Gun

South Dakota Receives ‘F’ in Nationwide Gun Legislation Evaluation, Sparks Debate on Gun Laws and Mental Health Support

by

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — South Dakota has received a failing grade in a recent evaluation of its gun legislation conducted by the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. The organization, which focuses on promoting gun safety, cited the state’s “weak laws” as the primary reason for this low rating. Despite the criticism, local responses vary. Kevin Jensen, a Republican senator-elect from Canton, expressed skepticism about the grading system used, labeling the Giffords Law Center as a “liberal, anti-gun organization.” Julie Parker, the South Dakota Chapter Leader for Moms Demand Action, highlighted the effectiveness of … Read more

Arizona Receives ‘F’ Rating for Gun Safety Laws, Highlighting Correlation with High Gun Death Rates

by

Phoenix, Arizona — Arizona is frequently criticized for its lax firearm regulations, which, according to Lindsay Nichols, the policy director at Giffords Law Center, rank among the weakest in the United States. The center recently assigned Arizona a failing grade on its annual Gun Law Scorecard, underscoring the state’s minimal legislative control over firearms. For more than a decade, the Giffords Law Center has been evaluating the effectiveness of gun laws across the U.S., constantly updating their scores as states amend or enact new legislation. This year, Arizona, along with 20 other states, received an … Read more

Florida Advocates Rally for Overhaul of Gun Regulations Established After Parkland Tragedy

by

Tallahassee, Florida — A new legislative effort is underway in Florida to repeal several gun restrictions that were enacted following the deadly shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in 2018. The controversial move, spearheaded by Republican lawmakers, aims to rescind provisions that were implemented as part of a broader safety effort to prevent future mass shootings. At the heart of the proposed legislative rollback is the removal of the requirement that gun buyers be at least 21 years old. This regulation, among others, was instituted after the tragedy in Parkland, where a … Read more

Missouri Lawmakers Tackle Surge in Youth Gun Violence Amid Economic Concerns

by

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Concerns are mounting among Missouri business groups that rising violent crime rates in the state’s urban areas may be stifling potential economic and tourism growth. As Missouri gears up for its legislative session, set to commence on January 8, 2025, nearly 50 firearm-related bills have been pre-filed, signaling a significant focus on gun control and crime prevention. Among the voices advocating for stricter gun laws is Rep. David Tyson Smith, a Democrat from Columbia. Smith is advocating for legislation that would prohibit the sale of automatic weapons to individuals under 21 … Read more