As the end of 2013 approaches, the Washington Examiner is taking a look back at the biggest stories and issues of the year. Today, it’s the contentious gun-control debate.
Guns entered 2013 on the political forefront after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December 2012, and President Obama looked to tighten existing laws early in the year. He struggled to compel Congress to act, but firearms issues resurfaced in July after George Zimmerman was found not guilty in Trayvon Martin’s death and in September after a workplace shooting left 12 dead at the Washington Navy Yard.
Here are some of the top Examiner stories of 2013 on gun control:
Rampage puts focus on better vetting of federal contractors after shooting
By Steve Contorno, Sept. 18
After computer contractor Aaron Alexis shot and killed 12 workers at Washington Navy Yard, lawmakers aimed to tighten up the vetting of independent defense contractors.
The audit found that the Navy had granted security clearance to 52 contractors with felony convictions. In cases in which contractors were vetted, background checks were often limited to a simple and unreliable review of public records. In some instances, civilian workers were able to access buildings even after their contracts expired.
Click here to read the entire story.
Obama paints himself into a corner over Trayvon Martin
By Brian Hughes, July 17
More than a year after the president said, “If I had a son, he’d look like Trayvon,” Washington waited to see if the Justice Department would bring federal charges against George Zimmerman after the neighborhood watch coordinator was acquitted of second-degree murder charges.
Despite White House efforts to distance the president from the department’s investigation, Obama inevitably will have to answer for how his administration proceeds.
Click here to read the entire story.
Lawmakers take aim at 3-D gun printing
By Tim Mak, Nov. 29
As the 25-year-old law banning the manufacture of guns not easily screened by metal detectors came up for renewal in December, the rise of 3-D printing technology brought new questions about gun control to the Capitol.
[New York Democratic Sen. Chuck] Schumer has warned of the “scary pace” of plastic gun development, and says that anyone with an Internet connection and “”a little over $1,000″” can now produce an undetectable plastic gun.
“We are looking at a world in which anyone with a little bit of cash can bring an undetectable gun, that can fire multiple bullets, anywhere — including planes, government buildings, sporting events, and schools,” Schumer said.”
Click here to read the entire story.
Newtown family member sends out email plea for gun control on behalf of Obama lobbying group
By Susan Ferrechio, June 14
The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown shook the nation and in turn revived the need for stricter gun control laws. Six months after the incident, the daughter of the school’s principal who died wrote an email to sign an online petition for Congress to pass gun control laws.
“I’m asking you to join me today, six months after that horrible day, to keep this fight going,” Lafferty said in the email.
“Take action for my mom, Dawn, and the 25 other people who we lost in December.” ”
