Nationally, Moms Demand Action has more than 100,000 members, with 90 chapters in 40 states. In Oklahoma, organizers say it is gaining more members every day. “We have been pleasantly surprised by the support we have received,” said Sabine Brown, a founder of the state chapter. “I think a lot of people have been afraid […]
guns
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Slippery definitions
1) Mentally unstable people shouldn’t own firearms. That’s great, but who deems someone “mentally unstable”? Are you mentally unstable if you regularly meet with a psychiatrist, a counselor, your minister or pastor, or a mentor? Maybe you are mentally unstable if you are a member of Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous or any other kind […]
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Lock and load
Credit: Brad Gregg Inhofe’s theory is this: You haven’t been able to buy ammunition for all your guns lately because Uncle Sam is beating you to it. “I don’t know how [Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano] or anyone else can deny this is going on, all you have to do is go to any of […]
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Miracle on 23rd Street: a tax cut
The long-expected agreement on this year’s scheme proposes to drop Oklahoma’s personal income tax rate from 5.25 percent to 5 percent effective Jan. 1, 2015. The net effect will be to provide a family of four earning about $40,000 an additional 50 cents a day in their pockets. This is not even “trickledown” economics, it’s […]
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Dead or alive
Although House leadership this session quashed bills that sought to outlaw texting while driving, proponents of the legislation tried again last week. No go. An amendment that would have limited the ban to school zones, work zones and intersections failed, too. Faring better was a plan to let teachers and other school personnel arm themselves […]
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Gunning for freedom
Credit: Brad Gregg Turns out, the thought of a sweet kindergarten teacher suddenly morphing into Kindergarten Cop isn’t such a realistic prospect after all. The decision comes at the recommendation of the Oklahoma Commission on School Safety, a group of law enforcement officers, mental health officials, teachers, parents and first responders. Their opposition, of course, […]
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Newtown school shooter visited Oklahoma gun range
The New York Times reported today how police in Newtown, Conn., found a cache of ammunition, swords and other weaponry in the home of gunman Adam Lanza. On Dec. 14, 2012, the 20-year-old went on a shooting rampage at Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing 26 people — including 20 children — before turning the gun […]
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Making schools safe
For many years, I’ve been concerned about this issue. I was privileged to work with 22 other Oklahomans appointed to the OCSS to analyze our current school security climate. The panel consisted of professionals from diverse fields such as local education, homeland security, mental health, local law enforcement, parents and operational planning. When tragedies strike, […]
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Whole lotta crazy going on
How about this simple analogy: Republicans, with super majorities in the House and Senate, are like children who suddenly find themselves in a free candy store. They’re gorging. “Will it eventually make them sick?” ask hopeful progressives. Democrats call it a whole lot of crazy going on. “Excuse us,” argue Republicans. “Aren’t we simply fulfilling […]
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Fancy that
Credit: Brad Gregg But McEntire, a proud gun-owner, recently riled up some of her fans when she fielded a question about gun control on a South Carolina radio station. No one, she said, should have the “power” of owning assault weapons. The crooner reiterated her support for the Second Amendment, but added, “I think […]