Sep 11, 2017

Lax gun laws mean armed protests

Violent clashes in Charlottesville. Photo: Steve Helber / AP

The protestors and counter-protestors carrying guns in Charlottesville, Virginia weren't disobeying the law. Virginia allows people to carry guns openly and without permits. Around the country, white supremacists and Antifa protestors are taking advantage of lax gun control laws to bring firearms to tense demonstrations that could quickly turn violent, per Politico.

Why it matters: 45 states allow some form of open carry. "We are simply passing time until the proverbial 'Hatfield and McCoy' incident occurs," former FBI supervisory special agent James Gagliano told Politico.

Worth noting: The ACLU, which defended the rights of white nationalists to protest the removal of Robert E. Lee's statue in Charlottesville, recently announced it will no longer back armed hate group protestors.

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Erica Pandey

The renaissance of the American family

Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios

It used to be scarce and hard-earned, but suddenly family time is abundant in the era of shelter-in-place.

Why it matters: For the first time since the early 19th century, many parents and kids — and even grandchildren — are all under the same roof round-the-clock. And if past periods of emergency are any guide, this enforced togetherness could deepen our relationships for years to come.

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Alexi McCammond

Biden says he's starting VP search this month

Joe Biden. Photo: Scott Olson / Staff

Joe Biden said he's spoken to Sen. Bernie Sanders and former President Barack Obama about selecting a running mate — and that he wants to build "a bench of younger, really qualified people" who can lead the nation over the course of the next four presidential cycles.

Driving the news: Biden spoke about the state of the 2020 race during a virtual fundraiser on Friday night that was opened to pooled coverage.

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Gigi Sukin, Alayna Treene

Trump ousting intelligence community inspector general

Michael Atkinson, inspector general of the intelligence community. Photo: Bill Clark / Getty Images

President Trump notified key lawmakers on Friday that he’s firing Michael Atkinson, the intelligence community's inspector general, who first alerted Congress last September of an "urgent" complaint from an official involving Trump's correspondence with the Ukrainian president.

Why it matters: The move, to take effect in 30 days, comes amid a broader initiative to purge the administration of officials seen as disloyal to the president.

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