Coming up Wednesday
Sen. Grassley (R-IA): Senate will not pass assault weapon ban
This morning on "Starting Point with Soledad O'Brien," Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) weighs in on Wednesday's hearing on gun control and gun violence.
Grassley, who voted against requiring background checks on all firearm sales at gun shows, says the issue of background checks is “something that’s going to get a good look and it ought to have a good look. But expanding it...I’m not sure that we know where we’re gong in that direction.”
He adds that there are several other areas where Congress will be legislating regarding the prosecution of straw purchasers, beefing up the database in Washington D.C. and doing more in the area of mental health.
Regarding assault weapons Grassley says he does not believe a vote to ban them will pass due to the Second Amendment, noting that the Columbine High school shooting took place while the federal assault weapons ban was enacted. He adds that the stolen guns used in recent high-profile shooting tragedies in Tucson and Newtown would not be covered by the ban.
During the hearing, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin cited the death of a 15-year-old Chicago teenager killed just a week after she performed in President Obama's inauguration as more evidence of the need for stronger gun control. But Grassley says the focus in Chicago should be on “the issue within our society of black violence on blacks.”
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News comments for gun control after another killer who was let out killed again...
"....It is not known how he obtained these firearms..."
Duh?? He got them the same way other illegal owners do. From another person illegally!
"...but ex-felons ARE NOT ALLOWED to possess weapons."
Doh!! Really? LIke a weapons ban now would result in crazies and criminals running to turn theirs in. Nuts and cons are going to follow the law? El correcto.
This fool should have been executed the first time he killed instead of being let back out on the street where he did it again. Then again. Personally, I'm shooting to kill anyone who threatens me or my family with harm while continuing to read the excuses instead of reasons politicians give for gun control.
@ chris, you're so correct on your points. Its sicking to hear these people insulting Americans day in and day out.
Wow this is amazing. This is probably the most bias discussion I’ve seen lately. First of all Sen. Grassley looks like he barely knows what he’s talking about, and by the way this is purposely done. They’re not getting people who can actually hold a conversation. Sen. Grassley seems kind of slow, basically he’s appearing to be stupid. While Soledad O’Brien looks like she knows exactly what she’s talking about even though she’s not really make a point herself. Sen. Grassley is made to look at a stupid old man who hasn’t moved on yet. Besides the man can’t even finish a sentence, why are they choosing these people to represent the gun owners? Get someone who can actually finish a sentence.
When someone asks a question, you need to allow a person to answer your question. You call this journalism?
I want them to ban all the guns, and this is my reason I want America to see that nothing will change. All the so called crazy people will just use that opportunity to be creative and come up with even more sick and twisted plans to harm people. They can take the guns away but the people will still be there. And of course you say "I'll just call the police." When have the police ever got there in time and if they did you just got lucky. Most people don't have that kind of luck this is more of a mental problem with these people, they wouldn't care what weapon they have as long as they can inflict harm.
OBrien,do you know HOW MANY GUN LAW IN CHICAGO???
Grassley and all others ho do not vote for an agressive background check on gun buyers must not want any form of gun control. The 1st step in gun control is a prper background check for ANY weapon. Banning weapons is not the answer. Enforcing the laws we have, enacting background checks on EVERYONE making a purchase, and punishing strw purchasers when weapons they purchased are used in ANY illegal activity face the same or harsher penalities of those commitng the crime is whatis needed.
what a preposterous way of framing the questions. This is what passes for journalism these days. A prosecutor would have been been cited for leading and antagonizing the witness. Where is your objectivity lady? You insult your viewers ability to form their own opinion. All I could see was you own point of view and bias.
Understand Ms. O'Brien's poor ratings may have resulted in her walking papers; respectfully inform her not to forget take her trusty University of Pennsylvania assault weapon report with her for her next fifth column endeavor.
I think it is time that Soledad be removed from CNN completely! She is not there to express an opinion but to report the news. On top of all of your opinions regarding the gun matters, she is the most racially divisive person on television!! That is why the morning ratings are taking a big hit. I for one, quit watching some time ago, except for this morning because of her racial biases. I am embarrassed for her as she only does stories about us African Americans or the Latinos. When is she going to finally do a story regarding the Caucasians in the society that are just as bad off as the rest of us, yet she continues to blame them on every level for what is being done to us minorities! If you get rid of her, and find someone who is not there trying to make a name for herself so she can sell her books and her stories, wasting much money from CNN, you will find your viewership will broaden and you will climb back into the leaders seat of morning television. Please, please