GUNS IN THE NEWS--December 31, 2003

[MrBenchley]

As CO Liberal sez:
Please try to adhere to the following voluntary guidelines, in order that we can have an orderly discussion of gun-related news topics:
1 - Feel free to add any CURRENT stories to this thread by replying to this message. In order to be considered current, stories should have been originally posted on the Internet within the previous 24 hours, or provide follow-up to a story that was previously posted on the J/PS board. On Mondays (since many people do not log in to DU over the weekend), stories can be posted from Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.
2 - Both pro-gun and anti-gun stories, editorials, and press releases are welcome in this thread, as long as they're current. Please do not post links to items from a few years back that support your position.
3 - Bear in mind that any links to extremely right-wing sites (such as Newsmax, CNS, or the Washington Times) or intentionally pro-gun or pro-control sites (such as the NRA or the Brady Campaign) are not considered reliable sources by many DU-ers. If at all possible, try to find a link for your story from a more mainstream source, such as a general-circulation newspaper or magazine site. If you choose to use a slanted site, be prepared for any negative feedback you may receive.
4 - Do not change story titles. In other words, if the Oskosh Gazette's web site runs a story titled "Two Killed in Holdup", the title of your message should read "Two Killed in Holdup". Don't change it to "Gun Owner Kills Two People", or anything else that changes the meaning of the story.
5 - If it's not clear from the title where the story occurred, add the city, state, or country in parentheses after the title.
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8 - If you object to these guidelines, do everyone else a favor and go to another thread.

[MrBenchley]

1. Don't shoot guns in air on New Year's, chief asks (FL)

A holiday message for the very dim....

"Everything that goes up must come down.
That was Miami Police Chief John Timoney's message on Tuesday as he urged residents and visitors not to shoot their guns in the air on New Year's Eve.
''People welcome in the New Year by idiotically shooting guns into the air, not realizing that those bullets come down at 120 miles per hour,'' Timoney said during a news conference.
The tradition of shooting into the air to ring in the New Year is common in many American cities and around the world. And most years, someone is injured or killed by the practice.
Around midnight, Miami officers usually take cover under bridge overpasses or in buildings to protect themselves from falling bullets."

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/7602681.htm

[Racenut20]

2. I can go to any gun show in Florida and buy anything I want

They will even sell them to a liberal without checking.

[MrBenchley]

10. Police ready for reports of gunfire (IN)

America's gun owners...a danger to themselves and others....

"Monday night's fatal police shooting at the end of a pursuit began with the sort of "shots fired" report that likely will overwhelm police tonight, as people usher in the New Year with gunfire.
However, that incident won't make a major difference in police and Sheriff's Department plans, as the major law enforcement agencies in Indianapolis and Marion County already had expected to put additional officers on the streets.
"When bullets go up, they do come down," said Lt. Phil Burton, spokesman for the Marion County Sheriff's Department. "If anyone does that (fires a gun), they will go to jail for criminal recklessness.
Police expect so many "shots fired" calls to 911 dispatchers that they admit they'll have trouble getting to every report. First priority will go to cases in which callers saw the shooter and can give a description, officers said, and to shots that cause property damage or injury."

http://www.indystar.com/articles/2/107153-9832-009.html

[MrBenchley]

23. Police Cracking Down On New Year's Gunfire (CA)

Yes, from east to west, dimwits with guns are a menace to all around them.....

"Police in the Central Valley will be out in force Wednesday night working to stop a dangerous tradition -- people firing guns into the air to celebrate the new year.
Stockton police officials said they are planning a major crackdown, and that they've been passing out fliers in neighborhoods warning of the dangers and the penalties.
Police will be patrolling the valley from above in a helicopter and officers on the ground will be looking specifically for those firing guns into the air. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=289&ncid=289&e=2&u=/ibsys/20031231/lo_kcra/1939343

[MrBenchley]

3. Man Fatally Shoots Another Man, Himself After Confrontation (SC)

"Local - WYFF TheCarolinaChannel.com
Man Fatally Shoots Another Man, Himself After Confrontation
1 hour, 49 minutes ago

Add Local - WYFF TheCarolinaChannel.com to My Yahoo!


Police say a man died on Tuesday after firing shots, then turning the gun on himself.
The Spartanburg Public Safety Department is still investigating a motive. All that is known is that Yancy Scott Wallace, 20, went to talk to his ex-girlfriend but instead ended up firing a gun before killing himself.
It didn't take long for neighbors to figure out that something went wrong at 647 Beaumont Ave. "There was two boys coming down to the corner house," neighbor Mike Grant said. "They were screaming and beating on the door, saying, 'We need the phone. Somebody please call the police, somebody's been shot."
Spartanburg police say two men were shot -- Willis Matthew Parris, 19; and Wallace, who apparently shot himself. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031231/lo_wyff/1938656

[demsrule4life]

4. Gun-show sales net prison terms

PORTLAND — Two Weston residents each face five-year prison sentences after being convicted in federal court of selling guns illegally at gun shows in Washington and Oregon.

I know it is a few days out dated.


http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=72796

Gun show loop hole?

[MrBenchley]

6. The corrupt gun industry in action

You might recall that despite millions of dollars worth of "they're going to take your guns" propaganda, voters in Oregon voted to close the gun show loophole in 2000.

[slackmaster]

13. So, if a couple of pharmacists were to divert a bunch of controlled drugs

Open an offshore pharmacy and sell them over the Internet through spam emails, that would be an example of "the corrupt drug industry in action"?

:shrug:

[CO Liberal]

14. They Might Be Rush Limbaugh's Suppliers

:-)

[slackmaster]

15. Indeed they might

And though this is OT, I recently learned that the wife of a longtime friend of mine had an experience similar to Limbaugh's opiate addiction. She had started taking them for migraine headaches. That woman who everyone perceived as meek and mild, who has never used a word stronger than "asshole" and said that only once AFAIK, a childcare worker who likes children so much that she remains poor rather than do a better paying job for which she could easily qualify, used pretty much the same methods Limbaugh did to increase her supply of drugs.

It can happen to just about anyone.

[CO Liberal]

16. But I'm Sure Your Friend's Wife Never Went on National Radio.....

...and called all drug users "weak" and "leaches on society", and call for them all to be thrown in prison.

[slackmaster]

17. No, but she was entrusted with the care of dozens of small children

While high as a kite.

Luckily nothing bad happened to any of them. She has her addiction under control and her reputation is intact. In that occupation it takes only one small slip to ruin you for life.

[MrBenchley]

18. I'll also bet

she's net spending millions she doesn't have trying to get the GOP in Congress to engineer immunity from liability for herself....

[slackmaster]

19. Non-sequitur

:shrug:

[demsrule4life]

5. Delegate sees self as target

Democrat: Neil F. Quinter of Howard County claims Republicans are out to defeat him in 2006 because of his gun-control views

Some are slow to learn.

http://www.sunspot.net/news/local/bal-md.politics30dec30,0,3863271.column?coll=bal-local-headlines

[MrBenchley]

7. Learn what? That Repukes are lying corrupt scum?

That they pander to the corrupt extremists like the gun lobby? Hell, I think we ALL know that.

[demsrule4life]

8. Coroner's jury finds man justified in killing two people last month

GAINESVILLE, Mo. - A coroner's jury decided that a man was justified in shooting and killing a couple who threatened him at his home near Thornfield last month, and the Ozark County prosecutor said he will not file any charges.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/7598369.htm

Those two never felt it.

[demsrule4life]

9. Cops probe shooting during reported burglary

An intruder got more than he bargained for in north suburban Wilmette late Monday when a resident shot him twice before he hastily exited the front window of an upscale home.

The 31-year-old suspect showed up for treatment at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston later that evening -- arriving in a BMW sports utility vehicle reported stolen from the same homeowner in a separate burglary.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-031230homeinvasion-story,1,5800874.story?coll=chi-news-hed

Some failed to tell this scumbag not to be greedy.

[MrBenchley]

11. Driver Sprayed With Bullets In McKees Rocks (PA)

"Police believe someone waited for a car and sprayed it with bullets Tuesday night.
The driver was shot multiple times and was rushed to a local hospital. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ibsys/20031231/lo_wtae/1938765&e=1&ncid=

[MrBenchley]

12. Argument Leads To Shooting; Local Man Hospitalized (OH)

"An argument led to gunfire early Wednesday, and one man was hospitalized as a result.
The shooting happened in the Fay Apartments on Cityview Court in North Cumminsville just before 5 a.m., WLWT Eyewitness News 5's Monica Abler reported.
According to police, Lamar Goodwin was visiting his cousin when he and Michael Huff, 24, got into an argument, and Huff allegedly fired at Goodwin.
Goodwin was taken to University Hospital. His condition is not known, but he is expected to survive. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=410&ncid=410&e=2&u=/ibsys/20031231/lo_wlwt/1938889

[MrBenchley]

20. Elusive fugitive apprehended (IN)

"UNION TOWNSHIP -- After being on the run for nearly a year, a man suspected in a series of drive-by shootings in the Salt Creek Commons subdivision was captured Monday.
Jeffery Vanautreve, 21, had been charged with 14 felony counts of criminal recklessness in connection with the New Year's Eve 2001 incident. Police said Vanautreve got drunk and fired shots that struck 14 houses, narrowly missing people in at least one case.
Faced with the prospect of up to 120 years in prison if convicted, Vanautreve failed to show up for a court hearing and seemed to disappear, police said.
Vanautreve was arrested Monday after someone called in a tip that he had arrived at his parents' home at 518 Sunshine in Salt Creek Commons driving a pink Dodge Neon."

http://nwitimes.com/articles/2003/12/31/news/porter_county/af652f7d54b6d64286256e0d000a4664.txt

[MrBenchley]

21. Four Material Witnesses In Custody In Trooper Shooting Case (OK)

"Four people were arrested as material witnesses involving the shooting death of Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Nikky Green, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation said.
The district attorney for Cotton County said he plans to file first-degree murder charges in the next several working days."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031231/lo_koco/1939428

[MrBenchley]

22. Man Shot, Killed Outside Detroit Club

"A man was killed after being shot outside a Detroit club early Wednesday morning.
Two shots were fired at the man as he walked to his car around 2 a.m. at the Platinum Lounge on W. McNichols, Local 4 learned. Police said the man died from his wounds. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031231/lo_wdiv/1939124

[MrBenchley]

24. Police say cemetery garage main target of Route 30 shooter (PA)

"State police still haven't found the person who fired bullets that hit four vehicles driving on Route 30 the day after Christmas, but police don't believe more shootings are likely.
"We believe it was just a random act, with no planning behind it _ just someone randomly spraying bullets," said Trooper Paul Brigode.
Police and officials at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County, said shell casings were found on a hillside overlooking the cemetery's garage. A cemetery worker said seven of the shots apparently hit the garage while four others hit vehicles beyond the garage on the highway between 9:10 a.m. and 9:30 p.m."

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=10736258&BRD=2212&PAG=461&dept_id=465812&rfi=6

[MrBenchley]

25. Asheville police say 13-year-old is dangerous

A new poster boy for the NRA...

"(ASHEVILLE) -- Asheville police say a 13-year-old boy is an armed and dangerous suspect in a murder.
The boy is a suspect in the December 11 shooting death of Odell Dixon, Jr., 18, at the Lee Walker Heights public housing complex. Dixon was shot once in the head with a handgun."

http://rdu.news14.com/content/headlines/?ArID=40919&SecID=2

[RoeBear]

26. I wonder if ...

...COLiberal's U.S. rep in congress would appreciate your sarcasm.
"A new poster boy for the NRA..."

(he's a democrat and NRA member)

[demsrule4life]

27. Gun case declared a mistrial due to hung jury

OAKLAND -- A mistrial was declared Tuesday after jurors deadlocked over whether the design of a Beretta pistol caused the accidental shooting death of a Berkeley teenager in 1994

http://www.timesstar.com/Stories/0,1413,125~1486~1850336,00.html

Some people in Ca with common sense, who would of thunk it.

[MrBenchley]

28. News in brief from the San Joaquin Valley

A brief account for a brief life in the balance...

"HANFORD, Calif. - A 6-year-old boy accidentally shot in the chest by his 12-year-old brother while playing with a gun was in critical condition, police said.
The two children were in their Hanford home Tuesday morning when they found a .22-caliber revolver with a single bullet in it, Sgt. Patrick Crowe said.
The older boy appears to have been handling the gun when it fired, Crowe said. Both parents were at work, and the children had been left under their grandfather's care. The shot punctured the younger boy's lung and liver, but he was conscious when police showed up minutes after the accident."

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/7607093.htm

[MrBenchley]

29. Shooting in Greene County (NY)

"State Police are investigating a shooting right on the border between Greene and Ulster Counties. It happened this morning on Broadstreet Hallow Road in the town of Lexington.
Accounts from the scene indicate that a man took off after shooting his wife during a dispute. There's no word on the victim's condition at this hour. Troopers are reportedly still looking for her husband."

http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/headlines/?ArID=53612&SecID=33

[MrBenchley]

30. One Of Teens Hospitalized After School Lot Shooting Arrested (FL)

"A 16-year-old boy -- one of three shot before dawn Monday in East Arlington -- is being charged killing a 19-year-old and shooting another teen in the incident.
Clay Austin II died as a result of the shooting, and a second young man was hospitalized.
Police said the teen who was arrested had arrived at Memorial Hospital after at least 15 shots were fired at a Jeep in the parking lot of Abess Park Elementary School and other shots were fired at a nearby convenience store. Police now say his gunshot was self-inflicted. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031231/lo_wjxt/1939473