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Gun Control and the War on Drugs
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riotboy
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"Many opponents of gun control support the war on drugs, and many critics and reformers of America's drug laws tend to believe in gun control. Conservatives tend to fall into the first category and liberals into the second."
"In reality, these two issues are more similar than many people might think." ...
"The right to self-ownership necessarily implies the right to self-defense and the right to peacefully acquire the means of self-defense. Hence, all gun control immorally violates the right to self-defense and self-ownership."
"The right to self-ownership implies the right to self-medication and also the general right to decide what to put into one's own body. Either you own yourself or you do not." ... |
Get Your Hands Up, You Varmint!
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D. Finlayson
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"All through the 2000 presidential campaign, the 2002 mid-term elections on into the 2004 elections the millions of gun owners of this country have supported the GOP and George Bush almost exclusively. Some are starting to wonder if they made a mistake."
"Since the Bush administration took office, the only reference to gun rights or the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, has been a rather tepid Cabinet support of the rights of individuals to keep and bear arms as defined in the Bill of Rights. I say tepid, because at the same time they made their statements of support, the Attorney General and Solicitor General trumpeted their undying support of all the other myriad gun control laws currently on the books. Apparently there will be no help for the gun owner from the new Attorney General either as he has stated that he would support a renewal of the totally misnamed 'assault weapons' ban." ... |
Is Bush a Sith Lord?
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"... According to news reports Congress has passed-and Bush is about to sign-a law requiring a national identity card (Real ID) containing invasive digital information about the person."
"How long will it be before the card specifies whether the person is a gun owner? ..."
"If the constitutional protections of civil liberties can be suspended in order to better fight terrorism, the Second Amendment doesn't have a chance. A government that spies on its citizens will not trust them with guns. When gun control becomes an essential feature of Homeland Security, the National Rifle Association and talk radio conservatives will be as astounded as Bail Organa and Padme when they hear Palpatine declare 'an empire . . . and a sovereign ruler chosen for life.'" |
NH: Safety comes first at SIGArms class for women
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New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org
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"Every week on '24,' guns are fired ... For Jack, it’s effortless: pull the gun from your waistband, load up the magazine, slam it into the gun, boom. Bad guy down, on to the next."
"Reality: When you’re not on TV, it’s not that simple."
"This weekend, I shot a gun for the first time at a women’s handgun orientation class at SIGArms in Epping. It was an assignment, but I was thrilled to go - learning to shoot has been on my list of Things to Learn ..."
"Of course, some of it also had to do with the TV shows I watch ... and the need to feel like I could defend myself if the situation called for it ..."
"But even with my great enthusiasm, I went there with a healthy respect for guns and what they can do to people ... I was prepared for the responsibility. I knew it wouldn’t be easy." ... |
MO: Man hospitalized after [apparent self-defense] shooting
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Bruce W. Krafft
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... "'These three guys show up at the house and allegedly force entry into this guy's house and threaten him and his family and then they leave, saying that they will be back,' [Laclede County Sheriff Richard] Wrinkle said. 'The resident of the house sent his family away and his father had come over to be with him. The pickup comes back with the same three guys and they're yelling. (The suspect) said there's a shot fired from the vehicle and he returns fire.'"
"Wrinkle said at least eight to 10 shots were fired by the suspect from a .22 caliber semi-automatic rifle at the pickup, one striking the 25-year-old victim, who was one of the passengers in the pickup." ...
"The suspect, who had been held for investigation of first-degree assault, has been released without charges at this point in the investigation." |
MN: Pawlenty signs gun permit bill with little fanfare
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday signed a bill that allows easier statewide access to handgun permits. The law, which restores an identical 2003 measure that was struck down by the courts, takes effect immediately."
"The so-called conceal-carry law allows law-abiding people over the age of 21, to get a gun permit as long as they have a clean record, no mental illness and proper safety training." ...
"Before the 2003 law, sheriffs and police chiefs around the state had discretion to grant or deny handgun permits to individual applicants. Now, anyone who meets the criteria can get one." ...
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Submitter's Note: Sheriffs still have full discretion, but now they have to pay court costs if a judge disagrees. |
IL: Illinois House rejects assault weapon ban
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"Illinois lawmakers narrowly rejected a proposed ban on assault weapons and .50-caliber rifles Tuesday amid intense lobbying by both sides in the debate."
"Chicago Mayor Richard Daley has repeatedly called for stronger gun control measures. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, a fellow Chicago Democrat, got personally involved by calling lawmakers and distributing videos demonstrating the firepower of assault weapons."
"The National Rifle Association argued that the proposed ban was too broad and would ban weapons used by hunters, target-shooters and collectors as well." ...
"The measure also targeted .50-caliber rifles, which critics say have the power and range to punch through body armor, kill someone from a mile away or even bring down an airplane as it takes off or lands." ... |
PA: Firearms ordinance revamped
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"A growing population, coupled with a growing number of incidents with guns, has prompted township officials to revamp New Britain Township's firearms ordinance."
"On Monday, the board of supervisors adopted new regulations that prohibit the discharge of any firearm within the township."
"Township Police Chief Robert Scafidi said that when a stray bullet from a 45-caliber pistol entered a home on Creek Road recently, he realized it was time for a change. Police never determined where the shot came from." ...
"There are exceptions to the ordinance, including farmers who are protecting their crops or livestock, hunting activities that are regulated by the state's game and wildlife code, authorized law enforcement acting in the line of duty and the defense of human life." ... |
MS: Commission denies gun club permit
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New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org
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"A request to locate a gun club in the eastern part of the county was denied by the Tate County Planning Commission last week."
"The commission voted 3-2 to deny Lonnie Barham's request for a conditional use permit to locate the club on land located at the intersection of East Tate Road and Compton Road after hearing objections from surrounding residents." ...
"Concerned neighbor Teresa Ashcraft said that she had gone to the gun club's existing facility in DeSoto County to see the berms they used. 'I personally saw a hump of pushed up dirt,' Ashcraft said. She expressed concerns about potential noise and environmental issues related to lead content in the soil and possibly in the water supply, based on information she had received from the Environmental Protection Agency." ...
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Submitter's Note: Please see the article Do lead bullets continue to be a hazard after they land? to find out that the answer is, in fact, no. |
Australia: Gun control report triggers call for tougher laws
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"The Coalition for Gun Control is calling for a total ban on semi-automatic handguns in Tasmania after the release of the auditor-general's report into gun control."
"While the report found there has been a significant reduction in the number of gun-related injuries and crimes since the Firearms Act was introduced in 1996, it also made a number of recommendations." ...
"Gun control lobbyist Roland Browne says the stricter gun laws are working, but they do not go far enough."
"'People can still have access to military style semi-automatic handguns, high power with magazines carrying 10 rounds of ammunitions,' he said."
"'We don't want a situation where civilians are as well armed or better armed than the police force.'" ... |
AZ: 2 face charges in HS threat; Police seek action in Basha case
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"Police are seeking charges against two students previously identified by another student as accomplices in an alleged plot to assault students and staff at Basha High School, authorities said Thursday." ...
"Police say that on April 28, a student told authorities that Ms. Kaminski had confided that she and two other students were planning to carry out a school massacre. In addition to detailed massacre plans and other related writings, detectives seized a number of weapons, including some assault rifles, from Ms. Kaminski's home, they said." ...
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Submitter's Note: And if they'd gotten in with their guns their disarmed teachers and administrators would have been reduced to bullet catchers. |
NY: New Paltz police force seeks new rifles
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"Town police want to replace shotguns with high-powered, lightweight rifles to improve accuracy and safety in New Paltz emergencies."
"The police are seeking four new AR15 rifles at a total cost of $5,000. The town board is to discuss the request Thursday night." ...
"Two AR15s are in the town arsenal, police officials said. The four new ones will allow police to retrofit most of the department's 12-gauge shotguns with non-lethal ammunition such as beanbags, Nolan said."
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Submitter's Note: But according to the Brady Campaign, "Assault weapons were designed for rapid fire, close quarter shooting at human beings. That is why they were put together the way they were. You will not find these guns in a duck blind or at the Olympics. They are mass produced mayhem." Why does a town with 6034 inhabitants need such weapons? |
TX: Jury Seated in Soldier's Murder Trial
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"A six-man jury of four enlisted soldiers and two officers was seated Tuesday in the murder trial of an Army soldier charged with killing an unarmed suspected Iraqi insurgent." ...
"Staff Sgt. Shane Werst, 32, faces up to life in prison without parole if convicted of premeditated murder and obstruction of justice in the January 2004 death of Naser Ismail. Prosecutors say the killing was in retaliation for a mortar attack ..." ...
"Prosecutors say Werst had a list of Iraqi insurgent suspects when he took part in nighttime raids in Balad. After he confirmed that Ismail was on the list, he punched and shot him, then planted a handgun on him to make the shooting appear as self-defense, prosecutors said." ... |
KY: Guardsman Says Iraqi Shooting Self-Defense
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"An Indiana National Guard soldier charged with murdering an Iraqi police officer said Monday that he shot the man in self-defense after the officer pointed a gun at him to stop him from reporting insurgent activity."
"Cpl. Dustin Berg, 22, also admitted shooting himself after killing the Iraqi, explaining that he picked up the man's rifle and wounded himself in the abdomen to give the impression of a firefight and preclude an investigation into the officer's death." ... |
CA: Prosecutor: Accused SEAL Guilty Of Failed Leadership
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Bruce W. Krafft
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failed to set an example for his men when he punched a hooded and handcuffed Iraqi detainee, a military prosecutor said Tuesday in opening statements at the officer's court-martial."
"'In this country, we hold ourselves to a higher standard than the enemy,' said the prosecutor, Navy Lt. Jonathan Freimann."
"A jury of six Navy officers is hearing the case of Lt. Andrew Ledford, who faces up to 11 years in military prison if convicted of charges including assault, dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming an officer. Although the detainee, Manadel al-Jamadi, died in Abu Ghraib prison shortly after the SEALs handed him to the CIA, Freimann said the government would present no evidence linking Ledford to the death." ... |
WY: Airman bound over to district court in fatal shooting of teen
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Bruce W. Krafft
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FULL TEXT BELOW:
A judge here has ruled that enough evidence exists to put a man on trial for the shooting death of a teenager.
Joshua Washburn, 16, of Cheyenne, died from a shot to the chest from an AK-47 assault rifle on May 11, prosecutors said.
Michael Scott, 21, who was stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, is charged with first-degree murder.
Investigators said the two had been involved in a weeks-long argument over Scott's treatment of women, concluding with the fatal confrontation at Scott's apartment complex.
Circuit Judge Denise Nau on Monday sent the case to District Court. No arraignment date was set.
Public affairs officials on the base said Tuesday they did not know Scott's status with the Air Force but were checking. He was an airman first class at the time of the shooting. |
CO: Pellet gun triggers scare at airport
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"Kevin Rempel said Monday he never again wants to be on the receiving end of the phrase, 'Stop! Longmont Police! Put your hands up!'"
"That is what he heard Saturday evening when he stepped from the bushes at Vance Brand Municipal Airport, where he serves as a flight instructor, after trying to do a good deed for other airport users."
"In hindsight, the 23-year-old admits he certainly understands the reception — he was in the bushes holding a realistic-looking pellet rifle with a scope that he had been pointing skyward."
"Rempel said he actually intended to harass starlings plaguing his father’s hangar and the planes he flies and uses for instruction, and that he didn’t give his method a second thought." ... |
Sri Lanka: Trinco LTTE political activists threatened by soldiers
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"Mr.S.Elilan, Trincomalee district political head of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) Tuesday lodged a complaint with the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission in the Trincomalee district that a group of soldiers of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) had threatened two cadres of the LTTE when they were engaged in political activities in Orr's Hill area ..."
"Mr.Elilan requested the SLMM to take prompt steps and to ensure safety for the LTTE activists who are doing political work compliant to the ceasefire agreement."
"Mr.Elilan further said army soldiers rounded up two LTTE members ...and ordered them to leave the place immediately. The soldiers further threatened them with placing pistols on their heads, Elilan said." ... |
Pakistan: Pak Police to recommend ban on 'toy weapons'
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"Pakistan Police is contemplating to recommend ban on toy weapons, which are being increasingly used in street-crimes, according to SP Anti-Dacoity and Robbery Cell (ADRC), Altaf Qadri."
"'Suspects are using toy TT pistols, which resemble the real TT pistols,' he said while addressing a Press conference at his office in Saddar the other day."
"'Such toy pistols are available in the market for Rs 250, and these two suspects used toy pistols to commit street crimes,' he said, while referring to the two alleged robbers who were presented before the newsmen." ... |
Zimbabwe: End of the road for wanted Zim policeman
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"A Zimbabwe policeman on the run since Monday last week after allegedly shooting dead a Motswana and injuring another has been arrested. Zimbabwe police spokesman Superintendent Oliver Mandipaka said the officer, armed with a rifle, was arrested in Dete area in Zimbabwe’s Matabeleland North province on Sunday." ...
"It is said the policeman saw the motorist driving and tried to stop him. Thompson, who was travelling with another passenger, did not stop and the policeman jumped onto the back of the truck. He shot Thompson on the head and left arm, killing him instantly. The passenger was shot on the left arm." ...
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Submitter's Note: But according to Sarah, Rosie, Tom et al. men like this are more trustworthy than you and me. |
PA: The great outdoors awaits adventurous area women
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"Elisabeth Yeun will try anything once. But in the past, the problem has been investing money into an activity and finding someone to share the experience."
"Yeun, a dietician, has to search no longer. Her free spirit, her focus on health and her love of fitness has found a home with the Women in the Outdoors group through the National Wild Turkey Federation." ...
"This year, the event offers courses like archery, outdoor photography, basic car care, kayaking, shotgunning, fly fishing and organic gardening. Participants can choose five of 15 activities which last an hour and a half. Activities are based on requests, availability of instructors and variety." ... |
PA: Museum visitors get a shot at Washington pistols
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"A pair of intricately decorated saddle pistols that once belonged to George Washington went on public display for the first time this week."
"The Richard King Mellon Foundation purchased the walnut-and-steel saddle pistols anonymously at auction for about $2 million and gave them to Ft. Ligonier in 2002."
"The pistols were given to Washington in 1778 by the Marquis de Lafayette, who bought them about three years earlier while serving in the French army."
"'When the public can see these things, they can appreciate the history of this country,' said Martin West, director of the Ft. Ligonier Association, as he donned a pair of white gloves and removed one of the pistols from a 150-year-old cherry wood box ..." ... |
LA: Highpower Rifle Clinic And Match (15th story on page)
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"The Southwest Louisiana Rifle and Pistol Club, in cooperation with the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk is pleased to announce that a Civilian Marksmanship High Power Rifle Clinic and Match will be held on 28 and 29 May 2005. ... A driver's license or other official picture ID will be required to enter the military reservation. Junior shooters without ID may accompany properly ID'd parent or guardian."
"The clinic will consist of classroom type instruction on gun safety, proper marksmanship techniques with the AR- 15 rifle, and target scoring. After a short break, the participants will move to the 200 yard-line and fire a 50 round match with the AR- 15 rifle. ..." ... |
Ireland: I.R.A. Is Still Armed and Dangerous, Official Report Says
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"The Irish Republican Army continues to recruit and train new members, operate a network of criminal organizations and maintain its armory, according to a report on paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland."
"The 59-page report, by independent advisers to the British and Irish governments ... said that the guerrilla group retained the capability to return to a full-scale war of terror, despite destroying significant weapons dumps three times and maintaining, for the most part, an eight-year cease-fire."
"The report also offered one especially notable detail: Last September, the police seized 10,000 rounds of ammunition for an assault rifle that had not previously been used in Northern Ireland, suggesting that the I.R.A. was acquiring new weapons." ... |
Ireland: Monitoring Commission Accused of Biased IRA Report (another view)
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"A report which claims the IRA remains heavily involved in criminality and is still recruiting and training new members lacks credibility, Sinn Fein said today."
"Alex Maskey, Assembly member for South Belfast, went on the offensive against the study submitted by the four member Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC) to the British and Irish governments, claiming it was neither impartial, fair or balanced."
"'The IMC was set up at the behest of the unionists and is the tool of the British securocrats,' the former Belfast mayor said." ... |
Philippines: Armed thieves seize bus passengers
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"Armed robbers took hostage the passengers of Rural Transit Mindanao, Incorporated (RTMI) bus 116 near a checkpoint in Sapang Dalaga town ..." ...
"Bombo Radyo reporter Goddie Apus, who was onboard the bus when the incident occurred, said bus driver Leopoldo Cabactulan and the bus conductor, known only as Jonathan, told three male passengers to get off the bus."
"The three men then took out their .45 pistols and announced a holdup, taking at gunpoint several passengers."
"Leopoldo Cabactulan and his bus conductor Jonathan managed to get off the bus and escape."
"Upon arriving at Sapang Dalaga, police asked the male passengers to get out for a routine security check but the armed men refused and used the passengers as human shields." ... |
UK: Court hears of air rifle terror for paramedics
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"PARAMEDICS fled from treating an injured man fearing he was going to shoot them, a court heard."
"James Myres reacted angrily after Ian O'Friel and Steven Martin attended at his flat in Glasgow's south side last August."
"He chased after the ambulance men holding what they believed was an air rifle after earlier spotting the weapon in his bedroom."
"The frightened pair managed to alert the police, who cordoned off the area in a bid to bring Myres, now of Ardgar Court, Blantyre, under control."
"An ambulance had been called after Myres was injured in a row with his mum June and partner Susan McCafferty." ... |
Philippines: 88th victim killed with 2 guns: cops
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"A 26-year-old man who served time in jail for illegal possession of firearms became the 88th victim of suspected vigilante killing during a shooting inside the Mabini-Boulevard public market in downtown Davao City late Monday afternoon."
"The victim was identified as Ian Opsimar ... Several people, mostly vendors and afternoon market goers, witnessed his killing." ...
"The vendor said that upon hearing their companion say 'mao na ni', two of the men pulled out their gun and fired at the victim." ...
"After firing several times, the gunmen fled not by the usual vigilante way of riding a motorcycle but by casually walking away ..." ...
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Submitter's Note: Of course they walked away casually, who was going to stop them? |
Ireland: Man refused bail over hostage-taking incident
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Bruce W. Krafft
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"The High Court has refused to release on bail a man charged with falsely imprisoning a Co Cork businessman, his pregnant wife and their four children at their home after the court heard the family were repeatedly threatened."
"In refusing bail, Mr Justice De Valera said he was satisfied that the threats against the family were real and he refused bail to 33-year-old Edward Gaffey, who has an address in Dundalk." ...
"Mr Gaffey faces four charges in connection with the incident, which occurred overnight on 1 and 2 May, including false imprisonment and possession of firearms and ammunition." ... |
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