Gun Control Timeline: 7 Big Events In The Federal Gun Control Debate

The deadly shooting at Rep. Gabrielle Giffords's political event in Tucson, Ariz. on Saturday is re-energizing gun control advocates. But Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said he fears there will be little legislative response from Congress.

Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.), whose husband was killed and son was injured in a 1993 shooting on the Long Island Rail Road, took on the challenge on Sunday, promising to introduce gun control legislation as soon as Monday.

"My staff is working on looking at the different legislation fixes that we might be able to do and we might be able to introduce as early as tomorrow," McCarthy told Politico.

For Helmke, such Congressional initiative is refreshing. Usually "politicians turn a blind eye to this," said Helmke of gun control issues. "They'll talk about violent video games, or they'll talk about rhetoric -- they'll talk about anything except guns. My main hope with this shooting is that maybe now we'll finally start to talk about the intolerable level of gun violence in this country."

In an interview with The Huffington Post on Sunday, Helmke said he first met Giffords when she was elected to Congress in 2006. Giffords is a strong supporter of gun-ownership rights under the Second Amendment, and Helmke said he'd had the opportunity to discuss the issue with her. "She considered herself pro-Second Amendment, but she realized that not everyone should be able to have any kind of gun and be able to take it anywhere," said Helmke.

In 2008, when Arizona Democrats were divided over the landmark D.C. gun ban case District of Columbia v. Heller, Giffords, who reportedly owned a Glock handgun at the time, called gun ownership a constitutional right and an "Arizona tradition," spokesman C.J. Karamargin said at the time.

"She sees both sides of the gun issue and tries to find a common sense approach to things," Helmke added. "Having known her -- it hurts."

The Brady Campaign, the nation's largest gun-control organization, is named after President Ronald Reagan's press secretary, Jim Brady, who was shot in the head while serving Reagan nearly 30 years ago. The resulting legislation passed by Congress in 1993, The Brady Handgun Violence Act, required federally licensed dealers to complete comprehensive background checks on individuals before selling them a gun.

"When people realize how few laws there are and how easy it is to get guns, it shocks them," said Helmke. "At the federal level there are basically only three sets of laws that deal with guns."

Helmke cited the The National Firearms Act of 1934, which restricted access to machine guns, as well as The Gun Control Act of 1968, passed after Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King were shot, which bans gun ownership by anyone who "has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to any mental institution." He also cited the Brady Bill of 1993.

While Helmke remains hopeful that Saturday's tragedy will help rally support for stronger gun control legislation, some members of Congress don't think that will happen.

In an interview on Fox News on Sunday, Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) told anchor Bret Baier they think guns laws are unlikely to be reformed based on this incident:

BAIER: Senator Coons, do you think this incident will reignite efforts by gun control advocates to push for revision in gun laws?

COONS: I do think we need to responsibly enforce the existing gun laws that place barriers for those who are mentally unstable to gun ownership or gun use. I think, frankly, that we need to move forward toward the biggest challenges in front of us, making sure we get Americans back to work, tackling our deficit and our debt, dealing with the conflict in Afghanistan.

There are big challenges right in front of us, and frankly think that's what Congress needs to be focused on.

BAIER: Senator Paul, Arizona is one of three states where you can carry a concealed weapon without a permit. Alaska and Vermont are the other two. Is that at all in jeopardy, do you think?

PAUL: No, I don't think so. Interestingly, Representative Giffords was a defender of the Second Amendment and is a defender of the Second Amendment. So no, I don't think that plays into this at all. Really, I think they are unrelated.

It's probably about a very sick individual and what should have been done for that person. But the weapons don't kill people. It's the individual that killed these people.

Nearly 100,000 people are shot in the U.S. every year, according to the Brady Campaign website.

HuffPost has compiled a slideshow highlighting seven of the most significant events in the federal gun control debate -- which event do you think had the greatest impact?

Loading Slideshow

• 1981: The Attempted Assassination Of President Ronald Reagan

  on March 30, 1981, President Reagan and three others were shot and wounded in an assassination attempt by John Hinckley, Jr. outside the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. Reagan's press secretary, Jim Brady, was shot in the head.

• 1993: The Brady Handgun Violence Act

  The Brady Handgun Violence Act of 1993, signed into law by President Bill Clinton, mandated that federally licensed dealers complete comprehensive background checks on individuals before selling them a gun. The legislation was named for James Brady, who was shot during an attempted assassination of President Ronald Reagan in 1981.

• 1994: The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act

  The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1994, instituted a ban on 19 kinds of assault weapons, including Uzis and AK-47s. The crime bill also banned the possession of magazines holding more than ten rounds of ammunition. (An exemption was made for weapons and magazines manufactured prior to the ban.)

• 2004: Law Banning Magazines Holding More Than Ten Rounds Of Ammunition Expires

  In 2004, ten years after it first became law, Congress allowed a provision banning possession of magazines holding more than ten rounds of ammunition to expire through a sunset provision. Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke told HuffPost that the expiration of this provision meant that Rep. Gabby Giffords's alleged shooter was able to fire off 20-plus shots without reloading (under the former law he would have had only ten).

• 2007: The U.S. Court of Appeals For The District Of Columbia Rules In Favor Of Dick Heller

  In 2007 The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled to allow Dick Heller, a licensed District police officer, to keep a handgun in his home in Washington, D.C. Following that ruling, the defendants petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to hear the case.

• 2008: The NICS Improvement Amendments Act

  Following the deadly shooting at Virginia Tech University, Congress passed legislation to require states provide data on mentally unsound individuals to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, with the aim of halting gun purchases by the mentally ill, and others prohibited from possessing firearms. The bill was signed into law by President George W. Bush in January of 2008.

• 2008: Supreme Court Strikes Down D.C. Handgun Ban As Unconstitutional

  In June of 2008, the United States Supreme Court upheld the verdict of a lower court ruling the D.C. handgun ban unconstitutional in the landmark case <em>District of Columbia v. Heller</em>.

• Gabrielle Giffords And Trayvon Martin Shootings

  Gun control advocates had high hopes that reform efforts would have increased momentum in the wake of two tragic events that rocked the nation. In January of 2011, Jared Loughner opened fire at an event held by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), killing six and injuring 13, including the congresswoman. Resulting attempts to push gun control legislation <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/09/trayvon-martin-shooting-gun-debate_n_1413115.html" target="_hplink">proved fruitless</a>, with neither proposal even succeeding in gaining a single GOP co-sponsor. More than a year after that shooting, Florida teenager Trayvon Martin was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/trayvon-martin" target="_hplink">gunned down</a> by George Zimmerman in an event that some believed would bring increased scrutiny on the nation's Stand Your Ground laws. While there has been increasing discussion over the nature of those statutes, lawmakers were <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/09/trayvon-martin-shooting-gun-debate_n_1413115.html" target="_hplink">quick to concede</a> that they had little faith the event would effectively spur gun control legislation, thanks largely to the National Rifle Association's vast lobbying power. Read more <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/09/trayvon-martin-shooting-gun-debate_n_1413115.html" target="_hplink">here</a>:

• Colorado Movie Theater Shooting

  In July of 2012, a heavily armed gunman <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/20/aurora-shooting-movie-theater-batman_n_1688547.html" target="_hplink">opened fire on theatergoers</a> attending a midnight premiere of the final film of the latest Batman trilogy, killing 12 and wounding scores more. The suspect, James Eagan Holmes, allegedly carried out the act with a number of handguns, as well as an AR-15 assault rifle with a 100-round drum magazine. Some lawmakers used the incident, which took place in a state with some of the laxest gun control laws, to bring forth legislation designed to place increased regulations on access to such weapons, but many observers, citing previous experience, were <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/20/batman-shooting_n_1690547.html" target="_hplink">hesitant to say</a> that they would be able to overcome the power of the National Rifle Association and Washington gun lobby.

Comments

[JStading]

01:08 PM on 02/07/2011

"The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act....The crime bill also banned the possession of magazines holding more than ten rounds of ammunition."

Except that it didn't.  It "barred the manufacture of 19 specific semi-automatic firearms arbitrarily deemed to be "assault weapons" as well as any semi-automatic rifle, pistol, or shotgun that is capable of accepting a detachable magazine, and which has two or more of the following features: A telescoping or folding stock, a pistol grip, a flash suppressor, a grenade launcher, and a bayonet lug.
This law also banned possession of newly-manufactured magazines holding more than ten rounds of ammunition."

It grandfathered in all "high capacity magazines"  that were produced before the ban went into effect, which is why companies went insane and went to 24/7 production of high capacity magazines to warehouse them before the ban went into effect.

"this provision meant that Rep. Gabby Giffords's alleged shooter was able to fire off 20-plus shots without reloading (under the former law he would have had only ten)."

Unless he bought a used magazine, which would have meant the ban did nothing.

[LouGots]

09:33 AM on 02/07/2011

Let us try to zero in* on why this issue is so intractable.

Because the criminal's demand for a gun of any kind is so inelastic, criminals will do whatever it takes to arm themselves. Whatever gun law we write, criminals will get around it. If you "ban" their "weapon of choice," criminals will simply choose another.

The only "hope" for "change" would be complete civilian disarmament--somehow making those 250 to 300 million guns go away. But before that could be done, the gun culture would have to whittled down a little at a time. A cultural and economic transformation must preceed the political and legal transformation.

Now here's the Catch 22: those "reasonable" "first steps" such as registrations, delays, tests, fees, costs--all those measures aimed* at discouraging or peeling away the layers of the gun culture, would not themselves solve the problem of criminal misuse of guns. Criminals ignore the law--that's what they do.

Because the "first steps" don't immediately solve the problem, the gun culture can always fight them with that "Only outlaws will have guns," argument.. Since the "first steps" are never taken, the later steps, which in anti-gun theory, at least, would make a difference, are not even attempted.

There we have it. The history of the victory of the RKBA movement in fewer that 220 words.
_________________________________________________
*Gunspeak--it's everywhere!

[hagagaga]

08:40 AM on 01/14/2011

The War on Drugs and the War on Guns are unnecessary mass punishments of incredibly large groups just because some members of the groups are dangerous people (more for drugs than guns).

[Independent66]

10:45 AM on 01/13/2011

We need to get back to jobs and budget problems. Everyday we don't focus on the real issues we face, adds to the difficulty because we are borrowing $5.6B every working day! We will probably add 1-1.5m private sector jobs this year, but this only absorbs the new entrants! States and cities will shed lots of jobs to balance their budgets. Politicians need to FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS.

[AndyWright68]

06:28 AM on 01/12/2011

Controlling guns in this country is as ridiculous as controlling drugs. They can't keep drugs out of 100% controlled environments like their prisons or jails. Does anyone really think gun laws will do anything but keep law-abiding people from getting guns when they need them for self-defense? When seconds count the cops are minutes away. When you outlaw guns then only outlaws will have guns. If your daughter, sister, mother is facing a rapist would you rather them have a cellphone or a gun?

[stape45]

12:22 PM on 01/11/2011

As only a politician could.

[Vr6]

10:14 AM on 01/11/2011

What is the right to bare arms really about? Peculiar paradigm we find ourselves dealing with - now were fighting for definition! It's strange how with all the other rights being relinquished, because of others violent actions, that there is so much defense over the right to have weapons in such an unregulated manner - odd really.

[Eli Dirkx]

08:58 AM on 01/11/2011

Well, I don't think anybody would mind a mental stability/responsibility test before being able to buy a gun.
Some people should know what they're carrying in their hands.

[Robert 999]

08:18 AM on 01/11/2011

Allowing people to legally carry loaded firearms to a political rally, or gathering in Az. has proven to be a disaster. Wake up Az. is it worth that you, or your child that could be the next victim by not demanding the repeal of this disastrous law.

[yougg]

08:02 AM on 01/11/2011

There is plenty of failure to go around.I would like to see hand guns highly regulated. Hand guns are for killing other people. The clips of 30 rounds-rediculious. If somebody want to buy a hand gun they should have to go through rigorus screening-that they pay for.This young man appears highly disturbed. Failure of mental health. Both the Right and Left sides have done their part with the vitrolic language. But have to say the Right holds the definate edge.

[kaveman3]

12:24 PM on 02/06/2011

"If somebody want to comment on a blog they should have to go through rigorus screening-­that they pay for."

There, I fixed it for ya.

[LouGots]

09:42 AM on 02/07/2011

RE: "clips of 30 rounds"

This is a perfect illustration of gun-grabber chicanery. The post-Tucson McCarthy bill would ban magazines over 10-round capacity. Not thirty, ten. It sounds "reasonable" to get rid of extended mags which most shooters don''t want and wouldn't use, but the truth is they are coming after probably half of the defensive handguns made in the last decade..

Tricks, deceptions, distortion--the gun-grabbers' stock in trade. (Vitriolic enough for you?)

[Clevelandinwi]

07:36 AM on 01/11/2011

Guns aren't really the problem, anyway. Allowing them into the hands of the mentally deficient is. Our education system promotes these people by failing to serve them and acknowledge their existence so guns can be kept out of their hands. The BigFive on scotus and the legislatures of states like AZ have made this all increasingly difficult.

[farmallboy]

05:49 AM on 01/11/2011

Just one more example of our Darwinian/free enterprise society. The arms industry, tobacco, and banking have proven themselves to be destroyers of lives, untrustworthy, incorrigible, and........highly protected by lobbyists and politicians. Some day one can only hope that Americans will become more enlightened about the rights of society and less preoccupied with just themselves.

[VictoriaP]

03:43 AM on 01/11/2011

so help me out here, the crazies on the right believe if gun rights under all circumstances, constantly regurgitate that "guns don't kill people, people do" and always deny the connection between a lack of gun control in our country and deaths due to gun violence....but they want protection from the very people that we have been screaming to be protected from with gun laws. to boot, we have to pay for it. he//, we don't even have police to protect us from these crazies cause they have all been laid off by broke police departments....but, we will protect the politicos at all costs??

[googabeens]

06:19 AM on 01/11/2011

"Crazies"? I thought it was time to tone down the rhetoric... will we ever learn?

[brt929]

07:18 AM on 01/11/2011

When the NRA tones it down, maybe the rhetoric will be toned down.  Right now, you can't even get them to agree that background checks are necessary or to close the gun show loophole.
 
Every single one of these shootings; from the Virginia Tech to this newest one, can be laid at their doorstep. 

[Clevelandinwi]

07:33 AM on 01/11/2011

'crazies' is 'rhetoric'?

[rougebaisers]

07:45 AM on 01/11/2011

Fear and greed. Politicians fear of losing a vote to a gun lover that bow to the whims of the greedy who push these weapons of destruction for profit.

[Sean777]

02:27 AM on 01/11/2011

The problem is not gun control the problem is the proliferation of hate groups and their agglomeration in Arizona.

Jared Lee Loughner is a lone wolf of Tom Metzger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKpzwDUafRY&feature=related
Arizona Hate groups
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVlMH8b7pYY&feature=related
Russell Pearce & J.T Ready
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsHi6_l1XzA
Hate speech code language
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtGqtH9dSio&feature=related
The Tanton network
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvBwuAtetl4
NSM Arizona
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVikqcV0GF4&feature=related
The meaning of 88 in the NSM website
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mf2njPRdxsM&feature=related

[richj45]

06:01 AM on 01/11/2011

Impossible to limit hate and greed, very possible to eliminate sale of glock type firearms. We can act like republicans and do nothing or be proactive and outlaw personal ownership of handguns with that firepower..

[dvkrlsn]

01:46 PM on 01/16/2011

banning Glocks would fail the court challenge

[kaveman3]

12:30 PM on 02/06/2011

" or be proactive and outlaw personal ownership of handguns with that firepower.­. "

Heller was back in 2008, you should try to keep up.

[brt929]

07:21 AM on 01/11/2011

You mean that the fact that Arizona has some of the most permissive use of guns in this country has nothing to do with it?  That defies credulity.

[shrinktalkingheads]

02:07 AM on 01/11/2011

It seems like a background check at gun shows would make sense, no?
Jon Kyl voted NO on background checks at gun shows.
John McCain voted NO on background checks at gun shows.
Mitch McConnell Voted NO on background checks at gun shows.
Jeff Sessions: Voted NO on background checks at gun shows.
Richard Shelby: Voted NO on background checks at gun shows.
James Inhofe: Voted NO on background checks at gun shows.
Kay Bailey Hutchison: Voted NO on background checks at gun shows.
Orin Hatch: Voted NO on background checks at gun shows.
Michael Crapo: Voted NO on background checks at gun shows.

[gparks]

05:03 AM on 01/11/2011

Nuf said!

Fanned-291- and Faved-2-

[johnrf]

08:51 AM on 01/11/2011

And our representatives allowed the automatic weapons ban to expire and most politicians were afraid to buck the NRA. Maybe now?

[kaveman3]

12:34 PM on 02/06/2011

"And our representa­tives allowed the automatic weapons ban to expire"

The 1994 "assualt weapon" ban had absolutely NOTHING to do with automatic weapons.

Please educate yourself.