LA Architecture 5,354

LOS  ANGELES  ARCHITECTURE

The most famous building in Los Angeles - it "screams" 20th. century.

Los Angeles’s  28-story City Hall was officially dedicated on April 26, 1928.

All Images courtesy "Google Images" with special thanks to

“Water And Power Associates”, "Roman Angels", "The Los Angeles Times" and  
"USC Digital Archives".

by Felicity Blaze Noodleman

With the help of “Google Images” I have been able to look back in time and see how things were in the past.  Of special interest to me is historic Los Angeles and its architecture.  I am fascinated by historical architecture and decided to research some of the older building in LA.  I think that architecture in buildings is the highest tribute human kind can bestow upon ourselves.  As I perused this interest, I discovered a city within a city.  An older version of Los Angeles.  A Los Angeles I was aware of with historical treasures.  Suddenly my Google search was becoming an archaeological quest.  Some of the buildings I turned up are still here with us today and others have long since been replaced.

 The historic streetcar long-served as a popular mode of transportation along Broadway during the early and mid-1900's. In fact the Los Angeles Streetcar system, operated by Pacific Electric, had developed into the largest system in the world by the 1920's and was utilized by residents and visitors alike, opening travel to new areas and allowing access to neighborhoods miles from the city center for the first time.

Just a pile of old black & white photos and post cards you might think to your self, but if we look closer at the smallest of details we begin to uncover how everyday life must have been.  Some points you might find helpful in viewing these vintage prints are:

• What building materials were in use.
• How old are the cars and are there earlier modes of transportation?
• How are the people dressed?
• Are there trees, street lights, cable car lines and tracks in place?
• What is the condition of streets and sidewalks?
• What kind of advertising is visible?

A few words about  picture quality concerning old black & white photos.  We are very fortunate to have these fine examples of photography surviving today.  What is refereed to as "film speed" was very slow back in the day; an ASA (American Standards Association) of maybe 25 would be normal and requires good strong day light conditions.  

An other consideration was the carbon emission and pollutants in the air.  Fossil fuels were the standard for the day and produced a haze which had to be overcome with heavy filtration which slowed down even more to an ASA of 10 or 15.  It was some what difficult to make a good sharp exposure under these conditions.  With these variables under control, archival prints were made and black & white photography can last indefinitely.  These pictures, even though almost a hundred years old will out last many color prints made today  by the most sophisticated means.

LETS  BEGIN  OUR  TOUR  . . .




Los Angeles, CA has a rich and diverse past.  First founded in 1781 by Spain LA then became part of Mexico in 1821 and then purchased by The United States in 1848 and in 1850 incorporated as a municipality in five months before California became a State.  Nick named “The City of Angels” LA has been the center for many industries – Import & Export (International Trade), Oil (Petroleum) Production, Entertainment (Motion Pictures, Television, Recording and Video Games), Sports, (Baseball, Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Horse Racing, ect.) Air Craft and Aerospace Manufacturing, The Garment Manufacturing District A West Coast Financial Center, Education, Newly Emerging Hi-Techs and most importantly Real Estate.  Both large and small business have contributed to the unique Architecture all drawing from their own rich historical back grounds.

 When Los Angeles’s brand new, 28-story City Hall was officially dedicated on April 26, 1928, it was replacing a building on Broadway between 2nd and 3rd Streets that had been government headquarters since 1889.  (That building had replaced a one-story adobe City Hall, formerly the old Rocha House, on the northeast corner of Spring and Court Streets.)  From the USC Digital Archive, here’s a picture of the 1889 City Hall:  Exterior view of the Old City Hall, located at 226 Broadway. It stood from 1888 until 1928. This was Los Angeles' third City Hall.

 The Inspiration For This Article; "The Hall of Justice"  built during the 1920's. The old Los Angeles County Courthouse and Hall of Justice pictured together in 1930.. The Hall of Justice can still be found at its original location and was the site for the "Perry Mason" television program.  Work on the long-delayed $231 million upgrade to this historic landmark got underway late last year due to damage sustained in the Northridge earth quake in 1994.  It has been closed since that time and is scheduled to reopen again in 2014.

What I was really looking for were views of the city and it’s building when they were new and un-spoiled by the passing years.  Back when the sidewalks and streets were clean.  To see what the surrounding areas looked like.  I thought to myself when I first saw these beautiful old gyms as they formed their silhouette against the city's newest buildings how the older structures must have looked against them when they were first built.  I found what I expected.  The older wooden structures which would eventually make way for the new!  The nineteenth century changing hands with the twentieth century.

(1891) - L.A. County Courthouse, also as known as the "Red Sandstone Courthouse," shortly after its completion. Newly planted palm trees are seen in front. The telephone/telegraph poles and lines have been removed.

The Westminster Hotel. Downtown Los Angeles circa 1900.  Long since gone this hotel
exhibits the nineteenth century tastes in building and would be considered large for it's time.

 Bradbury Mansion on Bunker Hill.  Notice the chimneys and number of high points 
rising from the house it self.  Two different architectural styles seem to have been
used in the homes construction.  Today it could be the perfect "haunted house".

Old LA Times Bldg. Built some time after 1882.  The popular Architectural style of the last half of the 19th. century is "Gothic Renaissance" and is seen in almost of the architecture of this period.

The New “Los Angeles Times” as it looks today.  Several additions have been made to the property at First and Spring Streets.   Designed in the “Art Modern” style the main building was opened in 1935.   

  (1920s) - Exterior view of the Olive-5th streets corner of the Philharmonic Auditorium Building. Auditorium was as also used by the Temple Baptist Church. The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra would play in this Auditorium from 1920 until 1964 when it moved into the newly built Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

 Ahead of it's time!  The old Hall of Records built in 1881, Court House and Hall of Justice, March 26, 1927. The Hall of Records is at center and is a very tall building with hundreds of differently sized rectangular windows. Three conical roof sections are visible, and large dormers can be seen near the base of the roof as well. The Court House is visible at right behind the Hall of Records and is a dark, Gothic building with a small tower at center. The Hall of Justice is a tall, light colored Romanesque building in the background at right. In the foreground, several smaller buildings are visible.; Legible signs include, from left to right: "Foster and Kleiser" and "Los Angeles Daily Journal Official Paper for City of and County of Los Angeles Legal Advertising".     

(1923) - People sit in Pershing Square while across the street flag decorated banners hang from the still unfinished Biltmore Hotel. The view at the corner of 5th and Olive shows building materials on the 5th St. side of the hotel.  Also notice the old limousines parked of the street  The Biltmore is still part of the landscape in the Pershing Square area.

  (1915) - View of the eastern entrance of the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. The Beaux Arts/Romanesque style building features three large stone arches, a large center dome with two smaller ones on either side, terracotta-tiled roof, fancy ornamental moldings and patterns above the portico entry, and several types of bricks and many different brick patterns forming the walls of this three-story building. Above the stone arches the words "Los Angeles County Historical and Art Museum" are etched into the facade.

 Streets and roads are not not normally considered to be "architecture", however they are a part of the cities infrastructure.  This photo seems to predate the introduction of the three-way traffic signal in 1922.  Notice people, street cars, horse drawn wagons and auto.'s are all struggling for the right of way at 7th. ST and Broadway.

 (1920's) - Service station on North Vermont Avenue shows three automobiles parked next to the gas pumps as two attendants fill them up with "filtered gasoline". Other services such as polishing and simonizing are offered at this station, possibly named "Ventura Gasoline".

I've selected this photo for it's simplicity.  It seems to reveal so much about life in the 1920's.  Notice the accents on the building structure itself.  These people were making a statement - even the most common of people were worthy of "Rigel" respect and"the red carpet treatment"!

(1915) - A view of 7th St. as it crosses Spring St., looking west. The buildings of this era all share a simple square or rectangle style and facades are ornate incorporating decorative embellishments.  Everything from brass windows and doors to scrolled Greek and Roman Renaissance accents differentiate one from the other with a combination of brick, concrete and marble building materials.

 (1913) - Panoramic view of Olive Street looking north from 6th Street in 1913 toward snow-capped mountains. At left is the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Building, and at right is Pershing Square. Beyond it is the Auditorium Building. Various other buildings are seen in this view taken from the Los Angeles Athletic Club building on 7th and Olive. The afternoon sun bathes them in a strong light.  A completely different skyline will emerge by the end of the 20th. century. 

(1922) - Exterior view of Loew's State Theatre building located at the intersection of Broadway and 7th Streets. Entrance to the theatre is on the left of this photo. Marquee reads: Now- Flapper week-Doris May in "Gay and Devilish." Occupants of the building also includes a dentist, Headquarters for Moore for Senator campaign, Star Shoe Co. and the Owl Drug. Co. The streets are crowded with pedestrians crossing and standing along the sidewalks. 

  6th Street looking west from Olive Street. At right is the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Co. building. Pershing Square is at close right. In the distance is the Jonathan Club. A streetcar bears the destination of Bimini Baths. At left is a sign, "Edwards Wildey."

(1923) - Exterior view of Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Los Angeles, located at the southwest corner of 4th and Main Streets. Note the architectural designs on the building. 

(1908) - View of West 6th Street from Pershing Square in 1908, with the Pacific Mutual Building seen on Olive Street.  Notice the woman dressed in early 1900's fashion and see how clean the sidewalks are!  They were probably brand new.

 (1924) - Exterior view of the Elks Club as seen from the park. View shows the architectural designs and statues at the top of the building, the corners and at the very top corners of the building.

 (Above) Built in 1930 this theater is just unbelievably magnificent!  The Los Angeles was to be the final and most spectacular of downtown’s movie palaces.
(Below)  Interior view of this historic theater.  

 S. Charles Lee, the architect, believed the show “began at the sidewalk.” The six floor lobby is a delicious confection that leads into the experience.  This is just too incredible.

(1935) - An exterior view of the west side of Central Library, with lawn and sidewalks extending in several directions across the lawn. Cars of 1930's vintage are parked on the street. 

(1936) - View of Bullock's department store on Wilshire Blvd. from the west. Cars are seen traveling east and west on Wilshire Blvd. James Webb, Engraving and Stationery store, is present in the background on the left.  Los Angeles is beginning its march, extending Wilshire to Santa Monica and the ocean.

Wilshire Boulevard as it stretches west from downtown through MacAthur Park was for decades a center of commerce, with a row of high-rise buildings once occupied by business powerhouses like Union Bank, Texaco, IBM and Getty Oil.     “The LA Times”

Houses of Faith are seen throughout Los Angeles.  

(Above) - The spectacular Immanuel Presbyterian Church (1928), 3300 Wilshire Boulevard.

 Designed in association with C.F. Skilling, was one of Patterson’s last and greatest designs.

(Below)  (1939) - View of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple, at 3663 Wilshire Boulevard at Hobart Blvd. People are seen on the steps in front of the temple.

 

No date is provided for this vintage post card photo of Wilshire Blvd. looking towards the down town area but I would guess it's some time around the early 1930's.  Several landmark high rise buildings have made their appearance and are still part of the skyline today.

 (Above) Bunker Hill 1900.

(Below)  Bunker Hill as seen from the down town area.

What a difference a hundred years can make!

Building styles in early Los Angeles were dictated by the technology and materials of the day and were also mindful of the ravages of fire and earth quake.  For many years LA City Hall was the tallest building in LA.  It's imposing presence could be seen from almost any where in the down town area.  Catastrophic failure of building materials is also another consideration as buildings rise to ever higher structures.  The invention of the elevator was a major stepping stone in moving architecture upwards toward the sky.  Although cities like New York would benefit greatly from the innovations of the “Skyscraper” because of the limited availability of real estate, here in Los Angeles the city has the luxury to grow in all directions.

Expanding outward from the down town city core or Los Angeles proper, the move was on!  Real world Monopoly was a game for all in Southern California.  Build it, rent the office space, sell it and then build a newer bigger one.  By the 1950’s Los Angeles had Freeways moving in every direction leading from the down town area.  Urban sprawl  was afoot.  What I find really unusual about LA is that Skyscrapers have been build on one of the highest points of the city.  Prior to the development of "Bunker Hill" some of the tallest buildings were built in the "Century City" area of LA.

 Development began in the Century City area of LA in 1963.  The real estate had once been part of the 20th. Century Fox studio "Back Lot".  180 acres were sold by the studio and Century City was conceived to be a city with in a city.

The future architecture of the twenty-first century is already beginning to make it's appearance today.  Once again the old is making way for the new as Los Angeles reinvents itself.  Marble and stone have given way to glass and steel as the preferred building materials but I'm afraid that concrete is still with us.  The square and rectangle forms and shapes of more than a century are now being replaces with many new and wonderful shapes to please the eye and give us a new sense of space!

 There’s always something happening at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. Step inside to star studded culinary favorites and our world famous hospitality!  Major award shows. High profile celebrities. Red carpet events. What else could make Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE more amazing?

The old melds with the new:  Historic Chinese theater with new Hollywood & Highland
 shopping center and the Dolby Theater.

 If you're after a more urban lifestyle, the Ritz-Carlton hotel and residences in Los Angeles could be the perfect choice. There are a variety of luxury residences available in the tower, but the most desirable properties are undoubtedly the 12 penthouses.

 Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, designed by Frank O. Gehry.

This article only begins to showcase the historical gems to be seen here in Los Angeles.  We've seen some of the best examples spanning over a century of growth and  development of building technology as it has developed from the late nineteenth century up until today in the twenty-first century.  I've said it before and I'll say it again; I am so glad we have "Google Images" to reveal the past.  It has been my time machine for this project.  For me at least; I now have a better understanding of how a city grows and why the buildings from the past will eventually give way to the new in the future!

I'm Felicity Blaze Noodleman and you've been with the Noodleman Group on Google Blogger. 

 Los Angeles City Hall today commemorating “September Eleventh (9-11)”.  This landmark is swiftly approaching it’s 100th birthday in 2028.  Newer buildings have grown up around this landmark.

* “The Noodleman Group” is pleased to announce that we are now carrying a link to the “USA Today” news site.We installed the “widget/gadget” August 20, and it will be carried as a regular feature on our site.Now you can read“Noodleman” and then check in to “USA Today” for all the up to date News, Weather, Sports and more!Just scroll all the way down to the bottom of our site and hit the “USA Today” hyperlinks.Enjoy!

The Noodleman Group is on Google "Blogger"!

 

GUNS 5014

ASSAULT  WEAPONS  AND
THE  SECOND  AMENDMENT  TO  THE
UNITED  STATES  CONSTITUTION

Second Amendment
As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson,
Secretary of State: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a
free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." - 1791

All art and photos for this article courtesy of "Google Images".  Special thanks to"About.com",
"ontheissues.org", "USA Today", "The New York Times", Bloomberg and CDC/NHCS. 

by Felicity Blaze Noodleman

When I first heard about the prospect that Texas and Florida teachers might be required to carry hand guns in school that this article might be forthcoming and now that the President and Vice President are acting on the issue, I decided to write.  The debate on fire arms continues and each incident provoking the subject, the Government mandates some new kind of restriction on fire arms.  With so many high profile shootings in the last few years it’s at least time for a national dialog on the subject and the Government will probably enact some kind of new legislation to address the problem.

President Obama has tasked Vice President Biden with leading  Congressional Lawmakers in Washington as they prepare to initiate legislation aimed at more Governmental gun control.  As I watched the Vice President address the issue last week I can truthfully say that I’ve never heard a man who was more nervous in my life.  Vice President Biden’s statement was filled with stutters, stammers and unusually long pauses as he spoke.  It almost seemed as though he had no knowledge about the subject at all.  Maybe he is just nervous about taking on one of the biggest lobby groups in Washington, after all the NRA (National Rifle Association) can be a large campaign contributor. 

 (Above)  President Obama with Vice President Biden announcing plans for

gun control measures Wednesday Jan.16,2013
(Below)  President Obama with grade school children
 as he signs executive orders on gun violence.

Obama calls for assault-weapons ban,
background checks

“USA Today”

Written by

Associated Press - writers Ken Thomas and Jim Kuhnhenn

WASHINGTON — Braced for a fight, President Barack Obama on Wednesday unveiled the most sweeping proposals for curbing gun violence in two decades, pressing a reluctant Congress to pass universal background checks and bans on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines like the ones used in the Newtown, Conn., school shooting.

A month after that horrific massacre, Obama also used his presidential powers to enact 23 measures that don't require the backing of lawmakers. The president's executive actions include ordering federal agencies to make more data available for background checks, appointing a director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and directing the Centers for Disease Control to research gun violence.

"USA Today"

What’s in Obama’s Gun Control Proposal

 "The New York Times" 
 Published January 16, 2013

The initiative to reduce gun violence announced by President Obama on Wednesday includes both legislative proposals that would need to be acted on by Congress and executive actions he can do on his own. Many of the executive actions involve the president directing agencies to do a better job of sharing information.

Proposed Congressional Actions

• Requiring criminal background checks for all gun sales, including those by private sellers that currently are exempt.
• Reinstating and strengthening the ban on assault weapons that was in place from 1994 to 2004.
• Limiting ammunition magazines to 10 rounds.
• Banning the possession of armor-piercing bullets by anyone other than members of the military and law enforcement.
• Increasing criminal penalties for "straw purchasers," people who pass the required background check to buy a gun on behalf of someone else.
• Acting on a $4 billion administration proposal to help keep 15,000 police officers on the street.
• Confirming President Obama's nominee for director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
• Eliminating a restriction that requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to allow the importation of weapons that are more than 50 years old.
• Financing programs to train more police officers, first responders and school officials on how to respond to active armed attacks.
• Provide additional $20 million to help expand the a system that tracks violent deaths across the nation from 18 states to 50 states.
• Providing $30 million in grants to states to help schools develop emergency response plans.
• Providing financing to expand mental health programs for young people.

Executive actions

• Issuing a presidential memorandum to require federal agencies to make relevant data available to the federal background check system.
• Addressing unnecessary legal barriers, particularly relating to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, that may prevent states from making information available to the background check system.
• Improving incentives for states to share information with the background check system.
• Directing the attorney general to review categories of individuals prohibited from having a gun to make sure dangerous people are not slipping through the cracks.
• Proposing a rule making to give law enforcement authorities the ability to run a full background check on an individual before returning a seized gun.
• Publishing a letter from the A.T.F. to federally licensed gun dealers providing guidance on how to run background checks for private sellers.
• Starting a national safe and responsible gun ownership campaign.
• Reviewing safety standards for gun locks and gun safes (Consumer Product Safety Commission).
• Issuing a presidential memorandum to require federal law enforcement to trace guns recovered in criminal investigations.
• Releasing a report analyzing information on lost and stolen guns and making it widely available to law enforcement authorities.
• Nominating an A.T.F. director.
• Providing law enforcement authorities, first responders and school officials with proper training for armed attacks situations.
• Maximizing enforcement efforts to prevent gun violence and prosecute gun crime.
• Issuing a presidential memorandum directing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to research gun violence.
• Directing the attorney general to issue a report on the availability and most effective use of new gun safety technologies and challenging the private sector to develop innovative technologies.
• Clarify that the Affordable Care Act does not prohibit doctors asking their patients about guns in their homes.
• Releasing a letter to health care providers clarifying that no federal law prohibits them from reporting threats of violence to law enforcement authorities.
• Providing incentives for schools to hire school resource officers.
• Developing model emergency response plans for schools, houses of worship and institutions of higher education.
• Releasing a letter to state health officials clarifying the scope of mental health services that Medicaid plans must cover.
• Finalizing regulations clarifying essential health benefits and parity requirements within insurance exchanges.
• Committing to finalizing mental health parity regulations.
• Starting a national dialogue on mental health led by Kathleen Sebelius, the secretary of health and human services, and Arne Duncan, the secretary of education.

"The New York Times"


A  DISCUSSION  ABOUT  GUNS  AND  KILLING

Throughout the history of human kind murder has always been a problem.  Since Cain killed his brother Able people have committed murder.  During the Roman period poison and knives were the popular weapons of choice.  Many assignations took place in the Roman Senate.  During the Middle Ages murder was facilitated by swards and archery.  Who can forget the killing spree of “Jack the Ripper” during the 19th. Century London, England who committed a string of murders with a knife?

Guns have always been a problem.  Even during the days when the founding the fathers of this country wrote the constitution and enacted the second amendment in the Bill of Rights.  These men felt strongly enough to include the right to keep and bear arms as a safe guard to our freedoms from any form of aggression against the newly formed republic.  In fact; fire arms seem to be one of the built in checks and balances to insure these freedoms are safe guarded.

Ronald Reagan - 40th. President of US  (1981 - 1989).  He survived
an assignation attempt in March of 1981, 69 days after taking
the Presidential Oath.  Three others were also wounded 
in the shooting.

Let's be honest about one thing before we go any further.  We, as a nation are fascinated with violence and gun play.  It's in our literature, movies, television programs and video games.  In fact, the novels about the Old West were filled with embellishment and were much more colorful than the real world of their day.  I've heard it said that in truth more people died from snake bites than from bullets!   In movies; gun fire and explosions are made to be much larger than they actually are in real life. 

EVERYONE NEEDS TO LEARN HOW TO CONTROL THE DAY TO DAY ANGER AND RAGE IN OUR LIVES. THE REAL FACT IS THAT PEOPLE KILL - NOT GUNS! ANGER MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY FOR EVERY ONE, FROM OFFICE RAGE TO ROAD RAGE.

Let me come right out and state for the record;  it seems ironic that this Government is one of the world’s largest arms manufacture and dealers.   For this Government to restrict gun ownership by its Citizens seems to be a paradox.  Especially in light of the Second Amendment to The Bill of Rights which guarantees this country’s citizens THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS and that THIS RIGHT SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED BY THE GOVERNMENT.  Progressing as a nation though, it would appear the path of restriction is the course our country is traveling.

As we begin to discuss this topic lets first look at the history of fire arms legislation in this country provided for by “About.com”

Gun Control Timeline
A Brief History of Firearms Regulation in America

“About.com”

Guide Extra:

When did this whole gun control debate start?

It could have started shortly after November 22, 1963 when evidence in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy increased public awareness to the relative lack of control over the sale and possession of firearms in America. Indeed, until 1968, handguns, rifles, shotguns, and ammunition were commonly sold over-the-counter and through mail-order catalogs and magazines to just about any adult anywhere in the nation.

However, America's history of regulating private ownership of firearms goes back much farther. In fact, all the way back to...

1791
The Bill of Rights, including the Second Amendment -- "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." gains final ratification.

1837
Georgia passes a law banning handguns. The law is ruled unconstitutional and thrown out.

1865
In a reaction to emancipation, several southern states adopt "black codes" which, among other things, forbid black persons from possessing firearms.

1871
The National Rifle Association (NRA) is organized around its primary goal of improving American civilians' marksmanship in preparation for war.

1927
Congress passes a law banning the mailing of concealable weapons.

1934
The National Firearms Act of 1934 regulating only fully automatic firearms like sub-machine guns is approved by Congress.

1938
The Federal Firearms Act of 1938 places the first limitations on selling ordinary firearms. Persons selling guns are required to obtain a Federal Firearms License, at an annual cost of $1, and to maintain records of the name and address of persons to whom firearms are sold. Gun sales to persons convicted of violent felonies were prohibited.

1968
The Gun Control Act of 1968 - "...was enacted for the purpose of keeping firearms out of the hands of those not legally entitled to possess them because of age, criminal background, or incompetence." -- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms The Act regulates imported guns, expands the gun-dealer licensing and record keeping requirements, and places specific limitations on the sale of handguns. The list of persons banned from buying guns is expanded to include persons convicted of any non-business related felony, persons found to be mentally incompetent, and users of illegal drugs.

1972
The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms is created listing as part of its mission the control of illegal use and sale of firearms and the enforcement of Federal firearms laws. ATF issues firearms licenses and conducts firearms licensee qualification and compliance inspections.

1977
The District of Columbia enacts an anti-handgun law which also requires registration of all rifles and shotguns within the District of Columbia.

1986
The Armed Career Criminal Act(Public Law 99-570) increases penalties for possession of firearms by persons not qualified to own them under the Gun Control Act of 1986.

The Firearms Owners Protection Act (Public Law 99-308) relaxes some restrictions on gun and ammunition sales and establishes mandatory penalties for use of firearms during the commission of a crime.

The Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act (Public Law 99-408) bans possession of "cop killer" bullets capable of penetrating bulletproof clothing.

1989
California bans the possession of semiautomatic assault weapons following the massacre of five children on a Stockton, CA school playground.

1990
The Crime Control Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-647) bans manufacturing and importing semiautomatic assault weapons in the U.S. "Gun-free school zones" are established carrying specific penalties for violations.

1994
The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Public Law 103-159) imposes a five-day waiting period on the purchase of a handgun and requires that local law enforcement agencies conduct background checks on purchasers of handguns. (ATF's Brady Law web site.)

The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-322) bans all sale, manufacture, importation, or possession of a number of specific types of assault weapons.

1997
The Supreme Court, in the case of Printz v. United States, declares the background check requirement of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act unconstitutional.

The Florida Supreme Court upholds a jury's $11.5 million verdict against Kmart for selling a gun to and intoxicated man who used the gun to shoot his estranged girlfriend.

Major American gun manufacturers voluntarily agree to include child safety trigger devices on all new handguns.

1998 - June
A Justice Department report indicates the blocking of some 69,000 handgun sales during 1977 while Brady Bill pre-sale background checks were required.

1998 - July
An amendment requiring a trigger lock mechanism to be included with every handgun sold in the U.S. is defeated in the Senate.

But, the Senate approves an amendment requiring gun dealers to have trigger locks available for sale and creating federal grants for gun safety and education programs.

1998 - October
New Orleans, LA becomes the first US city to file suit against gun makers, firearms trade associations, and gun dealers. The city's suit seeks recovery of costs attributed to gun-related violence.

1998 - November 12
Chicago, IL files a $433 million suit against local gun dealers and makers alleging that oversupplying local markets provided guns to criminals.

1998 - November 17
A negligence suite against gun maker Beretta brought by the family of a 14-year old boy killed by an other boy with a Beretta handgun is dismissed by a California jury.

1998 - November 30
Permanent provisions of the Brady Act go into effect. Gun dealers are now required to initiate a pre-sale criminal background check of all gun buyers through the newly created National Instant Criminal Background Check (NICS) computer system.

1998 - December 1
The NRA files suit in federal court attempting to block the FBI's collection of information on firearm buyers.

1998 - December 5
President Clinton announces that the instant background check system had prevented 400 illegal gun purchases. The claim is called "misleading" by the NRA.

1999 - January
Civil suits against gun makers seeking to recover costs of gun-related violence are filed in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Miami-Dade County, Florida.

1999 - May 20
By a 51-50 vote, with the tie-breaker vote cast by Vice President Gore, the Senate passes a bill requiring trigger locks on all newly manufactured handguns and extending waiting period and background check requirements to sales of firearms at gun shows.

1999 - August 24
The Los Angeles County, CA Board of Supervisors votes 3 - 2 to ban the the Great Western Gun Show, billed as the "world's largest gun show" from the Pomona, CA fairgrounds where the show had been held for the last 30 years. (Typical Gun Show Rules& Regulations)

“About.com”

Next;  is a list of shooting events which have grabbed the nation’s attention over the last fifty years bringing us up to date on gun violence.

• ·         President Kennedy – 1963
• ·         Lee Harvey Oswald - 1963
• ·         Martin Luther King Jr. - 1968
• ·         Robert Kennedy – 1968
• ·         Pres. Gerald Ford – 1975  (Two Attempts)
• ·         Pres. Ronald Reagan - 1981
• ·         Columbine High School Massacre – 1999
• ·         Cong. Gabriella Giffords – 2011
• ·         Aurora, CO – 2012
• ·         Sandy Hook Elementary - 2012

The last four incidents (from 1999 thru 2012) are of special interest to the gun debate in Washington today primarily because automatic “Assault Rifles" were involved.  It is also of interest to note that the shooters in these cases had a history of mental illness in their past.  These cases are horrifying because the number of people killed and wounded was high because of the automatic weapons used.  Therefore it would seem that the real issue should be a licensing and training program for gun owners and not the guns themselves.  I really think we should keep the Second Amendment to the Constitution intact! 



But these automatic assault rifles are so dangerous you might think to your self.  The founding fathers never could have imagined such a dangerous gun.  Well I'll tell you; if these rifles had been around in 1776 that's exactly what the "Minute Men" would have used instead of Long Rifles!  Some how I think the country will get through all of this.  After all, the first "Winchester Lever Action Repeating Rifles" of the 1870's were much more deadly than their predecessor's and the country survived the Winchester and other repeating rifles, we will survive this too.

AR 15 Rifle compared to Winchester Rifle of over 100 Years ago (top half)

Uzi Sub Machine Gun and AMC .44 Auto Mag hand gun (bottom half)

It would be Constitutionally sound to require a rigorous process of training and licensing to purchase and own any type of fire arm and re application should be mandatory.  Much like a driver’s license, gun owners should be reevaluated for their privileges to be renewed and mental health should be a factor.  Higher gun prices should also be considered and there should be an appropriate tax involved with the licensing process.

THE  PRESIDENT  AND  HIS  RECORD  ON  GUNS

The problem with having the Obama administration now becoming involved with “Gun Legislation” is that the President favors limiting our Constitutional rights and his record proves it.  Now he is taking another step in the direction of Government "BANS" by limiting the ammunition magazine capacity.  All politicians in Washington have been sworn to protect and defend the Constitution during their "Oath of Office" but it seems Democrats like to pick and choose the parts they like and want to change those parts which they do not.  Here is his record and views on the subject of gun control:

"ontheissues.org"

Click here for 16 full quotes on Gun Control  (on theissues.org)

• I believe in 2nd Amendment, but not war weapons on streets. (Oct 2012)
• Fast-and-Furious: no prosecutions for Mexican gun/drug snafu. (Jun 2012)
• Midwestern "bitter clingers" frustrated over broken promises. (Aug 2009)
• Opposed bill okaying illegal gun use in home invasions. (Aug 2008)
• Ok for states & cities to determine local gun laws. (Apr 2008)
• FactCheck: Yes, Obama endorsed Illinois handgun ban. (Apr 2008)
• April 2008: "Bittergate" labeled Obama elitist. (Apr 2008)
• Respect 2nd Amendment, but local gun bans ok. (Feb 2008)
• Provide some common-sense enforcement on gun licensing. (Jan 2008)
• 2000: cosponsored bill to limit purchases to 1 gun per month. (Oct 2007)
• Concealed carry OK for retired police officers. (Aug 2007)
• Stop unscrupulous gun dealers dumping guns in cities. (Jul 2007)
• Keep guns out of inner cities--but also problem of morality. (Oct 2006)
• Bush erred in failing to renew assault weapons ban. (Oct 2004)
• Ban semi-automatics, and more possession restrictions. (Jul 1998)

Voted NO on prohibiting lawsuits against gun manufacturers. (Jul 2005) 

"ontheissues.org" - Every Political Leader on Every Issue

THE  STATISTICS



As a side bar; while researching information for this article I came across a few interesting graphs to share.  First is the "Traffic VS Gun Related" death rate and secondly is the Traffic VS Poison & Drug Poisoning" rates.  It would seem all four causes are coming to an intersection.  It should be noted that gun related deaths seems to fluctuate somewhat while auto deaths have steadily fallen.  Clearly more people have died in auto accidents.

 

The above charts from "Bloomberg" and the "CDC/NHCS" plot the death rates as

shown.  Using the automobile graph we can see how the statistics between all seem

to be coming to an intersection.

Many useful gun regulation programs have been initiated by local law enforcement agencies both here in the United States and also abroad.  Large numbers of guns confiscated due to criminal activities are destroyed every year.  Effective  "Buy Back Programs" also remove a large number of guns from the streets.

Police in Camden, NJ display guns collected during "BUY Back" and

amnesty programs.  Creative solutions for gun control!

IN  CONCLUSION  .  .  .

We've covered a lot of information in this article.  It's a broad subject to say the least.  Some have very strong views on the issues but this is the nature of Democracy.  To end where this article began I would like to offer an answer to the issue of teachers carrying guns in the class room.  Only if they are going to be teaching gun safety, responsibility, safe handling and above all - anger management.  Other wise better school security would seem the prudent course of action.  I'm Felicity and you're with "The Noodleman Group". 



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