Solomon Islands
Solomons Government to Meet Compensation Claims from Gun Owners
Radio New Zealand International (Pacific shortwave)
14 May 2008
The Solomon Islands government says it will decide on compensation claims by legal firearms owners who surrendered weapons during the disarmament campaign in 2003. When the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) intervened after years of armed social unrest, the ruling government then ordered a nationwide disarmament of both legal and illegal firearms holders. The Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua has confirmed receiving a cabinet paper on the issue from the Minister of Police and National Security, Samuel Manetoali and acknowledged the long delay in addressing it. The prime Minister said the government has delayed endorsement of... ( gunpolicy.org )
Canada, United States
'Organised Crime Group' Running Guns from USA to Canada, 30 Arrested
Canadian Press
14 May 2008
FREDERICTON -- More than 30 people have been arrested in New Brunswick following raids on what investigators call an organized crime group that was smuggling guns into the province from the United States. RCMP Sgt. Derek Strong says the operation -- dubbed "Jerrican" -- began seven months ago, and involved police agencies in New Brunswick and Maine. "We've had some great success," he said. Strong wouldn't say how many or what type of guns were seized, other than they are a mix of handguns and long guns. Police have scheduled a news conference for Thursday in St. Stephen, N.B. Strong said the gun smuggling was part of a wider criminal... ( gunpolicy.org )
United States
Only John McCain 'Has a Pro-gun Record of Any Kind,' Says US NRA Chief
Courier-Journal (Kentucky)
14 May 2008
America's largest gun-rights lobby expects up to 70,000 people to gather for its annual convention that opens this week in Louisville, an event that will include an address by Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee. The Courier-Journal sat down yesterday with Wayne LaPierre, the National Rifle Association's executive vice president, to discuss the presidential election, gun laws and other issues. Question: What are the NRA's concerns as you look toward the next presidential administration? Answer: Senator McCain has asked us to come and speak, and our members are looking forward to hearing what he has to say. We've... ( gunpolicy.org )
Australia
Last Australian State Under Pressure to Arm Police with Semi-auto Pistols
Age (Melbourne)
14 May 2008
An expert committee has recommended that police be rearmed with new multiple-shot semi-automatic pistols -- despite Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon's public reluctance to authorise the weapons upgrade. The controversy over police firearms resurfaced yesterday after the Police Association claimed the policeman injured during a fatal gun battle in South Melbourne was trying to reload his six-shot revolver when hit. Senior Constable David McHenry, 27, of Prahran police, was shot by Samir Ograzden, 25, who was allegedly armed with a semi-automatic pistol. The suspect was shot by police and died at the scene from blood loss. All rounds in Senior... ( gunpolicy.org )
Qatar
In Row Over Disputed Pregnancy, Man Kills Two Friends with Machine Gun
Gulf Times (Qatar)
14 May 2008
A man stands accused of gunning down two colleagues he believed were framing him for getting a housemaid pregnant. According to legal papers, the Pakistani national flipped after his Filipina lover told him she was carrying his child. He refused to believe he was the father and became convinced that two men he worked with had hatched the plot to clear themselves "of paternity suspicion". The 36-year-old then confronted his colleagues who ridiculed his claims. In a fit of anger the Pakistani allegedly returned to his sponsor's home to pick up a machine gun placed in his care -- and sprayed the pair with 30 bullets, killing them both.... ( gunpolicy.org )
United States
Hidden Handguns Now Allowed in Georgia Eateries, Parks, Public Transport
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Georgia)
14 May 2008
Georgians with carry licenses can tote their concealed guns on public transportation, in restaurants that serve alcohol and in state parks under legislation signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue Wednesday. Perdue inked the controversial gun bill on the final day for him to sign or veto legislation. He also signed a $21 billion state budget that will give 200,000 teachers and state employees 2.5 percent pay raises, and approved a bill allowing auto insurers to raise rates on some coverage without state approval. The governor vetoed 17 bills, including a measure that would require the police to impound the cars of some people caught driving without a license. The... ( gunpolicy.org )
Nepal
Easy Access to Guns, Official Neglect Fuel Rising Armed Violence in Nepal
IRIN (UN News)
14 May 2008
KATHMANDU -- Civilians are becoming more vulnerable to attack by militant groups and criminal gangs in the Terai region of southern Nepal as a result of the apparent proliferation of small arms and improvised explosive devices, local analysts say. Easy access to guns has led to an increasing number of killings, abductions, attacks and cases of looting and extortion, they said. "The control of small arms still seems to be a low priority for political parties and the government; such neglect has led to a dangerous situation in the Terai," independent conflict analyst Bishnu Upreti told IRIN in Kathmandu. Some 20 violent incidents -- including... ( gunpolicy.org )
Canada
Canadian Tories Extend Gun Amnesty, Waste Millions More on Gun Registry
National Post (Toronto) / Canwest News
14 May 2008
OTTAWA -- The Harper government has extended the two-year-old amnesty that protects firearms owners from prosecution if they fail to register their rifles and shotguns. Cabinet approved a directive last Thursday that extends the amnesty to May, 2009, virtually guaranteeing the Conservatives will not have to risk defeat of a bill scrapping the controversial registry before the next federal election. The move prompted angry reaction from opposition MPs, who accuse the Tories of lacking the political courage to make good on a central part of their campaign platform for rural voters in the 2006 election. Furthermore, a senior Liberal MP who once... ( gunpolicy.org )
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