United States
US Courts, Congress Side with Gun Lobby: 'Shameful' Lack of Allies for NYC
New York Times, Editorial
4 May 2008
It is remarkable how many people are willing to help illegal gun sellers. Congress all too often takes the side of the gun lobby over victims of gun violence. Last week, in a particularly wrongheaded ruling, a federal appeals court threw out New York City's longstanding lawsuit intended to rein in illegal gun sellers. In 2000, New York City sued gun manufacturers and wholesalers claiming that they had knowingly flooded illegal markets with weapons. The goal was to force them to do a better job of monitoring the dealers they sell to. Congress came to the aid of the gun industry, passing a law in 2005 that offered it immunity in many cases. The law has an exception,... ( gunpolicy.org )
United Kingdom
Under Pressure from Pistol Shooters, UK Plans to Loosen Handgun Ban
Scotland on Sunday
4 May 2008
Anti-gun campaigners have warned the Government not to relax firearms legislation in the run-up to the London Olympics, saying: "A child's life is not worth a medal." UK and Scottish ministers have agreed that from August, sportsmen and women will be given special permission to use their weapons at Ministry of Defence ranges in Britain. At present, competitors have to train abroad. It is a major breakthrough for British Shooting, the sport's governing body, which has campaigned for years to exempt its members from the strict laws introduced after gun collector Thomas Hamilton massacred 16 children and a teacher at Dunblane Primary School in 1996. ... ( gunpolicy.org )
United States
Indiana 5yr-old Finds Parents' Pistol on Top of Wardrobe, Kills 4yr-old Sister
Indianapolis Star (Indiana)
4 May 2008
A 5-year-old boy who climbed to the top of a bookcase and found his father's pistol began playing with the weapon and fatally shot his sister today, police said. Officers were dispatched to the 6000 block of Massachusetts Avenue at 10:03 a.m. "They arrived a minute later to find 4-year-old Makayla Booher on the floor of an upstairs bedroom with a gunshot wound to the head," Indianapolis Metro Police spokesman Sgt. Matt Mount said in a statement. "A semi-automatic handgun was on the floor outside the doorway." The officers performed chest compressions on the girl until paramedics arrived, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. ... ( gunpolicy.org )
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