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Coming up this evening on "Piers Morgan Tonight," Newark, New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker visits the program for an honest interview, detailing his recent fire rescue, and also offering insight into the Trayvon Martin case.
On Thursday, the 42-year-old saved a neighbor from a burning building, carrying a young woman to safety through flames, and receiving smoke inhalation and second degree burns on his hands in the process.
The recent rescue has thrust Booker into the national spotlight, allowing him the platform to comment on a variety of issues, including gun control in relation to Martin and the "Stand Your Ground" law:
"I'm very suspicious of its need and I think it creates situations often where a person can shoot first and really not have to explain their behavior," he tells Piers Morgan. "The gun battle in America is really out of control and very frustrating to me."
Booker points out that New Jersey does not have the "Stand Your Ground" law, nor does he think his state needs it. And while he doesn't take issue with law-abiding citizens obtaining firearms, the mayor would like to see more done to keep illegal guns off the street:
"What really infuriates me is the level of violence that we have in America that's preventable, and that most Americans, Republican and Democrat, gun owners and not, actually agree on some common-sense solutions," he tells the host. "We can't even get together as a nation to do those obvious things that would keep guns out of the hands of criminals."
Watch the clip, and listen to the interview as Booker lists the gun law loopholes he'd like to see undone, then tune in this evening at 9 p.m. as he tells Piers Morgan about his daring fire rescue.
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Wait for it-...3...2...1 They are trying to take our guns!
This notion of gun control has got to stop. The ship has sailed. There are 100 million gun owners in the U.S. They are not going to give up their guns without a fight so you really have to ask yourself what is an acceptable number of casualties to disarm the country? 10,000? 100,000? a couple million? Those are realistic numbers of casualties in a typical civil war which is what it is going to take to disarm 100 million people. If just 1% of those are willing to fight that is an army of over a million people. Gun control is a pipe dream.
How about addressing the real problem and just do crime control instead. Granted it's not going to get anybody any face-time on the news, but it might actually do some good.
What is the number one killer that is made in the USA? Automotive accidents. Maybe we should outlaw motor vehicles and that would end the accidents. Makes as much since as gun control.
That comparison is quite a stretch. The guns purpose is to kill.
I agree. The goofy dems keep letting peeps killed in chicago while that dirt ball daly struts around with full auto body guards
@goferpy as if "intended purpose" has anything to with the massively faulty logic of the leftist desire to disarm (or make them dependent on "law enforcement") the populace.
You are more likely to die in a car accident at an intersection than by a gun. You are more likely to drown in a swimming pool than be killed by a gun, especially by a gun that was legally obtained.
Get your guns out of the closet and go attack that Abrams tank.
Why don't you lay down in front of one....
Don't have to, just have to post an internet video of someone standing in front of one while it rolls forward. Victory would come within three days.
Gun control does not inherently mean disarming the entire nation.
To the Democrats it does.
Yes, it does.
Funny – someone saying it would be impossible to disarm the US – because everyone would fight.. No doubt written by someone who would immediately wet themselves if the military showed up at the door. Ask and active duty Marine what they would do if they were ordered to take your guns or show you how a minigun works – you would lose.
I might lose but in the end, the Marines would lose. There is what, 500,000 members of the armed forces? Against 300 million citizens? Don't kid yourself.
Thats a likely scenario, return to your fantasy world please....
Not one person I have ever served with would agree with disarming the American people.
Actually most soldiers I've spoken with have told me if they were told to disarm the population they would not...... kinda makes the fact that alot of their buddies laid down their lives defending our right to have guns pointless if it came down to trying to disarm the american populace it would be a bunch of gun hating weenies knocking on door asking us to please turn in our guns not many soldiers would do it and the ones who did wouldn't get far. Gun control is stupid crime will always be present no matter what you do, taking away peoples ability to defend themselves will just make crime nastier
Obviously you were never in the Army and taught to take out a tank with a few easily obtainable items.
dbt
I'm not sure that 240 years ago the founding fathers wrote the Second Amendment with the 21st century in mind. Does it really make all that much sense today.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If the Founding Fathers could see what happened in Nazi Germany, Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Hungry, Rwanda, Liberia, Southern Sudan, Somalia, [the former] Yugoslavia, Chad, Libya, and currently in Syria - they would say that arming citizens against tyranny is just as important in the 20th and 21st centuries as in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Jeez, there's the typical knee(jerk) reaction to anything concerning gun control. Nobody's mentioning disarming the civilian population. How about some common sense regulations that includes background checks and keeping tabs on sales through gun shows, and limiting magazine capacity.
there are controls in gunshows. Are you knowledgeable about the subject or using liberal talking points? What would you like to know about the gun show issue that you will probably have wrong???????
There already are plenty of overly restrictive gun laws we don't need more we need less and more . Criminals not included you shouldn't need to be checked to see if you have the right to excercise your second ammendment rights. Thats why they are called rights you don't have to apply for them you are born with them when you are born an American citizen. You can lose them by abusing them but you should not have to ask for them.....
As for extended magazines they really play no role in gun violence they just keep my thumbs from getting sore at the firing range from constant reloading. It doesnt matter how many bullets a gun can hold it only takes one to kill you and nobody is anymore likely to use a gun in a crime with a larger magazine than a small one large magazines are the exact opposite of concealable so are less likely to be used in crimes that involve guns.
Once this ball starts to roll, there will be no stopping it until we are under the rule of the Big "O" and the hammer and sickle.
How stupid are you citizen, do you really think that gun regulations (hint: less insane people with deadly firearms) means that America will be come some Orwellian dystopia, when has this ever happened before. Face the damn facts and realize you are believing the BS fox news force feeds you. You just got debunked by a freshman.
pssst ...no one said anything about taking your guns ... no one will .... stop whining
When they learn to control themselves – then they can look at controlling other things. I hate the term "gun control". The idiiots we have running this county only want to control 2 things – the American people and out money. Other than that, they don't really give a damn about us. It's the "golden rule" – he who has the gold makes the rules.
What are you talking about? Who is talking about taking guns away from law abiding citizens? No one! Another paranoid NRA crazy!
jdun: "What are you talking about? Who is talking about taking guns away from law abiding citizens? No one! Another paranoid NRA crazy!"
Nah. They are. You know why? Because every law they propose burdens law abiding citizen's ability to own or use firearms while doing nothing (have you see statistical studies of the issue?) to keep them out of the hands of criminals or to lower violence.
Thanks to the NRA there is already a civil war going on in this country.
A typical year sees more than 75,000 wounded and more than 30,000 deaths due to firearms.
That is twice as many deaths as at the height of the Vietnam War.
The NRA Army is making war on America, it is time we stopped letting them murder our brothers and sisters,
our children and parents. As you can see, your flippant comment about 100,000 dead is not a joke. It is the tragic
reality every three years under the NRA campaign of terror. It is time for the seige to end.
If we can become outraged over Osama bin Laden killing and wounding 5,000.
Then we can certainly feel the horror of Wayne LaPierre killing and wounding twenty times that number every year.
Time to stop the murder of innocents.
Riiiight, because anyone who is a "victim" of so-called gun violence is innocent. Go back to those dreams of unicorns and fairies and stay out of the way of the people in the real world.
Stop trying to fix crime by taking away the rights of honest citizens. Calderon thinks guns are the problem. He put up a billboard "No More Guns" (or something like that) we should put one up that says "No more criminals." You see the divide is caused by people who think US citizen rights are the problem vs people who correctly recognize that crime is the problem.
Oh really? Then how do we get rid of the crime problem, then? More jails? We already have the world's largest jail population.. and still have far more of a problem with crime than other first world nations. More guns in the hands of citizens? Already have it.. still the crime.
How about changing the laws so if your convicted of a felony with a firearm you get the death penalty
Honest interview? In the debacle with the first Zimmerman attorneys and the Martin sideshow act attorney, all old Piers did was go out of context, misquote, ignore statements, and alter viewpoint, depending on whom he was addressing.
One of the most deplorably miserable attempts at "honest" interviewing I've ever seen. Morgan should be ashamed. I'm sure he's not.
Booker should be amusing. Anything from NJ generally is.
I don't know why Piers Morgan has an opinion/interview show on American television. He is a product of the English bed wetting socialist society that has all but destroyed itself with political correctness and all he can do is opine from his English point of view. Oh yes, let's make America sensible, like Britain.
So he believes that we can keep guns out of the hands of criminals. What planet is he from? Criminals will get guns. Oh that is right, he is in New Jersey. Whole nother planet.
Its probably harder for a criminal to get a gun from mexico than it is to get it from, lets say, the gun store.
Nobody is trying to disarm the country. Can people even read?
This coming from a state with draconian gun laws! There are no loopholes. Loopholes are the big lie!
"Shoot first and really not have to explain their behavior"
Close your eyes and picture in your minds who he is talking about.
.............Clint Eastwood.........
Propaganda and outright lies will not induce thinking people to believe in the lies coming from gun control fanatics.
We should give everyone a gun and change the name of the country to the United Gun Owners of America.
And let the shooting begin, 'cause we all now that guns don't kill people....
America’s gun laws are based on the premise that sane, responsible people should be able to own fire arms. In a perfect world that would make complete sense, however it isn’t a perfect world and it is Americans we are talking about. America is the only first world nation on earth whose population is getting dumber, making firearms available to everyone is just a recipe for disaster.
Hey Nanook, your country has 30 mil population, the USA has 300 mil population. When your country grows up and has the same number and diversity we have then speak up.
Yup, getting dumber. I rest my case.
Canada, the 51'st state. You would not be a country without the protection of the U.S. Land of the Beaver, fear me. What a joke.
Look around fool, Canada isn't the country that is circling the bowl.
Did any of you actually READ the article? No where in the interview did anyone suggest taking anyone else's guns away! Booker was commenting that people could use the 'Stand Your Ground' laws to shoot first and then cry self-defense. Americans are getting used to settling any old disagreement by shooting someone – THAT is the problem.
Obviously we should just blow each other up like they do overseas. They are sooooo much smarter than us.........
Like he says, it's time to get the gun PROBLEM under control. If we don't want criminals to have guns, then we need to do something about it. It is not acceptable that we have so many gun deaths. Whether you are a legal gun owner or an illegal gun owner, your bullet kills just the same. It's a myth that more guns equals less violence. Numerous instances can be cited, like the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords where several people there had guns, but by the time they realize what's going on, the shooting is over with and people are dead. NRA be damned.
Your example of Giffords is weak. It was close range, in an extremely crowded area. It was best that the armed citizens did not open fire. They showed great restraint by not opening fire themselves on an unknown assailant.
Your reasoning can be applied to law enforcement... If people commit crime... Why do we need law enforcement if they aren't there to prevent it as it happens?
Clearly this guy suffered severe brain trauma at a very early age. Poor guy. I can't imagine having to go through life with my thought processes so grievously impaired. His "God" must be one sadistic being.
If anyone wonders what power the NRA has, just read the majority of these posts.
Guns are an extension of people. If people wanted to kill something, and could do it by pointing their finger, they would. Guns and people are one.
humans are vile, terrible creatures. Only ones to murder, war, etc. We are not civilized, never were, probably never will be. Torture, abuse, etc .... has been, is, and will be.
"What really infuriates me is the level of violence that we have in America that's preventable, and that most Americans, Republican and Democrat, gun owners and not, actually agree on some common-sense solutions," he tells the host. "We can't even get together as a nation to do those obvious things that would keep guns out of the hands of criminals."
It's a very easy solution. If you commit a crime with a firearm you go to jail and stay in jail. No parole. Manditory sentences, 10-15-20 years. Pick a number, just make it a big one. Letting these animals out is just a recipe for a repeat offense.
Thats pretty close to what we already do.. and yet we still have a serious crime problem. Face it, prison is not a big deterrent. No one thinks they will get caught when they are committing the crime.
what cory booker needs to do is control his democratic crones who have robbed the newark schools blind and incapable of turning out decent citizens who do not run around at nigh dealing whatever is popular and shooting each ther
"...agree on some common-sense solutions,"
One of the principal problems is that those of us who own guns simply don't trust those who oppose the private ownership of guns. There are too many people like Senator Howard Metzenbaum who say things like, “I don't care about crime, I just want to get the guns.” Or Senator John Chafee who said "I shortly will introduce legislation banning the sale, manufacture or possession of handguns (with exceptions for law enforcement and licensed target clubs). . . . It is time to act. We cannot go on like this. Ban them!"
And so on. It's clear that a lot of people aren't interested in "common-sense solutions" and, given an inch in limiting the right of people to own guns will promptly demand another six inches, and on and on until they win.
Are there nuts out there who shouldn't own guns? Sure. But there are a lot of anti-gunners out there who think anyone who owns a gun is nuts. "I would like to say, I think there should be a law–and I know this is extreme–that no one can have a gun in the U.S. If you have a gun, you go to jail." So sayeth Rosie O'Donnell. Can I trust anyone who says things like that? Of course not.
Gun control fanatics, how about victim's rights advocates. I am so saddened by the notion that we as a nation are divided on this subject. A kid was killed walking down the street, and was done so in a violent and horrific manner. How can anyone say that our kids are safer when they are continuously the victims of violent gun crime? In the past year how many stories have we heard or read where kids are being shot to death by their (at the time) law abiding gun toting parents, or where some crazy idiot who decides to open fire in a school, at a park, at home, in the mall, at a political event, and now the sidewalk. One thing is absolutely positive here, people are killing people with guns and we 100% unsure of where, when or why another beautiful life will be violently destroyed. Secondly, it is absurd that right wing political thinking in our nation supports the so-called "right to life" issue in terms of abortion yet in the same breath argues that killing a young man for no reason is "justifiable." Republicans, and conservative are nothing more than full of $#@$#!!!!
The Second Amendment clearly states that a citizen has a right to keep and bear arms. If people did not so that, a well regulated militia could not form and that is necessary for the Free State. If you choose not to own a firearm, that's a choice you make. It simply cannot be asked of any law abiding citizen prove that a gun be required. I should be able to carry a loaded gun if I choose anywhere in the United States (NYC, Newark, LA, anywhere) – the 2nd Amendment gives me that right.
"Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."
~Benjamin Franklin
Why doesn't the mayor look at the latest rap and hip-hop videos that glorify gangs, weapons, and violence? It's each to preach from the alter and ignore what's going on beneath you.
Sure and cars take more lives that firearms do and I don't see anyone doing about that! You try to take peoples guns.(which you can't because of the 2nd ammendment) you will see a lot more violence that you know...stupid liberal freak!
You hide behind the second amendment. I agree that it protects your right to own a gun, but it says not a damn thing about ammunition, moron!!!!
I think your obvious lack of understanding of the Second Amendment identifies you as the actual moron.
The bottom line is this – a law abiding citizen simply cannot be told they cannot keep and bear their firearms. I could care less what happens to some thug in the street but no law abiding citizen should be kept waiting to purchase and keep and yes, bear their gun at all times (if they choose).
The "Stand Your Ground" law in Florida was a pure invention of the NRA flexing its political muscle. It wasn't in response to any particular need. State legislators repeatedly asked for a single case where such a law would have made a difference compared to the existing self-defense laws that already exist but don't allow deadly force to be exercised outside the home just because someone feels threatened. Self-defense is allowed already but only if there aren't other options to prevent bodily harm. It was simply the NRA showing what a big gun it has.
Mayor Booker, don't confuse people with common sense.
Yes, we are trying to take your guns. It's obvious there are some of you who can't be trusted with them, and until we have a test to sort-out who those people are, it's in the rest of our self-interest to deny guns to all of you. Sorry – it's a survival thing.
To the many of you that claim that there are no loop holes in gun laws, here are the facts of the matter. Individual gun owners can sell guns to other individuals with no background check. Guns can also be given as a gift with no background check of the recipient. And finally, if any of you have ever watched the program "Storage Wars", take notice of the number of times there are guns in the storage rooms bought during the show, and those sales are going on all over the U.S. hundreds of times a day.
Those arent loopholes at all .... I can resell my toaster my car my boat even my airplane without a background check too. Why because Obviously in the case of a gun I have already proven I am sensible and responsible so its pretty likely I am going to be smart and not sell it to just anyone. I understand the responsibility of gun ownership just like most other gun owners do. And if you resell a firearm to someone who cannot legally own one you get jail time for it , look its already been taken care of okay. Find a new cause to waste your life on and stay out of ours.
Are you going to run a background check on someone who buys a storage unit from a dead person? Do you really believe the people who sell guns at yard sales have any idea if the people buying their guns are responsible human beings. It may not be not a problem most of the time, but to claim that all of the 'loopholes' have been addressed is pretty ridiculous, to say the least. My issue is that too often rabid defenders of gun rights are going so far off base with their claims, they are going to ruin it for the rest of us responsible gun owners, by causing a serious anti-gun backlash. Be aware of the existing problems and help find some reasonable rules concerning control of guns.
The reason that you have less people with legal guns involved in shootings in NJ is because it is almost impossible to get a CCW. So instead of people defending themselves with legal guns, they are killed with illegal ones.
There are no limits on the very idea of many of our American Brothers and Sisters, what is really gun control. Let me just say that if you read the 1964 guncontol act, and all of the changes that have been passed by Washington and other States. The conclusion would be that is enough. The solution to armed conflict is control, as well as the ability to make your desires on someone Known. Here is a bit of information about Vets that a lot have forgotten. If you are a vet you understand the need for the ability of this country to be armed, and be able to protect this Country, as well as its citizens. No greater Love do I have for my country, that this is what keeps America Safe. Oh by the way, I was a Gun Dealer, AVet, and A Democrat, but most of all a AMERICAN.
I'm not sure that 240 years ago the founding fathers wrote the Second Amendment with the 21st century in mind. Does it really make all that much sense today.
With the World the way it is today, more than ever.
As a democrat and Obama supporter, I declare that I own guns and will keep them, no matter what. All you folks that are wound up by the NRA, relax. Nobody will ever take your guns if you are a law-abiding citizen. This is the simple truth.
Gun control - its not about the guns, its about the control.
So he says there is no problem with crime from legal gun owners then calls for more controls in obtaining legal guns. How does that in any way affect the illegal guns or the crime from them? That would only make more gun owners illegal.
I am extremely inspired with your writing abilities as well as with the structure in your blog. Is that this a paid theme or did you modify it your self? Anyway keep up the nice high quality writing, it's rare to see a great blog like this one today..
My husband went into a gun shop today and while he was looking at rifles for clay shooting, there were SIX transactions going on for handgun purchases! This gun shop is in an area where most of the families are upper middle class and many are employed on Wall Street. Six handguns legally purchased in 30 minutes in ONE gun shop – makes one wonder just how many are legally purchased in one day.What the heck are Americans so afraid of and why do Canadians not share this same level of fear for their personal safety?
"What the heck are Americans so afraid of" – It's mostly nonwhite male criminals, and it's a very valid fear – the FBI's own statistics will validate this fear. "why do Canadians not share this same level of fear for their personal safety?" – It's because Canada does not have quite as many nonwhite male criminals as there are in America, although major Canadian cities like Toronto and Montreal each have a significant number of nonwhite male criminals. Canada also has violent gun crime – I know this because I used to live in Toronto.
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There is no gun control. Anyone can get a gun.
There are outlaws, who live their whole lives and do not cross the line.
Some of them cross the line and pay the price.
reading all this makes me so thankfull dont live in your primitive insane country.
In europe we simply do not accept that anyone has the right to own an offensive weapon, guns being the most offensive weapon. Why cannot you americans understand that guns kill, if you think its a good idea to have a gun as a "defense" then all that happens is that the offenders make sure that they shoot you first.
It really seems that you lot are still uncivilised cowboys in the "wild west" with absolutely no rule of law.