GUNS IN THE NEWS--October 30, 2003

[MrBenchley]

As CO Liberal sez:
Please try to adhere to the following guidelines:
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 to the 'Net within the past 24 hours, or provide follow-up to a story that was previously posted on the J/PS board. (On Mondays, stories that were originally posted to the 'Net over the weekend - Friday night through Sunday - are considered current. This allows for the fact than amny people are off-line over the weekend, allowing the Monday thread to be a weekend summary.)
2 - Both pro-gun and anti-gun stories are welcome in this thread, as well as gun-related editorials, as long as they're current. Please do not post links from a few years back that support your position.
3 - 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.
4 - If it's not clear from the title where the story occurred, add the city, state, or country in parentheses after the title.
5 - Comment on a story by replying to that story.

[MrBenchley]

1. More Evacuations, More Destruction

Just reminder that "responsible gun owners" can be dangerous even without firing their guns...

"County officials said Wednesday that the Cedar Fire has charred 250,000 acres, destroyed 960 structures and completly wiped out an entire town, 10News reported.
Firefighters are trying to tame the worst fire in San Diego County history are making a stand to save the town of Julian, 10News reported.
Fire officials have 100 engines and 300 firefighters in Julian, but remained concerned since the fire has recently jumped nearby Highway 79. They said the Julian Post Office may be threatened.
Julian was evacuated Tuesday, along with Cuyamaca, Descanso, Laguna, Pine Hills, Pine Valley, Wynola, Guatay, Lake Henshaw, Pauma Valley and Palomar Mountain. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031029/lo_kgtv/1847640

"A lost hunter's signal flare ignited the so-called Cedar Fire near the mountain town of Julian on Saturday. The state's largest blaze at 150,000 acres, the Cedar Fire killed 11 people, authorities said. The hunter may face charges. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031028/ap_on_re_us/california_wildfires_121

[Withergyld]

5. I don't see a gun mentioned in either story

From the information (or lack of infornation) given he could have been a Bowhunter.
The Chediski fire here in Arizona was started by a lost hiker. She was picked up by a News Chopper, but neither her nor the Chopper crew thought to put out the fire when they picked her up! It later combined with the Rodeo fire to become the Largest fire in Arizona history and the Fourth Largest in U.S. history.

:shrug:

[slackmaster]

6. Never let lack of facts stop a personal attack against all gun owners

From the information (or lack of infornation) given he could have been a Bowhunter.

We don't even know if he was carrying a weapon at all! He may have been scouting the territory for a future trip.

Brush fires in San Diego County are often started by illegal campfires, often being used by illegal aliens to cook food or simply to warm their hands on the cool autumn nights. Last year we had a major one (the Pines fire) started by a National Guard helicopter that cut a power line while looking for marijuana plants in peoples' back yards near Julian. Who could forget the 80,000 acre blaze about 5 years ago that was set off by a lit cigarette butt carelessly discarded. Or the 1970 Laguna fire which held the record as largest ever in San Diego County until the Cedar fire surpassed it - That was set off by a young Kumeyaay Indian girl's campfire. Some are started by natural lightning strikes.

Do we demonize all Indian girls, smokers, helicopter pilots, and illegal aliens because a few of them have done stupid things that touched off wildfires in a place where wildfires are a normal part of the ecological cycle, a place choked with fuel waiting for a spark that will surely come sooner or later? Or perhaps we should blame it all on Latinos since the alleged starter of the Cedar Fire happens to be named Sergio Martinez.

Nope, I'm not buying into that kind of broad-brush hatred. Sergio Martinez may be a doofus. He was certainly foolish to go into that wilderness (MY wilderness BTW) on a hot day without water and get his sorry ass lost, but he's also unfortunate to be the lightning rod for this inevitable fire.

[CO Liberal]

16. OK - Is it Bow & Arrow Season In California Right Now???

Anyone in the Golden State care to chime in?

[demsrule4life]

19. It is in Alabama

Sorry couldnt resist. :)

[Superfly]

20. Yes it is. (In California)

Depending on which zone you are in:

Link

[MrBenchley]

2. Police: Teen Brings Loaded Gun To School (MA)

"A 15-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly taking a loaded gun to school.
NewsCenter 5's Jim Boyd reported that police have not released the name of the teenager from Holden, Mass., because he is underage.
The student was arraigned Wednesday on a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm in Worcester Juvenile Court, and police are considering whether the gun owner will also face charges."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031030/lo_WCVB/1853029

[Wcross]

40. Illegal possession already.

Unless you ban and COLLECT all guns in private hands there would be no law that could prevent this.

[MrBenchley]

3. Off-duty officer kills gunman in shootout (TN)

"Charges will not be filed against an off-duty Memphis Police officer who fatally shot a man during a standoff. The Shelby County District Attorney's office says the officer acted in self-defense. The shooting happened at a martial arts school at 3109 Mendenhall. Off-duty Memphis police officer Gregory Sanders shot the gunman 3-times after the gunman shot up the martial arts school and put a gun to the owner's head.
A busted door, shattered glass and bullet holes at the martial arts school tell the story. Bonnie Ashendorf owns a nearby business, "Oh I think it was terrible." Neighbors of Memphis Aiki Kai school are still in shock after Jose Arcos fired shots inside the school. "Well from the way I understand it everything happened really fast, the guy came in waving a gun and fired a few shots."

http://www.wmcstations.com/Global/story.asp?S=1502242

[Wcross]

41. Criminal is dead right?

Nice of you to post positive news about defensive gun use.

[MrBenchley]

4. Brother of Oklahoma City bombing conspirator accuses filmmaker of trickery

"DETROIT - James Nichols, the brother of Oklahoma City bombing conspirator Terry Nichols, says he was tricked into appearing in the documentary "Bowling for Columbine," according to a federal lawsuit he filed against filmmaker Michael Moore.
He accuses Moore of libel, defamation of character, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress. His lawyer is asking for a jury trial and damages ranging from $10 million to $20 million on each of nine counts, the Detroit Free Press reported.
In the film, Moore asks Nichols for an interview and steers the subject from the Oklahoma City bombing to gun ownership. Nichols tells Moore he has a gun under his pillow, and Moore asks Nichols to show him.
In the lawsuit, Nichols, who lives in Decker, said Moore misled him about the purpose of the interview. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=529&ncid=529&e=20&u=/ap/20031029/ap_wo_en_en/na_a_e_mov_us_michael_moore_lawsuit

Evidently Nichols thought the film would be an affectionate tribute to crazed loners who sleep with guns under their pillow....

[MrBenchley]

7. Teenager Accused Of Shooting Classmate To Go On Trial

"A 15-year-old boy charged in connection with the shooting death of a 14-year-old classmate will go on trial in November.
The trial was placed back on the docket Wednesday after prosecutors and defense attorneys withdrew a plea bargain agreement that would have had Stephen Powell Jones serve time at a Texas Department of Youth Corrections facility until he was 21 with the possibility of parole.
Dolan said he doesn't believe Jones' story to police that the shooting in April was accidental. Police said Jones told them the gun, which he said he carried to protect himself from bullies, went off as he kissed the girl goodbye at her home. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031030/lo_ksat/1853053

[Superfly]

8. Woman shoots Rottweilers after they attack llamas

Link

Instead of llamas, she got big dogs - a pair of charging Rottweilers.

"I thought 'Run!' and at the same time knew that if I ran I would be dead," Fedje said. "I aimed my .22 and started firing."

There are people present on DU who would not bat an eye to deprive this woman the right to protect herself with firearms.

[MrBenchley]

12. Too frigging funny...

Tell us, fly, where does it say this woman couldn't pass a background check?

"There are people present on DU who would not bat an eye to deprive this woman the right to protect herself with firearms."
Yeah? Who are they?

[Superfly]

13. Ummmm

YOU, for one

[MrBenchley]

18. Well, fly, you're utterly incorrect

AND you still haven't told us why this young lady couldn't pass a background check...

For that matter, why couldn't she have had a gun owner's license and shot these dogs with a registered gun?

[Superfly]

22. Don't follow...

Currently, there is no requirement to license gun owners and register guns in Minnesota.

But, you are a staunch proponent for denying individuals the right to keep and bear arms.

[MrBenchley]

23. Gee, fly, it's very simple

Tell us how any proposed gun control law would have prevented this lady from buying and owning a .22 rifle in a rural area. Even registration and licensing would not have prevented it.

"you are a staunch proponent for denying individuals the right to keep and bear arms."
No, I'm just a person who knows what a dishonest piece of shit the phony "gun rights" argument is, and how disgraceful the gun industry and the "gun rights" crowd is. I also know what a disaster we have in this country because we've let this scum dictate public policy for too long.

[Superfly]

17. More DU gun ban proponents

pansypoo53219 - "i think the only gun that citizens are allowed to have should be revoltuion era muskets. that's it. nothing more modern than what they had in 1787."

Terwilliger - "bad guys won't get guns if they're all banned so, let's do it today!"

hiphopnation23 - (In response to Terwilliger, above) "I don't agree with many of your posts but here, we agree. Thanks."

Kamika - "Id love to ban all guns if it would mean NOBODY not even criminals would have them."

MrBenchly - ""And, BTW, last time I read the BoR, cars were NOT mentioned."
Neither was "self defense," "individual gun ownership," or "paranoia.""

cindyw - "Guns are a weapon of war and law enforcement. When we need a well regulated militia in this country, you let me know. Cops and national guard are enough right now."

There are more, but I think we get the idea.

[RoeBear]

43. So it's ok with you...

...that she used the gun to defend her property?

[Superfly]

9. Hunter survives bear attack, but not without scars

Link

Facing a charging bear he described as "the size of a washing machine," Enar Rosen had time to get off one shot from his deer rifle. When that didn’t stop the animal, the Bozeman man knew he was in trouble.

"He was just so powerful, there wasn’t much to do but let him chew on me," said Rosen, who spent one night in a Livingston hospital for observation after the Sunday attack. "I was out of options, except to play dead."

[MrBenchley]

10. Cop saved by vest (NY)

"An abduction and robbery led to a wild gun battle in Brooklyn last night that ended with two cops wounded, one suspect dead and his two accomplices shot and under arrest, police said.
"We should all say a prayer tonight that God has spared two people who put their lives in danger to protect the rest of us," Bloomberg said.
"It was like bang, bang, bang and yelling all over the place," said Eva Rasito, who watched the battle from a doorway. "You couldn't really tell who was shooting at who."
Police said the drama started 10 minutes earlier when two armed robbers accosted a man as he emerged from a restaurant at E. 55th St. and Church Ave., forced him into his car and headed to Kings Highway and Snyder Ave., where they robbed him of cash. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=355&ncid=355&e=2&u=/kr/20031030/lo_krnewyork/copsavedbyvest

[Superfly]

11. 'Patriotic' Stick Figure Drawing Troubles School

Not really about guns, per se, but the kid did draw a picture of one, therefore he must be a crazed loonie with a gun fetish.

Link

A 14-year-old New Jersey schoolboy — whose dad and stepdad are in the military — was suspended for five days because he drew a "patriotic" stick figure of a U.S Marine blowing away a Taliban fighter, officials said yesterday.

Zero tolerance policies are harmful and utterly assinine.

[MrBenchley]

14. List of five schools in Balto. Co. found in Muhammad's car

More from the trial of the RKBA crowd's poster boy....

"VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - The names of five western Baltimore County schools were found scrawled on a slip of paper in John Allen Muhammad's Chevrolet Caprice - a haunting finding that prosecutors revealed yesterday after a 14-year-old boy testified about how a sniper shot him outside a Bowie school last fall.
The schools written on the paper found in Muhammad's car were Campfield Early Childhood Center in the Lochearn area, Maiden Choice School for severely disabled children in Arbutus, Arbutus Elementary, Arbutus Middle and Catonsville Middle - all near major highways like other sniper targets. Addresses of some of the schools were included on the list.
"I remember the leaves and roots, and my partner made one swipe with a rake, and I heard a ping," Mason said. "I looked down and, excuse my expression, I think I said 'Holy s-!' and there it was - a shell casing right at the base of our feet."
The casing was later linked to the .223-caliber Bushmaster rifle found in Muhammad's car when he and Malvo were arrested. Police also found in those woods a tarot card with Malvo's DNA on it and a Bic pen barrel with Muhammad's DNA."

http://www.sunspot.net/news/yahoo/bal-te.md.sniper30oct30,0,2859566.story

Remember, the GOP and the corrupt gun industry are currently trying to push a bill through Congress to keep the sniper's victims from suing the Bullseye Gun Shop and Bushmaster, which put that rifle in the hands of a madman without completing any of the paperwork required by law.

[RoeBear]

44. Could you post a link...

...to that story. (about victims not being able to sue in the case)

[demsrule4life]

15. Ex-boyfriend charged in murder case

Hours after Julie McCloud called Glen Ellyn police to her apartment twice Sunday because her former live-in boyfriend was creating a disturbance, he allegedly returned, choked her and then covered her nose and mouth with duct tape, authorities said Wednesday.

The cops could not protect her and as we all know the antigun nuts that run Glen Ellyn made it impossible for her to protect herself.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0310300141oct30,1,5530031.story?coll=chi-news-hed

[MrBenchley]

21. Ex-Boyfriend Arrested For Shaler Shooting (PA)

"Police said an apparent domestic dispute came to a "senseless" ending in a normally quiet area of Pittsburgh's northern suburbs.
A man and a woman were shot and killed Wednesday afternoon, allegedly by an ex-boyfriend who had lost his job one day earlier.
Mark Phillips, 24, of Carnegie, and Gretchen Ferderbar, 18, of Shaler, were found dead at a home in the 200 block of Chipper Drive, along with Ferderbar's 27-year-old sister, Linda, who was critically wounded, and Linda Ferderbar's 2-year-old son, who was unharmed.
Michael Michalski, 21, was arrested at his home on Anderson Road soon after the shootings. He is charged with two counts of murder. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031030/lo_wtae/1852846

[MrBenchley]

24. Student caught with gun in Galveston school

"GALVESTON -- A sixth grader was caught with a gun on campus at Weis Middle School in Galveston.
Officials say the boy had been showing the loaded 22-caliber revolver to another student. "

http://www.khou.com/news/local/galveston/stories/khou031027_ds_GunInSchool.463f6879.html

[MrBenchley]

25. Medical examiner: 1st shot was fatal (NC)

"Deidra Lane twice left the courtroom in tears Wednesday to avoid graphic testimony about the fatal wounds she inflicted on her husband, former Carolina Panthers player Fred Lane.
The judge granted Lane permission to leave before Mecklenburg medical examiner Dr. Michael Sullivan testified that the shotgun blasts that struck Fred Lane in the chest and head were both lethal.
Sullivan said the first shot damaged the football player's heart and would have left him unconscious within seconds.
"There is no recovery from such a wound," the medical examiner said."

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/7137469.htm

[MrBenchley]

26. Man Shot To Death In Lighthouse Point (FL)

"Homicide detectives are investigating the death of a man who was shot to death in his Lighthouse Point home Wednesday.
Deputies said that family and friends of Charles Moretto, 58, became concerned when he did not pick up his teenage daughter from school on Wednesday. A friend accompanied fire-rescue workers to Morretto's home at 3870 N.E. 31 Ave. where they found his body at around 6:30 p.m. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031030/lo_wplg/1854239

[MrBenchley]

27. Police Find 19-Year-Old Shot To Death In Talleyrand Home (FL)

"Police continue to investigate the murder of a man shot and killed Wednesday night at his home in Talleyrand.
Police said they were called to a home on Louise Street just before 10 p.m. after a report of a home-invasion robbery. Investigators said Travis Mitchell, 19, was found dead in a home."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031030/lo_wjxt/1854123

[MrBenchley]

28. Police say mom killed daughter, 8, then herself (FL)

"A 37-year-old mother shot and killed her 8-year-old daughter and then turned the gun on herself Wednesday night, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.
Eric Moniz, 37, found his wife, Jill Moniz, and daughter, Hailey, inside the family minivan in the garage when he returned home from work about 5:45 p.m., authorities said. Jill Moniz and Hailey were pronounced dead at the scene.
Orange County sheriff's homicide Cpl. Allen Lee said early evidence points to a murder-suicide but, as of late Wednesday, the motive was unknown. Some neighbors and friends said Jill Moniz seemed depressed and was a "nervous person." Investigators said they found more than one note in the home but would not reveal their contents."

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-locmshoot30103003oct30,0,6906681.story

[MrBenchley]

29. Gun Scare Closes House Office Building

Here's the GOP's chance...think all those crooked imbeciles pushing "gun rights" are going to be walking the halls looking congratulate this goober?

Me neither.

"WASHINGTON - Two people, one believed to be carrying a gun, rushed through a security station at the entrance to a congressional office building across the street from the Capitol on Thursday, forcing an extraordinary shutdown of the House of Representatives.
The office building itself was swiftly sealed — lawmakers initially ordered to remain in their offices — while police mounted a room-by-room search for suspects.
Rep. Bob Ney, R-Ohio, "there was an image of a revolver" but the suspect, described as a young man, quickly grabbed the bag and fled into the cavernous building.
Across the street, the office of House Speaker Dennis Hastert was notified, and the decision made to place the House of Representatives in recess. Within minutes, the gavel fell, cutting off debate on legislation related to the Federal Aviation Administration.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=512&e=4&u=/ap/20031030/ap_on_go_co/congress_intruder

Of course, both Ney and Hastert peddle that "gun rights" horseshit to chinless right wing gumps...

[demsrule4life]

30. Dont it ever bother you when you are so quick to open your

mouth and end up looking like a nut?

[MrBenchley]

31. Gee, dems....

The only people looking like nuts around here are pimping for assault rifles and John AshKKKroft's lies about the Second Amendment...

[demsrule4life]

32. Must of been one of those

chinless right wing gump masks that got everyone so riled up.

[MrBenchley]

34. Nobody cares for armed neurotics

Whether or not the gun is concealed...or even real. Least of all the scummy hypocrites spouting that "gun rights" horseshit.

[demsrule4life]

38. So much for plastic guns being able to get past X-ray machines

Guess you have to come up with another argument about why "plastic guns" should be banned.

[Wcross]

42. Nobody cares for armed neurotics?

Playing doctor again MrBenchley? You seem equally neurotic in your quest to ban my civil rights.

[MrBenchley]

35. Update: Plastic Gun Blamed in Capitol Shutdown

"The House of Representatives was ordered shut down Thursday following reports of a security breach at a congressional office building nearby, but police swiftly determined that a Halloween costume and plastic revolver were to blame. "
We know it wasn't a Wayne LaPierre costume, or else the GOP congresspeople would have mobbed that person looking for nickels.

[MrBenchley]

33. Police Say Teen Died Of Self-Inflected Gunshot Wound (OK)

"A teenager who was shot and killed in Midwest City late Tuesday night died of a self-inflected gunshot wound, police said.
Three other people were inside the home when Christopher Elliot, 19, of Harrah died. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=299&ncid=299&e=1&u=/ibsys/20031030/lo_koco/1854500

[MrBenchley]

36. Man, Woman In Murder-Suicide Identified (OH)

"A man and a woman found shot to death by the woman's 7-year-old brother Thursday morning in a local home have been identified.
The boy discovered the bodies of Olivia Washington, 23, and Lejon Crawford, 25, just before 6 a.m. at a town house on Guerley Road in West Price Hill, WLWT Eyewitness News 5 reported.
Investigators said Crawford shot Washington and then turned the gun on himself. "


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=410&ncid=410&e=3&u=/ibsys/20031030/lo_wlwt/1854560

[MrBenchley]

37. S.J. school locks down as police hunt for man (CA)

"Teachers at Branham High School in San Jose corralled students and staff into classrooms and bolted the doors for more than an hour Wednesday afternoon as police scoured the neighborhood for a suspicious man seen carrying a bag later found to contain a gun.
San Jose police spokeswoman, officer Gina Tepoorten, said a patrol officer near the high school on Branham Lane saw a driver later identified as Angelo Balestier, 26, speeding down the street and cornered him in a nearby block. When the man got out and began to run, an officer chased him. The man dropped a duffel bag he was carrying into a back yard and kept running. The officer stopped to look in the bag and found a sawed-off shotgun."

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/7139254.htm

[Pert_UK]

39. Boys Arrested After Swapping Gun For Gameboy (FL)

"JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A swap of a gun for a Nintendo Gameboy between two middle school students has led to their arrest and possible expulsion, the school's principal said.

The boys, ages 12 and 13, were both sixth-graders at Horizons Unlimited Academy, a Jacksonville charter school...

The boys told police they found the gun behind the school building. Smiley said neither of the boys' parents knew where it came from. A check on the gun showed it was not registered...

"It was like they never understood the seriousness of the action. It's kind of disheartening," Smiley said."

http://www.wftv.com/news/2595966/detail.html

[RoeBear]

45. Unless the gun spontaneously generated...

...it was registered to someone at sometime.

"A check on the gun showed it was not registered..."