Latest news with #gunSafety
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CT Senate passes controversial gun safety bill after 11-hour marathon debate
After a marathon 11-hour debate, the state Senate passed a gun safety bill Friday that would make it easier to file civil lawsuits against gun manufacturers and make it harder for some residents to obtain a pistol permit. On a mostly party-line vote, the Senate granted final legislative approval for a controversial measure that would allow civil lawsuits against gun manufacturers, marketers, distributors and retailers who fail to take 'reasonable controls' against selling guns to traffickers, straw buyers, and those the sellers believe would commit a crime. 'Despite the deadly nature of their products, gun manufacturers and sellers have enjoyed broad immunity to civil action, which has allowed them to turn a blind eye to dangerous sales practices that all too often end in tragedy,' said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney, a New Haven Democrat. 'This bill holds the industry accountable by giving victims an opportunity to recover appropriate damages from an irresponsible gun industry member.' The measure passed by 25-11 with Democrats largely in favor and Republicans largely against. The two members to break with their parties were Democratic Sen. Cathy Osten of Sprague, who voted against the bill, and Republican Sen. Tony Hwang of Fairfield, who voted in favor. Republicans staged an 11-hour filibuster and offered 18 amendments that were rejected by the Democratic majority. Sen. Rob Sampson, a Wolcott Republican, offered numerous amendments in an unsuccessful attempt to change the legislation that he says would lead to more lawsuits. 'This bill does not address gun violence or criminals who choose to commit it,' Sampson said. 'This bill represents a concerted national effort to effectively litigate the firearm industry out of business. It's an attack on lawful business owners in the firearm industry alone, with civil liability based on the unforeseen actions of criminals. There are vague and subjective terms—trap doors—throughout, which are a dream for anti-gun activists and litigators looking to harm the industry with meritless cases. This is simply a political bill disguised as an effort to keep people safe.' Sampson added, 'The message is clear: If you manufacture, sell, or promote legal firearms in Connecticut, you are no longer welcome here. It will have a chilling effect on the state's firearm industry, and thus your innate right to self-defense through the Second Amendment, the likes of which we have never seen. This is not about public safety and will not save a single life.' Before the Senate approval, the state House of Representatives voted 100-46 last month in favor of the legislation. Gov. Ned Lamont will sign the bill, his chief spokesman, Rob Blanchard, said Friday. House Bill 7042 allows the state attorney general, as well as private citizens and cities and towns, to file civil lawsuits against those 'who fail to implement so-called reasonable controls in preventing the sale of firearms to straw purchasers, firearm traffickers, and individuals who are prevented from purchasing firearms under our laws.' Democrats said the bill is necessary because the federal Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, known as PLCAA, was passed by Congress in 2005 that provided special immunity protections for gun manufacturers. So far, nine other states have passed similar legislation to expand the possibility of gun-related lawsuits, including New York, New Jersey, California, Maryland, Illinois, Colorado and others. The 11-hour debate, which started at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday and ended at 12:30 a.m. Friday, was among the longest of the year. The Senate then continued debating other bills and adjourned at 1:37 a.m. Friday. In a long stemwinder on the Senate floor, Republican Sen. John Kissel of Enfield blasted the bill as an attack on Second Amendment rights. During his speech, Kissel made winding references to railroads, attorneys' fees, scratch-off tickets, casinos, Hartford, car fatalities, troopers, eye-hand coordination, Jack LaLanne, Methuselah, the Bible, and hallucinogenic mushrooms. He talked about walking from the Hartford train station to state Capitol and visiting his grandfather in Philadelphia as Republicans talked throughout the entire day and past midnight. The multi-pronged bill also makes it harder for some residents to obtain a gun permit if they committed crimes in other states. Currently, Connecticut residents who commit felonies and 11 'disqualifier misdemeanors' are not permitted to obtain a pistol or revolver permit. But residents who commit essentially the same misdemeanors in other states, and then move to Connecticut, are still able to obtain a permit. The bill would cover anyone convicted of those misdemeanors in another state during the past eight years; they would now be blocked from getting a pistol or revolver permit, lawmakers said. Under Connecticut's 'clean slate' law, convictions for certain misdemeanors are erased. But Connecticut's clean slate law does not apply to out-of-state convictions. In a longtime oversight, police and attorneys have somehow never noticed that out-of-state convictions were handled differently, officials said. Separately, attorneys for the families of victims of the shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown in 2012 filed a civil lawsuit under a different provision of the law concerning unfair trade practices. The provisions in the bill would be in addition to the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act, known as CUTPA. With time running out in the regular legislative session that adjourns at midnight on June 4, some lawmakers are concerned about the length of the debates in the final days. When debates extend for long periods, other bills can get left without a vote because time runs out at midnight next Wednesday. Republicans were concerned Friday when the House debated on a highly controversial bill on awarding unemployment compensation to workers who have been on strike for at least 14 days. The measure passed by 87-57 with 13 moderate House Democrats against the bill by 5 p.m., which allowed time to debate other bills on transportation and motor vehicles. In a letter to all legislators, the parent company of East Hartford-based Pratt & Whitney expressed 'strong opposition' to the bill that would impact more than 4,300 unionized employees at Pratt and Colllins Aerospace operations at plants around the state. The letter stated that the median base pay under the new union contract 'is now over $51/hour, an increase of over 26% in the last five years.' The 'typical Pratt union-represented employee' likely 'will see annual earnings this year of over $140,000.' For years, the House has avoided debates in the final days on issues where the governor has pledged a veto, which Lamont has done. But House Speaker Matt Ritter, a Hartford Democrat, told reporters Friday that the striking workers' bill is a high priority for some members of the House Democratic caucus. 'This is the one exception,' Ritter said. Christopher Keating can be reached at ckeating@
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
I'm the new leader of the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus. Let's make progress.
I rise with deep gratitude, a strong sense of responsibility, and profound hope. It is the greatest honor of my professional life to stand before you as the newly elected Leader of the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus. I thank my colleagues for their trust, and I appreciate the people of Palm Beach County for the incredible privilege of representing them in this chamber. Let me begin with this: Florida stands at a crossroads. This moment demands clarity and courage. Yes, we face serious challenges, from a changing climate to rising costs, but within every challenge lies a chance to lead with purpose and heart. And this session has shown us what's possible when we choose progress over partisanship. This session in Tallahassee, we are standing firm against bills that would roll back child labor protection. We are fighting against efforts to ban books and censor ideas in our schools. We oppose efforts to roll back the important gun safety measures passed in a bipartisan manner in the wake of the horrific Parkland school shooting. We must honor the memories of those we lost by continuing to prioritize public safety, not by moving backward. Floridians are watching. They are watching this chamber not for theatrics or soundbites, but for leadership. Leadership that puts people first. Leadership that rises above the noise and moves us toward a shared vision for our state's future. We come from different parts of Florida. We hold diverse perspectives, life experiences, and political philosophies. But we were all elected for the same reason: because the people of this state entrusted us to do the work. The real work. Our diversity is our strength, and our unity is our power. Opinion: I'm the mayor of Wellington. Florida's local governments need property taxes. Our caucus is not just here to oppose; we are here to propose. To advance real solutions that address the needs of everyday Floridians. We will listen, legislate, and lead with empathy and resolve. My approach to leadership will not be one of division. It will be one of inclusion. We will not trade in fear. We will lead with facts. We will not engage in personal attacks. We will focus on policy. And we will not allow the loudest voices to drown out the needs of everyday Floridians. To my colleagues across the aisle: I extend my hand in partnership. Some issues should never be partisan, such as ensuring our children's safety in school, protecting clean water, caring for our veterans, and growing our economy in a way that uplifts all Floridians, not just the few at the top. Let's work together where we can. Let's disagree with respect where we must. And let's remember we were not elected to be comfortable. We were elected to be courageous. To my fellow Democrats: I am proud to serve you, and I am prouder of what we are building. We are alive and kicking, passing bills, fighting bad policy and getting appropriations for projects that impact our districts. We may not hold the majority, but we have something just as powerful: a vision rooted in fairness, in justice, in equality, and in care. Members, let us work together to build a Florida where every child, no matter their background or ZIP code, can attend a well-funded public school that prepares them not just to pass a test, but to thrive in life. Let us make healthcare affordable and accessible, not just in our urban centers, but in rural communities where care is too often out of reach. Let us address our housing crisis — not by pushing people out, but by ensuring that working families, seniors, and young people can afford to live in the communities they love. Let us protect fundamental freedoms, ensuring that every person has the right to make decisions about their own body, their own future, and their own family. Opinion: Rolling the dice with Mother Nature: Trump's FEMA cuts would be new disaster for Florida This is what we believe, and this is what I will fight for. I believe in the potential of Florida's future, and I will fight to see it realized. We will lead with heart, with purpose, and with the unwavering belief that Florida's best days are ahead of us. Editor's Note: Sen. Lori Berman gave this speech, outling her hopes in the Florida Legislature, shortly after being selected Senate Democratic Leader. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida Democrats can make a difference in our Senate | Opinion
Fox News
7 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Democrats need to embrace inclusion over ideological conformity in order to win again
If Democrats want to win back Congress and the White House, we must reclaim what made our party a national force in the first place: our commitment to being a big tent. For much of modern history, the Democratic Party has thrived by welcoming Americans from a wide range of backgrounds and beliefs. We didn't require agreement on every issue to work together for a common cause—especially on topics like abortion or gun safety, where regional and cultural differences shaped the views of our candidates and voters alike. That flexibility helped us build durable coalitions capable of winning elections from city halls to Congress. But in recent years, we've moved toward a more rigid and absolutist posture—one that suggests a Democrat must align 100% with every plank of the party platform to earn the label. This "all or nothing" mentality has not only narrowed our reach; it's jeopardized our ability to build the legislative majorities we need to govern. Take, for example, pro-life Democrats. While they may diverge from national party orthodoxy on reproductive rights, many of these leaders stand with us on issues like affordable healthcare, economic justice, and workers' rights. In a divided electorate, supporting candidates like these can be the difference between holding a legislative chamber—or handing it over to Republicans who oppose our values wholesale. The same logic applies to gun safety. In rural districts where hunting and gun ownership are embedded in the culture, we shouldn't expect every Democrat to support the same proposals as those from urban centers. We can still advocate for commonsense reforms—background checks, red flag laws, and safe storage—without insisting on litmus tests that alienate potential allies. As Governor Gretchen Whitmer has said, we need to meet people where they are. That doesn't mean compromising on our values—it means recognizing that no coalition succeeds without some ideological flexibility. Most parliamentary democracies around the world understand this. Majorities are built through negotiation and compromise between parties that may agree on only a few key issues. That's how they keep government functional and extreme ideologies in check. We should do the same. Because what matters most is not ideological purity—it's the power to govern. It's the ability to pass legislation, confirm judges, invest in communities, and protect our democracy from those who seek to undermine it. If we want to win again—truly win—we must embrace the complexity of our electorate. We must build a Democratic Party that prizes inclusion over ideological conformity. Only then will we have the strength to meet this moment and the future beyond it.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Friends, family come together to honor UNLV student
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — UNLV honored 21-year-old, Janeah Lane, a criminal justice major, who died tragically last March after accidentally killing herself with a handgun, over the weekend. Friends and family gathered at what would have been Lane's college graduation, on Saturday. Her Mother, Simoni Lane took the stage in an emotional tribute and shared with 8 News Now just how special the moment was. 'UNLV was so amazing. It was healing and I felt the love,' Simoni Lane shared. In addition to UNLV'S ceremony, Lane's family held a balloon release at Sunset Park. Her aunt, Salina Bibbs shared with 8 News Now that Lane impacted a lot of people across the valley as an influencer. 'She was a hairstylist in Las Vegas and she has a big mural inside Lux Beauty Supply on Sahara and Valley View,' Bibbs said. When Lane's family could not get a hold of her, they reached out to her apartment complex. 'I called her complex for a wellness check. Come to find out someone called that Sunday about hearing a gunshot at the apartment complex,' Bibbs added. It was ultimately Lane's mother, Simoni who found her body. Her aunt shared that her phone was lying by her side. 'I happen to look on her browser and it says how to unload a gun properly and when they found her, there was a full clip on the bed,' Bibbs shared. While Metro police ruled Lane's death a suicide, her family believes her death was accidental. They now continue to keep her legacy alive by advocating for gun safety through her social media platform. 'I am blessed to have had 21 years of her and look at how many lives she's changed through social media. She is what social media is supposed to be,' Lane's mother told 8 News Now. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
