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A record-low 26% of Americans now favor a legal ban on the possession of handguns. In 1959, 60% of Americans supported banning guns, but by the mid-’70s, a majority of Americans opposed such a measure. The trend extends beyond handguns. For the first time in 15 years, Gallup finds greater opposition to than support for a ban on semiautomatic guns or assault rifles, 53 percent to 43 percent.

A record-low 26% of Americans now favor a legal ban on the possession of handguns. In 1959, 60% of Americans supported banning guns, but by the mid-’70s, a majority of Americans opposed such a measure.

The trend extends beyond handguns. For the first time in 15 years, Gallup finds greater opposition to than support for a ban on semiautomatic guns or assault rifles, 53 percent to 43 percent.

It’s now legal to carry a concealed handgun into bars in Ohio.  Thanks to a new state law that took effect yesterday, Buckeye State residents with licenses to carry concealed handguns can now take their weapons into previously-forbidden locales — bars, restaurants, hotels and anywhere else permitted to sell liquor. “I’m going to Ruby Tuesday’s tonight,” said Rick Kaleda, 43, a Youngstown software developer who regularly carries a .45-caliber pistol for self-defense. “I can’t wait.” Kaleda and other gun advocates said the law corrects what they saw as contradiction in the old rules, which allowed law-abiding, licensed people to carry concealed handguns at places like McDonald’s, but drew a line anywhere with a liquor license. Just don’t order shots. 

It’s now legal to carry a concealed handgun into bars in Ohio. 

Thanks to a new state law that took effect yesterday, Buckeye State residents with licenses to carry concealed handguns can now take their weapons into previously-forbidden locales — bars, restaurants, hotels and anywhere else permitted to sell liquor.

“I’m going to Ruby Tuesday’s tonight,” said Rick Kaleda, 43, a Youngstown software developer who regularly carries a .45-caliber pistol for self-defense. “I can’t wait.”

Kaleda and other gun advocates said the law corrects what they saw as contradiction in the old rules, which allowed law-abiding, licensed people to carry concealed handguns at places like McDonald’s, but drew a line anywhere with a liquor license.

Just don’t order shots. 

Break out the Super Soakers - squirt guns are now legal in Florida. Oh, also real guns that shoot bullets.  Squirt gun legalization in Largo is just one of dozens of legal repeals hustled through town councils in recent weeks in anticipation of [a] new law, which goes into effect tomorrow. Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature approved a law championed by the National Rifle Association that prohibits local governments from regulating guns or ammunition in any way. Officials who try to enforce a local gun law or policy could be fined up to $5,000 or face termination. Somewhere, Charleton Heston is exclaiming, “From my cold, wet hands!” 

Break out the Super Soakers - squirt guns are now legal in Florida. Oh, also real guns that shoot bullets. 

Squirt gun legalization in Largo is just one of dozens of legal repeals hustled through town councils in recent weeks in anticipation of [a] new law, which goes into effect tomorrow.

Earlier this year, the Florida Legislature approved a law championed by the National Rifle Association that prohibits local governments from regulating guns or ammunition in any way. Officials who try to enforce a local gun law or policy could be fined up to $5,000 or face termination.

Somewhere, Charleton Heston is exclaiming, “From my cold, wet hands!” 

COVER STORY: Survivors describe the savage tornado that lay waste to Joplin, Missouri OUR INTERVIEW WITH ENDEAVOUR: We asked the astronauts your questions CHOKELAHOMA CITY: Today in sports GUN FIGHT: Florida legislators want to prevent pediatricians from talking with parents about guns in the home, a move doctors call crazy and dangerous WHAT A CUTE LITTLE GIRL! Or is she a boy?

COVER STORY: Survivors describe the savage tornado that lay waste to Joplin, Missouri

OUR INTERVIEW WITH ENDEAVOUR: We asked the astronauts your questions

CHOKELAHOMA CITY: Today in sports

GUN FIGHT: Florida legislators want to prevent pediatricians from talking with parents about guns in the home, a move doctors call crazy and dangerous

WHAT A CUTE LITTLE GIRL! Or is she a boy?


I’m a big believer that no one should tell physicians what to talk about with their patients. To be told you can’t talk about guns to a parent with a 15-year-old with depression? For most people, you can grow up in a house with guns and nobody gets hurt, but if you do have a gun in the house, you’re increasing the likelihood of something bad happening.
David Hemenway, a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, on a bill in Florida that would prevent pediatricians from talking with parents about guns in the home. [“Gun Fight” via The Daily]
GUN FIGHT. Florida lawmakers want to prevent pediatricians from talking with parents about guns in the home, a move that both doctors and public health officials call crazy and dangerous. The proposal, which has passed both legislative houses and is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, penalizes pediatricians who inquire about gun ownership or possession, unless that information is “relevant to patient’s medical care or safety or safety of others.” Doctors are also prohibited from recording firearm ownership information in a patient’s medical record.

GUN FIGHT. Florida lawmakers want to prevent pediatricians from talking with parents about guns in the home, a move that both doctors and public health officials call crazy and dangerous.

The proposal, which has passed both legislative houses and is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, penalizes pediatricians who inquire about gun ownership or possession, unless that information is “relevant to patient’s medical care or safety or safety of others.” Doctors are also prohibited from recording firearm ownership information in a patient’s medical record.