United States
America's 'Gun-Show Loophole' and Gun Deaths - A Very Limited Study
New York Times / Economix, Blog
9 Oct 2008
Gun-control advocates have long protested the "gun-show loophole." The term refers to the fact that private sellers at gun shows are not required, under federal law, to conduct background checks on potential buyers, even though gun dealers who operate private gun shops must do so. Critics say the loophole makes it easier for criminals to obtain lethal weapons and thereby facilitates crime. In response, a number of states have passed their own laws to regulate gun-show sales. Proposals for similar measures, either at the federal level or in gun-loving states like Virginia, have prompted heated debates. But, opponents of such measures often ask, does closing... ( gunpolicy.org )
United States
California County Cancels Hidden Handgun Permits: Talk of Corruption
Orange County Register (California)
9 Oct 2008
The Sheriff's Department has begun the process of revoking hundreds of concealed weapon permits across Orange County. This week, department officials confirmed that 146 letters have been sent out advising current license holders that their permits to carry firearms in public -- called CCWs -- are being revoked. There are currently 1,024 permit holders. "The Department has determined that your identified risk does not meet the good cause threshold as required under the new CCW policy based upon the information you provided. As a result of this determination, the Department's present intention is to revoke your CCW license," reads the form letter sent... ( gunpolicy.org )
United States
Former US NHL Hockey Goalie Accidentally Shoots Himself in the Chin
Associated Press
9 Oct 2008
MINDEN, Nevada -- A former NHL goalie is recovering after his wife said he accidentally shot himself in the chin with a rifle at his Douglas County home. 47-year-old Clint Malarchuk of Fish Springs was flown by helicopter to a Reno hospital for treatment Tuesday. His wife told sheriff's deputies that Malarchuk placed the rifle butt on the ground between his legs after he had been shooting rabbits and the rifle discharged, striking him in the chin. Malarchuk, whose condition was not available, is the goaltending coach for the NHL's Columbia Blue Jackets. He's best known for having his jugular vein slashed by an opposing player's skate... ( gunpolicy.org )
Canada
Gun Control, Registration 'Hot Issue' Gone Quiet in Canadian Election
Midland Mirror (Ontario)
9 Oct 2008
With Canadians preparing to cast their ballots in less than a week, getting answers on issues that affect them are becoming more and more important. Topping that list have been the economy, health care and the war in Afghanistan, but one issue of interest to many voters has grabbed few headlines: gun control. "There is no talk about it," said Ernest Reid, president of the Simcoe County Gun Club. "Over the summer, the province and the mayor of Toronto were making all kinds of noise about banning all handguns and semi-automatic rifles, and now here we are at an election and you don't hear a thing." The reason for that, suggested Reid, is that... ( gunpolicy.org )
Puerto Rico
Mother Drops Her Police Gun in Car, 4yr-old Kills Himself in Puerto Rico
Associated Press
9 Oct 2008
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- A 4-year-old boy accidentally killed himself with his police-officer mother's gun as she dropped her children off at school, police said Thursday. The gun apparently fell between the two front seats of the car as the mother leaned over to comb her daughter's hair. The 35-year-old mother is a sergeant with the San Juan police department and her statement will be taken in more detail when she is ready, Commissioner Hilton Cordero said. Her autistic son, Jeremy Marcano, got out of his booster seat, picked up the gun and shot himself in the face, Commander Jose Marrero Rivera told The Associated Press. Marrero said he did... ( gunpolicy.org )
United States
New Orleans Police to Return Some Guns Seized in Hurricane Katrina
Associated Press
9 Oct 2008
NEW ORLEANS -- City officials have agreed to return hundreds of firearms that police officers confiscated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, part of a deal to resolve a lawsuit filed by gun lobbying groups. The settlement agreement filed Tuesday in federal court calls for the National Rifle Association and Second Amendment Foundation to drop their case if the city follows a plan for returning guns to owners who had them seized by police after the Aug. 29, 2005, hurricane. Both sides also are asking U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier to sign off on the pact and issue a permanent injunction barring the city from seizing lawfully possessed firearms. Barbier... ( gunpolicy.org )
United States
NRA Buys USA Today Ad, Uses Clinton's Words Against Obama on Guns
Associated Press
9 Oct 2008
WASHINGTON -- The National Rifle Association is turning to Hillary Rodham Clinton to bolster its criticism of Barack Obama's positions on gun issues. The NRA's Political Victory Fund planned a national newspaper ad Thursday reviving a Clinton mailing that accused Obama of waffling on gun issues. Clinton's campaign sent the mailing when the New York senator was challenging Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination. It accuses Obama of changing his statements on gun issues to try to fit the audience he was addressing. "Hillary was right: You can't trust Obama with your guns," says the NRA political action committee's ad, scheduled to run in USA... ( gunpolicy.org )
United States
Pennsylvania Ups Penalty for Cop Shooting, Dumps Gun Theft Measure
Philadelphia Inquirer
9 Oct 2008
HARRISBURG -- A bill targeting illegal purchases of firearms like the one used last month in the shooting death of Philadelphia Police Officer Patrick McDonald won unanimous approval yesterday in both houses of the Pennsylvania legislature. House Bill 1845 stiffens the penalty for shooting -- or shooting at -- police officers and increases the punishment for many offenses related to so-called straw purchases of firearms that often end up being used in violent crimes. Gov. Rendell said last night he would sign the bill. "This means that anyone who shoots at a police officer, no matter what happens... The consequences are grave," Rendell said at a news... ( gunpolicy.org )
United States
Pro-gun Lobbyist Arrested for Openly Carrying Handgun in Virginia Mall
Virginian-Pilot (Virginia)
9 Oct 2008
NORFOLK, Virginia -- Hours after guns-rights activists marched on City Hall to demand police leave them alone, they said one was charged after refusing an order to leave Waterside because he was openly carrying a weapon. Danladi Moore -- whom the city paid $10,000 in July to avoid litigation after being stopped by police for suspected weapons violations -- was charged with trespassing at the downtown entertainment complex Tuesday night. The 24-year-old Hampton resident said police told him to leave because he had a gun. Moore said he refused because the law allows him to display a weapon in public places. He said he was handcuffed, charged and led out... ( gunpolicy.org )
New Zealand
Tighter New Zealand Gun Law Mooted in Wake of Airgun, Toy Gun Deaths
Otago Daily Times
9 Oct 2008
Police have warned parents not to be fooled into thinking airguns they give their children are toys. The warning came several weeks after an undercover police officer was shot dead in Auckland with a high-powered air rifle and as the government moved to tighten the law on airguns. Police national manager of firearms licensing and vetting, Inspector Joe Green, said up to 100,000 airguns were in the country which were replicas of real firearms, including rifles and pistols. He said it was often very difficult to tell the difference between real weapons and replicas. At least one person had been shot dead in New Zealand by police after... ( gunpolicy.org )
Papua New Guinea
Tougher Gun Control Needed to Curb Violence in Papua New Guinea
ABC Radio Australia (Shortwave)
9 Oct 2008
The Papua New Guinea government is being called on to make sweeping changes to the country's guns laws to curb violent crime. For many years, criminals have had easy access to factory made weapons to commit crimes. Former Defence Force Commander Jerry Singirok now heads up the country's gun control commitee. He's calling on parliament to introduce changes to PNG's gun laws, particularly looking at better mangaging the firearms registry and keeping tabs on who owns guns. "In the past four weeks I have worked hard draft the statement for the prime minister to table it on the floor of parliament. It is anticipated that gun report will... ( gunpolicy.org )
United States
US NRA Endorses Non-Member McCain: Palin Paid NRA with City Funds
Associated Press
9 Oct 2008
WASHINGTON -- The National Rifle Association is endorsing Republican presidential nominee John McCain despite differences with the Arizona senator on gun-show rules and campaign finance restrictions. NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre and the chairman of the NRA's political action committee planned stops Thursday in Pennsylvania, Missouri, Colorado and Nevada to talk about the move. LaPierre said the two agree on many issues important to the group. "He's cast more than 60 votes in the Senate in support of the Second Amendment," LaPierre said. The NRA's Political Victory Fund has spent more than $2.3 million opposing Democratic... ( gunpolicy.org )
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