Top of PageGun Policy News, 1 October 2008
Shooting Motive Speculation, Gun Control Talk Not Going Far in Finland
1 October 2008
Helsingin Sanomat (Finland)
As a country, Finland is armed to the teeth. There are more than 1,6 million legal weapons in the weapons register, spread out among nearly 650,000 owners.
On a per capita basis we have the fourth largest number of small arms in the world, right after the United States, Yemen, and Switzerland. According to a Swiss estimate, Finland has an estimated 2,375,000 legal and illegal firearms — that is, one gun for nearly every second Finn.
The good news is that the law... (GunPolicy.org)
Ruckus in Virginia: Council Attempts to Restrict Backyard Pest Shooting
1 October 2008
Associated Press
CULPEPER, Virginia — When Mayor Pranas Rimeikis walked into the council chamber and saw it filled with armed men — guns tucked inside jackets, guns on hips, some people packing their heat so openly they "looked like Pancho Villa" — he knew his town had inadvertently touched the third rail of far-exurban politics.
Varmints. And the shooting thereof.
During the past two months, a proposal that sounded obvious to the new police chief — prohibiting Culpeper... (GunPolicy.org)
Gun Owners Urged to Give Illegal, Unwanted Firearms to Victoria Police
1 October 2008
Delaware County Daily Times (Pennsylvania)
Victorians holding illegal or unwanted firearms are being urged to hand them to police under amnesty this month.
Victorian Police Minister Bob Cameron said today the amnesty provided Victorians an opportunity to surrender weapons to police without facing penalties.
"This amnesty is being offered to reduce the overall number of weapons in the community and also help individuals who are unsure about how to properly dispose of firearms."
He said the Government had... (GunPolicy.org)
Nigeria Pushes Global Gun Trade Treaty to Stem Proliferation of Firearms
1 October 2008
Daily Trust (Abuja) / NAN
Nigeria yesterday in New York called for a legally binding global instrument to stem the proliferation of small arms in Africa.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, made the call while delivering Nigeria 's statement at the 63rd session of the UN General Assembly.
Maduekwe said that the legal moves became necessary due to the devastating impact of illicit trade in small arms and light weapons which fuel civil wars and insurgencies in some African... (GunPolicy.org)
US Gun Industry Sets Sights on Women to Slow Decline in Hunting
1 October 2008
Wall Street Journal
PARIS, Tennessee — Brenda Valentine was running a beauty shop in rural Tennessee when her shooting skills came to the attention of the hunting industry. Today, she is a television star and paid speaker at hunting conventions, where fans wait in lines for her autograph.
"People will bring me their grandpa's shotgun to sign or even kiss," she says. "Some have named their children after me."
Mrs. Valentine, 58 years old, is perhaps the most visible face of an industry... (GunPolicy.org)
71-year-Old New York Woman Latest Hit in Rash of Stray Bullet Injuries
1 October 2008
WCBS2-TV News (New York)
BROOKLYN — Another innocent person was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A 71-year-old Brooklyn woman has become the latest victim of a stray bullet.
East Flatbush has been swarming with extra police since Tuesday night, focusing in on even minor things that would usually get just a warning. There! Look! Outside that store! A quick frisk of his boots and socks and a man was taken away in a van, not so much for what he may have done, but to see if he has... (GunPolicy.org)
UN Conference Agrees, Makes Modest Progress to Curb Gun Violence
1 October 2008
Arms Control Today (USA), September Issue
After failing to achieve consensus at a 2006 review conference, this year's delegates to an international gathering to address the illicit trade of small arms and light weapons overcame procedural objections to vote for modest next steps.
By its very nature, the illicit trade is difficult to gauge. The independent research group Small Arms Survey estimates the authorized trade of small arms, light weapons, and related ammunition at more than $4 billion per year.
In... (GunPolicy.org)
Plan to Give Guns to Traffic Police 'Absurd' - Militarism Plagues Uganda
1 October 2008
Weekly Observer (Kampala), Editorial
That government is planning to give guns to Traffic Police officers is absurd. It is equally odd that government is planning to deploy Military Police officers on the roads to control traffic.
The government says this is because motorists often beat up unarmed officers on duty when they try to arrest or stop them from breaking the traffic rules.
The NRM government has a conflicting approach to gun culture. On the one hand, it is disarming Karimojong warriors who have... (GunPolicy.org)
Scrapping Gun Registry Remains Key Election Focus of Canadian MP
1 October 2008
Pembroke Daily Observer (Ontario)
Sitting MP Cheryl Gallant once again pledged to oversee the scrapping of the long-gun registry, the issue which first helped to propel her to Parliament Hill eight years ago.
Speaking before 150 people at the Pembroke Outdoor Sportsman's Club Tuesday night, the Conservative incumbent spoke of little else in her opening remarks in the all-candidates debate.
"Our opponents have no tolerance for guns," she said, stating other political parties take the position no one... (GunPolicy.org)
Nukes, WMD Make the Headlines, But Guns Kill 1,000 a Day - UN Treaty
1 October 2008
The World Today (UK) October 2008, Vol 64, Issue 10
By tightening and universalising the trading rules of a 'responsible' international arms market, a[n arms trade] treaty would aim to crowd out illegal and informal arms trafficking and, over time, dry up the pool of illegal conventional weapons and limit the death and damage with which we have become too familiar. Of the 192 member states of the United Nations, 153 voted for the resolution at its launch, and a remarkable hundred or so have made submissions to a group of... (GunPolicy.org)
Read More: The World Today (UK) October 2008, Vol 64, Issue 10
New Firearm and Illegal Weapon Amnesty Begins in Victoria
1 October 2008
Australian Associated Press
Victoria Police are holding a firearms and weapons amnesty this month to coincide with Community Safety Month.
People with any unwanted or illegal firearms or weapons are encouraged to surrender them to their local police station, without penalty.
Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe said the amnesty was about addressing potential weapon issues early on, while also offering assistance to people who may wish to dispose of firearms they no longer use.
"This is a proactive... (GunPolicy.org)
