While I don't have my hopes up that Boehner and the teabagging Republicans will allow this bill to ever see the floor of the House, just the fact that it is filed will put a little more heat on the Congress-critters that continue to bow to the NRA (and the gun Cult that the NRA created).
As stated in the title, the bill is called the Personalized Handgun Safety Act of 2013, and it has been filed by John Tierney (D-MA). The bill essentially
mandates within two years that newly manufactured handguns be equipped with the technology that allows the guns to only work in the hands of their owners or other authorized users
As reported in the Boston Globe's website today,
Manufacturers that do not meet the standards could be held liable. And individuals or businesses selling older handguns must have them retrofitted with personalization technology within three years after the bill is enacted, at the expense of the federal government.
But here is the key part of the legislation:
“This does not in any way restrict somebody’s ability to own a gun. It recognizes and honors the second amendment.”
Yet the usual
assholessuspects will oppose the legislation because of the same tired reasons (h/t
detroitmechworks):
But the best analysis in the story actually comes from what appears to be a bona fide responsible gun owner:
John Rosenthal, co-founder of Stop Handgun Violence who erected what he says is the largest billboard in the country devoted to gun control along the Massachusetts Turnpike near Fenway Park, said Tierney’s bill “has the potential to change the world of gun violence.”
Rosenthal, a gun owner, said he hopes the gun industry will agree to be part of the solution by adopting personalization technology.
“If Congress can’t pass background checks, at least pass this,” Rosenthal said. “We could reduce the majority of gun deaths in this country.”
h/t Stop Handgun Violence
I know that I cannot get my hopes up, but it sure is nice to know that lawmakers from MA are leading in the fight to stop the carnage where over 100k Americans get shot every year (32k die and over 70k are treated at ERs according to the CDC). I guess I am more than a bit proud of my adopted state (I'm still considered a newcomer as I have only been here for 35 years) has led in healthcare reform, marriage equality and now sensible firearms regulation.