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Louisiana teachers' union concerned about educators' future; Supreme Court hears arguments in Trump immunity case; court issues restraining order against fracking waste-storage facility; landmark NE agreement takes a proactive approach to CO2 pipeline risks.

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Speaker Johnson accuses demonstrating students of getting support from Hamas. TikTok says it'll challenge the ban. And the Supreme Court dives into the gray area between abortion and pregnancy healthcare, and into former President Trump's broad immunity claims.

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The urban-rural death divide is widening for working-age Americans, many home internet connections established for rural students during COVID have been broken, and a new federal rule aims to put the "public" back in public lands.

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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