Page 27 - bon-dia-aruba-20220107

A27
u.s. news Diabierna 7 Januari 2022

Georgia governor announces push to loosen handgun rules

(AP) — Facing an unusual public without a permit, ac- ing with the pandemic and
challenge from fellow Re- cording to Stateline, an ini- needed the legislature to pass
publicans in his bid for a tiative of the Pew Charitable a constitutional carry bill be-
second term, Georgia Gov. Trusts. fore he could sign it. Geor-
Brian Kemp said Wednes- gia House Speaker David
day he will push for a new The Georgia chapter of Ralston has indicated he is
state law that would loos- Moms Demand Action said open to some form of permit-
en requirements to carry a the laws “significantly hinder less carry legislation this year
handgun in public. law enforcement’s ability to after setting aside a gun-relat-
prevent people with danger- ed bill in the closing hours of
Kemp made the announce- ous histories — including ex- the regular session last year,
ment at a gun shop in the tremists and white suprema- saying it was too soon after
Atlanta-area city of Smyrna cists with criminal histories the shooting deaths of eight
that bills itself as the “world’s — to carry firearms, putting people at massage businesses
largest gun store,” where he public safety in jeopardy.” in metro Atlanta.
was joined by members of
the National Rifle Associa- the ability to protect them- including one in which he Courtney Spriggs, a volun- But one of Kemp’s Repub-
tion and state lawmakers. selves and their families,” brandished a shotgun at an teer leader with the group, lican challengers, former
Kemp said. “In the face of ris- actor playing a suitor of one accused Kemp ahead of the U.S. Senator David Perdue,
Kemp did not lay out spe- ing violent crime across the of his daughters. announcement of playing has identified “constitution-
cific changes he was seeking country, law-abiding citizens “political games that could al carry” as a top issue and
but expressed support for should have their constitu- “The same guy who pointed cost Georgians their lives.” slammed Kemp for failing to
what gun rights advocates tional rights protected, not a gun at a teenager on TV deliver it. With support from
call “constitutional carry.” undermined.” now panders with reckless Kemp endorsed “constitu- former President Donald
Multiple bills purporting to proposals threatening Geor- tional carry” during his first Trump, Perdue announced
advance that idea in the state The move drew condemna- gia lives,” Abrams’ campaign campaign, but has been less in December that he was en-
Legislature would do away tion from gun safety advo- manager, Lauren Groh-War- vocal about the policy since tering the governor’s race.
with the need for a license cates and the campaign of go, said in a tweet. “As her taking office. He failed to Perdue lost his Senate seat
to carry a handgun in public Kemp’s likely Democratic opponents run to dangerous mention the issue in his to Democrat Jon Ossoff in a
— either openly or concealed opponent in this year’s gov- extremes and fight desper- 2019, 2020 or 2021 State of January 2021 runoff.
on one’s body. The current ernor’s race, Stacey Abrams. ately to salvage their politi- the State speeches, when
license requirement includes cal careers, @staceyabrams governors urge their top pri- He and another Republican
a background check. Kemp emphasized his sup- is fighting for Georgians and orities on lawmakers. challenging Kemp, Vernon
port for the 2nd Amendment their safety.” Jones, criticized the governor
“Building a safer, stronger during his first campaign He said Wednesday he has ahead of Wednesday’s an-
Georgia starts with hard- for governor, appearing in More than 20 other states al- been fulfilling campaign nouncement.
working Georgians having multiple ads with shotguns, low concealed weapons in promises while also deal-

Texas day care gets reprieve after drilling plan is rejected

(AP) - Parents who send two active wells on the prop- have paved the way for sev-
their children to a day care erty, which were drilled by eral new rigs near the day
center in Arlington, Texas, a prior owner, Chesapeake, care. But late Tuesday night,
will be able to breathe eas- about a decade ago. When To- it reversed that decision af-
ier after the city refused to tal originally sought approval ter Councilwoman Rebecca
let a major energy com- to drill new gas wells at the Boxall switched her vote
pany drill more gas wells a site in 2020, at a time when from “yes” to “no.”
few hundred feet from the Black Lives Matter demon-
center’s playground. strations were arising in Ar- Several council members had
lington and across the nation, feared a lawsuit from Total
The Arlington City Council its request was denied. if they denied the request.
voted 5-4 on Tuesday night A Texas law makes it nearly
to reject the request by Total But oil and gas companies impossible for local govern-
Energies to drill additional in Arlington are allowed to ments to obstruct oil and gas
gas wells, reversing a prelimi- re-apply for a permit every development. During the
nary decision by the council year, so Total applied again. November meeting, Boxall
in November to allow the In November, the council had implored people to fight
wells to go forward. gave preliminary approval the diminishment of local
ing sites has been linked to day that it was reviewing its to Total’s plan to expand the control but still voted yes.
Tuesday’s vote marked a set- health risks, including asth- options in the aftermath of drilling zone, which would
back for Total and a surprise ma, neurological and devel- the council vote.
victory for community mem- opmental disorders.
bers who wanted to halt the “We work diligently to en-
drilling because they feared “I am elated! Relieved…. It sure the safety and quality of
it could harm the children’s was totally unexpected,” said life for all our neighbors near
and neighboring residents’ Rosalia Tejeda, who lives a every one of our sites,” Tricia
health. The Associated Press few blocks from the drilling Fuller, a company spokes-
reported on the dispute in site with her three children. woman, told the AP.
November, with a deep look “I hope this means that the
at people affected along the health and welfare of our The struggle between Total,
natural gas supply chain. A children should come above a French energy giant, and
statistical analysis of the lo- anything else because they Mother’s Heart Learning
cations of Totals wells in Ar- are the future, our future Center, a family-owned day
lington found a higher densi- workforce, our future lead- care that serves predominant-
ty of them in neighborhoods ers.” ly Black and Latino children,
that many people of color call has persisted for more than a
home. Living close to frack- Total Energies said Wednes- year. Total pumps gas from