Birds of a Feather...: D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty yesterday joined
mayors from across the country in calling for stricter regulations at
gun shows - a major issue in Virginia, where state lawmakers rejected
the change following last year's massacre at Virginia Tech. "We can't
afford to wait for another tragedy like that to take these kinds of
basic common-sense protections," said New York City Mayor Michael R.
Bloomberg, co-chairman of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition,
which held its annual summit in the District yesterday...Mr. Fenty also
called on Congress to prohibit all firearms in the District - which is
waiting on a decision regarding its 32-year-old gun ban from the Supreme
Court - and said federal lawmakers will protect themselves but not city
residents.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/article/20080415/METRO/941428612/1004/metro
---
Wal-Mart to Film Gun Sales: Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world's largest
retailer, unveiled plans on Monday to film its gun sales in the United
States and create a computerized log of purchases in a bid to stop guns
falling into the wrong hands. Wal-Mart, which is the largest seller of
firearms in the United States, agreed a 10-point code, which also
includes rigid inventory controls, with a bipartisan coalition of Mayors
Against Illegal Guns led by New York's Michael Bloomberg. The retailer
said it will develop a first-of-its-kind computerized crime gun trace
log that will flag purchases by customers who have previously bought
guns later recovered in crimes. (Wal-Mart has discontinued sales of
firearms and ammunition at many of its stores.)
http://www.comcast.net/news/articles/general/2008/04/14/NEWS-USA-GUNS-WALMART-DC/
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/nyregion/15bloomberg.html?ref=nyregion
---
RKBA Divides Pennsylvania Voters: Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham
Clinton are gingerly threading their way between two of the most
politically charged numbers in Pennsylvania: the state's almost 1
million licensed hunters and Philadelphia's nearly one-a-day rate of gun
murders...As the state's hotly contested April 22 primary approaches,
the Democratic presidential candidates have struggled to avoid
alienating either side, to the point of pandering. Unlike most members
of Congress, neither senator has taken a position on the historic case
before the U.S. Supreme Court over whether the District of Columbia's
ban on handguns violates the Constitution's Second Amendment. Democrats
have shied away from gun control since 2000, when they blamed
presidential and congressional losses in part on their aggressive stance
at the time...
http://www.newsmax.com/politics/pennsylvania_primary_guns/2008/04/15/87938.html
---
States Weigh Infringements on RKBA: State lawmakers across the country
are ramping up efforts to pass new restrictions on guns, following
nearly a decade in which state legislative efforts have been dominated
by gun advocates. Much of the proposed legislation - some 38 states are
considering gun-related bills - focuses on cutting off gun access to
convicted criminals and the mentally ill and on improving methods to
trace guns used in crimes...Wayne LaPierre, chief executive of the
N.R.A., said, "There has been a brick-by-brick restoration of the Second
Amendment" over the past 10 years or so at the state level, and he added
that his organization continued to build upon it. "It is one of the most
uncovered, fundamental sea changes in American politics," Mr. LaPierre
said...Many states are also contemplating legislation that would
increase gun ownership rights. There are roughly three dozens states
that have considered over the last two sessions bills that would allow
employees to bring guns to the workplace, leaving them in the cars. (Do
I detect some wishful thinking by The New York Times?)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/15/us/15guns.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&ref=us&pagewanted=all&oref=slogin
---
Oops, Wrong House: Major crimes investigators have charged Markita
Moore, 22, of 308 N. Moore Road, in a home invasion in which police said
a partner in the crime was shot several times by the homeowner and is in
critical condition...The officer spoke with the victims who said a black
male, who was later identified as Joseph Postell, 27, entered their
residence and held a gun to a woman's head. A second victim saw what was
happening, obtained his own gun and began firing at Postell, striking
him several times. Postell ran from the residence and jumped into a
waiting car, driven by Ms. Moore...Postell has not been charged yet due
to his injuries. However, charges are pending against him.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_125671.asp
---
Oops, Wrong Roommate: A man who was shot to death about 3:45 a.m.
Saturday in a flat in the 2900 block of S. 7th St. has been identified
as Joseph Biando, 40. Police said Sunday that Biando had first fired a
shotgun at a 29-year-old man who was living in the same flat. Police
declined to name the younger man. They said he was unarmed when he was
hit by a blast from the shotgun, got a handgun and shot Biando more than
once. The younger man is hospitalized but is expected to live. As of
Sunday, police were not characterizing the shooting as a criminal
homicide. Prosecutors will likely review the case and determine whether
to charge anyone or rule the incident a justifiable homicide.
http://blogs.jsonline.com/homicides/archive/2008/04/14/weekend-homicide-might-be-self-defense.aspx
---
Oops, Wrong Store: The shooting happened in the afternoon inside Village
Food and Liquor. The store was busy at the time the gunfire was
exchanged. The entire shooting was caught on surveillance tape. Workers
say it all started when the suspect tried to steal something. The
suspect and clerk started fighting. The clerk grabbed a baseball bat
trying to fend off the suspect. The clerk says the suspect left and came
back with a gun. The suspect approached the clerk at the counter with
that gun. That's when the clerk got his gun. As the suspect left he
started shooting at the clerk. The clerk stuck his arm out a doorway
with his gun and started shooting back. The clerk says he fired 12 shots
in self defense... (Rule Four: Always be sure of your target and what's
beyond it.)
http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/17678454.html
---
Rule Two, Rule Three Reminder: A 20-year-old man accidentally shot
himself in the groin early Sunday morning. It happened on the 700 block
of North 24th avenue. Police say the man was trying to conceal a double
barrel shotgun in the front of his pants and accidentally fired it two
times. The gun was found at the home where the shooting took place. They
also found a second stolen firearm. Hospital staff says his injuries are
not life-threatening. (Rule Two: Don't let the muzzle cross anything
you're not prepared to shoot. Rule Three: Keep your finger out of the
trigger guard, up on the frame, until your sights are on the target and
you're prepared to fire.)
http://www.kndo.com/Global/story.asp?S=8160319&nav=menu484_2_7
---
Training for Family Members: ...Discuss the real world of firearms with
your family. Help them understand the dangers and the cost of their
misuse or careless handling. A reasonable amount of inoculation can
prevent a fatal disease. So it is with firearms. Let the kids watch, or
even help when you clean your gun. Take them with you when you go
hunting, or to a competitive shooting match or just to the range for
practice. Point out the errors in the depictions of guns you see in
entertainment. Frankly, you can get some good laughs that way. Let them
know that the real world is different and has real dangers of its own.
Discuss the real-world tragedies that involve firearms. Explore options
that they should consider if they ever find themselves in such a
situation. Prepare them to be responsible adults, so they can make their
own decisions when you aren't there to provide immediate guidance and
support. You never know when or how your efforts will pay off...
http://www.officer.com/web/online/Police-Life/Firearms-Training-For-Your-Family/17$41007
---
Lesson from Britain: As if we needed any more evidence that England's
gun ban has been a total failure, just look at the recent story from
Time magazine. Twenty percent of Britons surveyed say they fear leaving
their homes at night because of the rising tide of violent teens.
Violent crime committed by those under the age of 18 has climbed by more
than a third in the past three years, with no sign of it falling any
time soon. These violent teens are partly responsible for the rise in
knife- and gun-related crime in the country. Yes, crimes involving
firearms are increasing, even though it's been a decade since the
country banned handguns...
http://www.nranews.com/blogarticle.aspx?blogPostId=382
---
Hillary Clinton - Not Quite a Hunter: "You know, some people now
continue to teach their children and their grandchildren. It's part of
culture. It's part of a way of life. People enjoy hunting and shooting
because it's an important part of who they are. Not because they are
bitter. ... As I told you, my dad taught me how to shoot behind our
cottage. I have gone hunting. I am not a hunter. But I have gone hunting."
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/clinton_father_shoot/2008/04/14/87901.html
However, She Used to Be:
http://archive.newsmax.com/scripts/showinside.pl?a=2002/6/2/213024
And a Cartoon to Wrap Things Up:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=61620
--
Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
