Posted on 09/21/2006 6:06:19 AM PDT by Grig
KNIVES are no different than guns -- they both are "tools of death," says the mother of stabbing murder victim Andrew Moffitt.
Paulette Moffitt has not failed to notice that knives have been used in two major crimes making headlines this week -- the brutal attempted murder of Karen Parker who was found in Britannia Park and the slaying of Sami El-Ghazal in a parking lot.
"A knife and a gun, the only difference is that the gun makes noise. They both take lives," she said, yesterday during a dedication ceremony of a plaque to honour her son.
The Moffitt family has long advocated on behalf of tougher penalties for knife crimes. They want a 10-year minimum sentence for anyone wielding a knife while committing a violent crime and a 25-year minimum sentence for anyone convicted of murder involving a knife.
MINIMUM SENTENCES
"If a gun would have been used, Andy's killer would still be in jail," she said. "He is out after serving three years of his light five-year sentence."
Andrew Moffitt, 23, was killed on Dec. 23, 1998, while at an Ottawa bar. His killer, Henry Danninger, had gone to the bar with a knife to confront a friend whom he believed had taken his drug stash.
Leeds-Grenville Tory MP Gord Brown will put forward his private member's bill this fall seeking to have mandatory minimum sentences handed down to killers who use knives.
Moffitt said politicians have to start listening to the victims and families of victims.
"We want to be treated the same as victims of guns," she said.
"Our sons deserve the same justice and the penalties should be the same."
The Moffitt family was present at the plaque unveiling held in front of the University of Ottawa's School of Information, Technology and Engineering at 800 King Edward Ave.
The plaque recounted the tragic death, but also the heroics of Moffitt whose death was brought about by his efforts to intervene in a brawl. He was posthumously honoured with the Governor General's Medal of Bravery.
END OF EXAMS
Moffitt was an engineering student at the university. On the night of his death, he was celebrating the end of exams.
"I am just touched so much by it. Every person and student who walks by here will see Andy."
Back in the 90's I worked in a distribution center for a major retailer. They got nutty about "weapons". No one could bring a sharp knife or gun on site. We confiscated all the sharp knives from the lunch room and kept them locked up in the Human Resources office. Employees could check them out for lunch. Then they would return to work where each of them had a box cutter-nuts or what?
to cops, blades are more dangerous than many guns. any cop can put on a vest rated for .44mag, and will still be in danger from the 12 year old kid with an ice pick, who can stab right thru that kevlar.
The problem isn't the implement used in the crime, the problem is the criminal (and the overly lenient "justice" system that coddles them).
This line from the article tells the whole story:
"....Andy's killer would still be in jail," she said. "He is out after serving three years of his light five-year sentence.""
A FIVE-YEAR sentence for someone who has committed murder??? Heck, even "manslaughter"??? And OUT AFTER THREE YEARS??
As the old saying goes, guns don't kill people, people kill people. Society needs to focus on holding people responsible for their actions rather than making excuses for people and trying to ban objects.
I have been forbidden to bring my pocket knife to work from now on starting this year. Someone complained.
Stop joking around. This thread is series.
I use knives in the kitchen every day.
I have never found a use for a handgun in the kitchen, except for using the butt as a meat tenderizer. Probably not the smartest thing anybody has ever done, I'll admit. Alcohol was involved, OK?!?
I had a small pair of scisors on my keychain (made to look like a key too). I had to toss it in the trash when visiting a government building. They could cut paper, but not much else, they weren't even pointy.
"A FIVE-YEAR sentence for someone who has committed murder??? Heck, even "manslaughter"??? And OUT AFTER THREE YEARS??"
Yup, thats our 'justice' system up here. It's going to change before long though.
There was a time in America, in some jurisdictions, when you could carry a pistol but the bowie knife was restricted as a too effective, and brutal weapon.
This woman should focus her attention on truth-in-sentencing legislation and proper prison terms. Knives and guns have nothing to do with it.
~ Blue Jays ~
True, and that's why they get charged with "assault with a deadly weapon" in addition to "felony robbery". But it shouldn't make any difference WHAT the weapon is---gun, knife, or baseball bat. A deadly weapon is a deadly weapon, and it is the USE of such that should be penalized, not a class of hardware.
"Plea bargaining" away the "ADW" charge to get a plea of guilty to robbery (and save the court money to avoid going to trial) is a BIG part of the problem.
Screw drivers.
Baseball bats
pens and pencils.
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