GUNS IN THE NEWS--March 10, 2004

[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.
6 - The person adding a news story to the "GITN" thread is allowed (and encouraged) to comment on that story, indicating their position on the topic being discussed. These comments can appear either at the beginning or end of the post; if possible, place comments in a different typeface so readers can separate the comments from the story. Others who wish to comment on a posted story can do so by replying to that story; this allows other readers to follow the comments by scrolling through the subthread.
7 - Please direct your comments to the story, rather than attacking the person posting the story or any person responding to the story. In accordance with DU rules, any message that appears to be a personal attack against another DU-er or a violation of any other DU rule will be reported to the moderators.
8 - If you object to these guidelines, do everyone else a favor and go to another thread.

[MrBenchley]

1. Teen Gunned Down On New Orleans Street

"Someone opened fire on a New Orleans teenager Tuesday as he walked with three companions, police said.
Police said the 16-year-old was walking when someone fired a single shot, hitting him in the neck. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ibsys/20040309/lo_wdsu/2043877&e=1

[MrBenchley]

2. Man pleads guilty to homicide attempt (PA)

"An Allentown man who ran his wife's car off the road and shot her with a shotgun pleaded guilty but mentally ill Tuesday to attempted homicide.
Felipe M. Santos, 53, also pleaded guilty to possessing instruments of crime, which were a shotgun and a 22.-caliber rifle.
Lehigh County prosecutors intend to seek a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison at an April 19 hearing before Judge Robert L. Steinberg. However, Santos, who has been in the county jail since the summer incident, could get a longer sentence."

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-b6_5santosmar10,0,3111293.story?coll=all-newslocal-hed

[MrBenchley]

3. Man gets 60 years in murder of woman, 78 (MO)

"MARION, Ill. - A judge has sentenced a Williamson County man to 60 years in prison for his role in the murder of a 78-year-old woman.
Christopher Alexander, 25, of Hurst, Ill., was convicted in December of first-degree murder for his role in the slaying in June 2000 of Maxine McKenzie, also of Hurst. Alexander was the third man sentenced in the murder.
State's Attorney Charles Garnati has said that Hernandez admitted in a taped confession that he, along with Duvall and Alexander, broke into McKenzie's home, stole money and McKenzie's car keys, and eventually took her car. Hernandez also admitted that he had provided a .22-caliber pistol and said all three men had shot McKenzie in the head. "

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/Illinois+State+News/300D18C710C5278486256E500018C36F?OpenDocument&Headline=Man+gets+60+years+in+murder+of+woman,+78

[MrBenchley]

4. Unidentified man killed near B&O rail museum (MD)

"About 8 p.m., the victim was seen running from a gunman in the 900 block of Lemmon St. He turned onto Amity Street within sight of the museum, then into an alley behind Mahogany Inc. at 910 W. Lombard St., where he was shot twice and killed, said Detective Joe Jefferson. "

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/crime/bal-md.murder10mar10,0,6126095.story?coll=bal-local-headlines

[MrBenchley]

5. Mugger kills man, 38, walking home from store (TX)

"A Dallas man was fatally wounded by a mugger Monday as he walked home from a grocery store with his wife in northeast Dallas.
Angel Martinez, 38, was shot in the chest by an assailant who also grabbed the victim's wallet, said Sgt. Gary Kirkpatrick of the Dallas police homicide unit.
The shooting occurred at 8:46 p.m. in the 2200 block of Hollybush Drive, which is the street where Martinez lived, according to police. The neighborhood is a few blocks southeast of White Rock Lake.
Martinez was taken to Baylor Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:13 p.m. Monday."

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/local/states/texas/arlington/8150352.htm

[MrBenchley]

6. Teen Sniper Sentenced to Life in Prison

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (Reuters) - Convicted teenage sniper Lee Malvo was formally sentenced on Wednesday to life in prison for one of 10 killings that terrorized the Washington area in 2002.
Malvo, 18, betrayed little emotion during the sentencing hearing in Chesapeake, Virginia, 200 miles away from Falls Church, Virginia, the Washington suburb where the shooting occurred.
Malvo answered "Yes, ma'am," as Roush asked procedural questions during the 10-minute hearing. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040310/us_nm/crime_sniper_dc_11

[CO Liberal]

7. Man Whose Hidden Gun Killed Child Gets Prison Time (OH)

One of those law-abiding gun owners we don't have to worry about gets his just desserts. - Wayne

* * * * *

Man Whose Hidden Gun Killed Child Gets Prison Time

Local Man Convicted Of Reckless Homicide

CINCINNATI -- A man who left a gun where two young boys found it was sentenced to one year in prison Friday.

Charles Crabtree, 20, was convicted of reckless homicide, WLWT Eyewitness News 5 reported.

<more>

http://www.channelcincinnati.com/news/2882106/detail.html

[MrBenchley]

8. Double shooting shocks Evergreen (CO)

"EVERGREEN - Two men cleaning a rental home survived multiple gunshot wounds in a Monday night attack that shattered the peace of this foothills community.
Both men survived the attack and one managed to make it to neighbor Steven Solawetz's home to call the sheriff's office about 10:25 p.m.
The two victims were airlifted to Swedish Medical Center, where their conditions were not disclosed. Authorities are releasing few details of the crime. They believe the men were contract cleaners. The only description of the victims issued Tuesday was that both men are white and one is in his mid-40s."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_2717168,00.html

[MrBenchley]

9. Victims survive shooting spree (CO)

"Men who shot two people and severely beat a woman in Aurora last week also shot a pastor in the chest while trying to flee, Aurora police said Monday.
Shortly before 11 p.m. Friday three or four men broke into an Aurora home in the 16800 block of East 13th Avenue and shot a 32-year-old man and his 43-year-old friend repeatedly in the chest, Herrera said. The men beat the sister of the 32-year-old so severely they knocked out teeth and broke bones in her face.
The attackers ran west on East 13th Avenue until they spotted a man parking his car.
The man, a Pentecostal pastor, had just returned from a trip to Alamosa to attend a church service and was dropping off a friend's car, his 16-year-old daughter said in an interview.
Her father didn't see the men approaching. They tried to open the car door. When they realized it was locked, one of them fired through the window."

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_2714624,00.html

[CO Liberal]

12. Shootings All The Time In the Denver Area

Perhaps that's why the Nuts Ruining America held their convention there in 1999.......

[MrBenchley]

13. B-b-b-but...

I thought those CCW laws were supposed to PREVENT that! Imagine, the gun nut's paradise isn't all its cracked up to be!(snicker)

[MrBenchley]

10. Man is fatally shot at his home; wife is held (MI)

"A domestic dispute ended Monday evening, authorities said, with a 42-year-old Oak Park man dead -- shot once in the head -- and his 40-year-old wife in police custody, a suspect in his death.
Dennis Gillespie was killed around 6 p.m. in the dining room of his two-story, brick home on Roanoke Avenue, said his brother Doug Gillespie, who lives on the block.
Doug Gillespie, 47, said he found his brother alone, just before authorities arrived and not long after his sister-in-law, Dawn Gillespie, went to his residence and told him that she had shot him.
They had been married for 23 years, Doug Gillespie said. "

http://www.freep.com/news/locoak/nshot10_20040310.htm

[MrBenchley]

11. Men Charged With Allegedly Robbing Piedmont Restaurant (NC)

"Investigators said Jennings shot one of the restaurant's employees. Police charged both men with robbery with a dangerous weapon and first-degree kidnapping. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=379&ncid=379&e=1&u=/ibsys/20040310/lo_wxii/2045143

[MrBenchley]

14. Spartanburg County Convicted Murderer Gets Death Sentence (NC)

"Eric Dale Morgan was 17 when prosecutors said he shot and killed Jerry Smith in a Spartanburg County convenience store. He was convicted of murder, armed robbery and possession of an explosive device last weekend.
In today's death penalty phase of the trial, prosecutors said some criminals deserve the death penalty. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=401&ncid=401&e=3&u=/ibsys/20040309/lo_wyff/2043983

[MrBenchley]

15. Bill Would Require Reporting Of Guns Lost, Stolen (CT)

And guess where the opposition to this common sense measure comes from?

"Gun owners would be required to report the loss or theft of their weapons to the police within three days under a legislative proposal aimed at stemming the flow of firearms to criminals.
The measure is aimed at those who purchase guns legally, then sell them to people who are ineligible to own a gun. When police recover such guns in connection to a crime and trace them to the legal owner, they often hear the same refrain: It was stolen.
Law enforcement officials told the judiciary committee Monday that the lack of a reporting requirement provides a loophole that disreputable gun owners can exploit."

http://www.ctnow.com/news/local/hc-stolenguns0310.artmar10,1,3662208.story?coll=hc-headlines-local

[MrBenchley]

16. Pellet Gun Fired At HISD Middle School (TX)

Another splendid celebration of "liberty" from some "freedom lovers."

"The incident happened around 9:50 a.m. when a green truck with two men inside drove by the school in the 10400 block of Manhatten.
Witnesses told officials a man leaned out of the truck and fired a pellet gun toward the school. No one was shot or injured."

http://www.click2houston.com/education/2911787/detail.html

[MrBenchley]

17. Police: Gunmen Pose As Salesmen In Home Invasion (OH)

"According to police, two men knocked on the door of a home while posing as salesmen.
Officers said the suspects then forced their way into the home and ordered two young adults and a juvenile onto the ground at gunpoint.
Police said a friend walked in on the robbery, but managed to run away and call for help."

http://www.nbc4columbus.com/news/2909796/detail.html

[MrBenchley]

18. Police think missing man was abducted at gunpoint (IN)

Look, another glorious celebration of freedom, and people lucky enough to have a personal experience with guns!


"Indianapolis police on Tuesday continued to look for a 29-year-old Near-Westside man they think was abducted Monday night by a group of armed men.
Police also suspect the same group a short time later ransacked the home of Casey Williams, held his girlfriend and her brother at gunpoint, smashed a large-screen television and threatened to kill everyone inside.
Williams' girlfriend, Anita Peeples, 27, said Tuesday she has become increasingly worried about Williams' safety -- and her own.
"I am terrified," said Peeples."

http://www.indystar.com/articles/9/128089-9349-009.html

[MrBenchley]

19. 24-year-old charged in murder (MO)

"Jackson County prosecutors charged a 24-year-old man Tuesday with fatally shooting his mother's boyfriend in an incident that sparked an Amber Alert on Monday.
Bryan A. Davenport faces charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the death of Curtis R. McDaniel, 45.
Police said McDaniel and Davenport's mother argued Sunday night. They believe Davenport was angry about the way McDaniel treated his mother.
Court records say that Davenport went to his mother's home to pick up his 10- and 12-year-old brothers and take them to school Monday morning. While at the townhouse in the 5600 block of East 17th Street, he shot McDaniel, court records allege. It was unclear whether the younger boys saw the shooting."

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/8146929.htm

[MrBenchley]

20. Police Investigating Homicide In Southeast OKC

"Police said the deadly shooting happened around 2:15 p.m. Friday at 1636 Southeast 39th St.
A man who lives in the house told Eyewitness News 5's Kimberly Lohman that a man was shot to death inside the home. Authorities said that the victim's girlfriend called 911 and attempted to apply pressure to the man's wounds.
The victim, described only as a white male, later died at a local hospital. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=299&ncid=299&e=6&u=/ibsys/20040308/lo_koco/2039091

[FatSlob]

21. Hitting the Right Mark Youngsters also learning correct

****Wow, shooting as wholesome fun for youngsters****


http://www.marionstar.com/news/stories/20040308/localsports/38331.html

MARION -- Taft Middle School student Jason Stults realized right away he had to change his style of shooting during the recent Youth Marksmanship Program session.

"I learned to put the sight at the bottom of the target," said Stults, 12. "I used to put it in the middle."

(more in article)

[FatSlob]

22. Bill Would Outlaw Lists or Databases of Gun Owners

***Florida keeps looking better and better***

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/state/8143235.htm

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Databases kept by some law enforcement agencies that have lists of gun owners culled from pawn shop sales records would be outlawed under a measure passed overwhelmingly Tuesday by the House.

The bill (HB 155), which still needs Senate approval, passed 81-35 over the objection of a number of lawmakers who said it would hamper the ability of police to solve crimes.

But supporters noted that the bill is supported by the state's sheriffs, and said it would prevent police from profiling innocent gun owners, or some potentially larger move by government to target them for harassment or take their guns away.

The bill would impose fines up to $5 million for any police or other government agency that continues to maintain such a database.

(click link for more of the article)

EDIT: HEY! That was post 200!

[slackmaster]

23. If passed that would kind of blow away efforts to get a federal registry

The Constitution provides no authority for the federal government to do that anyway, but a preemptive prohibition by even one state would make a complete federal registry physically impossible.

[MrBenchley]

24. So on top of all their other shortcomings

the RKBA crowd lacks calendars.