Meeting Force with Force | WBUR and NPR - On Point with Tom Ashbrook

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Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 10:00 AM EDT

Meeting Force with Force

When two students went on a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in 1999, the tragedy sparked calls for gun control legislation nationwide. Most recently, there have been shootings at courthouses in Georgia and Texas, and latest school shooting occurred on Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota last month.

But times appear to have changed. Now, across the country, momentum is building for less gun control, for expanding gun rights and arming more citizens to defend themselves in their homes and public places.

The assault weapons ban expired last fall. After the Red Lake shooting, the NRA suggested arming teachers. A Florida law signed into law this week allows people to defend themselves with deadly force against an intruder or attacker. And several states are considering laws allowing people to carry concealed weapons in bars and restaurants or at a younger age.

Is the NRA winning the gun battle?

Guests:

John Timoney, City of Miami Police Chief

Michael Hammond, consultant for Gun Owners of America

Chad Ramsey, east regional director for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence

Steve Bousquet, deputy state capital bureau chief for The St. Petersburg Times.

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