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Gun control! For or against?
- Ready, aim, fire! Get your point across.
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- NON-PAID ASSIGNMENT
- FORMAT:
- ENDS: 10/21/2008 10:00 PM
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Gun scare prank
A husband sets off firecrackers as his wife is handling his gun.
While I can find this is amusing, this just makes me scared of being an American.
Git-r-done! A husband sets off firecrackers as his wife is handling his gun. ... more -
Disney Employees cant take Guns to Work
The controversial new law says people can take their guns to work if they keep them locked away in their cars, but Disney says it's exempt and its 62,000 employees had better keep their guns at home.
Central Florida's largest employer says it's exempt because the park has fireworks on its property. The NRA and Disney have a different take on the exemption in the law and it may end up in court. In the meantime, Disney isn't taking any chances. It sent an email to all of its workers telling them not to bring guns to work.
NOW why would anyone need a gun to work (exception of cops of course)! The controversial new law says people can take their guns to work if they keep them locked away in their cars, but Disney says it's ex... more -
Lock and Load Some Common Sense
The Second Amendment is one example of the Constitution getting it - if not wrong - at least too vague. Rather than interminable arguments over the issue, it's time for both sides to cool their jets and shoot for common sense solutions. The Second Amendment is one example of the Constitution getting it - if not wrong - at least too vague. Rather than interminable argum... more
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Half of US gun deaths are suicides
55% of gun related deaths are suicides, a person is more likely to kill themself then to kill others around them.
By AP/MIKE STOBBE
(ATLANTA) — The Supreme Court's landmark ruling on gun ownership last week focused on citizens' ability to defend themselves from intruders in their homes. But research shows that surprisingly often, gun owners use the weapons on themselves.
Suicides accounted for 55% of the nation's nearly 31,000 firearm deaths in 2005, the most recent year for which statistics are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There was nothing unique about that year — gun-related suicides have outnumbered firearm homicides and accidents for 20 of the last 25 years. In 2005, homicides accounted for 40% of gun deaths. Accidents accounted for 3 percent. The remaining 2% included legal killings, such as when police do the shooting, and cases that involve undetermined intent.
Public-health researchers have concluded that in homes where guns are present, the likelihood that someone in the home will die from suicide or homicide is much greater.
Studies have also shown that homes in which a suicide occurred were three to five times more likely to have a gun present than households that did not experience a suicide, even after accounting for other risk factors.
End of Excerpt
Full Article at Time Magazine's web page, link below
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1819165,...
Poster Script: I believe this furthers the fact that guns are dangerous. 55% of gun related deaths are suicides, a person is more likely to kill themself then to kill others around them. ... more -
NRA targets San Francisco gun ban
Targeting San Francisco, the National Rifle Association is attempting to overturn the city's gun ban. The move was prompted by a recent Supreme Court decision not to grant Washington DC a handgun ban.
"The National Rifle Association sued the city of San Francisco on Friday to overturn its ban on handguns in public housing, a day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a handgun ban in the nation's capital.
The legal action follows a similar lawsuit against the city of Chicago over its handgun ban, filed within hours of Thursday's high court ruling.
In San Francisco, the NRA was joined by the Washington state-based Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and a gun owner who lives in the city's Valencia Gardens housing project.
The gun owner, who is gay, says he keeps the weapon to defend himself from "sexual orientation hate crimes." He was not identified in the complaint because he said he fears retaliation.
Mayor Gavin Newsom said the city will "vigorously fight the NRA" and defended the ban as good for public safety.
"Is there anyone out there who really believes that we need more guns in public housing?" Newsom said. "I can't for the life of me sit back and roll over on this. We will absolutely defend the rights of the housing authority."
San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera said that the Supreme Court ruling didn't address gun bans on government property and that he is "confident that our local gun control measures are on sound legal footing and will survive legal challenges"."
By Paul Elias and Associated Press staff Targeting San Francisco, the National Rifle Association is attempting to overturn the city's gun ban. The move was prompted by a rece... more -
Guns in the USA
'Gun rights' activists have won a controversial ruling in the US supreme court, which overturned a previous handgun ban in Washington DC.
The controversy surrounds the interpretation of the second amendment to the United States Constitution, which states: "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed."
The motion was passed after the court ruled for the first time that "the Constitution confers an individual right to gun ownership", and critically that this right goes, "beyond providing for "a well regulated Militia", as the amendment states."
Part of the voting majority (which won on a narrow margin of 5-4), 'arch-conservative' Justice Antonin Scalia, wrote, however that the ruling "is not a right to keep and carry any weapon whatsoever in any manner whatsoever and for whatever purpose." While this may superficially appear to be detrimental to gun restriction movements, Dennis Henigan, a vice-president at the Brady Centre to Prevent Gun Violence, believes that the ruling indicated that "regulation of guns ... is entirely permissible." and that "The ruling gives a constitutional green light to a wide range of gun restrictions.".
The importance of the ruling however, is not simply a case of gun control, but specifically of the banning of guns, and it is the failure of the court to endorse this specifically that worries some; with Richard Daley, mayor of Chicago, calling the ruling "a very frightening decision".
Other senior figures, such as Justice John Paul Stevens of the voting minority, criticised the majority for "its expansive reading of the amendment's "ambiguous" text." The wording of the amendment is obviously outdated: the days of Militias in the US are obviously over; the term being a relic of the time when such armaments were commonplace.
By ignoring the significance of the "Militia" part of the amendment, the Court has made it a "constitutional right to own and use firearms for private purposes". The logical progression from the apparent choice to interpret the second part of the amendment separately is to pose the obvious question: if part of the amendment can be ignored, why not all of it?
Responses from those in the know about American politics would be welcome.
'Gun rights' activists have won a controversial ruling in the US supreme court, which overturned a previous handgun ban in Washington ... more -
Supreme Court clings to guns and Constitution
For the first time in history, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a definitive ruling on the right of Americans to own guns. A five-to-four majority of the court ruled that individual citizens have the right to own firearms, and in the process it struck down a 32-year-old ban on handguns in the nation's capital, Washington, D.C. VOA National Correspondent Jim Malone has more on the high court's landmark ruling from Washington.
Writing for the five-member court majority, Justice Antonin Scalia said the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution does protect the rights of individuals to own firearms for personal use.
Legal scholars have long debated whether the Second Amendment guaranteed the right of individuals to possess firearms, or if it merely applied to state militias.
Attorney Alan Gura says the high court's historic ruling makes it clear that individuals do have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Gura represented a Washington, D.C. resident who wanted the city's 32-year-old ban on handguns struck down.
"People do have an individual right to keep and bear arms, that is very important to remember. That means that the government cannot ban handguns, it cannot regulate guns out of existence. We feel today is a fantastic day for liberty once again," Gura said.
Gura represented security guard Dick Heller. Heller lives in a high-crime section of Washington and challenged the city's handgun ban so he could defend himself.
Among those welcoming the high court's decision was President Bush. The White House issued a statement saying the president strongly agrees with the court's majority opinion.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain also praised the decision as a landmark victory for freedom in the United States.
Democratic candidate Barack Obama issued a statement that said the court decision will provide guidance to local communities trying to balance the rights of gun owners with the need to protect citizens in high crime areas of the country.
Gun control advocates were disappointed but not surprised by the Supreme Court ruling. 'We are obviously disappointed and disagree with the majority opinion. This takes off the idea that you can have a near total ban on guns, especially guns for self-defense,' said Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence. But Helmke noted that in his majority opinion, Justice Scalia said that although the court recognizes an individual right to bear arms, that right is not unlimited.
In his opinion, Scalia said the ruling should not be used to cast doubt on existing gun control laws that keep guns out of the hands of convicted criminals and the mentally ill, and prevent weapons from being carried into schools and government buildings.
The high court last took up the issue of the Second Amendment and gun ownership in 1939, but legal scholars say the court at that time did not directly settle the question of whether individual citizens have a right to bear arms.
For the first time in history, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a definitive ruling on the right of Americans to own guns. A five-to-... more -
Supreme Court rules in favor of gun ownership rights - Yahoo! News
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Americans have a constitutional right to keep guns in their homes for self-defense, the justices' first major pronouncement on gun control in U.S. history. The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Americans have a constitutional right to keep guns in their homes for self-defense, the justices... more
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US supreme court overturns Washington gun ban
The US supreme court today overturned an anti-gun law considered the strictest in the nation, affirming that Americans have a right to own firearms for self-defence in its first ever ruling on the issue.
In a narrow 5-4 decision, the judges struck down the 32-year-old gun ban in the city of Washington, passed to fight urban crime, as incompatible with the second amendment of the Constitution.
"Whatever the reason, handguns are the most popular weapon chosen by Americans for self-defence in the home, and a complete prohibition of their use is invalid," the conservative Justice Antonin Scalia said, writing for the majority.
The ruling could persuade rightwing groups to mount similar challenges to local gun bans across the US, although the judges carefully defended the need for firearm bans in schools and public buildings.
The gun case sent shock waves through the presidential campaign, as John McCain attacked Democratic rival Barack Obama for deeming the Washington gun ban constitutionally correct in February.
McCain also revived Obama's comment earlier this year that small-town Americans desperately cling to guns in times of economic hardship.
"Unlike the elitist view that believes Americans cling to guns out of bitterness, today's ruling recognises that gun ownership is a fundamental right -- sacred, just as the right to free speech and assembly," McCain said.
The US supreme court today overturned an anti-gun law considered the strictest in the nation, affirming that Americans have a right to... more -
High court strikes down gun ban
The Constitution does not permit “the absolute prohibition of handguns held and used for self-defense in the home.”
From Justice Scalia’s Decision
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Washington D.C.'s sweeping ban on handguns is unconstitutional.
The justices voted 5-4 against the ban with Justice Antonin Scalia writing the opinion for the majority.
At issue in District of Columbia v. Heller was whether the city's ban violated the Second Amendment right to "keep and bear arms" by preventing individuals -- as opposed to state militias -- from having guns in their homes.
District of Columbia officials argued they had the responsibility to impose "reasonable" weapons restrictions to reduce violent crime, but several Washingtonians challenged the 32-year-old law. Some said they had been constant victims of crimes and needed guns for protection.
In March, two women went before the justices with starkly different opinions on the handgun ban.
Shelly Parker told the court she is a single woman who has been threatened by drug dealers in her Washington neighborhood.
Don't Miss
"In the event that someone does get in my home, I would have no defense, except maybe throw my paper towels at them," she said, explaining she told police she had an alarm, bars on her windows and a dog.
End Excerpt
Full Article at CNN The Constitution does not permit “the absolute prohibition of handguns held and used for self-defense in the home.” ... more -
Blasting Holes in the Constitution!
Stephen interviews the Brady Campaign for Gun Control in part 3 of his 35,000 part series Better Know a Lobby
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Grandma heartbroken after toddler grandaughter shoots herself in Sam's Club Store
A 4-year-old girl shot herself in the chest Monday after snatching her grandmother's handgun from the woman's purse while riding in a shopping cart at a Sam's Club store, authorities said.
A witness, Lueen Homewood, said store workers grabbed first-aid materials off store shelves to help the grandmother as she cradled the wounded child near the store's pharmacy, The (Columbia) State newspaper reported on its Web site.
The girl was rushed to a hospital in critical condition and was recovering Monday afternoon after surgery, said police department spokesman Brick Lewis. Hospital officials would not release her condition after the operation.
Lewis said the grandmother, Donna Hutto Williamson, has a permit to carry a concealed weapon and the purse containing the small-caliber handgun was in the cart near the child. The 47-year-old Williamson, of Salley, was not immediately charged with a crime.
Williamson, a South Carolina magistrate, was distraught after the shooting, her mother-in-law said.
"The grandmother is just beating herself up," said Inease Williamson, 68. "She is just so upset. Everyone is upset."
Officials said the shooting, which was captured on store surveillance cameras, appeared to be accidental. Lewis said police would not release the video.
The store was closed while police investigated the shooting. It reopened Monday afternoon.
"Everyone at Sam's Club is deeply saddened by today's tragedy," Tara Stewart, state spokeswoman for Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the little girl and her family."
Concealed weapons permit holders in South Carolina are not allowed to carry weapons into buildings that prohibit it, or into government buildings, schools and daycare facilities, among other places.
The Sam's Club store does not have a sign prohibiting guns inside.
Credit: KATRINA A. GOGGINS – 4 hours ago
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How this could have been prevented? Why did the grandmother leave the gun near the child in the first place? This is truly a tragic accident, I cannot imagine the grief at this time. My prayers and well wishes go out to the family and the little girl. A 4-year-old girl shot herself in the chest Monday after snatching her grandmother's handgun from the woman's purse while riding in a ... more -
Gun Control
"Gun Control is an important issue that goes far beyong the firearms themselves. The issue is about freedom, liberty and preventing disarming the victims.
Learn the truth about gun control. Who controls the guns and why do they want to? Whose guns are controlled and whose arent?"
By YouTube user ST0PandL00K "Gun Control is an important issue that goes far beyong the firearms themselves. The issue is about freedom, liberty and preventing di... more -
With gas at $4-plus, some catch the bus and others miss the point entirely
With pump prices acting as strong a deterrent, Americans are putting the breaks on their driving habits. DOT Federal Highway Administration mileage figures released earlier this month show, "the sharpest yearly drop for any month in FHWA history."
Estimated vehicle miles on public roads in March 2008 fell 4.3% when compared to the same month last year, with Americans driving 11 billion fewer miles in total. It was the first time that March driving figure had declined since 1979.
With gas prices like daylight robbery, commuters are choosing to skip the pump and run –– to the nearest bus stop. The American Public Transportation Association reports that last year ridership reached levels not seen in 50 years, with 10.3 billion bus, trolley and train trips taken in 2007. Furthermore, they report that a staggering 35% of summer travelers say they are likely to use public transit to save on driving costs when visiting other cities.
All this is good news for the environment, but extremely bad news for car makers. New car sales dropped by 7 % in April; the seasonally adjusted sales total of 14.4 million vehicles was the worst in 13 years.
With car sales plummeting, car dealers are resorting to desperate measures to move vehicles. One Butler, MO dealer is offering a choice of $250 in gas or a free semi-automatic handgun with purchase. We're not sure why the handgun needs to be semi-automatic (how many people do Missouri drivers need to shoot in one go?), but so far it's by far the preferred option, with 80% of customers opting for a coupon which they can exchange for a gun once they've passed the require background check.
"It's a choice –– protection or gas," said Walter Moore of Max Motors. "We got high gas prices, theft, carjackings, innocent people getting hurt."
We could be wrong, but it seems like Walter’s customers aren’t the Prius-buying type. It's attitudes like these that make Walter's namesake Michael Moore so proud –– of Canadians. We're figuring Walter skipped Michael's anti-firearm flick Bowling for Columbine when it came out in theaters, but would like to think he might catch up with it on DVD since it notoriously features a bank which offered a similar bonus for new customers. Ultimately, the film showed that guns are about as bad for people as fossil fuels are for the planet. Again, we could be wrong, but we thought the end-game was to get rid of both.
http://www.dailymantra.com
With pump prices acting as strong a deterrent, Americans are putting the breaks on their driving habits. DOT Federal Highway Administr... more -
7-year-old shoots mom
"A 7-year-old girl accidentally shot her sleeping mother twice in a South Florida neighborhood, but the woman is expected to recover. Authorities said the 38-year-old woman was asleep in her bedroom Friday when her daughter walked over to a nightstand and picked up a handgun. Authorities said it accidentally fired". "A 7-year-old girl accidentally shot her sleeping mother twice in a South Florida neighborhood, but the woman is expected to recover. ... more
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McCain calls for gun holiday
"Senator John McCain today called for a three month "Gun Holiday," during which gun control laws nationwide would not be enforced.
"With the economy tanking and the country involved in an undeclared war, I felt it was time to do something to spur the sales of gun manufacturers, who have been hurt by this recession as much as anyone else," said McCain. "So for three months, we should lift the ban on assault weapons, cease all background checks, allow peoples of every age to carry a concealed firearm, and release from prison anyone convicted of using a gun in the commission of a crime."
The three month "Gun Holiday" would follow McCain's "Gas Tax Holiday" and "Call Girl Holiday."
"People love holidays," said McCain, "When I'm president, I'll declare a holiday for every issue that confronts us -- no matter how serious. There's nothing Americans can't celebrate if they put their minds to it"."
--TheRepublicant.org "Senator John McCain today called for a three month "Gun Holiday," during which gun control laws nationwide would not be enforced. ... more -
Car dealer offers free gun with vehicle purchase
This is a good promotion for the Second Amendment.
A Missouri car dealership is offering new vehicle buyers the choice of a free gun or $250, MSNBC reports.
"To help spur sales," says MSNBC's Dara Brown, the western Missouri dealer made the offer of a gift certificate for a free handgun, or money for gas.
"The town's police chief," Brown adds, "says the promotion is perfectly legal."
This video is from MSNBC, broadcast 21 May 2008. This is a good promotion for the Second Amendment. ... more -
UCSB: Student Profile: Travis Wong
Travis Wong has competed in hundreds of martial arts tournaments and can count his losses on a single hand. Between taking classes as a Dramatic Arts major at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and teaching gymnastics to the cheerleaders, Travis still manages to get in time to practice.
In this interview, Travis talks about his upbringing in a martial arts family and how it has affected it outlook on life.
This is a work in progress-- any feedback would be very helpful. Travis Wong has competed in hundreds of martial arts tournaments and can count his losses on a single hand. Between taking classes as ... more
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