Smart Talk: Would California’s tough gun laws work in PA?; The Generals author Thomas Ricks

What to look for on Smart Talk, Tuesday, November 5, 2013:

Those looking to purchase a handgun would be limited to one per month. All firearms sales must go through a licensed gun dealer. These are just two examples of gun control laws proposed in Pennsylvania — that have already been enacted in the state of California.

In fact, California has what are considered the toughest gun laws in the nation. Have those laws reduced gun violence?

The statistics would seem to indicate the answer is yes. In 1993, there were 5,500 gun deaths in California. In 2010, there were 2,925.

However, critics point out the number of gun deaths have gone down in the past 20 years across the country and not just in California.

Former witf Capital Bureau Chief and StateImpact Pennsylvania reporter Scott Detrow now covers the state capitol in California. He’ll appear on Smart Talk to compare that state’s gun laws to Pennsylvania’s.

Last week, we asked you if you would like to see stricter gun laws in Pennsylvania through the Public Insight Network. We’ll share some of your responses on the show.

Also, Thomas Ricks is considered one of the nation’s foremost journalists on military matters. His book Fiasco,about the blunders of the Iraq War was #1 on the New York Times best seller list. Ricks’ book The Generals — American Military Command from World War II to Today was released in paperback last week.

Ricks will be a guest on Tuesday’s Smart Talk to discuss what he calls “an epic history of the decline of American military leadership.”

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The episode of Smart Talk was informed by members of witf’s Public Insight Network. Become a source.