GUNS IN THE NEWS--March 3, 2004

[MrBenchley]

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.
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8 - If you object to these guidelines, do everyone else a favor and go to another thread.

[MrBenchley]

1. Shooting Suspects Sought In Williamson County (TX)

"Williamson County deputies are looking for two shooting suspects. Just before six Tuesday morning, the men started shooting into two different houses in the Anderson Mill neighborhood just east of RM 620.
Officers say the person they were apparently looking for didn't live in either one of the houses. Fortunately, no one was hurt."

http://keyetv.com/localnews/local_story_062193934.html

[MrBenchley]

2. Shots fired outside school; 2 teens held (IN)

"An Eastside middle school was temporarily locked down Tuesday morning after two teenagers fired eight gunshots outside, police said.
Indianapolis police believe a bullet from a .22-caliber pistol lodged in a doorway of the Indianapolis Public Schools facility.
No one was injured in the incident just after 11 a.m. at Forest Manor Middle School, 4501 E. 32nd St.
Two male teens were apprehended almost immediately in a nearby neighborhood, near 30th Street and Drexel Avenue."

http://www.indystar.com/articles/3/125956-5793-009.html

[MrBenchley]

3. Pot, Gun Found in Oklahoma Player's Home

Big time college athletics build character...<snicker>.

"NORMAN, Okla. - Police said they found marijuana, a firearm and drug paraphernalia Tuesday during a search of Oklahoma center Jabahri Brown's home.
Brown was not arrested and no charges have been filed, Norman police spokeswoman Jennifer Newell said. Police will propose charges of marijuana possession within 1,000 feet of a city park, possession of a firearm and possession of drug paraphernalia to the Cleveland County district attorney's office on Wednesday.
The marijuana possession and firearm possession charges would be felonies, while the drug paraphernalia charge would be a misdemeanor. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040303/ap_on_sp_co_ne/bkc_oklahoma_brown_1

[CO Liberal]

4. EDITORIAL - Congress and the Gun Lobby

From the New York Times. - Wayne

* * * * *

Congress and the Gun Lobby

Published: March 3, 2004

Anyone concerned about having a rational gun policy in this country had reason for grave concern yesterday as Congress snarled itself into a frenzy of election-year politicking and bare-knuckle pressure from a gun lobby aided by President Bush. In the end, the Senate killed a disastrous bill that would have compromised justice and public safety by gutting the rights of crime victims to sue irresponsible gun makers and shady weapons dealers. Lawmakers whose votes against the bill were dictated by the National Rifle Association's display of raw power deserve no praise. Their aim was to kill two amendments that would have extended the nation's ban on assault weapons and required background checks on weapons buyers at gun shows.

There was one encouraging sign of progress: Democratic gun control advocates drew enough support from moderate Republicans to add those riders to the immunity bill despite Republicans' dominance of the chamber and the president's urging "no" votes. But once this level of compromise was achieved, the gun lobby flinched, putting out the word to kill the bill.

<more>

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/03/opinion/03WED2.html?ex=1078894800&en=a24477c4ad7e8b75&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE

[MrBenchley]

6. Great piece...

"The supporters of sensible gun control laws should now turn their efforts to reviving the assault weapons ban and closing the gun-show loophole — without any Faustian bargains."

And let's hear no more about the pro-gun Republicans representing any sort of freedom--Mao's Red Guard didn't jump as fast as the GOP did when the NRA barked orders.

[slackmaster]

11. They don't have enough votes in the Senate for cloture

On the AWB at least.

[CO Liberal]

5. Ex-deputy accused of waving gun at motorist (FL)

As a former law enforcement officer, you would hope this guy would have known better. - Wayne

* * * * *

Ex-deputy accused of waving gun at motorist

He's accused of waving a gun at a motorist in Hernando and faces charges in a separate incident in Pasco.

By DUANE BOURNE, Times Staff Writer
Published March 3, 2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BROOKSVILLE - The former Hernando County sheriff's deputy charged in a February road rage incident was being held at the Central Pasco Detention Center on Tuesday after he was accused of brandishing a handgun at another motorist.

Charles Patric Afriat, 32, turned himself in to authorities at the jail in Land O'Lakes about 2:15 p.m. Tuesday after Hernando investigators issued a warrant for his arrest, jail officials said. He was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm, a third-degree felony.

Bail was set at $7,000.

Afriat's second arrest came less than a month after he was accused of firing his .40-caliber Glock service weapon at a motorist in New Port Richey on Feb. 8.

<more>

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/03/03/Hernando/Ex_deputy_accused_of_.shtml

[FatSlob]

10. Hope he has fun in prison.

Assuming he's guilty.

[jhfenton]

23. Another fine example of why...

only the police and military should have guns.

[CO Liberal]

7. Gun shop owner charged with drug possession (MN)

If you go the the article, you'll see that his attorney is mounting a "Rush Limbaugh" defense. I think this guy can forget about the "Gun Shop Owner Of The Year" award..... - Wayne

* * * * *

Gun shop owner charged with drug possession

Jim Adams, Star Tribune

Published March 2, 2004
Last updated: March 3, 2004 at 6:27 AM ANOK03

The owner of a Blaine gun shop and range frequented by law enforcement officers was charged with first-degree drug possession after police found drugs in his home and shop Saturday.

Jeffrey P. Kempf, 39, also was accused of child endangerment because drugs found in his Blaine home were within reach of his children, according to charges filed in Anoka County District Court late Monday.

Kempf's attorney, Steve Meshbesher, said the charges aren't appropriate for the facts of the case.

"He is a well-respected businessman," Meshbesher said. "He has a lot of friends in law enforcement. He has a firing range where police and state and federal agents practice."

<more>

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4641523.html

[jhfenton]

22. Based on the facts in the story...

he looks like another harmless victim of the War on Drugs. I would feel differently if he were guilty of possessing a firearm while under the influence of drugs, but for all we know, he only "possessed" while sober.

[MrBenchley]

8. 2nd man is sought in shotgun slaying (IN)

"White River Township -- With one man in custody, investigators have turned their efforts toward a second man they believe was inside the house where John Richards received a fatal shotgun blast.
A host of Johnson County and federal law enforcement officers arrested Allen Earl Arnett, 35, on Monday at a gasoline station near 21st Street and Shadeland Avenue in Indianapolis.
He faces a federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and an outstanding probation violation charge but has not yet been charged in Richards' death.
Arnett was being held without bail Tuesday at the Johnson County Jail."

http://www.indystar.com/articles/7/125964-2477-009.html

Worth noting that the felon could have walked into any gun show in Indiana and bought that shotgun without a background check.

[MrBenchley]

9. Traffic Stop Reportedly Links To Fatal Shooting (MI)

Police reportedly found an important clue during a traffic stop Tuesday night as to who may have shot and killed three men on Detroit's east side earlier this week.
Investigators said a cream-colored Cadillac with temporary license tags is registered to one of two suspects wanted in the shooting deaths of three people Monday night. The shooting happened at a known drug house in the 9700 block of Woodlawn, according to police.
Robert Neal, 34, Kevin Cooper, 30, and Dorian Laethem, 30, died in the shooting. One other person was reportedly injured in the gunfire.
Investigators believe the men used AK-47 assault rifles to shoot the victims. What they do not know is if the shooters entered the house or just sprayed the house with bullets from the street. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040303/lo_wdiv/2033559

[MrBenchley]

12. Gunfire kills one, wounds another (GA)

"A teenager was shot and killed early Tuesday as he sat in a vehicle at a gas station near Stone Mountain.
DeKalb County police said Marcus Ray Thompson, 19, was talking with an unidentified man when the man opened fire about 1:10 a.m. at the Shell station on South Hairston Road at Redan Road."

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/copbriefs/index.html#b

[MrBenchley]

13. Officials Investigate Convenience Store Killing (TX)

A person inside a southwest Houston convenience store was shot to death around 10 a.m. Wednesday, News2Houston reports.
Officials with the Harris County Sheriff's Office are investigating a deadly shooting at the Master Food Mart in the 15700 block of Bellaire near Addicks Clodine.
Deputies told News2Houston two men entered the store around 10 a.m. and killed someone inside. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=320&ncid=320&e=1&u=/ibsys/20040303/lo_kprc/2033933

[MrBenchley]

14. Man sought by police shoots and kills self (MD)

"A man being pursued by police in a wooded area in northwestern Baltimore County apparently shot and killed himself yesterday, and authorities were attempting to confirm whether he was the man accused of burning down his home last week.
County police and officers from the state Department of Natural Resources cornered the man about 3 p.m. in a remote section of Soldiers Delight state park, and the man retreated to a hole he had dug near some trees, said Officer Shawn Vinson, a county police spokesman. Seconds later, Vinson said, the man shot himself in the head and died.
"Officers waited a few minutes and carefully approached the hole and found the man dead of a single gunshot," Vinson said. "

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/yahoo/bal-md.arson03mar03,0,5344058.story?coll=bal-newsaol-headlines

[MrBenchley]

15. Man, 22, arrested in fatal shooting (MD)

Anne Arundel County police arrested one man yesterday - and were looking for a second suspect late last night - in connection with a deadly shooting at a Crofton party last weekend.
Andre Summers, 27, of Bowie was fatally shot Saturday night outside his sister's home in the 2000 block of Lake Grove Lane.
Police said Lane crashed a party at his ex-girlfriend's home on Saturday, got into a fight outside and then ordered Campbell to get a gun.
Several shots were fired into the crowd, striking the ex-girlfriend, Michele Summers, and killing her older brother, Andre Summers, police said. A neighbor, Wayne Falduti, 28, also was wounded, according to police. "

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/annearundel/bal-ar.shooting03mar03,0,6494142.story?coll=bal-local-arundel

[MrBenchley]

16. 14-Year-Old Boy Found Dead Blocks From Home (PA)

"Harrisburg police are looking for the killer of a 14-year-old boy.
William Jordan's body was found at the corner of Monroe and Herr streets around 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.
He had been at a convenience store just minutes before.
Police said the teen was shot once in the chest. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1025&ncid=1025&e=3&u=/ibsys/20040303/lo_wgal/2032440

[MrBenchley]

17. Sacramento Murder Suspect Arrested In Tennessee

"A man suspected in a Sacramento murder has been arrested in Clarksville, Tenn.
Free Odel Smith is suspected of killing Christopher Navarro on Feb. 22.
Navarro was gunned down as he drove through a south Sacramento neighborhood. "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=289&ncid=289&e=3&u=/ibsys/20040303/lo_kcra/2032885

[MrBenchley]

18. Boy took unloaded gun to class, say police (IL)

"A 9-year-old student was arrested Monday morning after bringing an unloaded handgun to school and passing it around to his classmates, police said Tuesday.
A substitute teacher at Garfield Elementary School in Elgin discovered the .25-caliber gun in the boy's backpack after questioning a group of students who were huddled together in the fourth-grade classroom, police said.
"The student was observed passing around a gun," said Larry Ascough, assistant superintendent for community relations in Elgin Area School District U-46. "It was taken away, parents were called, and he was removed from school." "

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/cdh/20040303/lo_cdh/boytookunloadedguntoclasssaypolice

[MrBenchley]

19. Stepson Killer Faces Another Life Sentence (WI)

"Jury Finds O'Neal Guily, Sane When He Shot 2 Teens Dead
MADISON, Wis. -- Convicted killer Roger O'Neal is sentenced to life in prison for killing one of his sons last June.
O'Neal will be back in court in two months to be sentenced for killing his second son and will get another life term, News 3 reported. "

http://www.channel3000.com/news/2892434/detail.html

[Tannhauser]

24. Pilot uses anti-terrorism tactics to thwart robbery

March 3, 2004
By Marshall Spence / Sentinel Staff Writer
From http://www.orlandosentinel.com/

DELAND, FL -- A trip to a Subway restaurant Saturday night gave Thomas Das an unexpected chance to put his anti-terrorism training to use.

Das, 51, a 14-year commercial airline pilot, was at the counter of the sandwich shop on Woodland Boulevard waiting to pay when 22-year-old Andrew Young walked up next to him with a gun, police said.

Police said Young, whose face was partially covered by a bandanna and skullcap, pointed the gun at one of the three employees behind the counter and demanded money.

Before he realized what he was doing, Das, who was standing to the right of the armed man, reached to his left and grabbed the man's right hand, which was holding the gun. Das twisted the man's arm around, took the gun from him and pinned him to the ground with his knee on the man's back and the gun pressed against the back of the man's head.

"It was just a natural reaction," Das said. "It happened real quick. guy walked up to the counter, pointed a gun at the young attendant and said, 'Put it in the bag.' I turned. There was maybe a second or two delay, and I just moved right on him."

Mari Chandler, a restaurant employee, said Tuesday that Das subdued the would-be robber -- who was pointing his gun at her -- so quickly that a co-worker making Das' meal didn't realize what had happened.

"My other co-worker missed most of it altogether because she was busy trying to make the guy's sandwich," said Chandler, 21, of DeLand. "She just started yelling at the guys for fighting in the store."

Chandler said she ran to the back and grabbed her cell phone. Minutes after Chandler's call, two police officers -- who happened to be nearby -- arrived and found Young pinned to the ground, DeLand police spokesman Lt. Rick Gaylord said.

Das credited his training as a pilot for his quick reaction and self-defense skills.

"As an airline captain for ATA Airlines, I'm trained to make quick reactions. We've had some anti-terrorism training. When you're flying a Boeing 757, you're just very accustomed to making very quick decisions," he said.

Young, a convicted felon and registered sex offender, was booked into the Volusia County Branch Jail on a charge of armed robbery. His bail is set at $20,000.

[MrBenchley]

20. Man Arrested For Allegedly Bringing Gun Into Capitol (OK)

"OKLAHOMA CITY -- A state employee who works for the agency that helped set up the new security system at the state Capitol was arrested Wednesday after a loaded gun was found in his briefcase.
Lt. Rusty Rhoades of the Troop "R" detachment, Capitol division, of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said a .380-caliber semiautomatic handgun was confiscated and the man was taken into custody.
"He was booked on a complaint of carrying a concealed firearm into a state facility," Rhoades said. It is a misdemeanor complaint."

http://www.channeloklahoma.com/news/2893806/detail.html

[MrBenchley]

21. Fun Dome shooting gets teen life term (UT)

"David Van fired at least 17 bullets at a group of boys following a verbal altercation. But three of the victims -- including a 4-year-old Tooele boy shot in the pelvis -- were family members celebrating a 6-year-old girl's birthday.
    Third District Judge Dennis Fuchs called it "a shame" and "an incredible waste" to send such a young man to the Utah State Prison.
    "It's a travesty of our society," Fuchs said. "But I see no alternative."
    Van had pleaded guilty in adult court to first-degree felony attempted murder and two counts of second-degree felony aggravated assault in connection with the March 29 shootings. "

http://www.sltrib.com/2004/Mar/03032004/utah/144310.asp