Tucson Shooting Survivors Want Stricter Gun Laws

By Adrianna McGinley

Survivors and family members of shooting victims, including those of the January Tucson shooting that nearly killed Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), joined legislators Tuesday to support bipartisan legislation aimed at tightening national gun laws.

The Fix Gun Checks Act, introduced by Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), would require background checks for all gun purchases and would penalize states that fail to enter records into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who has committed to investigating the ATF’s failed “Operation Fast and Furious” program, agreed that legislation to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals is necessary. He added, however, that Second Amendment rights must be protected for law-abiding citizens, specifically veterans that he says were denied their right to bear arms under the NICS Improvement Act.

“While the horrific events in Tucson are still fresh in our memories, as we discuss new gun control laws, we also need to move forward on bipartisan legislation such as the Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act,” Grassley said.

Col. Bill Badger, who survived a bullet wound from the Tucson shooting, and Patricia Maisch, who prevented the shooter, Jared Lee Loughner, from reloading, voiced support for the measure.

“Tucson is yet another extremely tragic example of what is at stake each and every time a gun falls or is placed in the wrong hands,” Maisch said. “Changing the past is impossible…but it would be a pitiful shame if no action were taken to change the future. You can take action to improve our broken gun background check system, and I truly believe with all my soul that your actions can save lives.”

Legislators and witnesses emphasized that the proposal is not meant to infringe on people’s rights or take away their guns, but rather to ensure that guns stay out of the hands of dangerous individuals, like Loughner, a diagnosed schizophrenic.

“I believe there’s a right to bear arms, but I also believe it’s not absolute,” Schumer said. “Just as we have limits on the First Amendment…there are reasonable limits on the Second Amendment. I don’t believe it should be seen through a pinhole…but I also believe that limits are very reasonable and we’re talking among the most reasonable limits here.”

Holder Denies Guilt Over "Fast And Furious"

By Adrianna McGinley

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder today condemned federal officials for authorizing controversial “gun-walking” tactics under Operation Fast and Furious, but told lawmakers he is committed to investigating and holding accountable those responsible.

“I think that I acted in a responsible way by ordering the Inspector General investigation,” Holder said to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “On the basis of that report and any other information that is brought to my attention, those people who did make mistakes will be held accountable.”

Holder called the Operation “flawed in its concept and flawed in its execution.” He said that its impacts will be felt for years to come since many guns that ATF agents allowed to be purchased and carried across the U.S. border into Mexico are still unaccounted for and some continue to appear at cartel crime scenes.

“This should never have happened, and it must never happen again,” Holder said.

While admitting that there were grave mistakes made during Fast and Furious, Holder said it was in fact “a flawed response to, not the cause of” illegal gun flow into Mexico and the violence that results.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) asked Holder if he has or would like to apologize to the family of deceased Border Patrol Agent Brian Terr, who was murdered last December. Weapons discovered at the crime scene were traced back to Fast and Furious.

“I certainly regret what happened,” Holder replied. “It is not fair, however, to assume that the mistakes that happened in Fast and Furious directly led to the death of Agent Terry.”

Holder pledged that the Department of Justice is committed to punishing Mexican drug cartel members who have murdered American citizens. He also said that his agency is working with the Mexican government to curtail the violence caused by the cartels. To that point, Holder expressed concern that Republicans in Congress have proposed cutting DOJ’s budget for the coming fiscal year.

“Those proposed cuts are simply unacceptable and place this nation at risk…We are enjoying historically low crime rates…[DOJ cuts] put at risk the possibility that these historically low rates will not remain there forever.”

Holder suggested Congress take into consideration testimony from whistleblower agents who have called on Congress to support the fight against illegal weapons being trafficked into Mexico.