Safety

05/28/2009 -- Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen today vetoed House Bill 962, which would permit the possession of firearms in Tennessee restaurants and bars. Law enforcement officials and district attorneys from across the state flanked Bredesen as he spoke about his reasons for the veto.

"Let me be very clear: I am a strong supporter of the right to keep and bear arms. I am, and have always been, committed to preserving the rights of the Second Amendment: basic American rights. These rights are protected by the United States Constitution and the Tennessee Constitution as well," Bredesen said.    » read more »

Legislation Would Ensure Gun Dealer Employees Have Passed Background Checks and Prevent Ineligible Gun Owners from Possessing a Gun License

May 28, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that he has proposed legislation that would help ensure that only law-abiding individuals are able to obtain and retain firearms licenses.

This legislation, which was delivered to the Legislature today, will close gaps in New York law that may allow persons to obtain or retain firearms licenses even though they are barred by federal law from possessing those weapons. This includes requiring a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check every three or five years for gun licensees and dealers.    » read more »

21 localities receive 28 grants to fund school resource officers

May 26, 2009 -- RICHMOND - Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced that grants worth more than $1.3 million have been awarded to support programs to improve school safety throughout the Commonwealth. Twenty one localities were chosen to receive a total of 28 grants to fund school resource officers.

"These grants demonstrate Virginia's commitment to providing safe schools where students can learn and teachers can teach," Governor Kaine said. "When students succeed, the entire community succeeds."    » read more »

May 26, 2009 -- Carbon monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the U.S. Currently only 22 U.S. states have state-wide statutes requiring carbon monoxide alarms in residences. UTC Fire & Security’s Kidde Residential & Commercial (Kidde R&C) business is calling for CO safety legislation in all 50 states.

Known as the “silent killer,” carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is produced by fossil fuel-burning appliances, heating sources and car exhaust fumes. At high concentration levels CO can be fatal in minutes.

Statistics from the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) show that carbon monoxide poisoning kills at least 500 people each year in the U.S. and sends more than 20,000 to hospital emergency rooms for treatment.    » read more »

Provision will take effect in nine months

May 22, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Department of the Interior spokeswoman Kendra Barkoff issued the following statement regarding the enactment of a new firearms law for national parks and wildlife refuges that will take effect in nine months:

“The Department of the Interior will follow Congress’s directive and implement the new firearms law, which states that its provisions will take effect nine months from today. For the time being, the current Reagan Administration regulations governing possession of firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges remain in place.    » read more »

Grants Can Help Reduce Highway Deaths, Improve Access to Mass Transit

May 20, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded more than $4.3 million in new federal funding to both the City of Trenton and Rutgers University for highway safety programs and new research on public transportation. The City of Trenton’s funding will support highway safety programs in Trenton and Mercer County and Rutgers’ funding will support mass transit research, including studies of rail station access shuttles, transit-supportive residential development and the impact of low-cost bus service.    » read more »

May 21, 2009 -- To increase public safety and aid law enforcement, Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson today signed the Omnibus Crime Bill.

“Safe communities are one of the reasons that businesses and families move to our state,” Parkinson said. “I appreciate the work the Legislature and the Attorney General did this session to keep Kansans safe and secure.”

“To better protect our families, we must give law enforcement the tools they need to fight crime and bring predators to justice,” Attorney General Steve Six said. “This legislation contains a number of provisions that will help law enforcement keep our communities safe. I was pleased to be the main proponent of the provision which closed the loophole for criminals that would flee & elude law enforcement officers.”    » read more »

Based on findings of CDC expert panel which used OnStar data

2009-05-20 -- DETROIT – OnStar has developed an Injury Severity Prediction based on the findings of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expert panel which will allow OnStar advisors to alert first responders when a vehicle crash is likely to have caused serious injury to the occupants.

Using a collection of built-in vehicle sensors, OnStar Automatic Crash Response system sends crash data to an advisor if the vehicle is involved in a moderate or severe front, rear or side-impact crash. The data includes crash severity, along with the direction of impact, air bag deployment, multiple impacts and vehicle type.    » read more »

Funding will help protect Hoosier children, keep homes safe from lead paint and other hazards

Washington – Senator Evan Bayh today announced that Indiana will receive more than $7.4 million in economic recovery funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development to keep Hoosier children safe by removing lead-based paint in homes and preventing other common health hazards.

The City of Gary and Elkhart County will each receive three million dollars in Lead Based Paint Hazard Control grants, a program that safely removes lead-based paint from privately-owned and low-income housing. Lead ingestion poses a serious health risk, including stunted growth and kidney damage, to children under the age of six.    » read more »

The 2010 Ford Mustang coupe has earned the U.S. government’s top 5-star safety ratings, which includes 5-stars for driver and passenger in front and side crash tests, as well as for rollover performance

May 19, 2009 - The 2010 Ford Mustang coupe has earned the U.S. government’s top 5-star crash-test rating, adding to widespread acclaim for the new car’s unmistakable design and upgraded performance that builds on the formula that’s made it America’s favorite pony car for 45 years.

Ford has more U.S. government 5-star-rated vehicles than any other brand and more Top Safety Pick ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety than any other automaker.    » read more »

2009 National Recreational Water Illness Prevention Week is May 18-24

May 14, 2009 -- Pool chemical injuries account for as many as 5,200 emergency room visits each year. A new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that these injuries are preventable, and during 2007 almost half of those injuries occurred at a residence.    » read more »

May 11, 2009 -- The FBI today released preliminary statistics indicating that 41 of our nation’s law enforcement officers were feloniously killed in the line of duty in 2008. By region, 20 of the victim officers were killed in the South, nine in the Midwest, nine in the West, and three in the Northeast. The number of officers feloniously killed was 17 fewer than in 2007.    » read more »

Sen. Bushweller and Rep. Bryon H. Short to sponsor legislation

May 7, 2009 -- DOVER -- Delaware Governor Jack A. Markell joined forces with Sen. Brian J. Bushweller and Rep. Bryon H. Short to announce legislation Thursday that would increase the State’s fines and penalties for Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

DUI continues to be a significant threat to the motoring public’s safety and Governor Markell believes greater fines will serve as a deterrent to this dangerous behavior.    » read more »

May 6, 2009 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today signed Senate Bill 344, the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law. The legislation mandates the use of seat belts in motor vehicles, effective June 30, 2009.

“Today I am proud to sign legislation that will help save lives in Florida and prevent serious injuries that otherwise could have been prevented,” said Governor Crist. “Nothing is of greater importance than keeping Florida’s citizens and visitors safe.”    » read more »

Governor Urges Congress To Reinstate Assault Weapon Ban; Asks Legislature To Pass Sensible Measures To Limit Illegal Handguns

April 15, 2009 -- HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell, along with Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper and other chief law enforcement officers from across Pennsylvania, today called on Congress and the General Assembly to stand with them and put an end to senseless murders stemming from the use of deadly assault weapons and illegal handguns.

The Governor wrote to Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation and the leadership of the state legislature today asking them to support common sense measures that have been proven to protect law enforcement officers and keep communities safe.    » read more »