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Liz Peek and Basil Smikle Jr. discuss the ongoing talks in Washington regarding new legislation for gun control.
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All right.
Let's save me by bringing Elizabeth peak patent battles Michael -- -- -- you can call sun columnist and Fox News -- -- the fiscal times.
-- is -- battles Michael associates good to have you both here -- be here and I'm glad there's somebody saying somewhere around this table and let's stick with gun control.
Never mind that date -- -- we'll get to him later.
Problem.
And we would.
If we don't appear to be getting any way in terms of legislation we do seem to be getting somewhere in terms of a lot of -- -- Com but it top to see Liz.
-- other than other than president Obama's executive orders the 24 them that he signed when he announced his proposals.
Do you -- that the bigger issues the assault weapons ban.
Universal background checks were not that it's going to be tough.
That doesn't seem to be moving very quickly and in fact the polling seems to be declining.
Very rapidly on this issue which I'm kind of surprised about frankly I'm and I thought that there would be greater legs to.
New town -- you know massacre and the fallout from that.
Look I think this is very complicated in the story from Vermont at her -- is always sort of one -- in so many glasses back yes.
Yeah but you know and the big surprise in a big surprise that Burlington police has assault weapons I mean what's going on in Burlington but -- like.
-- and that sort of just that -- that story kind of highlight some of the great difficulties here as you started.
Legislators say it's impossible town by town that will lead to utter chaos.
I think look I think there is -- mood in the country that we need to get rid of these very high powered.
Weapons that can really not had any role in hunting.
And there's really -- sort of excuse to have them and I -- support that I don't really see the purpose of.
I mean this is I don't see but for the centerpiece of this so legislatively speaking is us and adopt senator Dianne feinstein's proposal.
It would just put up a few details -- -- 157.
But the most commonly known military style assault weapons and it bands obviously.
There's lots capacity magazines and other ammunition -- devices that hold more than ten grams of ammunition it looks.
Like animals -- from the from the get go doesn't.
It did it -- seems to and I you know to go back here Quaid I I so agree that after all of the conversation -- in town shootings.
That we -- the public's.
Support for the seems to be winning that was really my biggest concern.
That it would be taken off the front page and that other things would sort of -- in other news and sort of secret and -- and frankly this is an issue that big city -- is already on top of what we really need.
Are these Republican senators from the midwest from -- speech and to be apple and anti.
President.
Have to be supportive of this as well.
And -- my theory is going forward that two things are gonna happen it's going to be reduced to a conversation.
Just among big city mayors think too there's going to be some tradeoff between this and the immigration reform and frankly if we're -- -- immigration reform.
And the Republicans are probably more behind that -- gun control.
We may see that he should win.
That's what I like Jonathan just -- that's -- -- great.
I've already excited -- again.
I guess political system -- in the in the -- recent polls some interesting -- is it up from -- folks youthful look on guns can toughen gun laws.
Help stop acts like the new -- -- was hitting.
Yes so we'll -- -- 22% of respondents said yes I 71%.
Said no then asked what sort of proposals people would back.
Universal back and -- 91%.
In favor.
Help -- mentally -- 89% in favor enforce existing gun laws which is also always a little -- as well 86%.
Are requiring mental health checks 83% checking those buying ammunition we don't have figures on the assault weapons ban the -- high capacity.
Magazines but I wouldn't mind betting that those are low low support they have a great and the Bruins have a degree of fairness of the US bank antics of seems to have a lot of support and and -- -- it's hard to argue okay and.
And why not -- really -- -- You know it that -- big argument against gun control I've -- leaving aside the Second Amendment for a moment.
Is simply that criminals will find a way to have -- -- and I think.
And look at eight you know that the truth is the the people who were in massive drug gang shoot outs they don't have.
They're not allowed legally to own guns -- never pass a background check and yet they will find -- way right.
So I think it my view on the high capacity gun issue is simply.
That is something that it in in the hands of someone who is mentally unstable right -- is going to be a very devastating weapon and and again I don't see.
People who talk about hunting was such -- -- weapons.
Who know those people -- very -- -- yeah I'm not a military development yeah I didn't really I didn't that he would you have any of that -- left Bethlehem.
And it's an -- you -- only recruited the price.
Very good for your spelling.
You know I anyway I just -- understand the point at that.
But I think that adding -- -- that polling shows yes there is a feeling we can do something really -- and and the do something may actually be.
Just be very much tighter about.
How people can buy them what kind of you know legal process that has to go through and and the whole issue of gun shows simply circumnavigate it -- -- -- you know I think people are tired of that amendment that was in the law enforced.
Few of our viewers weighing in on guns -- he says most guns are stolen for crimes the rules do nothing for that.
We need longer jail terms bestowing guns.
More on the assault weapons ban that -- say says that would simply be unconstitutional.
JD.
The point would -- attacks on ammo will be much better for the country incident.
I think well you know -- time magazine clip -- that's actually right in and by the way in terms of being unconstitutional.
At somewhere between.
You know a shotgun for shooting keys and owning a tank.
People have decided we should have some regulations right we can't own missiles so somewhere in there there's -- -- that OK some things really are just four.
The military and I think when you get closer and closer that line I think it's not that the constitutional issue tanker being -- I know I mean I've always want to.
I -- certain idea they waited.
-- the beat the rush hour as well -- -- oh whoops I lost my -- lost my -- battle Carol alt left.
That I think you're absolutely right.
Yeah I think animal control in addition to gun control is probably a great way to.
To fight this Chris Rock actually made a joke about that -- -- no innocent bystanders if you have animal control.
And and you know at this thing.
I I think a lot of what the poll is saying is that.
We're not trying to take guns out of people's hands I think trying to get to an appeal to -- to the Second Amendment I don't think anybody's really talking about that.
As much what we're what I think gun control advocates really want.
Is an opportunity for law enforcement.
To have stronger tools to track these weapons have -- time to go after people who.
Who are poor who are obtaining them illegally and certainly using them and legally and in addition to that with respect to the background checks.
Who else in the home of the legal gun owner would do if he is is.
Good and that could -- has access brand name like that.
That's very good about that as -- go straight directly back to some of my new tablets.
Madam lands that clearly had a pretty easy access as far as we know right to them out to the guns which would it legally registered to that point to right moment right right let's move onto immigration allowed we've already heard from -- addictive and of course.
Who -- top of this.
Group today I guess they calling themselves immigration reform group that -- law senators Schumer Durbin Menendez Bennett rubio McCain Graham and flake mom group that's gonna achieve anything Liz do you think I mean I also -- one place where I mean that the Republicans see native position where they think.
Why we really have to shape up on immigration.
I and I count I don't think that it's all about the last election I think for a long time there have been.
Voices in the Republican Party certainly John McCain saying.
Look this is what we are creating a nation of law breakers I mean that is really not -- -- -- -- have become much landed within the Republican absolutely like absolutely -- listen you know we yeah we got that hard by Leah Hispanic community a community that.
Many people feel should be much more even handed politically -- given their family values and various things like that.
So yes I I -- point.
I think this would be a major accomplishment I think it's going to be very interesting to see whether President Obama really wants immigration reform.
Or whether does he want another.
That topic and crusade for which he can bash Republicans -- -- -- the senate is gonna come out they are coming out with there.
Proposals -- principles on how they're gonna solve a lot of these immigration issues that border control.
As well as bringing the eleven million currently illegal immigrants into citizens -- status or legal status at least.
And then Obama's.
Proposing to do his speech on this matter tomorrow he's so the question -- I think it's going to be very interesting to see does he really want this to work or is this just another.
In place where he can accuse Republicans of intransigence.
I think it does is.
I think this one seems to me methyl one area.
-- both parties realize they actually have to do you do something.
Because they will they will be cut in the next election if they don't as well that's exactly the point it's not just about the last elections about the -- electric.
Fitter and reckon you know it was just -- this little history.
Think about after.
-- American community there was a period -- at the time in history starting with Lincoln that African Americans voted Republican.
There's -- movement to vote democratic after the new deal that -- ago when Truman integrated the military there was another movement towards Democratic Party but certainly Kennedy.
Johnson with the civil rights that are firmly put African Americans in the democratic column.
This vehicle this proposal if the Republicans do it well.
Can't get large numbers of the Latino community.
-- the back into the Republican column we're looking toward.
Being a little more independent as -- -- in which case you have a group of Republican Party has some sort of we wouldn't be here.
So I think it's -- Republicans handled this well they actually can accomplish some of the goals which is not just fixing immigration but also getting.
How come similar tools and and particularly if they come forward -- candidate for either president -- president like Marco Rubio in 2016.
Who would speak to the Hispanic community.
I mean just about everything the Romney team did.
Recently the Hispanic vote was catastrophic -- -- -- have a Spanish speaking of web site for about half of that.
Campaign -- it was really pretty extraordinary.
So I agree with you going forward it's very important.
Another big issue coming out which will be.
I think extremely interesting to watch politically is where does organized labor come out on the historically big labor has opposed immigration because.
They were afraid of flooding you know flooding the labor markets and driving down wages well then they got -- began to see that these -- people who could.
Very easily be organized and now they're kind of more positive on the subject but it's not a 100% is not -- -- up here.
It's and but I actually who think you're right I think -- -- who will see this isn't as an organizing tool so eventually they'll compete they'll come on board I think.
We've talked about big business is being supportive but I think small business is also going to be very supportive.
Some some very positive change are we better and also we talk a lot about the Latino community let's also talk -- the Haitian community African community service the Caribbean Community community a lot of folks who are coming here who have been here my families to make it.
Who have been here for decades some their legal -- -- very very -- their citizens invoke at.
I don't have a right you're gonna -- I.
Kind of controversy have been political prisoner and I think very proud moment for -- -- there are other communities that are -- benefited.
A lot of our viewers weighing in on this.
-- face but Jeremy Reynolds says free societies.
Should have free and open borders any laws against this -- rooted in control protectionism and xenophobia -- Prado -- -- that's that I don't think we'll get quite that far Hamas to Testa says immigration laws provide nationalism.
The way it should be.
Immigration reform more new laws that will not reinforced what a waste of time and money there -- this -- view.
Among a lot of people I think right now.
That we make a lot of rules but we don't actually forced -- and -- -- those who get going back -- gun control a lot of people would argue that isn't what it and it would be the same with a little bit.
The president doesn't it would enforce them -- the president has actually in the last four years.
Venus said hey here's some light -- defense of marriage act -- hybrid signs we're not -- forces that is not a good law.
-- -- -- offering helpful I mean this is supposed to be their chief -- regulator he is our chief regulator.
In the country but yeah I mean look we -- and and -- -- gun control has the same issue.
All those things that people.
Were were very positive about really had to do with existing laws let's enforce them let's make sure we're let's make sure our borders are tight etc.
we have.
Immigration laws are just extremely sloppy night.
But and then but the point here is as you would toward him embezzled that I guess this isn't what we're going to see is going to be.
A lot less about that part of it the stopping people coming across the border and a lot more about the -- diseases and.
Sheriff candidates it was extraordinarily important and I know that fear that it is really going I think that's where the rope rubber meets the road in this debate it's going to be.
Are you going to use our way to give folks who have been here illegally.
-- quicker path to citizenship than those who have tried to do it legally.
And Hampton.
And -- so it and so.
What what if they're gonna be some sort of middle status for them which a lot of folks -- -- to be supportive so I think that's where the rubber meets the road in this debate and frankly it is going back to -- than that we're actually and get some real reform.
I'm confident that the folks that are involved in this the senate panel.
They seem to have enough power.
Just individually.
To force this issue and I know Schumer and Menendez from the northeast -- who represent substantial immigrant communities hopefully we'll have a strong work.
-- know it's also something that business community and it's not just because of the H one BCB visas the highly skilled worker issues it's also.
Can we have growing country mean you look at some of the country like Japan one of the major issues for Japan.
Is that -- they are xenophobic and they do not allow people in the their country and so -- a shrinking population.
Right one of the many things since -- healthy about the United States.
Is in fact that we do welcome immigrants create many of our big companies have been founded by immigrants and satirist so bad and I say it is story.
And this city and country that was born on immigrant -- events like I mean every -- of -- descended somewhere along the line from immigrants so we shouldn't numb.
Dismiss it as something that is not useful to the country every night at -- course new ideas.
It's it's a via it's a source of vitality right and it always has been in this country and it and by the way it's so it's not like it hasn't been resisted in the past two -- when we had huge floods -- People from Ireland and other countries.
There was -- resistance to that because -- established people I have to tell you the only death threats I've ever had as a writer journalist.
Were on this topic -- -- espouse.
Yes I'm I'm pro immigration I mean we need to get these.
Problems solved but I think you're right this group of eight senators appear to have enough seniority.
To maybe get a pass and then when that happened to see we'll see what happens in the house but -- hope they can take those.
Rambunctious young Republicans decided they didn't -- that you he hasn't been in -- The -- the next election is really embolden its -- the Republicans trying to pull certain wings of that body along for the ride on this but equally.
Present Obama if he doesn't get something done.
There's going to be quite a backlash against him as well one would imagine from the communities that stand to benefit -- need to benefit from.
The path to citizenship.
Kind of legislation that's absolutely correct it's going to hurt Democrats on the down ballot races come twenty.
-- -- 2014 -- and -- the other thing is.
We talked about about the senate we haven't talked about the house that's that's where I think you wouldn't see all of these -- And it is going to come up with something that I think is reasonable and be able to take into the house but I don't have a lot of faith in the house that they're actually going to -- Both men's and by the way President Obama and mean but I don't know that the Hispanic community going back to that is particularly critical.
Four or sort of judgmental here because after all he had a worse deportation record for Hispanics than.
Than anyone who is preceded him I mean at a fire -- Hispanic I would never have voted for Obama because he talks a very good line.
But my gosh his policies have been absolutely horrendous for Hispanics in the eighties and not really we booted jobs unemployment and that community.
As for the African American community is very high.
And and then you know he is deep deported.
More than more people than George W.
Bush so -- what is he done for the Hispanic.
You know but he has halted some -- -- -- We're -- the but I but I I would it would say that.
With respect to.
Again we talked a lot about the Latino community -- the immigrant communities that factored into this.
I think that -- -- it's bush or Obama or anybody else I don't think anybody's really satisfied.
Right where -- are -- going for it on -- in three Americans have to go on -- -- on it's it's it is a huge -- to attack right which is -- will be talking about it for weeks to come -- -- moments.
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