Jackson's Coalition To Challenge Gun Laws In Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson says his Rainbow PUSH Coalition will organize to change gun laws in Oklahoma, where a shooting spree recently terrorized residents in a predominantly black section of Tulsa.

Jackson and members of the Oklahoma Legislative Black Caucus met Wednesday at the state Capitol and talked to reporters about concerns over the case and other recent violence. The civil rights activist called the Tulsa incident a "terrorist attack" that sent "traumatizing waves of fear across Tulsa and the state."

"We cannot allow the terrorists to steal our dreams," Jackson said.

Three people were killed and two wounded in the Easter weekend shootings on Tulsa's north side. Jake England, 19, and his roommate, Alvin Watts, 33, face charges of first-degree murder, shooting with intent to kill and malicious harassment. The harassment counts allege the victims were targeted because of their race.

Police have said England and Watts appeared to have chosen five random victims, and that one motive might have been England's desire to avenge his father's fatal shooting by a black man two years ago. Defense attorney Clark Brewster, an attorney who has agreed to represent England, has said it's "a misplaced premise that he was motivated by any racial hate."

Sen. Constance Johnson, D-Oklahoma City, said other cases also deserve attention, including the fatal shooting of an 18-year-old by a Del City police officer last month. Police have said Dane Garrett Scott Jr. was shot after a car chase and struggle with the officer. Democratic state Rep. Mike Shelton, also of Oklahoma City, has called for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to take the lead in the probe to ensure impartiality. An autopsy report said Scott was shot in the back.

Jackson's Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition is supporting a ban on assault weapons, while challenging both legislation that would allow open carry of guns in Oklahoma and a current law that lets residents in that state use deadly force when necessary to protect themselves against death or great bodily harm. The February shooting death of unarmed teenager Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watch volunteer in Florida has brought scrutiny to so-called stand your ground laws.

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Comments

[cloefke]

09:30 PM on 04/29/2012

I know that news-wise, this is an old story, but I'm going to stand up and say that when it comes to the laws that are established and voted on by the people of the State of Oklahoma, "outsiders", regardless of who you are, need to keep your stinking selves OUT of the state, our business, and our lives. If you want to come here and take up residence, then you may have a voice. Otherwise, go find yourself a life!

[Toxic Republican]

12:32 AM on 04/27/2012

I would suggest to all White and or Hispanic Americans, keep your Gun's, 'cause Al and Jesse seem to have started a race war. lol

[Joel Holloman]

08:30 PM on 04/22/2012

I'm so tired of this self elected leaders (jesse Al) trying to speak for me.. I like having my guns and won't give up that right to make a few happy.
Jesse and Al neither of you represent me. I vote for those people i think will do the things i want. I am for open carry and concealed carry. I live in California and we have the most restrictive gun laws yet tied for the highest crime rates. I wish people would stop voting for these idiotic democrats and start electing people who believe in the 2nd amendment.
I am proud to be anblack american and embarrassed of those who act un-american...

[Pete Gerasia]

01:37 AM on 04/26/2012

I'd sake your hand, but I'm replying from the toilet.

[Pete Gerasia]

01:37 AM on 04/26/2012

Shake*

[PistolaBandera]

12:34 PM on 04/22/2012

As a violence policy advocate, it’s important to note that none of what I write is personal conjecture but instead comes from the study of statistics, polls, and opinion found through research of web sites on the Internet. It’s come to my attention that gun owners belong to the NRA and are Tea Party Insurrectionists Extremist Gunophile Fetishists. It’s also notable that they will often give up their families, careers, and even their life to have “Wild West” type shootouts over minor disputes such as parking spots or to compensate for some other shortcoming. Again, this is not personal conjecture but consensus among the public as verified in the Comments sections of several web sites. That’s not to say that they don’t favor common sense civilian disarmament polices such as the prohibition of AK-47 Assault Weapons since they can now safely be considered Weapons of Mass Destruction, and have no civilian use, or the reasonable ban of Glock brand machine pistols since they have no militia use and therefore, are not protected by the Second Amendment. This information comes from recent polling and a quick search will show that to you. Of course we shouldn’t overlook high power, armor penetrating , 9mm ammunition as well. I would like to join my peers and urge legislators at every level to Dis the Deadly Myths and Reclaim the Constitution, by proposing sensible and reasonable policies that register and eventually disarm the public though no one is talking about handgun bans.

[OntheBorder]

07:02 AM on 04/21/2012

The Rev. Jesse must have found a new girl friend in OK.

This man is fraud and the worst thing to ever happen to the Black community. Jesse's entire contribution to blacks can be summed up.

Keep em poor, in the ghetto, uneducated and voting democrat.

[wkingsolomon77]

04:43 PM on 04/21/2012

Jesse is a blessed man .How i wish he wass the president

[Dee Gradee]

08:00 PM on 04/20/2012

I 100% support the 'Stand Your Ground' Law. Criminals don't follow rules or laws. It's our only defense. This incident was sick and disgusting but Jackson should focus on getting guns out of black teens & early 20s hands which cause most of the black deaths and shootings.

[Hank1967]

05:35 PM on 04/20/2012

Here comes the CIRCUS, to a town near you soon.

[LouGots]

09:58 AM on 04/20/2012

Look at this:

"Jackson's Chicago-based Rainbow PUSH Coalition is. . . challenging. . .a current law that lets residents in that state use deadly force when necessary to protect themselves against death or great bodily harm."

Do we see what is going on? Jackson and his posse don't want people to be able to defend themselves WHEN NECESSARY TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM DEATH OR GREAT BODILY HARM!!!!!!!

Can you believe it? According to Jackson, if we are being killed by an attacker, we are supposed to just take one for the team.

Honest to God, how do these gun-grabbers think anyone is going take them seriously when they spout insanity like that?

[WeGottaSituation]

05:05 PM on 04/20/2012

Yes they do.
That is why they run their yaps constantly.
What about black guys slaughtering other blacks by the thousands over the years?
Black on black crime and murder is ok in their eyes.
Blacks killings any other race is ok in their eyes.
The people do not want to see the truth!
They want to be led around by their wallet and vote.
Why does anyone ever listen to Al, Jesse, Louis, and Van Jones?
WHY???????

[Llib Noswad]

05:20 PM on 04/20/2012

Fanned & Faved.

[moredownhaul]

10:44 PM on 04/19/2012

Looks like he needs to set his sites on weight watchers or jenny craig

[wkingsolomon77]

04:46 PM on 04/21/2012

Have you noticed you came up with something negative. Then you wonder why you have it hard in life and it feels as if you are taking two steps forward and 45 steps backwards.You speak negativity into your life,becareful of who you speak negative about.Over the next year your money will be short as if you have a hole in your pocket.Karma

[PC Contrarian]

09:19 PM on 04/19/2012

"We don't know the facts yet, but let's assume the conclusion MSNBC is leaping to is accurate: George Zimmerman stalked a small black child and murdered him in cold blood, just because he was black.

If that were true, every black person in America should get a gun and join the National Rifle Association, America's oldest and most august civil rights organization.

Apparently this has occurred to no one because our excellent public education system ensures that no American under the age of 60 has the slightest notion of this country's history.

Gun control laws were originally promulgated by Democrats to keep guns out of the hands of blacks. This allowed the Democratic policy of slavery to proceed with fewer bumps and, after the Civil War, allowed the Democratic Ku Klux Klan to menace and murder black Americans with little resistance.

(Contrary to what illiterates believe, the KKK was an outgrowth of the Democratic Party, with overlapping membership rolls. The Klan was to the Democrats what the American Civil Liberties Union is today: Not every Democrat is an ACLU'er, but every ACLU'er is a Democrat. Same with the Klan.)"

[Hank1967]

05:21 PM on 04/20/2012

Well said, and i like the History lesson as well good job

[Tresco]

04:28 AM on 04/21/2012

Your logic adds up. If some clown dressed up in a sheet is messing with me and wants to put a noose around my neck I would not like it at all. If I had a gun I would think "Hang from a tree like some strange kind of fruit or shoot them? Decisions, decisions....I think I'll put some more holes in this fool's robe with him in it!"

Note to liberals: If you shoot holes in someones robe while they are wearing it they could suffer injury or death. Not to worry though, they will still vote Democrat even if death occurs.

[NCDoc]

08:57 PM on 04/19/2012

Good luck with that JJ! What did FL kick you out, or was Al Sharpton stealing your thunder?

[HisXLNC]

05:21 PM on 04/19/2012

As a Native Oklahoman, I wish Jesse Jackson would keep his Professional Victim Roadshow in his own state where they have much bigger problems.

[akutan]

04:47 PM on 04/19/2012

http://www.firearmsandliberty.com/cramer.racism.html

[BiggpussJr]

03:57 PM on 04/19/2012

I implore all to click on "bg3" and read ALL of his comments. He fans the flame like no other.

[TMS3100]

04:34 AM on 04/21/2012

Tossing out some truth is fanning the flames?

[BiggpussJr]

12:56 PM on 04/22/2012

Some truth is not THE TRUTH.

[luapmi2]

03:47 PM on 04/19/2012

wow Jesse is busy...I guess the caddy he got for his Trayvon "work" wasn't sufficient.....