Gun Policy News, 22 January 2010
Iraq,Afghanistan,United States
US Rifle Sights Inscribed with 'Bible Codes' for War in Afghanistan
22 January 2010
al Jazeera
US-made rifles inscribed with Bible codes are being used by US forces and Afghans to fight the Taliban.
The weapons come from Trijicon, a manufacturer based in Wixom, Michigan, that supplies the US military. The company's now deceased founder, Glyn Bandon, started the practice which continues today.
David Chater, Al Jazeera's correspondent in the Afghan capital Kabul, said: "It is a rallying cry for the Taliban. It gives them a propaganda tool.
"They've always tried... (GunPolicy.org)
Read More: al Jazeera
31937
United States
Shooting of 2 Police Officers Spurs Wisconsin to Close Gun Sale Loophole
22 January 2010
TMJ-4 TV News (Milwaukee)
MILWAUKEE - Before Julius Burton shot two Milwaukee Police officers at point blank range, he bought the gun he used in the crime illegally through what is called a "straw purchase."
Burton is now heading to prison.
What is being done to keep something like this from happening again?
Officials in both city and state government are working together to make straw purchases a felony.
A bill is being drafted right now for the Wisconsin State Legislature, and it was... (GunPolicy.org)
Read More: TMJ-4 TV News (Milwaukee)
31942
United States
Gun Control: If Not After Shooting Deaths of 6 US Police Officers, When?
22 January 2010
Olympian (Washington), Opinion
Enough.
Neither gun manufacturers' profits and quasi-interpreted Second Amendment rights, nor the convenience of packing heat are valid reasons to endanger innocent lives any longer.
Six police officers were shot and killed within two months in Puget Sound. A young man was shot over an iPod and two teenagers were shot in Burien at an apartment complex.
Enough. We need gun control, and we need it now.
There are already enough, check that, more than enough weapons,... (GunPolicy.org)
Read More: Olympian (Washington)
31944
United States
Big-city Mayors Defend Chicago's Handgun Ban in US Supreme Court
22 January 2010
Chicago Sun-Times
WASHINGTON -- Mayor Daley revved up a coalition of mayors Thursday to urge the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold Chicago's handgun ordinance in the wake of the Illinois State Rifle Association challenge to be argued March 2.
Here for the winter meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, Daley also went to the White House with other mayors for a session with President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. And in his role as the "mayor of mayors," he also hosted a reception for... (GunPolicy.org)
Read More: Chicago Sun-Times
31945
United States
Mentally Ill Hidden Handgun Permit Holder Killed 8 Family in Virginia
22 January 2010
Associated Press
APPOMATTOX, Virginia - There was no school the next day, so 15-year-old Emily Quarles had a friend sleep over. As she and her mother took the friend home the next morning, they became targets for a rampaging gunman. When Emily's father and boyfriend went looking for them, they were slain too.
Police say Emily and her parents, Jonathan and Karen Quarles, and her boyfriend, 16-year-old Ronnie "Bo" Scruggs, were among eight people killed early Tuesday by 39-year-old... (GunPolicy.org)
Read More: Associated Press
31948
Yemen,United States
Arkansas 'Jihadi Attack' Gun Killer Faces Death Penalty, Cites al Qaeda
22 January 2010
Associated Press
LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - A prosecutor said Friday he won't waive the death penalty in the slaying of a soldier outside an Arkansas military recruiting center after the suspect asked to change his plea and claimed ties to al-Qaida.
Pulaski County Prosecutor Larry Jegley said he still planned to move forward with the June trial of Abdulhakim Muhammad, who faces capital murder and attempted capital murder charges. Pvt. William Long of Conway was killed in the June 1... (GunPolicy.org)
Read More: Associated Press
31949
United States
Many Guns, 'Enlightened' Pro-gun Laws Make Texas Safer, Says Governor
22 January 2010
Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas — Governor Rick Perry said Friday that Texans should not be subject to more government intervention and security measures after a gunman opened fire at an entry to the Texas Capitol and that the state's "enlightened" approach to gun rights helps to keep citizens safe.
"In Texas, criminals have to think twice before they draw a gun because there's a good chance they're going to be outnumbered," Perry said, as he accepted the campaign endorsement of the... (GunPolicy.org)
Read More: Associated Press
31975
Philippines
Police, Military, Officials Among 357 Philippine Election Gun Ban Arrests
22 January 2010
Philippine Daily Inquirer
MANILA, Philippines – Barely on its second week, the nationwide election gun ban has netted more than 350 violators, most of them were government employees and law enforcement units, a police official said on Friday.
On Thursday alone, checkpoints led by the Commission on Elections apprehended 41 persons nationwide – two were policemen, another two were soldiers, 36 civilians, and a government employee.
This brought to 357 the total number of those apprehended for... (GunPolicy.org)
Read More: Philippine Daily Inquirer
31999
Philippines
Village Chiefs Resist Surrendering 1300 Philippine Govt-issued Shotguns
22 January 2010
Philippine Daily Inquirer
VILLASIS, Pangasinan — Not one of the shotguns issued by the provincial government to 1,300 village chiefs in the province has been surrendered to the police.
Provincial police director, Senior Supt. Percival Barba, said he had ordered police chiefs to recall and keep the shotguns in the police stations during the election period but so far no gun had been surrendered.
Hernani Braganza, mayor of Alaminos City and one of those opposed to the issuance of shotguns to... (GunPolicy.org)
Read More: Philippine Daily Inquirer
32011