Cdn-Firearms Digest Friday, February 27 2009 Volume 13 : Number 084 In this issue: Obama to Seek New Assault Weapons Ban Edmonton Sun - Mayor admits knife ban unrealistic, ... Edmonton Sun - Letters - Feb 25/09 Vancouver Sun - Surrey RCMP seize guns, forged credit cards Globe and Mail - Letter - National stapler registry? Belleville Intelligencer - Leter-Gangsters don't follow gun bans MSNBC - Queens Gun Buy-Back Nets 1K Firearms AM1150 - Kiefer Sutherland narrates TV documentary gun trade Edmonton Sun - F-bomb expected in info report Edmonton Sun - Letters - Feb 26/09 RE: Coyote attacks prompt city to take action Ottawa Sun - Shop owner beats gun-toting bandit Toronto Sun - Store owner shot in robbery Winnipeg Sun - Bullets shot at campground Open and Accountable? ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 12:43:53 -0600 From: Joe Gingrich Subject: Obama to Seek New Assault Weapons Ban http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=6960824&page=1 Obama to Seek New Assault Weapons Ban By JASON RYAN WASHINGTON, Feb. 25, 2009 The Obama administration will seek to reinstate the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 during the Bush administration, Attorney General Eric Holder said today. "As President Obama indicated during the campaign, there are just a few gun-related changes that we would like to make, and among them would be to reinstitute the ban on the sale of assault weapons," Holder told reporters. Holder said that putting the ban back in place would not only be a positive move by the United States, it would help cut down on the flow of guns going across the border into Mexico, which is struggling with heavy violence among drug cartels along the border. "I think that will have a positive impact in Mexico, at a minimum." Holder said at a news conference on the arrest of more than 700 people in a drug enforcement crackdown on Mexican drug cartels operating in the U.S. Mexican government officials have complained that the availability of sophisticated guns from the United States have emboldened drug traffickers to fight over access routes into the U.S. A State Department travel warning issued Feb. 20, 2009, reflected government concerns about the violence. "Some recent Mexican army and police confrontations with drug cartels have resembled small-unit combat, with cartels employing automatic weapons and grenades," the warning said. "Large firefights have taken place in many towns and cities across Mexico, but most recently in northern Mexico, including Tijuana, Chihuahua City and Ciudad Juarez." At the news conference today, Holder described his discussions with his Mexican counterpart about the recent spike in violence. "I met yesterday with Attorney General Medina Mora of Mexico, and we discussed the unprecedented levels of violence his country is facing because of their enforcement efforts," he said. Holder declined to offer any time frame for the reimplementation of the assault weapons ban, however. "It's something, as I said, that the president talked about during the campaign," he said. "There are obviously a number of things that are -- that have been taking up a substantial amount of his time, and so, I'm not sure exactly what the sequencing will be." ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:22:47 -0800 (PST) From: Bruce Mills Subject: Edmonton Sun - Mayor admits knife ban unrealistic, ... http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2009/02/26/8536331-sun.html 'Maybe I overreacted' Mayor admits knife ban unrealistic, eyes other avenues to curb attacks By FRANK LANDRY, CITY HALL BUREAU Thu, February 26, 2009 Mayor Stephen Mandel says Edmontonians need to be educated about the dangers of knives, but now admits any sort of sales ban is likely not practical. He's calling for a public education campaign as part of his highly publicized push to clamp down on the use of blades, which he called an epidemic. Mandel suggested the city could also look at ideas like requiring bars to install metal detectors, toughening up bylaws and encouraging more police enforcement. "We can't just go home and bury our heads and say it's never going to happen to us because it (knife attacks) could happen to us," Mandel said yesterday. "We'll do things that are legal and feasible and try to stretch things as far as possible." Mandel asked city administration for a report on a potential bylaw change that would "facilitate control of knives." The formal inquiry also requested information on what can be done provincially or federally. As well, Mandel asked about a potential "communication strategy to make all Edmontonians aware of the threat from knives and what role they can play." Mandel told reporters the media campaign could be similar to the ongoing "Fight Violence" promotion he and police Chief Mike Boyd launched in 2007. The campaign includes a series of public service announcements which direct people to a website. The mayor conceded that outlawing the sale of knives - something he had previously suggested - is not possible. "There's going to be limitations to what we can ban," he said. "Maybe I overreacted, you know, ban knives wasn't what I really meant in total. We can't ban the use of knives." Coun. Kim Krushell said she's not convinced Mandel's inquiries will help solve anything. "I understand what the mayor is trying to get at. It is an issue that we have, that people are killing with knives," she said. "But I'm not quite sure what information we're going to get back that's going to solve that issue." Mike McGuire, co-owner of Rising Sun Martial Arts Supply, said despite Mandel's reassurances, he's worried this will eventually lead to a ban on some types of knives. He said that would affect his business because blade-defence skills are a part of some martial-arts training. "I believe it's a totally misplaced agenda," he said. "It's one of those feel-good things to pacify the public at large." Mandel first floated the idea of regulations on the sale of dangerous knives last weekend after an innocent city man was stabbed to death. The man - identified as Brendan Malcolm McNaughton, 21 - was attacked early Saturday by a group of men, all of whom had been patrons at a west-end bar. He was stabbed and left for dead behind a strip mall near 182 Street and 89 Avenue. FRANK.LANDRY@SUNMEDIA.CA ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 11:27:13 -0800 (PST) From: Bruce Mills Subject: Edmonton Sun - Letters - Feb 25/09 http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/Letters/2009/02/25/8520476-sun.html As a survivor of an attempted random stabbing, I saw exactly what I can expect from the police on the front page of Sunday's paper the next time it happens. They will show up to take pictures of my body after the fact. The knee-jerk response to this tragedy by our brilliant mayor is to curb knife sales. Yeah, that ought to work. Wake up! Criminals are afraid of people who can protect themselves. Let citizens have the right to protect themselves with side arms, batons or pepper spray. John P. Witham (This isn't Texas!) The lunacy has just begun. Baseball bats will be outlawed next. Soon we'll have to eat only hamburger and other meats we can cut with our forks. What about tools like screwdrivers and saws? Are they next on Mayor Stephen Mandel's list? Maybe he should have us all wrap ourselves in bubble wrap so no one can get hurt. Peggy Leslie (Many think Mandel's a bubblehead on this issue.) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:04:42 -0800 (PST) From: Bruce Mills Subject: Vancouver Sun - Surrey RCMP seize guns, forged credit cards http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Surrey+RCMP+seize+guns+forged+credit+cards/1328715/story.html Surrey RCMP seize guns, forged credit cards By Kim Bolan, Vancouver Sun February 25, 2009 http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/www.vancouversun.com/news/surrey+rcmp+seize+guns+forged+credit+cards/1328715/1328717.bin?size=620x400 Weapons found at a house near 94 Avenue and 124A Street in Surrey. Photograph by: .., Surrey RCMP METRO VANCOUVER -- Surrey RCMP seized two semi-automatic pistols and a shotgun in house last week with a number of forged credit cards, Sgt. Roger Morrow said Wednesday. Morrow said while gun crimes publicity has most often been linked to the drug trade across Metro Vancouver, the guns found at the house near 94 Avenue and 124A Street are indications other criminals are well-armed too. Morrow said a tip in January led police to investigate the unlawful possession of firearms in an Newton area home. "Upon execution of the search warrant on the 19th of February, police located and seized two semi-automatic pistols; a 9 mm and a .45-calibre as well as two spare pistol barrels and a shotgun," Morrow said. "These were found along with ammunition in two bedrooms. Also located in the search of the residence was a quantity of controlled substances and a number of forged credit cards police believe were being used to fraudulently obtain merchandise such as electronics which in turn would be sold for profit." Two brothers - Fushpinder Singh Brar, 24, and Gurpinder Singh Brar, 21 - are now facing a series of gun charges. Morrow said the police investigation is continuing and more charged could be laid. The seizures comes as Surrey RCMP is starting a 19-person unit targeting illegal guns on the streets. The Gun Enforcement Unit - or GET - will be fully operational next week, Morrow said. It will be taking officers from other areas where crime has been reduced - like auto theft - and have them redeployed to search for firearms. Morrow said almost an illegal gun a day on average was seized by police throughout 2008. That included 222 long-barrel shotguns or rifles taken by police, as well as 102 handguns, he said. kbolan@vancouversun.com ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:08:31 -0800 (PST) From: Bruce Mills Subject: Globe and Mail - Letter - National stapler registry? http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090226.COLETTS26-2/TPStory/Opinion/letters National stapler registry? KEVIN HANNA February 26, 2009 Waterloo, Ont. -- With the RCMP's view on staplers (Mounties Regarded Stapler As A Weapon - Feb. 25), does this mean that in order to buy one, Canadians will soon have to take a two-day course on stapler safety, pass an exam on stapler handling, obtain a stapler possession permit with photo identification, present the permit every time we want to buy staples or a stapler, and register all our staplers with a billion-dollar registry somewhere in Atlantic Canada? This will no doubt be followed by registries for hole punches, paperclips, tape dispensers and any other office equipment the Mounties deem to be threatening. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:53:36 -0800 (PST) From: Bruce Mills Subject: Belleville Intelligencer - Leter-Gangsters don't follow gun bans http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1446771 Gangsters don't follow any gun bans Posted 3 days ago I am tired of hearing mindless, unfactual information posted in regards to firearms in this country. Legal firearms owners have been under fire across the country for the illegal actions of gangsters and drug dealers. If all sports were judged on illegal actions of others, then baseball and golf would have been banned a long time ago. The answer to the growing illegal firearms in our country is not a ban. A ban only punishes those who obey the law. Gangsters haven't followed any laws yet, why should they start with this one? If someone feels so strongly that Canada should be free of guns, then I encourage you to post a sign on your front door stating "Gun Free Home". The criminals will surely leave you alone then right? Mike Varley Trenton ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 13:59:13 -0800 (PST) From: Bruce Mills Subject: MSNBC - Queens Gun Buy-Back Nets 1K Firearms http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29371969/ Queens Gun Buy-Back Nets 1K Firearms updated 12:17 p.m. ET, Thurs., Feb. 26, 2009 New York City officials say 919 guns were collected during a one-day buy-back program at six Queens churches. The program paid $200 to anyone who turned in a gun. A pellet or BB gun was worth $20. The officials say they paid a total of $158,880. The weekend buy-back results were announced Tuesday by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly and Queens District Attorney Richard Brown. Since last summer, similar programs in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Staten Island _ plus the Queens effort _ have netted more than 3,500 guns. More than half of them are handguns. The goal is to reduce crime and tragic accidents. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:19:15 -0800 (PST) From: Bruce Mills Subject: AM1150 - Kiefer Sutherland narrates TV documentary gun trade http://www.am1150.ca/news/55/883321 Kiefer Sutherland narrates TV documentary about international gun trade By: Bill Brioux, THE CANADIAN PRESS When Shelley Saywell was planning her documentary about guns, the authoritative voice of Kiefer Sutherland - TV's freedom-fighting vigilante, Jack Bauer - kept resonating in her head. "I kept hearing Kiefer's voice for some reason," says the Toronto-born filmmaker. The "24" star was in Africa last summer shooting "24: Redemption," the two-hour TV movie that aired in November, when he was contacted by Saywell to narrate "Running Guns: A Journey Into the Small Arms Trade." The 70-minute documentary airs Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET on History Television. The Emmy-winning filmmaker's previous documentaries have included "Crimes of Honour," "Kim's Story: The Road From Vietnam" and "A Child's Century of War," which was short-listed for an Academy Award. Saywell often uses her own voice to narrate her films, which lately have taken place in the world's deadliest war zones. "It's hard to write in the third person when you've been to these places," she says. Because "Running Guns" was more of an investigative piece, however, she felt she needed a "weightier" voice. Sutherland - whose series, "24," is sometimes accused of running up body counts as it dramatizes international terrorism - was closer to Saywell's story and more in tune with her cause than she even knew. The actor was on location in Africa, shooting scenes dealing with an out-of-control gun culture and exploitation of child soldiers. Although the demands on his time are intense (Sutherland is also an executive producer on the series), he agreed to narrate the project if it could be arranged over the phone. "I've never done that before, but he was such a busy guy and it took weeks to get him," says Saywell. "He has a big heart." Sutherland's narration throws out some shocking statistics: there is one gun for every 10 people on earth; eight million small arms are manufactured yearly; and every year enough bullets are made to kill every human twice. Saywell has seen first-hand how small arms have ravaged parts of the world. "I've been making films in conflict zones for years," she says, "and one film often leads to another." She and her small crew have even been held up at gunpoint - twice in Bosnia. "We were swarmed and forced out of the car with all these people screaming at us and guns going off in the air," she says. "I was just thinking of two things - let's get out of here alive and please let me keep my tapes." Fortunately, the attackers were only after the crew's flak jackets, helmets and other protective gear. A few days after one attack, however, she learned some other journalists had been killed in a similar encounter. As dangerous as it is to cover these conflicts, Saywell says the difference is "we leave. These people are living in this unsafe, hideous environment all their lives." The one common denominator in her previous war zone films seemed to be the proliferation of small weapons. Saywell began investigating the small arms industry and discovered that the Russian made AK-47 assault rifles and other guns turned against the civilian population in Bosnia - and which were supposed to be destroyed in a peace treaty - have been recycled to other fractured areas of the world, including Afghanistan and Iraq. The documentary shows Saywell and her crew confronting small arms marketers at a glitzy trade show, where guns are sold like cars or refrigerators in one of the least regulated trades in the world. Ninety five exhibitors from 45 countries are shown at one European trade show. The film suggests that the illicit small arms trade generates an estimated $4 billion a year. Saywell was able to sweet-talk some of the key players into on-camera accounts of their deadly business. "We don't look like a big NBC camera crew," she says. "That really serves us well." ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:31:00 -0800 (PST) From: Bruce Mills Subject: Edmonton Sun - F-bomb expected in info report http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Canada/2009/02/26/8536406-sun.html F-bomb expected in info report By CHRISTINA SPENCER Thu, February 26, 2009 A report card to be issued today is expected to give bleak marks to many federal government departments when it comes to sharing information with the taxpayers who fund them. It's a pattern of secrecy that must stop, opposition MPs say. The report by Information Commissioner Robert Marleau is expected to give an "F" to several departments, said NDP MP Pat Martin. In an effort to rally support for openness, Martin said yesterday he would introduce a private member's bill aimed at reforming Canada's Access to Information Act, which hasn't been updated since 1983. "It's hard to overstate the importance of freedom of information laws," he said. "The public's right to know what their government is doing is a fundamental tenet of a democracy and ours has been broken and dysfunctional for many years." Martin's initiative follows a move by U.S. President Barack Obama to shed light on government actions south of the border. One of his first acts on assuming office last month was to issue a memo to federal departments saying: "In the face of doubt, openness prevails." Liberal MP Paul Szabo, who chairs the House of Commons committee on access to information, privacy and ethics, said the committee plans to hear from Canada's information commissioner and other experts on how severe the information blockage is. "I think if we can get the ball rolling from our committee, it may demonstrate that there's a problem that has to be addressed," he said. Szabo said there is "systemic abuse" of the Access to Information Act by Conservatives' withholding of thousands of documents from the public, and with the Prime Minister's Office and the Privy Council Office being directly involved by vetting the information before it is released. "It is time for this litany of unaccountability to stop." ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:37:52 -0800 (PST) From: Bruce Mills Subject: Edmonton Sun - Letters - Feb 26/09 http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/Letters/2009/02/25/8535351-sun.html Re: Deborah Volker, allegedly killed by her husband while he was out on bail on charges of sexually assaulting her with a firearm last month. This story begs some questions: Who let this man out of jail and what was the justification for doing so? Why is our society so willing to help an accused and so unwilling to protect others? Someone or some system is responsible for this murder. Kevin Burke (It's a terrible tragedy.) Re: John Witham's suggestion in his Wednesday letter that we arm ourselves to deter crime. In the past 15 years, I have been the victim of two robberies, one at gunpoint and one at knifepoint. Luckily, I was not injured. I did not feel the need to arm myself then. Nor do I now. But I am far more aware of my surroundings. Having a gun, knife or baton will do nothing if you aren't aware of the attacker. Criminals don't attack people who don't appear to be easy victims. Allison McIndoe (Stay alert, folks.) I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Witham. We should have the right to self-protection against armed attackers. The editor's comment ("This isn't Texas") only goes to show the typical mindset that serves to empower criminals and make the rest of us victims. Rod Steinley (We don't think a society armed to the teeth is a good idea.) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 18:42:48 -0500 From: "Mark L Horstead" Subject: RE: Coyote attacks prompt city to take action > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-cdn-firearms@scorpion.bogend.ca > [mailto:owner-cdn-firearms@scorpion.bogend.ca] On Behalf Of Lee Jasper > Sent: 25-Feb-09 22:17 > To: Canadian Firearms Digest > Subject: Re: Coyote attacks prompt city to take action > > > http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/592071 > > > > Coyote attacks prompt city to take action Predators may > even be shot > > after incidents involving two small dogs in the Beach area "The final option is hiring someone to come in and shoot the animal". If that works, the same policy should be applied to the two-legged predators shooting up Moronto. Mark Kandahar ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:08:17 -0800 (PST) From: Bruce Mills Subject: Ottawa Sun - Shop owner beats gun-toting bandit http://www.ottawasun.com/News/OttawaAndRegion/2009/02/26/8543971.html Shop owner beats gun-toting bandit Gatineau robbery goes horribly wrong ... for thieves By BETH JOHNSTON, Sun Media Thu, February 26, 2009 The tables were turned on three men who tried to rob a Gatineau pawnshop at gunpoint last night - when the owner beat one of them up, putting him in the hospital. Gatineau police say three men, one of them armed with a gun, entered Aladdin Pawnshop on 374 Notre Dame Road at 5:10p.m. And demanded cash. But the owner refused to give it up, attacking one of the thieves. A customer helped hold the suspect while the other two fled. The would-be robber had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance. The pawn shop owner suffered minor injuries, the customer was unhurt. A Gatineau Police officer is sitting guard over the suspect at the hospital, while the incident is under investigation. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:30:42 -0800 (PST) From: Bruce Mills Subject: Toronto Sun - Store owner shot in robbery http://www.torontosun.com/news/torontoandgta/2009/02/26/8542621.html Store owner shot in robbery By TAMARA CHERRY, Sun Media Last Updated: 26th February 2009, 2:20pm A pawn shop owner remained in hospital Thursday after a bandit shot him during a robbery in the city's north end. The 30-year-old victim was working at the Swap Shop in a strip mall on Lawrence Ave. E., just west of Victoria Park Ave., when two men entered the store around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, said Toronto Police Staff-Sgt. Brian Gottschalk. "They were in the process of robbing him of jewelry when one of them engaged the victim in some sort of fight and that's when he was shot," Gottschalk said. The suspects fled with some jewelry before the victim was taken to hospital with a gunshot wound to his stomach. He remains in serious condition, but is expected to survive, Gottschalk said. Three shop workers were in the store when the robbers forced their way in as a customer was being let out, employee Neil D'Souza said. "It was just after close," said D'Souza, 40, who wasn't present during the hold-up. "The door was already locked." D'Souza was certain the timing of the hold-up was deliberate, considering the store is usually buzzing with customers, he said. "It was certainly something that they tried to do when there was no customers around," he said, adding: "It's obviously very different, very upsetting." The store has "plenty of cameras" that may help police in their search for suspects, D'Souza said, adding he in no way thinks the owner was pre-targetted in the shooting. Anyone with information can contact police at 416-808-3300 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-8477. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:43:58 -0800 (PST) From: Bruce Mills Subject: Winnipeg Sun - Bullets shot at campground http://www.winnipegsun.com/news/manitoba/2009/02/26/8543311.html Bullets shot at campground By Adam Wazny, SUN MEDIA Last Updated: 26th February 2009, 5:05pm Steinbach RCMP are asking for the public's help to investigate bullet damage at a campground near Richer. Buildings still under construction at the Cripple Creek Campground were severely damaged with numerous bullet holes. Police suspect the rifle used was a .22-calibre rifle. No injuries were reported. Anyone with information can call Steinbach RCMP at 204-326-4452 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:29:10 -0500 From: Lee Jasper Subject: Open and Accountable? Access to information a 'grim picture': Watchdog February 26, 2009; Jim Bronskill; THE CANADIAN PRESS > http://www.thestar.com/printArticle/593833 OTTAWA–Canadians are being denied information about government activities due to a failure of leadership at the highest levels, says a federal watchdog. [This leadership snatched a minority gov't from the clutches of a sure majority]. >>>>>> "Clearly, the government has not succeeded in addressing the challenge that the modern digital information environment presents," the 156-page report says. >>>>>> Stephen Harper's government broke a 2006 campaign promise to enact sweeping legislative reforms proposed by then-information commissioner John Reid. [We know about broken promises. Income trusts, Repeal C-68, sheltering from the global recession, cut federal spending - highest on record, no corporate welfare, no controls on executive compensation in bailed out corporations, etc.]. >>>>>>> Ideally, people who pay $5 to request information from federal agencies are supposed to receive a reply in 30 days. But Marleau found a trend toward greater reliance on time extensions – and for longer periods. "Some of the institutions reviewed this year took an average of 120 days to respond to requesters." >>>>>>> In the House of Commons, Treasury Board President Vic Toews, one of the ministers responsible for the access law, said the government had expanded the act to cover dozens of new institutions, resulting in more requests than ever being processed last year. "The reason is, we have opened up the books." [Toews used to be a straight arrow, then he got political]. Marleau said that reasoning doesn't explain the delays. >>>>>> "Newspapers know that delay is the weapon of choice for governments that are nervous about the public looking over their shoulder." ------------------------------ End of Cdn-Firearms Digest V13 #84 ********************************** Submissions: mailto:cdn-firearms-digest@scorpion.bogend.ca Mailing List Commands: mailto:majordomo@scorpion.bogend.ca Moderator's email: mailto:owner-cdn-firearms@scorpion.bogend.ca 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".)