Friday at dusk, Eudice Tracey observed an ancient tradition: She lighted two candles to signal the start of the Jewish Sabbath. Then she observed another more personal and painful tradition that is nearly five years old: She lighted a third sabbath candle in memory of her daughter, Amy. "Every day is hard, but the holidays, oh, I hate the holidays," she said at a Shaker Square coffeehouse one chilly December evening. "Because Amy's not with me." New Year's Eve will... (GunPolicy.org)

Gun-control bills face an uncertain future in the Colorado Legislature next year, despite the national wave of anti-gun sentiment set off by the Columbine High School massacre. But if lawmakers refuse to pass tougher gun restrictions, a bipartisan group is threatening to take the measures straight to voters. Sane Alternatives to the Firearms Epidemic is frustrated by Gov. Bill Owens' silence on his own gun-control plan and Republican legislators' resistance to... (GunPolicy.org)

CHALMETTE, Louisiana — A 13-year-old boy was fatally shot Christmas Day by a playmate who received a shotgun as a gift, authorities said. John Hanley apparently stepped in front of his 12-year-old companion as the gun went off and was shot in the head, said Maj. Richard Baumy of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office. He said it was being treated as an accidental shooting and no charges had been filed. Hanley died Saturday night, Charity Hospital spokesman Jerry... (GunPolicy.org)