New York Times Mar 26, 2010
After a Supreme Court Loss, Washington’s Gun Laws Pass Muster
Washington can restrict the right of its residents to own guns -- again -- a federal judge ruled Friday. In his opinion, Judge Ricardo M. Urbina of Federal District Court for the District of Columbia found that new gun laws, which were passed after the United States Supreme Court struck down a previous firearms ban, are constitutionally sound. The 2008 Supreme Court case, District of Columbia v. Heller, recognized an individual right to keep and bear arms in the Second Amendment to the Constitution. That decision, however, left open the possibility of measured firearms regulation. After losing the Supreme Court case, the city ...read the full article


Arizona Republic Mar 25, 2010
Concealed-Weapons Bills Up for Vote
Proposed legislation that would make Arizona the third state in the nation to allow adults to carry concealed guns without permits may be the first of the dozen or so weapons-related bills proposed this session to hit the governor's desk. Lawmakers have amended Senate Bill 1108 and House Bill 2347 so they consist of identical language that would, among other things, eliminate the requirement for concealed-carry weapon permits for U.S. citizens 21 and older. The Senate bill, crafted by Sen. Russell Pearce, R-Mesa, was approved Tuesday by the Senate Committee of the Whole and now awaits a vote by the full ...read the full article


Seattle Times Mar 25, 2010
Starbucks Shareholders Reject Recycling Initiative; Company Declares First Dividend
In the world of coffee, a shot in the dark is a shot of espresso in brewed coffee. It gets your attention. A Starbucks shareholder took another kind of shot in the dark recently, proposing the company recycle more. The measure lost, as expected, but about 11 percent of Starbucks shareholders voted in favor, which activists hope will get the company's attention. "I don't understand why they wouldn't make every effort to recycle. Why not?" investor Gail Trezise, of Seattle, said after Starbucks' annual shareholders meeting at McCaw Hall. Sheryl Crow -- who confessed to being a "Starbucks groupie" -- performed three songs near ...read the full article


Norristown Times Herald Mar 25, 2010
Rep. Tim Briggs Applauds Firearm Reporting Resolution
BRIDGEPORT -- As previously reported in The Times Herald, Bridgeport Borough Council recently approved (9-0) a resolution that would require gun owners to report stolen firearms missing within two days of becoming aware of the theft. With West Conshohocken also joining the 30-plus municipalities across Pennsylvania that have shown similar support for the reform, state Rep. Tim Briggs, D-149th Dist., praised the boroughs for taking action. "The lost and stolen amendment had gotten voted in the House in 2008 but wasn't successful enough to pass, so (gun violence prevention organization) CeaseFirePA has started this new initiative to grow support from local communities, ...read the full article


Seattle Weekly Mar 25, 2010
Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Misses Target in Gun Debate
Starbucks has recently become an unwilling Ground Zero in the never-ending debate between those who love guns, and those who wish to make them scarce. And yesterday, CEO Howard Schultz fired a blank in his attempt to ease shareholder concerns that this duel might distract from the business of making money. Fact is, it's perfectly legal to carry a weapon, even a loaded one, into any Starbucks in a state with open carry laws like Washington's. But that's not how Schultz sees it. "I do want to clarify something you said that is not right," he said during Wednesday's Q&A. "You can't ...read the full article


KIRO - Radio Seattle Mar 24, 2010
Protesters to Greet Starbucks Shareholders
Stock prices and recycling are the big items on the agenda for Wednesday morning at the Starbucks shareholder's meeting. But the people gathering outside want to talk about something else. Anti-gun protesters will be handing-out leaflets to the nearly 4,000 shareholders walking in to the meeting. They want Starbucks to ban guns at all of their shops and get rid of the current open-carry policy. "Guns aren't allowed at the Starbucks at the annual meetings, guns aren't allowed at Starbucks corporate headquarters, guns aren't allowed to be carried by Starbucks employees. Allowing Starbucks customers to bring guns in is dangerous and should ...read the full article


Christian Science Monitor Mar 24, 2010
'Open Carry' Gun Laws Vex Starbucks, Again
Outside the Starbucks annual meeting Wednesday in Seattle, Wash., Ralph Fascitelli was one of the antigun-violence advocates handing fliers to the company's shareholders. Some fliers showed a puppy, bare feet, and a gun. Of the three, says Mr. Fascitelli, president of Washington Ceasefire, only firearms are allowed in Starbucks coffee shops. The coffee chain remains caught in the crossfire of a dispute over so-called "open carry" laws, which give gun owners the right to wear unconcealed weapons, often without a permit. After activists in a loosely organized open carry movement in California began gathering in Starbucks outlets, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun ...read the full article


WTOP Radio News Mar 24, 2010
Police: Road Rage Drivers Tried to Kill Each Other
DALE CITY, Va. -- Both drivers involved a road road duel on Interstate 95 during Tuesday afternoon's rush hour are being charged with trying to kill each other. Virginia State Police Wednesday evening took dump truck driver James A. Bringham, 44, of Woodbridge, into custody. Police obtained a warrant against Bringham for attempted second-degree murder. Police previously charged Bringham with reckless driving. Already charged with attempted second-degree murder is Gabriel Poventud, 25, of Woodbridge. He's also charged with charged with child endangerment, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, shooting a missile into an occupied vehicle and reckless use ...read the full article


New York Times Mar 23, 2010
Officer Shot in the Bronx; Assailant Found Dead
A police officer was hit at least three times in a shootout on Monday while responding to a 911 call at a housing project in the South Bronx, but was apparently saved by his bullet-resistant vest, law enforcement officials said. The gunman was later found dead with a bullet wound to his temple in the bedroom where the shootout took place, though it was unclear whether the police had shot him or he had shot himself, officials said. The officer, Robert Salerno, 25, was in serious but stable condition at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center on Monday night. He was expected ...read the full article


WPXI - TV 11 Pittsburgh Mar 22, 2010
More Than 100 Guns Seized After McCandless Man's Arrest
McCANDLESS, Pa. -- Police recovered about 150 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition from a one-bedroom apartment following a four-hour standoff in McCandless. Police said officers arrested Russell Liang, 57, on Sunday morning. Officials said he confronted officers with an assault rifle at about 1 a.m. as they responded to a medical call at the Presidential Arms apartment complex. A SWAT team helped remove Liang from the apartment about four hours later and he was taken to a hospital for treatment. "When the officers arrived, they entered the apartment and were confronted by an armed individual," Police Chief Gary Anderson said. "He ...read the full article