A gun show in Vancouver, Wash., this weekend isn't really trying to capitalize on Measure 5, Oregon's new law on sales at such shows, its promoter said. Rather, promoter Dan Brown said, he hopes to create a family atmosphere, with children younger than 12 admitted free and receiving free popcorn and soft drinks. Attendance at some Oregon shows has fallen, dealers have said, since the measure passed by Oregon voters in November took effect last month. It requires... (GunPolicy.org)

Which country is the source of these headlines, all of which have run in newspapers there since the New Year? "Panic over gun crime." "Police move to tackle huge rise in gun crime." "Handgun crime soars." "New government figures reveal a number of crime hotspots." Sorry, you lose points for guessing the United States. Too predictable, not to mention wrong. Violent crime in general and firearms crime in particular is on the decline in the U.S., from between four to 11... (GunPolicy.org)

The goal of Canada's half-billion dollar gun registry is public safety. By requiring gun owners to provide references and submit to a detailed background check, the logic goes, potential criminals will be weeded out. Toward that aim, the Firearms Act requires every gun owner to fill out a personal questionnaire: Have you ever been depressed? Do you have a drinking problem? How about an emotional problem? Have you ever been reported to a social services agency for a... (GunPolicy.org)

Gun enthusiasts challenged New Jersey's 11-year-old restriction on military-style assault weapons in federal appeals court yesterday, claiming the law violated the right of sportsmen to associate and exposed them to unforeseen criminal prosecutions. New Jersey's law — considered one of the nation's toughest — is so vague and "overbroad" that it is almost meaningless, Stephen P. Halbrook, the lawyer for the gun owners, told the three judges of the U.S. Court of... (GunPolicy.org)

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, California — The husband of an Air Force officer is believed to have shot and killed her before turning the gun on himself, officials said. A man called 911 at about 4 p.m. Thursday and said he had killed his wife and would kill himself next, base spokesman John Haire said. Military police surrounded the man's home, and an investigator was shot and wounded as he approached the house, according to an Air Force statement. The couple, whose... (GunPolicy.org)