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Monday, February 23, 2015

Armed Society: Adjusting a holster leads to gun owner's death



Self-inflicted gun shot ends woman's life


"A WOMAN died after accidentally shooting herself in the head while adjusting a gun she kept in her bra holster."


"Christina Bond, 55, a former US navy officer, was looking down the barrel of the .22-calibre revolver when she accidentally pulled the trigger and shot herself in the eye."


"Carrie Lightfoot, owner of the Well Armed Woman store, told the USA Today newspaper that bra holsters were growing in popularity."

Armed Society: A Gun on Every Corner (NYTimes)

NY Times, Gail Collins: A Gun on Every Corner

"The N.R.A. doesn’t want to recruit members by arguing for Texans’ right to wave a pistol around the small appliance department at Target. It wants a big, meaty challenge — like fighting for looser gun regulation in states where the populace doesn’t want looser gun regulation."


Thursday, February 19, 2015

Armed society: Concealed Carry’s Body Count


NY Times: Concealed Carry’s Body Count

"In America’s endless debate about gun rights versus public safety, there should be no disputing the hard facts in a new report on gunshot fatalities showing that at least 722 nonself-defense deaths since 2007 were attributable to individuals with legal permits to carry concealed weapons."

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Documentary about Jordan Davis wins award at Sundance

Documentary about Jordan Davis wins special jury award (social impact) at Sundance

"On Black Friday 2012, four middle-class African-American law-abiding teenagers stopped at a gas station to buy gum and cigarettes. One of them, Jordan Davis, argued with Michael Dunn, a white man parked beside them, over the volume of music playing in their car. The altercation turned to tragedy when Dunn fired 10 bullets at the unarmed boys, killing Davis almost instantly. The seamlessly constructed, riveting documentary film 3½ MINUTES explores the danger and subjectivity of Florida's Stand Your Ground self-defense laws by weaving Dunn's trial with a chorus of citizen and pundit opinions, and with Jordan Davis's parents' wrenching experiences in and out of the courtroom."

GUNSENSE: Virginia - no to guns on school grounds

GUNSENSE: Virginia - no to guns on school grounds

"The state Senate on Monday defeated a measure that would have allowed firearms on school property during nonschool activities, but it passed a bill that would let Virginians with valid concealed-carry handgun permits transport loaded shotguns or rifles in their vehicles."

GUNSENSE: Washington State - Bill proposes guns to be taken from 'extreme risk' people

GUNSENSE: Washington State - extreme risk bill

"According to a draft of the bill, a person with a pattern of violent acts or threats, drug abuse, brandishing weapons recklessly or domestic violence, among other acts, could have their firearms taken away by authorities. Judges would also be allowed to consider whether a person has violated a harassment restraining order and whether the person has bought guns within the last six months."

AFTERMATH: shooting victim still unable to help investigators

AFTERMATH: shooting victim still unable to help investigators

The ripple effect:  every shooting affects a number of people, and injuries can require lengthy hospitalizations.



"Two weeks after a shooting at a Musella welding shop, former Crawford County Chairman Harold “Doug” Spillers remains hospitalized, unable to tell investigators what happened.

“It’s still touch and go at this point,” said grandson Justin Spillers."

Read more here: http://www.macon.com/2015/02/04/3568009/former-crawford-chairman-remains.html#storylink=cpy"

Armed Society: As gun ownership rises, so does the homicide rate

Research: Guns Do Kill People

"The study found that for every 1 percent increase in gun ownership, there was a 1.1 percent increase in the firearm homicide rate and a 0.7 percent increase in the total homicide rate, looking at data from 1980-2010."

Friday, February 6, 2015

GUNSENSE in PA: new law would require reporting of lost or stolen guns

GUNSENSE in Pennsylvania: report lost or stolen guns within 72 hours



from an Op-Ed by Rep. Madeleine Dean:


"After Plymouth Township Police Officer Brad Fox was killed in the line of duty by a gun acquired through a straw purchase, Pennsylvania enacted a mandatory minimum sentencing law to discourage straw purchasers.

This session I will reintroduce my legislation to work with the Brad Fox law and block or curb the buying of guns for felons.

My legislation would require the reporting of lost or stolen firearms within 72 hours of learning of the loss.

Lost and stolen legislation has received bipartisan support - earning the recommendation of the Joint State Government Commission on Violence Prevention in Pennsylvania. "

GUNSENSE: proposed law aims to end the sale of large-capacity ammunition magazines


GUNSENSE in Washington: law would ban high capacity magazines

"Co-sponsors Rep. Elizabeth Esty of Connecticut and Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, both Democrats, unveiled the Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device Act. The bill would ban the importation, sale, manufacture, transfer, or possession of magazines that hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition."

Bushmaster sued by Sandy Hook families

Gun Manufacturer sued by Sandy Hook families

"In their legal motion, made public on Monday, the families say the rifle shouldn’t have been entrusted to the general public because it is a military-style assault weapon that is unsuited for civilian use, “engineered to deliver maximum carnage with extreme efficiency.” Individuals deemed mentally unfit to operate the weapon can gain access to the firearm, they added. The families ask that the company admits accountability for the consequences of selling the rifle."

Armed Society: Texas legislator threatened

Armed Society: Texas lawmaker threatened





"Despite all the trouble, Nevarez maintained that the latest video wouldn't affect his decision.

"I'm not gonna let somebody dictate to me how I'm gonna vote on something by threatening my life," he said. "That's not the way the process should work. … It's a mockery of the process that somebody can do this and then the outcome's the way they wanted. They can always look to the fact that they applied this kind of pressure and say that's the result that I got."

Nevarez also said that regardless of the issue, he would vote against physical threats on principle.

"That's not the way anybody should dialogue about a bill, about anything," Nevarez said.

He also said that he likely would have supported some from of open carry had he not been threatened on the issue."

Guns on Campus: murder suicide at USC

Murder-suicide on University of South Carolina Campus

GUNSENSE: proposed Indiana law would require 8 hours of training for carry permit

GUNSENSE: Indiana law would mandate classes for gun carry permit

(Senator) Breaux said requiring firearms training for a carry permit "provides the assurance to those of us who are around you with that gun that you know how to operate it safely and appropriately."

NRA bullying tactics: massive lawsuits against towns and cities

NRA tactics: massive lawsuits against towns and cities





"The law, Act 192, is an explicit carve-out for gun-rights groups from customary legal procedures—challenges of school-prayer restrictions, for instance, are typically brought by actual students who can show that their rights have been infringed by the restrictions. Not only that, but the law requires that towns and cities pay the legal fees of any plaintiffs who successfully challenge their gun laws in court."

"Thought it was unloaded": AK 47

"Thought it was unloaded"



"Huber handed the rifle to Williamson, who believing the rifle was not loaded pulled the trigger, firing the rifle and striking Huber, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Huber was flown to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach in an unknown condition."

Guns and children: 4 year old kills 6 year old; dad to serve 3 years

Guns and children: Dad to get 3 years for child endangerment

"A New Jersey man is expected to be sentenced to a three-year prison term Thursday for failing to secure a loaded .22-caliber rifle with which his 4-year-old son fatally shot a 6-year-old playmate in 2013."

Guns and liability: a free pass for the industry

Guns and liability: a free pass

"...thanks to a special legal immunity that Congress gave gun manufacturers, distributors and dealers, and their trade associations, in 2005. Unlike any other industry, the gun industry can commit negligence with impunity."

Campus Carry editorial: "Lousy idea"

University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven: no to campus carry

“As chancellor of a system educating over 210,000 students and with over 90,000 faculty and staff, my utmost concern is their safety.” — UT System Chancellor William McRaven, in a letter opposing campus carry bill in the Legislature

Monday, February 2, 2015

17 Months Later, Washington Navy Yard Reopens

Washington Navy Yard Reopens

"Hundreds of Navy Yard employees reclaimed Building 197 as their workplace Monday, returning for their first official day back since 12 colleagues were killed in a mass shooting 17 months ago."

VPC - The Violence Policy Center - Teddy Bears Have to Meet Federal Health and Safety Standards, But Guns Don’t

VPC - The Violence Policy Center - Teddy Bears Have to Meet Federal Health and Safety Standards, But Guns Don’t

Children With Guns

Children with Guns:  Another 3 year old shoots mother; she was injured only.

http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/02/02/woman-injured-in-shooting-inside-davie-home/

"Investigators have determined the shooting was accidental."

Which means, no charges for allowing a 3 year old access to a loaded weapon.

GUNSENSE: Arkansas Campus Carry Bill



Arkansas House Bill 1077 would allow faculty and staff to carry concealed weapons on college campuses.


From our colleagues at Arkansans Against Guns on Campus:

"We need all hands on deck. HB 1077, to permit faculty and staff to carry concealed weapons on college campuses, is being heard in the House Education Committee this week (tomorrow and Thursday). We need your voices loud and clear to members of the House Education Committee. Please contact them. This is the last chance you will have to keep Arkansas' colleges safe from guns. Please be respectful in tone and ask they to vote against HB 1077 because it will not make college campuses safer in Arkansas.

In the last two states to approve this law, the immediate effect was to INCREASE the number of campus shootings.

Idaho approved this law in 2014 and it was immediately followed by a shooting at Idaho State University in September 2014. A professor shot himself in the foot with his concealed handgun in a classroom with 19 students.

Colorado approved this law in 2012 and it was immediately followed by a shooting at the University of Colorado Dental School. A staff person shot herself and a coworker with her concealed handgun in an office with other coworkers.

Email these representatives on the Education Committee tonight, if possible! Thank you all for you support!"

--Arkansans Against Guns on Campus, via facebook

Representative Bruce Cozart
bruce.cozart@arkansashouse.org
Representative Sheilla E. Lampkin Sheilla.Lampkin@arkansashouse.org
Representative Charles L. Armstrong
ffa191@sbcglobal.net
Representative Scott Baltz
scottbaltz@yahoo.com
Representative Nate Bell
nate.bell@arkansashouse.org
Representative Gary Deffenbaugh
Gary.Deffenbaugh@arkansashouse.org
Representative Charlotte V. Douglas
charlotte.douglas@arkansashouse.org
Representative Jon S. Eubanks
Jon.Eubanks@arkansashouse.org
Representative Jeremy Gillam
jeremy@growing45.com
Representative Bill Gossage
bill@billgossage.com
Representative Michael John Gray
michael.gray@arkansashouse.org
Representative Justin T. Harris
Justin.Harris@arkansashouse.org
Representative Grant Hodges
grant.hodges@arkansashouse.org
Representative Greg Leding
greg.leding@arkansashouse.org
Representative Mark Lowery
markdlowery@mac.com
Representative Mark D. McElroy
mdmcelroy1@yahoo.com
Representative Reginald Murdock
rkm_72360@yahoo.com
Representative James Ratliff
jamesratliff3468@gmail.com
Representative Warwick Sabin
wsabin@wsabin.org
Representative John W. Walker
johnwalkeratty@aol.com

Sunday, February 1, 2015

GUNSENSE at the National level



GunSense Progress!





FEDERAL:
"The only piece of gun legislation agreed on by both the House and Senate in 2014 was the Omnibus Appropriations Act, which President Obama signed into law earlier this month. The measure calls for $73 million to help prevent felons, fugitives, and domestic abusers from buying guns. It also includes $75 million for a national school safety initiative."

"And in July, the Senate held its first-ever hearing on the ties between gun policy and domestic violence."

"The Senate also confirmed Dr. Vivek Murthy as U.S. surgeon general after his nomination was held up for more than a year. Murthy faced opposition from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and some Republican members of Congress for supporting gun control measures and calling gun violence a threat to public health.

Murthy’s victory in December was the first loss for the NRA in the Senate since 2010, which marks a “harbinger of things to come in this country,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America."

GUNSENSE: Nevada background checks



Nevadans for Background Checks




"Nevadans for Background Checks have turned in the largest number of signatures ever gathered for a ballot initiative in Nevada. The initiative would require background checks for all gun sales. If the Legislature fails to pass the bill this year it will go directly to voters as a ballot measure in 2016."

Lawsuits: Stopping Gun Violence

The Newtown Lawsuit and the Moral Work of Gun Control

Children and guns: 14 year old kills 13 year old; father charged

Children and guns: Father charged after 14 year old son kills friend

Armed Society: snow day edition (man shoots cars)

Armed Society: snow day edition

Armed Society: dog killer faces no charges in Texas

Terrier at dog park shot and killed; no charges filed

Gun laws: Colorado GOP filing 7 bills

Gun laws: Colorado GOP to file 7 bills

"... among the seven bills to be presented by Republicans, three will try to overturn some of the most debated measures of that session, which involve ammunition magazines and background checks."

Gun bills to be heard Monday by House and Senate committees:
House
HB 1049, by Rep. Justin Everett, R-Littleton: Adds a place of business to the locations that may be defended with deadly physical force and specifies that an owner, manager or employee of a business is immune from criminal prosecution and civil liability for defending a place of business using deadly physical force.
HB 1127, by Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt, R-Colorado Springs: Establishes immunity from certain civil actions for owners and operators of businesses open to the public who adopt a policy allowing persons to carry a concealed handgun on the premises.
HB 1009, by Rep. Steve Humphrey, R-Severance:Repeals the ban on the possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines.
HB 1086, by Rep. Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock:Requires the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to produce in a certain time frame certificates allowing for the transfers of machine guns, destructive devices or other firearms or explain why, in that time frame, it was denied.
HB 1050, by Rep. Janak Joshi, R-Colorado Springs: Repeals the requirement that anyone besides a licensed gun dealer who transfers possession of a firearm must obtain a background check on the transferee from the CBI and get CBI approval; and repeals the requirement that CBI charge a fee for performing a background check.
Senate
SB 1086, by Sen. Kent Lambert, R-Colorado Springs: Same as HB 1050.
SB 32, by Sen. Vicki Marble, R-Fort Collins: Allows a person who can legally possess a handgun under state and federal law to carry a concealed handgun in Colorado without a permit.

Children with guns: New Mexico 3 year old

A good 3 year old with a gun.

Little boy finds a gun in a woman's purse, shoots his own father in the hip.  The bullet continues on to hit the woman in the shoulder.  She is 8 months pregnant.  Both adults will recover.

Charges may be filed, please note that this is only sometimes the case.


Wednesday, January 28, 2015

3 1/2 minutes - a Documentary about Jordan Davis premiering at Sundance



Jordan Davis was 17 years old when he was killed by a volley of shots fired by Michael Dunn.  Dunn was convicted.

Jordan's mom, Lucy McBath, lives in Marietta, GA.

She is a spokesperson for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and Everytown.

Child Access Laws by State

http://everytown.org/childaccess/

School Shootings Since Newtown

School Shootings Since Newtown

Monday, January 26, 2015

Tales at the intersection of race and open carry

Do you take a choke hold with your coffee?

An African-American man with a concealed carry permit walked into a Florida WalMart to buy coffee creamer.  He was then tackled and put into a choke hold until police could arrive and ascertain that he had the legal right to carry.  His white assailant faces assault charges.

Guns Everywhere = more accidents, and now a "new" kind of problem.

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Guns Everywhere: HB 60 explored


GunSense Logo.jpg

“Guns Everywhere”
(officially “Safe Carry Protection Act”)
effective date:  July 1, 2014

Some specifics of what it does:

• Allows use of the “Stand Your Ground” defense by felons.
• Reduces maximum penalty from a felony to no penalty should licensed permit
holders carry guns into restricted areas at all airports.  Law enforcement is prohibited from detaining carriers or even asking to see a permit.
• Allows guns in bars and nightclubs.
• Requires that guns be permitted in state and local government buildings that do not have security screening (includes libraries, sports facilities, etc.)
• Allows teachers, administrators, staff or anyone authorized by a local school board to carry concealed firearms anywhere on K-12 school grounds.  
• Opt-in for Houses of Worship.  If the congregation has not opted in, violators cannot be arrested or fined more than $100.00.
Removes the pointing of a firearm at another from the criminal code. This charge should continue to be available to victims of domestic violence.
Repeals entire state dealer licensing system.  
• Forces public housing authorities to allow guns on their property and facilities.

OPPOSED BY
Association County Commissioners of Georgia American Academy of Pediatrics
American Civil Liberties Union American Federation of Teachers
Americans For Responsible Solutions Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence
Campaign To Keep Guns Off Campus Episcopal Diocese of Georgia
Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta Georgia Academy of Family Physicians
Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Georgia Municipal Association Mayors Against Illegal Guns
Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense In America Newtown Action Alliance
North Georgia Conference, United Methodist Church Outcry! Faith Voices Against Gun Violence
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta The Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Task Force for Global Health United Methodist Church
Georgia Association of Secondary Schools Law Enforcement Officers


There is no training requirement in Georgia to apply for or receive a concealed carry permit.

For more information please email:  gunsensegeorgia@gmail.com

Washington State Capitol bans umbrellas... and now guns...


No More Guns in the Visitors Gallery... Washington State Capitol
Photo used under Creative Commons from flickr user stevevoght 
"Those rules include prohibitions on applause and other forms of demonstration.
Owen said it didn't make sense to allow people to openly carry firearms while banning backpacks, signs and umbrellas.
"We're not going to treat them differently than everyone else," he said of open-carry advocates."

Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2015/01/16/3529248_legislature-weighs-change-on-openly.html?rh=1&utm_content=buffer96e4d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#storylink=cpy"

Saturday, January 24, 2015

Smart Guns Save LIves, So Where Are They?

Smart Guns Save Lives, So Where Are They?

The good and the perplexingly bad news about smart gun technology, by Nikolas Kristof in the New York Times, 1/17/15

GUNLAND



GUNLAND

ABOUT THE FILM

The city that Oprah and President Obama call home has become marred by murder. In response to its staggering homicide rate, locals have coined it “Chiraq” (a hybrid of Chicago and Iraq). In 2012, Chicago averaged 42 homicides per month with nearly 70% of deaths caused by guns.

Thursday, January 22, 2015

Gunned Down: The Power of the NRA


FRONTLINE program --

Gunned Down:  The Power of the NRA (video)


Back in the day: citizen consternation, Police chief concerned.



The day the law went into effect, two “good guys” with guns walk into a convenience store...
Valdosta Daily Times.png
At 3 p.m. on July 1 the day the law went into effect, in Valdosta, GA, an altercation ensued between two armed men  in a convenience store.  You can read about it here:



About the incident, Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress said, “This is an example of my concern with the new gun law that people will take the law into their own hands which we will not tolerate.”

Handguns in hospitals? Administrators are concerned.


Hospitals are concerned



Handguns at Hutcheson?.png




http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/catwalkchatt/news/handguns-at-hutcheson-how-will-broader-gun-carry-law-affect/article_4e8af9ae-16be-11e4-95c7-001a4bcf6878.html

“Georgia’s new gun law could prove expensive for the taxpayers of Catoosa, Walker and Dade counties.”

###

HB 60: City and County Governments are concerned.



HB 60 "Guns Everywhere" Law in action: city, county and other government buildings...



City and County Governments Are Concerned


Douglas County Courthouse.png

Guns everywhere, including the courthouse? Local officials raise concerns with HB 60 set to take effect July 1



"While HB 60 restricts guns from being carried into true courthouses where only court proceedings take place, Douglas County has a multipurpose courthouse, with courtrooms behind the security checkpoint and government offices like the Tag Office and Voter Registration in front of it."

“This just the beginning of the kinds of issues that we’re going to see coming out of this bill.” --Rep. LaDawn Blackett Jones, D-Atlanta.

###

Confusion... Governor Deal is concerned...



Gov. Deal:   “Confusion surrounds law allowing guns in schools, churches and bars”

July 7, 2014



nathan deal.png

"Governor Deal says there are about 500,000 people in Georgia who have a carriers (sic) license."

###


Thank a Georgia Legislator!



The entrance on this side of the City Service Center in Columbus, GA does not have security scanning devices.  




HB 60 allows guns to be carried into buildings which do not have these rather expensive systems.



Now there is just one public entrance, which does have security systems.  It is all the way around the other side of this lovely, large building.



Hope you don't mind a long walk.




Throughout the 2014 General Assembly session,  Georgians worked tirelessly to educate legislators and the public about the long-term public safety threats that the many versions of the “Safe Carry Protection Act” represented.
A majority of Georgians opposed the language in these bills, members of the GunSense GA Coalition analyzed and tracked the many harmful variations of HB 87, SB 93 and HB 60 -- designed to open up new locations where weapons could be carried and to shield concealed weapons permit holders from the inconvenience of law enforcement scrutiny.

This parade of gun bills, and their revisions, took place in an atmosphere of secrecy and political maneuvering.
The safety and well-being of all of the residents of Georgia,  was deliberately compromised by a few politicians who knew better, but were acting for their own political gain – trading our safety for their political ambitions.

###

HB 60: A Tale of Two Churches



HB 60: A Tale of Two Churches

(l) Pastor Tom Rush (r) Bishop Robert Wright

Armed and dangerous: First grader


Armed and dangerous: a first grader



Boy brings gun to school... (video)

By the way, because he "only" kept it tucked in the waistband of his pants and didn't "brandish" it, there are ZERO consequences for the parents.  ZERO.  This time.