A letter of mine published

May 31, 2011 in LTTE. Closed

~~~

A letter of mine that is making the rounds of various newspapers:

~~~

Harper has vowed to rid Canada of gun law

Re:

I would like to remind readers, and our newly elected representatives, of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s actual promise to law-abiding Canadian gun owners:

“I was and still am in total agreement with the statement made in the House of Commons by former Reform Leader Preston Manning on 13 June 1995:

“Bill C-68, if passed into law will not be a good law. It will be a blight on the legislative record of the government, a law that fails the three great tests of constitutionality, of effectiveness and of democratic consent to f the governed. What should be the fate of a bad a law? It should be repealed …”

Bill C-68 (The Firearms Act) has proven to be a bad law and has created a bureaucratic nightmare for both gun owners and the government. As leader of the Official Opposition, I will use all powers afforded to me as leader and continue our party’s fight to repeal Bill C-68 and replace it with a firearms control system that is cost effective and respects the rights of Canadians to own and use firearms responsibly.” — Stephen Harper, January 2002

Responsible and respectable law-abiding gun owners will not rest until every vestige of this onerous and draconian law is obliterated into oblivion.

Bruce Mills

Hamilton

Ancaster Gun Show

April 11, 2011 in Tid-Bits and Quotes. Closed

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Got to go to the Ancaster Gun Show on Sunday. It was nice to see so many gun nuts all together at the same place. Lots of vendors, some nice pieces for sale. I enjoyed talking to different people about the politics of gun control. A good time was had by all.

Inside The Minds Of The Gun Haters

March 21, 2011 in Anti-Gun, Tid-Bits and Quotes. Closed

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This document came to me by way of the Canadian Firearms Digest mailing list. It illustrates just what does (and what doesn’t) motivate the gun haters…

http://gallanteisen.incnf.org/Massacring-Norm-of-Armed-Citizenry_Apr_2011.PDF

“Massacring the Norm of an Armed Citizenry”

by Paul Gallant, Alan Chwick, and Joanne D. Eisen

Gun-prohibitionists know that the shock value of firearm-related mass murders can be used to their advantage. According to anti-gun Australian public health professor, Simon Chapman, sensational mass murders committed with firearms, like the recent Arizona shootings, can be “critically important to possible advances in gun control policies….” Chapman continued: “There is a great deal of advocacy that must take place before, immediately after and then well into the critical post-massacre period to ensure that community and political grief, outrage and anger translate into policy and law reform.”

In his 1998 book, Over Our Dead Bodies, Chapman laid out his ghoulish recipe for advancing civilian disarmament. And he was brazen enough to admit that we American gun-owners might view these exploitive attempts to capitalize on such events as a “vulture-like attitude to human tragedy, with advocates waiting patiently for…gun massacres so they might climb aboard community outrage and opportunistically capitalise on the misfortune of others.”

Add to this little tid-bit this quote from Josh Sugarmann’s book “Assault Weapons and Accessories in America, 1988”; Josh was the head honcho of the Violence Policy Center and is still a big shot in gun hater circles:

“Assault weapons — just like armor-piercing bullets, machine guns, and plastic firearms — are a new topic. The weapons’ menacing looks, coupled with the public’s confusion over fully automatic machine guns versus semi-automatic assault weapons — anything that looks like a machine gun is assumed to be a machine gun — can only increase the chance of public support for restrictions on these weapons. In addition, few people can envision a practical use for these weapons.”

A “study” titled Exploring the Links: Firearms, Family Violence and Animal Abuse in Rural Communities, funded by the Canadian Firearms Center (and reported on in my “RCMP Evaluation” postings) has this to say:

http://www.crvawc.ca/documents/Exploring the Links Firearms, Family Violence and Animal Abu.pdf

Conclusion

The research findings help us to understand better the ways in which firearms may and do serve as instruments of control, intimidation and abuse in family violence situations. They show that the normalization of firearms in rural homes in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island has lead to the minimization of firearms misuse generally, including desensitization to firearms abuse in instances where women, children and pets/farm animals are the victims.

This is what the Auditor General had to say in her 2002 Annual Report about the attitudes of some of the participants that designed the Firearms Registry from the start:

http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/domino/reports.nsf/html/20021210ce.html

“…excessive regulation had occurred because some of its Program partners believed that the use of firearms is in itself a “questionable activity” that required strong controls.”. This seems to be the belief that even the mere desire to own firearms is somehow aberrant behaviour that must be eradicated.

These are just a few examples of what makes gun haters tick, and the deceitful tactics they will use to force their anti-gun agenda on everyone else. They aren’t interested in rational debate; they have no intention of stopping until all guns are eradicated from private citizens.

Toronto Gun Crime Roundup!

March 20, 2011 in Gun Crime Roundup. Closed

~~~

Hey, Chief Blair! How is that “Project Safe City” working out for you?

Harassed any honest gun owners lately?

Tell me, Bully-boy – just what did your much-vaunted Firearms Act do to prevent or solve these crimes?

~~~

Major News Reports & News Releases

Friday, March 11, 2011

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5286&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Robbery – 14 Division

A 42 year old male reports that on March 10, 2011 at approximately 1400 hours, he was in the area of Queen Street West and Tecumseth Street when he was approached by a male suspect. The suspect produced a firearm, removed the victim’s wallet from his person, and fled the scene in an unknown direction. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, white, 25-29 years, 5’3”-5’5”, 119-141 pounds, thin build, brown eyes, brown hair.

9898/82010/00:24

Robbery (Mugging) – 13 Division

An 18 year old male reports that on March 10, 2011 at approximately 2118 hours, he was walking in the area of Earlscourt Avenue and Boon Avenue when he was approached from behind by two male suspects, one wearing a disguise. One of the suspects produced a handgun and made a demand for his property. The victim complied. Both suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1-2: Male, black, 5’10”, 161 pounds, thin build.

9928/82010/01:07

Discharge Firearm – 52 Division

On March 11, 2011 at approximately 0136 hours, police attended a bar in the area of Richmond Street West and Spadina Avenue, regarding sounds of gunshots. Once on scene, several witnesses report that at approximately 0120 hours, they observed two groups of males in the premises. Two of the males started pushing and arguing with each other. One suspect produced a handgun and discharged approximately seven shots into the air. The suspect along with members of each group then fled the scene, some in a black BMW and the others in a black Lexus. No injuries were sustained. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, black, 20-28 years, 6’-6’4”, 234-240 pounds, heavy build.

90074/88625/09:26

Saturday, March 12, 2011

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5287&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Robbery (Mugging) – 32 Division

An 18 year old female reports that on March 12, 2011 at approximately 2100 hours, she was in the area of Ranee Avenue and Allen Road when two male suspects exited a vehicle and approached her. One of the suspects made a demand for the victim’s phone. The victim refused. The suspect produced a handgun, pointed it at the victim and removed her cell phone from her person. The suspects fled the scene towards the vehicle on Ranee Avenue. Minor injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, black, 25 – 28 years, 6’0”, muscular build, bald or shaved head. Suspect #2: Male, black. NO FURTHER DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE.

10124 / 88642/05:24

Robbery (Mugging) – 52 Division

An 18 year old male reports that on March 11, 2011 at approximately 2345 hours, he was in the area of Front Street West and York Street when he was approached by two male suspects. One suspect produced a handgun and both suspects made a demand for the victim’s cellular phone. The victim complied and the suspects fled the scene towards Bay Street. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, black, 19-21 years, 5’10”, 161-169 pounds, thin build, black hair in a brush cut. Suspect #2: Male, black, 19-21 years, 5’10”, 180-189 pounds, medium build, back hair in a brush cut.

6201/88625/14:30

Arrest – 41 Division

John Williamson, 43
Omar Ahmed, 21

Charge(s): March 10, 2011 – Unauthorized Presence of a Firearm in a Motor Vehicle (jointly), Possession of a Restricted Firearm with Ammunition (jointly), Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm (jointly), Careless Storage of a Firearm (jointly), Possession of Ammunition for a Dangerous Purpose (Jointly), Careless Storage of an Ammunition (jointly), Possession of Firearm Contrary to Prohibition Order (2 counts – Williamson only), Possession of Ammunition Contrary to Prohibition Order (2 counts – Williamson only), Possession of Proceeds of Crime (Ahmed only), Possession of Cocaine (jointly), Possession for the Purpose of Cocaine
(Jointly), Fail to Comply with Probation (3 counts – Williamson), Fail to Comply with Probation (1 count – Ahmed).

Arrested and Investigated by Members of Traffic Services.

On March 20, 2011 at approximately 1155 hours, Members of the Transit Control-Traffic Services had reason to investigate two male suspects in a motor vehicle at Victoria Park Subway Station parking lot. At this time, one of the suspects was found to be in possession of a firearm, and subsequently arrested WILLIAMSON and AHMED. At the time of the arrest, loaded firearm, drug paraphernalia, a quantity of cocaine and cash were located. Further investigation revealed that the suspects were unauthorized to possess firearms and different firearms prohibitions. It was also revealed that they failed to comply with conditions of their probations (WILLIAMSON – 3 counts, AHMED – 1 count). Charged accordingly. Investigation continuing.

9909/86481/17:24

Sunday, March 13, 2011

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5288&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Robbery (Swarming) – 32 Division

Two 19 year old males report that on March 12, 2011 at approximately 2345 hours, they were in the area of Neptune Drive and Bathurst Street when they were approached by three male suspects, wearing disguises. One suspect brandished a handgun and made a demand for a jacket belonging to one of the victims. The victim complied. The suspects then removed a cellular phone and a quantity of cash from the victims. The suspects fled the scene eastbound on Neptune Drive. No injuries were sustained by the victims. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, black, 6’-6’1”, 161-165 pounds, muscular build. Suspect #2: Male, black, 5’6”-5’7”, 141-150 pounds, thin build. Suspect #3: Male, 5’9”-5’10”, 161 pounds.

6681/88625/10:28

Monday, March 14, 2011

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5289&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Robbery (Mugging) – 31 Division

A 25 year old male reports that on March 13, 2011 at approximately 2330 hours, he was in the area of Jane Street and Shoreham Drive when he was approached from behind by two male suspects. One of the suspects produced a handgun and pointed it at the victim, while the second suspect removed the victim’s cigarettes and wallet containing his ID and cash from his person. The suspects then fled the scene eastbound on Jane Street towards Shoreham Drive. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, Asian, 21 to 23 years, 5’11” to 6’0”, 169 to 180 pounds, medium build. Suspect # 2: Male, Asian, 21 to 23 years, 5’8” to 5’10”, 161 to 169 pounds, medium build.

10622 / 88642/05:07

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/pdfs/20646.pdf

Man faces seven charges in firearm investigation,
.45 calibre mini Glock hangun seized

Broadcast time: 11:08
Monday, March 14, 2011

TAVIS
416−808−0140

On Saturday, March 12, 2011, members of the TAVIS Rapid Response Team and the TPS Mounted Unit were on patrol in the Entertainment District.

It is alleged that:
− police investigated a man outside a nightclub near 214 Adelaide Street West,
− police located a .45 calibre mini Glock handgun on the accused.

Michael Junior Browne, 26, of Toronto, has been charged with:
1) Carry Concealed Weapon,
2) Unauthorized Possession of a Weapon,
3) Possession of a Restricted Firearm Knowing Its Possession is Unauthorized,
4) Possession of a Weapon Obtained by the Commission of an Offence,
5) Possession of a Firearm Contrary to a Prohibition Order,
6) Fail To Comply − Probation,
7) Assault with Intent to Resist Arrest.

The accused was scheduled to appear in court at Old City Hall, on Saturday, March 12, 2011, room 103, at 10 a.m.

The Toronto Anti−Violence Intervention Strategy (TAVIS) is a Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services provincially funded initiative dedicated to creating and maintaining sustainable, safe neighbourhoods. TAVIS initiatives are operating in all of the 17 Toronto police Divisions and are supported by every unit in the Service.

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/pdfs/20652.pdf

Man faces 10 charges in firearm and drug investigation,
.22 calibre semi−automatic handgun and ammunition seized

Broadcast time: 11:16
Monday, March 14, 2011

12 Division
416−808−1200

On Sunday, March 13, 2011, at 3:45 a.m., members of 12 Division’s Major Crime Unit, with the assistance of the Emergency Task Force, executed a search warrant in the Jane Street/Woolner Avenue area.

It is alleged that:
− police seized a loaded .22 calibre semi−automatic handgun with 12 rounds of ammunition,
− police also seized a quantity of ecstasy and marijuana.

Kevon Jones, 22, of Toronto has been charged with:
1) Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized,
2) Possession of a restricted firearm with ammunition,
3) Firearm careless storage,
4) Careless Storage Ammunition,
5) Possession of firearm obtained by the commission of an offence,
6) Possession Property obtained by Crime,
7) Unauthorized possession of a prohibited device,
8) Unauthorized possession of a prohibited device,
9) Possession of Controlled Substance,
10) Possession of Marijuana.

He was scheduled to appear in court at Old City Hall, on Sunday, March 13, 2011, room 101, at 10 a.m

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5291&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Robbery (Taxi) – 43 Division

A 49 year old male employee of Able Atlantic Taxi, reports that on March 15, 2011 at approximately 0100 hours, he picked up a male fare at the Kennedy subway station and was instructed to drive to the area of Scarborough Golf Club Road and Lawrence Avenue East. Once at this location the male made a request to sit in the front seat. Once in the front seat the suspect produced a handgun and made a demand for cash. The victim complied. The suspect hit the victim in the face and searched his pocket and removed his cell phone and wallet. The suspect fled the scene in an unknown direction. The victim sustained minor injuries and will seek his own medical attention. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, white, 25-30 years, 5’10”, 161-165 pounds, thin build, black hair.

10177/87947/05:28

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5292&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0

Robbery (Taxi) – 54 Division

A 45 year old male employee of Crown Taxi reports that on March 16, 2011 at approximately 0300 hours, he was flagged down by two male fares at Pape Avenue and Queen Street East. The victim drove the suspects to Woodycrest Avenue and at that time the suspects ordered the victim to stop. One of the suspects grabbed the victim from behind and the other suspect produced a handgun and held it towards the victim’s head. This same suspect made a demand for cash, the GPS unit and his cellular phone. The victim complied. The suspects fled the scene in an unknown direction. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, 19-22 years, 5’6” to 5’8”. Suspect #2: Male, black, NO FURTHER DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE.

9054/89286/07:13

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/pdfs/20663.pdf

Man face 14 charges in firearm investigation,
.38 calibre Smith and Wesson revolver seized

Broadcast time: 13:35
Wednesday, March 16, 2011

14 Division
416−808−1400

On Tuesday, March 15, 2011, officers from 14 Division’s Major Crime Unit arrested a man in connection with a firearm investigation.

It is alleged that:
− the accused was in possession of a .38 calibre Smith and Wesson revolver, 50 rounds of ammunition and a quantity of marijuana and crack cocaine.

Landon Williams, 19, of Toronto, has been charged with:

1) Possession of a prohibited firearm with ammunition,
2) Possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized,
3) Unauthorized possession of a firearm,
4) Possession of firearm obtained by the commission of an offence,
5) Carry Concealed Weapon,
6) four counts of Fail to comply Recognizance,
7) Possession for the Purpose Marijuana,
8) Possession of Marijuana,
9) Possession for the Purpose Cocaine,
10) Possession of Cocaine,
11) Possession of Proceeds of Crime.

He was scheduled to be appear in court at Old City Hall, on Wednesday, March 16, 2011, room 101, at 10 a.m.

RCMP CFP Evaluation – Part 6.8

March 16, 2011 in Anti-Gun, RCMP, Studies. Closed

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The final installment on this section of “Recommendations”.

As always, you can read along at:

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/pd-dp/eval/index-eng.htm

~~~

– 44 –

Recommendation 12:

That the CFP further analyzes domestic violence issues involving firearms. That, simultaneously, the RCMP as an organization develops further police protocols for domestic violence calls during instances involving firearms, and that they consider encouraging other police services, which have not yet done so, to adopt this approach.

Well, if firearms really are involved with that particular instance of domestic violence, then yes, they should be impounded. I don’t think any reputable gun owner would disagree. But all too often such claims are made by a vindictive soon to be ex-spouse, who just wants to make trouble for her partner.

It seems to me like they are trying to “trump up” more fallacious reasons in order to remove guns “from circulation”. As pointed out above, 45% of spousal homicides are committed with something other than a gun, and that alcohol and a history of violence far outweigh the presence of guns in the home:

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/1104216

Combined with alcohol, the risk factor increases. Seventy-five per cent of the perpetrators had a serious drug or alcohol problem. That compares to 42 per cent in Ontario.

An overwhelming factor was a history of violence, which Doherty defined as not just physical, but emotional or sexual as well. Ninety per cent of the cases appeared to have a history of violence – though it wasn’t clear in court documents, she said.

Management Supports Recommendation (Yes or No)

Management supports the recommendation.

Current Status

The CFP is conducting research and analysis with respect to domestic violence and firearms. CCAPS is responsible for developing national policy with respect to domestic violence.

Responsible

SIPMS

Planned Action

As outlined in the “Planned Action” for recommendation #10 of this MAP; ” the CFP will continue to work with CCAPS on policy development” by providing subject matter resources.

Diary Date: December 31, 2010

There should be a corollory to the “Follow the money” aphorism: “Follow the bullshit”. 7 “Recommendations” from one “Finding”. It seems to me that all this is nothing more than an exercise in justifying further incursions upon our rights, by “manufacturing” a problem that just does not exist.

A sample size of 283 abused women, of which only 71 admitted to having guns in the home – a meager number, to be sure.

A study which refers to other studies done by the same author, who is on the payroll of an anti-gun and anti-male group, paid for by the anti-gun establishment at the CFC, which shows a need for more restrictions on gun owners – why am I not surprised?

Out of the total male population, how many are actually abusers? How many of them are gun owners? What are the real numbers here? I bet they will never say, since those kinds of numbers don’t work in their favour…

Toronto Gun Crime Roundup!

March 15, 2011 in Gun Crime Roundup. Closed

~~~

Hey, Chief Blair! How is that “Project Safe City” working out for you?

Harassed any honest gun owners lately?

Tell me, Bully-boy – just what did your much-vaunted Firearms Act do to prevent or solve these crimes?

~~~

Major News Reports & News Releases

Friday, March 4, 2011

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5271

Robbery (Financial Institution) – 43 Division

Two females, ages 31 and 59 years old, tellers for Meridian Credit Union, 1501 Ellesmere Road, report that on March 3, 2011 at approximately 1809 hours, a male suspect armed with a firearm entered the premises. The suspect made a demand for cash and the victims complied. The suspect then fled the scene westbound on Ellesmere Road. No injuries were sustained by the victims. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, black, 25 – 30 years, 5’11” – 6’, 189 – 209 pounds, black hair, brown eyes, medium build.

10226/87931/00:21

Saturday, March 5, 2011

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5272

Robbery (Swarming) – 41 Division

A 16 year old male reports that on March 4, 2011 at approximately 1930 hours, he was in the area of Victoria Park Avenue and Finch Avenue East when he was approached by four male suspects. One suspect produced a handgun while a second suspect brandished a knife and made a demand for the victim’s cellular phone and cash. The victim complied and the suspects fled the scene, in a vehicle, in an unknown direction. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect #1: Male, black, 20-25 years, 5’8”-6’, thin build. Suspect #2: Male, 5’8”-6’. Suspect #3: Male, 5’7”-5’8”. Suspect #4: Male. NO FURTHER DESCRIPTION AVAILABLE.

99864/88625/02:31

Sunday, March 6, 2011

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5273

Robbery (Mugging) – 14 Division

A 47 year old female reports that on March 5, 2011 at approximately 21:26 hours she was in the area of Westmoreland Avenue and Southview Avenue, when she was approached by two male suspects wearing disguises. At that time one suspect produced a handgun and made a demand for the victim’s purse. A brief struggle ensued and both suspects fled the scene southbound on Southview Avenue with the victim’s purse. No injured were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described persons in connection with this offence. Description of Suspects #1 and #2: Male, black, 5’6” – 5’8”, 180 pounds, heavy build.

90302/82154/00:04

Monday, March 7, 2011

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=5275

Robbery (Mugging) – 51 Division

A 40 year old male reports that on March 6, 2011 at approximately 0355 hours, he was in the area of Gloucester Road and Church Street, when a male suspect, wearing a disguise, approached him. The suspect pushed the victim and made a demand for his cellular telephone and wallet. The victim refused. The suspect then produced a handgun and pushed the victim. A struggle ensued. The suspect fled the scene empty-handed on Church Street. No injuries were sustained by the victim. Police are requesting the assistance of the public in identifying the following described person in connection with this offence. Description of Suspect: Male, black, 30 to 35 years, 5’1”.

10468/88378/01:08

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/pdfs/20626.pdf

Man and woman face 14 charges in firearms investigation,
Sawed−off shotgun and ammunition seized

Broadcast time: 09:24
Tuesday, March 8, 2011

51 Division
416−808−5100

On Thursday, March 2, 2011, at about 1 p.m., members of 51 Division Plainclothes with the assistance of TAVIS (Toronto Anti Violence Intervention Strategy) and the Emergency Task Force, executed a Criminal Code search warrant in the Kipling Avenue/Rexdale Boulevard area.

It is alleged that:
− during the search warrant a sawed−off shotgun and 15 rounds of ammunition were seized.

Justin Brown, 26, of Toronto has been charged with:
1) Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition
2) Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
3) Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
4) Careless Storage of a Firearm
5) Careless Storage of Ammunition
6) Possession of a Firearm with Serial Number Altered
7) Possession of a Prohibited Weapon Obtained by the Commission of an Offence

Rachel Morrison, 19, of Toronto has been charged with:
1) Possession of a Prohibited Firearm with Ammunition
2) Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized
3) Unauthorized Possession of a Firearm
4) Careless Storage of a Firearm
5) Careless Storage of Ammunition
6) Possession of a Firearm with Serial Number Altered
7) Possession of a Prohibited Weapon Obtained by the Commission of an Offence

Both accused appeared at College Park Courts on Thursday, March 3, 2011, 501 at 10 a.m.

Another Country Heard From…

March 9, 2011 in Good News!, International. Closed

~~~

This time, Windy Wendy had a direct hand in setting this system up – on *our* dime!

~~~

Gun control costs astronomical

Published: 2011/02/28 07:12:51 AM

The letter from Charl van Wyk, Arm the law abiding (February 25) refers. Mr van Wyk quotes Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa : “We could never equate a cost to human lives when it comes to fighting crime. The ministry, in its endeavours of ensuring proper control of firearms in this country, is not informed by how much that would cost…”

My gut feel is that the minister is preparing the nation for a shock.

My suspicion is that the minister knows exactly how much the Firearms Control Act (FCA) has cost — and the costs of “ensuring” what is laughably described as “proper control” of firearms in SA have been astronomical. Tell the people of SA how much this act has cost them, Mr Minister!

In Canada, audits found that the blueprint for the FCA cost more than 2bn to implement. Original cost estimates for the long- gun registry had been 2m . In 2004 — when the largest part of the FCA was promulgated — the police budget stood at R22,7bn. By last year it had increased to R52,6bn.

Business Day covered Justice Minister Jeff Radebe ’s news conference in Cape Town last weekend extensively. The 2009-10 annual report of the South African Police Service (SAPS) reveals there were 18786 robberies at residential premises and 5458 arrests; 13902 car hijackings and 2352 arrests; and 14534 robberies at business premises with 3342 arrests.

“Trio crimes” are armed robberies at homes and businesses and car hijackings — violent crime.

Mr Radebe revealed that only 276 such cases had been finalised in the past year, and only 239 resulted in convictions.

When the media asked Mr Mthethwa how it was possible that only 239 convictions were obtained from tens of thousands of reported cases, the minister said the statistics showed “inroads are being made” through working tougher and smarter. Meanwhile, ordinary working people have to hire an attorney to complete a gun licence application form. Hundreds of thousands more have been disarmed by this government’s unconstitutional gun-control regime.

The FCA cannot be implemented and administered by the police. The country just cannot afford it. Every rand poured into the Central Firearms Register is a rand diverted away from the poor, from effective policing, from replacing lost keys to holding cells, fixing toilets in police stations, putting band-aids on damaged infrastructure.

The results speak for themselves. What kind of morality is disarming hundreds of thousands of elderly gun owners without compensation, using fraud and intimidation, when the government gets convictions in less than 1% of violent crime?

Brett Nortje

Roodepoort

Another “Gun Control” Success Story…

March 9, 2011 in Good News!, International. Closed

Such is the case for *all* such attempts at “citizen control” – not only will it *never* work, it wastes valuable police resources tracking exactly the wrong group of people…

Police admit WA gun licence system is a shambles

Nicole Cox, Police Reporter
From: The Sunday Times
March 05, 2011 6:00PM

WA Police has lost track of thousands of guns and admitted its firearms licensing system is a shambles.

It means that many weapons, including high-powered rifles and pistols, are now held by unlicensed owners in the community and police do not have an automated database to trace who keeps them and pinpoint where they are.

In a major embarrassment, the computer system failure has compromised WA’s stringent firearms laws, which require that anyone in possession of a gun must be licensed.

Police don’t believe community safety has been compromised but many unlicensed gun owners may have changed address, making it harder for officers to find them and check their firearms have not entered the black market.

After inquiries this week by The Sunday Times, police admitted the firearms infringement registry, which alerts police to unpaid gun licence renewals, was deactivated in mid-2008 because of technical issues.

Since then, police have been unable to proactively follow up on lapsed licences to recover unlicensed arms or issue fines.

While WA Police could not officially confirm how many gun licences were overdue or had expired, police sources said the numbers were likely to run into thousands.

In WA, there are more than 80,000 firearms licence holders, who own about 360,000 guns.

Licensing Enforcement Division assistant director Trudi Angwin said police were undertaking a six-month $635,000 “stabilisation project” of the firearms registry to resurrect the database. But a “significant number” of overdue and expired licences remained outstanding.

“We haven’t had a system that is automatically triggering police to go and knock on doors and ask if people have got these firearms and why haven’t they renewed,” Ms Angwin said.

“This would normally be an automatic process that trips us to that action. That’s not in place. We estimate that the total number of both overdue and expired firearm licences is significant, however, until the system is rectified firm numbers cannot be supplied.

“It’s significant in numbers, but we are not expecting it to be significant in terms of proportion because a very, very overwhelming majority of people have renewed. These are people who have essentially lapsed in renewing their licence. These are not people who have unlawfully acquired a firearm.”

Ms Angwin said the breakdown was limited to the tracking of unpaid licence renewals and the system that sent out renewal notices worked correctly.

“The Government has been made aware and together we’ve been working on creating long-term solutions and managing any risks,” she said.

Under the Firearms Act, people own a gun must hold a valid licence. If anyone does not renew their licence, they must surrender their gun or face a fine. Licences that have lapsed up to 12 months are deemed overdue and those not paid for more than a year are expired.

The system rebuild is due to be finished next month. Then the deactivated infringement registry will be switched on.

The admission comes 18 months after a review by Auditor General Colin Murphy found WA Police was not adequately monitoring the possession, use and dealing of firearms in the community.

Opposition police spokeswoman Margaret Quirk said: “The dangers associated with having unlicensed firearms on our streets are so obvious that even Police Minister Rob Johnson could understand.”

Mr Johnson said police “have assured me that they are working hard to reactivate the firearms infringement register, which will occur once they have completed the firearms registry stabilisation project”.

Ms Angwin reminded gun-owners it was their responsibility to ensure firearms were licensed.She said an amnesty exists should people want to hand in firearms to a police station to avoid prosecution. More information is available through The police firearms hotline is 1300171011.

Police admit WA gun licence system is a shambles

Nicole Cox, Police Reporter
From: The Sunday Times
March 05, 2011 6:00PM
147 comments

NO RECORD: WA police admit that thousands of guns are in the community without record due to a faulty licensing system. Source: PerthNow

NO RECORD: WA police admit that thousands of guns are in the community without record. Source: PerthNow

WA Police has lost track of thousands of guns and admitted its firearms licensing system is a shambles.

In a major embarrassment, the computer system failure has compromised WA’s stringent firearms laws, which require that anyone in possession of a gun must be licensed.

After inquiries this week by

The Sunday Times, police admitted the firearms infringement registry, which alerts police to unpaid gun licence renewals, was deactivated in mid-2008 because of technical issues.