Gun Policy News, 13 January 2009
Arizona Gun Runners Smuggle Weapons, Fuel Mexican Drug Cartel Wars
13 January 2009
KNXV-TV News (Arizona)
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms laid out an arsenal of firepower taken off the streets of Phoenix.
Dozens of high caliber, military style guns covered several tables. 23,000 rounds of ammunition sat in five boxes nearby.
All of it, agents said, was going to be sold to violent gangs in Mexico.
"This is just two weeks worth of work and this is several different cases just in Phoenix," said William Newell, an ATF Special Agent in Charge.
Newell... (GunPolicy.org)
Canadian Gun Lobby Must Wait a Year or More for Demise of Gun Registry
13 January 2009
Moncton Times & Transcript (New Brunswick)
Most firearm owners are well aware that Prime Minister Stephen Harper has promised that if he were to obtain a majority in Parliament, he would do away with the long gun registry.
Despite gaining more members in the recent election, Harper still has a minority government. Much has changed since the election. The decline in the stock market and a collapsing world economy have now taken front-and-centre stage in Ottawa, with matters pertaining to the long gun registry... (GunPolicy.org)
US Gun-show Loophole Takes Center Stage Today in Virginia
13 January 2009
Richmond Times-Dispatch (Virginia) / AP
After months of hearing from those on both sides, the Virginia State Crime Commission today is to decide whether to endorse legislation to close the so-called gun-show loophole.
Victims and family members of those injured or killed by a student gunman at Virginia Tech have pleaded with the commission to support closing the loophole, in which private sellers at gun shows are not required to perform background checks on buyers.
Others have said gun opponents are using... (GunPolicy.org)
Acting Director of US BATFE Resigns from Top Federal Gun Control Job
13 January 2009
Associated Press
BOSTON — U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan has officially resigned from his job as acting director of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Sullivan, a Republican, has been doing both jobs since August 2006.
His resignation from the ATF is effective Jan. 20, the day of President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration.
Sullivan formally announced his resignation to the ATF staff at a luncheon in Washington on Monday. His spokeswoman said Sullivan... (GunPolicy.org)
Armed Cops Protect California Sheriff Trying to Limit Hidden Handguns
13 January 2009
Orange County Register (California)
Since Orange County's new Sheriff Sandra Hutchens unveiled a more restrictive concealed weapons policy following her appointment by county supervisors this summer, she has explained it again, and again, and again.
Yet every time Hutchens goes before the board of supervisors, the policy change comes under more fire and yields more questions.
Tuesday was no different, except for the armed guards.
Responding to concerns about an unspecified protest involving unloaded... (GunPolicy.org)
YouTube Video, Porn, Assault Rifle Link Canadian Gun Owner in Court
13 January 2009
Victoria Times-Colonist (British Columbia)
YouTube videos of a Victoria man blasting a couch with an assault rifle in the woods near Jordan River were entered as evidence in a trial yesterday in B.C. Supreme Court.
The showing of "AR-15 Makes Swiss Cheese Out of a Couch" is the first time the Crown in B.C. has used YouTube videos to prove a number of allegations, prosecutor Nils Jensen told Justice Robert Metzger in his opening statement. The video has been removed from YouTube.
Darcie Kate McNeill and Brian... (GunPolicy.org)
Indiana Supreme Court Approves Lawsuit Holding Gun Makers to Account
13 January 2009
Indianapolis Star (Indiana)
A nearly decade-old lawsuit seeking to hold gun makers responsible for the city of Gary's rampant crime received a green light Monday to head to trial.
The Indiana Supreme Court declined to review a lower court ruling, ending the second round of appeals since the case was filed in 1999. Gary's suit alleges that 16 gun makers, including Smith & Wesson and Beretta, and six Northern Indiana gun dealers sold handguns they knew would get into the hands of criminals barred... (GunPolicy.org)
Indiana Court Says Gun Makers Must Prove They're Not a Public Nuisance
13 January 2009
Medill Reports, Northwestern University (Illinois), Web Page
The Indiana Supreme Court announced Tuesday that it will allow the City of Gary's lawsuit against sixteen gun manufacturers and six gun dealers to go to trial in the Superior Court of Lake County.
The Indiana Court of Appeals had held in October 2007 that the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act does not protect gun manufacturers from knowingly violating Indiana's public nuisance law. The gun manufacturers' appeal of this decision was denied by the state Supreme... (GunPolicy.org)
Read More: Medill Reports, Northwestern University (Illinois)
Winnipeg Police Seize 'Cobbled-together' Submachine Gun in Gang Bust
13 January 2009
Winnipeg Sun (Manitoba)
A submachine-gun seized during a gang house raid in Winnipeg's North End last week is unlike anything a police firearms expert has seen locally before.
What makes the gun so unique — and troubling, police say — is the way it was cobbled together.
"It looks like a hybrid or amalgam of gun parts," said police Det. Const. Rob Duttchen, a member of the National Weapons Enforcement Support Team.
Shotguns Stolen
Possibly homemade, the submachine-gun and five sawed-off... (GunPolicy.org)
Licensed Gun Owner Threatened Medics, Lost 30 Registered Firearms
13 January 2009
Edmonton Journal (Alberta)
EDMONTON — A man who allegedly pointed a loaded handgun at two Edmonton paramedics Friday has been charged with a list of weapons-related offences.
Shawn Patrick Fahy, 25, faces two counts of pointing a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon, carrying a concealed weapon, having a weapon in an unauthorized place, having a prohibited/restricted loaded firearm, and careless use/storage of a firearm.
Edmonton police, with the assistance of the National Weapons... (GunPolicy.org)
Obama's Economic Stimulus Already Underway for America's Gun Trade
13 January 2009
Statesman Journal (Oregon) / Florida Today
Even without his economic stimulus plan, President-elect Barack Obama has already helped one segment of the economy: the gun business.
The post-election bounce for gun sales comes from those who fear the Democratic president and the Democrat-controlled Congress might restrict gun ownership.
Obama, a former professor of Constitutional law, believes the U.S. Constitution allows some restrictions on gun ownership, but also has said he respects the right to bear arms as... (GunPolicy.org)
Church Groups Picket Philadelphia Gun Shop for Refusing to Sign Code
13 January 2009
Philadelphia Inquirer
Citing frustration with the legislature's reluctance to pass tough laws against "straw" handgun purchases, a coalition of religious leaders stood outside a gun store yesterday and announced a plan to pressure retailers directly.
"We … cannot stand by while towns and cities suffer senseless violence," said Bishop Allen Bartlett, assisting bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania.
He was joined on the sidewalk in front of Colosimo's Gun Center in the 900 block... (GunPolicy.org)