GUNS IN THE NEWS--March 31, 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. Robber Reportedly Points Gun At Motel Clerk (MI)

"A robber reportedly entered a Southgate motel Tuesday morning and held a gun to the head of the clerk.
The armed man entered the Best Value motel on Northline Road, near Allen Road, just before 8 a.m., according to police. The pointed his gun at the clerk and demanded money, police said."

http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/2960377/detail.html

[demsrule4life]

2. Here is the reason why I support the right to commit suicide

with a gun in the privacy of your home.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0403310182mar31,1,1396892.story?coll=chi-news-hed

It is safer for everybody on the ground. I have investigated suicides by guns, leaping off of tall buildings, jumping off over passes onto highways, hangings, cabon monoxide, and driving on the wrong side of the highway. Normally nobody else get's hurt if done by hanging or a gun. I can't say that about carbon monoxide since I have had idiots do it in an attached garage and ended up killing other family members.

[slackmaster]

3. I prefer not to register with that paper - Is this the incident?

Man, 88, riding in biplane jumps to death

March 30, 2004

EL CAJON – An 88-year-old man ended a half-hour rental ride in a biplane yesterday by jumping to his death and landing in an apartment patio in view of horrified witnesses, authorities said.

"It was too low for a stunt," said Cynthia Lankford, 33, who watched the fall from poolside at Graystone Village Apartments on East Bradley Avenue.

"I saw him hit the power lines, heard trees breaking. I really thought it wasn't real."

The man reportedly had started to climb out of his passenger seat and fought off the pilot who struggled to hold him in place while keeping the plane aloft....

For full copyrighted article please see http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040330/news_7m30jump.html

The guy could EASILY have killed someone on the ground, perhaps multiple people. As it is he traumatized several innocent bystanders pretty badly.

[demsrule4life]

4. That is it

[slackmaster]

5. Here's a followup story

Pilot says man leapt with no warning

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20040331/news_6m31pilot.html

[MrBenchley]

6. Shotgun blast kills Palm Coast man

God, guns and guts made America gr--oh my God! He shot himself in the guts!

"PALM COAST -- A Palm Coast man was found dead in his back yard Monday morning after accidentally shooting himself in the abdomen.
John Boyhan, 64, was cleaning his 12-gauge shotgun when it fired, according to a Flagler County sheriff's report. Sheriff's officers responded to a call from Boyhan's girlfriend, Paula Colantuno, who found Boyhan in the back yard of their home on Rylin Lane.
Colantuno said he planned to clean his weapons before leaving town in two weeks to get married, the sheriff's report said. Officers found Boyhan on the ground near the shotgun. On a nearby table, they found a handgun and cleaning supplies."

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Flagler/03FlaglerFLAG02033104.htm

[slackmaster]

7. Hell of a way to call of an engagement

"Accident" my foot.

[MrBenchley]

8. 6th-grader has gun at school (NC)

"RALEIGH -- A sixth-grader could be facing long-term suspension and legal trouble after authorities say he brought a handgun to Centennial Campus Middle School on Tuesday.
"Evidently, the student brought the firearm on campus and showed it to other students," said Michael Evans, a Wake County schools spokesman.
The students alerted the Raleigh school's administration, Evans said.
"They did exactly what they were supposed to do," he said."

http://newsobserver.com/news/story/3464954p-3079712c.html

Guess what right wing lobbying group that has racists and convicted felons on its board publishes a gun magazine for kids?

[MrBenchley]

9. Best Western motel robbed in Diamond Bar (CA)

"DIAMOND BAR - A man wearing a ski mask and armed with a handgun robbed a Best Western motel Sunday night, sheriff's deputies said.
The man came to the motel at 259 Gentle Springs Lane at 10:38 p.m. and took an undisclosed amount of money, said Los Angeles County sheriff's Sgt. Ron Wilton."

http://www.dailybulletin.com/Stories/0,1413,203~21481~2051763,00.html

[MrBenchley]

10. Driven to anger (TX)

"FORT WORTH - The near-collision with the speeding pickup was frightening enough. But what happened in the next few seconds was terrifying.
Nancy, a 56-year-old minister, had just dropped off her son at his construction job in Fort Worth when she turned in front of the pickup.
"I went to make a right turn, and here he came flying. He had to honk his horn and swerve to miss me," said Nancy, who asked that her last name not be used because she is concerned for her safety.
Both drivers skidded to a stop. Then the pickup driver pulled a pistol and pointed it at her.
"I took off down the next street," Nancy said. "I got to my daughter's house and I was hysterical. I thought he was going to kill me." "

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/local/8319351.htm?1c

[demsrule4life]

11. Not all bad

I bet she won't fail to yeild again and thus received a second chance. Some people aren't so lucky.

http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/040326/wrecks.shtml

[iverglas]

23. well

We did note, did we, that the pickup truck was described as "speeding"? I don't really think we can assume that the victim failed to yield; for all we know, he was speeding through a yellow light he should have stopped at ... or a yield sign ... or just did one of those "came out of nowhere" things when he suddenly pulled to the right, into the "slow" lane of oncoming traffic that the woman was turning into, to pass somebody else who had annoyed him ...

I noticed this part of the rest of the article:

In recent months, the incidents have grown increasingly violent. For example:

• In Fort Worth, a 4-year-old child was shot in the knee March 22 after the driver of a speeding car made obscene gestures at his father, then fired once into the car's back seat.

• In Grapevine, a Bedford man was shot in the abdomen Feb. 28 after arguing with two men in a pickup about the way they were driving.

• Also in Fort Worth, a driver was fatally stabbed Aug. 1 near Loop 820 by an attacker who accused him of "brake-checking" -- or tapping his brakes to stop him from tailgating.

Huh. I didn't know there was a name for what I do to every asshole who tailgates me (a problem I encounter particularly in some parts of the US).

Dog knows how someone gets close enough to another driver in traffic to stab him ... one would have to guess that the people in that incident, and perhaps in the pickup truck driving argument, had descended from their vehicles. If not, a locked door and closed window would be pretty adequate in most cases. Not so when the person whom one has annoyed has a firearm.

.

[Me Me Meme]

25. Huh.

"(a problem I encounter particularly in some parts of the US)."

Now THERE'S a problem with an easy solution, eh?

[iverglas]

27. yes indeed

(a problem I encounter particularly in some parts of the US).
Now THERE'S a problem with an easy solution, eh?

Unfortunately, ya can't always get what ya want.

My former line of work -- which included helping people in the US immigrate to Canada -- used to call for the occasional jaunt into the US. And when the brother of the displaced USAmerican I was cohabiting with (eek! consorting with the enemy!) died in Dallas, the decent thing to do was to put personal preferences aside and attend the funeral.

And when my dad returned suddenly from a Florida vacation and then died unexpectedly last spring, somebody had to drive a minivan to Florida to retrieve/dispose of his personal effects. I'd managed to stay away for years, but that one was unavoidable.

Of course, there are some of us in the world who actually think it's wise to venture beyond our borders from time to time to see what's out there in the big wide world. How else would one know that the British are a nation of sheep, or the French are unbathed xenophobes, or Canadians are deeply envious of all the freedoms and goodies that USAmericans have?


So, are you here for a long time, or just a good time?

.

[Me Me Meme]

29. Sorry

I don't believe the Brits are sheep.

I don't hold the French to be xenophobes, nor do I have any commentary on their hygiene.

I don't have the foggiest idea what Canadians might envy, except possibly having a national identity.

I don't dwell on these issues at all - mostly because I don't give a flying fuck about them or anyplace else. I concern myself with America. The ONLY America. Everyplace else is window dressing. It would be inappropriate at best for me to, say, go to a British political website and tell them what I think of their politics, and I would never dream of doing so.

Re: Time - Answer: As long as it takes! :)

[MrBenchley]

30. The ONLY America, dammit!!

Where real men wander the woods with their pants around their knees, pinecones in one hand and guns in the other. Not like you wimpy Canadia-ish slaves of the government with your effete indoor plumbing.

Jinkies, I'm sure filled with national pride...

[iverglas]

31. well at least we follow Jefferson's instructions

... better than you people do.

As to the species of exercise, I advise the gun. While this gives a moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise, and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball, and others of that nature, are too violent for the body, and stamp no character on the mind. ... Walking is the best possible exercise.

We play our games with pucks and whatever they call those big curling things ... rocks or stones, I can never remember. Hockey probably counts in "others of that nature", but I'd call curling the next best thing to walking.

Dick Little on hockey ... and plumbing for real men:
http://www.frankmagazine.ca/passim/view.php?id=446

WHAT THE HELL'S TODD BERTUZZI EVER DONE TO YOU?
I wish people would get their high horse off Todd Bertuzzi's back. Except if you're an Avalanche fan looking to settle the score. In that case, it's only natural. But hell, it's not like the other guy didn't have it coming to him, being on the other team and all. For Christ's sake, it's hockey. If broken necks give you a case of the vapours, then you better start sitting to pee.

and specifically on Don Cherry, the xenophobic misogynist weirdo that the CBC allows to "commentate" on hockey games because hockey games are big money for the public broadcaster, and hockey fans apparently appreciate a good xenophobic misogynist weirdo:
http://www.frankmagazine.ca/passim/view.php?id=404

HEY BUDDY, STOP SQUEEZING MY GRAPES!
What the hell is the CBC thinking, muzzling Grapes like this? Hockey's so boring these days, if I don't hear him go off on the Frenchies at least once during a game I'm gonna sleep through to the three star selection.

Bobby Orr's right: you don't like what Cherry says, change the damn channel. Maybe you'll be more happy watching Treehouse or goddamn Vision TV. But hockey's a bloodsport, just like being rude to Frenchmen. They can't take that away from me.

and oh look, on curling:
http://www.frankmagazine.ca/passim/view.php?id=426

ME AND COLLEEN JONES, WE GOT A GOOD THING GOING ON!
I have considerable affection for Missus Little, but the thing I most regret about marriage, besides not being single, is how we had to give up curling after our last hip replacements. She was no Colleen Jones, but she knew how to throw a rock and chew gum at the same time.

Now, dammit, is Miss Jones not a fine piece of work sliding over the ice? Is there anything sexier than watching a lady sweep? If only she got herself decked out in a French maid outfit - heck, that'd make watching curling even more fun than it is already!

[Gomer-Pyle]

26. Classic

That is what every gun owner would do in that situation. When you buy a gun, you are taught to pull a gun and point it at the other person if they pull out in front of you. That is S.O.P. If he didn't pull the gun, you would have to wonder about his mental state!

[slackmaster]

28. Well golllllllllllllllllllll-eeeeeeeeeeee!

Welcome to DU, Gomer-Pyle!

:toast:

[MrBenchley]

12. Rockland man is critical after being shot in the face (MA)

"ROCKLAND — A Rockland man was in critical condition after being shot in the face Tuesday afternoon.
Matthew Cahill, 21, of 22 Blanchard St. was transported by ambulance to Boston Medical Center after police received a 911 call at 1:30 p.m.
According to a statement released by police, Cahill said on the 911 tape that he had been shot.
Detective Dennis Donovan and officer Richard Novio responded to the scene and found Cahill "bleeding profusely from a gunshot," the statement said."

http://www.enterprisenews.com/articles/2004/03/31/news/news/news07.txt

[MrBenchley]

13. Broad Run reels from slaying (VA)

"At a memorial service at Capital Community Church after the march, Shaunna Cain vowed to not let Nick's life be in vain.
"I'm not going to let that happen," said Cain, "I'm going to hold my younger sister a little closer to me, I'm going to cherish every moment with my family, and if I ever see someone ... and they look like they need a helping hand, I'm going to lend them mine.
"I'm ready to stand up to be a true role model – the cool thing is to stay away from drugs and violence," she said. "I've thought about what I'm going to do. Have you?"
Behind her statement is a hard fact: Authorities found several thousand dollars worth of illegal drugs and a collection of guns in the home where Shomaker was shot.
The suspect, Matthew Lathram, had not attended Broad Run since November and had "exhausted all his options with the school system," said one school official.
In the Ashburn house where he lived with his grandparents, Loudoun County sheriff's deputies found $3,000 worth of marijuana, hallucinogenic mushrooms and cocaine, as well as a shotgun with a sawed-off stock, a .357 Colt revolver, and a semiautomatic Glock 9 mm handgun believed to be used in the shooting. Those who knew Lathram were not surprised that drugs were found in his home."

http://www.timescommunity.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=11209994&BRD=2553&PAG=461&dept_id=506035&rfi=6

[MrBenchley]

14. Two face trial for shooting incidents (PA)

"DUNBAR TWP. - Two township men charged with multiple felony and misdemeanor charges for allegedly firing a weapon into several businesses and residences last year in seven Fayette County municipalities have been held for court in the case.
Scott Joseph Downey, 21, and Kevin Michael McIntosh, 22, both of 238 Hustosky Road, are charged by state police in Uniontown with allegedly driving through Luzerne, Franklin, Dunbar, North Union, German and Redstone townships and Dunbar Borough and randomly firing a .38-caliber Ruger revolver into various sites that caused damage to aluminum siding, fences, windshields, a television, glass doors, stained glass windows and vehicles along with other items during three weekend shooting sprees in May 2003.Both appeared before District Justice Dwight Shaner on Tuesday for separate preliminary hearings where 12 victims and two investigating officers testified in the commonwealth's case against Downey and 17 victims and three investigating officers testified in the matter against McIntosh.
The pair are charged with 20 counts of discharging a firearm into an occupied structure, 25 counts of criminal mischief, 25 counts of reckless endangerment, 12 counts of simple assault and 10 counts of disorderly conduct in connection with the May incidents."

http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11210662&BRD=2280&PAG=461&dept_id=480247&rfi=6

[MrBenchley]

15. Shot Neville officer released from hospital (PA)

"A wounded police officer was released from the hospital, but police haven’t found the man who shot him Sunday night.
Sgt. Chuck Ammon of Neville Township has been with the force in the small Ohio River island township for more than 30 years. He was released from the hospital yesterday and is expected to fully recover.
Ammon was hit once in the shoulder, just above his bulletproof vest, after he stopped to help a driver with a flat tire about 10 p.m."

http://www.post-gazette.com/breaking/20040331copp6.asp

[MrBenchley]

16. Woman Shot While Sleeping (TX)

"An 18-year-old woman was shot early Wednesday morning and police say it happened while she was sleeping.
Investigators tell News 4 WOAI someone fired into the woman's apartment at the Winkle Court Apartments close to 1 a.m. Wednesday. The apartment complex is on the west side of San Antonio near Old U.S. 90 and new U.S. 90. "

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=718DDD99-9083-4265-9A69-D7558C5FE0DA

[MrBenchley]

17. Buena Vista Army enlistee killed by shotgun blast (GA)

"Mike Lewis, special agent in charge of the GBI's Sylvester office, said Terry Crawford, 33, of Buena Vista, was shot in the chest early Monday.
The shooting appeared to stem from an argument Sunday evening. When the dispute erupted again outside the girlfriend's house, Crawford was shot at close range and died at the scene, Lewis said."

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/8320605.htm

[MrBenchley]

18. Man Now Charged With Shooting Young Girl (OH)

"A man arrested initially on abduction and burglary charges is now facing charges for allegedly shooting a 7-year-old girl.
Donald Stevenson, was arrested Sunday after allegedly firing shots during an argument with another man.
According to police, Stevenson fired shots at the man with whom he was arguing. The man was not hit, but at least one of the bullets struck the girl. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=410&ncid=410&e=1&u=/ibsys/20040331/lo_wlwt/2075156

[MrBenchley]

19. Gunman uses ruse about diabetic mother to rob Publix in Boca (FL)

"A man robbed a Boca Raton grocery store at gunpoint over the weekend after claiming he had lost track of his diabetic mother, according to police reports. The robbery, which was caught on surveillance videotape, happened about 8 p.m. Saturday at Publix, 1339 W. Palmetto Park Road.
"It was extremely brazen," said Boca Raton police spokesman Jeff Kelly. "He did it while the store was open for business. Our main concern is that because he had the gun out, the next time it could escalate to violence."
The man, seen standing near the customer-service desk, asked employees to help them find his mother, Bernice, who was inside the store, according to police reports. The suspect told employees his mother is diabetic and sometimes gets lost and confused."

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/palmbeach/sfl-ppublix31mar31,0,4984555.story?coll=sfla-news-palm

[MrBenchley]

20. Gunmen Open Fire On 3 People Inside Car (TX)

"A driver supplied police with information about two vehicles whose occupants opened fire on his car in north Harris County Tuesday night, killing a passenger.
Investigators said the victims were shot as they drove on West Rankin Road near Cambury Tuesday around 9 p.m. by people in two other vehicles.
Deputies found the victims inside their heavily damaged car a short distance away from where the shooting occurred. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=320&ncid=320&e=6&u=/ibsys/20040331/lo_kprc/2074770

[MrBenchley]

21. Professor's Wife On Stand In Cop-Shoot Trial (PA)

"The wife of a retired Carnegie Mellon University professor is testifying at her husband's trial for shooting a Mount Lebanon police officer, Channel 4's Kelly Frey reported Wednesday.
Edward Constant is accused of trying to kill Officer Dan Rieg when Rieg and his partner responded to a disturbance call at the Constants' home on Piper Drive in April 2002. Constant fired a .44-caliber revolver at Rieg's chest, but the bullet was stopped by the oficer's protective vest.
Constant's wife, Susan, took the witness stand late Wednesday morning. The defendant was expected to do the same in the afternoon.
Defense attorney Paul Boas says that Edward Constant was extremely drunk and agitated because of a fight with his wife, and that he did not intend to kill Rieg. "

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040331/lo_wtae/2075206

If only he'd had an assault weapon instead of a wimpy little handgun....

[MrBenchley]

22. Suspect Photo Released In Mall Shooting

"Officers have issued a warrant for the arrest of 22-year-old Wilson Debose Jr. Investigators say he pulled out a gun during an argument in front of the Champs sporting goods store on Saturday.
A 17-year-old victim was shot in the stomach, but he is expected to recover. "

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040331/lo_kcra/2075160

[MrBenchley]

24. Two sheriffs deputies shot in Bradford County, Pa.

"Officials said a pair of sheriff's deputies serving warrants in Pennsylvania were shot this morning in Bradford County.
A person answering the phone at the Tioga County Communications Center in Pennsylvania said the shootings happened in Wells Township, near the New York border."

http://www.capitalnews9.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=66725