KENS Offers Telling Story About Mexico
Gun control advocates should heed the warning signs in Mexico, and KENS of El Paso offered an interesting introduction on the situation south of the border:
“Despite strict gun-control laws in Mexico, crime scenes in that country are riddled with bullet holes. Both drug cartels and common criminals have no trouble getting guns. The spike in violent crime has more private citizens in Mexico quietly arming themselves for protection.”
Note the “strict gun-control laws,” yet the country is akin to a warzone, and the spike in violent crime means that everyday people are turning to guns.
The question for anyone for more gun control is why wouldn’t you think this would happen here? Did prohibition in the 1920s reduce alcohol consumption? On the contrary it created an era of illegal drinking and fueled an era of near lawlessness in some cities.
So why would anyone think that more gun control would reduce crime one bit?
Perez Hilton Confused on Radio Shack Gun Promotion
Earlier this week we noted that Cnet should stick to reviewing TVs when it reported on the Radio Shack promotion that included a free shotgun with the purchase of Dish Network. Now celebrity gossip watcher Perez Hilton has jumped on the story.
Hilton notes:
“The customers, of course, have to go through an extensive background check before they receive a voucher for a free gun at a local guns and ammo supply store.
“Don’t want a gun? Can’t get a gun? No problem, have a $50 dollar Pizza Hut gift certificate instead.
“Wait, does that mean people have been getting guns that are only worth 50 bucks? How does that work? We figured guns would be a little pricier than that!”
First, kudos for Hilton for actually reporting that potential buyers would have to pass a background check, as many in the media missed this point. But we have to ask, what is so confusing. Of course the guns are worth more than $50, but it is a promotion and if you don’t want a gun, you get the consolation prize… the pizza. Seems simple enough to us.
International Headline Misleading on “Gun Giveaway”
The headline from Stuff.co.nz suggested that guns were being given away, as the head reads, “Car dealership gives away free guns.” In fact, as we previously reported this was merely a Florida auto dealership’s way of drumming up business. If you bought a truck you were given a $400 voucher for a gun, or could even request a check for the same amount.
Book Review: Gun Trader’s Guide: A Complete Fully-Illustrated Guide to Modern Firearms with Current Market Values (Thirty-Second Edition) [Paperback]
Author Stephen D. Carpenteri, former editor of Game & Fish, has provided yet another must-buy book for gun collectors. The Gun Trader’s Guide remains the de facto standard reference guide for gun values. Now in its 32nd edition, the book provides up-to-date information on prices, and comes in a large book suitable for study or causal reference.
The book has listings for handguns, shotguns and rifles, from popular brands such as Remington, Colt, Browning, Winchester and Berretta. The information is concise and easy to read, yet informative enough to aid the experienced as well as novice buyer. The book is well-organized for quick checks of prices and other relevant information. Read more
Who Guards the Guards: Oklahoma City Police Officer’s Gun Stolen
Imagine coming outside and finding that your personal pickup truck was stolen? That wouldn’t be the start of a good day, but it far worse for Lt. Mike Jackson of the Oklahoma City Police Department. It seems Officer Jackson left his gun in the car. Read more
Firearm Permit War Breaks Out Between NM and Utah
The state of New Mexico will no longer accept Utah’s gun permits. New Mexico claims Utah’s training requirements for a permit are inadequate on fail to meet New Mexico’s standards. State Public Safety Secretary John Denko says Utah licenses require significantly less training than New Mexico’s. Utah Shooting Sports Council’s Clark Aposhian claims Utah has the best training in the country. Read more
Gun Registration Debated in Las Vegas
The mainstream media likes to report that gun laws haven’t changed much under the rule of Obama, so why is it we’re actually seeing some new efforts to create restrictions on ownership and registration of firearms? Channel 8′s Las Vegas Now Web site noted that even in Las Vegas there is a growing push from law enforcement to profile gun owners:
“The blue card registration system requires people to register their guns in Nevada. Sheriff Gillespie says the system helps the department solve crimes, including a murder case.”
One resident summed up this system quite well:
“It profiles me as owning a gun and profiles me for confiscation, where other people don’t come under that,” gun owner Charles Musser said. “I think those (police officers) should be on the streets protecting people. They’re not protecting anyone with those blue cards. They are only investigating crime after it happens.”
Well said Charles.
Seatte Area Man Convicted for Wife’s Gun
Luke T. Groves of Bremerton, Wash., will be headed to jail for first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. Groves had turned down a plea deal that would have allowed him to avoid jail time reports Seattle PI. As we previously reported Groves had been previously convicted of breaking into a school in 1990. What is disturbing about this case is that it was actually Groves who had called the police for help. Seattle PI notes:
“Groves called police in late November 2008 after he returned home to find a broken window in his Hewitt Avenue house. He says he told officers that his wife owned a rifle and handgun.”
He now faces 31 to 41 months in prison. He will be sentenced January 29. We wish our best to the Groves family.
Calgary Daily News Questions Gun Laws North of the Border
Are people really safer if they are murdered with a knife instead of being shot by a gun? That’s an interesting question, and one brought up by The Calgary Herald this week. The paper notes that while murder by firearms have fallen since gun registration was put in place, “substitution” has increased, meaning that people are still finding ways to kill or commit suicide. The big question is why this type of common sense reporting is never considered by the American mainstream media?
