US NATIONAL NEWS

House Passes Bill Banning Certain Semi-Automatic Guns

Published

4 years ago

August 2, 2022

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., speaks during a news conference Friday, July 29, 2022, at the Capitol in Washington. The House has passed legislation to revive a ban on semi-automatic guns. It's a response to the crush of mass shootings ripping through communities nationwide. Pelosi pushed the bill forward, but the legislation is likely to go nowhere in the Senate. Republicans dismiss the measure as an election-year strategy by Democrats.(AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House passed legislation Friday to revive a ban on certain semi-automatic guns, the first vote of its kind in years and a direct response to the firearms often used in the crush of mass shootings ripping through communities nationwide.

Once banned in the U.S., the high-powered firearms are now widely blamed as the weapon of choice among young men responsible for many of the most devastating mass shootings. But Congress allowed the restrictions first put in place in 1994 on the manufacture and sales of the weapons to expire a decade later, unable to muster the political support to counter the powerful gun lobby and reinstate the weapons ban.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi pushed the vote toward passage in the Democratic-run House, saying the earlier ban “saved lives.”

President Joe Biden hailed the House vote, saying, “The majority of the American people agree with this common sense action.” He urged the Senate to “move quickly to get this bill to my desk.”

However, it is likely to stall in the 50-50 Senate. The House legislation is shunned by Republicans, who dismissed it as an election-year strategy by Democrats. Almost all Republicans voted against the House bill, which passed 217-213.

The bill comes at a time of intensifying concerns about gun violence and shootings — the supermarket shooting in Buffalo, N.Y.; massacre of school children in Uvalde, Texas; and the July Fourth shootings of revelers in Highland Park, Ill.

Voters seem to be taking such election-year votes seriously as Congress splits along party lines and lawmakers are forced to go on the record with their views. A recent vote to protect same-sex marriages from potential Supreme Court legal challenges won a surprising amount of bipartisan support.

Biden was instrumental in helping secure the first semi-automatic weapons ban as a senator in 1994. The Biden administration said that for 10 years, while the ban was in place, mass shootings declined. “When the ban expired in 2004, mass shootings tripled,” the statement said.

Republicans stood firmly against limits on ownership of the high-powered firearms during an at times emotional debate ahead of voting.

“It’s a gun grab, pure and simple,” said Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, R-Pa.

Said Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., “An armed America is a safe and free America.”

Democrats argued that the ban on the weapons makes sense, portraying Republicans as extreme and out of step with Americans.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said the weapons ban is not about taking away Americans’ Second Amendment rights but ensuring that children also have the right “to not get shot in school.”

Pelosi displayed a poster of a gun company’s advertisement for children’s weapons, smaller versions that resemble the popular AR-15 rifles and are marketed with cartoon-like characters. “Disgusting,” she said.

In one exchange, two Ohio lawmakers squared off. “Your freedom stops where mine begins, and that of my constituents begins,” Democratic Rep. Marcy Kaptur told Republican Rep. Jim Jordan. “Schools, shopping malls, grocery stores, Independence Day parades shouldn’t be scenes of mass carnage and bloodshed.”

Jordan replied by inviting her to his congressional district to debate him on the Second Amendment, saying he believed most of his constituents “probably agree with me and agree with the United States Constitution.”

The bill would make it unlawful to import, sell or manufacture a long list of semi-automatic weapons. Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., said it includes an exemption that allows for the possession of existing semi-automatic guns.

Reps. Chris Jacobs of New York and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania were the only Republicans to vote for the measure. The Democratic lawmakers voting no were Reps. Kurt Schrader of Oregon, Henry Cuellar of Texas, Jared Golden of Maine, Ron Kind of Wisconsin and Vicente Gonzalez of Texas.

For nearly two decades, since the previous ban expired Democrats had been reluctant to revisit the issue and confront the gun lobby. But voter opinions appear to be shifting and Democrats dared to act before the fall election. The outcome will provide information for voters of where the candidates stand on the issue.

Jason Ouimet, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, said in a statement following the vote that “barely a month after” the Supreme Court expanded gun rights “gun control advocates in Congress are spearheading an assault upon the freedoms and civil liberties of law-abiding Americans.”

He said the bill potentially bans millions of firearms “in blatant opposition to the Supreme Court’s rulings” that have established gun ownership as an individual right and expanded on it.

Among the semi-automatic weapons banned would be some 200-plus types of semi-automatic rifles, including AR-15s, and pistols. The restrictions would not apply to many other models.

Democrats had tried to link the weapons ban to a broader package of public safety measures that would have increased federal funding for law enforcement. It’s something centrist Democrats in tough re-election campaigns wanted to shield them from political attacks by their Republican opponents they are soft on crime.

Pelosi said the House will revisit the public safety bills in August when lawmakers are expected to return briefly to Washington to handle other remaining legislation, including Biden’s priority inflation-fighting package of health care and climate change strategies making its way in the Senate.

Congress passed a modest gun violence prevention package just last month in the aftermath of the tragic shooting of 19 school children and two teachers in Uvalde. That bipartisan bill was the first of its kind after years of failed efforts to confront the gun lobby, including after a similar 2012 mass tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn.

That law provides for expanded background checks on young adults buying firearms, allowing authorities to access certain juvenile records. It also closes the so-called “boyfriend loophole” by denying gun purchases for those convicted of domestic abuse outside of marriages.

The new law also frees up federal funding to the states, including for “red flag” laws that enable authorities to remove guns from those who would harm themselves or others.

But even that modest effort at halting gun violence came at time of grave uncertainty in the U.S. over restrictions on firearms as the more conservative Supreme Court is tackling gun rights and other issues.

Biden signed the measure two days after the Supreme Court’s ruling striking down a New York law that restricted people’s ability to carry concealed weapons.

This story was first published on July 29, 2022. It was updated on August 1, 2022 to correct the name of the executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action to Jason Ouimet, not Jason Quimet.

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US NATIONAL NEWS

FIFA Explains Legal Basis for Suspending Folarin Balogun’s One-Match Ban

Published

15 hours ago

July 7, 2026

FNN NEWS

ZURICH, Switzerland (FNN NEWS) — The Chairperson of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has issued a detailed statement explaining the legal basis for the committee’s decision to suspend the implementation of the automatic one-match suspension imposed on United States forward Folarin Balogun following his red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The statement comes after questions surrounding Balogun’s eligibility for the United States’ Round of 16 match against Belgium.

Red Card Incident

During the July 1 FIFA World Cup 2026 match between the United States and Bosnia & Herzegovina, Balogun was sent off in the 64th minute for serious foul play following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.

After the match, Balogun returned to the field to celebrate with teammates despite having been expelled.

Disciplinary Proceedings

On July 2, FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Balogun for potential violations of:

Article 66 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, relating to expulsion and the automatic suspension following a red card.
Article 14, concerning player misconduct related to his post-match celebration after being sent off.

On July 5, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee found Balogun guilty of both violations.

Sanctions Imposed

The committee imposed:

A one-match suspension, suspended on probation for one year.
A USD 40,000 fine.
Joint liability for payment of the fine by the United States Soccer Federation under Article 6.5 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

The fine was evenly divided between the two violations.

Why Balogun Was Eligible to Play

The committee emphasized that it did not overturn the referee’s red-card decision.

Instead, it upheld the automatic one-match suspension required under Article 66.4 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and Article 10.5 of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Regulations.

However, exercising its authority under Article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the committee suspended the implementation of that sanction for a probationary period of one year.

As a result, Balogun was eligible to play immediately rather than serve the suspension in the United States’ next World Cup match.

Should Balogun commit another offense of similar nature and seriousness during the probationary period, the suspended one-match ban would automatically take effect in addition to any new disciplinary sanctions.

Committee Cites Independent Authority

The Chairperson stressed that FIFA’s judicial bodies operate independently under the FIFA Statutes and the FIFA Disciplinary Code.

According to the statement, committee members satisfy the independence requirements established under FIFA Governance Regulations to ensure impartial decision-making.

Use of Article 27 Is Not New

The committee also rejected criticism that the decision created a new precedent.

According to the statement, Article 27 expressly allows FIFA’s disciplinary bodies to suspend implementation of disciplinary sanctions in cases that do not involve match manipulation.

The Chairperson noted that the provision has been used previously during FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying competitions.

The committee further stated that neither the FIFA Disciplinary Code nor the FIFA World Cup Regulations prohibit applying Article 27 to an automatic red-card suspension.

Comparison to Other Competitions

The statement also pointed to disciplinary practices across many UEFA-affiliated domestic leagues, where governing bodies routinely review and overturn red cards after matches.

The committee argued that temporarily suspending the implementation of a sanction authorized by FIFA regulations is an even more limited remedy because the referee’s decision remains unchanged.

The Chairperson concluded that the committee’s decision complied with Articles 25 and 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and was based on the specific facts, evidence and circumstances surrounding the incident.

Key Points

July 1: Balogun sent off against Bosnia & Herzegovina after VAR review.
July 2: FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings.
July 5: Committee finds Balogun guilty of two disciplinary violations.
One-match suspension imposed but suspended for one year on probation.
USD 40,000 fine issued.
U.S. Soccer jointly liable for payment.
Red card stands; only implementation of the suspension was deferred.
Balogun remained eligible to play against Belgium.
FIFA says Article 27 expressly authorizes suspending implementation of disciplinary sanctions.

Politics

Vice President JD Vance to Visit Milwaukee, Discuss Trump Administration’s Anti-Fraud Efforts

Published

1 day ago

July 6, 2026

FNN NEWS

WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — Vice President JD Vance will travel to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, where he is scheduled to deliver remarks on the Trump administration’s efforts to combat fraud, according to a White House press release.

Politics

President Trump Launches Trump Accounts with NYSE, Nasdaq Opening Bell Ceremony from Oval Office

Published

1 day ago

July 6, 2026

FNN NEWS

NEW YORK (FNN NEWS) — President Donald Trump marked the official launch of Trump Accounts on Monday by participating in a first-of-its-kind opening bell ceremony for both the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq from the Oval Office.

The event celebrated the rollout of the investment account program established under the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which the Trump administration says is designed to help eligible American children build long-term wealth through tax-advantaged investment accounts.

Investment Accounts for American Children

According to the White House, Trump Accounts are available to U.S. citizens under the age of 18. Children born between Jan. 1, 2025, and Dec. 31, 2028, will automatically receive a $1,000 federal seed investment, while families and eligible contributors may make additional investments over time.

The administration said more than six million Trump Accounts have already been requested, with more than 86% of requests coming from families earning less than $200,000 annually.

President Trump Highlights Economic Opportunity

During the ceremony, President Trump said the accounts are intended to allow children to benefit from long-term economic growth.

“With the ringing of the opening bell for the stock market, Trump Accounts will now begin to grow right along with our booming economy,” Trump said. “Between individual contributions and the seed funds, $800 million in new capital will be invested in the stock market for America’s children this week.”

Business and Government Leaders Voice Support

Several business executives and administration officials participated in the announcement, including:

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell Technologies
Adena Friedman, CEO of Nasdaq
Lynn Martin, president of the New York Stock Exchange Group
Jeffrey Sprecher, CEO of Intercontinental Exchange
Brad Gerstner, chairman and CEO of Altimeter Capital
Ted Cruz

Treasury Secretary Bessent said the initiative is intended to expand access to financial markets for American families.

Michael Dell encouraged additional companies to participate by contributing to employees’ children’s accounts.

Private-Sector Participation

The White House announced that philanthropists Michael and Susan Dell are supporting the initiative and said more than 50 companies have committed to making contributions to Trump Accounts for the children of their employees.

Administration officials described the initiative as part of a broader effort to encourage savings, investing and long-term wealth creation for future generations.

The announcement comes as the United States continues events commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary, with administration officials describing Trump Accounts as an investment in America’s next generation.