Inicio de la páginaGun Policy News, 26 March 2002
Heavy Demand for Handguns Leading to Weapons Shortage
26 March 2002
Ha'aretz (Tel Aviv)
The deterioration in the security situation and the Interior Ministry's decision to ease the criteria for granting a permit for a personal weapon have led to a marked increase in the demand for guns among private citizens, security guard companies and private and public organizations.
The heavy demand, however, is encountering two problems — a weapons shortage and bureaucratic foot-dragging in granting permits.
Due to an embargo on arms exports in Israel imposed... (GunPolicy.org)
26 March 2002
New Vision (Kampala)
The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs, Eriya Kategaya (pictured right), has lifted the ban on acquisition of firearms by civilians.
The ban, which was imposed in July last year, was intended to allow the Inspector General of Police to institute measures of securing proper control and regulation of civilian firearms.
My ministry is satisfied with the new measures and I now take this opportunity to announce that the ban has been lifted,... (GunPolicy.org)
26 March 2002
American Prowler
The National Rifle Association is debating internally about how to deal with its Liddy Problem. No, not the G-man. Elizabeth Dole. According a staffer with the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action, which spearheads the group's political activities, the NRA board is debating whether to endorse Dole in her Senate bid. (Dole will most likely face off against either former Clinton chief of staff Erskine Bowles or Elaine Marshall, the tarheel state's secretary of state.... (GunPolicy.org)
26 March 2002
Australian Associated Press
The number of Australians being murdered in the course of other crimes is on the rise, a new study shows.
The annual report for the National Homicide Monitoring Program, conducted by the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC), shows 317 people were murdered by 333 offenders in 308 separate incidents during 2000-2001, with only the ACT recording a clean slate.
That compares with 337 people killed by 324 offenders in 300 incidents in 1999-2000.
Of the 317 who died,... (GunPolicy.org)
UNESCO: Guns Becoming Common Sight in Brazilian Schools
26 March 2002
Associated Press
SAO PAULO, Brazil — For a growing number of Brazilian students, the daily encounter with fire arms, gunshots and sexual abuse is becoming as common as the sight of books, pencils and blackboards, according to a just released United Nations study.
Nearly 50,000 students, professors and school employees from 239 public and 101 private schools in 14 state capitals were questioned in a survey conducted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural... (GunPolicy.org)
Push for Concealed-Gun Bill Divides Dems
26 March 2002
Denver Post (Colorado)
Senate President Stan Matsunaka's support for a concealed-weapons compromise is splitting Democrats and could cost the party control of the Senate, some lawmakers predicted Monday.
Emotions were running high over Matsunaka's efforts to push through a compromise on concealed-handgun permits this session in order, many said, to solidify a 4th Congressional District win in November.
I m concerned that the Democrats could lose the Senate over this, said Sen. Rob... (GunPolicy.org)
26 March 2002
Wall Street Journal
The campaign was the creation of Memberdrive, of Fairfax, Va., a start-up marketing agency that serves as a go-between for advertisers eager to capitalize on the loyalty of some big national lobbying groups, including the National Rifle Association.
The NRA boasts four million members and has deep pockets for campaign contributions. Its pact with Memberdrive called for the marketing agency to enlist advertisers willing to pay royalties in exchange for the NRA's... (GunPolicy.org)
French Gunman Was 'Suicidal Loner'
26 March 2002
Agence France Presse
Richard Durn, the gunman who shot dead eight French town officials earlier today, was a suicidal loner who nursed a grudge against local politicians and wanted to make his mark before dying, according to police who are questioning him.
Mr Durn, 33, an unemployed university graduate with a history of psychiatric trouble, had told them he planned to end his life but wanted to first do something to prove his existence. Mr Durn's mother confirmed that he was suicidal and... (GunPolicy.org)
Budget Squeezes Anti-Gun Program
26 March 2002
Associated Press
RICHMOND, Virginia — Prosecutors are trying to get state money restored for a popular anti-crime program in which criminals serve lengthy sentences for using illegal guns.
To help close a $3.8 billion budget shortfall, the Republican-run General Assembly cropped almost every program that was started in the past five years. Those cuts included $2.5 million for the anti-gun program, Virginia Exile.
The state's decision not to fund Virginia Exile caught everybody by... (GunPolicy.org)
NRA Declares Itself a 9/11 Victim
26 March 2002
Palm Beach Post (Florida)
People who watch the Middle East say not to judge the players by what they say for worldwide consumption. Judge them by what they say to their core supporters. The lesson, it turns out, also applies to gun cheerleaders here in America.
World leaders praise Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah for suggesting that Arab nations would recognize Israel's right to exist if Israel pulled back to pre-1967 borders. Has moderation broken out? Consider the excerpts below, in... (GunPolicy.org)
Illegal Firearms Seized in Southeast China
26 March 2002
Xinhua
BEIJING — A huge illegal firearms shipment case has just been cracked down in Xiamen in Southeast China's Fujian Province, the English-Language newspaper China Daily reports Tuesday.
The Xiamen police said Monday the illegal shipment was discovered during a campaign targeting crimes committed on roads and highways.
In the small hours of Sunday morning, police stationed on the city's Jinshang Road stopped and checked a truck, on which they discovered a large quantity... (GunPolicy.org)
Crimes Trigger Revocation of 584 Concealed-Weapon Permits
26 March 2002
Salt Lake Tribune (Utah)
Concealed weapons carriers are the most law-abiding folks in Utah.
It's a statement uttered so often in state Capitol gun-rights debates that it has become accepted as gospel. Some zealous gun-rights proponents even have argued that not a single serious, violent crime can be traced to a concealed-carry permit holder.
Statistics now being made public by the state's Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) shoot holes in the argument that a license to pack a concealed... (GunPolicy.org)
Massachusetts Suit Challenging Constitutionality of Gun Control Laws Dismissed
26 March 2002
Associated Press
BOSTON, Massachusetts — Gun owners have lost another round in their bid to challenge the constitutionality of the state's Gun Control Act.
A federal appeals court upheld a decision by a U.S. District Court judge dismissing a lawsuit filed by Gun Owners Action League Inc. and other groups who claimed the 1998 law was too vague.
In its ruling Monday, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the gun owners claims that the new regulations violated their rights to... (GunPolicy.org)
Judge Calls for Ban on 'Gun' Lighters
26 March 2002
Evening Standard (London)
An Old Bailey judge has called for a ban on pistol-shaped cigarette lighters after hearing how one was used to hold up motorists.
"It must be glaringly obvious that such objects might be used in a way you chose to use yours," Judge Graham Boal told a defendant before sentencing him to six years for two carjackings. "The sooner they are taken off the market the better."
Lanray Busari, 19, from Hackney, stole two cars at gunpoint within the space of four days. Both... (GunPolicy.org)
26 March 2002
Post-Courier (Port Moresby)
The Defence Force is confident of finding the 120 military arms stolen from the Moem Barracks armoury in East Sepik Province two weeks ago.
Commander Brigadier-General Peter Ilau, who heaped praise on members of the force who took part in the arrest of the mutinous soldiers at the weekend, said the weapons and ammunition the group seized have been secured. Brig-Gen Ilau said: "100 per cent stocktake is now being conducted. At this stage the acting commanding officer... (GunPolicy.org)
2,000 Guns Surrendered in Three Months as Amnesty Comes to a Close
26 March 2002
ABC News (Australia)
People have until midnight AEDT tonight to hand in illegal firearms or risk fines of up to $24,000 and jail.
More than 2,000 guns have been surrendered to police so far this year.
The amnesty began in 1996.
Unregistered firearms can be sold to a licensed dealer or handed into police today, and people failing to comply could be... (GunPolicy.org)