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Salinas >> Congressman Jimmy Panetta said he had no clue as he grew up what he wanted to do, until finally one day it just clicked.

A little more than 300 high school students from 11 different schools throughout Monterey County got a chance to hear Panetta's life story during Monterey County Law Day at Hartnell College on Tuesday.

Panetta, who was the keynote speaker at the event, also talked to the students about the importance of the separation of powers built into the Constitution and the power of the citizen voice through the election process.

Salinas >> Congressman Jimmy Panetta said he had no clue as he grew up what he wanted to do, until finally one day it just clicked.

A little more than 300 high school students from 11 different schools throughout Monterey County got a chance to hear Panetta's life story during Monterey County Law Day at Hartnell College on Tuesday.

Panetta, who was the keynote speaker at the event, also talked to the students about the importance of the separation of powers built into the Constitution and the power of the citizen voice through the election process.

The regional representative introduced legislation based on a 2001 California state law that established the Armed Prohibited Persons System.

House members stream down the Capitol steps early on a Wednesday evening, just after the last votes of the week. Some lawmakers linger, planning to fly home the next morning, but Rep. Juan Vargas rushes down the steps in jeans and a windbreaker — his travel wear.

At the nearest intersection, an aide hails a taxi and hands his boss an overnight bag. Vargas is hoping to catch an evening flight out of Baltimore, an hour's drive away, and be home 2,700 miles across the country in San Diego before his daughter goes to bed.

A BILL that would help states make sure the mentally ill and people convicted of felonies can't possess firearms was introduced by U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta and another House Democrat this week.

Called the Armed Prohibited Persons Act of 2018, the legislation would provide states with funds to develop databases that cross-reference gun owners with criminal, mental health and restraining order records so they can identify those who are barred from having firearms — such as felons and those who have been deemed "dangerously" mentally ill.

148 Members Send Letter to Speaker Ryan Requesting Information on His Decision to Remove House Chaplain

Washington, D.C. – Today, 148 members sent a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan requesting information on his decision to remove the House chaplain. The letter was led by Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Walter Jones (R-NC), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), and Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH).

Reps. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel, and Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, introduced a bill Thursday aimed at keeping firearms out of the hands of convicted felons and those with dangerous mental illnesses.

Called the Armed Prohibited Persons Act of 2018, the bill would set aside funding to assist states who create databases of those who are prohibited from owning firearms.