Public Safety

The Politics of Assault Weapons

By Maureen Cavanaugh / KPBS Midday Edition Co-Host

Published May 6, 2009 at 7:00 AM PDT

This story was published more than 15 years ago.

Should Congress and the White House reinstate the federal ban on assault weapons? We'll talk with KPBS Political Correspondent Gloria Penner about the politics of guns.

Maureen Cavanaugh: It might be fair to say that America has gone gun-crazy since the election of Barack Obama. Rumors on the Internet, talk radio and elsewhere that the president will eventually put restrictions on the right to bear arms has led to a run on guns and a nationwide shortage of ammunition.

For his part, President Obama has stated publicly that although he'd like to see the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons ban reinstated, he supports gun ownership and has no plans to introduce any gun control legislation.

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Meanwhile, both American and Mexican officials say gun smuggling from the U.S. is fueling the deadly Mexican drug cartel war. And a new southbound screening program is getting up and running to check cars going into Mexico for contraband weapons.

Guest

Gloria Penner, KPBS Political Correspondent and host of Editors Roundtable on KPBS.

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Public Safety National Politics

Maureen Cavanaugh

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Maureen Cavanaugh has been a familiar voice for KPBS listeners for more than 15 years, serving in a variety of capacities including announcer, host, and producer. As host of KPBS Midday Edition, Maureen has interviewed a wide range of notables, such as comedienne Sandra Bernhardt, actor John Lequizamo, author Chuck Palahniuk, composer Marvin Hamlisch, artist Robert Irwin, and designer Zandra Rhodes. But of all the interviews Maureen has conducted, her most special was with His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. Before joining KPBS in 1997, she worked as a news anchor for KSDO and KOGO News Radio in San Diego. While working for commercial radio stations in San Diego and in Salt Lake City, Utah, Maureen reported on both hard news and lifestyle features. Maureen has received three "Golden Mike" awards from the Radio and TV News Association of Southern California for economic reporting and breaking news. She has also received a "Best of Show" and “Best Radio Newscast” awards from the San Diego Press Club and the "Flo" Award from Public Radio Program Directors Association for Best Public Radio Announcer in a large market. Maureen is a native of Queens, New York, but after more than 20 years in San Diego she feels she qualifies as a real Southern Californian.

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