dagblog - Comments for "Updated - Just when you thought it was safe ..."

I take issue with the line

Daniel — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 03:34:53 +0000

In reply to Updated - Just when you thought it was safe ...

I take issue with the line "In Baltimore it is next to impossible to legally own a firearm, so po-lice are trying to find out where the boys got the rifle."

You're making a baseless assumption.
I am friends with and work with folk who own numerous firearms (handguns, rifles, and shotguns) and do so legally within city limits. Anyone can go out to Bass Pro and pick up a Ruger 10/22 (for example) without issue.

In MD, you can purchase rifles and shotguns so long as you're 18 and older. To purchase a handgun, you must be at least 21 and complete a basic (and I mean basic) safety lecture. You can do this either by sitting through a video or going to the MD State Police website and clicking through a web "course". You finish the course and then sign 2 copies of your Certificate of Completion -- one for yourself and one for the MSP. All of this is free.

It's not difficult.
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To say this rifle owner was negligent is a vast understatement. IMO, if you have children in a house where guns are, they should have been taught better than to do anything with them when their parents aren't around. They shouldn't be able to access the firearm alone either. The owner did not respect his weapons and unfortunately a life was lost because of that lack.

IIRC, the 2nd grader doing

Verified Atheist — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:20:25 +0000

In reply to At the worst, the boys might

IIRC, the 2nd grader doing the shooting in my Mom's class didn't have many legal repercussions, but his uncle did (as well he should have).

At the worst, the boys might

Donal — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:16:40 +0000

In reply to I'm reminded of an incident

At the worst, the boys might have gone to juvenile for a while, but it's looking like the cover-up will destroy the policeman's career.

Boy, 4, dies in

Donal — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:29:36 +0000

In reply to Updated - Just when you thought it was safe ...

Boy, 4, dies in shooting

Charges are pending and investigators are working to determine where the gun came from that left a 4-year-old child dead and his mother wounded Monday night.

While the investigation is in preliminary stages, Maryland State police spokesman Greg Shipley sais one bullet fired from a .44-caliber revolver not only killed Jamal A. Woolford Jr. but left his mother with gunshot wounds to her hand, arm and shoulder.

"We think preliminarily the mother was lying in bed asleep and the child was either in bed beside her or standing next to the bed," Shipley said. "It appears to have been an unsecured and loaded weapon."

Police believe the gun was kept in the bedroom and said it was not registered to Woolford's mother or father.

"It was not reported stolen, but investigators are working on a trace of the weapon," Shipley said.

Police also said they don't believe this was the first time [the boy] has handled the gun because a witness told police they had seen [the boy] playing with the gun in the past.

I'm reminded of an incident

Verified Atheist — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 14:16:00 +0000

In reply to Updated - Just when you thought it was safe ...

I'm reminded of an incident that happened with two of my mom's second grade students at a birthday party. One of the students found his uncle's gun, started playing with it, and ended up shooting the other. I wonder if something similar didn't happen here, and those who witnessed it covered it up so that only one person's life would be destroyed.

Heard an interesting

Aunt Sam — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 03:18:27 +0000

In reply to Updated - Just when you thought it was safe ...

Heard an interesting discussion about the Second Amendment:

In effect the discussion spoke about 'the era' when it was implemented. 'It was a different time then, we were a new country and the people had some cause to initiate this action. But now, hey people, the government got nukes, bombs and high tech weapons; so, ya really think your arsenal of small handguns, rifles and even those AK47's are going to tip the balance if 'the government attacks' you and yours?

'Truth is, not so much. And another truth is that under the phony cover of this amendment, it is the guns of the populace that are killing our children, fathers, mothers,sisters, brothers and friends. Everyday. Hell, I'd trust the government before the gang bangers, racist based militia members and any drunk and/or loaded idiot that has a gun today.

'Any with a modicum of common sense knows these automatic machine like weapons serve no good purpose. You cannot use them for any purpose but to 'hunt and kill' human beings.

'Guns don't kill people, people kill people? Okay, but without the guns, we all know that people wouldn't kill anywhere near the same amount. Studies show that just taking the automatic weapons out of the equation; doing away with the ability to sell guns at flea markets, gun shows and other like venues would reduce the death toll.

'In every other way, our country has acclimated itself to the changes of current societal means from those of the times of this amendment. Yet, in this way only, we grasp the past which denies so many a future.'

There is no gun law that

NCD — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 00:10:54 +0000

In reply to Updated - Just when you thought it was safe ...

There is no gun law that cannot be easily circumvented in this country. 25-30 thousands die by the gun each year, half or more accidents or suicides. It might have to reach half a million a year before Americans care enough to do something about it.

True, luckily here in york

Anonymous — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:36:51 +0000

In reply to Pennsylvania Firearm Owners

True, luckily here in york county it is pretty much instant.Other areas can take a few days.

This is a true American

Richard Day — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:27:57 +0000

In reply to Pennsylvania Firearm Owners

This is a true American tragedy.

However a 22 was involved.

There is no way to prevent this.

A twelve year old did not purchase this weapon.

A twelve year old found Daddy's gun and wanted to play or ruin or kill; who knows?

Daddy or the neighbor or whomever is partially responsible for this.

There is no way we could ever stop the distribution of 22's in my humble opinion.

Pennsylvania Firearm Owners

Donal — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:14:00 +0000

In reply to Pennsylvania does NOT require

Pennsylvania Firearm Owners Association

The actual application process itself is very simple and consists of acquiring an application, and a passport-sized photo, filling it out, paying the fee (which can vary from county to county) and submitting it. In some counties (such as Philadelphia) the application must be submitted in person and they may do a quick and basic interview. Once the application is received the entity responsible for handling it will do a background check on you and generally verify who you are. They may contact the references you have provided on the application although many times it will not be necessary. Pennsylvania is a "shall-issue" state in regards to LTCF's, meaning the entity processing your application is required to approve it unless they can prove you are disqualified based on the law. This is very important to prevent localities from simply denying people based on political, or prejudicial biases. Additionally by state law the application must be approved or denied in 45 days (although some offices will use "business days"). Again, this is done to prevent localities from claiming they issue permits, but never actually processing them for political or prejudicial reasons.

At the gun dealer they said a carry permit would take a few days to be processed.