Jan 04 Here is Obama’s presidential plan to cut gun violence By Josh Lederman, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama moved Monday to require all gun sellers to register as dealers — even those who sell at gun shows and online — and to run background checks on all prospective purchasers, aiming to curb a… Continue reading
Jan 04 Obama starts 2016 with a fight over gun control By Kathleen Hennessey, Associated Press WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama is slated Monday to finalize a set of new executive actions tightening the nation's gun laws, making his first order of business in 2016 a clear signal the president in his final year doesn't intend… Continue reading
Jan 01 Obama to take executive action on gun control next week By Kevin Freking, Associated Press HONOLULU — President Barack Obama is expected to take executive action next week to expand background checks on gun sales, according to an individual whose gun control advocacy group has been briefed by administration officials about the timing. Continue reading
Dec 11 Obama’s executive actions could open a door for successors By Kathleen Hennessey, Associated Press WASHINGTON — While the White House has condemned Donald Trump's call for a ban on Muslim immigrants as "disqualifying" and "toxic," President Barack Obama may have only himself to blame if a President Trump ever succeeds in putting his plan,… Continue reading
Oct 11 Sanders: Ban on assault weapons is a ‘commonsense’ policy By Daniel Costa-Roberts At a rally for his presidential campaign Saturday, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders addressed the recent rash of shootings on American college campuses and recommended policies to curb gun violence, including an assault weapons ban. Continue reading
Jul 05 Watch 8:21 How even misdemeanor violations can have lasting consequences on job prospects By PBS News Hour A growing number of states are opting to 'ban the box' that asks about criminal records on job applications. And with evidence that criminal records could be driving people into poverty, a new proposal to seal past offenses is now… Continue watching
May 05 Oregon passes bill that expands background checks for gun sales By Sheila V Kumar, Associated Press SALEM, Ore. — An Oregon bill expanding background checks to encompass nearly all gun sales in the state made it through the Legislature on Monday, overcoming obstacles that stymied two previous attempts to pass similar laws. Continue reading
Jan 31 Watch 1:51 Viewers respond to report on background checks for job seekers with criminal records By PBS News Hour Hari Sreenivasan reads viewer comments about a NewsHour Weekend signature segment describing employers doing background checks and the effect that has on people with a criminal record who struggle to find work. Continue watching
Jan 24 Watch 8:14 Living with a record: How past crimes may drive job seekers into poverty By PBS News Hour Applicants with criminal backgrounds, including those with nonviolent criminal convictions or even arrests, are increasingly being driven into poverty. Even if it has been years since they've served time for past criminal infractions, those applying for jobs are often unable… Continue watching
Oct 10 Washington voters will see competing gun measures on their state ballot this year By Rachel La Corte, Associated Press OLYMPIA, Wash. — Two competing measures on the Washington state ballot this fall ask voters to take a stance on expanded background checks for gun sales. One is seeking universal checks for all sales and transfers, including private transactions. The… Continue reading