Free Talk Live

From Oregon to Mississippi, President Barack Obama's proposed ban on new assault weapons and large-capacity magazines struck a nerve among rural lawmen and lawmakers, many of whom vowed to ignore any restrictions — and even try to stop federal officials from enforcing gun policy in their jurisdictions.

There's been a mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. We're told "close to 20" people are dead, including at least 10 children. Below are the latest updates as they come to us: [Updated at 12:48 p.m. ET] "Close to 20” people have been killed, including at least 10 children, a law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation says. [Updated at 12:47 p.m. ET] President Barack Obama has been informed of the school shooting in Connecticut and will receive regular updates throughout the day, the White House said on Friday.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday signed into law a new package of gun regulations intended to fortify New York's existing assault weapons ban, limit the number of bullets in magazines and strengthen rules that keep the mentally ill from owning firearms. The regulations are the nation's first since last month's massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, where a gunman killed 27 people, including 20 young children at an elementary school. Cuomo, a self-described gun owner, said the tragedy had spurred lawmakers to action and called the legislation a "common sense" measure.

Would the outcome have been different if the teachers were armed?

Leonard Read made a speech in he said if there was a button on the podium in front of him that would end government controls and regulations on the US economy, he would push it. The idea of this poll is to conduct a thought experiment, in which there is a table in front of you, with a multitude of buttons that, when pushed, eliminated a government program or agency. I am asking which, if any, you would push. As for me, I would push them all, without hesitation.

Ever since the December 14th tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, the issue over safety in schools around the nation has heated up. There are new debates over gun control, mental health and whether or not the brutal massacre of 20 children and 6 adults could have been prevented. Many districts in New Jersey have been hard at work ironing out new security measures and working to ensure safety of all students and staff in pre, elementary, middle, high schools and colleges. So far, one district is taking some new steps that have led to mixed feelings and raised some eyebrows.

Vowing to push back against Washington, the state Senate's majority Republicans on Thursday approved two states' rights measures, including a bill that would make it a crime for government officials to enforce federal regulation of economic activity that doesn't go outside the state.

The other bill would have Arizona join other states in a compact to challenge the federal health care overhaul and its mandates on individuals.

A retired physician is leading a push to ban football at a high school in Dover, New Hampshire. Dr. Paul Butler is on the school board and says the sport puts players at risk of brain damage later in life. Dover High's athletic director points out that the school is part of a concussion prevention program. The school board chair and vice-chair say they will not support the proposed football ban.

President Paul would immediately push for $1 trillion cut in federal spending (per year, not the $3 trillion that Democrats proposed over 10 years with half of that from increased taxes).