Category Archives: Concealed Carry

Another Mass Shooting, More Convictions, and Other Innocent Victims Murdered by Concealed Handgun Permit Holders: VPC Concealed Carry Killers June Update

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Violence Policy Center). For Immediate Release:  Wednesday, June 30, 2010 Contact:  Marty Langley, 202-822-8200 x109, mlangley@vpc.org Washington, DC–A Florida mass shooting that resulted in the murder of four women, an innocent 17-year-old gunned down by a 61-year-old man in a case of mistaken identity, [...]

Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence Issues Statement On Supreme Court Ruling Over Chicago’s Handgun Ban

Supreme Court Stills Holds that Common Sense Gun Laws Are Constitutional and Can Be Enacted to Save Lives and Protect Communities For Immediate Release Contact: Thom Mannard, Executive Director, ICHV tmannard@ichv.org Scott Vogel, Communications Director, States United to Prevent Gun Violence scott@supgv.org (June 28, 2010, Chicago) – The Supreme Court extended the scope of the [...]

Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus Praises University of Colorado Regents For Standing Up to Gun Lobby and Appealing Gun Ban Case to State Supreme Court

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus). For Immediate Release Contact: Andy Pelosi, 914-629-6726, andy@gunfreekids.org (June 26, 2010, New York) – The University of Colorado (CU) Board of Regents voted yesterday to appeal its campus gun ban to the State Supreme Court. In April of [...]

Open Carry Gun Proponents Using Bumper-Sticker Logic to Frighten Vast Majority of Americans

(We are pleased to post the following op-ed from Josh Sugaramann, Executive Director of the Violence Policy Center. Mr. Sugarmann’s commentary was originally published in the Gazette Extra on June 12th). By Josh Sugarmann WASHINGTON — EDITOR’S NOTE: The writer is addressing the question, Does the open display of firearms at protest rallies threaten to [...]

Florida: Hialeah Mass Shooting Only Most Recent by a Concealed Handgun Permit Holder

(We are posting the following press release from the Violence Policy Center). These are actual pictures of the shooting as it occurred FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Friday, June 11, 2010 CONTACT:  Marty Langley, 202-822-8200 x109, mlangley@vpc.org At Least 65 Innocent People Have Been Killed in Recent Mass Shootings Involving Concealed Handgun Permit Holders Washington, DC–Gerardo Regalado, [...]

Arizona Community Colleges and Hawaii’s Entire University System Join Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Campaign to Keep Guns off Campus). Contact: Andy Pelosi, 914-629-6726,andy@gunfreekids.org, Scott Vogel, 773-329-5589, scott@supgv.org 154 Individual Colleges and Universities In 33 States Now Part of Effort to Keep Guns Off College Campuses (June 10, 2010, New York) – The Maricopa Community Colleges in Arizona, [...]

States with Higher Gun Ownership and Weak Gun Laws Lead Nation in Gun Death: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alaska, Alabama, and Nevada Have Highest Gun Death Rates

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Violence Policy Center). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Wednesday, June 2, 2010 CONTACT:  VPC Press Office, 202-822-8200 x110, press@vpc.org Washington, DC–States with higher gun ownership rates and weak gun laws have the highest rates of overall gun death according to a new analysis by the Violence [...]

Accused Milwaukee Gunman Charged With Murdering 2 Men Now Out Of Jail, Still Allowed To Carry Gun — Prosecutors Argue Gun Should Be Temporarily Revoked

According to Milwaukee ABC (WISN) Channel 12 reported on May 26th: MILWAUKEE — A gun rights activist is free from jail and is still allowed to carry a gun despite charges that he shot two men. Jesus Gonzalez was released from jail on a $100,000 cash bond. He’s not allowed to have contact with the [...]

Murder Arrests, Murder-Suicide Among New Concealed Handgun Permit Holder Incidents Reported in VPC’s “Concealed Carry Killers” May Update

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Violence Policy Center). For Immediate Release:  Thursday, May 27, 2010 Contact:  Marty Langley, Violence Policy Center, 202-822-8200 x109, mlangley@vpc.org Washington, DC—Arrests for murder and a murder-suicide are among the new incidents involving concealed handgun permit holders detailed in the May update of Concealed Carry [...]

NRA’s Hypocrisy: Guns Are Prohibited at Annual Convention in Charlotte While they Push Loaded Guns in Public

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Ohio Coalition Against Gun Violence). OHIO COALITION AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE For Immediate Release: May 14,2010 Contact: Toby Hoover: info@ohioceasefire.org Toledo, OH– The NRA’s homepage for its annual convention in Charlotte, NC on May 14-16th says it all (http://www.nraam.org/index.html) “Note: North Carolina State law prohibits [...]

National Rifle Association—Embracing Tea Partiers and Anti-Government Rhetoric—Meets in Charlotte, NC

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Violence Policy Center). Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck Featured Speakers at NRA Convention Washington, D.C.–This weekend, Tea Party advocates Sarah Palin and Glenn Beck will be featured speakers at the National Rifle Association’s annual convention being held in Charlotte, NC. Palin will be speaking [...]

Guns In the News Round Up May 7, 2010

Gun Lobby Enabling Terrorism By Blocking Efforts to Close the ‘Terror Gap’ New York Times Editorial: The Gun Lobby’s Long Shadow. Congress, for example, is cowering before the gun lobby insistence that even terrorist suspects who are placed on the “no-fly list” must not be denied the right to buy and bear arms. Suspects on [...]

Concealed Handgun Permit Holders Have Killed at Least 161 Since May 2007, Including 9 Law Enforcement Officers—“Concealed Carry Killers” Web Site April Update

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Violence Policy Center). For Immediate Release: Wednesday, April 28, 2010 Contact: Marty Langley, Violence Policy Center, 202-822-8200 x109, mlangley@vpc.org Washington, DC–Concealed handgun permit holders have killed at least nine law enforcement officers in addition to 152 private citizens (including 15 shooters who killed themselves [...]

Insurrection On the Potomac: The Gun Guys Go Seditious

(We are pleased to post the following guest commentary from Mark Karlin, editor of BuzzFlash.com on April 21st). BUZZFLASH EDITOR’S BLOG BY MARK KARLIN The politically charged gun movement in America that began when right wing ideologues took over the NRA in the ’70s (in what was called “The Revolt at Cincinnati”) has been pathological [...]

Three Years After Virginia Tech Shooting, College Gun Bans Prevail Over Gun Lobby’s Radical Agenda

(People pause at a memorial for victims of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting in Blacksburg, Va. Friday marks the third anniversary of the shootings, where 32 people plus the shooter died.  Jeanna Duerscherl/The Roanoke Times/AP). On April 16th, the Christian Science Monitor quoted Andy Pelosi, Director of the Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus, about [...]

Video: Ohio Gun Owners Protest Concealed Carry Requirements — Cue the Idiotic and Incoherent Talking Points From the Gun Extremists!

On April 10th, Columbus, Ohio’s NBC Channel 4 covered an ‘open-carry’ gun protest on the steps of the state capitol:

Statement by Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus on Third Anniversary of Virginia Tech Shooting Tragedy

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus). For Immediate Release Contact: Andy Pelosi, 914-629-6726, andy@gunfreekids.org John Johnson, 319-389-7382, johnwjohnson@mchsi.com (April 15, 2010, New York) – Three years ago on April 16, 2007, Seung-Hui Cho, armed with two semiautomatic handguns and several hundred rounds of ammunition, [...]

Video: Ohio Concealed Handgun Permit Holder Shot and Killed Parking Attendant Who Also Had CCW Permit Over a Handicapped Parking Space; Witnesses Say Attendant Never Drew Gun

According to Cleveland’s local Fox News Channel 8 on April 14th: CLEVELAND – Matthew Warmus, the man accused of shooting and killing a parking lot attendant over a parking spot Friday night, made his first court appearance Tuesday morning. Cleveland Police say Warmus shot parking lot attendant David Williams,27, three times, after the two got [...]

Daily Show On Ridiculous ‘Open Carry’ Handgun Cult

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart posted a must-see video on April 12th, about the “open carry” handgun movement, including an interview with Paul Helmke, the President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. WATCH DAILY SHOW VIDEO The Daily Show With Jon Stewart Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c Open Carrier Discrimination www.thedailyshow.com [...]

Starbucks: Customers Carry Guns But Employees Are Prohibited

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence). BRADY CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 17, 2010 Contact: Peter Hamm, 202-289-5792 Washington, D.C. – The Starbucks Coffee Company allows customers to carry guns, yet prohibits employees from having weapons in Starbucks stores. [...]

Gun Industry Remains at Center of Persisting Problem

(We are pleased to post the following guest commentary from Josh Sugarmann, Executive Director of the Violence Policy Center. Mr. Sugarmann’s essay was originally posted on the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence’s “Insights” section on its website). March 10, 2010 Since its inception, the Violence Policy Center (VPC) has approached gun violence as a broad-based [...]

Why Does the Illinois State Rifle Association Deny That Concealed Weapons Permit Holders Have Killed 139 Since May 2007, Including 9 Cops

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence). For Immediate Release Contact: Thom Mannard (312) 341-0939, cell (847) 997-3020, tmannard@ichv.org ISRA Uses Lobby Day to Press For Dangerous Carrying Concealed Weapons Law That Threatens Public Safety (March 10, 2010, Chicago) – The Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence [...]

NRA Gun Instructor Unintentionally Shoots Orlando Student During Carrying Concealed Weapons Class

According to the Palm Beach Post updated on March 1st: A gun instructor accidently shot a student in the foot Saturday during an NRA class to receive certification to carry a concealed weapon, Orlando police said. Robert Frauman Jr., 50, was taken to Florida Hospital after instructor Michael Phillips’ firearm discharged about 11:45 a.m., police [...]

Indiana University Student Arrested After Pointing Loaded Gun — What If He Had Loaded Handgun On Campus As Gun Lobby Wants?

According to the Indiana Daily Student paper on March 1st: A 21-year-old IU student was arrested after he used a loaded handgun to assault a man at Kilroy’s Sports Bar early Saturday morning. Bloomington police Sgt. Jim Batcho said officers arrived at the bar around 2:45 a.m. Saturday and walked down an alley where they [...]

Resources On Chicago’s Handgun Ban Being Argued At Supreme Court

Oral Arguments to Supreme Court On Chicago’s Handgun Ban Supreme Court Releases Transcripts Of Oral Arguments In McDonald v. City of Chicago. Analysis: Second Amendment Extension Likely. The Supreme Court on Tuesday seemed poised to require state and local governments to obey the Second Amendment guarantee of a personal right to a gun, but with [...]

Message to Supreme Court: Eliminating Chicago’s Handgun Ban Will Result In More Gun Deaths and Injuries

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence). For Immediate Release Contact: Thom Mannard (312) 341-0939 / cell (847) 997-3020, tmannard@ichv.org Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence Says Communities Must Have the Right and Authority to Enact Sensible Gun Laws to Save Lives and Protect Public Safety (March [...]

Maine Considers Banning Guns In National Parks — About Time Somebody Took Back Our National Treasures From the NRA

According to the Associated Press on Feb. 25th: AUGUSTA — Lawmakers in Maine, home of one of the nation’s most-visited national parks, are considering whether to override a new federal law that allows guns in the sanctuaries. A law that took effect Monday lets licensed gun owners take firearms into national parks and wildlife refuges [...]

Gun Toters are Now Allowed in the National Parks: We Need a Committee for the Right to Keep and Arm Bears

(We are pleased to post the following guest commentary from Mark Karlin, editor of BuzzFlash.com). Once our National Parks were a refuge of nature and tranquility, but that part of the American Dream just got shot full of holes by the NRA. Attached to the so-called credit card reform bill that went into effect on [...]

Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus Issues Statement on Northern Illinois University Shooting

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus). Contact: Andy Pelosi, 914-629-6726, andy@gunfreekids.org John Johnson, johnwjohnson@mchsi.com (February 19, 2010 CROTON FALLS, NY) – A Northern Illinois University student was shot by a fellow student in the early morning hours of Friday, Feb. 19, outside a student [...]

New York Times Education Blog Profiles Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus: “Fighting to Keep College Students Safe From Gun Violence”

The New York Times education blog posted a lengthy profile on Feb. 15th, on Andy Pelosi and the Campaign to Keep Guns Off College Campuses. NYT noted the shooting at Alabama University in Huntsville, where a female biology professor, Amy Bishop, killed three fellow professors and wounded three others because, allegedly, she was denied tenure. [...]

OH: Man Unintentionally Discharges .32-Caliber Handgun At Restaurant Striking Girlfriend — Blackberry Saved Her From Serious Harm

From “Ohh Shoot” on Feb. 12th — a blog that tracks unintentional shootings and grossly irresponsible behavior by gun owners. Luckily her Blackberry was in the right place….. An Ohio man was putting on his jacket, getting ready to leave a Fricker’s restaurant when the .32-caliber handgun in his coat pocket discharged. The bullet struck [...]

Coming Soon to a National Park Near You: Guns, Guns, Guns!

(We are pleased to post the following column from Josh Sugarmann, Executive Director of the Violence Policy Center. Mr. Sugarmann’s piece was originally published on the Huffington Post on Feb. 12, 2010). Currently, visitors to national parks are allowed to possess guns only if they’re stored out of reach and unloaded. All this will change [...]

On Anniversary Of Shooting Massacre At Northern Illinois University, It’s Time To Honor the Victims Of Gun Violence By Strengthening Gun Laws

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence). For Immediate Release Contact: Thom Mannard, (312) 341-0939, tmannard@ichv.org Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence Remembers the Victims, Survivors and Families Affected By Valentine’s Day Shooting Rampage that Killed 5 Students and Wounded 16; Advocates Call for Renewed Effort to [...]

Duel Over Gun Safety In Texas Capitol: After a Shooting Last Month, Legislators Clash Over Whether To Continue Letting People With Guns In the Building

According to the Wall Street Journal on Feb. 8th: State Trooper Jason Melson guards the Texas Capitol in Austin after a Jan. 21 shooting on the steps outside the building. Lawmakers in firearm-friendly Texas are embroiled in a debate over how to make the state Capitol safer: get rid of guns or encourage even more. [...]

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Dramatically Reverses Longstanding Editorial Position, Now Supports Carrying Of Hidden and Loaded Handguns In Public “With Restrictions” — Can You Say “Naive” Anyone?

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel wrote an editorial on Jan. 30th, “It’s time to reconsider concealed-carry law. In response, we are pleased to post the following letter to the editor to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Feb. 2nd from the Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort. Wisconsin Anti-Violence Effort: No Good Reason For Journal Sentinel to Dramatically Change Its [...]

Appomattox, VA, Attack Only Most Recent Mass Shooting Involving a Concealed Handgun Permit Holder

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Violence Policy Center). FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 CONTACT: Mandy Wimmer, Communications Associate, 202-822-8200 x110, mwimmer@vpc.org At Least 51 Innocent People Have Been Killed in Recent Mass Shootings Involving Concealed Handgun Permit Holders Washington, DC–Christopher Bryan Speight, the 39-year-old man who allegedly [...]

In Rural Virginia, Concealed Handgun Permit Holder Massacres 8, Surrenders To Police

According to the Associated Press on Jan. 20th: APPOMATTOX, Va. – A gunman suspected of killing eight people before disappearing into dense Virginia woods and firing on a police helicopter surrendered at sunrise Wednesday, ending an overnight hunt by dozens of law enforcement officers. Christopher Speight, 39, approached officers at the scene of the shootings [...]

Glenn Beck Interviews AZ State Senator Karen Johnson About Forcing Loaded Handguns Onto College Campuses — Beck Says Emphatically “Guns Save Lives”.

Spotlight: Keep Guns Off College Campuses Visit the Campaign To Keep Guns Off Campus Web Site. In Response To Glenn Beck, Watch ABC News 20/20 Report “If I Only Had a Gun” That Demolishes the Myth That Armed Students Can Stop an Attack. AZ: Gun Lobby Wants To Force Loaded Handguns On College Campuses – [...]

Concealed Handgun Permit Holders Have Killed at Least 9 Law Enforcement Officers, 108 Private Citizens Since May 2007–“Concealed Carry Killers” — Web Site January Update

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Violence Policy Center). For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 12, 2010 Contact: Mandy Wimmer, Violence Policy Center, 202-822-8200 x110, mwimmer@vpc.org Washington, DC–Concealed handgun permit holders have killed at least nine law enforcement officers in addition to 108 private citizens (including 13 shooters who killed themselves [...]

Gun Lobby’s Radical Agenda Fails, Again: Attempts To Force Loaded Guns On College Campuses Hits Wall Of Opposition In 2009

(We are pleased to post the following press release from the Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus). For Immediate Release Contact: Andy Pelosi, 914-629-6726, andy@gunfreekids.org John Johnson, 319-389-7382, johnwjohnson@mchsi.com Bills Fail In Michigan and 11 Other States in 2009. Colorado State University Bans Guns On Campus In December; Momentum Builds To Protect Universities and Student Safety [...]

Watch Video: Gun Rights and Tea Party Activists Encourage People To Bring Guns To New Mexico Protest

On Jan 3rd, Think Progress posted an unsettling video of Tea Party activists in New Mexico who openly carried loaded guns and assault weapons as a threat against “the government” and President Obama. Nearly 350 right-wing protestors crowded a New Mexico town’s busiest intersection yesterday to protest President Obama’s supposed anti-gun agenda and the “government [...]

NRA’s Push to Weaken Gun Laws

(We are pleased to post the following guest commentary from Freedom States Alliance affiliate, the New England Coalition To Prevent Gun Violence.) A recent Associated Press story highlighted the push by the NRA to loosen gun laws across the country. Kowtowing to the pressure of the NRA, legislators in a number of states have passed [...]

Exploding the Gun Lobby’s Deadly Myths That Paralyze American Gun Policy — FSA Book Interview With Dennis Henigan

(Use this link to purchase your copy today from Amazon.com and support the Freedom States Alliance. When shopping online at Amazon.com, up to 5% will be donated back to our efforts to save lives from gun violence). Freedom States Alliance communications director, Scott Vogel, interviewed Dennis Henigan, author of a vitally important and new book, [...]

Survivor Of Virginia Tech Tragedy: Keep Guns Off College Campuses

(We are pleased to post the following guest commentary from John Woods, an advocate and a leader of Students for Gun-Free Schools). I am a representative in Student Government at The University of Texas at Austin. I’m also uniquely positioned to discuss the issue of firearms and classrooms as an alumnus of Virginia Tech: I [...]

Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus Issues Statement On Colorado State University Banning Guns On Campus

(We are pleased to post the following press release from our partners, the Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus). (Over 90 colleges, universities and associations in 23 states have signed the resolution to keep guns off college campuses). For Immediate Release Contact: Andy Pelosi, 914-629-6726, andy@gunfreekids.org John Johnson, 319-389-7382, johnwjohnson@mchsi.com (December 4, 2009, New York) [...]

Colorado State University Bans ALL Guns On Campus By Unanimous Vote by Governing Board — Hands Gun Lobby Embarrassing Loss

(Over 90 colleges, universities and associations in 23 states have signed the resolution to keep guns off college campuses). According to a breaking AP news brief on Dec. 4th: DENVER — Colorado State University’s Board of Governors has voted to ban all guns on campus, falling in line with nearly every major college nationwide in [...]

Too Soon To Declare Concealed Handgun Law In Kansas a Success — New Study Shows Handgun Permit Holders Committing Scores Of Homicides, Killing Cops

In response to a story in the Wichita Eagle on Nov 27th about the Kansan carrying concealed weapons law going into affect three years ago, our colleague Josh Sugarmann, Executive Director of the Violence Policy Center penned the following op-ed in response. Wichita Eagle: Too soon to declare gun law a success By Josh Sugarmann [...]

America’s Colleges and Universities Are Under Attack From the Gun Lobby

(We are pleased to post the following guest commentary from our colleague, John Johnson, outreach coordinator for the Campaign To Keep Guns Off Campus, about the gun lobby’s agenda to force hidden and loaded handguns on Michigan’s college campues. Mr. Johnson’s essay was originally published in the Traverse City Record Eagle on Dec. 3rd). (Over [...]

Gun Violence Prevention Organizations Call On President Obama To Use Executive Authority To Ban Import of Armor-Piercing Pistol Used In Fort Hood Attack

(FN Herstal Five-seveN armor-piercing semiautomatic pistol). For Immediate Release: Thursday, November 19, 2009 Contacts: Scott Vogel, Freedom States Alliance, 312-243-8980, scott@freedomstatesalliance.org Mandy Wimmer, Violence Policy Center, 202-822-8200 x110, mwimmer@vpc.org; Peter Hamm, Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, 202-898-0792, phamm@bradymail.org Washington, DC—In a letter sent today to the White House, America’s six national gun violence prevention [...]

Concealed Handgun Permit Holders Have Killed 8 Law Enforcement Officers, 77 Private Citizens Over Two and a Half Year Period According to New On-Line Resource That Tallies News Reports of CCW Killings

(We are pleased to send you the following press release from our partners at the Violence Policy Center). November 17, 2009 Contact: Mandy Wimmer, Violence Policy Center, 202-822-8200 x110, mwimmer@vpc.org Scott Vogel, Freedom States Alliance, 312-243-8980, scott@freedomstatesalliance.org Washington, DC–Concealed handgun permit holders killed eight law enforcement officers and 77 private citizens (including 10 shooters who [...]