Gun News in the Utah Media

Tribune Op-ed uses misleading statistics (10/4/06)
Letter writer refutes absurd claims by Moelns (below), and notes:
"And as to the "advanced nation" concept, Washington, D.C., has some of the strictest gun-control laws, and one of the highest homicide death rates. Gun-control laws and safety do not necessarily go hand in hand. But then a majority of Americans [know that...]"

[News Release]
Allow Educators to defend themselves- Free Concealed Weapon Permit classes offered (10/2/06)
Recent weeks have proven again that gun control schemes simply do not work, and that "gun free schools" only ensure that violent criminals are drawn to these "disarmed victim zones."
Utah law allows concealed weapon permit holders to discretely carry legal self defense weapons in schools and other places. To help educators who desire to exercise this option to defend themselves, and their students, FREE CLASSES will be offered to educators to expedite their getting permits. Before getting a permit, they must pass FBI background checks, and be trained in the responsibilities involved with carrying a legal self defense weapon, and receive firearms safety training, and receive a permit from the Utah Department of Public Safety.
READ THE PRESS RELEASE

"Gun laws leave NRA, GOP with blood on their hands"(!) (9/30/06
Another emotional op-ed full of errors and bad ideas by parents whose son was murdered in 1992. They are still unwilling to accept that an evil person, a foreign student unable to legally buy a gun, stalked his ex-girlfriend from California to Indiana where he killed her in a college dorm (where guns were already banned). Her current boyfriend, Steven, tried to intervene and was tragically killed also before the murderer took his own life. The distraught parents have turned this tragedy into a gun control obsession, oblivious to the fact that the record is unmistakable. Gun bans simply do not prevent violent crime, they only ensure that victims can never defend themselves. Also, they prove that demands for "sensible gun control" or only banning guns in schools are mere interim steps towards their ultimate goal of banning all guns.
To blame the NRA, or the Republican party for individual criminal acts is irrational.
Regardless of the facts, this supports the Tribune's anti-gun bias, so they get a lengthy column and dissenting views may get a brief letter to the editor published.

Utah Supreme Court Shoots Down University of Utah's gun ban (9/9/06)
This ruling totally confirms that Legislature makes gun laws in Utah, not the University of Utah.
Their ban really only prevents law abiding citizens from defending themselves, and does nothing to disarm violent thugs.
NOTE: State laws STILL prohibit ANYONE but law enforcement officers and concealed weapon permit holders from carrying concealed weapons anywhere in the state INCLUDING ON UNIVERSITY PROPERTY. Therefore the criminals, thugs and juveniles are STILL not allowed to carry at the University. Criminals are just as likely to commit crimes with guns at the University as anywhere else.

The University will claim that their 30 year old ban has kept the campus safe. What data shows that the campus was less safe BEFORE their ban? Or, was their 1970s era ban just part of academia's effort to demonize ROTC programs and anything related to the military after Vietnam?

Illegal alien jailed for providing murder weapon (5/10/06)
He used multiple false identities, probably including fake documents which enabled him to ILLEGALLY buy a gun; He then ILLEGALLY provided the gun to another ILLEGAL ALIEN who killed a co-worker.
"It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!"

Lehi teenage girl brings gun to school (2/24/06)
Reportedly depressed, the girl left school before authorities locked down, and nothing bad happened to anyone and the gun was recovered at a friends house.
Every week there are a dozen or more stories of kids of all ages taking guns to school around the country for various reasons, despite numerous federal and state laws against this. This proves two points:
(a) Anyone who thinks laws against having a gun someplace will make that place safer is unwilling to face the truth that gun control laws are a failed concept; and
(b) Laws prohibiting carefully screened citizens from carrying legal self defense weapons in or around schools only disarm potential victims.

Boy accidentally shot by playmate (2/10/06)
Tribune account
Deseret Morning News account
While it is not clear how the gun got loaded (left that way or the kids loaded it?) this preventable accident shows the need to teach ALL kids basic gun safety. The younger ones need the Eddie Eagle Message (If you see a gun, STOP!; Don't Touch!; Leave the area and tell an adult!). Older kids, as the 9 and 11 year olds involved here should have been taught three basic rules- (a) Treat every gun as if it is loaded; (b) Always keep it pointed in a safe direction; and (c) Keep you fingers away from the trigger. The parents may well be prosecuted for negligence or child endangerment.
Some gun control advocates would say this proves the need for "safe storage" laws, but sadly the people who fail to use common sense or properly train their children are the same ones who would ignore such laws. And, such laws have the unintended consequence of being "burglar protection laws".

Permit holder shoots self in leg (2/5/06)
With over 70,000 Utah concealed Weapon Permit holders, this is the first accidental discharge we can recall in the last 10 years. Fortunately this clumsy gun owner was parked in a hospital parking lot (where he was working on a construction project) when this happened. So, he merely walked in for treatment. Injury was not serious. Always keep you gun pointed in a safe direction when loading or unloading!

Youth injured while hunting (2/5/06)
A teen was accidentally shot with a .22 caliber rifle by an adult in his hunting party. Keep your gun pointed in a safe direction, and be sure of your target and what is beyond. Injury was not serious.

Utah bill allowing "permitless car carry" by legal guns owners passes Committee (11/10/05
Tribune version
Deseret News version
A big "THANK YOU!" to Senator Mark Madsen for following through on the bill he introduced last session. This will essentially allow anyone who can legally own a gun to have it with them in their car, business or house, loaded or unloaded,concealed or visible, without need for a concealed weapon permit. Only the car part is new, and this reflects practices in most states in the mountain west, and more than a dozen other states. Another dozen or more states have similar but not identical provisions. None of the states allowing this practice have any problems or history of endangering law enforcement officers in traffic stops or shoot-outs over road rage. Yes, bad guys already illegally carry guns in their cars in every state, and do attack cops, but the proposed law does not protect the criminals in any way.
There are dozens of carjackings every year, and this will allow people to protect themselves and their families.
This bill was approved by the committee 12-2 and should begin moving early in the 2006 legislative session.

Gun classes offer options to domestic abuse victims (11/5/05)
A good report by the Tribune covering the opportunity for domestic violence victims to get a permit to legally carry a self defense weapon. Maybe it is not the best choice for every victim. But, it can save many murder victims every year who are killed by violent stalkers who ignore protective orders.
Legal self defense- It's your right; it's your choice; it's your life!

Man with domestic violence and felony conviction nabbed on 17 gun violations (10/2/05)
He faces up to 10 years on each of the 17 counts. He "...has prior convictions for third-degree-felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor domestic violence. Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a felony or misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing a firearm or ammunition. He remains in federal custody..."
[Note that the felony was 13 years ago and the domestic violence misdemeanor was 3 years ago.]
ANY FELONY OR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CONVICTION EVER MEANS A LIFETIME BAN ON HAVING A GUN OR AMMUNITION, even for cops or military personnel. Anyone wanting to get firearms rights restored must go through the record "EXPUNGEMENT" process. Federal agents are busy cross checking gun purchase records and hunting license applications against old criminal records, and they are arresting people like the guy above. If you know a person who deserves to have their record cleaned up they NEED to immediately review the information at http://utahshootingsports.com/expungement.htm

Man dies in accidental shooting (9/13/05)
A couple put loaded shotgun in vehicle back seat. Wife fires gun while moving items. A tragic and preventable accident. Basic hunter safety courses teach people to always unload your guns before placing them in a vehicle. [Note this does not apply to legally carried self defense weapons.]

Mental Patient Prosecuted for attempted gun purchase (9/11/05)
Federal charges were filed against a Salt Lake City man previously found "not guilty by reason of insanity" of threatening federal judges. He was sentenced to a federal mental hospital in 1999, and therefore prohibited from buying or having any type of gun or ammunition. He was detected during a "Brady check" required on all gun purchases.
NEARLY 200 PURCHASE ATTEMPTS ARE DENIED IN UTAH EACH MONTH BECAUSE THE PERSON IS PROHIBITED FROM BUYING A GUN.
THIS IS THE FIRST REPORT WE CAN RECALL OF ANYONE BEING PROSECUTED!
It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!

Concealed Weapon Holder thwarts robbery in St. George (7/28/05)
He said the man had cashed a check at about 1:45 p.m. Tuesday[in downtown St. George]. As he pulled into traffic, he saw a man near a dark SUV waving him over. Thinking the man was having car problems and needed help, he pulled over. The resident said the assailant approached him, put a knife against his neck and demanded money. But the resident "reached down and pulled out his concealed weapon and pointed it toward the suspect.". The robber ran back to his own vehicle and drove away. He remained at large.
As in 90% of defensive use of gun cases, no shots were fired, but the mere display of a legal self defense weapon stopped a crime.

Drug thugs do drive by with gun stolen from cop car; One is dad of mini thug who killed 15 year old friend (see 7/9/05 story below) (7/23/05)
Scumbag drug thugs nabbed for a drive by shooting which apparently used a shotgun stolen from a cop car the day before. In addition, one of the thugs is the father of the 13 year old mini-thug who killed his 15 year old friend "playing Russian roulette" with the gun that "belonged to a family friend" when it turns out that it really belonged to the drug thug dad. You can bet that mini-thug's access to the illegally possessed gun will be cited as proof we need "safe storage" laws, even though the dad was a prohibited person to start with..... and that he got his next gun from a locked rack in a locked cop car.
"It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!"

Report on concealed carry permit class in St. George (7/15/05)
Note that this is just a sample of what happens dozens of times each month around Utah and other places where people take the time to meet the requirements for a permit to carry a weapon for legal self defense.

Over 63,000 people now have Utah permits. Despite the protests from the gun ban extremists who object to anyone having guns for any reason, there have been NO shoot-outs over parking spots, or any of the other scary scenarios they dreamed up to try to stop passage of Utah's "shall issue" permit law in 1995.
We expect to see the same hysterical prediction every time we fight to roll back the infringements on gun rights that snuck in over the years with no reduction in crime.

Layton boy charged with shooting friend to death (7/9/05)
"A 13-year-old Layton boy was arrested on suspicion of reckless homicide, a third-degree felony, and booked in a juvenile detention facility Friday after he shot his 15-year-old friend in the chest. Layton police said the two boys, along with an 18-year-old man, were in a garage playing Russian roulette with a family friend's handgun when the shooting occurred. The 15-year-old boy, whose name was not released, was pronounced dead at Davis Hospital."
[Rest of the story- gun belonged to killer's dad, a drug thug ineligible to own any gun- see 7/23/05 story!]
While the death of the 15 year old is a tragedy, only a fool would believe that a "safe storage" law would have been obeyed. What if the 15 year old heeded the Eddie Eagle message------?

Pistol shooting events at the Utah Summer Games (6/24/05)
Nice story showing safe and legal use of firearms, including many female athletes.

Utah Legislators taking Concealed Weapon Classes 6/12/05
This is a great chance for legislators to understand the law in detail as well as self defense issues.
Note that the gun ban extremists are all upset because the legislators are finding out facts and will be less likely to fall for their emotional anecdotal stories.

Forget "gun control" let's try "criminal control (5/25/05)
Don't tell us we need "gun control" laws! Start controlling criminals!
Start with the illegal alien who was a known drug dealer, with a prior weapons conviction, who then murdered his girlfriend. Other charges include possession of a firearm by a restricted person, but apparently no charges for the sawed off shotgun he used. Because there ARE people like this roaming the streets of Utah maybe YOU need to consider carrying a legal self defense weapon.

Gay Democrats back gun rights (5/7/05)
Very positive reception for NRA by some at Democrat Convention.

"Gun violence Prevention" or total gun bans? (5/10/05)
Only fools or liars would be upset by the sale of highly embellished commemorative firearms at $2,500 each for benefit of a Historical Society and claim that they somehow contribute to "gun violence." Well, the Gun Violence Prevention Center of Utah has once again revealed that their real goal is more about banning all types of guns than about reducing gun violence.

Gun control laws do not ensure safety (4/13/05)
Letter to editor corrects anti gun errors

Good kid with gun makes the news for a change... (4/13/05)
Sixteen year old Allie MacGregor is a dedicated pistol shooter with some lofty goals, and the talent and dedication to achieve them. Read this great story in the Park City Newspaper.

Concealed Weapons Permit class on Weber State Campus (3/21/05)
Law abiding students will learn what may be the most important lessons of their lives. Publicity may encourage thugs to go prey on the unarmed victims at places like the University of Utah.

"Teen Girl hit by bullet fragments" (3/14/05)
NOTE: Another case of spin on a shooting incident. Most parents would wonder what a 14 year old girl is doing at a "garage party" at 5:00 AM hanging around with a bunch of (apparent) gang bangers. And do we really need another law since it is already illegal for little thugs and thugettes to be carrying guns anywhere, even at "garage parties" at 5:00 AM, let alone popping off six rounds at random? Final note, It is likely not "bullet shrapnel" that hurt her, but debris like concrete chips etc.

Crackdown on illegal "straw purchases" (3/13/05)
Feds locking up people who buy guns for crooks who cannot legally buy one themselves.

"It's the Bill of Rights, not Bill of Privileges" (2/17/05)
Letter to editor corrects silly letter from purported gun owner.

"Safe storage" is no guarantee against theft (2/12/05)
Thieves with rented truck haul away a safe, cut it open to steal 15 handguns. No waiting periods or background checks to slow them down.

Tribune calls .50 caliber rifles a threat (2/13/05)
Goldilocks gun control is on the march again, led by the usual suspects and their massive propaganda machine..
Some guns are too ugly ["assault weapons"]. Some guns are too big [.50 caliber]. Some guns are too small ["pocket rockets"]. Will they ever find a gun that is "just right"!
Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than all the .50 caliber rifles they are trying to ban.

Students with guns on University of Utah Campus- shooting team....(2/11/05)
A nice story about some dedicated and accomplished guys and gals.

Tribune's hoplophobic gun fears revealed again (2/7/05)
A long editorial explaining why permitless self defense weapons in cars are not a good idea (in their never so humble opinion). Same old irrational fears they had 10 years ago when permits were made easier to get. Now, their editorial seems very content with the permit process, but idea of no permits just scares them to death, despite the lack of problems in 22 other states.
"It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!"

What part of "Infringed" don't you understand? (2/7/05)
Letter to editor stands up to objections about permitless carry by law abiding citizens.

Letter- "Just when will the gun extremists be satisfied?" (2/4/05)
They are re horrified at making it "...legal for anyone to carry a loaded gun in their car — no permit required, no training, no nothing. That is just plain crazy" No, it is not crazy, just prudent. And fully in line with the Utah Constitution Article 1 Section 6
"The individual right of the people to keep and bear arms for security and defense of self, family, others, property, or the state, as well as for other lawful purposes shall not be infringed; ..."

Editorial rant against legal self defense in vehicles (2/4/05)
Deseret News raises bogus fears about "children will have access to guns" and "officer safety for traffic stops". Utahns are no more careless or criminal than the citizens of the 22 states where it is ALREADY legal to carry loaded guns in your cars without permits.

Media in a dither about "permitless car carry for law abiding citizens" (2/3/05)
Note that they do not have any details, but immediately seek uninformed comment from various people, and get the expected "Gasp! DANGEROUS! Shootouts on the highways....." These are the same irrational fears the gun ban extremists had about concealed carry permits in 1995. They were wrong then, and wrong now. Only criminals should be afraid of law abiding citizens carrying guns in cars (with or without a permission slip from anyone).

Drug dealer nabbed with 19 stolen guns (1/13/05)
Crooks don't bother with background checks and waiting periods

Parolees invade home and steal guns (1/13/05)
Two perps on parole for federal firearms charges checking for unlocked cars and unlocked homes accost an elderly man early in the morning, then steal a bunch of guns and other stuff.
HEY! HOW ABOUT KEEPING THE CROOKS LOCKED UP INSTEAD OF ON PAROLE??
It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!

Home Invader stole gun from a Sandy Police Officer's home (1/11/05)
He took the cop's badge, handcuffs and gun. No paperwork, no background check. He is the "suspect" in the home invasion on 11/21/04 reported below.

20 year old "habitual criminal" thug with stolen gun kills woman (11/27/04)
He has been charged with "manslaughter, possession of a firearm by a restricted person and possession of a stolen firearm, all second-degree felonies."
Authorities are unable or unwilling to keep thugs like this off the streets!
"[He] has an extensive criminal history, ...is a known gang member and was listed on the serious habitual offender list when he was a juvenile..... His criminal lifestyle continued into his adult years [this punk is only 20 now!]. [He] was charged in both state and federal courts in 2003 with possession of a concealed firearm and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, according to court documents. The state charge was later dismissed while the federal charge [resulted in]... a year in jail, with credit for time served on the federal charge, in November 2003..."
"It's not the guns, it's the criminals, stupid!"
Passing more gun control schemes will not stop criminals like this. Existing laws do not stop them either, so why continue the burdens on law abiding citizens?

Home invasion by young thug with stolen gun (11/24/04)
Convicted felon on probation with 4 outstanding warrants terrorizes mom and kid. Remember, courts have declared that the police have no "duty to protect" any individual. Remember, you CAN defend yourself. Consider the risks and benefits of having a gun for home protection, and/or a permit for a legally carried self defense weapon. NOTE the both this thug and the one who shot himself-11/22/04 story below- were illegally carrying concealed weapons obtained illegally. You have a fire extinguisher, and hope you will never need it. Why not a means of defending yourself?

Armed Homeowner captures two burglars- no shots fired (11/21/04)
"MIDVALE - Police say two men who attempted to burglarize a Midvale home Friday were met by the homeowner - and his shotgun. According to Midvale police, the men broke into the home, located near 200 East and 6900 South, just before 11:30 p.m. Friday. They were then confronted by the home's owner, who held them at bay with a shotgun until police arrived, said Sgt. Ken Jarvis. No shots were fired."
If we had "burglar protection/safe storage" laws, the headline might read "Homeowner found dead in apparent burglary-homicide."

Young thug shoots self showing off illegally concealed weapon (11/22/04)
Richard T. Avila, 20, accidentally shot himself while showing off a gun to three females in the car when he started playing with a gun in his coat pocket. The others in the car heard a "pop" followed by the man saying, "I've been shot." The man had shot himself in the thigh, striking the femoral artery. The gun used was a .22-caliber pistol. The victim was too young to legally purchase a handgun or have a concealed weapon permit, and his immigration status is not clear.

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