Top of PageGun Policy News, 1 February 2011
Hunters Under Fire: 109 Italians Shot, 35 Killed by Careless Sport Shooters
1 February 2011
Guardian (UK)
It is not just birds, rabbits and wild boar who meet a sticky end in the Italian hunting season.
According to statistics published today, 35 people have also been killed in the past four months, and another 74 injured. Italy's anti-hunting league, the LAC, said all but one were hunters killed accidentally by their shooting companions.
But the 35th victim was a mushroom collector shot dead near Arezzo in Tuscany. Of the injured, 13 were also non-hunters, mostly people... (GunPolicy.org)
Nevada Gun Show Tightens Rules After NY Mayor's Scofflaw Dealer Sting
1 February 2011
Reno Gazette-Journal (Nevada)
The Big Reno Show has toughened its rules on background checks after a 2009 investigation in Nevada revealed illegal sales at gun shows, the New York City mayor's office reported Monday.
Louis Fascio, the Reno show's promoter, signed an agreement in May stating that it would require background checks for all gun sales, develop a tag or bracelet system so security knows the check was done and kick out any vendors who violate the rules.
The agreement came as part of New... (GunPolicy.org)
Arms Trade Treaty Needed to Mesh with Domestic Caribbean Gun Laws
1 February 2011
Guardian (Trinidad and Tobago)
Despite the regulatory provisions of the Firearms and Customs Acts, there is evidence that domestic legislation has proven insufficient to combat the illegal arms trade. Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Surujrattan Rambachan yesterday said while domestic legislation was necessary there was greater need to collaborate with international partners to combat the proliferation of illegal firearms. Rambachan was speaking at the opening ceremony of the second regional workshop on... (GunPolicy.org)
NY Mayor Videos Arizona Gun Show Sales 'As Easy as Hamburger & Fries'
1 February 2011
Los Angeles Times
NEW YORK — New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg wanted to illustrate that buying a gun like the one used in the recent Arizona shootings is as easy as buying "a hamburger and fries at a McDonald's." So he sent out undercover investigators to help him prove it.
But not in his own city. This time, the mayor sent New York investigators to Arizona.
So what do gun sales in Arizona have to do with life in New York?
Bloomberg has long campaigned for tougher federal gun... (GunPolicy.org)
Florida Plans Three News Laws to 'Enable More People to Kill Each Other'
1 February 2011
Miami Herald, Column
Gun-control policies unleash passions. Those who advocate for firearm ownership rights argue that, in the right hands, guns reduce crime and save lives. Opponents allege that strict control is necessary to prevent access to high-powered guns that make it too easy for dangerous and perturbed individuals to kill innocent lives.
Gun ownership is a civil liberty protected by the Second Amendment of the Constitution, so it's hard to strike a balance between this right and... (GunPolicy.org)
New York Mayor's Undercover Gun Stings Get Results, Gripes from Arizona
1 February 2011
New York Daily News
More than three dozen gun shows have cleaned up their act after Mayor Bloomberg staged undercover sting operations exposing illegal sales.
Private detectives hired by the city in 2009 were able to buy guns at seven shows despite telling the sellers they probably couldn't pass a background check.
Since then, the mayor said Monday that four of the gun show operators have agreed to require all buyers to submit to background checks - and one has vowed changes at all 34 of... (GunPolicy.org)
Ohio Gun Show Promoter Now Demands Background Checks on All Sales
1 February 2011
Dayton Daily News (Ohio)
DAYTON — Bill Goodman Gun and Knife Shows have tightened rules governing who can buy guns at Hara Arena and other Goodman shows.
Background checks of buyers are required by licensed and non-licensed vendors selling guns at the shows promoted by Goodman, company officials confirmed Monday.
"All vendors who have any firearms on display must display a 'Background Checks Required' signage provided by the promoter," according to new guidelines posted online by... (GunPolicy.org)
Arizona Republican Moves to Close 'Gun Show Loophole' Following Stings
1 February 2011
KSAZ-TV News (Arizona)
PHOENIX - It started with undercover video of an Arizona gun show from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Now an Arizona senator is trying to pass a law on gun show background checks.
State Sen. Steve Gallardo, who is proposing the bill, says chances of passing it in this state will be a problem -- but that didn't stop him, or victims of gun violence, from raising the issue with passion.
"It is very tragic when you lose a child. It's been five years and we still... (GunPolicy.org)
New York Mayor Pleads with Obama to 'Stand Up' on Gun Control
1 February 2011
Politico (Washington DC)
New York Mayor Michael Michael Bloomberg talked tough on gun control, saying President Barack Obama should "stand up."
"The president should stand up and I will keep urging him to say so," Bloomberg told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Tuesday night. "We've got to stop all this carnage."
Bloomberg appeared on "The Rachel Maddow Show" to promote the quasi-sting operation where he sent undercover investigators to a Phoenix gun show, just 15 days after the Tuscon shooting that... (GunPolicy.org)
Bill Introduced in South Dakota Would Require All Citizens to Buy a Gun
1 February 2011
CBS News (USA)
A group of South Dakota lawmakers have introduced a bill mandating that every citizen in their state over the age of 21 purchase a firearm, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader reports.
Under the bill, the firearm would reportedly have to be "sufficient to provide for their ordinary self-defense" and residents would have six months to buy one after the law takes effect. The only people exempted would be those legally prohibited from owning a firearm.
If this sounds too crazy... (GunPolicy.org)
