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1993-03-02
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Part 2 of 2 parts
it will be called for a vote.
Similar legislation is pending in Texas, Arkansas and Wyoming,
according to the NRA. Another hot issue is whether adult owners
should be punished if children gain access to their weapons.
Florida adopted such a law after a special legislation session in
1989 and 10 states have since followed with versions of their own.
Similar measures were introduced in at least 10 more legislatures
this year, including a Georgia version defeated Monday. Utah and
Colorado are among other states that have defeated such proposals
this year.
"We think education is the answer and not criminalization and
punishment," NRA lobbyist Jeff Rabon said of the organization's
opposition to punishing parents for failing to keep guns out of the
reach of children.
The debates often illustrate the differing views on gun control
across regional lines and the often bitter split over whether gun
control has any effect on reducing violent crime.
In much of the South, Southwest and West, it is considered taboo
to even discuss gun control. In more liberal states, however,
restrictions have been approved with far less controversy.
Minnesota, for example, endorsed a waiting period for handgun
purchases more than a decade ago. Hawaii last year banned sales and
possession of semiautomatic pistols.
In other examples of state gun control activity: --Connecticut
Gov. Lowell P. Weicker proposed giving the state's 169
municipalities the power to prohibit gun possession. Prospects
are unclear.
--Arizona Gov. Fife Symington and the state NRA chapter are
pushing a measure requiring minors to have written permission from
parents or guardians to carry guns, but with broad exceptions.
Cities won a court case against the NRA to impose their own
restrictions, and oppose the statewide measure because of its
exceptions.
--Indiana and Arkansas measures prohibiting local governments
from regulating guns have each cleared one chamber of the
legislature.
--New Mexico's legislature is considering a seven-day waiting
period for handgun purchases. But its prospects are unclear with
just three weeks left in the session.
--A Kansas House committee has proposed a 72-hour waiting period
on handgun purchases. But enactment appears doubtful.
--In Idaho, the NRA and state education groups are cooperating on
a measure making it a misdemeanor to carry a concealed weapon at
school or on a school bus.
--Among several gun-control bills killed in Colorado was
legislation similar to New Jersey's ban on semiautomatic weapons.
Maryland's governor has proposed a ban semiautomatic pistols, but
the bill is stalled.
--The Ohio cities of Dayton and Dublin, as well as Madison, Wis.,
are among communities considering bans on semiautomatic weapons. The
NRA won a Colorado court case Friday challenging Denver's ban on
semiautomatics.