A bill recommended Tuesday by the House Judiciary Committee would allow Arkansans with concealed-handgun licenses to carry their weapons into public parks and restaurants that serve alcohol. House Bill 1024 by Rep. Randy Minton, R-Ward, would amend Act 411 of 1995, which authorized concealed-handgun permits, by removing two of its 18 restrictions. Forty-three states permit concealed handguns. Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio and Wisconsin... (GunPolicy.org)

The marquee names for the cabaret that is the Ashcroft nomination hearings are Ronnie White and Bob Jones. White is the African-American judge whom John Ashcroft, the attorney general designate, smeared as "pro-criminal" because of a few departures White made from his customary practice of upholding death sentences. Jones needs little introduction, since his university-which had banned interracial dating and promotes hatred of Catholics, among others-has been much in... (GunPolicy.org)

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia — Kevin Robins is surrounded by weapons. But where others might see a wall-to-wall arsenal, the assistant curator of Citadel Hill's Army Museum thinks about history and the heroics of young men who once had to use them in war. More valuable pieces of that history have come into the Army Museum's possession lately as a direct result of Canada's new federal gun law. Rather than paying the required fees for gun licences or registering their... (GunPolicy.org)

Imagine a two-day job interview during which you have to promise to take on tasks you've previously said you absolutely loathe. Add to that a group of people demanding that you get the boot before you're even hired. Meet John Ashcroft, the man the next president wants to be the nation's top cop. In Philadelphia and across the country, broad coalitions are opposing the nomination of Ashcroft for U.S. attorney general. Ashcroft's Missouri record as governor and... (GunPolicy.org)

GRANDVILLE — Thirteen moms and one dad gathered in the library of Grandville Middle School Tuesday with one goal in mind-halting a law that will allow more people to carry concealed weapons. Munching on lemon squares and chocolate-chip cookies, group members acknowledged the daunting challenge they face taking on the governor, the state Legislature and some of the most effective lobbyists in Lansing. The new law is scheduled to take effect in July, but opponents are... (GunPolicy.org)

December 26, 2000, and another mass murder, as 42-year-old Michael McDermott went on a rampage in Wakefield, Massachusetts. Armed with a rifle, a shotgun, and a handgun, McDermott killed seven of his co-workers. Predictably, another call for "tougher" gun-control laws, and a renewed media blitz designed to promote the fear of armed neighbors in America. In a recently published Epidemiology article, "Community Firearms, Community Fear," three Harvard public-health... (GunPolicy.org)

JOHANNESBURG — In a step to rid the country of the scourge of gun-related violence, the SAPS destroyed 102 tons of firearms, parts and firearm spares with an estimated value of nearly R26.5 million on Wednesday in Benoni, east of Johannesburg. A total of 27 816 firearms — including pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns and homemade firearms — were destroyed. Seven launchers and 20 335 parts of firearms and spares were also destroyed. According to the police's... (GunPolicy.org)

LONDON — British Industrial group Tomkins Plc is in talks to sell its Smith and Wesson handgun maker at a loss, the Financial Times said on Wednesday. Quoting company chairman David Newlands, the paper said that Tomkins confirmed it was in talks with two American gun companies. Newlands was quoted as saying that he thought Smith and Wesson would sell for a lower price than the original 76 million pounds ($112 million) originally paid for it. "We're not going to get... (GunPolicy.org)

LONDON — Britain will establish a computer database telling police which citizens legally own firearms in an effort to cut rising gun crimes, a Home Office spokesman said on Wednesday. "It complements public safety," Home Office spokesman Michael Winders told Reuters. Gun crimes are on the rise in Britain, he said, where handguns are banned and most police officers patrol streets unarmed. Government figures show 62 people were shot to death in 1999 in England and... (GunPolicy.org)