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Nevada lawmakers respond to bump stock ruling; devices used in Las Vegas mass shooting

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Nevada lawmakers respond to bump stock ruling; devices used in Las Vegas mass shooting


Accessory allowed shooter to fire 1,000 rounds in 11 minutes during 1 October

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Nevada’s congressional delegation and state leaders responded Friday to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 6-3 ruling striking down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks, a gun accessory restricted following the 1 October shooting.

The majority of the high court found Congress, not the executive branch, has the authority to ban bump stocks. In 2019, the Trump Administration banned the devices through regulatory means by defining them as machinegun components. Bump stocks remain illegal under Nevada state law.

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Stephen Paddock killed 58 people attending the Route 91 Harvest festival on Oct. 1, 2017 — an event now known in Las Vegas as 1 October. Two subsequent deaths have since been added to the total, now 60. Bump stocks allowed Paddock to fire more than 1,000 rounds in 11 minutes, officials said.

In the wake of the shooting, southern Nevada’s congressional delegation pushed Congress to pass a ban. Specifically, Democratic Rep. Dina Titus, whose district encompasses the Las Vegas Strip, has pushed for passage of a federal ban.

FILE – A bump stock is displayed in Harrisonburg, Va., on March 15, 2019. The Supreme Court has struck down a Trump-era ban on bump stocks, a gun accessory that allows semi-automatic weapons to fire rapidly like machine guns. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

“What a travesty this court is,” Titus said in a video posted outside the Supreme Court. “The American public knows we don’t need weapons of war on our streets so now let’s pass my BUMP stock bill and take care of this problem.”

“Bump stocks like the one used in the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival massacre in Las Vegas that left 60 people dead and hundreds more injured have no place on our streets,” Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto said “I am extremely disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down President Trump’s 2019 regulation. Now, I’m calling on Congress to urgently pass my commonsense legislation to save lives by permanently prohibiting these devastating devices.” 

“I’m outraged by the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse a Trump-era federal ban on bump stocks, which were used in the 1 October shooting  – making it the deadliest in U.S. history,” Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen said. “For years, this ban has been a common-sense, bipartisan approach to keeping communities safer and this shameful decision will put more lives at risk. It’s more important than ever for Congress to come together in a bipartisan way and pass legislation to permanently ban bump stocks.”

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FILE – In this Oct. 3, 2017, file photo, windows are broken at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino in Las Vegas, the room from where Stephen Craig Paddock fired on a nearby music festival on Oct. 1, 2017. The death toll, originally 58, has grown to 60. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

“Once again, Donald Trump’s handpicked Supreme Court has put the interests of corporations, in this case the gun lobby, over the lives of everyday Americans,” Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford said. “October 1, 2017 was a traumatic day for the Las Vegas community and a seminal moment for our nation. Sadly, on this day, the largest mass shooting event in our country occurred at the hand of a shooter and their use of bump stocks – killing sixty people and injuring 867 survivors who are still dealing with the lingering effects to this day. Today, the Supreme Court sided with violent criminals and against our right to live free from gun violence in our communities. This must not stand.  It’s why I voted to pass the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which is now law, co-sponsored legislation to end bump stocks and authored the Break the Cycle of Violence Act to stop crime before it starts, save lives and break the cycle of violence in all of our communities.”

“The ban on bump stocks was a direct consequence of the Oct. 1 shooting, which caused so much pain and sadness in our community,” Democratic Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford said. “Las Vegans and Nevadans saw firsthand the carnage these devices can cause, and it saddens me that such violence was not enough for six of the justices sitting on the court. The decision today is the most recent example of a court that has abdicated its responsibility to the American public. The court would rather, it seems, take an ideological stance and ignore the blood in our streets than allow such common-sense regulation as a bump stock ban to take effect. I am saddened by today’s decision, and I am calling on Congress to act quickly to reinstate a bump stock ban through legislative efforts.”

There were more than 500,000 bump stocks in circulation when the 2019 regulation went into effect, according to the Associated Press.



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Port of Nevada adds rail service

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Port of Nevada adds rail service


The Port of Nevada™, a 224-acre, inland port operation and intermodal ramp in Northern Nevada, owned and developed by Industrial Realty Group, LLC (IRG), will offer intermodal service for imports and exports between Fernley and the Port of Oakland, US. This venture was the result of their collaboration with Union Pacific Railroad, the CMA CGM Group, and the Port of Oakland.

“Direct rail access between Reno and the West Coast significantly increases the amount of cargo freight that can be shipped,” said Stuart Lichter, President of the Port of Nevada and IRG. “This collaborative venture will provide our clients with a more efficient, reliable, and environmentally sensitive way to transport goods.”

The Port of Nevada offers a full-service rail facility on the property which is connected to Union Pacific’s network. Rail operations include bulk commodity and intermodal transloading, and storage of multiple commodities. In addition, there are multiple opportunities for building suits and on-site storage.

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The direct rail access to the port will create many opportunities for savings, efficiencies, supply chain options, and sustainability for Port of Nevada customers.

The CMA CGM Group, a global provider of sea, land, air, and logistics solutions, was Port of Nevada’s exclusive ocean carrier partner through 2024. This collaboration will provide worldwide connectivity to Asia and Europe.

With the businesses experiencing the impact of supply chain challenges in recent years and consistently with traversing the frequently weather or traffic impacted Interstate 80 corridor, the draw to rail becomes more attractive.

Clients utilising rail can expect to decrease their carbon footprint and become less impacted by road conditions, trucking regulations, and carbon emissions. According to Union Pacific, transporting by rail is also very efficient and cost-effective; approximately one ton of rail cargo can be transported nearly 400 miles on just one gallon of diesel fuel. In addition, trains account for only 2% of all transportation-relation greenhouse gas emissions, while medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks account for nearly 25%.

Further support from Reno’s local economic development experts at Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA) and the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN), provide companies with the tools they need to thrive.

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“This project is a very unique opportunity for those looking to expand in the Reno market,” said Taylor Adams, EDAWN CEO. “The coastal connectivity IRG is providing is something companies need in Western Nevada, and we will do all we can to support the project’s continued growth throughout the region.”

“We are very excited to support the IRG inland port project,” said Jeff Sutich, Executive Director of the NNDA. “As a federally designated Tech Hub, focused on onshoring businesses to Nevada, this site is in a prime position to support advanced manufacturing companies that will be expanding to the State.”

Click here for free registration to Dry Bulk

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/ports-terminals/18062024/port-of-nevada-adds-rail-service/

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'Those families are dead': Nevada senator tears into Sen. JD Vance's bump stock remarks

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'Those families are dead': Nevada senator tears into Sen. JD Vance's bump stock remarks


WASHINGTON — Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., tore into Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, on Monday over remarks he made about bump stocks as the Senate grapples with whether to ban them.

Vance, who is widely considered a vice presidential contender on the GOP ticket with former President Donald Trump, called efforts by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and other Democrats to ban the devices “a huge distraction.”

“I think that we have to ask ourselves: What is the real gun violence problem in this country, and are we legislating in a way that solves fake problems? Or solves real problems?” Vance told reporters. “And my very strong suspicion is that the Schumer legislation is aimed at a PR problem, not something that’s going to meaningfully reduce gun violence in this country.”

Vance also said he was concerned the bill could “end up just inhibiting the rights of law-abiding Americans.” Pressed about the 58 people who were killed in a mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017, he said: “The question is: How many people would have been shot alternatively? And you have to ask yourself the question: Will anyone actually not choose a bump stock because Chuck Schumer passes a piece of legislation?”

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His comments drew a fiery response from Rosen, who faces re-election this year. The Las Vegas gunman used firearms equipped with bump stocks.

“This is not a fake problem,” she told reporters. “Let him come to Las Vegas. Let him see the memorial for those people who died. Let him talk to those families. It’s not a fake problem. Those families are dead.”

“Las Vegas was changed forever because of what the shooter did, and the bump stocks helped him. And let JD Vance come — and I’m going to take him to the memorials. We’re going to talk to — talk about our first responders, our ambulance drivers, our police, our firefighters, people at the blood bank, regular people. Shame on him. Shame on him for disrespecting the dead,” the normally mild-mannered Rosen said in a rare flash of anger.

The Supreme Court ruled last week that the executive branch cannot use an existing law to prohibit bump stocks, which modify semi-automatic weapons to fire bullets more quickly.

The 6-3 ruling, however, kept the door open for Congress to pass legislation banning the firearm accessories, and Schumer said Democrats plan to take up a measure as early as Tuesday.The war of words between Rosen and Vance pits two senators against each other over a hot-button issue that has galvanized many voters as mass shootings become commonplace in the U.S. Vance is courting a conservative base that is resistant to firearm limits, while Rosen’s stance appeals to a growing share of voters who have moved in favor of tougher gun laws.

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Schumer also responded to Vance’s comments, telling NBC News: “Talk to the people in Las Vegas who lost loved ones.”

He said Democrats will ask the Senate for unanimous consent for legislation by Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., called the BUMP Act, which would revise the U.S. criminal code to prohibit bump stocks.

The Trump administration initially put the regulation in place with the support of many Republicans. But Trump and some of the GOP lawmakers who backed it have now expressed less interest taking legislative steps to prohibit the accessories.

Any senator can deny a unanimous consent request. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., told NBC News he will block the measure, meaning it would not be able to move forward under the expedited process.

“I will oppose any legislative fix,” Graham said Monday.

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Vance, for his part, said his concerns were about Schumer’s legislative priorities.

“This is week three of Chuck Schumer focusing on fake problems instead of real problems,” he said. “We have real legislation. I have a rail safety bill that he promised he would bring up to the floor for a vote. Let’s do the things that actually have a chance of passing and actually making the country a better place.”

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., an outspoken proponent of tougher gun laws, said senators should support the measure banning bump stocks, calling it a “moderate proposal” that Republicans should have no problem voting for.

“Is it good politics to make it easier for potential mass killers to get their hands on machine guns? Probably not,” he said. “The idea is to try to make this attractive to Republicans. And we would be a lot better off if psychopaths couldn’t get their hands on machine guns. Let’s see if we can get a consensus this week. So I’ll be talking to Republicans all week to see if we can scrounge it up.”

At least some Republicans favor the bump stock ban, including Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah, who suggested the measure could come up through the normal process, requiring 60 votes to advance.

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“I do support banning bump stocks,” he said. “I hope we can get a chance to vote on that.”

Rosen said Monday that she supports the Second Amendment, but she argued there is plenty Congress can still do to keep people safe.

“Thoughts and prayers don’t bring back anybody you love,” she said. “And it’s up to us to legislate. It’s up to us to keep people safe.”



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Nevada troopers honored with memorial signs on Southern Nevada roadways

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Nevada troopers honored with memorial signs on Southern Nevada roadways


LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Nevada State Police and NDOT are honoring the lives of two of their own after they were tragically killed in a DUI crash late last year.

Sgt. Michael Abbate and Trooper Alberto Felix will now be recognized on our state roadways. The agency unveiled two memorial signs in honor of the fallen heroes.

The destinations serve as special places for both men. Trooper Felix’s sign is located near Craig Road and Nellis Air Force Base representing his time serving in the US Air Force. Sgt. Abbate’s sign is near the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, recognizing his racing days and contributions as the department’s leading emergency vehicle driver instructor.

Just last week, a judge sentenced the man who pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and killing the troopers. He will face 16-40 years in prison.

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