Free Republic

More gun laws = fewer deaths, 50-state study says By By LINDSEY TANNER, AP Medical Writer – 14 hours ago CHICAGO (AP) — States with the most gun control laws have the fewest gun-related deaths, according to a study that suggests sheer quantity of measures might make a difference. But the research leaves many questions unanswered and won't settle the debate over how policymakers should respond to recent high-profile acts of gun violence. In the dozen or so states with the most gun control-related laws, far fewer people were shot to death or killed themselves with guns than in the...

The study found that a higher number of firearm laws in a state is associated with a lower rate of firearm fatalities in the state, overall and for suicides and homicides individually. However the study could not determine cause-and-effect relationships because of limitations inherent in the study design. States with more intensive regulation of gun ownership, sales, and storage tended to have lower rates of gun-related fatalities, researchers said. With state-level gun laws from 2007 to 2010 rated on a "legislative strength" scale, states in the top quartile had gun-related fatality rates more than 40% lower than states in the...

An Alabama city is considering an ordinance that would allow law enforcement to disarm citizens who appear to be acting “unruly” during a natural disaster or statewide crisis. Guntersville Mayor Leigh Dollar spoke to local news affiliate ABC 31 about the impetus behind what’s been described as the ‘emergency powers resolution.’ “We are not trying to infringe upon anyone constitutional rights whatsoever. It’s just to protect the workers working out there in a disaster,” Dollar said. In April of 2011, the city was hit by tornadoes causing lawmakers to rethink the way in which power is delegated during a state...

Protesters from across the state of Colorado scaled the steps up to the capitol building in Denver, rallying against the proposed gun control measures legislators will be voting on later this year. It was called the Denver Day of Resistance. An estimated 400 to 500 people made it to the rally, and passers-by showed their support by honking regularly as they drove past the crowd. There was no counter-protest, there was no conflict with the police, just a few hundred people cheering, singing, praying and showing their support for gun rights. It was one “hallelujah” short of preaching to the...

The current push toward gun control is being presented in a particularly dangerous and dishonest manner. It is being framed in terms of mental health and packaged in a way that almost guarantees victory for the advocates of control. The debating point proffered is, “How do we keep guns away from the mentally ill?” Thus far, President Obama’s answer has been vague and administrative enough to avoid the need for Congressional approval. (snip) State-controlled psychiatry is a terrifying weapon, especially when it is used to determine who has rights. Every individual should be able to be eccentric, different, and even...

Parents of a deaf child named Hunter were told by his Nebraska public preschool that they must change his name because he was in violation of the school district’s weapons policy. To sign his name, the three-year-old crosses his index and middle fingers then wags his hands. This sign apparently appeared to school officials to represent a gun. Grand Island Public Schools’ policy section 8470 — Weapons in Schools states: “Students are forbidden to knowingly and voluntarily possess, handle, transmit or use any instrument in school, on school grounds or at school functions that is a firearm, weapon, or looks...

Not a single gun shop can be found in this city. They are outlawed. Handguns were banned in Chicago for decades, too, until 2010, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that was going too far, leading city leaders to settle for restrictions some describe as the closest they could get legally to a ban without a ban. And yet Chicago, a city with bans on both assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, finds itself laboring to stem a flood of gun violence that contributed to more than 500 homicides last year and at least 40 killings already in 2013.

Parents of children killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School appeared before a subcommittee of the Connecticut Legislature on Monday to speak about gun control. While some used the platform to promote stricter firearms legislation, at least one parent became passionate, claiming that there are more than enough laws on the books, that current regulations simply need to be enforced and that the nation needs to embrace personal responsibility. Mark Mattioli, whose six-year-old son James perished inside of the school, testified that a plethora of new gun laws isn’t the answer and that, instead, personal responsibility, accountability and civility are the...

NRA president in Dover: 'We have a special interest' (This Gannett site does not permit excerpts, so here is the link) http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20130121/NEWS/301210040/NRA-president-Dover-We-special-interest-

This is about the spirit of the law, and the letter of the law. Namely, some early thoughts on how to obey the letter of the Cuomo gun ban while simultaneously spitting in the face of the spirit of the law and confounding it at every turn. The first step is realizing what the people behind this law are really after. The claim that it is a response to the attack at Sandy Hook elementary school is, of course, dishonest. This isn’t about protecting children, it is about exploiting them, and their murder, to advance the political agenda of the...

The VCDL just sent out the list of gun bills that have hit the General Assembly. Time to take action. I refuse to be disarmed. You should too. If you want to cower in the corner then by all means do so. Just keep your mouth shut while some of us deal with the threats facing this nation!

Schultz, a frequent NewsBusters reader, took the hint yesterday, and to his credit (audio) -- I made a comment on this program the other day that some righties are taking issue with. Well, let's get into this a little bit. If I'm wrong, then you'll be the first to know on this radio show. ... So we have, as Congress is divided on so many issues, we as a country are divided on what to do about firearms! And I don't purport to you that I have the perfect answer. (pause) And I'm not sure if you do either, but...

Dear Mr. Security Agent, Federal, state, or local. You, the man or woman with the badge, the sworn LEO or FLEA and those who inhabit the many law enforcement niches in between and on all sides. This essay is directed to you, because in the end, how this turmoil about gun control turns out will depend largely upon your decisions and actions over the coming months and years. I sincerely wish that members of Congress—who may soon be voting on new gun control measures—would read this essay, but I realize that’s a pipe dream, considering the impenetrable bubbles around those...

Arnold Schwarzenegger says 'Terminator' and other violent movies shouldn't be blamed for mass shootings Arnold Schwarzenegger may be one of the world's biggest action stars but the former governor of California says violence in films is entertainment and should not be linked to tragic events like the Connecticut school shooting in which 20 children died. The star of films such as 'The Terminator,' 'Predator' and 'True Lies' told a press conference ahead of the opening of his new movie, 'The Last Stand,' that 'one has to keep (the two) separate.' '(This is) entertainment and the other thing is a tragedy...

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy says the city has logged its 500th homicide of the year. McCarthy issued a statement Friday calling the milestone a "tragic number that is reflective of the gang violence and proliferation of illegal guns that have plagued some of our neighborhoods."

By now you've seen the stories about NBC anchor David Gregory breaking Washington D.C. gun laws by brandishing a 30-round magazine during his abrasive interview with NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre last Sunday. From the anchor chair, Gregory pretty much said high capacity magazines should be banned. Now, because the possession of 30-round magazines are illegal in the District of Columbia, Gregory is under investigation by police; as he should be. Not only did he violate D.C. gun laws, but according to D.C. police [who have confirmed multiple times], he knowingly violated the law after being denied the use...

TRENTON — In the wake of the massacre of 20 Connecticut schoolchildren, New Jersey lawmakers are proposing legislation to toughen gun control as well as to ban the state from holding stock in companies that manufacture or sell assault weapons. Assemblyman Joseph Cryan (D-Union) said today he plans to introduce a bill tighten New Jersey’s gun laws, already among the strictest in the country, with a "gun safety campaign." Outlining the first part of the plan, Cryan said the measure would limit the capacity of ammunition magazines from the current maximum of 15 to five. "The Newtown (Conn.) shooter fired...

Banning any or all types of guns means that only criminals will have all the guns. Monumentally stupid idea!! Women with children who go off the deep end over gun control should have their big SUV's confiscated because big SUV's cause more accident injuries because of their size and weight. Tons of laws against rape, child molestation, etc. and we even have public lists of registered sex offenders. All of that and it has done nothing to stop sex offenders from repeating the crimes.

AK-47 found in paroled felon's car after high speed chase Authorities found a loaded AK-47 rifle in the trunk of a car driven by a paroled felon after a high speed pursuit that concluded with a crash and short foot chase. West Covina police attempted to stop a gray Toyota Camry for traffic violations at the Sunset Avenue exit off the 10 Freeway shortly after 10 p.m. Sunday. The driver led police on a chase that reached speeds in excess of 90 mph on city streets, West Covina police spokesman Rudy Lopez said. The suspect vehicle entered the westbound 10...

The liberals are screaming for more gun control. But explain to me why in a state with one of the most stringent gun control laws in the nation the Sandy Hook massacre still happened? Connecticut has strong gun laws that help combat the illegal gun market, prevent the sale of most guns without background checks and reduce risks to children, according to the Brady Campaign. In the organization’s 2009 state scorecards released for all 50 states, Connecticut earned 53 points out of a total of 100 and has the nation’s fourth strongest gun laws. “Connecticut has done more than most...