State Rep. Tim Bearden (R-Villa Rica) said Wednesday that he plans to introduce legislation to make extensive changes in Georgia's firearms laws. "Hearings on House Bill (HB) 615 will start Jan. 7," Bearden said. "We want to put everything on the table and bring everything to a starting point." He said the "public gathering" part of the state's current gun law dates back to 1870 and it's unclear to citizens, law enforcement and the general public what the term... (GunPolicy.org)

A man who killed his former girlfriend then shot dead four of her work colleagues at a shopping mall in Finland appears to have deliberately pinpointed his victims. Ibrahim Shkupolli, a father of three originally from Kosovo, ended his New Year's Eve killing spree by turning his weapon on himself, bringing the overall toll from the tragedy in the Helsinki suburb of Espoo to six. As relatives tried to come to terms with their loss, investigators said they believed... (GunPolicy.org)

Eastern Port of Spain has been labelled as "among the most dangerous places on the planet" by an international research body that tracks the growth of small arms and crime. In its report dated December 31, 2009, the Small Arms Survey of Switzerland explored the rise of criminal gangs and gangster-styled killings in Trinidad and Tobago and concluded the country's gun problems were not going to go away. The 53-page report is entitled "No Other Life - Gangs, Guns and... (GunPolicy.org)

Gun control opponents in Virginia's legislature are proposing what would amount to a vast roll-back of handgun regulations, hoping to capitalize on a friendlier administration in Richmond to undo long-standing firearms restrictions. Conservative lawmakers have filed a flurry of bills including abolishing the state's one-handgun-per-month rule and allowing college faculty to carry a concealed weapon on campus. Despite the arrival of Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell,... (GunPolicy.org)

A dispute over fireworks led to the arrest of a Moss Point man after a bullet from a gun he fired into the air landed in his neighbor's house. Kevin Hinton, 27, of Moss Point was arrested for shooting into an occupied dwelling after an altercation with neighbors in Hattiesburg. Police said an altercation occurred because someone wouldn't stop shooting fireworks in the 100 block of East Eighth Street around 10 p.m. Friday. Hinton allegedly went into the house, came... (GunPolicy.org)

An effort by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to make it easier for residents to carry concealed firearms isn't likely to change policy, the Sheriff's Department said. In a 3-1 vote in November, supervisors passed a resolution asking the sheriff to consider applications for permits based solely on "personal defense." Supervisor Jeff Stone, author of the resolution, pegged the issue to the potential release of thousands of California inmates as part of a plan... (GunPolicy.org)

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) will enforce the total gun ban nationwide for six months starting Jan. 10, the official start of the election period, to curb election-related violence. Existing uniformed security personnel assigned to protect national and local government officials will also be recalled, but may be reinstated upon approval of the Commission on Elections (Comelec). Responding to a... (GunPolicy.org)

Federal investigators recommended revoking the license of Badger Outdoors gun shop after a 2006 inspection - a rare move that could have closed the West Milwaukee business, a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel investigation has found. But there was no revocation and the store remains open, operating as Badger Guns. Federal records show the license recommended for revocation was voluntarily relinquished, the players inside the operation took on new roles and a new license was... (GunPolicy.org)

The public can't see records that reveal whether gun dealers are following the law - thanks to Congress. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' spending law strictly limits what information the agency can release on gun shop inspections. That law required ATF to heavily redact inspection documents on the West Milwaukee gun store that has operated as Badger Guns & Ammo, Badger Outdoors and Badger Guns, agency officials said. The law also limits... (GunPolicy.org)