APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
Columbine dad lobbies Washington Associated Press
The father of a slain Columbine student took his gun-control campaign to Washington, D.C., where Congress is considering a bill to tighten up gun laws.
Tom Mauser stood outside the Capitol Thursday and demanded that Congress "think of the victims." During a news conference by Handgun Control Inc., he pledged to closely monitor the votes of his representative, Republican Congressman Tom Tancredo of Littleton.
The House of Representatives will consider a bill passed by the Senate that would, among other things, crack down on sales at gun shows and require safety devices on all new handguns.
The legislation was prompted by the April 20 massacre at Columbine High School in Jefferson County. Mauser's son, 15-year-old Daniel, was one of 12 students gunned down by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, also students.
The gunmen also shot a teacher before killing themselves.
Mauser has been active in gun-control rallies since the shootings. He joined the new group Sane Alternatives to the Firearms Epidemic, a gun-control lobby.
Harris and Klebold were too young to buy their guns. Investigators say an 18-year-old friend bought a rifle and two shotguns for them, and a 22-year-old man, who has been charged, sold them a semiautomatic handgun.
Mauser said Congress should listen to people who support closing gun-law loopholes, including a lack of background checks of buyers in private transactions at gun shows.
"How many more shootings will it take before bureaucracy and inconvenience are put aside in favor of the people — the victims?" asked Mauser.
The Senate bill would require mandatory background checks on all firearms transactions at gun shows and pawn shops; safety locks or other devices to be sold with all new handguns; a ban on the importation of high capacity ammunition clips; mandatory prison sentences for felons committing crimes with guns, and a lifetime ban on gun ownership for any juvenile convicted of a felony.
June 12, 1999 | Print this page
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BACKGROUND
Full index of the shooting Reconstruction of the shooting TimelineLocation the schoolFloorplanWeapons used
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AUDIO
'Friend of Mine' Listen to the Columbine Memorial song sung by Columbine students Jonathan and Stephen Cohen.
911 tapes
Interview with Arun Ghandi |
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PHOTOS
A Daily Camera photo essay detailed the tragedy of April 20 and the recovery and remembrance in the following weeks: photo essay
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INTERACT
With the recent rise in school violence, do you feel schools are still safe? vote here
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THE INVESTIGATION
Man pleads innocent to helping Columbine killers get weapons Relatives angry about handling of case Parents of Columbine killer seek to limit evidence access Investigators meet with Harris' parents CHS investigators focus on computers FBI investigator's son linked to case Killer reportedly took Luvox antidepressant Detectives question shooter's girlfriend Bombs found in cafeteria Portraits of the killers Killer's diary describes plot of hate |
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SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Teenager threatens classmates Students accused of plotting shooting Violence in Georgia School violence stuns nation Teen wounds six fellow students Teens charged in alleged school attack plot Michigan teenagers charged in plot Other school shootings 1927 school bombing killed nearly 40 children Suspensions, arrests across country La. school site of another shooting Facts: Death in schools 'Blood in the School Yard', from the Cincinnati Post full series |
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REACTION
Time: Duo sought immortality Aftershocks continue to hit Columbine Columbine lawsuits multiply High schools' 'cult of the athlete' under scrutiny
Parents of Columbine shooters sued Columbine spurs interest in home schools Columbine healing fund raises $2.3 million CU frat shows support for Columbine 'Healing bear' arrives to help in Littleton Doctors: Guilt a normal reaction for survivors Media the message? Broomfield couple campaigns to 'Erase the Hate' What now? |
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GUNS AND LAW
Inaction on gun control could prompt ballot issues Democrats say they'll carry gun laws favored by Owens Owens says tougher laws wouldn't have prevented tragedy State senator plans to revive bill on concealed-handguns Despite pressure, more gun control measures unlikely Columbine dad lobbies Washington Senate passes more gun controls Columbine killers also wounded the NRA Senate rejects any new restrictions on gun-show sales
Gun control strife Leaders scrap gun bills Guns and legislatures |
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HOW TO HELP
A drive has been established to raise money for a memorial for the victims of the Columbine High School tragedy. Contributions may be mailed to the Columbine Memorial Fund, c/o The Jefferson Foundation, 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, CO 80215.
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