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Are guns to blame for murder-suicides in Switzerland?
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"In an article posted at the BBC News website, entitled, 'Domestic killings shock Swiss', the author references Martin Boess, head of Switzerland's crime prevention unit, as blaming, 'the Swiss army's policy of requiring Swiss men, who all have to do military service, to keep their guns and ammunition at home ...'" ...
"As a matter of fact, according to Thomas Sowell in, 'Gun Control Myths: Gun Restrictions and Murder Rates', statistics actually negate any positive correlation between owning a firearm and higher murder rates ... Indeed, Israel, New Zealand, and Finland are known to have high rates of gun ownership and low rates of murder. Furthermore, in the U.S., white people own more guns than blacks, yet have lower murder rates. ..." ... |
Smackdown in the Senate
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"On May 19, 1856, Sen. Charles Sumner of Massachusetts rose on the Senate floor to address the crisis in Kansas. With that territory�s policy on slavery to be decided by the settlers, Southern and Northern interests alike had flooded it with immigrants. By the spring of 1856 armed bands supporting both sides were roaming Kansas. Sumner, a fervent abolitionist, spent weeks preparing a speech that would hurl vituperation on the South and its supporters." ...
"The next day he continued his assault. Heaping scorn on Butler's suggestion that Kansas settlers be deprived of their rifles (which would 'trample on one of the plainest provisions of constitutional liberty') ..." [emphasis added] ... |
LA: 5 dead in shootings at Baton Rouge church
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"A man opened fire Sunday morning at a church, fatally wounding four people before abducting his wife, whom he later shot to death at another location, authorities said."
"The suspect, Anthony Bell, 25, of Baton Rouge, was captured at an apartment complex near the church. Three children abducted with the woman were all found safe."
"'This is going to be one of the worst days in the history of our city,' Police Chief Jeff Leduff said after Bell was captured and his wife's body was found at the apartment complex." ...
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Submitter's Note: According to packing.org, LA law prohibits lawful carry in "Any church, synagogue, mosque or similar place of worship". |
City's hosting skills impress NRA, visitors
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"As the National Rifle Association's 135th annual meeting came to a close Sunday, attendees and organizers called the event a major success."
"Early estimates indicated attendance either met or exceeded the 60,000 people the association anticipated, said NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam, although official attendance figures won't be available until later this week."
"'The convention center folks and the hotel folks were absolutely incredible to deal with,' said Arulanandam, adding that he heard 'very positive' feedback from members throughout the meeting."
"In fact, as the convention came to a close at 5 p.m. Sunday, attendees said Milwaukee hit the bull's-eye when it came to hospitality." ... |
NRA initiation an extreme experience
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"Halfway is not the NRA�s way. That much I gathered Saturday during my visit to the group�s national convention at the Midwest Airlines Center."
"In the exhibition hall there was big, like hunting knives the length of my forearms. And there was small, like the intricate one-third-scale guns the Miniature Arms Society had on display. David Kucer showed me a photo of a miniature Colt .45 next to a dime. The coin was only a hair smaller." ...
"There was serious, like the place that sold fanny packs, vests and purses with specially sized slots for a concealed weapon ... And there was silly, like the booth that sold chess sets with outdoors themes. The one pitting elk hunters versus deer hunters was my favorite." ... |
MO: Waking Up in Missouri
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"The National Rifle Association's just-concluded convention in Milwaukee has sparked outrage in some quarters of New York, but jealousy might be a more appropriate response. The outrage seems to be directed toward members of the NRA who live outside the New York City metropolitan area and dare to like guns. Consider a recent column by Michael Daly of the Daily News. He reports on a 'jarring' encounter with one Peggy Irving of Missouri, who brought her 16-month-old daughter Katie to the convention and says she 'loves' her Smith & Wesson 9-mm lady's. He seems astonished that a mother who comes across 'as decent and amiable a person as you could ever meet' would like guns, and might even joke about how her infant daughter will one day own a firearm." ... |
FL: To enhance Jeb's record, keep state records open
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"Gov. Bush's legacy took significant losses during his last legislative session ... A better way to cement his legacy would be to stanch Florida's hemorrhaging open-government reputation by vetoing rather than signing into law the more than a dozen bills passed during the session's waning days that create or extend exemptions to Florida's open records laws.
"Among the worst would shield from public information the identities of people who have concealed weapons permits and who have applied for permits but were denied. The National Rifle Association and other gun-rights advocates prevailed with the red-herring claim that the information would make crime targets of permit-holders. ..." ... |
OH: HB347: 4th Hearing Next Wednesday (OFCC)
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"The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will be holding a hearing for proponent, opponent, and interested testimony with a possible vote on Sub. House Bill 347, on Wednesday, May 24th at 9:00 a.m., in the North Hearing Room of the State House."
"This legislation was originally going to be voted on yesterday, May 17th. Back room politics are holding the bill in limbo, and preventing forward progress. Therefore, OFCC urges you to not only attend the hearing next week, but to use the OFCC ALERT tool right now to identify who your Senator is, and then use that information to call his or her office and politely urge them to amend and pass House Bill 347 to the Senate Floor. ..." ... |
VT: New Law Protects Gun Ranges From Frivolous Lawsuits
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"Those who like to practice their skills at the shooting range got a big boost Monday."
"Governor Jim Douglas was at the Barre Rifle and Pistol Club to sign a bill into law that protects shooting ranges from lawsuits. Under the law, only neighbors next to a range could file a nuisance suit while also making it harder for municipalities to regulate the shooting ranges."
"'We know our state is growing, people are moving in but it's important we continue focus on the culture and tradition of the green mountain state,' said Governor Douglas." ... |
NJ: Cop's gun gone after SUV taken
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FULL TEXT BELOW:
A town police officer's stolen sport utility vehicle was recovered yesterday morning in Jersey City - minus the loaded 9 mm pistol he had under the front seat, police said.
The black 1999 Ford Expedition, reported missing yesterday at 2:45 a.m., was found blocking a driveway on Liberty Avenue near Lincoln Street shortly before 10 a.m., police said.
A tissue box on the dashboard had apparently been set on fire, but had already gone out when firefighters arrived, reports said.
The SUV will be dusted for fingerprints and searched for other clues before it is returned to the officer, who lives on 62nd Street in West New York, police said. |
OH: Man Charged With Murder In Daughter's Boyfriend's Death
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"At about 11:30 a.m., Cincinnati police received a 911 call to 1508 Yarmouth Ave., where a person was reportedly shot, a report stated." ...
"An investigation revealed that Washington was involved in an altercation with his girlfriend's father, James Hocker, 54."
"Hocker was charged with murder in connection with Washington's death." ...
"In reaction to the murder charge, Godrey said, 'I don't think he deserved to be in jail, especially charged with murder.'"
"Washington had several previous drug and robbery charges, and also violated a protection order that Godrey filed against him." [emphasis added]
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Submitter's Note: So the dad shot an abuser who was violating a protection order, and he's been arrested and charged?! |
NV: More 'business as usual' at Metro
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"Clark County Sheriff Bill Young won't run for a second term. Instead, he's doing everything he can to hand-pick his successor ..."
"It's a tradition. ... The claimed benefit of such a de facto line of 'anointed' successors is that the transitions are smooth. But that's also the problem."
"Bill Young, for all his personal merits, did little to even attempt to shake up or challenge the established 'culture' ..."
"... Las Vegas police to this day remain far more likely to arrest and charge a legal advantage card player who calls them for help while being 'back-roomed' by casino security officers than they are to charge those casino security officers with any crime for detaining and photographing -- even beating and handcuffing -- such players against their will." ... |
Zambia: Customs officer shoots adulterous wife 11 times
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"ZAMBIA Revenue Authority (ZRA) senior customs collector Babatis Banda 38, has been charged with attempted murder after shooting his wife in the legs, 11 times at his home for alleged promiscuity."
"Banda, who returned from studies Germany, shot his wife ... after suspicions that she was flirting with another man."
"Police spokesperson Bon Kapeso confirmed yesterday in an interview that Banda shot his wife in the legs with a pistol 11 times at 10:00 hours at his house ..."
"... Kapela said the Police has since charged him with attempted murder and that the matter will be taken to court soon."
"He said Banda's wife, Misozi is in a critical condition and admitted to at University Teaching Hospital (UTH)." ... |
UK: Man cleared of police murder bid
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"A former soldier who fired live rounds at police officers as they attended a domestic incident in Leeds has been cleared of trying to murder them." [emphasis added]
James Atkinson, 50, had taken a 'heady combination of alcohol and drugs' prior to his shoot-out with the police, a jury at Leeds Crown Court heard."
"He had denied the attempted murder of two officers who attended the scene in Bayswater Grove, Leeds, last year."
"He has admitted firearms offences and will be sentenced on Tuesday." ... |
New Zealand: Alarm at number of weapons found in prison
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"The Corrections Department is alarmed at the number of weapons found at Waikeria Prison in the Waikato."
"Two explosive devices designed to knock people out and an air rifle were among weapons confiscated at the prison last year."
"Statistics released under the Official Information Act reveal that 29 weapons -- including 13 knives, four batons, three metal bars, two thunder flashes (explosive devices) and an air rifle -- were discovered within the prison's grounds last year."
"And in the first two months of this year, 21 weapons were confiscated, including nine knives and nine other sharpened objects." ... |
DC: D.C. Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Gun Makers
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"A lawsuit in the District against gun makers was dismissed today by a D.C. Superior Court judge who ruled that the suit was precisely the sort of claim that a new federal law was intended to block."
"In a 37-page opinion, Judge Brook Hedge wrote that the city and the federal government had two competing policies, and only one could prevail."
"The D.C. Council, she wrote, had determined that assault weapons have 'little or no social benefit but at the same time pernicious consequences for the health and safety of District residents and visitors.' But Congress, she wrote, 'has trumped local law by passing legislation to protect the profits of such manufacturers.'" ... |
CA: New Law Results in California Judge Dismissing Lawsuit Against Firearm Manufacturers
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"Citing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act that blocks unwarranted lawsuits against firearms manufacturers, Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Charles W. Stoll today ruled from the bench ordering complete dismissal of all causes of action against defendants Beretta, Smith & Wesson, Colt and Turners Outdoor Sports, a California firearms dealer, in a case involving the gang murder of a Burbank police officer."
"Members of the 'Violent Boyz' gang killed Officer Mathew Pavelka in the line of duty during a shootout ... Defendants Beretta, Smith & Wesson, and Colt were named because their lawfully sold products were used by the gang members. Turners lawfully sold the firearm that was later misused by gang members." ... |
FL: Pink Pistols advocacy group shoots down stereotypes
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"Their motto is 'Armed gays don't get bashed.'"
"Joani McBride explains: 'A., I'm female, and, B., I'm little. You know, I'm fairly defenseless. But honey, a .357 [Magnum] beats four aces every time.'"
"A gun aficionado for three decades, McBride knows the difference between a Colt Commander .45 ACP and the Charter Arms Bulldog .44, her two favorite handguns. And she knows how to point them if she has to -- she did once, at a knife-wielding attacker in Colorado."
"McBride is 62. She is 5-foot-4, 130 pounds."
"She is one of 25 members of the Wilton Manors chapter of the Pink Pistols, an international gay and lesbian gun advocacy group."
"'We're as ordinary as dirt,' McBride said. 'We're just shooters who happen to be gay.'" ... |
CO: Cowboys converge on the Siege at San Juan
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"If you were brave enough to take a trip out to the San Juan Shooting Range over the weekend for the 11th annual Siege at San Juan, you may have found yourself in the days of the late 19th century."
"The days of the Wild Wild West, or as close as you can get."
"For the 120 cowboys and cowgirls that participated in the competition it was a chance to take a trip back in history and a chance to live a childhood dream."
"'We all wanted to play cowboy and indians growing up and this is a lot like it,' said Mike Knight, a.k.a. Texas Wildman of Montrose. 'The quality of people that do this are like the way it was back then. These are the kinda people that America is about, where black is black, white is white and your word is your bond.'" ... |
CT: Gun safety taught to youngest students
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"'Stop. Don�t touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult.' These were the instructions given to ... kindergarten, first and second graders last week in a program on gun safety. During the program, the children watched a brief cartoon video featuring gun safety mascot Eddie Eagle, who told the children what to do if they ever come across a gun."
"A real-life Eddie appeared before the children ... with Middlefield trooper Tom Topulos. Topulos was animated and enthusiastic as repeatedly chanted Eddie�s instructions with the children. At the end of the 20 minutes presentation, the children left with a gun safety coloring book and sticker and 'Stop. Don�t Touch. Leave the area. Tell an adult.' firmly embedded in their memory.'" ... |
MO: Missourians turn to other states for concealed carry permits
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"At first, gun owners just got tired of waiting."
"While authorities in St. Louis and St. Louis County didn't start issuing concealed carry permits for more than a year after the Legislature authorized them in 2004, some eager firearms enthusiasts used the reciprocity provision of the new law to take their applications to other states."
"Now it appears there is more to it than haste, as uncounted others have followed the same path. Some gun proponents say other places offer a better deal." ... |
OH: Roswel 8th-grader shoots way to nationals
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"Chelsea Frink didn't start out winning every event she entered."
"In fact, she got so frustrated she nearly quit."
"But a change of practice and encouragement from her parents convinced Frink to keep her spot on the Great Trails Musketeers Jr. Rifle Team. Three years later, Frink has collected 35 medals."
"'I was just frustrated,' said Frink, an 8th-grader at Indian Valley. 'I seriously don't think I would still be involved if it wasn�t for my parents.'"
"But she�s not just involved, she�s excelling."
"Frink ... recently competed in the USA Air Rifle National Championships at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and she also qualified for the NRA Nationals that will be held next month in Redmond, Ore." ... |
UK: Armed Robbers Raid McDonald's Restaurant
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"Two armed robbers pistol-whipped a young female worker around the head in a late night raid on a McDonald's restaurant, it was revealed today."
"They burst into the south east London branch at 10pm closing time, pulled out a handgun and threatened staff at the tills."
"They then went behind the counter and smashed a terrified 24-year-old woman on the head with the weapon before escaping with several hundred pounds in cash."
"The victim was taken by ambulance to hospital suffering from head injuries but was later released. The other seven staff present were unharmed." ... |
UK: Police aim to cut knife use
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"BINS have been placed in police stations across Sedgemoor as the force gears up for the nationwide knife amnesty, which starts tomorrow (Wednesday)."
"The move aims to highlight the dangers of carrying bladed weapons in the community, and promote public safety."
"It also hopes to encourage people to come forward and provide information about people who are using knives illegally."
"Assistant chief constable Steve Mortimore said: 'The amnesty has a clear point to make and that is that carrying knives is not acceptable.'" ...
"Avon and Somerset officers have created a shortlist messages that the amnesty puts across: If you carry a knife out of self-defence, you run the risk of having it turned on you." ... |
Canada: No! You can't kill the sacred cow!
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"Now that Auditor General Sheila Fraser's report is out, we know for certain the Firearms Centre not only continues to be a black hole for our tax dollars, but that the Liberals deliberately cooked the books in order to funnel more cash into it."
"Steven Harper's government has vowed to clean up the mess left by a dozen years of Liberal rule."
"At issue is the holy grail of the anti-gun crowd, the gun registry. Every time the thought of killing this sacred cow surfaces, the usual faces trot out the same tired old excuses for keeping it alive."
"They steadfastly ignore all evidence showing how useless the system is, instead spout off their decade-old mantra 'If it saves just one life!' ... So please. Don't confuse them with the facts." ... |
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