Mississippi News
Wicker, Hyde-Smith noncommittal on bipartisan gun safety plan
Sens. Wicker, Hyde-Smith noncommittal on bipartisan gun safety compromise
Mississippi's two U.S. senators — Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith — have not endorsed the gun safety agreement worked out by a bipartisan group of their Senate colleagues.
Both said they wanted to see more details before making a final decision on whether they could support the agreement, which was developed by several of their Democratic and Republican colleagues following the May 24 murders of school children and teachers in Uvalde, Texas.
“I look forward to reviewing the proposed language when it comes out to see if there are workable solutions to promote school safety and prevent gun violence without infringing upon the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners,” Wicker said in a statement. “As I have said before, I support efforts to step up enforcement of our existing laws and address the serious mental health challenges that lead to mass shootings.”
The bipartisan group reaching the agreement consisted of 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats in the Senate. If the 10 Republicans stay committed to the proposal, they would theoretically provide the 60 votes (including the 50 Senate Democrats) needed to pass the legislation out of the 100-member Senate. In addition Mitch McConnell, the Senate minority leader, also has said he would vote for the compromise if it remains in its current form.
“Sen. Hyde-Smith, as she does with all legislation, would like to see legislative language before commenting on the gun control framework,” said Chris Gallegos, a spokesperson for Mississippi's junior senator, in a statement.
The agreement includes the following proposals:
- Establish a red flag law to make it easier for law enforcement to temporarily take away a gun from someone deemed to be a danger to himself or others,
- Remove the so-called “boyfriend loophole” that allows a person convicted of assault against a girlfriend not to have his weapon confiscated while it would be if the couple was married.
- Conduct more rigorous background checks of those under age 21.
- Develop tools to federally prosecute people who buy guns in one state and try to sell them on the streets of cities in other states.
- Expand the current law to require those selling multiple weapons to also run background checks before completing the sale.
In addition, the agreement calls for spending more federal funds on mental health issues.
“We are confident this agreement is not only going to save lives in the short run, but it's going to lead to more success for the anti-gun violence movement in the long run,” said Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, whose state was the site of a December 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting where 26 people, including 20 elementary-age children, were killed.
“…What I know when I study great social change movements — and ours is one of those great social change movements — is that success begets success. That when you finally move that mountain, and you pass legislation that makes a difference, that in fact, you attract more people to your movement. You use that coalition for good in the future, and that's what will happen here.”
Murphy said the agreement could result in “finally breaking the 30-year logjam on the issue of gun violence.”
Hyde-Smith's spokesman was less enthusiastic about the new agreement.
“(Hyde-Smith) remains steadfast in protecting 2nd Amendment rights, supporting law enforcement, and protecting children,” Gallegos said in a statement. “Given that, she finds it difficult not to be wary of any agreement being praised by some of the same people who not long ago called for defunding the police and easing criminal prosecutions.”
The compromise reached by the bipartisan group falls far short of the gun safety measures advocated by many congressional Democrats. But those gun safety measures advocated by many congressional Democrats have nothing to do with defunding the police.
What is missing from the new bipartisan agreement but has been proposed earlier by Democrats is banning the AR-15 style semi-automatic weapons that have been used in some mass shootings, or at least prohibiting the sale of the weapon to those under the age of 21. Other proposals that still have not gained traction include enhanced background checks and waiting periods to buy many types of guns.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Monroe County leaders take to streets for good cause
SUMMARY: Members of Monroe County's law enforcement and Aberdeen city leaders participated in the Special Olympics Mississippi Torch Run, a fundraiser for the Special Olympics. Officers from the Aberdeen Police Department and Monroe County Sheriff's Office, along with the new Mayor of Aberdeen and Police Chief, escorted the torch through town. The torch will be escorted by law enforcement agencies across the state until it reaches Biloxi for the Special Olympics Summer Games. This event is a grassroots effort to support the Special Olympics and promote awareness for the cause. Follow for more updates on Facebook.
The post Monroe County leaders take to streets for good cause appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
Jackson couple claims they’ve been harassed by motorcycle group
SUMMARY: A Jackson couple has been enduring harassment and noise from a motorcycle club for the past year, with the club's loud activities causing distress for the couple. The club, Outcast Motorcycle Club, has defended their actions, stating that they can't help the noise from their motorcycles. The couple, particularly concerned about the health of the wife, has contacted the police multiple times for assistance. Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade has stated that if the club is found to be a nuisance, they may take action to shut it down. The club, with a permit to operate at the location, may have to consider relocating if the situation worsens.
The post Jackson couple claims they've been harassed by motorcycle group appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
PERS bill awaits Mississippi governor’s signature
SUMMARY: Mississippi towns and cities are relieved after lawmakers reached a deal in the final days of the Legislative Session to address the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The bill, awaiting Governor Tate Reeves' signature, removes power from the PERS Board and requires any employer contribution increase to be recommended to the Legislature. The bill also stops an immediate 5% employer contribution increase, instead implementing a gradual half a percentage point increase over five years. Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker, president of the Mississippi Municipal League, sees this as the first step in an ongoing issue, with $110 million allocated to PERS by the Legislature.
The post PERS bill awaits Mississippi governor's signature appeared first on www.wjtv.com
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