Podcast: As Gun Violence Rocks US, March for Our Lives Calls for Action

podcast a view from the left side

Season 2, Episode 9 of a View from the Left Side focuses on our country’s epidemic of gun violence. 

My opening commentary, recorded on June 1, 2022, refers to the mass shootings at a Buffalo, New York grocery store and at the Uvalde, Texas elementary school. Unfortunately, there have been more since then, most notably the Highland Park, Illinois Fourth of July Parade mass shooting. There have been more than 300 mass shootings in the US in 2022, according to the Washington Post. (Mass shootings are defined as events in which four or more people — besides the shooter — are killed or injured.) Mass shootings are averaging one per day in 2022, and there have been no weeks in 2022 without a mass shooting, according to the Post. This is not a well-regulated militia. This is a country with more privately owned weapons than people. 

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March for Our Lives Calls Out Lawmakers at Press Conference (video)

March for Our Lives

On June 1, 2022, March for Our Lives Phoenix hosted a press conference calling for Governor Doug Ducey and the Arizona Legislature to take action on common sense gun violence prevention legislation.

Jacob Martinez, March for Our Lives Phoenix organizer, gave opening remarks and introduced Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman, Democratic House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, and Senate Minority Leader Rebecca Rios.

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When Will the US Take Meaningful Steps to End Gun Violence (video)

Rep. Pam Powers Hannley

In May 2022, within 10 days of each other, there were two mass murders in the US.

On May 14, 10 black people were gunned down and three others injured in a neighborhood grocery store in Buffalo, New York.

On May 24, 2022, 19 children and two teachers were murdered and 17 wounded inside an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

When will the United States take meaningful steps to curb gun violence in this country?

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More Guns in Schools & on Campuses Won’t Make Us Safer (video)

Rep. Pam Powers Hannley on guns in schools

Arizona House Republicans have at least five bills that will make it easier for people under 21 to possess firearms: HB2414, HB2448, HB2489, HB2447, and HB2610. Four of these bills expand the presence of weapons in K-12 schools or college campuses. More weapons in educational institutions will create more fear among the students and instructors. We want our children and grandchildren to learn in a safe environment. These militaristic bills create the opposite scenario. More guns in schools won’t make anyone safer.

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Podcast: Rep. PPH Capitol Updates: Marijuana Regulations to Cheaper Guns & More

Season 2, Episode 3 of A View from the Left Side is a compilation of Legislative Updates from Arizona House member Rep. Pam Powers Hannley. There is a broad range of topics from sales tax exemption for guns and ammunition to regulation of marijuana, progress in maternal and child health, anti-abortion rhetoric, and specialty license plates. The original video updates were recorded between January 24 and February 3, 2022.

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Does Arizona Really Need Cheaper Guns? (video)

guns

Two of the gun bills winding their way through the Legislature are HB2166 (sales tax exemption for all weapons and related paraphelalia) and SB1123 (guns on campus). I’m suggesting a big NO to both of these on Request to Speak.

HB2166 picks winners and losers. Why should the state of Arizona exempt all weapons and related gear from Transaction Privilege Tax and Use Tax when Arizona doesn’t even universally exempt food purchased at grocery stores from sales tax?

SB1123 is a dangerous bill. It would allow guns on college campuses. Why do students, staff or faculty need guns on campus? Gun are a tool of intimidation … not a tool of learning.

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