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Gun Violence: Justice Department Study Shows 79 Percent of Criminals Obtained Firearms From Illegal Sources
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"Ninety-five percent of US police commanders and sheriffs believe most criminals obtain their firearms from illegal sources, according to a survey released by the National Association of Chiefs of Police. Coincidentally, data released by the US Department of Justice appears to confirm this claim by our nation's police executives. The DOJ study refutes the conventional wisdom that guns used in criminal acts are purchased at retail stores or gun shows."

"About 18 percent of state prisoners and 15 percent of federal prisoners reported that they were armed when they committed the offense for which they were imprisoned, according to the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics." ...

NRA to Renew Bid for Gun Industry Immunity (JTO)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"The National Rifle Association plans to push again for a law that would immunize the gun industry from lawsuits, the Denver Post reported Nov. 22." ...

"The NRA is claiming that the next Senate will have four more "pro-gun" senators, which the organization believes is enough to make the difference in passing an immunity bill."

"The NRA says gun makers and sellers should be exempt from lawsuits except when they violate local, state, or federal law. Gun-control advocates, however, say that lawsuits are the only means of holding reckless dealers and manufacturers accountable." ...

Brady/MMM: Will the NRA Tell the Truth about Military-Style Assault Weapons? (JTO)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"The SKS rifle apparently used by the hunter to kill six other hunters in Wisconsin wasn't banned under the Federal assault weapons ban that expired September 13, but it should be banned for civilian use. Designed for use in war, even the gun industry admitted yesterday that it's not intended for hunting."

"It may, in fact, be the first time the official spokesman for the National Shooting Sports Foundation has admitted that any military-style semiautomatic assault rifle is inappropriate for hunting. Lawrence Keane, senior vice president of the group, went further, and even told the New York Times that the SKS isn't a humane weapon for hunting deer. 'The reason the SKS is not used by hunters, Mr. Keane said, is that it is designed for combat soldiers and is therefore underpowered for killing an animal like a deer with a single shot, the goal of good hunters,' The Times wrote. 'The ethics of hunting are you don't want the animal to suffer needlessly,' Mr. Keane said.'" ...
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Submitter's Note: Let's all give Larry a nice atta-boy for revitalizing the spurious 'sporting use' argument against homeland defense weapons.

GA: Hunters and anglers urged to join political e-mail network
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"The Camouflage Coalition has a hunting expedition planned next month at the state capitol."

"All lawmakers will be fair game."

"The coalition, sponsored by the 58,000-member Georgia Wildlife Federation, wants Georgia's sportsmen and women to have more influence on laws and regulations that affect the state's natural resources."

"Concerned that some recent proposals were unsportsmanlike or ill-conceived, federation officials have launched a push to reinvigorate the 4-year-old coalition." ...

"'In the past, sportsmen found out after the fact that something negative had been decided that impacted them. This communication network will allow us to be on the offensive instead of the defensive,' said coalition coordinator David Waller." ...

America's Handguns are Controversial but Constitutional
Submitted by: Blacksnake

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"Dunblane, Scotland. March 13, 1996. A man walks into a school with a number of handguns and opens fire. Sixteen kindergarten children and a teacher are slaughtered. Britain reacts with such revulsion that Parliament enacts a nationwide ban on privately owned handguns."

"Littleton, Colorado. April 20, 1999. Two students at Columbine High School enter with a number of weapons including a modified semi-automatic handgun. The pair opens fire, killing twelve fellow students and a teacher. In the aftermath, the most significant change enacted is the placement of metal detectors at many U.S. schools. Private handguns remain plentiful in America." ...

IL: Funding Cut a Welcome Hit Against Chicago's Shady Gun Control Program (ISRA)
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's crusade to disarm law-abiding Illinoisans suffered another blow Thursday when it was announced that federal budget trimming would cut the flow of funds to Daley's notorious 'CAGE' unit."

"Reminiscent of the "red squads" of the 1970s, the CAGE (Chicago Anti Gun Enforcement) unit is a rogue organization designed to execute Daley's political agenda while hiding behind the shield of law-enforcement. Bolstered by a gun owner registry illegally maintained by the Illinois State Police, the CAGE unit has waged an unfettered campaign of espionage and intimidation against the state's law-abiding firearm owners." ...

CA: Merced police add firepower to arsenal
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"The latest weapon in the Merced Police Department's arsenal is expected to put officers on more equal footing with criminals, an official said."

"As of last week, the M-16A1 semiautomatic rifle joined the 12-gauge shotgun as standard equipment in patrol vehicles, said Cmdr. Tom Martin, supervisor of the South Station."

"Martin said all patrol officers will have the guns, as will detectives and the Special Operations Unit officers."

"Sgt. Matt Williams, a certified M-16A1 instructor, said the rifle is designed for use as fully automatic or semiautomatic, but the department's 16 new guns have been converted for semiautomatic use only." ...
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Submitter's Note: But according to the VPC, 'assault weapons' are only good for "killing and wounding as many people as possible at relatively short range as quickly as possible, without the need for carefully aimed fire", so why do ordinary street cops need them?

NC: Sheriff: No charge for wife in intruder-husband killing
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"The Anson County Sheriff's Office will not press charges against a woman who killed her husband Wednesday after weeks of domestic violence against her."

"Joy Burgess had a protective order against estranged husband Brian Gathings. Gathings had been convicted of threatening Burgess before, and jailed several times for charges of violence against her. But as with other recent domestic violence killings, none of it was enough to keep her safe." [emphasis added]

"When Gathings broke down his wife's back door with a shovel Wednesday, Burgess had reason to fear him, said Anson County Sheriff Tommy Allen. Burgess shot Gathings once in the chest, killing him." ...
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Submitter's Note: Fortunately Ms. Burgess did not succumb to HCI's 'just call the police' propaganda.

KY: 88 Year Old Woman Fights Off Burglars With Cane
Submitted by: Retired

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"A pair of jail escapees were apparently lucky to escape from a cane-wielding, 88-year-old Kentucky woman who caught them breaking into her house Wednesday afternoon."

"Police said Dortha Dance got into a scuffle with the two men and hit one in the nose with her cane. When she tried to get away from them, the other man caught her in the yard in Walton. But Dance hit him with her cane, too, Cincinnati television station WLWT reported."

"At that point, the two men fled, police said."

"They ran a short distance to a Waffle House, where they stole a car, police said. The pair then led police on a chase on Interstate 75 through northern Kentucky and Cincinnati to Mosteller Road and I-275 in Sharonville, where they were captured." ...
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Submitter's Note: All she had was a cane. But it worked.

CA: Officials urged to stop gun shows
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"Supervisor Mark DeSaulnier is urging his colleagues to take a stand against gun shows at the Contra Costa County fairgrounds." ...

"'I have always felt that doing gun shows on public property is very much the wrong message to send,' DeSaulnier said. 'The fairgrounds should be representative of family-type events.'" ...

"Attorney Chuck Michel, who represents a number of gun groups including the California Rifle and Pistol Association, called efforts to ban gun shows unjustified."

"State legislation enacted during the last several years has ensured that gun shows are heavily regulated, he said." ...

OR: Two students bring knives to elementary
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"Two students brought knives to Garfield Elementary School this week, the second and third weapons-related incidents at Corvallis elementary schools this year."

"In both incidents, there were no threats or injuries, said Jeanne Holmes, a spokeswoman for the Corvallis School District."

"The district teaches students to report weapons at school, Holmes said, and most of the recent incidents involving knives at school were student-reported."

"'That's a message we want to give to kids and to parents,' Holmes said."

"There were a total of three knives found in the Garfield students' possession on Monday and Tuesday. All of the knives had blades less than 3˝ inches, so the students' actions weren't criminal, Holmes said." ...

WI: Concerns raised about weapons in schools
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"In light of two recent incidents of students bringing weapons to Beloit schools, some parents are concerned about what precautions the school district is taking."

"At a recent School District of Beloit School Board meeting, Beloit resident Pam Charles said she is concerned by the reports and about the safety of her children."

"Charles referenced the two incidents of students caught carrying weapons into the schools."

"On Nov. 11, a 14-year-old student at McNeel Middle School brought a .22 caliber pistol to school, which he discarded outside the school before a backpack check."

"The following day, a student at Beloit Memorial High School brought a knife into school and brandished it in the face of a classmate." ...

CT: Teenager arrested for bringing gun to school
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"A teenager is under arrest and facing expulsion, after being caught with a starter's pistol at Wilbur Cross High School."

"Rasheem Henry, 17, of New Haven, was arrested Friday afternoon after a student told a teacher that he saw Henry with a gun."

"Police say the gun turned out to be a starter's pistol, the sort of gun commonly used at track and field events. Robert Kennelly, the school principal, said Henry told school officials he had found the pistol on the street and he knew it was wrong to bring it school."

"Kennelly said he is still treating the incident as if it were a real gun, which means Henry could be suspended or expelled." ...
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Submitter's Note: So if I was busted for drugs because I brought some oregano to school for cooking class, Principal Kennelly could decide to treat it as if it were real drugs and expel me?

NC: Fourth grader admits to making false 'hit list'
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"For a second time this week, Granville County school authorities had to implement a crisis plan Friday to deal with what proved to be another false threat of violence."

"Thursday, a teacher at Wilton Elementary School found a note that named 10 students in a fourth grade class as being on a 'hit list.'"

"While by Friday morning, a fourth grade student had confessed to leaving the note on the gym floor and having no plan to injure anyone, normal school activities had been disrupted." ...

"Earlier in the week, authorities at Hawley Middle School at Creedmoor dealt with a similar threat. In that case, too, a student eventually confessed to the threat, acknowledging that it was not a malicious intent to injure." ...

AL: Fate of Cubas top Cop in balance as debate festers
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"The Cuba council wants Cuba residents to help them decide the fate of the Cuba police department."

"If the council votes to dissolve the police department, the residents may get a formal hearing." ...

"The discussion regarding the police department came as a surprise to 18-year police chief Chris Vaughan. The police chief has been on administrative leave for the past 16 months when he was arrested and then indicted by a Sumter County Grand Jury after a shooting incident with alleged homicide suspect Anthony Collins."

"On Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2004, Vaughan was found innocent of the Assault I charge by a Marengo County Circuit Jury after a change of venue. The Marengo jury agreed with Vaughans version of the incident in which he shot Collins in self defense." ...

AZ: Federal agent suspended, criminal charges lodged
Submitted by: Michael Lewis

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"A federal agent in Phoenix has been suspended because of criminal charges lodged against him in California that says he covered up a shooting incident involving two other government police officers."

"Charles H. Jackson, a special agent with the Federal Protective Service, was indicted earlier this week by a federal grand jury in San Francisco. The obscure agency protects federal buildings and investigates crimes at U.S. government installations." ...

NY: Man shot by city officer will seek damages
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"A man who was shot five times by a Rochester police officer last year has signaled his intent to sue the city, county and the officer."

"Winston Hancock ... has informed city attorneys that he intends to seek damages for being shot, false arrest and malicious prosecution ..."

"Muller shot Hancock in the early morning hours of July 15 on Pleasant Street. Muller said Hancock fired two shots at him first, and Muller was returning fire." ...

"[Hancock's attorney] said evidence surfaced in the criminal trial that suggests three bullets struck Hancock, who was unarmed at the time and was stuck on a fence. Hopefully the city's attorneys will see that and offer a suitable compensation, he said. ..." ...

NC: Ex-Girlfriend Claims Former Trooper Tried To Frame Her For Attempted Murder
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"The ex-girlfriend of a former trooper testified at his trial Friday. Bobby Regan is accused of plotting with Linda Lee to kill his wife, Danielle."

"Linda Lee, Regan's ex-girlfriend, told jurors on the night of the shooting that he got her drunk, drugged her and assaulted her. Lee said she could not fight back because he had her in handcuffs and threatened her life."

"'He put the pistol to my head, to my temple and cocked the handle. He said, 'This is what is going to happen to you [and] your boys,' she said."

"Lee told jurors she and Regan drove to Regan's house. Lee said the former state trooper made her get out of the car and shoot Danielle Regan." ...

Italy: Security guards suspended over Aer Lingus flight gun
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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FULL TEXT BELOW:

Milan's Linate airport suspended two guards today after a passenger passed through security checks and boarded a flight to Dublin while carrying a pistol in his backpack.

The passenger reported the pistol to the captain of his Air Lingus flight as soon as he boarded the plane yesterday, saying he had forgotten he was carrying it.

Linate said the security guard at the X-ray machine and his supervisor had been suspended.

PA: Choosing a firearm for women
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"Its the first day of buck season, and Im writing columns instead of hunting, I have a perfectly good reason. For almost 70 years, I was out on the first day regardless of the weather, but at 83 and with macular degeneration, Im home bound. I have the physical stamina for hunting, but, although I can see a bucks rack at 100 yards, I simply cannot count the points even at 40 yards. And thats doubly true if the buck is moving."

"Its not my policy to advocate a particular rifle or cartridge for deer hunting, but since many ladies are getting involved along with young hunters, I dont have any reservations about suggesting a cartridge that has all the potential for deer hunting. Its the 260 Remington." ...

CA: Safety not just for the shooting range
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"There were 97 unintentional deaths from firearms in California in 2001, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention."

"In light of the alarming statistics unveiling deaths caused "accidentally" by loaded firearms, law enforcement officials recommend storing both pistols and rifles in a locked gun safe and using gun locks. Free gun locks are available at law enforcement agencies throughout the county." ...

MA: Not exactly at home on the range
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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... "Still, I do enjoy trying new things and since I was back in my hometown for the Thanksgiving weekend, I decided to take up a long-standing offer from an old family friend - actually the father of my closest childhood friend - to go to the shooting range. Frankly, I was looking to satisfy a morbid curiosity. Not only did I simply want to know what it felt like to fire a real gun, I also wanted to see for myself exactly why anyone would choose such a dangerous hobby."

"Being the Massachusetts liberal that I am, I had plenty of my own preconceptions of the average gun owner, let alone the type of person who likes to hang around at shooting ranges. In the back of my mind, I had always assumed that they were all unshaven, army fatigue-wearing rednecks who if given the chance would gladly bend your ear for hours on their thoughts on the government." ...

HI: Former Coroner's Investigator Convicted In Fatal Shooting
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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FULL TEXT BELOW:

A man who used to help investigate murders was convicted of one Friday.

The jury found former coroner's investigator Gregory Awana guilty of killing Yorck Woita last year.

Prosecutors said Awana shot Woita at a Manoa house. Awana claimed it was self-defense during a fight over marijuana.

Prosecutors said Awana used his law enforcement skills to dump key evidence.

"He got rid of the body. He got rid of the murder weapon. He burned the car in short order right after the killing. So, I think he knew what he was doing and apparently the jury agreed," deputy prosecutor Glenn Kim said.

Awana could get life without parole because he was also convicted of gun and drug charges. Awana's attorney said he will appeal the guilty verdict.

Australia: Knife grabbed in defence: court
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"A 22-YEAR-OLD charged with murdering a man with a serrated steak knife in a bungled robbery was acting in self-defence, a Sydney court was told today." ...

"The Crown alleges the murder occurred after Dehaybi answered the Taylors' newspaper advertisement, pretending he wanted to buy the diamond ring ..."

"It claims the pair armed with a knife and a replica pistol lured the three Taylors into the courtyard."

"Robert Taylor was stabbed after JD stole Mrs Taylor's handbag containing the ring and Simon Taylor was fatally stabbed when he gave chase, the Crown said."

"But Dehaybi's lawyer, John Spencer, said his client stabbed Simon Taylor in self-defence, after Simon grabbed the knife and wounded JD in the arm." ...

UK: Let people kill burglars in their homes, says Met Chief
Submitted by: Blacksnake

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"Householders should be able to use whatever force is necessary to defend their homes against criminals, even if it involves killing the intruder, the country's most senior police officer said yesterday."

"Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said those who defended their families and property should only face prosecution over injuries to intruders in 'extreme circumstances', where they could be shown to have used gratuitous violence." ...

"Sir John suggested replacing it with legislation that put a statutory duty on police, prosecutors and the courts to presume that the force someone used in their home against a violent intruder was within the law, unless the facts clearly disproved this." ...

Philippines: Robberies forcing bus owners to remove route
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"The management of a bus company that plies major routes from this city to Davao is planning to stop plying its Davao-Cotabato route after a robbery in one of its buses in Sultan Kudarat in Maguindanao."

"The management of the Weena Bus Co. said it would be forced to cut its routes because of highway robberies."

"'The Weena management is just trying to settle the legal impediments in cutting short its route,' said Guianaid Adam, Weena Cotabato manager."

"Four suspects armed with cal. 45 pistols robbed about 25 passengers of one Weena bus at 6 p.m. Thursday in Barangay Simuay and took off with P50,000 in cash, mobile phones and personal items." ...

UK: Shop acts after toy gun arrests
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"A Somerset shopkeeper has banned the sale of toy guns to children under 16 after two boys were arrested for playing with plastic pistols."

"The pair, aged 11 and 13, were arrested for possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause alarm or distress after a motorist saw them in Yeovil."

"They were released without charge. Police said they took imitation firearm incidents 'very seriously'."

"The boys bought the guns for 99p from the Poundland store in Yeovil." ...

"An Avon and Somerset Police spokesman said the pair had been kept in a youth detention room ... with their parents."

"'The Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003 bans carrying an imitation gun in a public place and to do so is an arrestable offence.'" ...

Burundi: Bonfire of Guns Marks Opening of Disarmament and Reintegration Program
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"Around 100 pistols and rifles were thrown by Burundian President Domitien Ndayzeye and the head of the UN Mission in Burundi Carolyn McAskie into a large bonfire, marking the official opening of the disarmament and demobilisation process that will involve both former rebels and regular soldiers. The programme, a key point of the peace accords signed last year between the rebels of the FDD (Forces for the Defence of Democracy) and Burundian government, should last four years and encounter the foreseen difficulties concerning the FNL, the only rebel group still active in the nation. ... The first to participate in the programme are all volunteers, receiving a sum of money equivalent to 18 months of salary. ..."

UK: Reporter tricks way on to runway
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"Heathrow Airport was at the centre of a new security row today after an undercover reporter went unchallenged for four weeks."

"Armed with a hidden microphone and video camera, the man made his way on to the airport runway. He also discovered a British Airways security manual in an unlocked office, which included security plans and details of bomb threats."

"He photocopied and returned it without anyone noticing that it had been missing. He also found more than 20 sets of keys to other offices. The breach comes after a string of safety blunders at the airport despite claims that security has been dramatically stepped up since September 11." ...

UK: Remorseless Police Killer Linked To Contract Shootings In UK And US
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"RUTHLESS killer David Bieber, who is today beginning a life sentence for shooting a Yorkshire policeman, was already wanted by the FBI when he gunned down PC Ian Broadhurst."

"Detectives have pieced together some of his secret life on the run in Britain but fear the full extent of his illegal activities may never come to light."

"He is suspected of being a hired hitman able to supply guns and ammunition to contacts in the criminal underworld."

"'We know what he is, he is a cold-blooded murderer,' said West Yorkshire's Assistant Chief Constable John Sampson. 'But as for who he is, that remains an enigma.'" ...
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Submitter's Note: But with your strict gun laws how could a fugitive from the US supply guns to anyone?