GUNS IN THE NEWS--November 18, 2003

[MrBenchley]

As CO Liberal sez:
Please try to adhere to the following 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 for the Monday thread, stories should have been originally posted to the 'Net on Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. (This allows for the fact than many people are off-line over the weekend, allowing the Monday thread to be a weekend summary.) On all other days of the week, stories should have been originally within the previous 24 hours, or provide follow-up to a story that was previously posted on the J/PS board.
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 to stories or articles 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's or Handgun Control, Inc.) are not cosidered reliable sources by many DU-ers. If at all possible, try to find a link from a more mainstream source, such as a general-circulation newspaper or magazine site.
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 - Comment on a story by replying to that story.
7 - Please direct your comments to the story, rather than attacking the person posting the story or any person responding to the story. In accorance with DU rules, any messages that appear to be personal attacks against another DU-er will be reported to the moderators.

[MrBenchley]

1. Wilkinsburg Police Find Shooting Victim Two Miles Away (PA)

"According to police, a man was shot on Cresson Street in Wilkinsburg around 11 p.m. but police found him more than two miles away, in the East Hills section of the city.
As Wilkinsburg police were searching for evidence, they found what appeared to be marijuana plants inside the victim's apartment. The shooting victim is in a local hospital. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031118/lo_wtae/1882144

[CO Liberal]

2. Five Suspended For Gun at School (GA)

I wonder if any of these kids went through the "Eddie Eagle" program? - Wayne

* * * * * * * * * *

Five Suspended For Gun at School

STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. (AP) -- Five Stone Mountain High School students were suspended Monday in connection with a gun and a loaded magazine that were brought to school, school officials said.

Students reported the weapon to a teacher after seeing it passed around in a class, said Principal Ralph Simpson.

Three male students who handled the gun were arrested by school system police. One of the students brought the gun to give it to another and the gun was found in the recipient's locker, Simpson said.

Two female students handled the magazine, Simpson added.

<more>

http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=39343

[CO Liberal]

3. Boy, 5, shoots 3-year-old with gun found in yard (TX)

Yet another gun safely stored by a responsible gun owner - Wayne

* * * * * * * * * *

Boy, 5, shoots 3-year-old with gun found in yard

FORT WORTH - A 3-year-old boy was expected to be discharged from the hospital Monday, one day after police said he was accidentally shot in the chest by a 5-year-old friend playing with a gun found by his dog.

The shooting occurred about 9:45 a.m. Sunday as six young boys played in the back yard of a home in the 5600 block of Trail Lake Drive, police said.

Lt. Jesse Hernandez, a police spokesman, said a 5-year-old boy who lives at the home noticed the family dog with something in its mouth. The boy took the item -- a small, black steel semi-automatic pistol with wooden grips -- from the dog and began playing with it, Hernandez said.

<more>

http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/local/7289941.htm

[MrBenchley]

8. We're out of Milk Bones?!? Give Fido a pistol, then...

Amazing and appalling...

[CO Liberal]

4. Judge finds fertile grounds to convict gun-wielding farmer (NJ)

Assault with an assault weapon. It happened last year, but the charges were filed yesterday. - Wayne

* * * * * * * * * *

Judge finds fertile grounds to convict gun-wielding farmer

BELVIDERE -- A Great Meadows farmer was convicted of possession of an assault weapon Monday following a brief trial in state Superior Court.

The charge against sod farmer Dennis Pryslak surfaced last year as state police were investigating an incident in Pryslak's farm store, authorities said.

An employee, John G. Menzella, 51, of Easton was arguing with a customer when he allegedly pulled the gun out and held it Oct. 14, 2002, authorities said.

<snip>

State police investigating the incident discovered that the gun is considered a prohibited assault weapon in New Jersey, authorities said.

The semi-automatic gun comes with an ammunition magazine capable of holding 17 bullets. In New Jersey, guns with magazines that hold more than 15 bullets are considered assault weapons, authorities said.

Defense Attorney Jack Cornish argued that his client bought the gun from a friend and didn't know it was an assault weapon.

<more>

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes/nj/index.ssf?/base/news-4/106914991615411.xml

[CO Liberal]

5. Police seek suspect in gun show thefts (Reno, NV)

A real MENSA reject here - Wayne

* * * * * * * * * *

Police seek suspect in gun show thefts

Staff Report
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
11/18/2003 02:45 am

A man attending a weekend gun show has been accused of stealing about $9,500 worth of pistols and World War II memorabilia and trying to sell some of the stolen goods at the same event, police said.

<more>

http://www.rgj.com/news/stories/html/2003/11/18/56982.php?sp1=rgj&sp2=News&sp3=Local+News&sp5=RGJ.com&sp6=news&sp7=local_news

[MrBenchley]

7. Some "deterrent to crime", eh?

By the way, just LOVED this part.....

"Lt. Ron Holladay said the man was seen carrying an empty rocket launcher one of the days. "

Clearly, nothing to worry about with those gun shows, huh?

[CO Liberal]

9. Some Pro-Gunners Would Say The Rocket Launcher Was Safe...

...because it was empty.

:-)

[MrBenchley]

10. And of course...

Nobody would ever be up to no good if they owned a rocket launcher, or want one for an evil purpose...weapons ownership seems to confer personal virtue in their twisted world view.

[CO Liberal]

11. You'd Use a Rocket Launcher......

....if a teenager rang your doorbell around Halloween.

:crazy:

[MrBenchley]

15. Or if my neighbor's dog barked

Or maybe I'd just carry it around every minute at work to "protect myself" since laws don't work. </sarcasm>

[TexasMexican]

19. no more dangerous

than a metal pipe.

Do you propose we ban metal pipes?

[CO Liberal]

21. Can You Bring Down an Airliner With a Metal Pipe????

While standing on the ground???

[MrBenchley]

22. Guess that's why the crazies went to the gun show

and not Home Depot...</sarcasm>

[slackmaster]

24. Sure, if you have a ROCKET to launch through it

We're talking about an inert hollow metal tube here.

I can't believe this concept is so difficult for some people to understand.

:eyes:

[slackmaster]

23. Indeed it was safe - completely inert item

Only the ROCKET is a regulated item.

[MrBenchley]

6. Manhunt Continues for Suspect in Police Slaying (CA)

"A massive manhunt continued Sunday for a 19-year-old suspected of shooting two Burbank policemen the night before, wounding a 15-year veteran and killing a rookie, the first fatal shooting of an officer in the suburban department's 82-year history.
The slain officer, who died during surgery at a local hospital, was Matthew Pavelka, a 26-year-old who had come to the force 10 months ago after serving in the U.S. Air Force. The other officer, 41-year-old Gregory Campbell, remained hospitalized Sunday in stable condition.
The police returned fire — 15 rounds total — but both officers were shot several times. The suspects, Hoefel said, each had two handguns and fired 30 rounds. The officers were wearing bulletproof vests, and no bullets penetrated them. Campbell was struck in the stomach and neck. Hoefel did not say where Pavelka was hit.
Later, when authorities searched the car, they found an assault rifle and three ounces of methamphetamine, Hoefel said."

http://www.latimes.com/news/yahoo/la-me-cops17nov17000426,1,1753280.story?coll=la-newsaol-headlines

[MrBenchley]

12. Police Find Man With Bullet Wound To Head (TX)

"Investigators said a man was found with a bullet wound to the head in the 8500 block of Woodway near Old Farm Road around 2:30 a.m. Monday.
Authorities identified the victim as Jimmy Huynh, 26. He was pronounced dead at the scene. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=320&ncid=320&e=6&u=/ibsys/20031117/lo_kprc/1880392

[MrBenchley]

13. Family Friend Believes Fatal Shooting Was Accidental (OH)

"A local teenager whose friend was shot and killed once dated the victim's brother, who also admitted in a 911 call that he was the one who pulled the trigger.
Nicole Wright, 17, of Morrow, Ohio, was shot dead Saturday in the Northside home of her brother, 18-year-old Sean Wright, WLWT Eyewitness News 5's Brian Hamrick reported. According to police, the shooting happened after an altercation.
Kelly Wright said her son was messing around with what he thought was an unloaded shotgun when it fired. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=410&ncid=410&e=2&u=/ibsys/20031118/lo_wlwt/1881803

[demsrule4life]

14. Pistol-Packing Ladies

Firearm ownership increasing among Valley women
http://www.valleystar.com/rioliving_more.php?id=50812_0_17_0_C

That asshole in WA was able to kill 40+ unarmed women with his hands. All it would of taken was one armed woman to end his spree.

[MrBenchley]

16. Posted by: Mike Perez on Nov 15, 03

[MrBenchley]

17. Two Shot In Drug Deal, Police Say (FL)

"Police say a drug deal turned into a gunfight in Margate late Monday night.
Police say two men were shot at 2300 Rock Island Road. "


http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031118/lo_wplg/1882212

[MrBenchley]

18. Norman Homicide Victim Identified (OK)

"Michael Jason Roberts, 22, was arrested Monday night in the death of William Russell Street, whose body was found at Lake Thunderbird on Nov. 13. Norman police have reportedly identified a homicide victim whose body was found earlier this month near Lake Thunderbird in Norman.
Street had a gunshot wound to the neck, police said. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=299&ncid=299&e=4&u=/ibsys/20031118/lo_koco/1882632

[MrBenchley]

Police Arrest Teen For Allegedly Shooting At School (PA)

"Police arrest a 13-year-old high school student Tuesday for allegedly firing a shotgun through the principal's office window at Hannah Penn Middle School in York last week.
The shooting happened last Tuesday. Police said one gunshot round went through the window. There were no students in the school at the time of the shooting, only cleaning staff. No one was hurt.
Immediately following the shooting, York Superintendent Carlos Lopez was warned and the school district sent home letters explaining the situation and asking for parents to share any information that they or their children might have."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031118/lo_wgal/1883520

[MrBenchley]

20. Police Arrest Teen For Allegedly Shooting At School (PA)

"Police arrest a 13-year-old high school student Tuesday for allegedly firing a shotgun through the principal's office window at Hannah Penn Middle School in York last week.
The shooting happened last Tuesday. Police said one gunshot round went through the window. There were no students in the school at the time of the shooting, only cleaning staff. No one was hurt.
Immediately following the shooting, York Superintendent Carlos Lopez was warned and the school district sent home letters explaining the situation and asking for parents to share any information that they or their children might have."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031118/lo_wgal/1883520