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Arson attacks paralyze French high-speed rail network hours before start of Olympics, the Obamas endorse Harris for President; A NY county creates facial recognition, privacy protections; Art breathes new life into pollution-ravaged MI community; 34 Years of the ADA.

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Harris meets with Israeli PM Netanyahu and calls for a ceasefire. MI Rep. Rashida Tlaib faces backlash for a protest during Netanyahu's speech. And VA Sen. Mark Warner advocates for student debt relief.

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There's a gap between how rural and urban folks feel about the economy, Colorado's 'Rural is Rad' aims to connect outdoor businesses, more than a dozen of Maine's infrastructure sites face repeated flooding, and chocolate chip cookies rock August.

WA Bill: Decrease Mass Shootings through High-Powered Rifle Ban

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Monday, February 27, 2023   

Amid growing concerns about mass shootings, Washington state lawmakers are considering a measure to restrict high-powered guns.

House Bill 1240 aims to prohibit the sale, manufacture and distribution of semi-automatic rifles, categorized as assault weapons.

April Schentrup, whose daughter was killed in the Parkland, Florida, shooting in 2018, spoke about the need for the law.

"Because he chose that weapon, he was able to go through all three floors of the building shooting students and teachers as he saw them in the hallway but also through doors of the classrooms," Schentrup stated.

Schentrup now lives in Washington state and advocates for gun safety measures. Opponents of the bill say it erodes their constitutional gun rights. The bill is waiting for a vote on the House floor. It has until March 8 to pass out of the chamber.

Dylan O'Connor, government affairs director for the Alliance for Gun Responsibility, said states prohibiting semi-automatic weapons have seen fewer mass shooting events and, if they do happen, fewer casualties. He argued the weapons have no role in public life.

"They happen to be the favored tool of the mass shooter," O'Connor contended. "And providing as much of a barrier to entry on access to such dangerous firearms is great for public health."

O'Connor added other gun legislation is in play this session as well, including a bill requiring a permit to purchase or transfer a firearm and a bill which would create liability for the gun industry.

Schentrup emphasized the prohibition on semi-automatic rifles is necessary.

"I truly believe that this bill, if it's passed in the state of Washington, will help save lives," Schentrup added.

Other states, including California, Hawaii and New York, have enacted similar bans on high-powered rifles. The gun lobby has opposed the measure.


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