Sarah Betancourt is a journalist based in New York, United States of America.

Understanding Massachusetts' Gun Laws: The Balance Between Rights and Regulations

27 Oct 2023  |  GBH  |  English  |  Gun Control Laws

The article discusses Massachusetts' gun laws, which are among the strictest in the United States, contributing to the state having the lowest rate of gun deaths according to federal data. In 2021, the death rate was 3.4 per 100,000 people. The state requires a license to carry or firearm identification card to own firearms, and there are specific regulations regarding the ownership of assault weapons like AR-15s, which depend on the weapon's manufacture date and state laws. Michaela Dunne, deputy commissioner at the Massachusetts’ Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, provides insights into the complexities of these laws. The article also covers the process of obtaining a license to carry, the legality of concealed weapons, and rules around private gun sales and ammunition. Additionally, it mentions efforts to make the state's gun laws stricter, including a gun reform bill passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives and future legislative actions planned by the Senate.

Tags:

Gun Deaths Statistics Gun Control Laws Firearm Ownership Legislative Measures on Firearms

Yen Duong is a multimedia journalist based in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, she travels often around the region.

North Carolina's Congress Members Engage with Health Care Issues During Summer Recess

10 Sept 2019  |  North Carolina Health News  |  English  |  Gun Laws

The article by Yen Duong provides an overview of the activities of North Carolina's members of Congress during the summer recess, focusing on their engagement with health care issues. It details the various events, town halls, and site visits conducted by the representatives, including discussions on Medicare, Medicaid, affordable housing, and mental health care. The article also mentions the outreach efforts of Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, as well as Representatives like Alma Adams, David Price, G.K. Butterfield, and others. It highlights the active participation of some members in addressing constituents' concerns about health care policy, while noting the absence or lack of response from others. The article also touches on the upcoming special elections for vacant seats in the state.

Tags:

Gun Laws Health Care Policy Medicare and Medicaid Affordable Housing Mental Health Care Obamacare Prescription Drug Costs Paid Family Leave

Greg Flakus is a journalist based in Houston, United States of America. He retired from a long career at the Voice of America (VOA) in 2017 and has since made short films and shot video for clients. He also continues to write and do voiceover work.

Shooting Leaves Dallas Police Families Reeling

09 Jul 2016  |  Voice of America  |  English  |  Gun Laws

The article discusses the aftermath of the shooting of 12 police officers in Dallas, Texas, which resulted in five fatalities, marking it as the worst incident for police fatalities in the U.S. since September 11, 2001. Dallas Chief of Police David Brown expressed the collective grief of law enforcement and the community. The incident has highlighted the risks faced by police officers in Texas, a state with a high number of officer fatalities. Charley Wilkison, Executive Director of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, discussed the dangers of law enforcement in the state and the union's efforts to increase death benefits for families of fallen officers. The article also touches on the open carry gun laws in Texas, which the police union opposed, and the challenges they present to law enforcement during critical incidents. The broader context of police shootings, particularly of black individuals, and the need for community and public officials to address racial and ethnic divisions are also mentioned.

Tags:

Gun Laws Law Enforcement Police Shootings Black Lives Matter

I am a photographer and multi-platform visual journalist primarily covering South and Southeast Asia.
At the moment, I'm based In Ireland.
My work has been published in :
Aljazeera English, CNN.com, The Bangkok Post, Dumbo Feather, ESPN the Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, The Independent (UK), ...

How US gun culture stacks up with the world

15 Feb 2024  |  news.yahoo.com  |  English  |  Gun Culture

The United States has a unique gun culture with the highest rate of civilian gun ownership globally, according to the Small Arms Survey. With 120 guns for every 100 Americans, the country outpaces others in gun-related deaths, including suicides and mass shootings. Constitutional rights to bear arms in the US contrast with other countries that have successfully implemented gun reforms, such as Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, leading to significant reductions in gun violence. Despite the high rates of gun violence, US political reform on stricter gun laws remains stagnant, with a divided public opinion and political landscape.

Tags:

Gun Laws Gun Violence Gun Culture

Informative

Factuality Scale

Center-Left

Political View

I am a multimedia journalist whose work has appeared in The Economist, Foreign Policy, The Atlantic and elsewhere.  Since 2000, I have divided my time between the U.S. and the West Bank, covering a range of political, economic and cultural issues for print, TV and radio.

Before moving back to ...

Cleveland braces for protests ahead of GOP convention

17 Jul 2016  |  www.aljazeera.com  |  English  |  Gun Laws

Cleveland is preparing for the Republican National Convention amid heightened security concerns and potential protests. The city has adjusted protest regulations after the ACLU of Ohio's lawsuit, ensuring First Amendment rights while maintaining safety. The recent violence in Dallas and Baton Rouge, along with Ohio's open carry gun laws, have intensified fears of unrest. Groups with diverse interests, including the Oath Keepers and Ohio Carry, will be present, with some planning to carry firearms. Authorities are implementing strict security measures to manage the situation.

Tags:

Gun Laws Election Political Protests

Balanced

Factuality Scale

Right

Political View

Lorenzo Holt is a freelance journalist based in Palermo, Italy.

Open Carry Demonstration Attracts Topless Protester, Confuses SXSW-Goers

11 Mar 2016  |  www.texasobserver.org  |  English  |  Gun Laws

An Open Carry Texas demonstration in downtown Austin, featuring armed members distributing gun law brochures, was met with a topless protester and a woman with a dildo strapped to her back. The protest aimed to educate the public on new open carry laws, asserting that open carry is not intimidating. The topless protester opposed the demonstration, while visitors had mixed reactions. A debate ensued between Open Carry Texas organizer CJ Grisham and Jessica Jin, a University of Texas graduate known for starting the Campus (Dildo) Carry event, discussing the impact of open and campus carry laws on professors and students.

Tags:

Gun Laws Protest SXSW

Pu Ying Huang is a photojournalist based in Houston, Texas & Bogotá, Colombia.

Texans Join 'March for Our Lives' Rallies Across the State

24 Mar 2018  |  The Texas Tribune  |  English  |  Gun Control

Tens of thousands of Texans joined the 'March for Our Lives' rallies across various cities to demand stricter gun laws following the Parkland, Florida school shooting. Major cities like Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Fort Worth saw significant turnout with speeches from local leaders, activists, and students. The rallies called for actions such as banning assault-style weapons and improving background checks. Texas politicians have proposed different measures in response to gun violence, with some focusing on enhancing school security and others on improving the background check system. The rallies in Texas were part of over 800 events nationwide, with a significant gathering in Washington, D.C. as well. Counter-protests by gun rights supporters also took place.

Tags:

Gun Laws Gun Violence Gun Control March for Our Lives Mass Shootings

Rob Hyde is a freelance journalist based in Bremen, Germany.

His work has been published in The Times, The Daily Mail, The Mirror, The Express, The Daily Record, The Star, The Liverpool Echo & others. He has writes for specialist publications such as The Lancet, and trade periodicals including ...

Police officer shot in raid on German far-right group Reichsbürger

22 Mar 2023  |  www.thetimes.com  |  English  |  Gun Laws

A police officer was shot during a raid on the far-right Reichsbürger group in Germany, which has been linked to a coup plot involving figures like Prince Heinrich XIII and a former MP from the Alternative for Germany party. The raid was part of a broader investigation into the group's activities, following the arrest of 25 individuals in December. The incident has intensified scrutiny on Germany's gun laws, with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser calling for urgent reforms to prevent radicalized groups from accessing weapons.

Tags:

Gun Laws Far-right Extremism Police Raid

Informative

Factuality Scale

Right

Political View

Lucy Kafanov is an Emmy-nominated foreign correspondent who has reported from many of the world's conflict-ridden regions and political hotspots. Based in Istanbul, Lucy covers the Middle East, Afghanistan, Turkey and Russia for clients including Newsweek, VICE News, the Christian Science Monitor, ...

Army sergeant sentenced to 25 years for Black Lives Matter rally murder

05 Apr 2023  |  News Channel 3-12  |  English  |  Self-Defense Laws

Daniel Perry, a US Army sergeant, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the murder of Garrett Foster, an Air Force veteran, at a Black Lives Matter rally in Austin, Texas, in 2020. The case has been politically charged, touching on issues of gun rights, self-defense, and racial justice protests. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has expressed a desire to pardon Perry, citing strong 'Stand Your Ground' self-defense laws in Texas. Perry's defense argued his actions were in self-defense, while prosecutors highlighted Perry's racist social media posts and aggressive behavior. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles is reviewing the case for a potential pardon. The article also covers the impact of Foster's death on his family and fiancée, as well as the Army's review of the case.

Tags:

Gun Rights Self-Defense Laws Criminal Justice Black Lives Matter Protests

Milli Legrain is a multilingual multimedia journalist and producer based in Washington, D.C. Fully trilingual (English,Spanish, French) and fluent in Portuguese. Fifteen years’ experience in communications and journalism in Latin America (Brazil, Mexico and Chile), Europe (Spain and the UK). 

...

At the Republican Convention in Cleveland, no bottles or water guns, only AK-47s

14 Jul 2016  |  Univision  |  Spanish  |  Gun Laws

During the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, where Donald Trump is expected to be nominated as the presidential candidate, open carry of firearms like AK-47s is permitted due to state laws, while items such as tennis balls, water guns, and sleeping bags are prohibited. Ohio, governed by Republican John Kasich, is one of the most permissive open carry states. The convention is expected to draw 50,000 visitors and potential protests from various groups. The Coalition Against Gun Violence in Ohio expresses concern over the difficulty of controlling firearms in public spaces. The New Black Panther Party, labeled racist by some, plans to carry firearms for self-defense during protests if allowed by Ohio law. Security preparations are in place, but there is concern over the challenge of managing armed crowds, especially following recent racial tensions and violence.

Tags:

Gun Laws Republican National Convention Donald Trump

Meghan Mangrum is a journalist based in Orlando, United States of America.

Laura Walters is a journalist based in London, United Kingdom.

Laura spent a decade reporting in New Zealand, on politics, geopolitical issues, and social issues including education, health, mental health, immigration, justice policy, and sexual and family violence. She was based in New Zealand'...