Gun Policy News, 21 January 2000
Gun Thefts Prompt Police Website
21 January 2000
ABC News (Australia)
Two recent episodes of gun theft have prompted South Australian police to set up an internet site listing details of all the firearms stolen in the State.
In the first incident, rifles, shotguns and an antique muzzle-loading weapon were stolen from Elizabeth East, while four pistols were taken overnight from a home at Aldgate.
Police say the robberies appear to be unrelated.
They have alerted local gun dealers to check carefully for anyone trying to sell the stolen... (GunPolicy.org)
Cincinnati Wants to Revive Gun Suit
21 January 2000
Cincinnati Enquirer (Ohio)
The city of Cincinnati asked an appeals court Thursday to revive its lawsuit against gun manufacturers.
In a legal brief filed with the Ohio 1st District Court of Appeals, the city's attorneys argued a Cincinnati judge made a mistake when he threw out its lawsuit three months ago.
The city wants the lawsuit reinstated so it can recover the cost of gun-related violence from the manufacturers.
The city claims the manufacturers are responsible for violence committed... (GunPolicy.org)
District Suing the Gun Industry Damages Sought for City's Carnage
21 January 2000
Washington Post
The D.C. government yesterday joined a legion of cities targeting the nation's major gun makers and distributors, filing a lawsuit that seeks tens of millions of dollars in damages for the "public nuisance" and carnage created by the sale of illegal weapons.
The District's suit, modeled after litigation filed by 29 other jurisdictions across the country, contends that the gun industry shares responsibility for the violence that has taken place on urban streets and... (GunPolicy.org)
Gun Industry Joins NRA in Capitol Hill Fight
21 January 2000
USA Today
The beleaguered gun industry is firing back at political foes with what it hopes will be a silver bullet: its first financial contributions to candidates who oppose tougher federal regulation of firearms.
Republicans stand to be the main beneficiaries of the new largess in November's elections.
The National Shooting Sports Foundation, a trade group for makers of guns, ammunition and hunting equipment, announced sponsorship of a new political action committee this week... (GunPolicy.org)
Assembly OKs Measure Requiring Gun Buyers to Prove Safety Skills
21 January 2000
Los Angeles Times
SACRAMENTO — Californians may not be required to register their handguns in the near future, but they may have to prove they know how to handle them.
A day after a state Assembly committee killed a sweeping proposal to license gun owners and register their firearms, the full Assembly on Thursday overwhelmingly approved legislation requiring gun buyers to demonstrate they can safely operate the weapons.
The bill by Assemblyman Mike Honda (D-San Jose) represents the... (GunPolicy.org)
Justices to Review Landmark Gun Ruling
21 January 2000
Los Angeles Times
SAN FRANCISCO — The California Supreme Court has decided to review a landmark ruling that would open the way for gun makers to be held legally responsible when their products are used in crimes.
The court, acting on a petition by a gun manufacturer, agreed to review a Court of Appeal decision handed down in September that left gun makers vulnerable to negligence lawsuits in criminal shootings. The appeals court ruling is the only such decision by an appellate panel... (GunPolicy.org)
Gun Maker's Liability a State High Court Issue
21 January 2000
San Francisco Examiner
A lawsuit against a gun manufacturer filed in the wake of the 101 California St. massacre has suffered a setback, as the state Supreme Court agreed to review an appellate order sending the case to trial.
An appeals court ruling in September said families of the victims of the 1993 slayings could ask a jury to decide whether Navegar Inc., the manufacturer of the TEC-DC9 used in the shootings, is liable.
But on Wednesday, state Supreme Court justices announced they will... (GunPolicy.org)