June 4, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Congressman Waxman Determined To Tackle Exploited Gun Law Loopholes:

At a gun violence forum held Monday at Santa Monica City Hall, Congressman Henry Waxman announced he would introduce the Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2013 to Congress in a bid to address gun safety, mental health, and gun violence research.

Waxman convened the forum in response to the Santa Monica shootings on June 7 where John Zawahri shot and killed five people in the Pico neighborhood, before authorities took his life inside the Santa Monica College library.

“The bill will prohibit the sale of gun kits like those used in the Santa Monica shootings,” said Waxman, a democrat who represents Santa Monica and the Westside in the 33rd District. “It will authorize additional research on serious mental illness, improve access to mental health services for all, and reinforce existing government authorities to carry out public health research on gun violence.”

Waxman, using Zawahri as an example, said there were loopholes in state and federal gun laws that need to be addressed.

“We now know that Mr. Zawahri, who was suffering from mental illness, was denied approval through the background check process when he attempted to purchase a firearm,” Waxman said. “That’s how the system is supposed to work. But what happened next needs to be stopped. It appears that Mr. Zawahri took advantage of a loophole in the law by purchasing a partially completed gun that he was able to put together himself.”

Waxman released a report Monday examining the loophole, adding he was determined to close it.

He said there is a thriving market on the internet for sales of partially completed guns that circumvent federal and state background checks and other gun laws.

“Internet gun stores advertise that no federal firearms license is necessary to purchase these guns,” he said. “Sellers and other gun sites provide step-by-step tutorials on how to turn these partially completed guns into functioning assault weapons. Do-it-yourself gun builders brag that these guns can circumvent federal serial number requirements for firearms. And out-of-state stores sell special ‘California Magazine Repair Parts Kits’ that appear to be weapons that are banned in California, but are disassembled for the sole purpose of avoiding state gun laws.”

Waxman said he would work with leaders from both parties to pass this bill into law.

in News
Related Posts

New Business and Personal Lines Property and Casualty Insurance Paused In California

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

Allstate and State Farm Say Currently Insured Homeowners Will Not Be Affected  After State Farm announced a pause on new...

(Video) Mayor Karen Bass Speaks At The Memorial Day Ceremony At The Los Angeles National Cemetery

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

This was the first ceremony that had been held in person at The National Cemetery since 2019 and before the...

Film Review: The Little Mermaid

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

FILM REVIEWTHE LITTLE MERMAIDRated PG135 MinutesReleased May 26th With today’s technological developments, a live-action The Little Mermaid is not only...

Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Has Appointed A New Superintendent

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

Antonio M. Shelton, Ed.D. Appointment Will Be Effective July 1, 2023 In a late afternoon press release, The Santa Monica-Malibu...

Clerk Charged With Selling Alcohol to Minor

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

The Incident Was Part of a Minor Decoy Operation The Santa Monica Police Department issued a citation to a clerk...

Extra Officers Deployed for Motorcyclists’ Violations

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

Speeding Is the Primary Cause of Motorcycle Crashes The Santa Monica Police Department deployed additional officers on patrol June 1...

Santa Monica Police Department Releases First Quarter Crime Report

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

Decrease in Calls for Service, Increase in Arrests, Shifts in Part I Offenses The Santa Monica Police Department (SMPD) has...

Free Meals for WGA Members During Strike at Bob’s Big Boy and Swingers Diner

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

Comedian and Host Drew Carey Is Paying For Meals For Striking WGA Members By Dolores Quintana As the Writers Guild...

(Video) Recap of The 8th Annual “Mainopoly” Tour of Main Street Restaurants

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

Come along the most recent Mainopoly tour of Main Street to check out its restaurants and shops. @smmirrornews Come tour...

Mystery Surrounds Closure of Michelin Recommended Restaurant Savida in Santa Monica

June 1, 2023

June 1, 2023

Santa Monica’s Beloved Crudo and Seafood Restaurant Abruptly Shuts Down on April 27 By Dolores Quintana After receiving a coveted...

Salvation Army to Distribute 2,000 Donuts at Santa Monica Promenade

May 31, 2023

May 31, 2023

Donuts Will Be Distributed at Various Locations Throughout the City. The Salvation Army Santa Monica will commemorate its 130-year anniversary...

Santa Monica Requests $6M To Expand Memorial Park

May 30, 2023

May 30, 2023

An Expansion Project Would Combine the 10.3-acre Park With an Adjacent 2.9 Acre Property. By Zach Armstrong The city of...

Get Ready For Cinematic Despair: American Cinematheque Presents Bleak Week

May 30, 2023

May 30, 2023

Explore the Darkest Depths of Humanity in a Gripping Showcase of Bleak Cinema Get ready for a captivating week of...

Sexual Assault Suspect in Custody After Stabbing Victim’s Friend

May 30, 2023

May 30, 2023

The Suspect Is Responsible for Another Recent Assault. On Saturday, May 27, 2023, at approximately 7:30 p.m., officers from the...

Mail and Package Thieves Detained by Santa Monica Police

May 30, 2023

May 30, 2023

The Suspect Possessed Counterfeit U.S. Postal Service Arrow Keys. Shortly before midnight on May 20, officers from the Santa Monica...