O’Malley rolls out 7 proposed anti-gun violence executive actions.
Maryland governor reveals ‘boldest plan’ on issue.
MANCHESTER, N.H. —'Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley on Tuesday rolled out seven executive actions – including ending gun dealer immunity -- he says he would take to curb gun violence if elected.
The plan was obtained by WMUR.com ahead of its formal unveiling by the former Maryland governor at a Tuesday night “Gun Safety Actions Not Words Town Hall” at the Cheshire County Historical Society in Keene. O’Malley will also discuss the plan at town halls at the Devine Millimet Branch law firm in Manchester and the University of New Hampshire in Durham earlier in the day.
(Update: O'Malley's campaign released the plan Tuesday morning. It can be viewed in its entirety here.)
O’Malley joins Democratic presidential opponent Hillary Clinton in promising to include unilateral executive actions in their anti-gun violence agendas, including ending gun dealer immunity from lawsuits.
But O’Malley’s campaign is calling his plan “the boldest plan” on the issue. He has challenged Clinton to back his specific proposals.
The campaign says that as Maryland’s governor he was responsible for signing into law “the most comprehensive gun safety legislation in the nation.”
O’Malley’s plan calls for:
-- Using procurement contracts to advance gun safety by requiring manufacturers that seek federal contracts to make design changes. O’Malley says the changes will “advance gun safety and improve law enforcement’s ability to trace firearms. These include hidden serial numbers that cannot be defaced, micro-stamping, magazine disconnect mechanisms and other next-generation safety improvements.”
-- Ending the federal defense of gun dealer immunity by stopping enforcement of a 2005 law that O’Malley says protects irresponsible gun dealers and manufacturers from lawsuits by victims and families of victims of gun violence.
-- Strictly enforcing existing bans on gun ownership for domestic abusers and stalkers, to “disarm those convicted for committing domestic violence.”
-- Banning so-called “cop killer” ammunition by working to close loopholes that O’Malley’s campaign says “have made hundreds of kinds of dangerous cartridges available for sale.” The campaign says he will act in his executive capacity as president to tighten current regulations.
-- A new “electronic alert system” to inform local law enforcement officials when those who are prohibited from purchasing firearms attempt to do so. The campaign says the system will be “modeled on the FBI alert system used when fugitives purchase guns” and will help law enforcement officials identify which attempted sales to prosecute.
-- Requiring the safe storage of firearms in homes by issuing and enforcing federal rules that make clear safety standards for gun locks and safes.
-- Strengthening enforcement and audits of licensed dealers to ensure that they are in compliance with the law. The campaign says this action includes “conducting background checks of gun dealer employees; ensuring that dealers who have their licenses revoked do not become unlicensed sellers without first liquidating their inventories; and using audit inspections to check dealer inventories for stolen guns.”
The Clinton campaign released a new ad on Tuesday in which she talks about the need to address the gun violence "epidemic."
Responding to Clinton's ad, O'Malley deputy state campaign director Matt Sheaff said: "Gov. O'Malley enacted one of the nation's most comprehensive gun safety laws in the country, and he has been fearless taking on the NRA to do the right thing, not what polls well. With Secretary Clinton's new ad in New Hampshire going live today, we reiterate Gov. O’Malley’s call for her to join in his proposals for meaningful gun safety provisions to put an end to senseless gun violence in our country.”'
http://www.wmur.com/politics/omalley-to-roll-out-7-proposed-antigun-violence-executive-actions-tuesday/36220674
= new reply since forum marked as read
and it's a 'difficult' issue, problematic on many fronts. Some Dem losses in VA yesterday may have been due to pro-gun control positions of candidates. 