Newslinks for 4/19/2003 Submit
Northwest Pilots Among Those Training to Carry Guns
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin
"Some Northwest Airlines pilots are part of the first class of commercial pilots training this week so they can carry guns in the cockpit."
"As many as 46 of the pilots training in Glynco, Georgia, could be flying with semiautomatic pistols on their hips beginning Sunday." ...
Contact Northwest Airlines and ask them which flights will have armed pilots -- on flights originating from and returning to your nearest airport. Inform them that it's important to you that your plane be defended before you're willing to fly again. A good place to call might be Investor Relations.
San Diego judge orders release of internal gun company document (Colt)
SAN DIEGO -- "A Superior Court judge has released an internal document from Colt's gun manufacturer about its progress on developing child-resistant "smart guns" that the company wanted kept secret as it pursued federal funding."
"The decision Friday by Judge Vincent DiFiglia made public a draft memorandum from Colt's Manufacturing Company, Inc., that gun opponents said demonstrates deceitful practices by the industry."
"The June 1999 document shows the company believed it had made 'exceptional progress' on a smart gun model, which could accelerate bringing the product to market."
"But, the document said, Colt management intentionally kept its progress from the public out of concern that such news could prompt the federal government to pull research funding for the technology." ...
Ex-convict "Rap music" celebrity pleads guilty to going shooting
"A central figure in an investigation into alleged ties between the rap music industry and drug trafficking in New York has pleaded guilty to a gun possession charge in Maryland."
"Kenneth 'Supreme' McGriff -- a convicted crack cocaine kingpin who spent a decade behind bars -- entered the plea Friday in federal court in Baltimore."
"McGriff, 42, admitted that in 1999, he took target practice at a Baltimore firing range -- a crime for a convicted felon. He faces up to 33 months in prison at sentencing on June 2, said his attorney, Robert Simels."
"McGriff has been identified as a suspect in an ongoing investigation of Murder Inc. recording company. Authorities have tried to determine whether drug proceeds could have been funneled into the popular label, headed by McGriff's childhood friend, Irv Gotti, and home to Grammy-nominated stars like Ja Rule and Ashanti." ...
Gun Lawyer: Data Doesn't Incriminate
"A top lawyer for the firearms industry yesterday said that federal gun data revealing some of the top retail sources of handguns used in crimes does not prove that the retailers or gun manufacturers did anything wrong."
" 'The mere fact a firearm has been traced does not mean that anyone in the chain [of distribution] has done anything wrong,' said Lawrence G. Keane, vice president and general counsel of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a firearms industry trade association."
"Keane was reacting to data disclosed in a suit in Brooklyn federal court by the NAACP against scores of gun manufacturers alleging that the industry is negligent in the way it markets its products. The industry allowed guns to get into the hands of criminals and the mentally ill, the suit contends. The NAACP is seeking an injunction in the case." ...
U.S. Rep. Apologizes for Passage of Gun-Lawsuit Bill
"Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) apologized to constituents for the U.S. House of Representatives' passage of a bill that would give gun makers and dealers protection from lawsuits, and urged the U.S. Senate to defeat the measure, the Chicago Sun-Times reported April 16." ...
REALITY CHECK...
This communist should be apologizing for voting FOR the legislation.
Study: Pediatric Gun Deaths Underreported
Just when you thought you'd heard it all...
"University of Miami researchers found that unintentional gun deaths involving children may be underreported in a populous Florida county, the Ivanhoe Newswire reported April 14."
"The researchers estimated that the incidence of unintended gun deaths among children is six times higher than current data sources show."
"The researchers examined 123 police records filed between 1994 to 1998 in Miami-Dade County, Fla. The authors found that the medical examiner's classification of gun-related deaths, including homicide, suicide, or unintentional, can be biased and subjective, thus affecting the reporting of unintentional pediatric firearm fatalities." ...
AK: America's love affair with GUNS
Juneau, Alaska is about to be dealing with Michael Moore's pack of lies in their town. Anti-gunners are happy about it; our side isn't exactly thrilled. See link.
Be the Hammer
Submitted by: N. Frank
"This is about taking a stand and not being a victim. It's about protecting yourself and those around you. It's about having a choice between being the anvil or being the hammer."
An interesting source of support.
US marines hunt gazelles with rocks
"US marines in Iraq are hunting gazelles with rocks and pistols - to avoid having to eat ready-made military rations."
"The soldiers at a base outside Tikrit say they are enjoying eating the unusual meat from Saddam Hussein's personal hunting preserve."
"Marine Wing Support Squadron 271 are venturing into the woods to hunt the animals before hauling them back as a welcome substitute for the pre-packaged Meals Ready to Eat rations." ...
PETA will surely be all over this any day now.
UK: Rap star and boxer launch anti-guns drive
NOTE: The website address for this report is too long for our Newslinks system. Click Here for the full story.
"NAMES from the worlds of rap music and boxing united yesterday to launch a new campaign to end gun crime."
"A member of the controversial garage act So Solid Crew, Megaman, and WBU world light-middleweight champion Takaloo were among those who gave their backing to the Disarm Trust, which next week hosts a series of concerts to get firearms off London's streets."
"Boxing promoter Frank Warren, who was lucky to escape alive when he was shot in 1989, is also closely involved with the trust, which hopes to divert youths from gun crime." ...
"Megaman, whose fellow band member [in "So Solid Crew] Ashley Walters, also known as Asher D, was jailed for 18 months last March for having a .22 Brocock pistol, denied there was any contradiction in his backing of the campaign."
" 'They are all individuals. If they are still involved in gun crime in their own space and time outside or in their own social life, that's down to them.' " ...
UK: Concern over police's stun-gun trial
WELSH police officers will take to the streets armed with Taser stun-guns next week, despite claims they would be using unreasonable force.
North Wales Police is one of five police authorities around the country participating in a 12-month trial of the guns, which begins on Monday.
The guns are designed to temporarily paralyse an assailant.
But a spokeswoman for Amnesty International Wales has hit out at the plans, saying they haven't been independently tested.
Eleanor White said, "There has been insufficient testing into the health implications of these weapons.
"The testing will be done on the people of North Wales and that is unacceptable."
But it's perfectly acceptable to test Pol Pot's version of gun control against everyone, right?
UK: Police introduce stun guns "under pressure for 'less lethal' weapons"
Submitted by: John Fansler
"Police in England and Wales are to start carrying a controversial electronic stun gun that will knock out suspects.
"The M26 Taser 'electro-muscular disruption' gun will be used alongside conventional weapons in London, Thames Valley, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire and north Wales from Thursday.
"Its introduction follows growing pressure for a 'less lethal' weapon to reduce the number of people shot dead by armed police." ...
How about they USE the stun gun BUT have a child proof lock on the trigger. :-)
Canada: Teacher faces suspension for remarks on gays
"The B.C. College of Teachers has told a Quesnel teacher it intends to suspend his teaching certificate for one month as punishment for letters he wrote to the local newspaper criticizing homosexuality, the teacher said Wednesday."
"But Chris Kempling said he doubts the college will force him out of his school without pay on the date specified -- May 1 -- because he is appealing to B.C. Supreme Court on the grounds that the decision violates Charter of Rights protections of freedom of expression and religion." ...
Smith & Wesson No.-1 Ranked For Crime Scene Guns
"An analysis of handguns recovered at crime scenes throughout New York state found that Smith & Wesson Corp. had made more of the weapons than any other manufacturer, according to testimony at a gun trial in Brooklyn."
"The analysis -- based on previously sealed federal data from 1996 to 2000 -- ranked Lorcini Engineering as No. 2, followed by Bryco Arms; Sturm, Ruger & Co.; Davis Industries; Taurus International; Raven Arms; Glock Inc.; Hi-Point Firearms and Colt's Manufacturing Co."
Can you picture a criminal breaking into a house to steal guns and leaving them there because all the owner had was Glocks?
At least S&W can use this as a marketing tool: "Four out of five criminals prefer Smith & Wesson to other guns."
UK: Saddam Hussein's "golden gun" found at Heathrow Airport
Submitted by: Anonymous
"A gold-plated gun given to one of Saddam Hussein's henchmen has been seized at Heathrow Airport, it was reported.
"The Kalashnikov AK47 found yesterday was similar to the one uncovered at Uday Hussein's palace in Baghdad last week, according to a newspaper report." ...
"The newspaper said the arms are believed to have been stolen for the US black market in war trophies." ...
"The loaded machine gun was discovered along with a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, six bayonets and a sniper rifle in packages marked as computer equipment, the newspaper claimed." ...
MD: Baltimore man gets 10 years for "trying to set ATF van on fire"
Submitted by: Orange Fuzzy
"A federal judge sentenced a Baltimore man to 10 years in prison yesterday for attempting to set fire to a U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives surveillance van last summer. Federal prosecutors said the sentence for Lee Johnson, 25, was the maximum allowed under the law."
"Johnson pleaded guilty in January to assaulting federal officers with a dangerous weapon, admitting that he had approached the surveillance van in the 1500 block of Argyle Ave. in August and threatened to set it on fire if the officers did not leave the area. When the agents remained in the vehicle, Johnson stuffed newspaper into the van's gasoline tank as if preparing to light it on fire, prosecutors said." ...
New York Dealers Are Prominent on Court Case's List of Guns Tied to Crime
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"The John Jovino gun shop in Little Italy is New York City's oldest gun retailer and one of the more reputable ones, with a clientele often consisting of law enforcement professionals. Woody's Pawn Shop in Charleston, S.C., concedes that its guns are often bought by customers who may sell them on the black market."
"The two dealers, however, share a dubious distinction: they are near the top of the list of gun stores whose products were linked to crime in New York City in the first detailed analysis made public of the sources of firearms belonging to criminal suspects."
"The analysis, done by a Columbia University professor given access to a long-suppressed database maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, confirms some conventional wisdom. For example, it shows that 90 percent of the guns recovered in crime investigations in New York from 1996 to 2000 were bought out of state, primarily in the South, where it has long been relatively easy to buy a gun."
"But the analysis also found that despite New York's famously strict gun laws � it can take up to a year for the police to approve a permit request � 3 of the top 10 dealers were in New York City, and a fourth was on Long Island." ...
Have you ever seen automobiles ranked according to how often they are used in crimes? Or car dealers held up on display under similar "reasons"?
Columbia University was the launching pad for professor Michael Bellesiles' fraudulent book.
TN: Shotgun ammunition set off when truck catches fire
Submitted by: Blacksnake
FULL TEXT BELOW...
Heavy rain played a role in an unusual truck wreck.
The accident happened around 1:00 Thursday morning on Old Hickory Boulevard at Industrial Drive. According to the driver, his vehicle hydroplaned and flipped, catching on fire. The flames set off several rounds of shotgun ammunition that were in the truck.
No one was injured in the accident.
MI: Former local cop facing felony charges for steroid possession
PORT HURON -- "Al Geoit's attorney says the former Capac and Brown City police officer just wants to get on with his life, but first he must face three charges in St. Clair County."
"An ongoing St. Clair County Drug Task Force investigation has led to Geoit being charged with two counts of possessing anabolic steroids, a two-year felony, and a single misdemeanor count of willful neglect of duty. The 25-year-old Mussey Township man was arraigned Wednesday by 72nd District Court Judge Richard Cooley Jr. Geoit was released on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond pending an April 15 exam." ...
Political Money Trackers Accused of Anti-Gun Bias
Submitted by: Tom Allison
Website: http://eternalvigilance.blogspot.com
"Charges of liberal bias were leveled Thursday against a campaign finance watchdog organization known throughout the country as the preeminent source of information on campaign contributions." ...
"The source of the alleged bias is an email alert published by the Center for Responsive Politics (CRP) that described a recently passed House bill as an attempt to protect gun manufacturers from lawsuits related to the 'damages resulting from their products.' " ...
"CRP's description of the legislation could lead readers to believe lawmakers are proposing that the gun industry receive special protection for wrongdoing on its part." ...
Federalist Case: Is gun lawsuit pre-emption unconstitutional?
... "Manhattan Institute senior fellow Walter Olson, author of The Rule of Lawyers, pointed out in congressional testimony earlier this month, the lawsuits themselves pose a threat to the balance of powers envisioned by the Framers. 'By design and by necessity,' he observed, 'the antigun litigation campaign is interstate in its anticipated effects.' In seeking to set national gun control policy through state courts, the lawsuits usurp the authority of state legislatures and Congress." ...
MA: Violent Reactions to Exhibit at UMass/Amherst
"The 'tolerant' types at UMass/Amherst have protested a pro-life exhibit this week by taking crosses off dead babies in a mythical graveyard, throwing them in a pond and breaking them in half."
"They've also threatened to beat up students, who have had to call the police a total of four times in the last three days."
"One UMass/Amherst undergraduate was assaulted while manning the exhibit that was displayed next to the Student Union."
"Kiera Manikoff, a political science major and a junior, scuffled with a female who verbally harassed her and held a hammer over her. Charges are pending against the assailant." ...
So much for free speech.
IN: Friend 'reckless' in shotgun death
AUBURN -- "An Auburn man was reckless when he pointed a gun he believed to be unloaded outside a window, pulled the trigger and killed his friend, a DeKalb County jury ruled Wednesday.
Wade Wildermuth, 28, was found guilty of reckless homicide after more than six hours of jury deliberation. He faces two to eight years in prison when he is sentenced May 27."
"Wildermuth was charged after the April 2001 shooting death of Chad Uehlein, 23, outside a downtown Auburn home." ...
Too bad for him he wasn't a police officer. He'd have surely gotten off with a slap on the wrist -- and probably wouldn't even have been brought up on charges.
UK: Woman has "sawn-off" shotgun put to her head
"A thug put a sawn-off shotgun to the head of terrified woman at the doorstep of a house she was visiting.
"The gunman came from behind as the woman was about to knock at the door of a home in Hareside Walk, Newburn, Newcastle.
"As she turned around the weapon, believed to be a double-barrelled sawn-off shotgun, was put to her forehead.
"The man, who wasn't masked, asked if a man he named, lived at the address.
"But the 35-year-old Provident loan collector was only able to blurt out that she had no idea, because she didn't live there.
"Today detectives appealed for help in tracking the gunman down..."
Police Officer Who Took Concealed Firearm onto Airplane Not Arrested or Charged
Submitted by: Douglas Sharafanowich
Waterford, CT � "The Tampa International Airport has filed charges with the Florida State's Attorney's Office against an off-duty Waterford police officer who allegedly carried a concealed firearm onboard an aircraft."
"No arrests have been made, nor has any disciplinary action been taken to date."
Looks like another "double standard" here. I'd bet a civilian would have been arrested immediately and would already be brought up on charges -- probably a felony.
One Reporter's Opinion: One Man's Civil Homeland Defense
"It is this reporter's opinion that while fighting for freedom elsewhere in the world, we could be losing our own. Over the past 30 years, this reporter has crusaded on and off the air against the invasion of our country by illegal aliens."
"Here in California, at our common border with Mexico, we have suffered economically and culturally - in every way - at the hands of foreign invaders. We, more than any other state, are suffering at the hands of these violators of our sovereignty. And more and more, we're finding out that our Immigration and Naturalization Service is in total disarray."
"Out of this growing disaster has sprung an heroic group of dedicated civilians who are attempting to do the job our government refuses to do - protecting our lives from violent criminals, armed drug smugglers and terrorists pouring across our borders."
"But instead of welcoming the assistance of civilian groups, our own federal government treats these volunteers as the enemy." ...
Kennedy Loses First Skirmish In Senate Battle For Reckless Lawsuit Preemption
"U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.), one of Congress�s most strident and long-serving anti-gun voices, fired what could be considered the first legislative salvo in what will undoubtedly be a complex battle to pass reckless lawsuit preemption legislation in the U.S. Senate. His shot was wide of its mark."
"On Friday, April 11�just one day after the U.S. House of Representatives passed its own reckless lawsuit preemption bill (H.R. 1036) on an overwhelming, bipartisan 285-140 vote�Kennedy offered an anti-firearm industry amendment to S. 274, which was defeated in the Senate Judiciary Committee." ...
The left's "judicial Armageddon" is an assault on democracy.
"Earlier this year Ralph Neas, head of the liberal group People for the American Way, promised a 'judicial Armageddon' to block President Bush's appointment to federal courts. Now that President Bush is no longer preoccupied with toppling Saddam Hussein, he is going to have to pivot and turn his attention domestically and address the judicial emergency he faces in Washington."
"The most visible battle in the conflict over Mr. Bush's judges is the filibuster Democrats are waging to block the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which hears many cases involving the federal government. Mr. Estrada has more than enough votes to win confirmation, but under the Senate's filibuster rules, a 41-member minority can block a vote." ...
Revoke Michael Moore's Oscar Award Over Deceptive Mockumentary
If you're interested in exploring ways to apply pressure to the Academy of Socialist Misfits over Moore's fantasy flick, this site has some pointers.
Experts Debate Gun Control at Harvard (JTO Report)
"An expert panel recently debated the issue of gun control at Harvard Law School, the Harvard Crimson reported April 9."
"The panel included lawyer Alan Dershowitz, Dennis Henigan, director of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence's Legal Action Program, and Eugene Volokh, a professor at UCLA School of Law."
"The debate coincides with legislation under consideration in Congress that would limit the liability of gun manufacturers in civil lawsuits." ...
"Henigan criticized the bill and lawmakers, saying they will wrongfully 'wrap themselves in the Constitution and hide behind the Second Amendment myth of gun-ownership rights to justify voting in favor of the bill.' "
"But Volokh defended the legislation, arguing that if gun makers are held liable for their guns being used in crimes, than liquor companies should be held liable when their products are involved with drunk-driving deaths." ...
Indymedia Runs Dougherty Article on Gunowners Upset with Bush
Too bad they can't update numbers on the poll. Nearly twice as many people have voted now.
Revoke the Oscar for Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine
Submitted by: G.D. Munem
Website: http://www.revoketheoscar.com/
A Grassroots campaign to Revoke Michael Moore's Oscar for Bowling for Columbine, which by academy rules is not a documentary.
WV: Gov. Bob Wise wants West Virginia University to keep its championship-winning rifle team
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- "Gov. Bob Wise wants West Virginia University to keep its championship-winning rifle team and support it with private donations or assistance from the National Rifle Association."
"WVU Athletic Director Ed Pastilong announced Wednesday that the coed rifle team and four men's varsity sports are being dropped to save an estimated $591,230 a year."
"Wise suggested Friday that WVU should seek funding from private donors or contact the NRA 'to see what assistance it can provide' to continue the rifle team."
" 'I'd like to see that there be an effort to work with this,' the governor said. 'We're looking to see what might be done.' " ...
Note to Gov. Wise:
Surely there are dozens of unconstitutional "laws" being funded via the state budget. Surely one of them is far less important than rifle training.
Australia: Statue's rifle smashed in daylight attack
"A WEEK before one of the RSL's biggest days of the year, Anzac Day, a vandal has smashed the rifle on the Warrnambool War Memorial statue."
"The marble rifle, valued at between $4000 and $5000, was broken into dozens of pieces yesterday afternoon, leaving RSL members and police angry and seeking answers."
"Warrnambool RSL sub-branch president Des Brown said the rifle was destroyed between 1.30 and 2.15pm yesterday." ...
CA: California�s .50 (Caliber) ban to be heard in Committee April 29th! (AB 50)
"California�s 50 ban to be heard in Committee April 29th! The California Assembly Committee on Public Safety will hold a hearing on Tuesday, April 29th on AB-50 the 50cal ban introduced by Hollywood Democrat, Paul Koretz."
"Koretz failed to pass his 50 cal ban last year, when the Committee rejected AB 2222. FCSPI will be attending the hearing to argue against AB 50."
"It is imperative that ALL Californians concerned about firearms rights and liberty act now to oppose this legislation." ...
.50 CALIBER LIARS -- Exposing Multiple Untruths from Gun Prohibitionists
UK: Amnesty turns up rare gun
... "Police identified it as a 0.455 Webley and Scott Mk 1 automatic pistol and discovered that it is one of only fifty ever made." ...
"Normally guns which are handed in during such amnesties are sent off to a furnace to be melted down, but because of its historical significance this pistol will not be destroyed, but instead will go up for sale to a collector."
"There is a bonus for the pensioner who turned it in to police and she could receive a four figure sum from its sale."
NV: Judge warned the woman that "no court will protect you"
Submitted by: G. Hughes
ORIGINAL STORY TITLE: "Jury sentences Zakouto to life without parole"
"Four weeks before domestic violence victim Marina Cannon was murdered by her estranged husband, a frustrated Family Court judge warned the woman that 'no court will protect you,' according to a video played in court Thursday."
" 'The court will issue orders that attempt and try to protect you, but if someone is engaging in criminal conduct with disregard for the court's orders, there's nothing I can do for you. You have to protect yourself in any way you can,' [Judge] Ritchie said." ...
" 'I've entered every order that I can prohibiting him from contact,' Ritchie said." ...
Sounds like an invitation to get a gun! Four weeks later, she didn't heed the good advice of the Judge, and gets killed. The Brady Bunch should be very happy that she took their advice.
MO: Area teen injured in shooting at gun club
A 16-year-old Blue Springs girl was injured in an accidental shooting at the Lotawana Gun Club Wednesday afternoon, according to the Jackson County Sheriff's office.
The girl was attending an organized event with the Blue Springs High School Trap Team when the accident occurred. Another student, also 16, dropped a shotgun as she approached the firing line. The weapon discharged, hitting the victim in the legs with several pellets.
The victim was taken to a local hospital where she was under observation Thursday but in good condition. Her injuries did not require surgery.
The shooting was ruled accidental. No charges have been filed.
Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you. � PERICLES (430 BC)