Rep. Eric Swalwell's shot across the bow of gun owners last week has attracted return fire from the National Rifle Association. In an opinion piece for USA Today, Swalwell proposed a comprehensive assault weapons ban that ultimately criminalizes possession of the high-powered firearms, in addition, to a federal buyback program estimated to cost roughly $15 … Continue reading NRA takes aim at SWALWELL
15TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTEast Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell wants to reinstitute the ban on assault weapons passed by Congress in 1994, but subsequently allowed to sunset 10 years later and replace it with a comprehensive ban and weapons buyback program.While the previous law also prohibited the sale and production of new semi-automatic assault weapons, it still … Continue reading Swalwell proposes a total ban on assault weapons
Former Oakland mayoral candidate Peter Liudonned an ancient Chinese imperial hat andincluded the photo in the state voter guide.CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR--ELECTION 2018--He is the self-proclaimed "World's Smartest Leader" who said during his run for Oakland mayor four years ago that God chose him to bring world peace, but also vowed to "intellectually bitch slap" the Oakland … Continue reading ‘World’s Smartest Leader’ Peter Liu’s gubernatorial campaign is poised to go viral again
Assemblymember Bill Quirkwasn't in the mood Tuesdayto debate concealed guns.20TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICTRepublican gubernatorial candidate and Assemblymember Travis Allen confidently laid out a case Tuesday for reform of the state's concealed carry permitting rules."Innocent Californians deserve a right to protect themselves and their loved ones," Allen told the Assembly Public Safety Committee.Just 179 concealed carry permits … Continue reading Quirk helps Assembly committee turn away concealed carry weapons bill
Rep. Barbara Lee's communication directorJames Lewis got caught up in a stunt concoctedby right wing provocateur James O'Keefe.CONGRESS | 13TH DISTRICT |Right wing provocateur James O'Keefe caught several Congressional staffers, including East Bay Rep. Barbara Lee's communication director, in a rhetorical bind. Even though their bosses espouse strict gun control stances, would they agree to … Continue reading In right wing gun control stunt, Barbara Lee staffer admits to owning guns
Assemblymember Catharine Baker voted againstan amendment to move four assault weapon billsfor a vote in the near future.ASSEMBLY | 16TH DISTRICT |In the wake of the Orlando tragedy and a full-throated protest by House Democrats this week calling for Republicans to allow a vote on gun-related legislation, there is great pressure from the public for … Continue reading Catharine Baker wanted to head off a vote on four bills to regulate assault weapons
Democrats protesting on the House floor.CONGRESS | Alameda County’s three members of the House of Representatives had starring roles in the historic protest by Democrats on the House floor Wednesday urging for votes on a pair of gun-related bills.Reps. Barbara Lee, Mike Honda and Eric Swalwell all spent the duration of the nearly day-long (still … Continue reading Lee, Honda, Swalwell represent East Bay for House gun control sit-in
Rep. Barbara Lee took the NRA to task Tuesdayfor blocking gun control legislation in Congress.CONGRESS | 13TH DISTRICT | East Bay Rep. Barbara Lee applauded President Barack Obama’s executive order to limit gun violence, but not before blasting the National Rifle Association.“As a member of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, I am committed … Continue reading For elected officials in the East Bay, it never hurts to attack the NRA
Large capacity clips like these would be bannedin Oakland under a proposed ordinance.OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL | The National Rifle Association is urging its members and advocates to voice opposition to a package of gun restrictions being proposed at Tuesday's Oakland City Council Public Safety Committee.The proposed ordinances would make it illegal to carry high-capacity magazines … Continue reading NRA marshaling opposition to Oakland’s proposed gun restrictions
Oakland Councilmember Dan Kalb, above, alongwith Rebecca Kaplan and Annie CampbellWashington are proposing a slate of gun-related laws.OAKLAND CITY COUNCIL | Oakland public officials will offer a slate of gun-related legislation later this month to limit access to high-capacity gun magazines and required gunowners to safely store firearms in their homes. In addition, two proposed ordinances … Continue reading Oakland to hear plans restricting high-capacity clips, theft of guns from cars
Jean Quan poses with a biker club in a photofeatured last week in her email newsletter.OAKLAND | ELECTION16 | The question of whether former Oakland mayor Jean Quan is really serious about running for Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan's at-large seat received more fuel for the fire earlier this month after she disseminated a highly detailed online … Continue reading More fodder suggesting Jean Quan is running for Oakland City Council
LEGISLATURE//GUN CONTROL | Gov. Jerry Brown signed two gun control bills authored by East Bay Assemblymember Nancy Skinner Friday, while vetoing another that would have given Oakland the ability to further strengthen state gun registration and licensing laws.“Large-capacity magazines have no place on our streets," said Skinner in a statement. “California has some of the toughest … Continue reading Skinner’s High-Capacity Gun Clips Ban Signed; Oakland Gun Control Bill Vetoed
LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP | Democrats in the State Legislature have quietly been true to their word. The vaunted super majority has indeed allowed the party to push a far more liberal agenda this session. In addition to a trio of gun control bills with a distinct East Bay influence sitting on the governor’s desk, Democrats have passed important … Continue reading A Host Of East Bay Authored Bills Await The Governor’s Signature
Bonta at a press conference last May on gun violence in Oakland.PHOTO/Steven TavaresLEGISLATURE//GUN CONTROL | A bill giving the Oakland City Council a blank slate to enact stronger gun control measures than the rest of the state heads to the governor’s desk.The legislation authored by Oakland Assemblymember Rob Bonta, passed Friday by the State Senate, … Continue reading Bill Giving Oakland Local Control Over Gun Laws Passes Legislature
A Woman carries a Trayvon Martin sign Monday near 6th Street and Broadway in Oakland.PHOTO/Steven TavaresASSEMBLY 18//OAKLAND | After three days of peaceful protest in the streets of Oakland following the not guilty verdict in the killing of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, which was marred by instances of violence and private property damage, Oakland Assemblyman Rob Bonta … Continue reading Bonta Asks Oakland To Refocus Anger Over Zimmerman Verdict
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