GUNS IN THE NEWS--November 20, 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. Alleged Pot Dealer Charged in Shooting (NY)

"A reputed low-level marijuana dealer was charged yesterday in the wild shoot-out that killed his friend and an innocent 8-year-old boy who was steps from his East New York home, police said.
Jarrell Perry, 19, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and gun possession, police said. Commissioner Ray Kelly, noting a steady stream of tips from area residents, said detectives have identified five other men involved in the Monday evening bloodshed and were searching for them last night."
Deasean and his younger brother and sister were heading home with their father about 5:30 p.m. Monday. Sometime before that, police sources and Kelly said, Walker, Perry and another friend had been involved in an argument with a group of other locals known to peddle marijuana on the block. The other group, after seeing Walker sell marijuana, confronted him for dealing on its turf, source said.
Walker, Perry and the friend left, went to Walker's home on Barbey Street to get three guns, then returned to Hendrix to "settle the dispute," Kelly said."

http://www.newsday.com/news/yahoo/nyc-nyshot203551564nov20,0,2204039.story?coll=ny-newsaol-headlines

Almost all of these guns come from states like South Carolina and Georgia. The gun lobby and the GOP have Chuck Schumer's anti-gun-running bill bottled up in committee.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

2. this has nothing to do with guns

and everything to do with drug policy in this country. We don't see alcohol dealers shooting each in the streets, but we used to, when alcohol was illegal.

[MrBenchley]

3. Who the hell are you trying to kid?

Do you think this boy died tragically because somebody YELLED "Bang! Bang!"

Shame on you.

[beevul]

8. Hes right MRB.

soundgarden1 is RIGHT ON THE MONEY WITH THIS:


"this has nothing to do with guns and everything to do with drug policy in this country. We don't see alcohol dealers shooting each in the streets, but we used to, when alcohol was illegal. "

[CO Liberal]

10. Any Story That Includes The Firing Of a Gun....

...is by its very nature gun-related.

[beevul]

12. Im not disagreeing with that

at all, CO.

I was commenting on the fact that this:

"this has nothing to do with guns and everything to do with drug policy in this country. We don't see alcohol dealers shooting each in the streets, but we used to, when alcohol was illegal. "

Is right on the money in terms of the CAUSE of said incident.

Not that it is somehow unworthy of this thread. I should have been more specific.

[MrBenchley]

15. And the reason the streets have guns

is because the corrupt gun industry sells them in bulk in other states, knowing full well they're going into criminal hands.

[beevul]

19. and the reason the streets have gun use

on them is because of the repeat episode of prohibition,
and income disparity, the economy, high unemployment, etc.

[MrBenchley]

21. Hahahahahahaha...

"and income disparity, the economy, high unemployment, etc."
Which the politicans the gun lobby support do dick about. And pretty much every group that IS trying to do something about them ended up on the NRA's enemy list.

[Wcross]

24. And the reason the streets have guns"?

Streets can't own guns- no wonder you think the right of the people to keep and bear arms is collective.

No gun is "on the street" it is possesed by someone. When that someone is a criminal, we have homocides. The day I hear the gun grabbers advocate going after prohibited people with guns is the day I will consider what they have to say.

The streets have guns? You refuse to believe a person is the root of gun violence- now its the "streets"!

BWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[MrBenchley]

28. Who are you trying to kid, cross?

"No gun is "on the street" it is possesed by someone. When that someone is a criminal, we have homocides."
Eitther learn to spell or admit you're making slurs against gay people, cross.

"The day I hear the gun grabbers advocate going after prohibited people with guns"
You hear it pert near every damn day when we say "close the gun show loophole" and all you do is snivel about it.

[Wcross]

29. So, what type of gun does my street own ?

"Eitther learn to spell or admit you're making slurs against gay people, cross."

Gee MrBenchley- my spelling is, I admit, horrible. Your logic is?

[MrBenchley]

4. L.A. Courthouse Shooting Suspect Pleads

"LOS ANGELES - A man caught on videotape shooting at a lawyer outside a courthouse pleaded innocent Wednesday to attempted murder.
William Strier, 64, allegedly opened fire on Gerald E. Curry as he left an Oct. 31 hearing in Van Nuys involving Strier's trust fund. Curry was a lawyer representing the fund's court-appointment manager.
Strier's civil attorney, Steven Trolard, has said his client was awarded a $100,000 settlement from a car accident, and was upset that the trustee whom Curry represented had not released money for surgery. Police allege Strier threatened the trustee three days before the shooting. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20031120/ap_on_re_us/brf_courthouse_shooting_2

[gibbsvol]

5. Student brings gun to school.

I am a teacher at a high school in Stone Mt. Georgia, right outside of Atlanta. One of my students brought a gun to school yesterday. Fully loaded with two extra clips. He was arrested, along with a couple of girls who tried to hide the clips for him. I'm thankful that this ended without violence.

[beevul]

9. Question about that..

Is your school a gun free zone?


Edited to add:

Welcome to DU!

[CO Liberal]

11. Do You Have a Link For That?

I'd be interested in seeing how the media handled the story.

(BTW, welcome to DU!!!!) :hi:

[gibbsvol]

13. Here is the link

from the atlanta journal constitution...
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/dekalb/1103/20gun.html
not much here really. The story seems to be burried.
On another note, we were recently visited by Jesse Jackson and he asked the student body to raise a hand if they knew of anyone who had a gun at school. Nearly 3/4 of the student body raised their hand. Scary stuff!
BTW- thanks for your welcome. I have lurked here for about a year now, but I don't post too much. Keep up the good post guys!

[MrBenchley]

16. Scary stuff indeed....

Welcome to DU.

[Wcross]

25. Why do you think this is happening?

Guns in school have been a problem lately. Why? There have been guns available from the birth of the nation. Why are we seeing school shootings now? Seems foolish to ban the tools and not worry about the cause. What drives a kid to want to kill his fellow students?

[beevul]

27. I disagree (only by 2 words though)

"Seems foolish to ban the tools and not worry about the cause"

It IS foolish to ban the tools and not worry about the cause.

[MrBenchley]

6. Investigation Nets Millions In Drugs, Guns (MI)

"Detroit police declared a major victory in the war against drugs after a nearly 10-month sting involving the Drug Enforcement Administration resulted in several arrests and millions worth of illegal items seized, Local 4 reported.
The operation targeted what are apparently some of the most crime-ridden areas on Detroit's east side -- primarily in the 9th and 11th precincts, according to police.
The investigation, assisted by the DEA, lasted 10 months and resulted in over 20 arrests. Authorities also confiscated 29 pounds of cocaine, over $5 million in cash and several guns. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031120/lo_wdiv/1885250

[MrBenchley]

7. Woman Shot Outside Coney Island (MI)

"Witnesses said a woman was shot three times in the back outside a Coney Island restaurant on Woodward Avenue Wednesday night.
The woman staggered across the street to a gas station, Local 4 reported. Paramedics arrived at the scene and transported the woman to a nearby hospital. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031120/lo_wdiv/1886037

[MrBenchley]

14. Boy says he was reckless with rifle (NC)

"NEWTON - A 15-year-old Catawba County boy admitted in court Wednesday that he acted carelessly and recklessly in firing a .22-caliber rifle toward Interstate 40 in February.
The shot he fired hit the head of then 5-year-old Rachel Sanchez, a Virginia girl riding in the back of her grandfather's SUV after dinner.
Rachel's family agreed to the plea but weren't happy about it. Rachel, now 6, has trouble with her memory, speech and vision and visits physical therapists three times a week.
"There's not enough punishment that could make absolution for what (the boy) did to our granddaughter," Rachel's grandfather, Steve Lackey, said in a statement to the court. His voice shook. "That day, he took part of our lives. She's not the same little girl she used to be. I don't know if she'll ever be able to see again ..."


http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/news/7305620.htm

[MrBenchley]

17. Police Make Arrest In Fatal Drive-By (TX)

"Police arrested and charged a man with murder early Thursday in connection with a drive-by shooting that killed a mother of two on the West Side.
Police officials said Ramos is believed to have been the triggerman in the drive-by shooting that left Tracy Ortiz, 30, dead. Ortiz was fatally wounded while watching TV with her husband at their home in the 900 block of Delgado early Sunday.
Police officials said Ortiz's home was not the intended target. More arrests in the case are expected. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=391&ncid=391&e=3&u=/ibsys/20031120/lo_ksat/1886165

[MrBenchley]

18. Carjack Suspect Dies In Exchange Of Gunfire With Police

"A 17-year-old carjacking suspect was killed overnight Wednesday in an exchange of gunfire with New Orleans police officers.
Investigators said Washington had a criminal record that included aggravated battery and armed robbery. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=378&ncid=378&e=1&u=/ibsys/20031120/lo_wdsu/1886268

And thanks to the GOP and the corrupt gun industry, he could have walked into any gun show in Louisiana and bought a gun without a background check. And the right wing legislature has made it impossible for New Orleans to pass a stricter law than the rest of the state.

[MrBenchley]

20. Man Who Shot Prankster Faces Civil Suit (FL)

The latest update on the Doorbell Psycho Killer...and yeah, he had one of those concealed carry permits...

"A man who admits to fatally shooting a Boca Raton teenager who was playing prank in the neighborhood faces a civil suit from the boy's parents.
Boca Raton businessman Jay Levin could go to jail for 30 years if convicted of manslaughter for the shooting death of Mark Drewes, 16, but he now faces a series civil challenge from the attorney who beat big tobacco.
Robert Montgomery is representing Gregory and Luciana Drewes in their lawsuit against Levin.
Montgomery said the lawsuit was written to prevent Levin from filing for bankruptcy and avoiding a payout if he loses. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20031120/lo_wpbf/1886531

[CO Liberal]

22. NAIL THE BASTARD!!!!!!

He deserves anything he gets for shooting someone in the back, IMHO.

[MrBenchley]

23. Amen to that....

[Wcross]

26. I agree

The fact that he had a permit is not the issue. He commited a criminal act and should be prosecuted. Just as any other individual who commits a crime with a gun. I am also convinced the "prankster" involved is as much at fault as the homeowner. If this "fun loving teen" had respected his neighbors rights, both would be living a normal life today.