COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State University said Wednesday a background check on a janitor who shot two supervisors before killing himself didn't reveal that he had a criminal record, raising more questions about how his past prison sentence was missed. The school released a background report from September on Nathaniel Brown, 50, who police say entered a maintenance shop Tuesday morning and fatally shot a supervisor, injured another and then killed himself. Brown, who... (GunPolicy.org)

BOSTON, Massachusetts - The highest court in Massachusetts on Wednesday upheld the constitutionality of a state law that requires gun owners to lock weapons in their homes in a ruling applauded by gun-control advocates. The case had been closely watched by both gun-control and gun-rights proponents. Massachusetts prosecutors argued that the law saves lives because it requires guns to be kept in a locked container or equipped with a trigger lock when not under the... (GunPolicy.org)

SAN FRANCISCO - The California Supreme Court said Wednesday it will hear a prosecution appeal of a ruling throwing out a state law that bans anyone who has been convicted of a violent felony from owning body armor. The unanimous order was a victory for Attorney General Jerry Brown, who had asked the court to take up the case, and for San Francisco Police Chief George Gascón, who had urged Brown to appeal. The law, passed in 1998, was intended to protect police... (GunPolicy.org)

COLUMBUS, Ohio - If Cleveland had its way, every gun in the city would have to be registered, no one would carry a weapon openly and assault weapons would be banned. All three of those rules, however -- and there are others the city would like to impose -- run contrary to an Ohio gun law that took effect three years ago establishing one set of firearm rules for everyone from Lake Erie down to the Ohio River. The city has had its tougher gun restrictions on hold ever... (GunPolicy.org)

ANNAPOLIS — Baltimore's top prosecutor is heading to Annapolis to push state lawmakers to pass stronger gun laws. Baltimore State's Attorney Patricia Jessamy says she plans to appear Thursday at a Senate hearing to recommend expanding a no-parole law that has helped cut violent crime. Under the 2000 law, convicted felons charged with gun possession face a mandatory no-parole penalty of five years in prison. The state's attorney is pushing to increase sentences in... (GunPolicy.org)

The Iowa House of Representatives has an opportunity this week to make Iowa a safer place - by passing a law that will help keep firearms and offensive weapons out of the hands of persons who are subject to a domestic abuse protective order, or who have been convicted of abusing their partners. This bill will save lives. It will help prevent women, men and children from being terrorized, maimed and killed by violent abusers. More than half of Iowans killed in domestic... (GunPolicy.org)

SAN FRANCISCO - A California lawmaker has stepped into a growing gun rights debate by introducing legislation that would essentially outlaw what's called the "open carry" of unloaded weapons on public property. The measure, which was first introduced last month but is not expected to have its first hearing until April, is meant to address the growing "open carry" movement, in which some gun owners have taken to meeting in coffee shops, parks, and restaurants while... (GunPolicy.org)

If you want to have a nice, relaxing cup of coffee in a safe environment, try Starbucks. The coffee-shop chain, generally known for environmentalist chic, is probably one of the safest places to hang out these days for a reason that doesn't fit its image - Starbucks is letting customers openly carry guns in its stores. Americans thus can enjoy their rights and wash them down with a Frappuccino. Not surprisingly, Starbucks has taken some flak for its stand. The Brady... (GunPolicy.org)

The proliferation of small arms and light weapons is an immediate security challenge to individuals, societies, and states around the world and an enormous hurdle to sustainable security and development. Small arms fuel civil wars, organized criminal violence, and terrorist activities. They also undermine multimillion dollar development programs and other assistance to fragile states. Fragile and failing states should be of particular strategic interest to the United... (GunPolicy.org)

PRETORIA, South Africa - The country's largest private security company obtained an urgent court order on Wednesday against the Central Firearms Registry to obtain 600 temporary firearm permits in time for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. This followed a late afternoon settlement after Fidelity Security Services approached the North Gauteng High Court for an urgent order about their firearm permits. These permits were refused shortly before Christmas last year. In terms... (GunPolicy.org)