signed into law included turning in high-capacity magazines and background checks for purchase of ammunition.
*********************************** GUN POLITICS *****************************

Biden Takes Shot at New Gun Control Measures

Calling gun violence as a "blemish on our character as a nation", President Joe Biden on April 8, 2021 signed half a dozen executive orders to tighten gun control, but fell short of some of the sweeping measures that he had promised on the campaign trail. However, to achieve those grandiose objectives of "commonsense" measures such as ban on assault weapons and universal background check, Biden needs support from Congress where Republicans are unified to deny him any breakthrough on gun control. 

One order announced on April 8, 2021 will tighten the regulatory measures related to so called "ghost guns", guns made in home. Often, the parts needed to manufacture such guns lack serial numbers, making it impossible to track them, and buyers don't need to pass the background checks either. Under Biden's Executive Order, the Department of Justice will propose rules to cover the "ghost suns" with regulations under the purview of Gun Control Act that requires gun kits to have serial numbers and potential buyers to go through background checks. 

Another measure will re-classify pistols equipped with stabilizing braces as short-barreled rifle, thus subjecting them to a thorough application process and a $200 tax. The Colorado gunman who had recently attacked a grocery superstore and killed 10 people used such weapon. 

Under another measure announced on April 8, 2021, the DOJ will unveil rules within 60 days, empowering states to adopt and strengthen their respective "red flag" laws. 

Joe Biden invited the Sandy Hook parents and parents of Parkland, Florida mass shooting victims to the White House event on April 8, 2021 that was attended by Vice President Kamala Harris and Attorney-General Merrick Garland. President Joe Biden also named David Chipman, a former career ATF agent and now an adviser to a gun-control organization led by Former Representative Gabrielle Giffords, as the new head of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

*********** GHOST GUNS REGULATION **********

DOJ Releases Rules to Target so called "Ghost Guns"

As per one of the executive orders signed by President Joe Biden on April 8, 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice has released a proposed rule on May 7, 2021, driving an effort to bring the so called "ghost guns", or the guns manufactured at home, under the framework of Gun Control Act. Once the proposed rule is published in the federal register, public will have 90 days to make comments. With the advancement of 3D printing technology, people these days are easily and cheaply manufacturing guns at home. 

Biden Announces Restriction of Ghost Guns

President Joe Biden on April 11, 2022 has announced at a Rose Garden event the new requirement for the "ghost guns" which don't have any serial numbers to track and can be built by novice gun enthusiasts by following DIY kits downloaded from the internet with parts that can be purchased from online marketplace. In recent years, "ghost guns" are turning out at crime scenes in increasing numbers. President Biden said that "law enforcement is sounding the alarm and our community is paying the price". Under the new rule, gun dealers are required to put serial numbers on "ghost guns" that come in their way. 

Supreme Court Restores "Ghost Gun" Rules

The U.S. Supreme Court on August 8, 2023 ruled 5-4 to block a lower court decision to suspend Biden administration's "ghost gun" rules, giving a remarkable victory to President Joe Biden. The ATF rules dictate that guns manufactured by individuals using separate parts and gear fall under the same law that applies to commercially sold weapons. The plaintiffs argued that the Gun Control Act of 1968 didn't apply to the guns assembled from different individual parts and gears. In the age of 3D printers and open source, it's easy to build a gun by assembling parts which don't have any serial numbers to track with. The rules require the parts makers and dealers to put serial numbers on the gear and parts. U.S. District Court Judge Reed O'Connor suspended the Biden administration rule in June 2023. The Supreme Court verdict--Justices John Roberts and Amy Coney Barrett joined the Liberal justices--on August 8, 2023 restored the "ghost gun" rules while it would be litigated in the appeals court. 

*********** GHOST GUNS REGULATION **********

House Raises Age Limit for Assault-style Weapons, Limits Magazine Capacity

In an expansive action to pass a set of gun control proposals, the U.S. House of Representatives on June 8, 2022 raised the legal age to buy assault-style weapons to 21 from 18, capped the magazine capacity to 10 rounds, and banned "bump stock", a device capable to transform a semi-automatic gun to an automatic gun. Each of the proposals was debated and voted separately, and then House leaders put them together under one package dubbed as "Protecting Our Kids Act". The overall bill on June 8, 2022 was passed by 223-204 votes. However, the bill's fate in Senate is uncertain at best and outright rejection at the worst. 

House Passes Red-Flag Law

In a partisan 224-202 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives on June 9, 2022 passed the "red-flag" law. 

House Bans AR-15 

U.S. House of Representatives on July 29, 2022 voted 217-213 to ban semiautomatic guns such as AR-15. There is no possibility that this measure will have any chance to be passed by Senate. 

************************ FORCED-RESET TRIGGER ******************

Legal Battles Loom Large over a Device that Acts as a Machine Gun Converter

After a North Dakota-based firearms company began selling its FRT-15 triggers in 2020, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives issued rules, characterizing the forced-reset triggers as "machine gun" and asked the Fargo-based Rare Breed Triggers to stop selling them. When the company continued selling the FRT-15 triggers, federal government filed a lawsuit in the Eastern District of New York in January 2023. Breon Peace, the U.S. attorney for the district, filing the case in Brooklyn, has said that FRT-15 device converts guns like AR-15 into a more lethal weapon that can fire at a rate matching or exceeding the rate of M-16 machine guns, which have a firing capability ranging from 700 to 970 rounds a minute. The crux of the case depends on how one interprets the National Firearms Act of 1934, according to an insightful report by The Dallas Morning News published on August 21, 2023. The law prohibits the public from owning machine guns. The law defines a machine gun as a device that can fire two or more rounds with a single pull of a trigger. The defendant proclaims that its device increases the firing capability, or rounds per minute, but for every round, the trigger slides back to start position. A gun rights group, National Association for Gun Rights, separately filed a lawsuit against the ATF at a federal court in Texas, seeking intervention of the court to overturn the ATF's declaration of FRT-15 as "machine gun". 

************************ FORCED-RESET TRIGGER ******************

OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION: Vice President Calls for Youth Involvement 

Biden administration held a meeting of more than 100 lawmakers from 39 states for a daylong deliberation at the White House on December 13, 2023 under the aegis of a newly created gun prevention office. President Joe Biden in September 2023 established the Office of Gun Violence Prevention as part of the implementation of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The key goals of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention included a federal response to gun violence epidemic and catering the needs of and services required by the local communities afflicted by, or to prevent, gun violence. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is providing the overall vision of the office, has assured the lawmakers that they are not alone in this endeavor. Office of Gun Violence Prevention Director Steffanie Feldman said that the task for the lawmakers "is what they should do and how". 

***************************** GUN VIOLENCE IN THE U.S. **************************

************ SUTHERLAND SPRINGS MASSACRE ***********
26 Killed in the Worst Texas Mass Shooting in nearly a Quarter Century
A 26-year-old gunman, later identified as Devin Kelley, wearing a ballistic vest and tactical gear entered a Sunday service at a Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, southeast of San Antonio, and rained down bullets on the congregants on November 5, 2017, killing at least 26 before being pursued by a pair of townspeople and found dead in his truck.

Gunman's Past Should have Barred Him from Buying Gun
As the rural town of Sutherland Springs began to slowly come to grips a day after the worst mass massacre in the state's history in a quarter century and more than 450 rounds were sprayed on a morning mass, the alleged gunman's past life was under scanner and how he was able to buy weapons despite Devin Kelley's court-martial by the U.S. Air Force and conviction of domestic violence. In 2012, Kelley pleaded guilty to assaulting his first wife and beating his stepson "with a force likely to produce death".  He was given a bad-conduct discharge from the Air Force in 2014 after serving a year at a San Diego area brig. The conduct and conviction of Devin Kelley while he was with the U.S. Air Force were enough to prevent him from buying guns. However, Air Force's failure to notify FBI about Kelley's background helped Kelley pass the background test as the FBI's instant background check database, National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), did not have any red flag and legally purchase the weapons. Air Force on November 6, 2017 asked Defense Department's Inspector General to investigate into the lapse.

Cornyn Pairs with Democrat to Introduce Background Check Deficiency
Texas' senior Senator John Cornyn and Democratic Senator Chris Murphy on November 15, 2017 introduced a legislation, dubbed the Fix NICS Act, to plug the loophole that had been exploited by the Sutherland Spring gunman Devin Kelley to buy gun that was used in the November 5, 2017, church massacre. The bill requires federal agencies to report criminal records to FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database and incentivizes the states to do the same.

Settlement Reached between DOJ and Victims' Families

Vanita Gupta, head of the U.S. Justice Department's Civil Rights division, announced on April 5, 2023 a $144.5 million settlement between the U.S. government and circa 80 plaintiffs from the families of victims, including the families of dead and survivors. The attacker, Devin Kelley, killed 26 people and wounded more than 20 in a November 2017 gruesome attack on the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. Victims' families has filed a lawsuit, accusing the U.S. Air Force for not sharing information about Kelley with the federal entity that oversees the national instant background check system. U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez in a July 2021 verdict held U.S. Air Force "60% liable" for the attack. The federal judge subsequently ordered the Biden administration to pay $230 million to the families of victims, triggering an appeal by the DOJ. Simultaneously, settlement negotiation began between the government and plaintiff attorneys under the aegis of one of the renowned negotiators, Kenneth Feinberg, who was a lead negotiator for the 9/11 compensation package. The talks eventually didn't fructify. However, talks resumed early this year. The settlement package now comes down to $144.5 million. 
************ SUTHERLAND SPRINGS MASSACRE ***********

************************** PARKLAND HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING 

Valentine Day Shooting Rampage Leaves 17 Dead at Florida School
The Valentine Day turned out to be a bloody catastrophe for an upscale community in Florida as a gunman entered his former high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, at Parkland, Florida on February 14, 2018, and opened fire randomly on fleeing and panicked students, first at the first floor and then at the second floor. At the end of his shooting rampage, the alleged shooter, Nikolas Cruz, a former student of the same high school who had been expelled, left behind a gruesome trail with bodies littered in the hallway, frightened students cowering under desks and panicked parents rushing to campus to seek information about their children. At the end of the day, 17 people lay dead by the carnage of Cruz, who had used semi-automatic AR-15 rifle and multiple magazines of ammunition, according to Broward County authorities.

Suspect Draws FBI Attention before Mass Shooting
As a grief-stricken community was coming to grips and understand what and why their upscale community had become the latest spotlight in a divisive gun debate and for world's attention, additional information on the killer are raising the possibility for plenty of finger-pointing amongst various state and federal law-enforcement agencies. The police arrest report on February 15, 2018 gave a chronicle of the day's event that had begun with the suspect, Nikolas Cruz, taking a ride on Uber to reach his former high school. He began "shooting students he saw in the hallways and on school grounds", according to the police arrest report. Nikolas Cruz, after carrying out one of the worst school shootings, eventually abandoned his AR-15 rifle, a vest and ammunition in a stairwell, and left the school blending with fleeing students. Later on February 14, 2018, after fleeing the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School by joining hundreds of other exiting students, Nikolas Cruz stopped by Walmart, bought sandwich from Subway and also stopped by a McDonald's before getting arrested without any incident as he was walking on a neighborhood street at 3:41PM. The 19-year-old orphan, whose mother, Lynda Cruz, had passed away in November 2017, has been living with a host family, which has encouraged him to continue his study in adult education courses. However, his recent social media posting might have raised quite a few eyebrows, and FBI is also reported to have been tipped about his possible violent motive.
On February 15, 2018, Nikolas Cruz appeared in a Fort Lauderdale court wearing yellow jumpsuit with his public defender, Melisa McNeil, who later said that his client "is mournful". Cruz was expelled from 3000-student high school and known for his violent outbursts while in school. He bought his AR-15 rifle legally in February 2017.

Governor Demands FBI Director's Resignation
As information about a January 5, 2018, anonymous tip to FBI hotline about Nikolas Cruz' proneness to violence having ignored by the agency came to knowledge, FBI came under scathing attack from different quarters. Florida Governor Rick Scott on February 16, 2018 called for FBI Director Christopher Wray to step down immediately. FBI expressed its sincere regret for not following on this tip. As the funeral for some of the 17 killed--14 students, the Athletic director, a coach and a geography teacher--in February 14, 2018, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High shooting began during the day, President Donald Trump visited shooting victims at a Florida hospital.

Family Pleads Ignorance about Cruz' Plan
The family that took in Florida school gunman Nikolas Cruz after his mom's November 1, 2017, death due to pneumonia, opened for the first time on February 18, 2018 since the school shooting. Kimberly and James Snead said during the day that they knew nothing about Cruz.

Student Protest Emerges Nationwide
Enraged and energized by the February 14, 2018, Marjory Stoneman Douglas  High School shooting that had killed 17 people, students across the nation are taking to the streets calling for additional gun control measures such as raising the age requirement, tightening of background check system and strengthening the school security. On February 19, 2018, 17 students lay near the White House to mark each of the lives lost to shooting in Parkland, Florida five days ago. Hundreds of other students stood near the students and supported them.

President Meets Gun Violence Victims and Their Families
President Donald Trump on February 21, 2018 took a leap of compassion as he met with America's school gun violence victims as well as some of their families at the White House. The discussion was candid and free-flowing as people young and adults pressed the president to take initiative to curb gun violence immediately.

Deputy Stood Outside School during Shooting Spree
The local law enforcement agencies came under criticism as reports emerged that when the Parkland gunman Nikolas Cruz was on shooting rampage on February 14, 2018, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Resource Deputy Scot Peterson had been outside the school and never entered the school to confront Cruz. Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said on February 22, 2018 that Peterson had been put under suspension, and two other officers were placed on a restricted assignment as internal investigation was underway. Hours after Israel suspended him, Scot Peterson chose to resign.

Students Mass at State Capitol
As the Florida Senate took up gun control measures that included, among others, raising the age limit for gun purchases to 21, a mandatory three-day waiting period and better background check, hundreds of students on February 26, 2018 assembled at the state Capitol in Tallahassee to demand for greater gun control and effort to shame legislators beholden to NRA. Former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, running for governor's election, slammed NRA in a speech to 1,000 people at the state capitol.

Florida Senate Passes Gun Control Legislation in Lopsided Vote
In a significant victory for  gun control advocates, Florida Senate on February 26, 2018 passed a gun control measure in 23-6 vote that would:
* Raise the minimum age to buy rifles to 21 (Florida currently bars anyone younger than 21 from buying handgun)
* Impose a three-day waiting period for gun purchases
* Encourage action to arm school staff and teachers
* Funds millions of dollars to boost school security
* Makes it easier for law enforcement to remove guns from at-risk individuals

Florida House Approves the Gun Control Bill; Measure Goes to Governor
Florida House of Representatives on March 7, 2018 voted in a bipartisan majority (67-50) to balk the NRA and pass a gun control measure that was sailed through Senate on February 26, 2018. The measure now goes to Governor Rick Scott.

Governor Signs the Measure into Law
Thumbing at the nose of NRA, Florida Governor Rick Scott on March 9, 2018 signed the gun control legislation.

NRA Sues the State
The day Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a historic gun control bill, largely under public pressure and unyielding perseverance by students in the wake of Parkland high school massacre, National Rifle Association filed a lawsuit against the bill. The March 9, 2018, NRA lawsuit was filed in the midst of recent Supreme Court rulings not to intervene in local gun control laws such as assault weapons ban in Maryland, a 10-day waiting period in California and a ban on open-carry in Florida. When Congress passed the Gun Control Act of 1968 to ban purchase of handguns for anyone younger than 18, NRA tried to fight that law too, but appeals court quashed gun lobby's suit and the Supreme Court had refused to review the case.

********** Bump Stock Ban
Bump Stock to be Banned
U.S. Justice Department issued orders on March 10, 2018 that would ban the bump stock, overturning a 2010 decision by ATF that it did not have authority to ban the bump stock as it could not be classified as machine gun. The order will be effective after a period of feedback and reviews.

DOJ Formally Issues Bump Stock Ban in Federal Register
DOJ on March 23, 2018 entered in the Federal Register for a 90-day comment period rules to ban bump stock, thus overturning a 2010 ATF finding that bump stock could not be regulated since it's not a machine gun.

Final Bump Stock Ban Rules Issued
Trump administration on December 18, 2018 issued new rules to ban bump stock that makes a semi-automatic gun fire at a rapid clip like a machine gun. Under the rules, Americans have 90 days to destroy their bump stock, or turn them over to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Acting Attorney-General Matthew Whitaker on December 18, 2018 signed off on the rules that would be published on the Federal Register on December 21, 2018 and would go into effect in 90 days.

Bump Stock Ban became effective on March 26, 2019.

Supreme Court Lets the Bump Stock Ban to Hold
The U.S. Supreme Court on March 28, 2019 rejected to take a case to quash the Trump administration's ban on bump stock.

Bump Stock Legal again in Trio of Southern States

Although other federal appeals courts upheld the ban on bump stock, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' full bench on January 6, 2023 overturned the ban that had been upheld by a three-judge panel of the same appeals court and a lower federal court before. The New Orleans-based court had until February 27, 2023 for the ATF and the U.S. Justice Department to file a motion for a stay order. As that didn't happen, bump stock sales are now legal in Texas, Mississippi and Louisiana. The lawsuit against the ban--premised on the argument that the device transformed a semi-automatic gun into a machine gun capability, thus violating a1986 law that Congress had passed to ban the machine gun--was filed by Michael Cargill, owner of Austin's Central Texas Gun Works, and New Civil Liberties Alliance. The ban was instituted by Trump administration after a gunman had killed dozens of people on October 1, 2017 on the Las Vegas Strip using a gun with "bump stock" and pressured by parents of Parkland shooting victims after a school shooting in Florida four months later although Parkland shooter didn't use the device. 

Cargill's lawsuit has a broader implication than just the bump stock ban as the suit goes after the so called Chevron Doctrine, a 1984 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case, Chevron U.S.A., Inc. vs. Natural Resources Defense Council, that expanded the authority of federal agencies such as CDC, ATF and OSHA to regulate businesses and their products and services. Many conservatives view Chevron Doctrine as unnecessary encroachment of authority by federal agencies. 
********** Bump Stock Ban

Students to Walk out to Mark One-Month Anniversary
Students across America are gearing up to walk out on March 14, 2018, a month to date since the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida shooting. The Parkland, Florida high school mass shooting generated an unprecedented wave of student movement in the USA like the none before, this time to demand for meaningful gun control. The student walkout is being advised and guided by Empower, the youth wing of Women's March that had held massive rallies across the USA on the inauguration day of Donald Trump. About 3,000 walk-outs are being planned nationwide.

Students Walk out in Protest against Gun Violence
In once in a new kind of protest, hundreds of thousands of school students across America on March 14, 2018 walked out of the class to show solidarity with the students in Parkland, Florida to mark one-month anniversary of school shooting that had claimed 17 lives and demand strong gun control legislation. There was threat looming over the heads of tens of thousands of students for possible disciplinary measures, but for the most part, students remained undaunted. On Capitol Hill, thousands of students massed to press lawmakers for meaningful gun control measures. They were greeted on the Capitol steps by mostly Democratic lawmakers.

House Passes School Safety Measure
House of Representatives on March 14, 2018 passed a school safety legislation by 407-10 votes as Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing in which FBI's acting deputy director, David  Bowdich, acknowledged that "we clearly should have done more" in preventing February 14, 2018, Parkland shooting. The 10-yea,r $500 million House measure, passed on the same day of mass walkouts across America by students, calls for
* Training of students and teachers in countering violence, but not arming the teachers
* Boosting school security

March for Our Lives Attracts Hundreds of Thousands
Parkland shooting definitely brought an unprecedented level of activism among the nation's students, and it has been reflected in the March for Our Lives organized on March 24, 2018 at the D.C. and across USA to demand strengthening gun control laws. The main march in Washington D.C. has  attracted hundreds of thousands of people, many of them are not even of voting age. In addition to D.C. rally, there were at least 700 sister marches held from coast to coast in a show of solidarity with the Parkland students and demand for stricter gun control. The March for Our Lives was organized by the Empower, the same organization which led the 2017 Women's March on the day of Donald Trump's inauguration as president.

Former Supreme Court Judge: Repeal the Second Amendment
Former Supreme Court Judge John Paul Stevens, 97, called for repeal of the Second Amendment in an essay carried by March 27, 2018, edition of The New York Times. Referring to the 2008 ruling of Heller vs. District of Columbia, the liberal justice, who was on the losing side, said that the apex court's verdict that individuals have right to own guns for self-defense had provided NRA with a significant propaganda victory. John Paul Stevens, though he had favored changes to the Second Amendment, now called for repeal of the Second Amendment as there was burgeoning support to that effect by millions of students who had shown their might in the March 24, 2018, March for Our Lives rallies allover the nation. He prodded the students to "seek more effective and more lasting reform", going even a step further to urge that "they should demand a repeal of the Second Amendment".

Students Continue Protest against Gun Violence, Stage National Walkouts
Underscoring the tenacity of the momentum in the student protest in the aftermath of February 14, 2018, Parkland high school shooting, hundreds of thousands of high school students on April 20, 2018 participated in the so-called National School Walkout Day to mark the 19th anniversary of Columbine High School shooting. The nationwide event was planned by a Connecticut teenager, Lane Murdock, after February 14, 2018, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Organizers estimated that at least 150,000 students participated in at least 2700 nationwide walkouts from New York to California to Colorado, with at least one protest held in each state. The synchronized protest at the local time of 10AM was unprecedented as it was mostly fueled by social media.

Presidential Commission Dilutes Gun Control in the Report
On the same day, Trump administration issued bump stock ban rules, a presidential commission formed in the aftermath of February 14, 2018, Parkland High School shooting that had killed 17 students and staff in addition to injuring 17 others released a report that had all but de-emphasized on gun control and instead focused on arming teachers and school staff. The December 18, 2018, release of the report made by the Federal Commission on School Safety--composed of eight members, including four cabinet ministers--came on the heels of broader debate of gun violence, Second Amendment Right and gun control. The four cabinet ministers included Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who had headed the commission, acting AG Matthew Whitaker, HHS Secretary Alex Azar II, and Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. The report also said that research didn't show that age limit for gun buyers would have any measurable effect on reducing the gun violence, a dubious finding hailed by the National Rifle Association. However, the report didn't recommend federal funds for buying firearms for teachers and school staff contrary to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos' preference for that. So, individuals, or local school officials, or states have to foot the bill to arm the teachers and school staff.

Presidential Commission's Initial Findings Approved Unanimously
The 15-member Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission on January 2, 2019 approved the 446-page report released 15 days earlier.

First Anniversary of Parkland Shooting Marked with Hope, New Resolve
The first anniversary of the Parkland Shooting was observed on February 14, 2019 in different parts of Florida with varied nature of services and dedication, ranging from planting tree saplings to act of kindness. A nightly vigil was held at Pine Trails Park, about a mile from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, that was attended, among others, by Governor Ron DeSantis and about 5,000-strong crowd.

*********** NIKOLAS CRUZ

Alleged Gunman to Change to Guilty Plea

Lawyers of the alleged Marjory Stoneman Douglas Highschool gunman, Nikolas Cruz, said on October 15, 2021 that the defendant would switch to guilty plea on all counts, leading the trial to focus on the sentencing. Prosecutors are seeking death penalty against Nikolas Cruz, while defendant's attorneys are seeking for 17 consecutive life sentences. Guilty plea will be entered next week after Cruz' lead attorney returns to the state.

Separately, Nikolas Cruz on October 15, 2021 himself appeared in the court in a 2018 assault case, involving a law enforcement officer, and pleaded guilty to the Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer. 

Parkland Accused Plead Guilty

The accused Parkland killer Nicolas Cruz on October 20, 2021 pleaded guilty to 17 charges of murder and 17 charges of attempted murder. Before he switched his plea, Broward County Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer told Cruz that, once he pleaded guilty, he could not change it again.

Jury Selection Begins in Cruz Trial

An elaborative selection process began on April 4, 2022 that would course through several days, even weeks, and probably would involve more than 1,500 potential candidates to select a jury to try the worst mass shooting in the U.S. history. 

Cruz Formally Sentenced 

After a three-month penalty trial, a jury on October 13, 2022 decided by 9-3 vote to sentence Nicolas Cruz to death. Since Florida law requires unanimous ruling to meet out death sentence, Parkland gunman has been spared capital punishment. On October 31, 2022 and November 1, 2022, family members of the victims gave impact statements, often thrashing Nicolas Cruz with unflattering words. On November 2, 2022, Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer formally handed Nicolas Cruz the life sentence without parole. Judge Scherer read 34 consecutive life sentences against Cruz, reflecting 17 students killed and 17 injured. 

*********** NIKOLAS CRUZ

Security Guard Acquitted

In an unprecedented trial where a law enforcement officer is charged for failing to confront a mass-shooter, Former Broward County Deputy Sheriff Scot Peterson on June 29, 2023 was acquitted on all counts related to felony child neglect and other charges. Prosecutors argued that Peterson should have confronted the gunman, Nikolas Cruz. Defense Attorney Mark Eiglarsh defended Peterson that his client would have definitely confront the gunman if he would know where the gunfire was coming from and if sheriff's radio system would have worked as expected. 

************************* PARKLAND HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING 

*********** SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING *************

Bloods All over, This Time in Santa Fe
In a bone-chilling reminder of how innocence are getting trampled within our school corridors, a 17-year-old gunman armed to his teeth transformed Santa Fe High School, south of Houston, into a killing field on May 18, 2018. The incident was the latest testament to the mass shooting culture that had reared its ugly head with 1999 Columbine Mass Shooting and, since then, had been stalking nation's schools, but more frequently in recent years. The alleged gunman, Dimitrios Pagourtzis, wore a trench coat, similar to Columbine shooters, and attacked the school about 8AM on Friday morning with pipe bombs, a handgun and a shotgun. As of the end of the day, at least 10 people were killed, among them a substitute teacher, Cynthia Tisdale, and a Pakistani exchange student, Sabika Sheikh. The gunman was later booked in the Galveston County Jail. Governor Gregg Abbott rushed to Santa Fe to heal the community, and even he, an avowed Second Amendment backer, said that "we need to do more than just to pray for the victims".
*********** SANTA FE HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING *************

************************ TREE OF LIFE SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING *******************

Horror Arrives at Pittsburgh Synagogue
It was a Saturday morning, and the house of worship was full of faithful. Then sudden bursts of fire and anti-Semitic screams filled the air and turned the Tree of Life Congregation into a bloody field of carnage. A suspect, Robert Bowers, armed with an AR-15-style assault weapon and at least three handguns wreaked havoc in the leafy Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh on October 27, 2018, and by the end of his mayhem, 11 congregants lay dead. The 46-year-old suspect from Baldwin, Pennsylvania was wounded in gunshot and remained hospitalized in stable condition at the University of Pittsburg Medical Center. Hours after the reprehensible attack, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Scott Brady, and FBI special agent in charge of Pittsburgh office, Robert Jones, unveiled 29-count of charges against Bowers. However, there was a silver-lining in the October 27, 2018, tragedy as one of the ceremonies being performed at the synagogue was a bris, a ceremony marking a child's birth, children were spared from the death toll. As the day wore on, more information about the suspect, Robert Bowers, poured on, especially his strident views against Jews expressed on the social media site Gab, a platform popular with White Nationalists for its lack of adequate monitoring and screening. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said at a news conference that "we simply cannot accept this violence as a normal part of American life". Israeli premier, Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed his grief on behalf of "the entire people of Israel".

Vigil Held to Vow that "Hatred will Never Win"
Vigils and memorials were held in Pittsburgh and other cities on October 28, 2018 to commemorate the killing of 11 congregants a day earlier by a White supremacist at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Many of the vigils held multi-faith prayer services and the common theme was to reiterate the pledge of not letting hatred win over love.

Trump to Visit Pittsburgh, Suspect Appears at the Court
The suspected gunman in Tree of Life Synagogue shooting on October 29, 2018 appeared at a downtown courthouse in Pittsburgh to face charges, involving the ones with death penalty. Robert Bowers, nonchalant look on his face, was pushed on a wheelchair into the courtroom. Meanwhile, White House's announcement that President Donald Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump would visit the Pittsburgh synagogue on October 30, 2018 had engendered division within the city's Jewish community. About 26,000 signatures were collected by October 29, 2018 morning favoring a petition by the Pittsburgh chapter of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, a progressive Jewish group headed by Alexander Soros, son of George Soros, to oppose the presidential visit to Pittsburgh. However, Tree of Life Synagogue's Rabbi Jeffrey Myers said that president would be welcome at the house of worship. Also, the Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto requested Trump not to take this visit to the city at this time.

Trump Makes the Controversial Visit amid Funeral and Protests
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on October 30, 2018 made the controversial visit to Tree of Life Synagogue and laid white flowers at a memorial at the synagogue. President Trump consoled Rabbi Jeffrey Myers. However, no Congressional leaders and local leaders accompanied Trump, providing a unique rebuke to president's divisive rhetoric. As individual funerals were being held, Trump's visit exposed a rift in the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and about 2,000 protesters turned out against presidential visit during the day at a gathering not far from October 27, 2018, shooting that had killed 11.

Alleged Shooter Convicted on All Counts

A 12-jurror panel on June 16, 2023 convicted the defendant, Robert Bowers, on all 63 counts. The jury of seven women and five men took only 4-1/2 hours to arrive at the verdict after 11 days of heart-wrenching testimonies and trial. 

Bowers Sentenced to Death

The same jury, which on June 16, 2023 had convicted Robert Bowers on all 63 charges, sentenced the defendant on August 2, 2023 to death in the worst gun violence targeting the Jewish community. 

************************ TREE OF LIFE SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING *******************

**************************** EL PASO WALMART SHOOTING *********************
Gunman Opens Fire at Walmart, Kills 22
A gunman who is a resident of Allen, Texas has driven hours to El Paso, entered a Walmart and turned the Saturday August 3, 2019 a bloody day in the history of the border town. The victims of 21-year-old Patrick Crusius' hateful act of violence and mayhem were 22 innocent people who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. The dead included 13 U.S. citizens, one German and eight Mexican nationals. Patrick Crusius was later arrested. August 3, 2019 turned out to be one of the most fatal days in the nation's gun violence timeline which had been occurring more frequently and lethally. During the day, another gunman opened fire at a nightlife district in Dayton, Ohio, killing nine people and sending a nationwide shockwave.

Trump Condemns Bigotry, Violence
President Donald Trump on August 5, 2019 addressed a leery nation from the White House's Diplomatic Reception room, and condemned the gun violence and bigotry that one of the gunmen, Allen resident Patrick Crusius had displayed in his online writings. As Trump's 10-minute address lacked any specific proposals, many Democrats, including 2020 Presidential candidates, pressed for stricter gun laws, especially calling for Senate to table a bill passed by the House in February 2019 that had aimed at fixing some of the lacunae of the firearm background checks. In his online posts, Texas gunman Patrick Crusius had repeatedly showed his disdain and hatred for Mexicans.

90 Counts Slammed against the El Paso Shooter
A Grand Jury indictment was unsealed on February 6, 2020 by the U.S. Attorney John Bash on February 6, 2020 against the El Paso Walmart shooter, Patrick Crusius, who had driven from Allen to El Paso and wreaked havoc on August 3, 2019 at a Walmart by opening fire and killing 22 people. The indictment charges include 90 counts of varying nature, including 22 in hate crimes resulting in deaths, 22 in firearms-related to commit slayings, 23 in hate crimes in attempt to kill and 23 in firearms-related in attempt to kill.

9/11 Moment for El Paso Remembered on the First Anniversary
A somber, but spirited, air descended on El Paso on August 3, 2020 to mark the first anniversary of the worst attack on Mexicans in the USA in which an Allen resident, Patrick Crusius, drove hundreds of mile to create mayhem at the so called "Mexican Walmart" that had killed 23 people, including eight Mexican nationals, one German national and 14 Americans. The day was marked with social distancing protocols in place amidst novel coronavirus, but in a heart-felt, dignified way. 23 doves were released, plaques unveiled and a groundbreaking of a healing garden was begun.

U.S. DOJ Not to Seek Death Penalty against Walmart Attacker

A terse DOJ filing on January 17, 2023 made it clear that the Biden administration was not seeking death penalty against Patrick Crusius. Biden administration has imposed a moratorium on death penalty as both President Joe Biden and A.G. Merrick Garland are opposed to death penalty. However, their application of moratorium is not uniform as they have decided in September 2022 that the DOJ will not reverse the Trump administration's decision to seek death penalty against Sayfullo Saipov for his terrorist attack in New York City in 2017. 

Crusius Pleads Guilty

As the DOJ decided not to press for death penalty, the El Paso Walmart gunman Patrick Crusius on February 8, 2023 pleaded guilty. An El Paso federal courtroom became filled with emotion as U.S. District Judge David Guarderrama cited the names of people killed he was reading aloud the charges related to murder and attempted murder of each victim. 

Walmart Shooter Receives 90 Life Terms

Walmart shooter Patrick Crusius on July 7, 2023 was sentenced to 90 consecutive life terms in federal prison. As U.S. District Judge David Guarderrama read the verdict shortly before noon, Crusius remained stoical. On July 5, 2023, victims' relatives got opportunity to directly address the shooter, and many of them called Patrick Crusius a "coward". 
**************************** EL PASO WALMART SHOOTING *********************

************* ATLANTA AREA KILLINGS

Eight People, including Six from Asian Descent, Killed in a Rampage against Massage Parlors 

In a rampage targeting Asians, a gunman went from one massage parlor to another in Atlanta area on March 16, 2021 and, when the rampage against three parlors was over, eight people--including seven women and six of Asian descent--were dead. The 21-year-old gunman, Robert Aaron Long, was later arrested in Cherokee County. He blamed "sex addiction" for carrying out the mass murder. This is the latest incident of numerous attacks--and, by far, the bloodiest attack--against Asian Americans that had intensified during Coronavirus pandemic.

Gunman related to Massage Parlor Charged

A Fulton County Grand Jury on May 11, 2021 indicted the gunman, Roberts Aaron Long, on four counts of murder, four counts of felony murder, five counts of assault with deadly weapons, four counts of possession of firearms during the commission of felony and one count of domestic terrorism. The Cherokee County murders were not included in charges announced on May 11, 2021 by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. 

************* ATLANTA AREA KILLINGS

Eight Killed in FedEx Shooting

On April 15, 2021 evening, a former employee opened fire at the parking lot of a FedEx facility in Indianapolis and then entered the building to fire more rounds. Eight people were altogether killed in the latest mass shooting. The gunman, Brandon Scott Hole of Indianapolis, then turned the gun on himself. The motive is still unknown, and what is known so far about Holt that his mother has contacted the FBI last year because her son son might commit "suicide by cop". 

*************** SANTA CLARA MASS SHOOTING

Disgruntled Employee Kill Eight, Self in the Latest Mass Shooting

An employee known to harbor employment-related grievances opened fire around 6:30AM local time on May 26, 2021 at a rail yard of the Valley Transportation Authority, largest operator of bus services, light-rail services and other transportation services through out the Santa Clara County, most populated county in the Bay Area, and killed eight people. One remained in hospital in a critically injured state. Santa Clara County Sheriff Laurie Smith said hours later that, when law enforcement personnel entered the building where the gunman carried out the rampage, they found the body of the alleged gunman, 57-year-old Sam Cassidy. Cassidy was alleged to have opened fire during an employee meeting. Fire truck were standing outside his home to extinguish a fire as he was gone in the morning, raising suspicion that he himself might have have put his home aflame. 

*************** SANTA CLARA MASS SHOOTING

OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL, MICHIGAN SHOOTING

Three Killed in Michigan School Shooting

It is the worst nightmare of every parent as Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has said hours after a shooting at Oxford High School, Oxford Township, Michigan on November 30, 2021. Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe said that there was a motive yet to be found behind this shooting that had killed three students and injured eight, including a teacher. Police arrived within minutes of a flood of 911 calls, and arrested the juvenile suspect. 

Teen Gunman Charged as Adult

Prosecutors on December 1, 2021 brought charges against 15-year-old Ethan Crumbley for killing 4 students and wounding several others a day before at Oxford High School. Authorities identified the dead: Tate Myre, 16; Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Justin Shilling, 17. Prosecutor Karen McDonald called the shooting "pre-meditated". Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said earlier in the day that Crumbley's parents were summoned to school hours before shooting for reasons related to "behavior in the classroom that is concerning". 

Parents of the Gunman Charged

In an extraordinary move, Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald on December 3, 2021 charged the parents of alleged shooter, Ethan Crumbley, on criminal counts. Meanwhile, U.S. Marshalls Service and other federal and state agencies are looking for James Crumbley and Jennifer Crumbley. Late December 3, 2021, U.S. Marshals Service put posters of Crumbleys, and announced a reward of up to $10,000 for their whereabout and capture. Each of them faces four counts of involuntary manslaughters. 

Parents Arrested, Held for $1 million Bail

Detroit police on December 4, 2021 arrested the parents of the alleged gunman at a commercial building after their whereabouts were a mystery for the past few days. James and Jennifer Crumbleys later appeared over a Zoom call and pleaded not guilty to four counts of involuntary manslaughter charges. Judge Julie Nicholson set their bail for $500,000 apiece. 

Mother Convicted in a Precedent Setting Case

In the first ever conviction of a parent for the child's gun violence crime, a 12-member jury on February 6, 2024 convicted Jennifer Crumbley on four counts of involuntary manslaughters in the gun violence-induced deaths of Hana St. Juliana, 14; Tate Myre, 16; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; and Justin Shilling, 17, respectively. Her son, Ethan, had drawn a picture of a gun, a bullet and a wounded man in his math assignment, prompting school authorities to summon his parents hours before the shooting. Despite knowing the risk, Jennifer Crumbley and James Crumbley didn't return from school with their son, a decision that turned out to be fatal. Prosecutors blamed parents for not taking adequate measures despite knowing their son's mental health state and preventing Ethan from easy access to the firearms. James Crumbley's separate trial will be held in March 2024. 

Father Convicted of Involuntary Manslaughter 

In a separate trial, Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley's father, James Crumbley, was on March 14, 2024 convicted of involuntary manslaughters, joining his wife in the first ever conviction at a novel trial holding parents responsible for the crime committed by the child. 

Parents Sentenced at least 10 Years

Judge Cheryl Mathews on April 9, 2024 sentenced Jennifer and James Crumbleys to at least 10 years in prison. They will acquire credits for the time that they have already served. They are eligible for parole after a decade, but can't be imprisoned for more than 15 years. 

OXFORD HIGH SCHOOL, MICHIGAN SHOOTING

UVALDE SCHOOL SHOOTING

Gunman Kills 19 Students, Two Teachers

An 18-year-old gunman, later identified as Salvador Ramos, opened fire at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24, 2022, and killed 19 students and two teachers in one of the worst school shootings in the country. The gunman first shot his grandmother, drove his vehicle and crashed it near the elementary school for grade second to fourth students, and entered the school wearing tactical gear. Ramos was shot dead after an exchange of fire with a law enforcement personnel. President Joe Biden on May 24, 2022 night, addressing the nation, lamented over how many lives the nation had to sacrifice to formulate common-sense gun laws. 

Police Response to Uvalde Shooting Criticized

Texas Department of Public Safety on May 26, 2022 made public some of the key details about the police response to the Uvalde School shooting that had disproven Governor Gregg Abbott's initial statement praising law enforcement personnel. The details that had emerged on May 26, 2022 not only controverted Governor Abbott's appraisal [to the media] of the police response, but implied that delayed law enforcement response might have led to more lives lost which could have been avoidable. The new timeline that had emerged showed that the alleged gunman, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, crashed a Ford pickup that he was driving into a ditch-like concrete barriers on the west side of Robb Elementary School, emerged from the passenger side of the pickup carrying a gun, then shot a pair of people coming out of a funeral home and eventually entered the elementary school without any obstruction. He carried out the massacre at the fourth-grade class, and barricaded within school for the next 40 minutes or so without any active intervention from law enforcement. After about 40 minutes from the time when Ramos entered the school, a tactical team from the Border Patrol entered the school and exchanged fire with the teenage attacker, killing him. A regional director of the DPS, Victor Escalan Jr., on May 26, 2022 provided the new details of law enforcement response to school shooting in Uvalde. Meanwhile, gun control advocates and Democrats have focused on gun control as the shooter has used two AR-15 assault weapons to carry out the country's second-worst school shooting. 

80 Minutes for Law Enforcement to Neutralize the Threat 

More embarrassing information over Uvalde shooting came to light on May 27, 2022 as the DPS chief, Steven McCraw, provided the vital timeline of the gunman's activities on May 24, 2022. At 11:30AM local time, the first 911 call was made by a teacher as the gunman, Salvador Ramos, was shooting at the school from the outside. At 11:33AM, Ramos entered the school unimpeded. Apparently, Ramos fired more than 100 rounds from his AR-15 gun during the first minutes. At 11:35 AM, three Uvalde police officers entered the school and went to the room--a fourth-grade classroom--but found the door closed from inside and they had to retreat under the fire from the gunman. Additional reinforcement from the local police department, Sheriff's Office and a close-by Border Patrol team arrived over the next several minutes. A tactical team took almost 80 minutes since the first 911 call had been placed to open the barricaded classroom with a key that they had received from a janitor and shot the gunman at 12:50 PM. 

Biden, First Lady Visit Uvalde

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on May 29, 2022 visited the grieving, Latino-heavy town of 16,000 people to mourn with a community that had witnessed just five days ago the worst school shooting in Texas and the second-worst school shooting in nation's history. President Biden spent several hours in the town, visiting a memorial, talking to local officials, attending a Mass and privately meeting with the family members of 21 departed souls, including 19 fourth graders. Joe and Jill Biden attended the Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo Garcia-Siller addressed a grief-stricken 600-strong attendees, trying to bring joy to the life of the community over the shadow of gloom and doom. 

Meanwhile, at the request of Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin, the U.S. Justice Department announced on May 29, 2022 that it would investigate into the local police response to the Robb Elementary School shooting. 

Funerals, Burials Begin; Will Continue for the Next Fortnight; Locals Angry over Police Response

On May 31, 2022, the first of several burials took place as Amerie Garza and Mattie Rodriguez had been buried as many of the Uvalde residents began to raise questions over local police's action during May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School shooting crisis. 

Abbott Calls for Special Legislative Panels, not Special Legislative Session

That Governor Gregg Abbott's priorities are not as high on lives of 19 school kids and two teachers in Uvalde as other divisive toxic issues has become abundantly clear on June 1, 2022 as the governor, instead of calling a special legislative session, has implored the state House and Senate heads to form special panels to investigate into May 24, 2022, mass shooting at the Robb Elementary School. In letters to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan, Governor Abbott on June 1, 2022 asked the special panels to study the "twin issues of school safety and mass violence". Governor Abbott called three special legislative sessions in 2021 to address issues related to (1) transgender athletes, (2) voter law to restrict access to voting and (3) redistricting. 

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on June 1, 2022 formed a special Senate panel named the "Senate Special Committee to Protect All Texans". The panel is likely to start its work in the third week of June 2022. 

In other actions on June 1, 2022, Governor Gregg Abbott wrote a letter to the director of Texas School Safety Center, Kathy Martinez-Prather, to conduct in-person, unannounced checks at schools to assess school safety. 

On June 1, 2022, Irma and Joe Garcia were laid to rest. Irma Garcia, a Robb Elementary teacher, was killed on May 24, 2022 shooting. Her husband, Joe, died few days later because of cardiac attack. 

Law Enforcement Account of Uvalde Shooting Changing; Biden Implores Congress to Act

Confusion over police response to May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary shooting by a gunman, Salvador Ramos, is growing by hourly basis as there are many key unanswered questions, including whether 911 communication has been transmitted on time to the police present at the campus and whether school police chief, Pete Arredondo, has all the information at his disposal. On June 2, 2022, a key piece of information emerged, implying that Pedro "Pete" Arredondo didn't have 911 communication as the crisis was unfolding. 

Meanwhile, three more children have been laid to rest on June 2, 2022. They are Maranda Mathis, Nevaeh Bravo and Elijah Torres. 

On June 2, 2022, President Joe Biden implored in a White House address to the nation for Congress to come up with a reasonable compromise. He called for universal background check, ban of assault weapons sale, or in case if that's not done, raising the age limit to buy assault-style weapons to 21 from 18, and red-flag law among others.  

Texas House Speaker Forms Special Committee

Speaker Dade Phelan on June 3, 2022 formed a three-member House special committee to investigate into Uvalde school shooting. Governor Gregg Abbott called for special legislative committees in letters sent on June 1, 2022 to Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan. Patrick already formed a special Senate committee on the same day. Rep. Dustin Burrows will chair the panel. The other two members are Rep. Joe Moody of El Paso and former state Supreme Court judge Eva Guzman, who has recently unsuccessfully challenged Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton in Republican Primary. 

Three Children Given Goodbye by Uvalde Community on June 3, 2022. They are cousins Jayce Luevanos and Jailah Silguero as well as Jackie Cazares. 

On June 4, 2022, 10-year-olds Makenna Elrod and Rojelio Torres were laid to rest. 

On June 5, 2022, 10-year-old Alithia Ramirez was buried.

***************** BIPARTISAN GUN LEGISLATION ***********

Cornyn, Murphy Lead Bipartisan Talks as Another Child Buried

On June 6, 2022, funeral service was held for Eliahna "Ellie" Garcia as the bipartisan negotiation in Senate continued to make gun safety talks inch forward, albeit marginally. On the Democratic side, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy is leading the negotiation, while on the Republican side, it's an old political horse: Sen. John Cornyn. The progress over the past few days is marginal, to sum it up in one sentence. More ambitious ideas such as universal background check, red-flag laws and banning assault-style weapons are non-starter. Even a more moderate proposal for raising the legal age of assault-style weapon purchase from 18 to 21 is not being seriously considered. The Dallas Morning News reported on June 7, 2022 that only significant and serious proposal on the table is to bring the juvenile records and blend them with FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database so that any untoward events that might have happened before the gun purchaser's 18th birthday can be spotted from the background check when an 18-year-old tries to buy a gun. The bridging of this gap is along a similar legislation that Sen. Cornyn and Sen. Murphy have achieved after Sutherland Springs church shooting in November 2017 by leading negotiation on the Fix NICS Act. 

Bipartisan Senate Group Unveils Gun Control Framework

It was modest, but meaningful. It was designed to drive marginal, but measured, improvement. That's what many political analysts liken the bipartisan gun control framework that 10 Democratic and 10 Republican Senators unveiled to the nation on June 12, 2022. The bipartisan group consists of Sens. John Cornyn, Chris Murphy, Krysten Sinema, Thom Tillis, Roy Blunt, Richard Burr, Bill Cassidy, Susan Collins, Chris Coon, Lindsey Graham, Cory Booker, Martin Heinrich, Mark Kelly, Angus King, Joe Manchin, Rob Portman, Debbie Stabenow, Mitt Romney, Richard Blumenthal and Pat Toomey. The framework that they have unveiled on June 12, 2022 includes, among others:

(1) Integrating juvenile records--including juvenile mental health records--from local and state data repositories with the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database

(1A) Until full integration of juvenile records with the NICS is completed, enhanced background checks for gun buyers younger than 21 years in order to allow consideration of often confidential juvenile records

(2) Providing states and tribes the necessary federal resources, including money, for implementing the "crisis intervention orders", including creating laws to take away guns from individuals who are deemed threat to themselves or others, mimicking, to a great extent, the concept of "red-flag" laws

(2A) The bill provides federal funding to implement state "red-flag" laws, but there is no federal "red-flag" provision in the bill

(3) Expanding access to mental health care and suicide prevention programs, including online help

(4) Strengthening the mental health programs and safety protocols at schools

(5) Closing the so called "boyfriend loophole" by extending the federal law that bars people convicted of domestic violence--involving a spouse, or an ex-spouse, or a partner who has lived with, or someone with whom the victim may have a child--to include violent dating partners

(6) Strengthening the guardrails against criminals who illegally buy and traffic guns and dealers who sell guns without proper licenses

Now starts the difficult task of using this framework to come up with a legislation. President Joe Biden lauded the bipartisan framework on gun control and asked Senate to pass it as soon as possible. 

Not Included in the Bipartisan Gun Legislation Framework (Bipartisan Safer Communities Act)

(1) Universal background check

(2) Assault weapon ban for 18- to 21-year-olds

(3) Mandatory waiting period for all gun sales

(4) 21-day waiting period for 18- to 21-year-olds

(5) High-capacity magazine ban

(6) Mandatory safe storage requirement for all firearms in home

(7) Licensing requirement for purchasing an assault weapon

(8) Criminal penalties for negligent storage of firearms in home

(9) Low criminal intent standard for straw firearms purchase and gun trafficking 

Bipartisan Gun Bill Passes Senate Procedural Vote

On June 21, 2022, Senators exceeded the threshold of 60 votes to successfully push the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act over the finish line related to a procedural vote. The real test will come in a day or two. The bill passed the procedural hurdle on June 21, 2022 by 64-34 votes. 

NRA Opposes the Gun Bill, Cornyn Highlights the Bill's Security, Mental Health Provisions

Late June 21, 2022, National Rifle Association issued a statement, opposing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. It labeled the bill as an open invitation for "interference with our constitutional freedoms". At a GOP senatorial luncheon, lead GOP negotiator Sen. John Cornyn on June 22, 2022 gave an overview of the key benefits of the bipartisan bill, also known as Cornyn-Murphy bill, such as $300 million for school security and $12 billion for community-based mental healthcare. 

Landmark Gun Bill Passed by Senate

In the first comprehensive measure in three decades to address gun violence, Senate on June 23, 2022 passed a bipartisan bill, also known as Cornyn-Murphy bill, by 65-33 votes. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is the Congress' response to massacres at Buffalo and Uvalde. The measure, which includes enhanced background checks for gun buyers ages between 18 and 21 as well as federal funding of the implementation of state-level "red-flag" laws, with a price tag of $13 billion now goes to the House of Representatives. 

House Passes Most Sweeping Gun Bill in Three Decades

House of Representatives on June 24, 2022 approved the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act by 234-193 votes. 

Biden Signs Bipartisan Bill into Law

President Joe Biden on June 25, 2022 signed the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act that would increase funding for school safety and mental health along with enhanced background check for gun buyers younger than 21 years and plugging the "boyfriend" loophole. President Biden has said that, although the bill is not perfect, it will save many lives. 

***************** BIPARTISAN GUN LEGISLATION ***********

McConaughey Asks for Middle Ground for Gun Laws

In a choke-filled voice and leveraging the bully pulpit of White House, Oscar winning actor Mathew McConaughey urged Congress on June 7, 2022 to seek the middle-ground where most of the Americans were there already and pass common-sense gun laws that would enhance school security and lower the risk of mayhem in the scale of Uvalde. McConaughey, who grew up in Uvalde, brought the star power to prod a divided Congress to act quickly to pass legislation to increase legal age to buy assault-style weapon to 21, institute universal background check and increase investment in school security. He added that it would not only prevent many avoidable deaths, but strengthen the Second Amendment right too for law-abiding citizens, who had become sick and tired of the Second Amendment being abused and misused so frequently.  

On June 7, 2022, it was the turn of Xavier Lopez whom the people of Uvalde said "good bye".

Garland Names Panel to Review Uvalde Massacre

On June 8, 2022, 10-year-old Annabell Rodriguez was laid to rest. 

On June 8, 2022, Attorney-General Merrick Garland named a nine-member panel to investigate the law enforcement response to the Uvalde school shooting. The DOJ review comes at the request of Uvalde's mayor, and it will include, among others, police training, tactics deployed as the crisis has unfurled, police response and gaps as well as communication breakdown. 

Delayed Response Caused by Lack of Gear

The New York Times reported on June 9, 2022 that the police force who were at the scene of May 24, 2022, shooting in Robb Elementary School had responded late because of the lack of gear, implying that some might have bled to death as it took almost 80 minutes for the law enforcement personnel to breach the door behind which the alleged gunman, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos, had barricaded. According to The New York Times, the gunman had also used the so called "hellfire" trigger device, allowing semi-automatic AR-15 to be operated more like an automatic weapon. However, the gunman did not appear to have used the device, according to The New York Times. Separately, appearing before a Texas legislative committee that's investigating into the May 24, 2022, Uvalde shooting, Texas DPS chief, Steven McCraw, criticized the leadership of school police chief, Pete Arredondo, for not ordering to breach the door of the classroom quicker. 

On June 9, 2022, two 10-year-old students--Annabell Rodriguez and Xavier Lopez--were buried side by side. 

Uvalde School Chief Opens up for the First Time to Defend Himself 

In the first interview with the Texas Tribune, published on June 10, 2022, since the Uvalde school shooting, the school police chief, Pete Arredondo, defended himself, and explained why the response took so long. He also refuted that he was an incident commander during the time of crisis, contrary to what state officials and media had portrayed about his role. 

On June 10, 2022, funeral was held for 44-year-old teacher Eva Mireless. 

March for Our Lives Rallies Held Nationwide

Thousands of people on June 11, 2022 participated in the second March for Our Lives rally at the National Mall. Addressing a boisterous and motivated crowd, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser demanded that Congress "do its jobs to protect us, to protect our children from gun violence" after mass shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde. Similar rallies were held during the day in Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and several other cities and towns across the nation. The first March for Our Lives was organized after 2018 Parkland shooting.

On June 11, 2022, Uvalde bid farewell to Alexandria "Lexi" Rubio. 

13 DPS Troopers Reported to Have been in the Hallway as Gunman Barricaded Himself

The San Antonio Express-News reported on June 13, 2022 that the chief of the Texas Department of Public Safety, Steven McCraw, had recently told the state Senator Ronald Gutierrez that as the alleged gunman, Salvador Ramos, had barricaded inside a fourth-grade classroom, there were 13 DPS troopers present in the school hallway, further embarrassing the local and state police in how they had responded in the May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School shooting at Uvalde. 

Also, on June 13, 2022, Tess Mata was laid to rest. 

On June 15, 2022, 11-year-old Layla Marie Salazar was buried.

Dozens of Mayors Call for Special Legislative Session

A bipartisan groups of Mayors, including Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker and Plano Mayor John Muns, sent a joint letter to Governor Gregg Abbott on June 21, 2022, calling for a special legislative session to discuss on gun violence in school and remedial measures. In the joint letter, dozens of mayors highlighted five areas where the state government should focus on:

(1) Universal background check

(2) Minimum age for semi-automatic gun purchase at 21 years

(3) Passing red-flag laws

(4) Increasing mental-health support funding

(5) Increasing training for school resource officers

State Senator Sues DPS to Get Info, Uvalde School Chief Placed on Leave

Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Hal Harrell on June 22, 2022 announced that he was placing the Uvalde school police chief, Pete Arredondo, on administrative leave pending the ongoing inquiry findings. 

On June 22, 2022, a frustrated state senator who represents the Uvalde community has filed lawsuit against the Texas Department of Public Services for not sharing all pertinent information regarding the botched law enforcement response to May 24, 2022, mass shooting at Robb Elementary School that had killed 19 students and two teachers. Democratic state Senator Roland Gutierrez of San Antonio filed the suit in Travis County. In a statement, Sen. Roland Gutierrez accused the state of failing to "provide the community of Uvalde with truthful answers". 

Second Day of Senate Panel's Hearing Brings Newly Formed Consortium Leaders

On June 22, 2022, the special Senate panel formed by Lt. Gen. Dan Patrick at the behest of Governor Gregg Abbott held its second straight day of hearings. On June 21, 2022, DPS chief, Steven McCraw, told the panel that the law enforcement had failed to respond to the crisis at the Robb Elementary School on time. On June 22, 2022, two star witnesses were Dr. Laurel Williams and Dr. David Lakey with the Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium. Texas Child Mental Health Care Consortium was formed in 2019 as part of the Senate Bill 11. Although the consortium has rapidly rolled out its services, including telemedicine services, throughout the state over the past three years, the coverage so far has reached to only 40% of Texas schools. 

On June 25, 2022, Uziyah Garcia was rested in peace. 

More Gaps in Stopping Uvalde Gunman Reported 

A 26-page report prepared by the Texas State University's ALERRT (Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training) Center pointed out gaping holes in the response of law enforcement personnel to stop the alleged gunman, Salvador Ramos, from carrying out the massacre at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022 that had killed 19 children and two teachers as well as wounded 17 others. The ALERRT report, released on July 6, 2022, mentioned at least three missed opportunities before 18-year-old Salvador Ramos had entered the school. The report is based on a June 1, 2022, briefing that was provided to ALERRT staff along with footage from surveillance cameras, google maps, a brief cellphone video and question-and-answer sessions. The report pointed to lapses outside and inside the school, including three missed opportunities to prevent the shooter from entering the school as well as three mistakes inside the hallway. ALERRT report also pointed to lack of "an immediate action plan" on behalf of law enforcement response.

Mayor Disputes ALERRT Findings

Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin on July 8, 2022 disputed a 26-page report issued by ALERRT Center of the Texas State University two days ago that pointed out numerous failures of the law enforcement personnel to stop the gunman from carrying out the May 24, 2022, massacre at the Robb Elementary School. 

Video Outrages Uvalde Parents

Austin American-Statesman and KVUE-TV on July 12, 2022 published the footage of the video on law enforcement response in the school hallway as the massacre was being perpetrated in the classroom. The video, edited to remove student screams and other disturbing content, raised specter of anger among Uvalde parents as well as people beyond Uvalde. The video shows, in an unvarnished telltale, how law enforcement personnel have pointed guns, tried to talk to the gunman, remained in the hallway and eventually brought the hostage situation to an end by entering the classroom after 77 valuable minutes since the first officer has arrived. One law enforcement personnel is even seen on the video of using hand sanitizer as the killing spree has continued in the classroom. Reacting to the release of the video by a pair of media outlets, Rep. Dustin Burrow, who is heading a House special committee probing into May 24, 2022, Uvalde massacre, has lamented that the video is released to public before sharing first with the parents and community. During the day before the release of the video footage by Austin American-Stateman and KVUE-TV, Rep. Burrow said that he would defy Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell Busbee's ban on publishing video related to the Robb Elementary shooting and make it public on July 17, 2022 after sharing with the parents and Uvalde community. 

Texas House Report Holds Various Agencies Responsible for Negligence

A special Texas House committee on July 17, 2022 shared with the families of the victim families a 77-page report, thus bringing a sort of closure to a thorny and touchy subject of lack of law enforcement response as a gunman was in a killing spree at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. The 77-page report from the committee headed by Rep. Dustin Burrow, R-Lubbock assigned blame not to a single person, but held numerous agencies responsible for "systemic failures and egregiously poor decision making" on May 24, 2022. The three-member committee--other two members are Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, and Former Texas Supreme Court Judge Eva Guzman--first shared the report with Uvalde residents at a private session. A copy of the report is handed to each of the victim families. The report, dedicated to 21 people killed, criticized local, state and federal agencies which had deployed a total of 376 law enforcement personnel (149 with the U.S. Border Patrol, 91 with the DPS, 16 with the Uvalde Sheriff's department, 25 with the Uvalde Police Department and five with the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District) in an uncoordinated manner. The report pointed out the violent intention of the "school shooter", without mentioning the name of 18-year-old gunman. The legislative report was issued 11 days after a July 6, 2022, ALERRT report sponsored by the Texas Department of Public Safety had called out three missed opportunities to neutralize the gunman before he had entered the school building.

DPS Launches Investigation into Officers' Role in Uvalde

A day after a 77-page damning report that blasted the "systemic failures and egregiously poor decision making" by numerous law enforcement agencies, including the state police, Texas Department of Public Safety on July 18, 2022 announced launching of an investigation to look into the roles of its personnel who had been at the Robb Elementary School during May 24, 2022, school massacre. 

School District Suspends the Entire Police Force

On October 7, 2022, Uvalde Consolidate Independent School District suspended its entire police force. In August 2022, it fired the school district police chief, Pete Arredondo. Hours later Uvalde CISD Superintendent Hal Harrell announced his intention to retire. The school trustees have to make a call on Harrell's request.

TEA Unveils School Safety Plan

In the backdrop of Uvalde school shooting, every single concerned agency was forced to look at ways on how to prevent a tragedy like that. Texas Education Agency is no exception. After a hard look at the overall school safety infrastructure and gaps in it, it has unveiled on November 3, 2022 a set of common-sense proposals, including:

* Rolling out panic-button technology in classes

* Ensuring that two-way radio communication system works as desirably and holding twice-a-year drill to test out the system's key functionalities and effectiveness

* Safety standards for school doors and windows

In June 2022, TEA first issued a directive to school districts, asking them to review their existing security protocols and standards, including doors and windows. Later, Governor Gregg Abbott announced hiring a former Secret Services official, John Scott, to head the school safety and security division of Texas Education Agency as part of the division's ramped-up endeavor to oversee Texas' school safety effort. Earlier this month, Governor Gregg Abbott and the other legislative leaders diverted $775 million to border security and school safety, including $400 million to assist school districts to replace or upgrade doors, windows, fences, boundaries and other safety infrastructure. 

Texas Senate Report Focuses on School Safety, Marshal Program, not so much on Gun Control

The Dallas Morning News said in a December 22, 2022, front-page report that the recommendation by the special senate committee formed in the aftermath of Uvalde school shooting came up short on gun control side. There is a difference among committee members whether to increase the age of gunowners from 18 to 21. However, there is a unanimity over banning the so called "straw purchase" that enables a third-party to buy guns for someone who is prohibited to buy and own a gun by law. The "straw purchase" is already illegal under federal law, but the prosecution rate related to "straw purchase" is only 2%. The other recommendations include:

* Hardening the school facilities: increasing the current allocation of fund from an average of $9.72 per pupil

* Expanding the School Marshal program from its current strength, according to Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, or TCLE, of 279 school employees

* Reforming the Truancy and Discipline

* Emphasis on using iWatchTexas, state's anonymous threat assessment system: last year, only about 300 cases have been reported by this statewide uniform system. A competing, localized program that uses STOPit has fielded, to the contrary, about 40,000 reports.

DOJ Slams Local and State Response in Uvalde

In a damning report issued on January 18, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice blasted the lack of leadership, command-and-control structure and courage in the response by local and state law enforcement agencies during one of the worst mass shootings that had happened at the Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24, 2022. The 575-page report is a chronicle of multitude of errors, failures and disastrous decisions by police officers who took more than an hour to eliminate the source of threat. Attorney-General Merrick Garland and senior Justice official Vanita Gupta were in Uvalde to officially issue the report and address the victims' families.  

Grand Jury Empaneled 

A day after the U.S. Department of Justice released a tome of information on the May 24, 2022, Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, the district attorney, Christina Mitchell, on January 19, 2024 convened a grand jury to investigate into the failure of an appropriate response to one of the worst school shootings in the nation that had killed 19 students and two teachers. 

UVALDE SCHOOL SHOOTING

HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS SHOOTING 

Independence Day Parade Shooting in an Upscale Chicago Suburb Kills Seven, Injures Dozens

A gunman opened fire on a celebratory crowd enjoying a 4th of July parade at Highland Park, Illinois, an upscale suburb on Lake Michigan. The gunman used a rooftop of a commercial building to fire several rounds as people scrambled to flee the area as parents holding their kids trying to find shelter, elderly people struggling to find a place for safety and young people running at random. Authorities named a 22-year-old man as a person of interest. Several hours later on July 4, 2022, Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen told reporters, a police officer pulled over Robert E. Crimo III about five miles from the shooting area. At least 30 people were injured. The neighboring cities and counties cancelled the Independence Day events. 

Seven Counts of Murder Charges Filed

A day after the killing of seven people attending a joyful Independence Day parade at a upscale Chicago suburb, people in Highland Park are searching for answers to many questions regarding the gunman, his family, how he has descended into the role of a monster and why a rigorous regime of stricter gun laws has failed to prevent what Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has called a day ago the "uniquely American tragedy" of gun violence. Lake County State Attorney Eric Rinehart on July 5, 2022 called the attack on the July 4 parade a "premeditated and calculated". Prosecutors indicted Robert E. Crimo III, the suspected gunman, on seven counts of capital murder charges. Robert E. Crimo III was dressed as a woman, used a fire ladder to climb the rooftop of a commercial building and fired more than 70 rounds of bullets on the parade-goers. The suspect used high-powered gun to fire on people. Robert E. Crimo III had a troubled past, and police were called twice to his home in 2019. In April 2019, police went to his home over allegation of an attempted suicide. In September 2019, police again went to his home because he had threatened to kill "everyone". Police in September 2019 confiscated 16 knives, a dagger and a sword from his home after Crimo III had threatened to kill everyone. Robert E. Crimo III was an aspiring rapper who would go by the nom de guerre Awake the Rapper. His lyrics and social media posts were troubling too. A state "red-flag" law should have prevented Robert E. Crimo III from owning a gun, but family members, or relatives, or friends, had to report him to the authorities for that. 

Suspect Reported to Have Planned to Carry out a Second Attack

A judge on July 6, 2022 ordered the rooftop gunman, Robert E. Crimo III, held without bail as a spokesperson for the Lake County Major Crimes Task Force, Chris Covelli, said at a news briefing that Crimo III was planning to carry out a second attack in Madison, Wisconsin. The news of a planned second attack in Wisconsin came as a bombshell to a jittered community. Now, authorities' and investigators' attention are focused on how he has been able to buy five semi-automatic guns despite his troubled past. In December 2019, Robert E. Crimo III applied for gunowner's license. His father co-signed the Firearms Owners Identification (FOID) Card. In 2020, he bought the semi-automatic rifles. 

Meanwhile, all the 7 murdered victims were identified. They include Highland Park couple Irina and Kevin McCarthy, whose two-year-old son, Aiden, was found wandering alone. Other three are also Highland Park residents Katherine Goldstein, 64; Stephen Strauss, 88; Jacquelyn "Jackie" Sundheim, 63. The remaining two are Nicolas Toledo-Zaragoza, 78, of Morelos, Mexico; and Eduardo Uvaldo of Waukegan, IL. 

Gunman's Father Indicted on Seven Counts

An Illinois grand jury on February 15, 2023 indicted Robert Crimo Jr., father of the perpetrator of the July 4, 2022, mass shooting in Highland Park, an opulent Chicago suburb, on seven counts of reckless conduct. Robert Crimo Jr. was arrested in December 2022 and subsequently released on a $50,000 bond. Prosecutors told Judge George Strickland last month at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan that they were gathering evidence against the gunman's father. Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said that grand jury agreed to press the charges against father. 

HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS SHOOTING 

COLORADO SPRINGS GAY NIGHTCLUB MASS SHOOTING

Five Killed, Dozens Injured in Gay Nightclub Shooting 

A gunman minutes before midnight on November 20, 2022 opened fire on a LGBTQ nightclub, Club Q, at Colorado Springs, killing five people and injuring 25 others. The 22-year-old gunman had been subdued by one patron who had hit the gunman after snatching his handgun. The law enforcement officials arrived within minutes of the shooting. El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen said that "first-degree murder charges" would be filed against the suspected gunman, Anderson Lee Aldrich, who had used an AR-15-style semiautomatic weapon to fire on the patrons. Police also recovered a handgun and ammunition from the area. Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said on November 20, 2022 that police came within minutes and saw the gunman pinned to the floor by a patron who hit him and might have saved plenty other lives. The November 19, 2022, mass shooting marks the latest high-profile gun violence to have wreaked havoc in the soul of the nation. 

Gunman Charged on Hate Crimes, Murders

On November 21, 2022, authorities arrested Anderson Lee Aldrich, 22. on hate crime and murder charges. He remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Prosecutors will formally file charges in coming hours. The condolences and condemnations poured in from all walks of life and from public officials, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who in 2018 became the first gay to become the governor of a state, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. The November 19, 2022, shooting at the Club Q happened during the Transgender Awareness Week and minutes before the beginning of the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 22, 2022. 25 people were injured, including 18 with gunshot wounds. 

Gunman Taken to County Jail, His Legal Name Changed Six Years Ago

On November 22, 2022, the gunman who killed five people and injured 17 other people at an LGBTQ nightclub, Club Q, in Colorado Springs on November 19, 2022 was transferred to the El Paso County Jail from a hospital. Anderson Lee Aldrich will appear before a court via a video link from the jail on November 23, 2022. Local authorities updated the number of people injured by gunshots from the mass shooting on November 19, 2022 to 17. Two patrons pinned the gunman down on the floor until officers arrived at the scene minutes after mayhem began. Past records also show that Anderson Lee Aldrich has changed his biological name in 2016 after his legal guardians at that time, his grandparents, has submitted a legal filing at a Bexar County court in Texas to protect him from his abusive biological father. 

Formal Charges against Suspect Unveiled 

On December 6, 2022, the alleged gunman Anderson Lee Aldrich, who had killed five people and wounded 17 others at a LGBTQ-themed club in Colorado Springs on November 19, 2022, was formally charged with 305 criminal counts, including 48 hate counts, with each of the hate counts accounting for a patron present at Club Q during the time of shooting. Aldrich appeared in person on December 6, 2022. 

Colorado Spring Shooter Receives Life Term 

Colorado Spring shooter Anderson Lee Aldrich, who pleaded guilty to five counts of murder and 46 counts of attempted murder as well as two counts--one felony and one misdemeanor--of hate crime, on June 26, 2023 received life in jail. 

Alleged Gunman to Plead Guilty to Federal Charges

The sheer cowardice is stark as the one who has not hesitated to take other people's lives is now the one afraid of leaving this world prematurely. According to the court dossiers made public on January 16, 2024, Anderson Lee Aldrich is to plead guilty to 50 hate crime charges and 24 firearm violation charges in exchange for getting 190 years of imprisonment and multiple life sentences. The guilty plea to federal charges helps Aldrich to avert death penalty. 

COLORADO SPRINGS GAY NIGHTCLUB MASS SHOOTING

******* CHESAPEAKE WALMART MASS SHOOTING ****

Six Dead in Walmart Shooting

A Walmart night-shift supervisor on November 22, 2022 night around 10PM opened fire on fellow employees at a breakroom in a store in Chesapeake, killing six people and wounding six others. The gunman was on November 23, 2022 identified as 31-year-old Andre Bing. Bing has been working for Walmart since 2010. This was the second gun violence in the past 10 days, and it happened after a former player killed three University of Virginia Football players at a chartered bus after they returned from a game on November 13, 2022. Three people, including Andre Bing, were found dead in the breakroom, one was found dead in the front and three others were declared dead after being taken to hospital. 

Hundreds Attend Candlelight Vigil

On November 28, 2022, hundreds of Chesapeake residents attended the candlelight vigil for the six people slain six days ago at a local Walmart by a store associate who had subsequently opened fire on himself. Gov. Glenn Youngkin focused on "mental health" and "behavioral health" crisis instead of spending even a minute on the gun issue as a factor of mass killing. 

******* CHESAPEAKE WALMART MASS SHOOTING ****

************* DANCE CLUB SHOOTING IN MONTEREY PARK, CALIFORNIA

10 People Killed by an Elderly Gunman at a California Dance Studio

An elderly gunman of Asian descent on January 21, 2023 opened fire at an Asian ballroom dance studio, Star Ballroom Dance Studio, in Monterey Park in Southern California. The dancefloor was full of elderly people on Saturday night to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year. The Southern California shooting left 10 people dead and another 10 people wounded. The alleged gunman, 72-year-old Huu Can Tran, then went to a second ballroom at the neighboring town of Alhambra. Some patrons at Lai Lai Ballroom and Studio overpowered the gunman and "that individual took off", according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna who on January 22, 2023 briefed about the mayhem a night earlier. The alleged gunman was later found dead at a strip mall in Torrance inside a white van with a gunshot wound.

Motive not Clear, Death Toll Rises

The Dallas Morning News reported on January 24, 2023 that the motive of suspected gunman, Huu Can Tran, was not known as the death toll from the mass shooting three days ago rose to 11. 

Police Failure to Notify for Five Hours Now Under Scanner

As the dust settles, victims relatives come to terms with what has just happened and Asian American communities in Los Angeles County feels the scale of pain, there is a sharp focus on why law enforcement has taken more than five hours after the 10:22PM shooting at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio on January 21, 2023 to issue an active shooter public notification. The Dallas Morning News on January 25, 2023 published a front-page article to this effect. 

************* DANCE CLUB SHOOTING IN MONTEREY PARK, CALIFORNIA

*********************** MASS SHOOTING AT HALF MOON BAY, CALIFORNIA

Seven People Killed in Rampage at Two Businesses

Two days after a gunman killed 11 people at a dance hall, another gunman opened fire at two agrobusiness facilities in the rural and coastal community of Half Moon Bay in San Mateo County on January 23, 2023, killing four people at one facility and three in the second facility. The alleged gunman, Chunli Zhao, was arrested. 

Half Moon Bay Shooting Called Workplace Violence

Authorities on January 24, 2023 called the Half Moon Bay shooting a day earlier at two mushroom farms in San Mateo County as "workplace violence". Chunli Zhao, the suspected gunman, opened fire and killed 4 people and injured another person at Mountain Mushroom Farm. Zhao killed additional three people at the nearby Concord Farms. Zhao was a worker at the Mountain Mushroom Farm. 

*********************** MASS SHOOTING AT HALF MOON BAY, CALIFORNIA

************************* MASS SHOOTING AT MSU *******************************

Three Killed in Mass Shooting at Michigan State

A gunman, 43-year-old Anthony McRae of Lansing, opened fire at an academic building (Berkey Hall) and the student union (MSU Union) at around 8:30PM on February 13, 2023. Three students were killed and five more were critically injured. The school was led to hours-long lockdown. Hours later, the alleged gunman, Anthony McRae, was cornered and was found dead with self-inflicted gunshot wound. On February 14, 2023, authorities were still scratching heads over the motive of what had led McRae to open fire at an institution with which he had no prior connection. All three killed--Alexandria Verner, Brian Fraser and Arielle Anderson--were from the Detroit area. President Joe Biden said on February 14, 2023 that "we have to do something to stop gun violence that's ripping apart our communities". Governor Gretchen Whitmer, herself an alumnus of MSU, deplored on how "our Spartan community is reeling". 

************************* MASS SHOOTING AT MSU *******************************

************************ NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE SCHOOL SHOOTING *************

Gun Violence at a Christian School Claims Six Lives

It was another national nightmare, but the storyline was the same. An attacker armed with two semi-automatic rifles opened fire at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, killing three 9-year-old students and three school officials. Nashville Police Chief John Drake said later on March 27, 2023 that the attacker had made detailed and thorough plan and preparation, including meticulous drawings and surveillance, before carrying out the heinous attack on the elementary school run by the Covenant Presbyterian Church. Chief Drake said that "I was literally moved to tears" as he described the mayhem inflicted by the attacker. 

The attacker was identified as 28-year-old Audrey Hale, described as a transgender and a former student of The Covenant School. The deceased were identified as 9-year-olds Hallie Scruggs, Evelyn Diekhaus and William Kinney, respectively, as well as 60-year-old Katherine Koonce, head of the school; Cynthia Peak, 61; and Mike Hill, 61. 

The attack timeline began circa 10:13AM on March 27, 2023 and ended 10:27AM when a pair of police personnel fatally shot Hale. 

President Joe Biden, speaking at an unrelated event at the White House on March 27, 2023, asked Congress to ban certain semi-automatic weapons. The scene in the aftermath of shooting was one of chaos and confusion as children with arms in lock were being evacuated from the school building and fear-stricken parents were seen scurrying anxiously for meeting with their kids. 

Harris Rallies for Expelled Democratic Lawmakers

In an unprecedented move, Tennessee House of Representatives on April 6, 2023 expelled two African-American Democratic lawmakers--Justin Jones and Justin Pearson--for protesting within the chamber against the recent mass shooting at The Covenant School in Nashville. What angered the protesters the most was that a third Democratic lawmaker, Gloria Johnson, was spared by a single vote. Immediately, the allegation of racism has flown as Johnson is White. 

The criticism against the Tennessee GOP action immediately began to pour in from various quarters. Former President Barack Obama said that protesting was part of the democratic process since the early days of America. President Joe Biden invited Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, both in their 20s, to the White House. Vice President Kamala Harris slammed the decision at a speech on April 7, 2023 in Fisk University during a surprise visit to Tennessee. She met with the both expelled lawmakers during the day. 

One of the Two Expelled African American Lawmakers Reinstated

That the people's pressure and higher political consciousness do work in making difference in legislative outcomes and presenting an effective checks-and-balances system have played out one more time, this time in Tennessee politics as Rep. Justin Jones, expelled by the GOP majority four days ago from the state House of Representatives for protesting within the chamber against gun violence, has been sent to the legislature by a unanimous vote from the Nashville Metropolitan Council on April 10, 2023. Before the Nashville Metropolitan Council voted to send Justin Jones to legislature, thousands of demonstrators rallied in support of Justin Jones in front of the meeting venue. Justin Jones entered the Tennessee House on April 10, 2023 with a hero's welcome. Taking to the floor, Rep. Justin Jones vowed to fight for Tennesseans and reiterated that "no expulsion, no attempt to silence us will stop us". A similar fate awaits for Justin Pearson as he is likely to be restored to legislature on April 12, 2023 by Shelby County Commission. Their restoration to legislature will be short-lived as special election will be held for these two seats. Both Jones and Pearson expressed strong desire to the contest the special election. 

Second Expelled Lawmaker Reinstated 

On April 12, 2023, Shelby County Commission members voted 7-0 to reinstate Justin Pearson to the Tennessee House. Supporters and backers of expelled Tennessee lawmaker marched him afterwards through Memphis. 

On April 13, 2023, Justin Pearson was sworn in on the steps of Tennessee Capitol. 

Biden, Harris Meet Tennessee Three at the White House

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on April 24, 2023 embraced the Tennessee Three--Reps. Gloria Johnson, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson--at the White House.

************************ NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE SCHOOL SHOOTING *************

************* MASS SHOOTING AT A BANK IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY *************

Employee Kills Five in a Bank Shooting

A fellow employee of the Old National Bank at Louisville, Kentucky opened fire on April 10, 2023 morning inside the building, and killed five people. The dead included: (1) Tommy Elliott, (2) Joshua Barrick, (3) Juliana Farmer, (4) James Tutt, and (5) Deana Eckert. Circa nine people, including two police officers, were injured in the nation's15th mass killing this year. Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg called the shooting "an evil act", and fondly remembered one of the slain bank officials, Tommy Elliott. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear choked up as he talked about Elliott, a trusted friend. Louisville Metro Police Department Chief Jacquelin Gwinn-Villaroel identified the shooter as the fellow employee Connor Sturgeon, 25.  Sturgeon livestreamed the attack on Instagram. The shooter was shot to death by police personnel. Sturgeon's motive is yet to be known. 

************* MASS SHOOTING AT A BANK IN LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY *************

***************** MASS SHOOTING IN CLEVELAND, TEXAS **********************

Five in the Same Family Killed in Gun Violence by Neighbor

That an otherwise regular complaint over how a child's sleep was getting disrupted by the noise from gun-fire in the backyard of the next-door neighbor could lead to such a bloody outcome was not only heinous, but unimaginable. Just around midnight, or in the wee hours, of April 29, 2023, a resident of a home in rural Cleveland, Texas requested his next-door neighbor, who was firing into the air from his backyard, to stop firing so that his eight-year-old son could sleep. Instead, Francisco Oropeza, 38, stormed his neighbor's home and opened fire, killing five people from the same family. San Jacinto County Sheriff Greg Capers said later in the day [April 29, 2023] that Francisco Oropeza had used an AR-15-style semiautomatic weapon to kill five of his neighbors. He is absconding, and federal authorities have joined the search with local and state authorities. 2023 is turning out to be a bloody mass-shooting year, with at least 18 mass shootings as of today. 

Abbott Lambasted for "Illegal" Comment

In a tasteless comment that evoked widespread scorn and condemnation, Governor Gregg Abbott on April 30, 2023 announced a $50,000 reward for the suspected shooter, Francisco Oropeza, whom Abbott called an "illegal", who had "killed five illegal immigrants". The focus should be on the criminal and crime, not the victims' immigration status, many people said. Rep. Veronica Escobar called Abbott's remark as lacking "compassion". Former Housing Secretary Julian Castro on May 1, 2023 took Abbott to the task. Governor's Office on May 1, 2023 walked back on the governor's comment, with the governor's spokesperson Renae Eze saying that true focus remains on the heinous criminal who took innocent lives. 

***************** MASS SHOOTING IN CLEVELAND, TEXAS **********************

***************** ALLEN PREMIUM OUTLETS MALL SHOOTING *****************

Gunman Kills Eight, Wounds Seven at Allen Premium Outlets

In another instance of what's very unique to America, another mass shooting wreaked havoc on the local community in Allen, Texas as a gunman opened fire on May 6, 2023 around 3:30PM at the Allen Premium Outlets Mall, a sprawling mall of more than 120 stores, killing eight people and wounding seven. The gunman, whose motive was not known, was neutralized by an Allen police officer who was in the mall for an unrelated incident. 

Very Little Information Shared a Day after Shooting

A day after shooting, Texans and Americans only officially knew that eight people were dead and seven injured. However, different sources identified the gunman, and DPS later confirmed his identity as 33-year-old Mauricio Garcia. President Joe Biden on May 7, 2023 ordered flags to be flying at half-staff through May 11, 2023. 

Victims Represented the Beauty of Life, Now They are Gone

On May 8, 2023, world came to know the face, identity, beauty and diverse background of the victims in the second-worst mass shooting of the year. Seven people, including the shooter, were killed on spot at the Allen Premium Outlets Mall while two of nine brought to hospital succumbed. The dead are parents of South Korean descent--Cho Kyu Song, 37; and Kang Shin Young, 35--and their 3-year-old kid James Cho. The others who have lost lives to this senseless gun violence are: two sisters Daniela Mendoza, 11, and Sofia Mendoza, 8; security guard Christian LaCour, 20; Elio Cumana-Rivas, 32; and 26-year-old Aishwarya Thatikonda, a project engineer. Cho's six-year-old son William is recovering at the hospital as is Daniela's and Sofia's mom. Department of Public Safety confirmed the identity of shooter, Mauricio Garcia, on May 7, 2023, and made public the names and ages of eight victims on May 8, 2023 although one of the victim's identity was known on May 7, 2023 from the local media reports based on the information shared by the family. 

***************** ALLEN PREMIUM OUTLETS MALL SHOOTING *****************

**************** FARMINGTON, NEW MEXICO MASS SHOOTING *****************

Three Killed, Six Injured in Gun Violence in Northwestern New Mexico

Another day, another instance of gun violence. It was in northwestern New Mexican town of Farmington. On May 15, 2023, an 18-year-old high school student opened fire randomly on a neighborhood, close to revamped historic downtown, killing three people and injuring six people, including a Farmington police officer and a state police personnel. The motive of Beau Wilson, who had been fatally shot by law enforcement personnel, remained unknown. The victims are Gwendolyn Schofield, 97; her daughter, Melody Ivie, 73; and 79-year-old Shirly Voita. 

**************** FARMINGTON, NEW MEXICO MASS SHOOTING *****************

**************** BALTIMORE MASS SHOOTING DURING 4TH JULY ****************

Two Dead, More than Two Dozens Wounded in Gun Violence in Baltimore

Marring the festivities in the run-up to the July 4th Holiday, shooting on July 2, 2023 early morning at a southside neighborhood of Baltimore killed two people and injured 28. Acting Police Commissioner Richard Worley said that the shooting had erupted around 12:30AM on July 2, 2023 in the Brooklyn Homes neighborhood in the southern parts of Baltimore. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott vowed not to "stop until we find you", saying directly to the shooter or shooters. Governor Wes Moore condoled that "my heart breaks for these victims". 

**************** BALTIMORE MASS SHOOTING DURING 4TH JULY ****************

**************** PHILADELPHIA MASS SHOOTING DURING 4TH JULY *************

At least Four Dead, Scores Injured in Philadelphia Shooting

On the eve of the 4th of July, a festive atmosphere of joyful celebration turned disastrous at a Philadelphia neighborhood on July 3, 2023 night as a gunman opened fire, killing four people and injuring two boys. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said that the gunman had been arrested later in an alleyway with AR-style rifle, a handgun, a police scanner, a bulletproof vest and multiple magazines. 

Gunman's Motivation Unknown, Victims Chosen Randomly

On July 4, 2023, Philadelphians are scratching their heads over the random targeting of the victims by a 40-year-old gunman. Kingsessing neighborhood of Philadelphia turned into a bloody trail of destruction after the gunman opened fire on a crowd of enjoying a lovely evening, killing four people. A fifth person was killed by the alleged gunman at a home hours before the gunman wreaked havoc on July 3, 2023, night. Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney rued that this sort of gun violence had become "all-too-common" in the U.S.

**************** PHILADELPHIA MASS SHOOTING DURING 4TH JULY *************

**************** FORT WORTH MASS SHOOTING DURING 4TH JULY **************

Three Killed, Eight Injured in Random Gun Violence on the Eve of 4th July

What would have been a festive night at ComoFest at one of the Fort Worth's historic Black neighborhoods, Como neighborhood, with throngs of people enjoying a warm night of outing had suddenly turned into a horror scene as a random shooting rang the air, forcing people to scour for the cover and run helter-skelter. At least three people were killed in the July 3, 2023, night shooting, and eight others were injured. The shooter, or the shooters, are yet to be apprehended as of July 4, 2023, writing of this blog. What's reflective of that neighborhood's resilience is that the July 4 parade has gone forward to be held with full attendance of a resilient people who refuse to give in the fear. 

**************** FORT WORTH MASS SHOOTING DURING 4TH JULY **************

*************************** MASS SHOOTING IN MAINE *************************

Gunman, a Firearm Instructor, Kills more than a Dozen in the Second-Largest City in Maine

There has been a lull in mass shooting in the past three months and everybody is thankful to this quiet. However, no sooner had people sighed a sense of relief than the new normal arrived as a gunman unleashed the latest mass shooting in Maine. A gunman on October 25, 2023 night opened fire at a bar and a bowling alley in Lewiston, the second-largest city in Maine, killing at least 16 people. Authorities said that Robert Card, who was a firearm instructor and was trained at a U.S. Army Reserve Training facility in Maine, was a person of interest in the latest mass shooting at Schemengees Bar and Grille and Sparetime Recreation, a bowling alley about 4 miles from the bar. According to a state police bulletin seen by The Associated Press, Card was committed to a mental health facility earlier this year. President Joe Biden was apprised of the mass shooting and he had a talk with Governor Janet Mills. 

Suspect Found Dead

The Associated Press reported late October 27, 2023 that authorities found the suspect, Robert Card, dead after a 48-hour manhunt that began immediately after the firearms instructor opened fire at a grill and bar and at a bowling alley on October 25, 2023, killing 18 people and wounding 13 others. Robert Card was believed to have died in a self-inflicted wound. 

President, First Lady Visits Lewiston

It was a familiar ritual as presidents in recent years are doing this more frequently: visiting a community hurt and harmed by gun violence. On November 3, 2023, it was the turn of Lewiston, Maine. President Joe Biden, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, played the role of the healer-in-chief to console a community that had lost 18 precious lives. 

Maine Legislature Passes Gun Control Laws

Many of the gun control bills were off-limit in the past in this rural, gun-loving state where even some Democratic lawmakers were loath to enacting the stricter laws. However, much has changed since the October 25, 2023, mass shooting that had taken 18 precious lives. 

On April 17, 2024, Maine legislature passed a 72-hour waiting period for gun buyers. Following day, April 18, 2024, lawmakers passed a bill of enhanced background check when transactions would take place in private domain such as a Facebook advertised sale. This week the Maine legislature passed a bill to ban bump stock sales. However, the legislative body was unable to pass a "Red Flag" law. Governor Janet Mills is expected to sign at least the bill that deals with the expanded background check. 

*************************** MASS SHOOTING IN MAINE *************************

***************************** GUN VIOLENCE IN THE U.S. **************************

Second Amendment: District of Columbia vs. Heller

U.S. Supreme Court on June 26, 2008 issued a landmark verdict in the District of Columbia vs. Heller, protecting the rights of individuals to own guns independent of service in a state militia. In the majority opinion, Justice Antonin Scalia wrote that, though the Second Amendment protected an individual's right to own a gun, it "is not unlimited" and the "right was not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever and for whatever purpose". 

************* NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION

Judge Rejects NRA Bankruptcy Filing

National Rifle Association on May 11, 2021 was dealt a setback by a Dallas-based federal court ruling as it was trying to file bankruptcy, move to Texas and keep the New York authorities at bay. The judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Harlin Hale, issuing a 38-page verdict, took the NRA to task as he opined that the country's premier gun-rights group was planning to re-organize itself under a situation that was not "meant to protect against". The case was not filed "in good faith", according to the verdict, because the NRA was trying to evade the regulatory scrutiny of state authorities in New York. NRA is also planning to move its headquarters from Fairfax, Virginia to Texas. Now the move to Texas will take a pause as the case is being litigated. New York Attorney-General Leticia James hailed the judge's ruling, making a point that NRA "cannot reorganize in Texas without the approval of the Office of New York State Attorney-General". Leticia James sued the NRA in August 2020 in an effort to dissolve it for misspending and self-dealing. 

************* NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION

Mexico Sues U.S. Gunmakers 

In one of a kind of lawsuit filed at a federal court in Boston on August 4, 2021, Mexican government accused the U.S. gunmakers of fueling violence and deaths in the country with their "marketing strategies to promote weapons that are ever more lethal, without mechanisms of security or traceability". Alone in the last decade, Mexican authorities alleged that at least 2.5 million illicit guns had found their ways into Mexico. According to Mexican government data, 70% of the weapons trafficked into Mexico were made in the U.S. and, in 2019, some 170,000 homicides were linked to trafficked guns. Mexico's homicide rate in 2020 remains unchanged at 29 per 100,000 people, while the  U.S. homicide rate in 2019 has been 5.8 per 100,000. The filing of the lawsuit that had targeted gunmakers such as Smith & Wesson Brands, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Beretta USA and Glock and Colt's Manufacturing Co., but not any federal and state government entity, was announced by Mexico's Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard at a news conference held on August 4, 2021 in Mexico City. Many legal experts believe that the lawsuit has been intended as a pressure tactic on U.S. gun manufacturers, American authorities and gun dealers instead of winning the case. American gunmakers are shielded by a 2005 law, Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, protecting the companies from liabilities for misuse of their products. However, Mexican government argues that the law only applies to misuse of guns within the U.S., not in any foreign country, thus immunity may not be extended to gunmakers for the misuse of their products in Mexico. 

Latency between Gun Buy, Use Shrinks

A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives report issued on February 3, 2023 brings several key findings that will help law enforcement and lawmakers to craft an appropriate set of policies to address the surge in gun violence that the nation is right now witnessing. There are more guns recently bought legally are turning up at crime scenes. ATF Director Steve Dettellbach said that "information is power" and added that this report would help different stakeholders to come up with appropriate decisions. According to the report, 54% of the arms found at the crime scenes in 2021 have been bought within past three years, a significant increase compared to 2019. There are more and more guns with "conversion" devices which transform a semiautomatic gun into a machine gun. There are more "ghost" guns found too at crime scenes. 

************************* DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND GUN LAWS **************

Federal Appeals Court's Verdict a Slap on the Face of Domestic Violence Victims

A three-judge appeal panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on February 2, 2023 ruled that the people who had committed domestic violence had the right too to own firearms, reversing the current law of prohibiting such people from possessing guns and leading the victims, their families and advocates to fear for lives of separated spouses, estranged partners and children. The same appeals court earlier has ruled in favor of the same federal law on the book for the last three decades that bars people with domestic violence background from owning guns. The legal landscape for the Second Amendment changed drastically after the conservatives had become the majority in the U.S. Supreme Court. In June 2022, U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the government must justify gun control laws in alignment with the goals "consistent with the Nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation". 

************************* DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND GUN LAWS **************

Biden Signs Modest Gun Control Measure

President Joe Biden on March 14, 2023 signed an executive order that would strengthen background check, better gun storage provision and more compliance with the federal gun control law that he had signed in the aftermath of Uvalde mass shooting. 

************************* STABILIZING BRACES

Appeals Court Deals Setback to ATF on a Key Gun Device Control

Days before an ATF rule is to go into effect, U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on May 23, 2023 tossed out a more restrictive rule that would require the buyers to register the stabilizing braces or remove the braces altogether from the weapon. Stabilizing braces empower the user to fire the weapon with one hand as stabilizing braces provide the necessary degree of support and cushion to the users. 

************************* STABILIZING BRACES

CALIFORNIA

Concealed Carry Law Goes into Effect, for the Time Being

A California law signed by Governor Gavin Newsom bans a person, irrespective of whether they have a permit to carry a weapon, from carrying a concealed gun to places such as zoos, parks, playgrounds, churches, libraries and other public places unless there is a written policy to the contrary. California Rifle and Pistol Association sued the state. A lower court judge, U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney, on December 20, 2023 issued a temporary restraint order, TRO, relief against the law. However, the 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals on December 30, 2023 suspended the lower court ruling, paving the way for the California law to go into effect on January 1, 2024. 

Another legal challenge against the law forced it from going into effect. 

COLORADO

Two Gun Control Laws to Go Into Effect

According to the October 1, 2023, edition of The Dallas Morning News, two new Colorado laws are to become effective on October 1, 2023. Under one law, there will be a waiting period of three days for new gun buyers. The second law empowers the people file civil lawsuit against gun manufacturers. 

CONNECTICUT

******************************** SANDY HOOK MASSACRE *************************

Conspiracy Theorist Ordered to Pay to Sandy Hook Families

A Connecticut judge on November 15, 2021 held the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones liable by default for defaming the victims families, ordering him to pay them for damages. The Infowars founder, who called the Sandy Hook massacre a "hoax", had been asked to furnish document to the court. As he failed to submit the required document, Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis sided with the plaintiffs and held Jones liable by default. A jury will decide on the amount of damage. The 2012 mass shooting at the Sandy Hook killed 20 students and six school staff in one of the most heinous attacks on our academic institutions. 

$73 million Settlement Reached between Families and Gunmaker

Families of nine victims of Sandy Hook Elementary School on February 15, 2022 announced a $73 million settlement reached with the maker of the gun that the gunman had used to kill 20 students and six school staff in December 2012. The families of the victims and a survivor sued Remington in 2015, accusing the gunmaker of irresponsibly marketing and designing such a dangerous weapon, in this case a Bushmaster XM15-E2S rifle. 

Jones Appeals against Nearly $1 billion Verdict

On October 12, 2022, six jurors in Waterbury, Connecticut ordered Alex Jones and his Free Speech Systems to pay $965 million in compensatory damages to Sandy Hook plaintiffs. On October 22, 2022, Alex Jones submitted a filing, asking to throw out the record penalty. Alex Jones said in the filing that Judge Barbara Bellis' pretrial rulings had set the course for "a substantial miscarriage of justice". Lawyers of the 15 Sandy Hook plaintiffs said that they would soon file a brief opposing Alex Jones' filing. 

Jones Files Bankruptcy 

After being slapped with more than $1.4 billion in fines, Infowars host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on December 2, 2022 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Houston. In October 2022, a Connecticut jury hit Jones with $965 million penalty. That was a compensatory damage. A judge added an additional $473 million in punitive damage. Earlier in 2022, a Texas jury awarded $49 million in damages to parents of a child killed in the Sandy Hook massacre. A third trial against Infowars host brought by parents of another child killed will begin in couple of months in Texas. 

******************************** SANDY HOOK MASSACRE *************************

Most Sweeping Gun Control Law in a Decade Goes into Effect

On October 1, 2023, Connecticut has one of the most significant gun control laws in the book and for the state itself, it's probably the most sweeping measure since the strict gun control measures have been enacted in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook School Shooting. The measure that went into effect on October 1, 2023 was signed by Governor Ned Lamont in June 2023, and, among others, would prohibit Open-Carry and limit the sale of more than three handguns within a 30-day period only to security and law enforcement personnel with bona fide needs. 

FLORIDA

Ron DeSantis Signs a Permitless Carry Bill

Delivering one of his pet pledges to satisfy his Conservative base as he is likely preparing for a White House run, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on April 3, 2023 has signed a bill that will legalize people to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Governor Ron DeSantis' action implies that an individual who may legally own a gun is allowed to carry a concealed gun without a background check or training. 

ILLINOIS

State Supreme Court Upholds State Law Banning Semiautomatic Weapon

Illinois Supreme Court on August 11, 2023 issued a verdict in 4-3 vote, upholding the state's Protecting Our Communities Act, or POCA. POCA became effective on January 10, 2023. POCA bans purchasing most of the semiautomatic weapons, with some exceptions such as seven categories of "trained professionals" and for weapons purchased prior to the effective date (January 10, 2023). People who have bought semiautomatic weapons before January 10, 2023 are required to register their guns with the state police by January 1, 2024. This is not the end of the case as it may go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. 

NEW MEXICO

New Mexican Governor Suspends Right to Carry Firearms in Public 

New Mexico's Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on September 8, 2023 suspended the right to carry firearms--both open and concealed--for 30 days in Albuquerque and surrounding county as firearms-related violence shot past the threshold. 

Injunction on Governor's Order that Suspends Gun Rights

After New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham faced barrage of criticism after she had issued an executive order suspending the rights to carry firearms after deadly spate of gun-related violence in and around Albuquerque, U.S. District Judge David Urias on September 13, 2023 imposed injunction on the governor's order. 

NEW YORK

Supreme Court Tosses a Major NY Gun Law

U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority on June 23, 2022 tossed a New York gun law dating back to 1913. The law states that, to carry a gun outside one's home, one has to show the reason why they need to carry a gun. The so called "proper cause" provision is still in existence in half-a-dozen states, including California, New York, New Jersey, Hawaii, Maryland and Massachusetts. The Supreme Court on June 23, 2022 issued the verdict 6-3 against the state's so called "proper cause" law that had been in the book for more than a century. Most of the states in the nation have "shall issue" laws.

Gun License Applications Surge Since the "Proper Cause" Law Voided

Since the U.S. Supreme Court's June 23, 2022, ruling went into effect on September 1, 2022, the applications for firearms in New York jumped significantly, fueled by less rigor in showing justification for gun ownership as well as deteriorating crime picture in the New York City. According to the April 29, 2024, edition of The Dallas Morning News, more than 13,000 new gun license applications were filed in 2023 in New York, almost double that of 2022. According to the data available, 16,727 applications for gun license have been filed since January 1, 2023 in New York, including 3,358 filed between January 1, 2024 and March 31, 2024. 

TEXAS

Permitless-carry Law Takes Effect

A new gun rights law went into effect on September 1, 2021, and the law already raised specter of discomfort among the law enforcement agencies which had opposed the law. Under the law, a person 21 or older who can legally own a gun has the right to carry a gun either concealed or holstered without obtaining a permit. 

Texas Teenagers Can Now Get Handgun Licenses

How much the gun control laws are being undermined by the June 23, 2022, U.S. Supreme Court 6-3 verdict to expand gun rights with the Conservative justices stressing on ensuring that the gun control laws should be in alignment with the goals "consistent with the Nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation" is evident with a recent federal court ruling to overturn the restrictions on gun ownership by domestic abusers and an August 25, 2022, ruling by a Texas federal judge to toss the state's law barring handguns for young adults younger than 21. The Dallas Morning News reported on February 27, 2023 that U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman of Fort Worth, a President Donald Trump appointee, cited the June 23, 2022, U.S. Supreme Court's Bruen ruling related to a New York case--but, the apex court's verdict could be extended to weaken nationwide gun control laws--when he said that the Second Amendment rights belonged to 18- to 20-years-olds too. Texas Attorney-General's office in December 2022 decided not to continue defending the state law. Texas Department of Public Safety refused to enforce the law in January 2023. Before Judge Pittman's ruling, people younger than 21 could still legally buy long guns and semiautomatic weapons, but be barred from buying handguns. Following the Fort Worth federal judge's ruling and the state's decision not to contest that verdict, 18- to 20-year-olds can now get handgun licenses. Texas' licensing procedure involves passing the background check, taking a gun safety course, proving shooting proficiency and paying a fee. 

CZECH REPUBLIC

Gunman Kills 14 in Prague 

Charles University on the bank of the picturesque Vltava River in Prague's Jan Palach Square turned bloody as a gunman, a student of the same university, opened fire near the Philosophy Department on December 21, 2023, killing 14 people and injuring 25. This is the worst mass shooting in the Czech history. Prague Police Chief Martin Vondrasek said that the gunman was killed too. The police chief also said that the gunman was an excellent student. 

A Shaken Nation Looks for Motive, Ways to Heal

The worst mass shooting in Czech Republic raised several questions about the motive of the shooter and failure to detain him days after the same gunman was suspected of killing a man and his two-month-old daughter on the outskirts of the capital on December 15, 2023. On December 22, 2023, authorities confirmed that the gunman, yet to be publicly identified, had killed his father at his hometown of Hostoun hours before carrying out the massacre at Charles University, killing 14 and wounding 25. The suspected gunman reportedly killed himself. He was reported to have been heavily armed. He owned all of the guns legally. Prior to the December 21, 2023, killing, the worst mass shooting in the Czech history was in 2015 at the southeastern town of Uhersky Brod where a gunman had killed eight before turning the gun on himself. The authorities announced December 23, 2023 as the national day of mourning. 

National Mourning Held amidst Questions on Shooter's Motive

The Czech Republic stood still at noon on December 23, 2023 as a shocked nation observed a minute of silence. The wound to the nation's conscience from the December 21, 2023, mass killing is still raw. The main Mass was held in the largest cathedral of the Czech Republic, St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague. President Petr Pavel and speakers of both houses of parliament attended the Mass at St. Vitus Cathedral. Similar observances were held in other cities to mourn the lives lost and pray for speedy recovery of the wounded from the worst mass shooting in Czech Republic.