From the Miami Herald:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/neighbors/story/500669.html
The idiotic premise of all antis: more laws will address the social problems of the country.
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami_dade/neighbors/story/500669.html
The idiotic premise of all antis: more laws will address the social problems of the country.
Miami Gardens councilman backs tougher gun laws
BY DAVID SMILEY
In Miami Gardens these days, targets increasingly are the guns.
In yet another move to curb firearms violence, the City Council is likely to consider at its meeting on Wednesday two measures that urge both the state Legislature and Congress to tighten firearm restrictions.
Two resolutions sponsored by Councilman André Williams are on the draft agenda for the meeting. They ask that Congress reinstate a ban on assault rifles that expired in 2004 and call on state and federal legislators to impose stricter controls on handgun purchases.
''Armed thugs are terrorizing our communities and endangering the lives of residents and police officers,'' Williams said in an interview on Thursday.
Williams' proposals come two weeks after the city announced the start of a gun-bounty program that offers $1,000 for any tip that leads to an illegal gun seizure and arrest.
The city is doing what it can to address gun violence but needs the help of the state and federal governments, Williams said.
''We have to engage state and local officials in this effort and have to show political courage and enact stricter gun control laws,'' he said.
During a press conference held to announce the city's gun bounty program, Police Chief Matthew Boyd said guns were used in 24 murders, 460 robberies and 428 assaults during 2007. Police have confiscated more than 80 illegal guns since the department took over patrol duties from the county last December, he said.
And during the City Council's March 26 meeting, Williams asked Boyd about the prevalence of assault rifles on the streets.
''They're almost like the weapons of choice,'' Boyd responded.
Along with outlawing assault rifles, Williams would also like to see laws that make it tougher to buy handguns, such as a limit of one purchase per month.
That's why Williams also plans to honor Wal-Mart on Wednesday for its decision to implement tougher gun policies.
On Monday, the largest gun seller in the nation announced that, over time, it will enact a 10-step policy developed by the retailer and Mayors Against Illegal Guns.
Wal-Mart's actions will include videotaping of firearm sales, daily and quarterly inventory audits, and prohibition of the sale of a gun if a background check does not provide results within three days.
Williams said he wants to honor Wal-Mart because government can't curb gun violence on its own.
''The private sector needs to get involved too,'' Williams said.
