Daily update August 14

California: Officials plan crackdown on illegal gun transfers
San Diego Union-Tribune

"Gun owners beware: law enforcement officials want Los Angeles gun users to know that they can be arrested for giving or selling a gun to someone without a legal background check, especially if the gun turns up at a crime scene. Officials announced Thursday that state and local law enforcement agencies are teaming up to launch a crackdown on illegal gun exchanges. The effort will begin as a pilot program in two high-crime areas of Los Angeles, around the Los Angeles Police Department's 77th Street station in South Los Angeles, and around the Devonshire station in Northridge. Anyone who purchases a gun in those areas will now receive a warning letter from City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo's office reminding them that giving the gun to anyone else without submitting a "dealer record of sale" form is illegal." [Editor's note: Eh? The high crime areas are around the police stations? ROFL-MLS] (08/11/05)

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20050811-1803-cnsguns.html

-----

Kansas: Law enforcement agencies join forces to fight gun crime
Wichita Eagle

"Four law enforcement agencies are joining forces to target Kansans who illegally possess or use firearms, U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren announced Friday.The group of investigators will be based in Wichita, Melgren said, but will prosecute offenders in 67 counties in south-central and western Kansas. .... While the group contains a mix of federal, state and local officers, persons caught by the task force will be prosecuted in federal court, Melgren said. Federal penalties for firearm violations generally are stiffer than those set by state and local laws." (08/12/05)

http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/12369431.htm

-----

Michigan: Tip line enlisted to fight illegal guns
Grand Rapids Press

"Silent Observer is promoting its tip line -- 774-2345 -- as an anonymous way of reporting illegal firearms and felons in possession of guns. "Those who live in neighborhoods don't want to be out on the front street as the informer," said Charles Gross, first assistant U.S. attorney. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan, Grand Rapids Police and Silent Observer were to hold a joint press conference today to announce the anti-gun violence initiative that includes the Silent Observer program." (08/12/05)

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-24/1123858052126770.xml&coll=6

-----

Ohio: Vietnam veteran forced to register gun he keeps as reminder of service
Buckeye Firearms News
By staff

"The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that just four people registered their guns on the first day of registration under the city's new Mentel Ban. One of the four is a man who fought for the very freedom the City of Columbus is now trying to steal away. .... There aren't words enough to describe the sad irony that occurred when Mr. Rakes registered his rifle. Men like him have fought for our country time and again to prevent the theft of freedom that is now pressing down on the citizens of Columbus." (08/12/05)

http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2654

-----


Canada: Gun charges bring support for N.W.T. man
Canada Broadcast Company

"A gun lobby group is coming to the support of an Inuvik man charged with improper storage of a firearm. The charge stems from an incident during a search for a missing man. Last January, RCMP showed up at Willard Hagen's cabin looking for Gordon Moore. Instead, they seized 14 of Hagen's guns. Although RCMP have been instructed to use their discretion in cases like this, the officer charged Hagen with improper shortage of his guns. The charge was laid even though the cabin is remote, about 100 kilometres northeast of Inuvik. .... The federal Firearms Act says guns may be stored out in the open and unlocked in remote areas where hunting might reasonably occur. Hagen's cabin is only accessible by float plane and is used mostly by hunters." (08/12/05)

http://north.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=gun-seizure-court12082005

-----