0%
100%

Biden Announcements On Gun Regulation Met With Sharp Reactions

April 9, 2021

By Anand Vasu

President Joe Biden’s announcement of six actions impacting gun regulation on April 8, following three mass shooting incidents earlier in the year, met with sharp reactions.

As expected, the NRA was strongly critical of Biden’s announcements. “Let’s be clear as we’re watching this Biden circus,” the NRA said on Twitter. “These actions could require Americans to surrender lawful property, push states to expand confiscation orders, and put a gun control lobbyist to head ATF. Biden is dismantling the 2nd Amendment. It’s time to STAND and FIGHT!”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott was also sharp in his reaction. “Biden is threatening our 2nd Amendment rights. He just announced a new liberal power grab to take away our guns,” Abbott wrote on Twitter. “We will NOT allow this in TX. It’s time to get legislation making TX a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary State passed and to my desk for signing.”

Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota, was equally strident. “Biden claims that his actions won’t infringe on the 2nd Amendment. That’s false,” she wrote on Twitter. “Taking away guns with Red Flag laws is an infringement. Placing new limits on firearms sales is an infringement. Curbing ammo purchases is an infringement. ‘Shall NOT be infringed.’ #2A” 

The President and his administration may also be confronting a potentially insurmountable question over what rules should govern private sales and transfers, including those between friends and extended family, as they seek Republican votes, according to an AP news report.

Biden’s announcements were followed by a spate of gun-related, but unconnected, news reports. Biometrica rounds up some of them below.

Employee Kills One, Wounds Five At Texas Cabinet Business

Larry Winston Bollin, 27, of Iola, opened fire at the Texas cabinet making company where he worked, killing one person and injuring five. He also wounded a state trooper before he was arrested and booked into the Brazos County Detention Center in Bryan late on April 8. 

Bollin was charged with murder and being held on a $1 million bond. He was an employee at the Kent Moore Cabinets outlet where the incident occurred, police chief Eric Burke said.

The attack happened around 2.30 p.m. and by the time law enforcement reached the location the suspect had fled, AP reported.

During the hunt for the suspect, he shot and wounded a state trooper, who was hospitalized in serious but stable condition, the Texas Department of Public Safety said on Twitter.

Of the others shot, two were in critical condition while three were stable but serious. The police arrested the suspect in Bedias, a small community 25 miles north of Bryan.

Bryan, which is the seat of Brazos County is about 100 miles northwest of Houston.

Officials did not immediately ascribe any motive for the attack.

“I have been working closely with the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers as they assist local law enforcement on a swift response to this criminal act,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott “Their efforts led to the arrest of the shooting suspect.”

Rapper Among 24 Arrested In Mississippi Interstate Shooting

Meanwhile, police arrested 24, including rapper Big Boogie, over an interstate shooting in Mississippi.

Tate County 911 received a report of a shooting on Interstate 55 near Coldwater just before 1pm on April 8 according to Fox News.

Shots were fired from multiple vehicles and at least one gunshot victim remained at the scene when law enforcement arrived.

According to Senatobia’s Assistant Chief of Police, four vehicles were impounded from the scene, and approximately 21 suspects were taken to Panola County Jail or elsewhere.

This is the second time Big Boogie has been involved in a gunshot related incident. He was performing when shots were fired at rap concert in Mississippi in 2020.

Shooters Parents Testify In Sutherland Springs Church Shooting Civil Trial

The parents of Sutherland Springs church shooter Devin Kelley testified on April 8 in the civil trial against the United States government.

This was the first time the public has heard from Kelley’s parents since the November 2017 shooting that left 26 people dead, KSAT reported.

Michael Kelley was emotional as he recalled his final phone conversation with his son, Devin Kelley.

“He said, ‘Dad I f—ed up and killed a bunch of people in a church,’” Michael Kelley testified. “The last thing he told me was that he loved me.”

Devin Kelley, who was court martialled from the US Air Force, used an AR 556 rifle, firing more than 500 rounds, in the church shooting.

The bench trial, in which there is no jury and U.S. District Xaiver Judge Rodriguez will decide if the US government is liable in the shooting, was expected to last weeks.

Shock And Horror Follow Shooting By EX-NFL Player That Left Six Dead

On April 8, Phillip Adams, 32, a former NFL defensive back, died by suicide after he shot Dr. Robert Lesslie, 70, his wife, Barbara Lesslie, 69, their grandchildren Adah Lesslie, 9, and Noah Lesslie, 5, and James Lewis, 38.

“There’s nothing about this, right now, that makes sense to any of us,” Sheriff Kevin Tolson of the New York County Sheriff’s Office was quoted as saying by NBC.

Adams suffered a horrific ankle injury in which the joint was snapped, following which he was cut from the 49ers in 2010. He also twice suffered concussion injuries subsequently.

“I think the football messed him up,” Alonzo Adams, who was identified as Phillip’s father was quoted as saying by WCNC.

All I can say is we pray for the family,” Alonzo Adams said. “He used to be my doctor a long time ago. I know they were good folks down there. We’re going to keep them in our prayers.”