We’ve all been horrified by the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, not to mention all the other mass shootings and gun violence that came before them (and since then). We don’t know what the motive of the Dayton shooter was yet, but the El Paso terrorist has clearly identified white nationalism as the reason for the murders he committed.
One of the first very proposals Kamala Harris made during her presidential campaign, was to use executive action to address gun violence if congress would not act. Her initial 5 point executive action plan included:
- Clarifying that anyone who sells 5 or more guns in a year is a gun dealer, therefore making them subject to the requirement that they conduct background checks. Currently 1 in 5 guns sold in America are sold without a background check.
- Revoking the licences of gun manufacturers and gun dealers who break the law.
- Reverse Trump definitions of “fugitive from justice” that make it possible for fugitives from justice to purchase guns.
- Close the boyfriend loophope — ie making it so that unmarried partners are subject to the same gun purchasing restrictions married partners face when they commit domestic violence.
- Banning the importation of AR-15 style assault rifles.
These are all actions that she as president could take, without the approval of congress, while congress works on a comprehensive bill that would include things like universal background checks, closing loopholes, a gun registry, etc.
In the face of the continued stoking of white supremacist violence by the current occupant of the White House, Kamala released further actions yesterday that she’ll take to crack down on gun violence in this country.
This new plan includes 3 executive action items:
- Allowing courts to issue temporary orders barring someone from possessing a gun if the judge agrees with law enforcement (or an individual who may know that person who is a risk of committing gun violence).
- Requiring sites like ArmsList.com to do background checks on guns sold on their platform.
- Direct the National Counterterrorism Center to include global white nationalist terrorism in their mandate as well as to seek to include domestic terrorism in their mandate.
Harris also proposed to spend $2billion over 10 years studying and cracking down on white nationalist violence in America.
All of this focus on gun violence by Kamala has not escaped the attention of the NRA. Indeed, they’ve singled out Kamala in going after her gun violence prevention platform.
Part of the reason why the NRA has singled out Kamala Harris, is they know she’ll act. Executive action doesn’t rely on congress, so while the NRA may be able to count on their allies in congress to stall legislation, they won’t be able to stop Kamala from acting. And yes, I’m sure the NRA and some republican led states will sue once Kamala, if elected, enacts these executive actions, but her team is confident that they are on solid legal footing. We’ve seen what happens when a president uses the power of the executive for evil — e.g. Trump’s recent rule to make it harder for immigrants to get green cards. Wouldn’t it be great to again have a president actively using the power of the executive to solve long standing problems, as President Obama did when he created DACA? Kamala herself made that point yesterday:
Endorsement Alert
New this morning, Kamala picked up her 10th congressional black caucus endorsement — a former chair of the CBC, Marcia Fudge. Here words endorsing Kamala are very powerful, pointing out that there is a reason Kamala has more CBC endorsements than any other candidate.
Newpioneer has rounded up some highlights of her sponsored legislation here.
snowman3 has rounded up some more legislative highlights here.
Gay CA Democrat lists 21 bills or proposals here.
Want to know more about her positions and plans? Her policy page is Our America.
Or go straight to an issue: quality, affordable health care for all, economic justice,raising teacher pay, combating the climate crisis, criminal justice reform, action on gun violence, a fair and just immigration system, LGBTQ+ equality, government for the people, debt-free college and student debt, gender equality, American leadership at home and abroad, and fighting for racial justice.
More plans: The Reproductive Rights Act, Equal Pay, Roadmap to Citizenship for Dreamers, Combating the Racial Homeownership Gap, Fair Prescription Drug Prices, Kamala’s 3AM Agenda.
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This week’s schedule
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This week’s schedule
Monday, August 12th — LASouthpaw
Thursday, August 15th — snowman3
Saturday, August 17th — DigitusImpudicus
Monday, August 19th— Gay CA Democrat
Thursday, August 22th—
Saturday, August 24th—
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