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1. VCDL member John Strauss -- RIP
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Al Steed, Jr. emailed me this a few days ago:
--
Sad to announce the passing of VCDL & NRA member JOHN STRAUSS, 67, Master Chief, US Navy Retired, a combat wounded veteran of Vietnam and Operation Desert Shield, of Radford, VA. John was a super supporter of all of our Second Amendment events---many of you met John and Betty at the VCDL picnic in Salem. John's funeral service was this afternoon. We here in SW Virginia will miss him--he is now with many of his friends, may he rest in peace.
AL STEED JR
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2. Column: The "no guns" insult
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VCDL "Republican Roundup" protest highlighted
Jeff Knox emailed me this:
--
http://tinyurl.com/ygqn7rxhttp://www.FirearmsCoalition.orgThe "No Guns" Insult
By Jeff Knox
(Manassas, VA, October 29, 2009) How does it make you feel when you start to walk into a business and see a "No Guns" sign prominently posted? Are you angry? Offended? Indifferent? How do you react? Do you just turn around and take your business elsewhere? Complain to the management? Just ignore it and go on with your business? The members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League take "No Guns" signs as personally offensive and they let their offense be known - to the business, to fellow VCDL members, and anyone else who'll listen - or read a web page. VCDL maintains a list of anti-rights Virginia businesses on their web site,
www.VCDL.org, and encourages gun owners and rights supporters to avoid these businesses except to let them know that their policy is offensive. VCDL has actively pursued this position for several years while they have simultaneously grown to become the most politically active and effective rights organization in the state.
So when the 7th District Republican Committee decided to hold a major fundraising rally in a location which is prominently posted "No Guns," VCDL let the Republicans know they weren't happy. When the Republicans held the annual event in the same anti-rights location every year for the next several years, disregarding VCDL's repeated objections, many at VCDL began taking the Republicans' choice as an insult. When the Republicans refused to change venues - even though VCDL offered to help sponsor the event at a different location - VCDL got mad.
On October 17th about 250 VCDL protesters gathered in a shopping mall near the Innsbrook Pavilion, the private, anti-rights event center where the annual Republican Roundup was being staged. The well organized protest included a moon-bounce and other distractions set up for the kids, an airplane towing a "Guns Save Lives" banner, and even a hot air balloon proclaiming the same message. Local shops, restaurants, and hotels welcomed the protesters - who were mostly openly carrying sidearms - and even offered special discounts. A good and safe time was had by all.
The Chairman of the 7th District Republican Committee has previously told people who complained to him about his choice to use the anti-rights facilities that while he and the Republican Party strongly support the Second Amendment, price and convenience trumps principles. And he's sticking to his No Guns. Even as there were almost as many people outside protesting as there were inside rallying, the chairman announced that the event would again be held in the same location next year. The level of base callousness and simple stupidity is just staggering.
This up-scuttle echoes a larger issue of misunderstanding between the activist, rights community and the general public - sadly often including many gun owners. When a business posts a "No Guns" policy they are making a political statement whether that is their intent or not. They are also denigrating and insulting lawful gun owners - particularly those who choose to carry. A "No Guns" sign serves no useful purpose beyond these insults and political posturing because the only people to whom such signs apply are the most conscientious and responsible gun owners. Criminals and the irresponsible simply ignore the signs and do exactly what they would have done without the signs, except with perhaps a greater sense of security knowing that conscientious, law-abiding gun owners have disarmed or gone somewhere else.
Gun owners and rights supporters who are not angered and offended by these "We Don't Want Your Kind" signs posted on businesses they frequent are being as thoughtless and insensitive as the businesses themselves. These "No Guns" signs should elicit the same reaction from gun owners and our friends that "Whites Only" signs did among blacks and civil rights supporters in the 1960's. They are a personal insult and an assault on our liberty and anyone who can't see that is simply choosing not to. That appears to be the case with the leadership of Virginia's 7th District Republicans. One must wonder whether they would continue using the same facilities if the sign on the door read "No Jews" rather than "No Guns."
Posting a "No Guns" sign is not a business decision about patron safety nor is disarming just a minor inconvenience. Such signs are a political statement and an insult and they should never go unanswered. The Firearms Coalition offers Merchant Education Cards which make it easy to let businesses know why they're losing our business. They are available at
www.FirearmsCoalition.org.
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3. Editorial: Virginia and gun control
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New York Times opines: "vast majority of Virginians want to plug the gun-show loophole"
Another paper quoting the bogus survey paid for by the Virginian-Pilot.
If Virginians wanted to register the private sales of guns and do damage to gun shows, they would have elected Creigh Deeds, who wanted to pass such legislation to make the parents of the Virginia Tech massacre victims "feel better:"
http://tinyurl.com/y97sj4xwww.nytimes.comEDITORIAL
Virginia and Gun Control
Published: October 21, 2009
Lost in the public polling fine print of the Virginia governor's race is a strikingly vital statistic: a vast majority of Virginians want to plug the gun-show loophole that for years has fed the "Iron Pipeline" of weapons flowing into states and cities with stricter gun controls.
The issue of gun control has traditionally been a third rail in Virginia campaigning, and it still is. But a new poll for The Virginian-Pilot by Christopher Newport University found that 8 out of every 10 likely voters want to end the practice of allowing unlicensed dealers at "sportsmen" shows to sell guns wholesale outside the laws that mandate a background check of purchasers.
The loophole is no laughing matter, although the National Rifle Association is using a fictitious Soprano-like "Noo Yawker" to bolster Bob McDonnell, the Republican candidate for governor who favors leaving the loophole unchanged. "Fuhgeddaboud your freedoms" if Mr. McDonnell is not elected, the faux Mafioso warns Virginians in a TV ad. It's payback for Mayor Michael Bloomberg's recent stings documenting how Virginian dealers are a major conduit for crime guns in New York City.
The record in Virginia of the Democratic candidate, Creigh Deeds, closely parallels Mr. McDonnell's fierce politicking as a defender of gun rights -- with the notable exception of the gun-show loophole. Mr. Deeds felt obliged to honor the pleas from families whose loved ones were among the 32 fatalities in the Virginia Tech gun massacre two years ago. With that went the N.R.A. endorsement that the Democrat had enjoyed in the past.
The loophole closure is far from the dominant issue in the multifarious Virginia campaign, even if most voters realize the Virginia Tech spree brings gun control closer to home. Closing the loophole has been repeatedly set back by statehouse machinations, but by fewer and fewer votes. Those latest newspaper poll results show the people are speaking. Too bad politicians are not listening.
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4. LTE: Loophole 'solution' shifts burden
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http://tinyurl.com/yl5m7xchttp:
www2.dailyprogress.com/Loophole 'solution' shifts burden
Katelyn Sack
Published: October 27, 2009
Closing the Virginia gun show loophole ("Closing Virginia's gun show loophole," The Daily Progress, Oct. 18) is a fine idea. [PVC: Actually, there is no loophole to close, and VCDL does not support the end-game gun registration scheme that would result from mandating government oversight of private sales.] Problem is, none of the change's proponents are addressing the other side's concerns about how this will be done. The real fight here is about money, not safety or lawful conduct.
Freelance gun sellers -- private citizens or small business owners
whose primary business is not the sale of firearms -- will be required
to run background checks on everyone they sell to. Currently, they are
required to run such checks only if they are licensed.
Freelance sellers will also be required to pay for those background
checks, which probably means paying a larger gun seller to run the
National Instant Criminal Background Check System check for them
because the relevant databases (containing oodles of personal
information) are not public record.
Big business will swallow neighborhood enterprise, and some sales
conducted exactly as before will simply be criminalized. Suddenly,
there will be a new crime wave taxpayers have to pay for the
government to address, although the public safety picture will not
have changed a pixel.
If the government wants to require an extra bureaucratic dance from
everyone at the disco, it ought to foot the bill. Otherwise, closing
the loophole will only create more crime -- by criminalizing the sale
of firearms between small sellers and bargain-shoppers who can't
afford to pay for the government to do its job.
Make the criminal background check available to freelance sellers free
of charge at a booth staffed by a public servant, and the Virginia gun
show loophole will close itself.
Katelyn Sack
Charlottesville
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5. TEXT: ODU campus safety alert [10/30/09]
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Old Dominion University campus safety suggestion: hope violent criminals leave you alone.
Aaron Smith emailed me this:
--
Who needs a gun around Old Dominion University's campus?
What always irks me about these campus wide emails that they send out, is they never make any mention of effective self defense.
-Aaron Smith
From: Falck, Michelle M.
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 8:45 AM
Subject: ODU Campus Safety Alert
10/30/09
The Norfolk Police Department has made us aware of two
incidents involving students that occurred last night in the
area concurrent to campus.
At the 7-Eleven store on 52nd Street and Colley Avenue, a
black male with a handgun exited a blue minivan and
approached a student standing outside the store at
approximately 10:45 p.m., robbing him of a knapsack and
money.
On Hampton Boulevard near Larchmont Elementary School,
two black males approached a student at approximately 1 a.m.
and asked to use his cellular phone. When the student
refused, one of the suspects displayed a handgun and robbed
him of his wallet.
Neither student was harmed in the incidents.
The police department would like to remind the campus
community that an increase in the incidents of larceny is
typical as the holiday season approaches and that extra care
and precautions should be taken.
Here are recommendations on how to keep yourself and
your friends safe:
Familiarize yourself with the locations of emergency
phones and call boxes in the buildings and around the campus
routes you normally visit and walk. All campus buildings
have red telephones that link directly to campus police.
Additionally, there are blue
emergency call boxes located around campus that also call
directly to campus police. Walk on well-lit paths
and streets and walk with others, especially at night.
Use the campus escort service. It is available 5:30
p.m. to 12:30 a.m. weekdays and 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on
weekends by calling 683-3477 or using one of the emergency
telephones or blue light call boxes. Police officers are
available to escort you after-hours.
Keep doors locked, including the doors to your
dorm room, off-campus residence and car. Do not prop open
any doors to the residence halls. Do not invite
strangers into your dorm room or off-campus house. While
that person you just met at a party may seem really nice, he
or she could have bad intentions. Limit your
drinking. Too much alcohol impairs your judgment and makes
you less aware of your surroundings. Do not leave
your bicycle, laptop, iPod or other valuables unsecured and
do not leave valuables in view in your vehicle. Do not leave
holiday gift purchases in your car.Report
suspicious activity and situations to campus police. If you
are a victim of crime, report it to police
immediately.
The Police Department can be reached 24 hours a day,
every day, by calling 757-683-4000 (3-4000 from a campus
phone).
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6. Gun show slur in VA election
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State Delegate Stephen Shannon smears VA attorney general candidate Ken Cuccinelli over his support for unregulated private guns sales
http://tinyurl.com/y9vzbhdwww.washingtontimes.comGun-Show Slur in Virginia Election: With just days to go before the election, Virginia Democrats are getting desperate. In the race to become the commonwealth's next attorney general, state Delegate Stephen Shannon is trying to tar his opponent, state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, for purportedly giving guns to convicted felons. Mr. Shannon is sending around literature with a scary picture of a violent criminal claiming: "FACT: Ken Cuccinelli, candidate for attorney general, voted to allow violent felons to purchase guns in Virginia." We hate to break it to Mr. Shannon but this isn't going to be his Willie Horton ad. Mr. Shannon's convoluted logic goes this way: Since Mr. Cuccinelli voted against regulating the private sale of guns at gun shows, that means he supports felons having guns. Never mind that it is still illegal for felons to have guns and the senator supports that ban...
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7. Lynchburg "Gun Surrender Program" being used to "reduce crime"
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Scott Byer emailed me this:
--
Mr. Van Cleave,
My father, Gene Byer, is a member of your organization. I have followed you for some time now. Thank you for your support of our Second Amendment rights!
To the point of this email, I stumbled upon a campaign in Lynchburg, VA today. Please follow this link to the 'Gun-Surrender Program' news report on the local NBC affiliate WSLS 10.
As far as I am concerned, this is absurd! What's next?
Scott Byer
http://tinyurl.com/yle95wzLynchburg homicide-free in 2009, gun surrender program helping
By CANDICE NELSON | WSLS10 Reporter
Published: October 6, 2009
Updated: October 7, 2009
A gun surrender program in Lynchburg wants criminals with guns to turn them over without the fear of getting in trouble. A team effort between Churches United for Service and the Lynchburg Police Department kicked off the gun surrender program in 2008. So far, they've collected 10 guns.
On Tuesday, another gun surrender event was held at Providence Place in Lynchburg. The gun surrender program is also for people who want to get rid of a firearm in their home. For example, Rev. Charles Lewis was there to turn over a gun his grandson used to commit suicide two years ago.
"If I kept it, I would always be remembering my grandson, you know," said Lewis.
Dr. James Coleman is with Providence Ministries International, and said he's talked with the people who have turned in their guns.
"They're excited to turn them in. Some of them are glad to get rid of them. They're scared they might be used in a negative way again," he said.
Those who turn in the guns also have a chance to win a 2000 Chevrolet Impala which has been decorated with flames for trim and has been painted orange and white. The car was a former police cruiser that has now been converted into a decorated, or "tricked out," car.
Lynchburg Police pointed out the city hasn't seen any homicides this year. Police Chief, Parks Snead, says it's been "very effective because you have to start somewhere."
Chief Snead said Lynchburg had four homicides in 2008. Although there hasn't been any this year, Dr. Coleman says the gun surrender program cannot take full credit.
There haven't been any deaths but in the last 12 months, guns have been involved in more than 250 cases.
"Crime in Lynchburg is always a fluctuating topic- in any community. We have violent crime in Lynchburg; we have property crime. Levels by my recollection are stabilizing somewhat," Chief Snead said.
Before Rev. Lewis left, he said, "If we get guns out of criminals hands, our cities and everything will be a whole lot safer."
People won't get in trouble for turning in a gun at a gun surrender event. The next event will be on November 5th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the corner of 17th and Monroe Streets.
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8. Dangerous weapon assaults in D.C.
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Crime stats raise question of whether D.C. should ban fists, barstools next
Deborah Jane Anderson emailed me this:
--
Philip,
Below are the two "Assault with Dangerous Weapon" reports I mentioned to you yesterday evening at Fuddruckers. These occurred within the 2nd District MPD's jurisdiction.
Hmmm -- if DC Government officials take their ridiculous arguments against guns and applies them to other objects, then in light of these violent incidents, maybe DC Government should seek to ban people from making a fist or having/owning/possessing a wooden step stool! ;>)
Blessings,
Deborah Jane Anderson
http://tinyurl.com/yjld8saWatch Commander's Crime Report
Posted by: "Neal, Ralph (MPD)"
Ralph.Neal@dc.gov neal224
Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:06 am (PDT)
On Saturday, October 24, 2009, the following crimes were reported:
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Fist/ 207
The event occurred at Connecticut Avenue and N St. NW, at 1:20 AM.
C-1 reported that he was assaulted by S-1 and S-2 after they punched
him.
MPD members responded to the scene and arrested them.
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Stepstool/ 203
The event occurred in the 4400 block of 35th Street, NW, at 11:40 AM.
C-1 reported that S-1 picked up a wooden stepstool and struck her in the
right hand. MPD members responded to the scene and arrested S-1 for Domestic Violence.
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9. Another home invasion claiming to be law enforcement
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Robbers in Sterling Park home invasion brandished guns and claimed to be law enforcement
http://tinyurl.com/y964zq4http://www.loudouni.comHome Invasion Robbery Reported in Sterling Park
Friday, 30 October 2009
The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is investigating a home invasion-style robbery that occurred early Friday morning in Sterling Park.
According to authorities, at 3:37 a.m. on Oct. 30, two unknown masked men forced their way into a home on the 1200 block of East Lee Road near Sully Elementary School. Both of the men brandished firearms and claimed to be law enforcement. They then removed a safe and took cash from the homeowners. The residents were not injured.
The suspects were described as black males wearing all-dark clothing.
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call Investigator S. Coderre of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919. If the information provided to Loudoun Crime Solvers leads to an arrest and indictment, the caller could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.
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10. Williamsburg man accused of home invasion arrested
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Suspect arrested in Lackey home invasion in which one person was shot this summer
http://tinyurl.com/yf83s3ahttp://www.dailypress.com/Arrest made in York County home invasion
By Jon Cawley
October 30, 2009
YORK - A Williamsburg man was arrested Thursday and charged with 11 felonies connected to a Lackey home invasion this summer in which a man was shot.
IBN Bilal, 25, of the 100 block of Albermarle Drive, was arrested at a residence in James City County Thursday afternoon.
The charges stem from a June 11 home invasion at a residence in the 700 block of Baptist Road, said Sgt. Dennis Ivey, Jr., an investigator with the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office.
Bilal is charged with malicious wounding, four counts of abduction by force/intimidation, five counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony and possessing a stolen firearm, according to the Virginia Case Information system.
A jailer at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail said Bilal was being held without bond. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Dec. 15 in York-Poquoson General District Court.
Ivey said the investigation is ongoing and the identity of the actual triggerman in the home invasion is unclear at this point.
In June, Ivey said two males and two females reported being at the Lackey residence about 10:30 p.m. when two of them were confronted while outside and forced back into the house at gunpoint. Once inside, one suspect tried to rob the other two victims in a back bedroom and a fight ensued.
During the struggle, one of the victims was shot in the stomach with a semi-automatic handgun fired by another assailant in the living room.
Ivey said Thursday that the man recovered fully from the shooting.
At the time of the incident, two males were being sought.
One suspect was described in a sheriff's office statement as being "very young looking" while the other had stubby fingers and eyebrows that pointed upward "like he had an evil expression."
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11. James City police to offer free firearm-safety classes
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http://tinyurl.com/yfpbeq8www.dailypress.comJames City police to offer free firearm-safety classes
--------------------
By Dan Parsons
October 28 2009
JAMES CITY Beginning next month, the James City County Police Department will offer a series of firearm safety classes to adults and youth.
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12. Loudon County Sheriff investigates Stabbing Near School
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Chris Borneman emailed me this:
--
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Loudoun Sheriff
To: RSAN
Sent: Mon, October 26, 2009 9:34:44 AM
Subject: LCSO Investigating Reported Attempted Robbery/ Stabbing Sunday Night Near Sugarland Run Elementary School
Loudoun County, VA: The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is investigating an attempted robbery and malicious wounding that occurred Sunday, October 25th in the parking lot of an elementary school.
Around 7 p.m. Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area of Sugarland Run Elementary school where the victim of a stabbing had apparently gone to several homes seeking help.
The victim, a 23-year-old Sterling, VA man, told authorities he was riding his bike in the area when he was approached by an unknown subject who demanded cash. The victim refused to give the suspect money and was stabbed by the suspect.
The suspect was described as a tall Black male in his early twenties, wearing a black t-shirt, a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants. The area was searched by multiple patrol units including a K-9 Unit. No suspect matching this description was located. The victim was airlifted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital where he is listed in stable condition.
The incident was not related to any activities at the elementary school and authorities do not believe there is any threat to the students who attend the school.
Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact Investigator M. McCaffrey of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475. If the caller wishes to remain anonymous they are asked to contact Loudoun Crime Solvers. If the information provided leads to an arrest and indictment, the caller could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000.
Sent to Media Only, Serious Crimes - Sheriff (E-mail accounts, Pagers, Cell phones) through Alert Loudoun
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13. Tears flow from gun control advocates as the end of the National Parks gun ban draws closer
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Ban to be lifted on February 22, 2010 allows parks to be governed by state gun laws
http://tinyurl.com/yknedp4www.examiner.com[SNIP]
Tears flow from gun control advocates as the end of the National Parks
gun ban draws closer
October 28
Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner
Daniel White
In late February, the new law goes into effect which lifts the gun ban
in our National Parks. An article in the Yellowstone Insider complains
that it won't be just concealed carry permit holders who will have the
right to armed self-defense restored.
Whether by design or accident, it removes concealed-carry provisions
from the mix and basically allows state gun laws to take precedence in
any National Park.
This is billed as an "unintended effect" by the Insider because as
their source material from the Jackson Hole News & Guide points out,
"when U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., attached a rider to a credit card
reform bill earlier this year, almost all reports indicated it applied
to concealed weapons only."
[SNIP}
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14. A look at the danger of bullet set back
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http://tinyurl.com/yfkftc8This is an article and link sent by Stephen P. Wenger. Below it is an exchange Stephen and I had regarding data in that article.
--
Bullet Setback versus Pressure: When the .357 SIG first hit the market, my late friend and mentor Jim Andrews expressed concern about the risk of excessive pressure if the short neck allowed the bullet to be "set back" by the impact of the bullet hitting the feed ramp during the chambering process. As a result, for many years I have counseled against repeatedly chambering the same round (see the second item under Miscellaneous Comments at
http://tinyurl.com/ybs6hjz). Now we have some actual data, coincidentally for the .357 SIG but still generally applicable to other rounds. I was surprised to see that CCI/Speer found that, past a certain point of setback, ignition was affected in a manner, due to compression of the powder, that led to a slight drop in chamber pressure but not back into the "specified" range. I would not count on the latter occurring with all rounds as the space occupied by the powder, as well as the choice of powder, can vary greatly.
--
Philip Van Cleave wrote:
As always, a great selection of items, Stephen.
On the setback item below, looking at the graph, while pressure does indeed increase with setback from about 39,000 to about 49,000 PSI, it appears to be well below the proof pressure. Does that mean that in reality it is not really dangerous to have setback?
Philip
--
Good question (I noticed the same thing).
My understanding is that proof pressure is intended for one-time testing, not ongoing use. This is precisely why SAAMI sets upper limits well below those for proofing loads. I'm sure that many modern handguns will tolerate an occasional over-pressure load but that is precisely the built-in safety factor for which they are proofed. Further, while I'm not sure about the .357 SIG chambering, Glock pistols do not adhere to SAAMI chamber dimensions, which is believed by many to be a crucial factor in their association with catastrophic case failures (kB!'s) in such pressure-disparate calibers as .45 ACP and .40 S&W. Note that the .40 S&W and .357 SIG left the starting gate pretty much loaded balls to the wall, hence no SAAMI +P standards in these newer calibers. Thus, while a standard-pressure 9x19mm may only get up into the +P or +P+ range, which may be okay for some modern pistols in good condition, I will stand by my advice to exercise caution about rounds making repeated trips up the feed ramp. Look, for example, at the low-pressure 9x17mm (.380 ACP round). It is generally fired in direct-blowback pistols where a pressure increase could easily result in a catastrophic case failure. On the other hand, there are a minority of models in this chambering that use a locking system that would make them much more tolerant of an increase in chamber pressure.
I hope this answers your question which, admittedly, requires a certain amount of speculation. I don't know if you followed the link to my own web page, where I also bring up the possibility that loosening the neck tension could result in decreased pressure and performance. I think that those who must routinely load and unload their handguns are better served with revolvers unless they can afford to shoot off their carry ammo after a few cycles of doing so.
Stay free and stay in touch!
--
Stephen P. Wenger
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15. U.K.: Gun crime goes up by 89 percent in a decade (despite gun ban)
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http://tinyurl.com/yk6jokahttp://www.dailymail.co.ukCulture of violence: Gun crime goes up by 89% in a decade
By JAMES SLACK
Last updated on 27th October 2009
Gun crime has almost doubled since Labour came to power as a culture of
extreme gang violence has taken hold.
The latest Government figures show that the total number of firearm offences
in England and Wales has increased from 5,209 in 1998/99 to 9,865 last year -
a rise of 89 per cent.
In some parts of the country, the number of offences has increased more than
five-fold.
In eighteen police areas, gun crime at least doubled.
The statistic will fuel fears that the police are struggling to contain
gang-related violence, in which the carrying of a firearm has become
increasingly common place.
Last week, police in London revealed they had begun carrying out armed patrols
on some streets.
The move means officers armed with sub-machine guns are engaged in routine
policing for the first time.
Shadow Home Secretary, Chris Grayling, said last night: 'In areas dominated by
gang culture, we're now seeing guns used to settle scores between rivals as
well as turf wars between rival drug dealers.
'We need to redouble our efforts to deal with the challenge.'
He added: 'These figures are all the more alarming given that it is only a
week since the Metropolitan Police said it was increasing regular armed
patrols in some areas of the capital'.
More...
a.. The raid that rocked the Met: Why gun and drugs op on 6,717 safety
deposit boxes could cost taxpayer a fortune
b.. Motorcycle police with machine guns to patrol violent gang hot spots
The gun crime figures, which were obtained by the Tories from official
Parliamentary answers, do not include air weapons.
But they provide the first regional breakdown of the increasing use of
firearms.
Lancashire suffered the single largest rise in gun crime, with recorded
offences increasing from 50 in 1998/99 to 349 in 2007/08, an increase of 598
per cent.
Only four police forces - Cleveland-Humberside, Cambridgeshire and Sussex -
recorded falls in gun crime.
The number of people injured or killed by guns, excluding air weapons, has
increased from 864 in 1998/99 to a provisional figure of 1,760 in 2008/09, an
increase of 104 per cent .
The figures follow a warning by Mr Grayling that U.S.-style gang culture has
reached some parts of the UK.
In August, he made a controversial speech warning that a collapse of
'civilised life' had allowed a brutal drug and gun crime culture - like that
of the U.S. TV show The Wire - to flourish in Britain.
The hit TV series tracks the nightmare of gangs and organised crime in inner
city West Baltimore and the futile efforts of police to deal with them.
The Met's decision to employ armed officers on the streets has attracted
criticism.
But the force, which has already begun the scheme, insists that the
unprecedented tactic is a proportionate and temporary response to prevent
armed gangs from controlling estates.
Last month, police warned that teenage girls were now being dragged into the
gun culture by hiding weapons for their boyfriends.
Police are targeting girls between 15 and 19 with an advertising blitz warning
them that they can expect a five-year prison sentence if they are caught.
The number of women charged with firearms offences in London has increased
six-fold in the past year - 12 have been charged since January.
Seven of them were teenagers, including a 16-year-old arrested after a 9mm
Browning self-loading pistol was found in her bedroom.
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16. N.J. Court Says Americans Have No Right To Buy Handguns
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http://tinyurl.com/ygcfkjhwww.cbsnews.comOctober 28, 2009
N.J. Court Says Americans Have No Right To Buy Handguns
Posted by Declan McCullagh
A New Jersey appeals court has concluded that Americans have no Second Amendment right to buy a handgun.
In a case decided last week, the superior court upheld a state law saying that nobody may possess "any handgun" without obtaining law enforcement approval and permission in advance.
That outcome might seem like something of a surprise, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled last year in the D.C. v. Heller case that the Second Amendment guarantees "the individual right to possess and carry weapons in case of confrontation."
But New Jersey Appellate Division Judge Stephen Skillman wrote on behalf of a unanimous three-judge panel that Heller "has no impact upon the constitutionality of" the state law.
That's because, Skillman said, the Supreme Court did not strike down the District of Columbia's de facto handgun ban but instead simply ordered the city to issue a permit. In other words, while Americans may have the right in general to possess arms, the exact contours of that right have not been mapped, especially as the Second Amendment applies to state laws. (The court's majority opinion last year said: "We therefore assume that petitioners' issuance of a license will satisfy respondent's prayer for relief and do not address the licensing requirement.")
Look for the Supreme Court to revisit this question in a few months when it hears a case called McDonald v. Chicago. It's a constitutional challenge to Chicago's restrictive gun laws, which prohibit anyone from possessing firearms -- even in their homes -- "unless such person is the holder of a valid registration certificate for such firearm."
New Jersey's laws are similar. They say: "No person shall sell, give, transfer, assign or otherwise dispose of, nor receive, purchase, or otherwise acquire a handgun unless the purchaser, assignee, donee, receiver or holder... has first secured a permit to purchase a handgun as provided by this section."
Another section dealing with licensing says: "No person of good character and good repute in the community in which he lives, and who is not subject to any of the disabilities set forth in this section or other sections of this chapter, shall be denied a permit to purchase a handgun or a firearms purchaser identification card, except as hereinafter set forth." Some of the exceptions involve criminal records, for instance.
What prompted the current lawsuit was a request for a handgun purchase permit that Anthony Dubov submitted to the East Windsor Chief of Police. The police chief denied Dubov's request without giving any reason, in what the appeals court later ruled was a violation of state law. The current East Windsor police chief is William Spain.
Oddly, the trial judge upheld that denial, without asking the police chief to testify to explain himself (another violation of state law) and after taking the unusual step of contacting Dubov's previous employers to ask about his background.
Dubov's attorney, Michael Nieschmidt, argued that the state licensing scheme was unconstitutionally vague and therefore violated the Second Amendment.
Skillman concluded that while the Second Amendment doesn't apply, state law and precedent nevertheless required that Dubov receive more due process than he did. The appeals court wrote: "Accordingly, the trial court's affirmance of the police chief's denial of appellant's application for a firearms purchase permit is reversed, and the case is remanded for an evidentiary hearing in conformity with this opinion."
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17. Armed off-duty security officer saves doctor
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Off-duty guard shoots patient who stabbed therapist
http://tinyurl.com/ybnleo6http://policelink.monster.comSpecial Officer Hailed as Hero After Saving Psychiatrist
Boston Herald via YellowBrix
October 29, 2009
PROVINCETOWN, MA -- The hero special officer who came to the rescue of a psychiatrist under attack by a rampaging madman is a former seasonal Provincetown cop and champion boxer who is on the list to be considered as a Boston cop.
Paul M. Langone, 33, of Reading was described as an academy-trained, licensed special officer who was armed while off duty when he encountered a horrific scene: a patient brutally stabbing Dr. Astrid Desrosiers at the Massachusetts General Hospital Bipolar Clinical and Research Program on Tuesday afternoon.
Officer InvolvedRecords indicate Langone was on a list of eligible Boston police candidates as of January.
The doctor's son had a heartfelt message for Langone yesterday: "I would just like to thank you - you saved my mother's life."
The college-aged son indicated Desrosiers - a celebrated Haitian community leader - has a long rehab ahead. "We all have prayers for her and hope she fully recovers," he said.
Jay Carciero, 37, also of Reading, was identified by Boston police as the attacker. He died after being shot once in the head and twice in the torso, authorities said.
Langone and Carciero did not know each other, officials said.
"I know he feels bad about doing it deep down, but he had to do it. I'm sure it bothers him," said Denis Murphy, of Woburn, who coached Langone to a 1998 Lowell Golden Gloves title in the 156-pound novice division.
Murphy described the former pugilist as shy, tremendously athletic - and one of the nicest kids he'd ever met.
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18. Who needs a gun in a national park?
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Coyotes kills woman on hike in Canadian park
http://tinyurl.com/yz4jpghhttp://news.yahoo.comCoyotes kill woman on hike in Canadian park
By ROB GILLIES, Associated Press Writer - Thu Oct 29, 1:01 am ET
TORONTO - Two coyotes attacked a promising young musician as she was hiking alone in a national park in eastern Canada, and authorities said she died Wednesday of her injuries.
The victim was identified as Taylor Mitchell, 19, a singer-songwriter from Toronto who was touring to promote her new album on the East Coast.
She was hiking solo on a trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia on Tuesday when the attack occurred. She was airlifted to a Halifax hospital in critical condition and died Wednesday morning, authorities said.
Coyotes, which also are known as prairie wolves, are found from Central America to the United States and Canada.
Wildlife biologist Bob Bancroft said coyote attacks are extremely rare because the animals are usually shy.
Bancroft, a retired biologist with Nova Scotia's Department of Natural Resources, said it's possible the coyotes thought Mitchell was a deer or other prey.
"It's very unusual and is not likely to be repeated," Bancroft said. "We shouldn't assume that coyotes are suddenly going to become the big bad wolf."
Royal Canadian Mounted Police spokeswoman Brigdit Leger said other hikers heard Mitchell's screams for help on Tuesday and called emergency police dispatchers.
Police who were in the area reached the scene quickly and shot one of the animals, apparently wounding it. But the wounded animal and a companion coyote managed to get away.
Paul Maynard of Emergency Health Services said Mitchell already was in critical condition when paramedics arrived on the scene and had multiple bite wounds over her entire body.
"She was losing a considerable amount of blood from the wounds," he said.
An official with Parks Canada said they blocked the entrance to the trail where Mitchell was attacked and were trying to find the animals to determine what prompted such an unusual attack.
"There's been some reports of aggressive animals, so it's not unknown," said Helene Robichaud, the park's superintendent. "But we certainly never have had anything so dramatic and tragic."
Mitchell was an up-and-coming folk and country musician who was nominated for a 2009 Canadian Folk Music Award in the Young Performer of the Year category.
"Words can't begin to express the sadness and tragedy of losing such a sweet, compassionate, vibrant, and phenomenally talented young woman," Lisa Weitz, Mitchell's manager, said in an e-mail. "She just turned 19 two months ago, and was so excited about the future."
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19. Who needs a gun in a restaurant?
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Hooters shootout leaves one wounded
http://tinyurl.com/ylqlctmwww.dailypress.comUPDATE: Police arrest suspect in Hooters shooting
BY MIKE HOLTZCLAW
October 26, 2009
HAMPTON - An employee of a Hooters restaurant in Hampton is recovering after being shot during an altercation in the parking lot involving a group of customers who had been asked to leave.
Police this morning arrested Shawn Ohiraki Lucas, a 23-year-old Hampton resident, and charged him with maiming, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, carrying a concealed weapon and the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The 29-year-old shooting victim, who has not been identified to the media, was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening.
Police spokeswoman Paula Ensley said that just before 11 p.m. on Sunday, an altercation began inside the Hooters restaurant on West Mercury Boulevard, and several people were asked to leave. The employee was moving the customers outside when he was shot in the parking lot.
