Another school shooting, and another call from US President Joe Biden for Congress to pass federal legislation banning military-style assault weapons.
Back when he was in the US Senate, Biden was one of the driving forces behind a 1994 law that imposed limits on certain semi-automatic long-barrel rifles and their high-capacity detachable magazines.
But that legislation expired in 2004.
Efforts to reimpose the ban, most recently pushed by Biden in March 2021 after several high-profile mass shootings, have proven fruitless.
Congress did reach a bipartisan agreement to enact new background checks for young gun purchasers and encourage red-flag laws to prevent high-risk individuals from owning firearms in June 2022, following the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
That law - the first new federal gun-safety legislation in 30 years - was limited in scope, however.
Now, with Republican control of the House of Representatives, chances of passing new gun-control legislation are further diminished.
Meanwhile, federal courts – including the US Supreme Court – have been issuing a steady stream of decisions that protect broad gun rights.
The spate of school shootings in America continues, with Nashville added to the list of communities devastated by violence. But it is unlikely any new laws will come as a result.
"The suspect was on an upper level, we believe there has been some training to have been able to shoot from a higher level," Drake says. "From the video I've seen she stood away from the glass so she wouldn't be an easy target to be shot."
Audrey Hale was ultimately killed after being shot by officers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-65087221
Back when he was in the US Senate, Biden was one of the driving forces behind a 1994 law that imposed limits on certain semi-automatic long-barrel rifles and their high-capacity detachable magazines.
But that legislation expired in 2004.
Efforts to reimpose the ban, most recently pushed by Biden in March 2021 after several high-profile mass shootings, have proven fruitless.
Congress did reach a bipartisan agreement to enact new background checks for young gun purchasers and encourage red-flag laws to prevent high-risk individuals from owning firearms in June 2022, following the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.
That law - the first new federal gun-safety legislation in 30 years - was limited in scope, however.
Now, with Republican control of the House of Representatives, chances of passing new gun-control legislation are further diminished.
Meanwhile, federal courts – including the US Supreme Court – have been issuing a steady stream of decisions that protect broad gun rights.
The spate of school shootings in America continues, with Nashville added to the list of communities devastated by violence. But it is unlikely any new laws will come as a result.
Summary
- Police say a shooter who attacked a Nashville school - killing six people - had bought seven guns legally and hid weapons in their house
- They are giving an update to media from Covenant School where the shooting took place
- Earlier they released bodycam footage from the shooting that left six dead, including three children
- It shows officers confronting and shooting the attacker at the private Christian school for students aged three to 11
- The student victims have been identified as Evelyn Dieckhaus, Hallie Scruggs, and William Kinney, all aged 9
- The adult victims are Cynthia Peak, 61, Katherine Koonce, 60, and Mike Hill, 61
- The shooter was identified as 28-year-old Audrey Hale, who was killed by police at the scene
- President Joe Biden has renewed calls for Congress
Suspect may have had training - police
Speaking to the media just now, Nashville police chief John Drake says authorities believe suspect Audrey Hale had "training" based on the shooter's behaviour during Monday's attack."The suspect was on an upper level, we believe there has been some training to have been able to shoot from a higher level," Drake says. "From the video I've seen she stood away from the glass so she wouldn't be an easy target to be shot."
Audrey Hale was ultimately killed after being shot by officers.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-us-canada-65087221
