BRIGHTON — Britain on Thursday backed calls for an international treaty to curb the irresponsible sale of firearms that aid agencies say kill at least half a million people every year. Oxfam and Amnesty International launched a campaign last October to draw up a global treaty to introduce strict export controls on rifles, revolvers, machine guns and mortars. "We will start work soon … to build support for an international arms trade treaty, further to extend the... (GunPolicy.org)

The Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order has declared an amnesty period of two months commencing 1st October, 2004 for those possessing firearms without a valid licence to hand them over to the Government or get valid licences for them. Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Law and Order Tilak Ranaviraja in announcing this amnesty said that an opportunity has been given this time for handing over of these illegal firearms to the respective District... (GunPolicy.org)

JOHANNESBURG — A three-month amnesty period for South Africans to hand over their illegal guns was postponed on Thursday due to complaints, the safety and security ministry said. The amnesty was due to begin on Friday and be in force until December 29 to allow South Africans to hand over firearms and ammunition without fear of prosecution. "Several complaints have been received about the dates of the amnesty and various persons have been calling for a postponement,"... (GunPolicy.org)

The slaying of three teenagers by a classmate just before the start of a human rights class in a Carmen de Patagones high school at 7.30am on Tuesday morning has aroused a public clamour for action but what exactly can be done? There will be calls for gun control in a country with nearly three million firearms in circulation but the murder weapon was not only duly registered by the killer's father, a Coast Guard non-commissioned officer — it was a key part of his... (GunPolicy.org)

El homicidio de tres adolescentes por uno de sus compañeros inmediatamente antes del comienzo de una clase sobre derechos humanos en una escuela secundaria de Carmen de Patagones, a las 7:30 de la mañana del martes, ha suscitado un clamor público por que se haga algo, pero ¿qué se puede hacer exactamente? Seguramente habrá llamamientos en pro del control de armas en un país con cerca de tres millones de armas en circulación, pero el arma utilizada no sólo... (GunPolicy.org)

JEFFERSON CITY, Missouri — Effective Friday, Missouri's piecemeal approach to concealed guns becomes a little easier to understand: If you live in most of the St. Louis area or Jackson County, you can't have them. If you live anywhere else, you can. Rural Osage County, just east and south of Missouri's capital, has been the only place outside the state's largest cities not to accept applications for concealed weapons permits. But Sheriff Carl Fowler plans to begin... (GunPolicy.org)

WASHINGTON — Two weeks after the Republican leadership in Congress allowed the federal assault weapons ban to expire, the House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to repeal the District of Columbia's 27-year-old ban on certain firearms, one of the strictest gun laws in the nation. The vote, 250 to 171 with one member voting present, came over the strenuous objections of Mayor Anthony Williams and other district officials, including Eleanor Holmes... (GunPolicy.org)

Top law enforcement officials from the District and Prince George's County vowed yesterday to work together with community activists on a new campaign to steer youths away from gun violence. D.C. Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey and Prince George's County Police Chief Melvin C. High were among those expressing support for Guns Aside, a grass-roots venture designed by the father of a slain Washington businessman. Kenneth E. Barnes Sr., whose son was killed in a robbery... (GunPolicy.org)

BRUSSELS — Loopholes in EU arms controls are allowing weapons exports to countries that abuse human rights, a coalition of independent groups says. "There are major loopholes in the EU code of conduct on arms exports, which must be strengthened without delay," says a report by a group of 55 European non-governmental organisations (NGOs) led by Oxfam, Amnesty International and Saferworld. The 53-page report 'Taking Control: The Case for a More Effective EU Code of... (GunPolicy.org)