GUNS IN THE NEWS--April 13, 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.
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8 - If you object to these guidelines, do everyone else a favor and go to another thread.

[MrBenchley]

1. Shooting leaves man dead, brother paralyzed (MO)

Another family made safer with guns...

"A shooting early Monday in Pine Lawn left one man, 28, dead and his brother, 22, paralyzed.
The brothers were sitting in a sport utility vehicle in the 2700 block of Kienlen Avenue about 12:30 a.m. when the shooter pulled up in a car and fired several shots into the vehicle.
Witnesses described the shooter's car to police, who were following several leads, said St. Louis County Police spokesman Mason Keller. "

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/St.+Louis+City+%2F+County/DCF802598E9C240386256E7500144B46?OpenDocument&Headline=Law+and+order%3A+Shooting+leaves+man+dead,+brother+paralyzed

[Romulus]

2. Hanover Arrests Shooting Victim (VA)

Initial suspect cleared of charges in encounter last year at Kings Dominion
Richmond Times-Dispatch

Felony charges against the Northern Virginia man accused in last year's shootings at Paramount's Kings Dominion have been dropped, and one of the two shooting victims and a witness have been arrested.

*snip*

Instead, Hanover Commonwealth's Attorney Kirby Porter asked the court to drop the five felony charges against McKoy. Porter said an investigation showed the shootings to be an "act of self-defense."

As a result of the investigation, shooting victim Stephen Allen Jr. and witness Jonathan Maklin were arrested outside the courtroom yester- day. The men had been subpoenaed to testify in McKoy's trial.

*snip*

"We've said all along this was an armed attack by several armed gang members that threatened his life," (defense attorney) Baldwin said. "It was just a clear-cut case of self-defense."

*snip/more*

[MrBenchley]

3. 3 dead in apparent murder-suicide (MO)

"A man came home to find his girlfriend having sex with another man and he then fatally shot both of them and himself, St. Louis police said. The incident happened about midnight Sunday in the 5700 block of Lindenwood Avenue -- a usually quiet neighborhood with little violent crime.
The dead were identified as Troy M. Casaretto, 29, and his girlfriend, Julie Ross, 36, both of the Lindenwood address, and Corey Noble, 26, of the 5300 block of Murdoch Avenue."

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/News/St.+Louis+City+%2F+County/7652EEA636313EEC86256E74005B53B9?OpenDocument&Headline=3+dead+in+apparent+murder-suicide&tetl=1

[MrBenchley]

4. Girl Injured In Drive-By Shooting Identified (OK)

"Authorities identified a girl Monday who was injured in an Easter drive-by shooting.
Alayzscha Brown, 4, is currently recovering from a gunshot wound to her head at OU Medical Center.
Police said someone started shooting at the car that Browns family was driving on Interstate 40 near May Avenue Sunday afternoon. Browns mother and 2-year-old sister were also in the car but were not injured. "

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040413/lo_koco/2091600

[MrBenchley]

5. One Dead, One Injured In Perry Hilltop Shooting (PA)

"Pittsburgh homicide detectives are investigating a shooting in Perry Hilltop early Tuesday morning.
Police report that around 1 a.m. nine shots were fired at three men on the 200 block of Langley Street. Two of the men were hit and one was killed. "

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ibsys/20040413/lo_wtae/2092757

[MrBenchley]

6. Man Is Shot for Cellphone on Busy Day of Mayhem (NY)

"A man bicycling over the Williamsburg Bridge to work yesterday morning was shot twice by a robber, in the leg and arm, when he resisted giving up his cellphone, the police said. The man was one of 12 shooting victims from Saturday afternoon to yesterday afternoon, an unusually high number that included two homicides, details of which were not released by the police.
The man, Marcin Muchalski, 26, said that just before 7 a.m. yesterday he was slowly pedaling uphill from Manhattan, where he lives on the Lower East Side, to Brooklyn, where he was covering for a friend who worked at the Southside Lounge, a cafe and bar in Williamsburg. Near the middle of the bridge, a man stepped into his path, brandished a gun and yelled at him to stop.
Mr. Muchalski, who said he had woken up only 15 minutes earlier, tried to argue with the man, showing him that his backpack contained only CD's and notebooks. He offered the man his rusty mountain bike, but the man quickly became fixated on Mr. Muchalski's cellphone, which he refused to hand over, the police said."

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/12/nyregion/12rob.html?ex=1082520000&en=bd46e0cba9136863&ei=5006&partner=ALTAVISTA1

[demsrule4life]

7. Another example on how effective gun control is

[MrBenchley]

8. An even better example of how out of touch with reality

some gun "enthusiasts" are...

[demsrule4life]

9. Trust me I have no regrets

that I don't fit in your version of what reality is.

[MrBenchley]

11. Nope, you seem to be quite happy

in a right wing shithole, peddling every bit of fantasy from the scum of the earth that you can dredge up...

[demsrule4life]

13. Strange how you sound just like the groups

you are always complaining about.

[MrBenchley]

15. Find any pro-Democratic posts of yours

to show that black guy who was converting all those people to the GOP yet, dems?

[demsrule4life]

16. No need to

I dont work at the same place he does anymore.

[MrBenchley]

17. That's good...

You can't find what doesn't exist...

[TX-RAT]

10. Give up my cell phone or take a round in the arm and leg.

Bye Bye Nokia

[MrBenchley]

12. Crackdown set on Lead Draw trailhead shooting (ID)

America's responsible law-abiding gun nuts in action...

"POCATELLO - It's ironic to Mike Birch that Lead Draw was named decades ago, back before its trailhead was littered with piles of spent shotgun shells and rifle rounds.
Birch, a U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officer for more than 20 years, said vandalism, illegal target shooting and garbage dumping has long been a problem at the Lead Draw trailhead along East Mink Creek Road.
But Birch said authorities have decided enough is enough.
This spring and summer, Birch said officers will increase patrols in the East Mink Creek area and cite offenders. Fines for illegally discharging a firearm can be up to $5,000, six months in jail and restitution. "

http://www.journalnet.com/articles/2004/04/13/news/local/news08.txt

[MrBenchley]

14. Man guilty in ex-wife's slaying (ME)

"SKOWHEGAN — A jury deliberated less than two hours Monday before finding a Fairfield man guilty of murder in the shotgun slaying of his ex-wife. Gregory Warmke, 45, faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison for the May 2, 2003, shooting death of Leslie Bullock at her home in Fairfield about a year after the couple was divorced.
Warmke never denied shooting Bullock. His attorney argued that Warmke was a passive man who sank into a depression following his divorce and killed Bullock only after he lost his mind.
Prosecutors said Warmke carefully planned the shooting, writing unmailed letters to Bullock beforehand describing in detail how he would murder her."

http://www.pressherald.com/news/state/040413murdertrial.shtml

[MrBenchley]

18. Gun Groups May Not Be Bush Campaign Weapon

Ah, Chimpy's dilemna...he can't pretend to be a moderate and keep his lunatic fringe happy...

"Four years later, some gun owners have grown so disenchanted with President Bush that they may cast a protest vote for a third-party candidate, stay away from the polls, or even back the likely Democratic nominee, gun-control advocate John F. Kerry.
Bush has not engendered "enthusiasm" among gun-rights voters, said Larry Pratt, the longtime head of the Gun Owners of America, a political and lobbying organization. "Sometimes he's good and sometimes he's bad." "

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/2004/la-na-gunpolitics13apr13,1,2467557.story?coll=la-home-headlines

Boy, the sort of candidate who COULD arouse Larry Pratt's enthusiasm must be some real specimen...

[MrBenchley]

19. Police: Dad points gun at teenage girls (IN)

"BOONE GROVE -- A 15-year-old girl went to her 14-year-old friend's home for a sleepover Friday night, but they soon found themselves staring down the barrels of a double-barreled handgun, police said.
Police said the 14-year-old girl's father came home drunk, got angry because he couldn't find his marijuana and pointed a gun at the girls.
The suspect, John D. Casbon, 40, of 361 West County Road 550 South in Boone Grove, was arrested at 3 a.m. Saturday. He was charged with intimidation, pointing a firearm, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting. Casbon faces up to 11 years in prison if convicted.
The girl visiting the home told police Casbon came home very drunk from getting a tattoo, then left with a few of his friends to get more beer from Wal-Mart. The girl said Casbon returned with beer and a new stereo system. Casbon then asked the girls who stole his marijuana, she said."

http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2004/04/13/news/top_news/2ea2eac2b12ebec886256e740081be67.txt

Yeah, that is the kind of voter we should be pandering to, in a pig's eye.

[MrBenchley]

20. Witness Helps Police Catch Robbery Suspect (NY)

"(Irondequoit, NY) 04/12/04 -- A witness helped police catch a bank robbery suspect Monday at the M&T bank on East Ridge Road in Irondequoit.
Police said Michael Timmons, 35, entered the bank, pulled out a handgun, and ordered tellers to give him money. They did, and he fled.
While the robbery was in progress, a witness flagged down a patrol car and told officers the bank was being robbed."

http://www.wokr13.tv/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=39CC1F02-2659-4762-849B-EED21F780920

[MrBenchley]

21. Predawn Shooting On North Goodman (NY)

"(Rochester, NY) 04/12/04 - A woman from Rochester was shot around 4:00 a.m. Monday on North Goodman Street near Fair Place. "

http://www.wokr13.tv/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=67E74355-FBAF-4C79-A3B5-325B580877FB

[MrBenchley]

22. Teen hospitalized after dangerous gun game

The shooting sports just seem naturally to attract the intellectual elite...

"BLOOMFIELD, Conn. -- Dangerous gun play among a group of teenagers turned tragic when one of them shot himself in the neck.
Police said an 18-year-old boy was seriously injured while playing Russian roulette with his friends on Saturday night at a private home. The boy apparently spun the chamber once and pulled the trigger and the gun did not fire. He did it a second time and shot himself in the neck."

http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2004/04/12/teen_hospitalized_after_dangerous_gun_game/

[enfield collector]

23. natural selection at work, Darwin would be proud. n/t

[MrBenchley]

24. SF Supervisors Lead Rally Against Gun Shows At Cow Palace

"SAN FRANCISCO -- Two supervisors representing the San Francisco districts with the most homicides rallied in support of a state bill that would prohibit gun shows in a local concourse.
The supervisors, who don't hold any power over the state-owned Cow Palace, urged the Public Safety Committee of the California State Senate to vote favorably Tuesday upon a bill that would ban the sale of firearms and ammunition at the Cow Palace.
State Sen. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, is the sponsor of the legislation."

http://www.nbc11.com/news/2998806/detail.html

Good for them...

[MrBenchley]

25. Police Say Jealousy Sparked Lansdale Murder (PA)

"A Lansdale, Pa. man has been shot to death and his wife is charged with murder, in what investigators believe was a killing triggered by jealousy.
When a gunshot rang out in the home on Shaw Avenue Monday night, investigators believe it was the last word in a bitter argument over another woman.
41-year-old Kosal Pang was charged with murder after police discovered the body of Sokhan Sao riddled with bullets fired from his own 9-millimeter handgun. "

http://www.kyw1060.com/news_story_detail.cfm?newsitemid=36829

[MrBenchley]

26. Charges Mount Against Suspect in CHP Shooting (CA)

"Officer Juan Cervantes was hit in the leg Saturday during a shootout in Watsonville. Cervantes was released from San Jose Medical Center on Sunday.
The suspect in the shooting, Donald Bochat, was still at large Tuesday. The Santa Cruz Sheriff's Department says Bochat is also wanted for three burglaries, including a recent break-in at a police supply store in Soquel. Among the items stolen are batons, handcuffs, pepper spray, and badges."

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/kpix/20040413/lo_kpix/9742

[MrBenchley]

27. How safe are Glock guns used by law enforcement? (FL)

"(SPANISH FORT, Ala.) Mar. 12 - The Glock handgun: it's the most widely used firearm among law enforcement officials nationwide, and is the same weapon involved in last week's accidental shooting death of a Prichard man at the hands of a state trooper on the Causeway.
Are these guns more prone to unintended firings than other types of guns?
More than 70 percent of law enforcement nationwide use Glocks, which are known for their power, light weight and accuracy. Along with the Glock's reputation for reliability is a history of accidental misfirings. Critics claim Glocks have a sensitive 'hair trigger' that leads to accidental discharges.
In Washington DC back in 1999, for instance, the district's police department alone had 120 accidental firings: 19 officers wounding themselves or others with Glocks. "

http://www.wpmi.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=B49A2FCE-C08B-4E07-80B4-E7E84D0D95B3

[Columbia]

28. More like

Piss poor training and/or discipline.

Keep your finger off the trigger until you ready to fire.

There is no such thing as an accidental dischrage, only a negligent one.

[demsrule4life]

29. Oh jeez Columbia

Don't you know that they shoot all by their selves. ?