Local Democrats Lobby For Gun Control

By unanimous vote, the Democratic Club of Southwest Riverside County on Monday passed a resolution urging the President of the United States, the Governor of California and State and Federal legislators to enact a ban on firearms capable of firing ammunition from high-capacity magazines as well as on high-capacity magazines.

The resolution also encouraged universal background checks for all gun sales along with a mandated waiting period before a buyer may take possession of a gun, and that all gun sales should be recorded in a national firearms registry.

The club also urged that law enforcement agencies be adequately funded to effectively curtail illegal gun trafficking and “straw purchasing,” including at gun shows and through the Internet; and finally that universal safety standards be enacted.

“It is our intent to make our voice heard on matters of concern to our membership and to the community at large,” said Suji Fox, president of the club. “This is just the latest manifestation of that concern.”

In the past, the club passed a resolution opposing any reduction in Social Security Benefits, and another endorsing Single Payer National Health Insurance.

The Resolution will next be presented for approval by the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee, and then forwarded for action to the California

The complete text of the Resolution follows:

A RESOLUTION BY MEMBERS OF THE DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY STATING OUR PROFOUND SUPPORT FOR ACTIONS AIMED AT REDUCING GUN VIOLENCE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Whereas gun violence in the United States of America—whether the regular occurrences in disadvantaged areas or random killing sprees—cuts short promising lives, brings heartache to families, neighborhoods and the nation as a whole, and lessens the safety and security of individuals in their daily lives; and

Whereas the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, as interpreted by the Courts, grants U. S. citizens the right to bear arms; and given that Americans, most of whom are law-abiding citizens, now own approximately 300,000,000 guns—the highest number per capita in the world—making chances of gun-related accidents, crime and suicide 40 times more likely to occur in homes with firearms than in homes without them, (CDC estimates); and

Whereas former Presidents Ford, Carter, Reagan, Clinton and President Obama have endorsed legislation to ban further manufacture, sale and possession of military-style assault weapons; a majority of Americans favor restrictions on the manufacture and sale of automatic firearms plus limitations on the number of rounds in a single magazine; and 92% of Americans, including 74% of National Rifle Association members, currently support background checks to purchase a gun;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that there be a ban on firearms capable of firing ammunition from high-capacity magazines; that there be a ban on high-capacity magazines; that there be universal background checks for all gun sales along with a mandated waiting period before a buyer may take possession of a gun; that all gun sales be recorded in a national firearms registry; that law enforcement agencies be adequately funded to effectively curtail illegal gun trafficking and “straw purchasing,” including at gun shows and through the Internet; and that universal safety standards be enacted; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Democratic Club of Southwest Riverside County requests and encourages the President of the United States, the Governor of California and State and Federal legislators to enact and/or enforce these measures.

Democratic Club of Southwest Riverside County monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Casa Jimenez 40535 California Oaks Road Murrieta, CA 92562. For more information, visit www.democratswriverside.com.