skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, December 26, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Advocates urge broader clemency despite Biden's death row commutes; Bald eagle officially becomes national bird, a conservation success; Hispanic pastors across TX, U.S. wanted for leadership network; When bycatch is on the menu.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The authors of Project 2025 say they'll carry out a hard-right agenda, voting rights advocates raise alarm over Trump's pick to lead the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, and conservatives aim to cut federal funding for public broadcasting.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

From the unprecedented election season to the latest environmental news, the Yonder Report looks back at stories that topped our weekly 2024 newscasts.

'We Can End Gun Violence,' Say Gun-Reform Advocates

play audio
Play

Thursday, December 10, 2015   

DURHAM, N.C. – Starting tonight there are events in North Carolina to recognize Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend.

The nationwide event was planned in remembrance of the Sandy Hook anniversary, long before last week's deadly shooting rampage in San Bernardino, Calif.

Organizers, including Jennifer Copeland, executive director of the North Carolina Council of Churches, say that while recent events have led some to express a desire to purchase firearms, it's important to separate reality from Hollywood.

"So we all watch TV and we think that we can shoot as straight and true as James Bond, while we're falling out of an airplane, but in order to use a weapon and use it well and accurately, you have to be trained to do that, and you have to be repeatedly trained to do it," she points out.

Recent efforts to enact universal background checks failed in Congress.

This summer, Gov. Pat McCrory signed a bill (HB 562) into law that only allows sheriffs to look back five years when reviewing a pistol purchase request, compared with the previous 20 years.

Tonight, there will be an Interfaith Gun Violence Prevention Vigil in Durham and one on Monday in Wilmington.

Supporters of gun reform point to states such as Missouri that have seen an increase in purchases of guns used in crime, gun trafficking and additional homicides since eliminating background checks.

Becky Ceartas, executive director of North Carolinians Against Gun Violence, says recent events underscore the importance of swift and reasonable reform.

"Common sense gun reforms can and do work and protect us from dangerous individuals," she stresses.

A federal bill rejected last week that would have closed the loophole of private sales of guns with background checks would also have ensured that people on the no fly list are not able to get a gun.

As it stands, people on the travel watch list can purchase a gun like anyone else, Cearstas says.

"They are dangerous enough not to fly on our airplanes, but they can get a gun, no questions asked,” she laments. “We call on our lawmakers in Raleigh and D.C. to listen to the people and support universal background checks and other common sense gun violence prevention policies."





get more stories like this via email

more stories
A 2023 report from Michigan Traffic Crash Facts showed 62 snowmobiles were involved in crashes on public roadways, resulting in two fatalities and 41 injuries. (gentho/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Winter conditions across Michigan are fickle and The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is urging everyone to prioritize safety while enjoying t…


Environment

play sound

A diverse group of Southwest Wisconsin farmers are using federally funded conservation programs to help improve their farms' soil health and resilienc…

Social Issues

play sound

Mainers are encouraged to be on the lookout for increasingly sophisticated scams during the holiday season. Fake emails appearing to be from …


According to the March of Dimes, 15.4% of Wyoming women did not have a birthing hospital within 30 minutes of home last year, compared to a U.S. average of 9.7%. (MANUEL/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Evanston Regional Hospital is discontinuing its labor and delivery services next week, citing a "steady decline of demand." It is the fourth Wyoming …

Environment

play sound

By Leilani Marie Labong for FoodPrint.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the FoodPrint-Public News Service …

Education Data reported there are 507,200 student loan borrowers in Connecticut, with an average debt amount of $36,672. (Adobe Stock)

play sound

Connecticut is launching its Student Loan Reimbursement Program Jan. 1. The program was created through legislation passed by the state's General …

Health and Wellness

play sound

A new federal rule aims to close a loophole allowing coal companies to walk away from their obligations to pay disability benefits and health insuranc…

play sound

The deadline to apply is approaching for pastors who want to participate in the 2025 Hispanic Leadership Network. The 10-month program teaches …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021