Models For Mitch McConnell: Dem Govs Show How To Act To Prevent Gun Violence

D.C. may be stymied in the gun violence prevention debate but Democratic governors are leading on this public safety issue in the states. One person stands in the way of delivering progress nationwide on this issue: Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
So we thought we’d give Mitch some models Democratic governors are using to prevent gun violence prevention just in case he becomes interested in doing his job.
For Mitch McConnell, here’s what it looks like to lead on preventing gun violence:
California: Gov. Gavin Newsom is implementing Proposition 63, a package of common sense gun safety measures he spearheaded including keeping guns and ammunition out of the wrong hands and point-of-sale background checks for ammunition.
Colorado: Gov. Jared Polis signed a “red flag” law allowing judges to temporarily remove firearms from people who pose a serious threat to themselves or others.
Connecticut: Gov. Ned Lamont signed “Ethan’s Law,” a bill requiring firearms to be stored properly and safely in households where a child under 18 lives, into law. Lamont also signed legislation banning “ghost guns” and strengthened statutes regarding the safe storage of firearms in motor vehicles.
Delaware: Gov. John Carney signed legislation into law requiring safe storage of firearms allowing charges against gun owners who intentionally or recklessly leave loaded firearms in reach of children, as well as adults who are prohibited due to criminal or mental-health history.
Hawaii: Gov. David Ige signed legislation into law requiring residents to report lost or stolen firearms to police within 24 hours.
Illinois: Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law a bill requiring a state license for gun dealers.
Louisiana: Gov. John Bel Edwards signed a law making it illegal for some domestic abusers to own firearms.
Maine: Gov. Janet Mills signed into law an alternative to the “red flag” law, permitting police to take a person into protective custody if they have a medical professional agree the person poses a danger to themselves or others. That person would then have to surrender any weapons temporarily.
Michigan: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed June 7, 2019 as Gun Violence Awareness Day.
Montana: Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed a bill limiting the restrictions local governments could place on individuals carrying concealed weapons.
New Jersey: Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law several bills combatting gun violence including requiring firearms dealers and gun-range workers to be trained in suicide prevention to encouraging the development of smart guns.
New Mexico: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a new gun safety bill into law expanding background checks in the state for sales occurring online or at gun shows.
New York: Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed into law new gun violence prevention measures including criminalizing firearms undetectable by a metal detector, expanding the law to require firearms remained safely stored when accessible by children.
Nevada: Gov. Steve Sisolak signed a bill into law expanding background checks on gun sales and a bump stock ban.
Oregon: Gov. Kate Brown closed a loophole so that guns remain out of the hands of domestic abusers.
Pennsylvania: Gov. Tom Wolf signed into law a bill implementing stricter gun measures for domestic abusers.
Rhode Island: Gov. Gina Raimondo signed a “red flag” executive order, preventing people from having guns if they are deemed a threat to themselves or others.
Washington: Gov. Jay Inslee signed into law a bill suspending access to firearms for those who have been detained under the state’s Involuntary Treatment Act.
We hope McConnell takes these suggestions to heart. Enough is enough.