Gun Policy News, 14 January 2010
Police to Focus on Nepal-India Smuggling of Chinese Guns and Ammo
14 January 2010
Hindustan Times (Delhi)
Alarmed by the continuous seizure of huge quantities of arms and explosives, the Bihar police has decided to approach neighbouring state agencies to unravel the inter-state network of arms and ammunition peddlers and crime syndicate active on the Indo-Nepal border. "A meeting chaired by Director General of Police Anand Shankar decided to approach neighbouring state agencies to eliminate the inter-state network of peddlers of arms, ammunition and explosive materials,"... (GunPolicy.org)
Ballistic Tracing Helps UK Police Reduce Gun Crime
14 January 2010
BBC News
The National Ballistics Intelligence Service (Nabis) works by combining advanced forensic technology and police intelligence information.
It has played a key role in prosecuting "armourers", including Paul Alexander, who was jailed indefinitely last year.
Nabis says guns are becoming difficult to obtain - meaning rival gangs must sometimes use the same weapons.
The service, which was jointly established by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers... (GunPolicy.org)
Philippine Congress - No Time to Pass Stricter Gun Laws
14 January 2010
Inquirer.net (Manila)
MANILA, Philippines—The government has to make do with existing laws in prosecuting groups that possess illegal firearms because Congress does not have time to pass a "stricter legislation," House of Representatives speaker Prospero Nograles said Tuesday.
Nograles said the House of Representatives would not be able to tackle the amended firearms code during the remaining nine days of session.
Congress will resume session on January 18 and will go on break anew on... (GunPolicy.org)
70 Arrested Not Complying With Philippine Gun Ban
14 January 2010
al Jazeera
Police in the Philippines say they have arrested at least 70 people since Sunday's imposition of a nationwide ban on guns ahead of elections later this year.
Some 3,500 checkpoints have been set up across the country to enforce the ban which officials hope will cut the number of politically-motivated killings which usually blight election campaigns.
The five-month ban started on Sunday and applies to everyone including off duty police and military officers.
"We want... (GunPolicy.org)
Militias Armed With Machine Guns Outnumber Police and Military
14 January 2010
Inquirer Mindanao
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines—There are more members of private armies in Sulu and Basilan than security forces combined, according to a source privy to police matters and operations.
There are also more firearms in the two provinces than the actual number of registered voters combined, according to the same source, who was with Philippine National Police Director General Jesus Versoza during inspection and assessment here Sunday.
In one of the briefings made by... (GunPolicy.org)
Gun Ban to Prevent Philippine Election-Related Violence
14 January 2010
New York Times
MANILA — A nationwide gun ban took effect Sunday in the Philippines to stave off any increase in political violence as elections draw closer, officials said.
Elections in the Philippines are almost always bloody, mainly because of the dominance of political dynasties, the presence of nearly 70 private armies and militias and the proliferation of what are called "loose firearms" — mostly unlicensed and unregistered weapons.
Though the elections are scheduled for... (GunPolicy.org)
Washington County's Gun-Free Parks Law Left Unchanged
14 January 2010
Herald Net (Washington)
EVERETT, Washington — A move that would have brought Snohomish County in line with Washington state laws that allow concealed firearms at county parks was rejected by the County Council on Wednesday.
Republican County Councilman John Koster was disappointed that his proposal didn't win any support from his four Democratic colleagues. The lack of action, he said, left the county with "a code that's essentially been repealed by the state."
"I supposed when it comes to... (GunPolicy.org)
Seattle Jewsish Office Shooter 'Understood His Plan', Says Judge
14 January 2010
Associated Press
SEATTLE - A man who went on a shooting rampage at a Seattle Jewish center, killing one woman and wounding five others, appealed for forgiveness and blamed his medication as a judge sentenced him Thursday to life in prison without parole.
"I am not a man filled with hate," Naveed Haq told the court. "I would like to say I apologize from the depth of my being."
Haq, 34, drove from his Eastern Washington home in Pasco to Seattle on July 28, 2006, and held a teenage girl... (GunPolicy.org)
New York Traffickers Ship AK-47s, Submachine Guns, Pistols to Jamaica
14 January 2010
Gleaner (Jamaica)
With 14 days into the new year, the island's security forces have seized more than 1,000 assorted rounds of ammunition and at least 27 illegal firearms, including four high-powered weapons and a number of semi-automatic pistols.
The cracks in the existing security system at Port Bustamante were tested on Monday, when a Jamaican connection in New York sent a shipment containing 12 illegal guns and more than 700 rounds of ammunition.
Up to late Tuesday, two women and a... (GunPolicy.org)
Encouraging Hidden Handguns Costs Tennessee Conventions, Tourists
14 January 2010
Tennessean (Nashville)
The state's restaurant and bar owners have made no secret of their opposition to Tennessee's guns-in-bars law, saying the prospect of armed patrons, or a sign keeping guns out of an establishment, is bad for business.
Now, the leaders of the Nashville and Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureaus are saying the law has hurt local tourism efforts, claiming that other cities are using the guns-in-bars measure to lure visitors away from Tennessee.
"It's probably the single... (GunPolicy.org)
Pennsylvania Gun Owner, Wife Abuser Killed Trooper in 'Planned Ambush'
14 January 2010
Associated Press
FRANKLIN,Pennsylvania - A suicidal man made an improvised sniper's "perch" in an upstairs bedroom so he could fatally shoot a state trooper who volunteered to investigate a domestic-abuse report because he had previous contact with the gunman, the state police commissioner said Thursday.
Michael J. Smith, 44, arranged folded towels and blankets on a corner table to steady a scope-equipped .30-30 hunting rifle that police believe he used to shoot Trooper Paul Richey in... (GunPolicy.org)
Tennessee Tourism Industry Fears Gun-in-bars Law Scares Away Visitors
14 January 2010
United Press International
NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tourism groups in Nashville and Memphis say Tennessee's pending gun-in-bars law has negatively impacted tourism efforts in the two cities.
The (Nashville) Tennessean reported Thursday the cities' Convention and Visitors Bureaus became the most recent critics of the controversial state law that will allow individuals to bring firearms into businesses that serve alcohol.
"We had international press, and we have gotten letters from visitors who... (GunPolicy.org)
Saskatoon Man Flaunted Rifle, Shot 6yr-old Girl Sleeping in Next Room
14 January 2010
CBC News (Canada)
The man who carelessly fired a rifle inside a Saskatoon home, hitting a sleeping child in the next room, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
The girl, Letisha Kishayinew, was six years old when the shooting took place Jan. 16, 2009. The bullet travelled through an interior wall of the home before striking the child.
Spencer Wapass, 21, and another man were arrested within a week of the shooting.
Wapass pleaded guilty in earlier proceedings to... (GunPolicy.org)
Victoria Police Close to Finalising Rearmament with Semi-auto Pistols
14 January 2010
Age (Melbourne)
The prolonged wait to arm Victoria Police with semi-automatic guns will be over within months, with the force primed to sign a contract with suppliers.
Police yesterday called for tenders for holsters for the semi-automatics, saying that while it was studying the bids, it expected to finalise details for the purchase of the guns.
"It is Victoria Police's intention to select a supplier of suitable holsters for semi-automatic pistols as soon as possible," the tender... (GunPolicy.org)
Order for Pistol Holsters Shows Victoria Police Have Chosen New Handgun
14 January 2010
Herald Sun (Melbourne)
Police are a step closer to carrying semi-automatic pistols after the State Government launched a tender process for holsters.
The move has fuelled speculation that a make and model of pistol has been selected because holsters are usually fitted to precise models.
In November, the Herald Sun revealed that Chief Commissioner Simon Overland's right-hand man had his weapon upgraded from a Smith & Wesson to a semi-automatic pistol because of security fears for the state's... (GunPolicy.org)
Over 1700 Guns Netted in Amnesty, Gun Crime Up Since 2002
14 January 2010
Advertiser (Adelaide)
A Government gun amnesty has taken 1731 unwanted or illegal firearms off the streets and some out of the hands of criminals, Police Minister Michael Wright said.
The three-month amnesty, which ended on December 31 last year, reaped 1025 working guns and 706 imitation firearms.
Opposition spokesman David Ridgway said police statistics showed firearm/weapon offences have increased 20.6 per cent since 2002.
Since 2006, more than 4300 firearms or imitation guns have been... (GunPolicy.org)