The measure would prohibit people convicted of certain hate-crime misdemeanors from possessing a gun. Currently, federal law bars only those convicted of more serious felony offenses from having guns. Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, the co-sponsor of the Senate version of the bill, says the misdemeanors that would prevent someone from owning a gun include threats and harassment. [There is no doubt where this is headed. According to a new law in New York City, it is hate speech to report someone to Immigration and Customs Enforcement or to use the words "illegal alien". If this trend continues, the Second Amendment is history – and so is a free America.] -GEG