JOURNAL NEWS
2nd Amendment listening tour touches on more than guns By JEANNE PUTNAM | contributor
February 8
GREG BECKNER / STAFF
U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan spent the day Feb. 1 traveling through congressional District 3 gathering insights on what he dubbed a “Second Amendment Listening Tour.” His stop at Greenville’s Allen Arms drew a crowd of citizens who were concerned not only about their Second Amendment rights, but the rising cost of ammunition and what Congress can do to prevent executive orders pertaining to gun reform from coming to pass. The congressman emphasized that he was open to any debates on background checks and mental health topics. “The state and the federal government have to work together on background checks,” Duncan said, adding he feels the state needs to come up with a system that reports to the federal government on background checks, but is concerned about people possibly getting put on a “do not buy” list. He told the group the debate’s focus should be on mental health rather than
U.S. Rep. Jeff Duncan talks with his constituents at Allen Arms in Greenville. The congressman was visiting several towns on what he called a “Second Amendment Listening Tour.”
guns. “South Carolina does not have a state mental health hospital. They closed down the Bull Street facility years ago,” Duncan said.
The state should open a new facility to address mental health, and the federal government needs to turn its focus in that direction, he said. While Duncan touched on mental
health as a primary issue for debate, some citizens were concerned about how long Republican leaders could fight stricter gun laws. Participant John Clark told Duncan, “I don’t know how long South Carolina representatives can block President Obama on these new laws. The federal government controls the purse strings of social programs such as Social Security and Medicare. They might threaten to cut us off.” Other attendees discussed the ammunition shortage and the rising cost of ammunition. Duncan told the crowd he believes “the ammo shortage is a supply-and-demand issue because folks are worried about not being able to buy ammunition later and are stocking up now.” Duncan closed the meeting by recommending that all Second Amendment supporters go to a range like Allen Arms and get lessons so they can learn gun safety and proficiency. Contact Jeanne Putnam at jputnam@communityjournals.com.
G H S H e a lt H e d u c at i o n
Preventing Heart Attacks, Strokes & Vascular Disease
Meet the Midwives
Sat., Feb. 9 • 11 a.m.-1 p.m. • Embassy Suites GHS clinicians will discuss preventing these conditions. Blood pressure checks and hands-only CPR demonstrations at 10:30 a.m. Lunch provided. Free; registration required.
Tues., Feb. 26 • 6-8 p.m. • Greenville Midwifery Care (35 Medical Ridge Drive) Learn about GHS’ nurse-midwifery program and how a midwife can enhance the birthing process. Free; registration required.
Guyology: Just the Facts Sun., Feb. 10 • 2:30-4:30 p.m. • Patewood Medical Campus This program for boys in 4th and 5th grade eases the transition into puberty through open discussion. Fee: $50 dad/son. To register, visit the events page at girlology.com.
Understanding Integrative Oncology Tues., Feb. 19 • 12:15-1:15 p.m. • Greenville Memorial Hospital Learn about integrative oncology and how evidence-based complementary therapies impact cancer care. Lunch provided. Free; registration required.
Controlling Asthma Tues., March 12 • Noon-1 p.m. • GHS Life Center® Join GHS physicians from Cross Creek Internal Medicine for a discussion on asthma and the latest treatments. Lunch provided. Free; registration required. To register, for more information or to see a full schedule of events, visit ghs.org/360healthed or call 1-877-GHS-INFO (447-4636).
Struggling With Weight? Wed., Feb. 20 • 5-6:30 p.m. • Anderson County Library (McDuffie Street) Learn how GHS’ dedicated team of professionals can help you achieve long-term weight loss through surgery. Free; registration required. To register, call 676-1072. 130036
FEBRUARY 8, 2013 | THE JOURNAL 5