Feinstein unveils sweeping gun-control agenda

Democrat legislation includes ban on scores of firearms, database of owners

Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., plans to introduce sweeping gun-control legislation at the beginning of the congressional session in January.


“It [the bill] will ban the sale, the transfer, the transportation and the possession” of certain weapons, the California senator said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “Not retroactively, but prospectively. And it will ban the same for big clips, drums or strips of more than 10 bullets.”


The senator describes the proposal as a version of the assault-weapons ban that expired in 2004.
Feinstein’s legislation ban scores of firearms, including military-style “assault” weapons and high-capacity ammunition feeding devices. It also calls for the creation of a federal register that would require millions of gun owners to be fingerprinted and photographed.


The following is a summary of the legislation posted on Feinstein’s official senatorial website:
Bans the sale, transfer, importation, or manufacturing of:

• 120 specifically-named firearms
• Certain other semiautomatic rifles, handguns, shotguns that can accept a detachable magazine and have one military characteristic
• Semiautomatic rifles and handguns with a fixed magazine that can accept more than 10 rounds

Strengthens the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban and various state bans by:

• Moving from a 2-characteristic test to a 1-characteristic test
• Eliminating the easy-to-remove bayonet mounts and flash suppressors from the characteristics test
• Banning firearms with “thumbhole stocks” and “bullet buttons” to address attempts to “work around” prior bans

Bans large-capacity ammunition feeding devices capable of accepting more than 10 rounds.
Protects legitimate hunters and the rights of existing gun owners by:

• Grandfathering weapons legally possessed on the date of enactment
• Exempting over 900 specifically-named weapons used for hunting or sporting purposes and
• Exempting antique, manually-operated, and permanently disabled weapons

Requires that grandfathered weapons be registered under the National Firearms Act, to include:

• Background check of owner and any transferee;
• Type and serial number of the firearm;
• Positive identification, including photograph and fingerprint;
• Certification from local law enforcement of identity and that possession would not violate State or local law; and dedicated funding for ATF to implement registration

A pdf of the bill summary is available here.

Anti-Gun Politician Charged With Gun Possession

State Senator Donne Trotter, 62, was in court this past Thursday after he was charged with trying to bring a handgun onto an aircraft, prosecutors said.

Trotter arrested Wednesday at O'Hare International Airport, where security discovered the gun in Trotter's carry-on bag.

His excuse to the police about the gun that was confiscated was the one he uses for his job as a security guard.

Trotter has a valid firearms owner identification card and a permit with the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations to work as a security guard.

Trotter, a Democrat who has served in the Illinois State legislature since 1988, spent Wednesday night in police lockup.

Police reports state that Trotter went through security at O'Hare Airport around 7 Wednesday morning when a Transportation Security Administration agent spotted a .25 caliber Beretta in his garment bag via x-ray.

Trotter stated to authorities that he worked late Tuesday night at his security job as at All Points Security, packed his bag early this morning but didn't realize the gun was in his bag.

Trotter had previously announced he would seek the Congressional seat left open when Jesse Jackson Junior resigned-- making him one of more than half a dozen contenders for the seat.

Only days ago, Democratic party insiders said that Senator Trotter was the odds-on favorite to win the party's endorsement to be the replacement for Jesse Jackson Jr. Now that Trotter faces a felony weapons charge, that has clouded his political future Congressman Adam Kinzinger, who used to represent part of the district, said it will probably make a difference in Trotter's chances in the race.

"As far as political, the people of the district and the party leaders have to make a decision to put a person with this kind of baggage in the answer in the Second District," Kinzinger said.

One political analyst says while this arrest might not derail his campaign, it doesn't help in a district that has already seen more than its share of controversial candidates.

"One doesn't understand how one can go on a plane this day and age," the Director of the Institute for Politics at Roosevelt University Paul Green said. "It will be used as an argument against him. It's something he did but not a knock out."