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January 29, 2013

Citizens must answer on guns

The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — On the same day President Obama was proposing a package of gun-control measures, Minnesota Democratic Sen. Al Franken stated his support for limiting high-capacity ammunition clips and expanding background checks. But he omitted any reference to a ban on military-style weapons. When a reporter asked a Franken spokesman what gun restrictions the senator might support, the aide said, “I guess I don’t have an answer for you.” Franken, who faces re-election in 2014, later said he wants to see the specifics in any legislation but supports a ban “on principle.”

And there’s the rub on how any of these initiatives will fare going forward. On some issues, Americans are somewhat in agreement. Even the president of the National Rifle Association said the group was generally supportive of strong background checks on firearm purchases. A Pew Research survey found the majority of people favored such checks including ensuring that people with mental illness cannot purchase weapons. And there is some support for putting more law enforcement in our schools. But overall, we are a divided nation.

In determining how we should advance we found little concern — and some encouragement — in the 23 executive orders issued by the president.

The encouraging signs were those that addressed mental health issues. The order called for finalizing regulations “clarifying essential health benefits and parity requirements with the ACA exchanges and committing to finalizing parity regulations.” Those regulations have been long ignored.

Sadly what was omitted in the directives is any study or review on the effects of violent movies or computer games that may be contributing to the violent nature of our young society.

— The Free Press, Mankato, Minn.

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