The Government will crack down on holders of unlicensed firearms at the end of an amnesty next month, an Internal Security Ministry spokesman said. The Ministry, on the advice of President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has declared a month-long amnesty commencing February 1, giving an opportunity for holders of unlicensed firearms to obtain licences. Thousands of illegal small arms are in circulation in the country. Such weapons are being used by underworld... (GunPolicy.org)

Arguing that a Wilmette man had a right to shoot an intruder in his home — regardless of a local ban on handguns — a state representative is proposing legislation that would override such bans when guns are used in self-defense. People in Illinois should be able to defend their person and their property, said Rep. John Bradley (D-Marion), who filed the legislation this week. "This affirmative defense would allow them to do that," he said. Bradley said authorities... (GunPolicy.org)

Easy access to small arms following armed conflicts in Guatemala and El Salvador has exacerbated violence in those countries, with children being the main victims, United Nations Secretary Kofi Annan said. Some 370 children and young people under 23 were killed in Guatemala City in the first half of 2003, according to a recent UN report. Of them, more than 100 were street children under 18. Annan said that the impact of wars on children goes much further and as an... (GunPolicy.org)