Cdn-Firearms Digest Friday, January 9 2009 Volume 12 : Number 947 In this issue: Border guards find 10 guns hidden in vehicle "Alberta Mounties:...53 murders in 2008, and firearms...in 15" 1,300 trucks from the U.S. - Globe & Mail Police increase gang war tally - The Calgary Herald Fw: Gun seizure at Couuts Border Crossing. U.S.: 6-year-old brings loaded handgun to Calif. school-Google/AP U.S.: NY: Ex-`Sopranos' actor gets 10 years in prison-Yahoo/AP U.S.: Arizona Offers "Try Before You Buy"- The Outdoor Wire Re: 1,300 trucks from the U.S. - Globe & Mail Re: "Brantford Expositor Letter: Most revere spirit of animal..." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, January 9, 2009 11:21 am From: "Breitkreuz, Garry - Assistant 2" Subject: Border guards find 10 guns hidden in vehicle PUBLICATION: Calgary Herald DATE: 2009.01.09 EDITION: Final SECTION: City & Region PAGE: B2 ILLUSTRATION: Photo: Courtesy, Canadian Border Services Agency / These aresome of the 10 semi-automatic handguns and accessories seized by Canadian border officials at Coutts. BYLINE: Jason Van Rassel SOURCE: Calgary Herald WORD COUNT: 227 - ---------------------------------------------------------------- Border guards find 10 guns hidden in vehicle - ---------------------------------------------------------------- Border officers found 10 illegal handguns and 300 rounds of ammunition hidden inside a vehicle trying to re-enter Canada at a southern Alberta crossing. Authorities announced the seizure Thursday, saying it was part of an ongoing investigation involving law agencies in Canada and the United States. "It was a combination of a few things, between the intelligence that was available, plus the intuition of the officers involved," said Bill Axten, the Canada Border Services Agency's acting director for southern Alberta. Agency officers found the contraband --which also included 11 high-capacity ammunition clips--when they searched a vehicle Saturday at the Coutts crossing, 80 kilometres southeast of Lethbridge. "There were panels (inside the vehicle) that had to be removed," Axten said. In the past five years, the agency has intercepted more than 400 firearms at Alberta border crossings. The latest seizure isn't the largest during that time, but the firepower involved means "it ranks up there," Axten said. The vehicle was driven by an Edmonton-area man now facing 45 charges, but investigators don't know where--or who --the weapons were destined for. "At this point, it would only be speculation," said Axten. The investigation initially involved the border agency and the U. S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives. The RCMP's customs and excise section and its national weapons enforcement team are now involved, as well. "To get 10 handguns off the streets of Canada is an excellent seizure," said Sgt. Patrick Webb of the RCMP. Adrian Le Mon Barnes, 30, has been charged with 45 counts, including possession of firearms for the purpose of trafficking and unauthorized importation of firearms. Barnes's next scheduled court appearance is in provincial court in Lethbridge on Jan. 28. jvanrassel@theherald.canwest.com http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/todays-paper/Border+guards+find+guns+hidden+vehicle/1158354/story.html ------------------------------ Date: Fri, January 9, 2009 12:17 pm From: "Breitkreuz, Garry - Assistant 2" Subject: "Alberta Mounties:...53 murders in 2008, and firearms...in 15" Subject: "Alberta Mounties say they investigated 53 murders in 2008, and firearms implicated in 15" PUBLICATION: The Edmonton Sun DATE: 2009.01.09 EDITION: Final SECTION: News PAGE: 2 BYLINE: RICHARD LIEBRECHT, SUN MEDIA WORD COUNT: 214 - ------------------------------------------------------------ Bloodiest year ever Mountie boss can only say 'people are killing more people' - ------------------------------------------------------------ A rocketing homicide rate in rural Alberta made 2008 the bloodiest year ever. There were 53 homicides investigated last year, more than double the 23 slayings of 2007, and slightly more than spikes in 2004 and 2005. It also marks the end of a two-year reprieve, when the number of killings appeared to be dropping. RCMP Alberta spokesman Cpl. Wayne Oakes said there don't seem to be any easy explanations for the rapid rise. "Some might think it glib, but the only thing you can say is people are killing more people," he said. "I cannot put a finger on any reasons ... for an increase." WON'T BLAME ECONOMY He said he doubts those who pass off high crime rates as a consequence of a bustling economy. "I might hesitate on that," he said. "We can never tolerate even one murder." One disturbing trend Oakes acknowledged is a steady rise in the number of slayings involving weapons. In 2005, guns were used to kill 11 people, 22% of that year's total. The same number were stabbed to death. In 2008, 15 people were killed using firearms, 28% of total homicides. Twelve were stabbed. Those percentages didn't dip in 2006 and 2007, when body tallies dropped dramatically. Firearms were used in 12 of 36 homicides, exactly one-third. At the same time, deaths by physical assault declined by half, suggesting more people are picking up weapons in their conflicts. "Even when you look at Edmonton, you do hear of an awful lot of homicides involving firearms," said Oakes. "It's still very much a concern for our policing partners." FORCE DEFENDED But Oakes defended the force's current approach to gun violence. "It doesn't for one moment suggest our efforts have failed .... What would those numbers be, would they be even higher if there was no social and police response?" he said. Opponents of gun laws may, therefore, want to rethink their stance. "We've always used the laws in place to combat firearms," he said. Advances in education and enforcement of laws about proper gun storage and safety training have likely helped prevent an even higher number of deaths, he added. Mounties closed 77% of their homicide cases in 2008. Twelve slayings remain unsolved. http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Alberta/2009/01/09/7966371-sun.html ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:29:30 -0500 From: Lee Jasper Subject: 1,300 trucks from the U.S. - Globe & Mail MacKay announces 1,300 new trucks for Canadian Forces The Canadian Press; January 9, 2009 > http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090109.wtrucks0109/BNStory/National/home?cid=al_gam_mostview CFB VALCARTIER, Que. — The Canadian Forces has awarded a contract to build 1,300 new trucks to Navistar Defence LLC. Defence Minister Peter MacKay made the announcement today at the military base in Valcartier, near Quebec City. The trucks have been outfitted for military purposes and will be used at bases in Canada. Delivery will begin by this summer and all 1,300 will be ready within 18 months. The $274-million it will cost to buy the trucks had already been announced. [Our Sterling truck plant in St Thomas is being shuttered; Navistar in Chatham is cutting back again. How about spending our scarce tax dollars in Canada]. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 12:41:14 -0600 From: "David R.G. Jordan" Subject: Police increase gang war tally - The Calgary Herald Police increase gang war tally http://www.calgaryherald.com/Police+increase+gang+tally/1158351/story.html Image & Caption Police investigate the murder of Mark Kim, Dec. 31, 2007. - - Photograph by: Calgary Herald Archive, Calgary Herald Archive By Jason Van Rassel, Calgary Herald January 9, 2009 11:00 AM The war between two Calgary gangs is responsible for as many as 20 killings since 2002 -- five more than previously thought --the Herald has learned. There are 15 homicides with confirmed links to the violent conflict involving Fresh Off the Boat and the FOB Killers, including a triple shooting on New Year's Day that killed a bystander. Sources told the Herald, however, that police have evidence linking five additional gang-related homicides in 2008 to the feud. Investigators now also consider the double shooting of Kevin Ses and Tina Kong, along with the killings of Kevin Anaya, Tuc Khanh (Tony) Tran and Gurjinder Singh Dhillon, as part of the FOB-FK war. Officials won't disclose specific reasons for linking those cases to the feud, but acknowledge they are among eight 2008 homicides they recently classified as gang-related. Police now consider any killing that is a consequence of gang activity--whether the victim is a gang member or not--as gang-related. The change was made to conform with the definition used by Statistics Canada, but Insp. Guy Slater said the broader definition better depicts the consequences of gang violence. "You can be the innocent bystander, the girlfriend, the family member, the person driving down the street and now be classified as the victim of a gang-related homicide," said Slater. It's a message police have been at great pains to convey following the New Year's shootings, when gunmen killed a bystander, 43-year-old Keni Su'a, outside a southeast Calgary restaurant. The killers also shot FK member Sanjeev Mann, 22,and Aaron Bendle, who was dining with him. Bendle, 22, was not a gang member, but police said his death illustrates how simply being close to a gang member can get someone killed. Police have said that's what happened to Tina Kong, who was shot dead as she sat with friends at a restaurant in Marlborough on Oct. 29, 2008. The 21-year-old nursing student at Bow Valley College was with a group that included Kevin Ses, who was also killed in the attack. Ses, 21, was facing drug charges, and sources said he knew FK member Mark Kim, who was killed in 2007 -- an association that likely made him a target. A friendship with a slain FK figure may also be behind the killing of Tuc Khanh (Tony) Tran, who was shot last July while sitting in a car parked on a Chinatown street July 26. Tran, 36, was a former gang member who received an eight-year manslaughter sentence for the 1995 shooting death of Ryan Davids. During Tran's trial, his friend Vinh Le testified in his defence. Le was an FK associate who was shot outside a downtown after-hours club in December 2002. Another 2008 victim, Kevin Anaya, didn't belong to any gang, but his shooting death in front of a friend's northeast home last August is being investigated as part of the ongoing violence. Anaya, 21, was friends with members of FK, sources said. How Gurjinder Singh Dhillon's stabbing death at the Little Beijing Cafe on June 28 fits into the feud is less clear. Dhillon, 25, was with a friend when a group of men confronted them. Dhillon's friend survived the attack. - --- Five More Victims Of Violent Feud Kevin Anaya, 21, who was shot to death in 2008, was a friend of a gang member. Gurjinder Singh Dhillon died when he was stabbed in a restaurant in 2008. Tina Kong was shot in 2008 as she sat beside a person who knew a gang member. Kevin Ses, killed along with Tina Kong, was said to know a gang member. - Tuc Khanh (Tony) Tran was targeted because he was a friend of a gang associate. jvanrassel@theherald.canwest.com © Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald - -- -- Letters to the editor E-mail: letters@theherald.canwest.com Calgary Herald Address Mail: Calgary Herald, P.O. Box 2400, Station M, Calgary, Alberta T2P 0W8 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 11:52:59 -0700 From: "Med Crotteau" Subject: Fw: Gun seizure at Couuts Border Crossing. - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Med Crotteau" To: Cc: Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 11:52 AM Subject: Gun seizure at Couuts Border Crossing. > Note: Frank Peebles is with a B.C. newspaper. > > NWEST, Canada's Gestapo, were not initially involved. So much for the new > guy's on the Block. > > Your article, states that they were informed, at a later time, and when > they were first dreamed up, we were assured that NWEST would be front > line. HA HA > > RIP JACK GENTLES! Dead after an NWEST Raid, on an Old man! > > SCRAP THE FIREARMS ACT > > Med Crotteau > cc ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:11:01 -0600 From: "David R.G. Jordan" Subject: U.S.: 6-year-old brings loaded handgun to Calif. school-Google/AP 6-year-old brings loaded handgun to Calif.school http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hqHIFi7tNnO2eU-imkcbGdec6O7gD95JLU2G0 4 hours ago VICTORVILLE, Calif. (AP) — A 6-year-old boy brought a loaded handgun to his Southern California elementary school and it wasn't discovered until recess when he was sent to the campus office because of sagging pants. The .45-caliber handgun slipped down the first-grader's pant leg Wednesday while a clerk at the Victorville school was helping him put on a belt. San Bernardino County sheriff's spokeswoman Karen Hunt says the boy took the gun from his father's vehicle. Investigators in the town about 80 miles west of Los Angeles say the weapon was stolen during a November robbery. The boy's father Michael Lewis has now been arrested and booked for investigation of receiving stolen property and possession of a firearm by a felon. The 6-year-old boy, who will be expelled under the school's zero-tolerance weapons policy, has been released to the custody of his mother. Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:26:46 -0600 From: "David R.G. Jordan" Subject: U.S.: NY: Ex-`Sopranos' actor gets 10 years in prison-Yahoo/AP Ex-`Sopranos' actor gets 10 years in prison http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090109/ap_on_en_tv/sopranos_actor_trial;_ylt=At9yICb.ZlA.JxfCVs0sPM1I2ocA Photo & Caption This Feb. 25, 2005 file photo shows 'The Sopranos' actor Lillo Brancato Jr. in New York. Brancato was sentenced Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 to 10 years in prison for his role in a botched burglary in December 2005 that ended in the killing of an off-duty New York police officer. - - (AP Photo/David Greene, File) By COLLEEN LONG, Associated Press Writer Associated Press – 12 mins ago NEW YORK – A former actor on "The Sopranos" was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for a botched burglary in the Bronx in which an accomplice shot and killed an off-duty police officer. A jury acquitted Lillo Brancato Jr. of second-degree murder in the death of the police officer, but convicted him of attempted burglary. He had faced up to 15 years in prison. He pursed his lips and appeared calm as the verdict was pronounced. His relatives wept and one shouted, "We love you, Lillo!" as he was led away in handcuffs. Before sentencing, Brancato, whose drug addiction figured prominently in testimony during the trial in the Bronx, begged the court for mercy. "I'm not talking about redeeming my acting career," he said. "I'm talking about much more than that. I'm talking about being a good son, brother, friend and citizen." But state Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus wasn't swayed. "I cannot ignore the fact that, because of the burglary, a brave young police officer is dead," he said, calling Brancato's drug abuse "a sad story of good fortune and extraordinary opportunity that was wasted and abused." Prosecutors said Brancato and accomplice Steven Armento were looking for drugs when they broke into an apartment next door to the officer's home in December 2005. When Officer Daniel Enchautegui went to investigate, he was gunned down. Authorities said Armento shot the 28-year-old officer with his .357 Magnum, hitting him in the heart. The dying officer fired back, wounding both men. Armento was convicted last year of first-degree murder and is serving a life sentence without parole. The acquittal in the murder case against Brancato outraged the slain officer's family and the union that represents police officers. On Friday, a sea of uniformed officers and detectives packed the courtroom and cheered for Enchautegui's family. The victim's sister, Yolanda Rosa Nazario, told the court that their parents gave up the will to live and eventually died after losing their son. "I lost Danny, my dad and my mom because of two men who wanted to drink and do drugs," she said tearfully. After the sentencing, she said of Brancato: "He'll always be a murderer, no matter what the jury said." Prosecutors had sought the maximum sentence in the attempted burglary conviction. Brancato has already served three years waiting for his trial, for which he will receive credit. His attorney, Joseph Tacopina, said outside court that Brancato would use the time in jail to straighten out his life with the help of his family. Tacopina had sought the minimum 3 1/2 years, and friends and family had written letters on Brancato's behalf. Brancato rose to fame in 1993's "A Bronx Tale," playing a young kid from the neighborhood who is torn between two worlds and two men: a local mobster played by Chazz Palminteri and his straight-and-narrow bus driver father, played by Robert De Niro. Other roles followed, most notably a stint on the second season of HBO's "The Sopranos." His character carried out a series of low-level crimes for the New Jersey mob before being gunned down by Tony Soprano and his sidekick as he tearfully begged for his life. Brancato, 32, and Armento, 48, were drinking together at a strip club before deciding to break into the basement apartment in a hunt for Valium, prosecutors said. Brancato testified that the break-in never happened. He claimed that he had known the owner, a Vietnam veteran, for several years. He also said he had permission to go inside and take painkillers and other pills whenever he felt like it, and didn't know the man had died earlier that year. He also said he was suffering from heroin withdrawal that night. He said the pills were part of a drug problem that began when he was introduced to marijuana on the set of "A Bronx Tale." He later became hooked on crack and heroin. Brancato tried to deflect suggestions by the prosecution that his testimony — at times punctuated by vignettes about his drug-crazed downfall — was another acting job. Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Inc. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 13:53:09 -0600 From: "David R.G. Jordan" Subject: U.S.: Arizona Offers "Try Before You Buy"- The Outdoor Wire The Outdoor Wire for Thursday, January 8 Contact: editor@theoutdoorwire.com The Outdoor Wire Archives http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/archives.html To Subscribe: http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/ Arizona Offers "Try Before You Buy" Image & Caption Apprentice Hunting offers a no-cost way to try hunting. PHOENIX - The Arizona Game and Fish Department is now offering a new "Apprentice Hunting License," at no charge, to encourage existing hunters to become mentors and introduce a friend, neighbor, relative, or co-worker to the traditions and importance of hunting. The Apprentice License allows an already licensed hunter to take a beginner on an actual hunt-without the beginner having to buy a hunting license. The Apprentice License is free for residents and non-residents and is valid for two consecutive days for the take of small game, fur-bearing, predatory and non-game mammals, non-game birds, and upland game birds. (To take migratory birds or waterfowl, the appropriate stamps are required at normal costs). The license is not valid for the take of big game. Many people express an interest in hunting but are deterred either because of not knowing how to get started or the initial expense. The Apprentice Hunting License removes the initial cost barrier of having to buy a license (which costs between $26.50 and $151.25, depending on age and residency), so that newcomers can "try before they buy." "This will allow a seasoned hunter to take someone new under their wing and teach them the basics about hunting, firearm safety, and wildlife conservation without cost prohibitive burdens," said Chairman Bill McLean of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission. "There are many states with this type of license, and it has become a model for removing barriers in the national effort to increase hunter participation." The Apprentice Hunting License is only available at Arizona Game and Fish Department offices. The mentor must be at least 18 years old and possess a valid hunting license and is limited to two Apprentice Hunting Licenses per calendar year. The license must be made out to the name of the apprentice, with the mentor's name associated with the license. The apprentice can only receive one license per calendar year. The mentor is required to be with the apprentice at all times while in the field, providing instruction and supervision on safe and ethical hunting. "This is a great opportunity to help preserve and expand Arizona's hunting heritage and wildlife management through the next generation," said Craig McMullen, Hunter Heritage Work Group team leader for the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "Not only will this allow someone new to experience the thrill of the hunt, this also allows mentors to teach others about wildlife conservation and the important role that hunters, as conservationists play, in the management of all wildlife." "Outside of getting new hunters in the field, safety is our number one concern. Hunting in Arizona is very safe, and we have one of the lowest accident rates in the United States," said Dave Williams, hunter education coordinator of the Arizona Game and Fish Department. "A good mentor will instill the basics of wearing hunter orange and how to safely handle a firearm through T.A.B.+1: - - Treat every firearm as if it were loaded; - - Always keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction; - - Be sure of your target and beyond; - - and keep your finger outside of the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot. Nearly every hunting-related accident can be avoided by following these simple principles" However, with the added flexibility comes added responsibility. Mentors need to set a good example to these impressionable new comers. Mentors should consider the following guidelines: Focus on the experience not the harvest Obey all laws Keep your apprentices physical limits in mind Be informative Teach field dressing and cooking Take pictures Plan a follow-up outing Seasoned hunters can start the New Year giving. By introducing someone new to hunting, you are giving the gift of the American hunting heritage. Quail season runs until February 8, 2009, cottontail rabbit season runs all year long and the both make excellent quarry (as well as, great table fare) for new hunters. A 2009 hunting license is required beginning January 1, 2009. Visit the Arizona Game and Fish Department self-paced online hunter education course to learn more about hunting safely, hunting ethically, the history of hunting, wildlife management success stories, firearm safety, and more at: www.hunter-ed.com/az ©2009 The Outdoor Wire. All Rights Reserved. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 14:54:02 -0500 From: "mred" Subject: Re: 1,300 trucks from the U.S. - Globe & Mail - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lee Jasper" To: "Canadian Firearms Digest" Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 1:29 PM Subject: 1,300 trucks from the U.S. - Globe & Mail > MacKay announces 1,300 new trucks for Canadian Forces > > The Canadian Press; January 9, 2009 > >> http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090109.wtrucks0109/BNStory/National/home?cid=al_gam_mostview > > CFB VALCARTIER, Que. — The Canadian Forces has awarded a contract to > build 1,300 new trucks to Navistar Defence LLC. > > Defence Minister Peter MacKay made the announcement today at the > military base in Valcartier, near Quebec City. > > The trucks have been outfitted for military purposes and will be used at > bases in Canada. > > Delivery will begin by this summer and all 1,300 will be ready within 18 > months. > > The $274-million it will cost to buy the trucks had already been > announced. > > > [Our Sterling truck plant in St Thomas is being shuttered; Navistar in > Chatham is cutting back again. How about spending our scarce tax dollars > in Canada]. OOOOOOOoooooh DO I DETECT A NOTE OF SARCASM HERE ?? WELL DONE ~!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They already get 8.5+ billion $ in transfer payments ? Now they get all the G-contracts as well? ed/on ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 14:57:05 -0500 From: "mred" Subject: Re: "Brantford Expositor Letter: Most revere spirit of animal..." - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Breitkreuz, Garry - Assistant 2" To: "Breitkreuz, Garry - Assistant 1" Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 12:13 PM Subject: "Brantford Expositor Letter: Most revere spirit of animal..." > Subject: "Brantford Expositor Letter: Most revere spirit of animal killed > hunting" > > PUBLICATION: The Brantford Expositor > DATE: 2009.01.09 > EDITION: Final > SECTION: Editorial/Opinion > PAGE: A4 > COLUMN: Letters to the Editor > WORD COUNT: 74 > > ------------------------------------------------------------- > > Most revere spirit of animal killed hunting > > ------------------------------------------------------------- > > Travis Croome's vitriolic tirade against hunters and hunting is nothing > more than blind ignorance and bigotry. Hunters don't "enjoy killing" -- > they derive enjoyment from interacting with, and becoming a part of, the > natural world. They enjoy the camaraderie and teamwork of fellow hunters. > And, yes, they get satisfaction from the skill it takes to make a clean > kill. > > Most hunters I know revere the spirit of the animal they take, as well as > the knowledge that our efforts mean that there will be plenty of animals > for future hunts. And don't think for a minute that animals don't know > they are being hunted. They have much better eyesight, hearing and smell > than we do, and probably hear and smell us coming a mile away. > > I sure hope that Travis is a card-carrying member of PETA, and a > full-blown vegan (no eggs, no milk), and doesn't wear or use any leather > products, or animal-tested ones. Otherwise he is a hypocrite, as well as a > hand-wringing blowhard. > > Bruce N. Mills Hamilton > > http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1379675 > You forgot antibiotics ,and makeup as well (wonder if he uses Maybelline ?),as animals are used to test them . ed/on ------------------------------ End of Cdn-Firearms Digest V12 #947 *********************************** Submissions: mailto:cdn-firearms-digest@scorpion.bogend.ca Mailing List Commands: mailto:majordomo@scorpion.bogend.ca Moderator's e-mail address: mailto:drg.jordan@sasktel.net List owner: mailto:owner-cdn-firearms@scorpion.bogend.ca FAQ list: http://www.canfirearms/Skeeter/Faq/cfd-faq1.html Web Site: http://www.canfirearms.ca CFDigest Archives: http://www.canfirearms.ca/archives To unsubscribe from _all_ the lists, put the next four lines in a message and mailto:majordomo@scorpion.bogend.ca unsubscribe cdn-firearms-digest unsubscribe cdn-firearms-chat unsubscribe cdn-firearms end (To subscribe, use "subscribe" instead of "unsubscribe".)