Charleston Church Massacre Happened In Gun-Free Zone

The Charleston, S.C., church massacre is already drawing comparisons to the tragedies at the Sandy Hook School in Newtown, Conn., and at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo. because it happened in a gun-free zone.

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Nine people were were fatally shot at a historically black church Wednesday night.

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Although South Carolina is one of several states around the country that issue concealed carry licenses on a “shall issue” basis, legal gun owners are not permitted to carry their firearms into places of worship.

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States that issue such permits grants gun licenses to residents without the “arbitrary bias and discretion, compelling the issuing authority to award the permit,” Buckeye Firearms notes.

According to South Carolina law, civilians may not carry their legal fire arms “on school premises (including day care and preschool facilities), in law enforcement offices or facilities, in court facilities, at polling places on election days, in churches or other religious sanctuaries, or in hospitals or medical facilities. (S.C. Code Ann.§ 23-31-215.)”

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The penalties for carrying a firearm in such places include a fine of at least $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both.

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The alleged gunman, who was captured in Shelby, N.C., Thursday, is 21-year-old Dylann Storm Roof, a white male from Lexington, S.C. Reuters reported Thursday that Roof’s father gave him a .45 caliber pistol for his 21st birthday in April.

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That’s also the day when he became eligible to apply for a concealed carry permit. It is unknown if he is a South Carolina permit holder.

Via: Daily Caller

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Concealed Carrier Saves Friends From Three Armed Teens

Three Colorado teens were shot — one fatally — while trying to rob three men at gunpoint as they were moving into an Aurora apartment late Friday night.

Aurora police say that the three teenagers approached the three intended victims in the foyer of the apartment building and held them at gunpoint. The three movers were described as being in their 20s.

“Two of the movers started to hand over their money, the third mover who was in fear for his safety of his friends, pulled out his weapon,” Aurora Police Chief Nick Metz said at a press conference on Saturday.

The armed mover opened fire and hit all three of the teens, killing one, putting a second in critical condition, and slightly wounding another.

The three assailants have not been identified. The man who defended himself and his friends was questioned by police and released.

“I don’t think we would call this necessarily a make-my-day issue,” said Arapahoe County District Attorney George Brauchler, referring to a state law similar to the “stand your ground” law on the books in other states. “This is a straight up regular common sense statutorily codified self defense,” Brauchler added.

Via: Daily Caller

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Jay Carney on Navy Yard, other shootings: 'This is why we should take action' on gun control

White House press secretary Jay Carney reiterated President Obama's desire to pass gun control legislation, though he sounded cautious about appearing to use the Navy Yard shooting to political advantage.

"[I]t is far too early to say anything about who did this and the broader meaning of it," Carney told reporters, per a live transcription. "When it comes to common sense legislation to reduce gun violence, the president has been very clear," Carney added, recalling Obama's frustration with congressional leaders who voted down a gun proposal in March.

The comments came under repeated questioning from American Urban Radio's April Ryan.

"That was a shame and we will continue to work to take action to improve gun safety, to reduce gun violence in this country through executive action and, hopefully, Congress will work to reduce gun violence as well," he said.

Ryan pressed him about gun control in a follow-up. "Jay, you say it's far too early, and I understand that, but we do know for a fact that these were shooting deaths, and going down that seven: Fort Hood, Binghamton, Tuscon, Aurora, Oak Creek, Newtown, and the Navy Yard now."

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"And countless other deaths, as you know April, countless other deaths, and this is why we should take action to reduce gun violence, we should take common sense action supported by Americans from every part of the country," Carney replied.

Via: Washington Examiner

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