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French gunman's arsenal spotlights illegal arms trade
reuters.com ^ | 23 March, 2012 | Andrew Osborn

Posted on 03/24/2012 6:35:49 AM PDT by marktwain

(Reuters) - As France asks itself whether it could have done more to prevent Islamist gunman Mohamed Merah shooting dead seven people in a killing spree that shook the nation, there is one question that refuses to go away: how did he obtain so many guns.

The size and nature of the arsenal amassed by Merah - who stockpiled at least eight guns including a Kalashnikov assault rifle and an Uzi machine pistol - has focused attention on the easy availability of illegal weapons in France and their growing use in ultra-violent crimes.

As an angry online reader of the daily Le Figaro newspaper put it: "How was he able to buy all these guns, like one buys yoghurts, when he was under the surveillance of the DCRI (the French intelligence agency)?"

Just weeks after France tightened gun laws which were already among the strictest in the world, the issue has blown into the political debate ahead of an April-May presidential election.

(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: banglist; france; gun; illegal
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The article shows that illegal automatic weapons are easy to get on the french black market.

Gun control in the United States is not about making guns less available to criminals. It is about making gun owners into criminals.

1 posted on 03/24/2012 6:35:56 AM PDT by marktwain
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To: marktwain

Lord almighty... it’s too early for Reuters, Twain! I’ve yet to wrap my head around the Friday night dump of Trayvon Martin stuff, and now this.

I need to go to the range and put some lead down the line.


2 posted on 03/24/2012 6:41:59 AM PDT by rarestia (It's time to water the Tree of Liberty.)
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To: marktwain

“French gunman”?


3 posted on 03/24/2012 6:42:49 AM PDT by equaviator
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To: equaviator
“French gunman”?

"...of Algerian descent," is how they described him on the local NPR station.

4 posted on 03/24/2012 6:44:52 AM PDT by Oberon (Big Brutha Be Watchin'.)
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To: marktwain
Gun control in the United States is not about making guns less available to criminals. It is about making gun owners into criminals.

That's just as true in France and everywhere else.

Life would be much better in Mexico if it had a 2nd Amendment.

5 posted on 03/24/2012 6:48:10 AM PDT by Tribune7 (GAS WAS $1.85 per gallon on the day Obama was Inaugurated! - - freeper Gaffer)
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To: marktwain
“who stockpiled at least eight guns including a Kalashnikov assault rifle and an Uzi machine pistol - has focused attention on the easy availability of illegal weapons in France and their growing use in ultra-violent crimes.”

I personally know hundreds of people that have much larger stockpiles, and have had them for decades. Not one single weapon has ever gone out on a rampage.
Perhaps they need to examine the easy availability of radical terrorists they've welcomed into their community, right under the nose of the the intelligence service?

6 posted on 03/24/2012 6:48:42 AM PDT by bitterohiogunclinger (Proudly casting a heavy carbon footprint as I clean my guns ---)
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To: marktwain
I guess petty crimes must pay off more in Froggyland than here in the US and allowed him to afford this arsenal.

Naturally, we must ignore the elephant and what is behind curtain no 2 which is any possibility that he "may" have had some "help" from fellow practitioners of the "Religion of Pieces."

Nutting to see here, just move along!!!

7 posted on 03/24/2012 6:51:20 AM PDT by Conservative Vermont Vet (l)
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To: marktwain

France has done a wonderful job disarming it’s law-abiding citizens and empowering criminals to prey on those who would obey French law.


8 posted on 03/24/2012 6:59:59 AM PDT by RavenATB ("Destroy the family and you destroy the country!" ~Vladimir Lenin)
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To: marktwain

And I bet an international treaty would solve ALL of those pesky gun problems...


9 posted on 03/24/2012 7:04:34 AM PDT by know-the-law
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To: marktwain

Can you bleive the hysterical language this “news” article uses.

You can just hear the reporters thong bunching up in his or her crotch.


10 posted on 03/24/2012 7:21:40 AM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both)
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To: marktwain

I don’t get it — why don’t they pass a law against the illegal gun trade? Won’t that solve everything?


11 posted on 03/24/2012 7:22:53 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (Blacks get shot every day. What makes Trayvon so special? Democrat hype.)
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To: bitterohiogunclinger

What is a gun’s attitude before it’s picked up and pointed at someone?


12 posted on 03/24/2012 7:24:41 AM PDT by equaviator
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To: bitterohiogunclinger

What is a gun’s attitude before it’s picked up and pointed at someone?


13 posted on 03/24/2012 7:25:58 AM PDT by equaviator
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To: equaviator

Who would have thought?

A Frenchman who didn’t surrender!


14 posted on 03/24/2012 7:31:46 AM PDT by Iron Munro (If Repubs paid as much attention to Rush as the Dem's do, we wouldn't be in this mess)
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To: marktwain

Imagine what is being stockpiled in mosque basements and safe houses.


15 posted on 03/24/2012 7:33:12 AM PDT by Travis McGee (www.EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: marktwain
The size and nature of the arsenal amassed by Merah - who stockpiled at least EIGHT guns...

8 guns = AMASSED, STOCKPILED, ARSENAL

16 posted on 03/24/2012 7:35:37 AM PDT by DTogo (High time to bring back the Sons of Liberty !!)
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To: Travis McGee

Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing more than used bhurkas, korans, sandals, prayer rugs, etc.


17 posted on 03/24/2012 7:37:19 AM PDT by equaviator
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To: know-the-law
And I bet an international treaty would solve ALL of those pesky gun problems...

As a Senator, Obama authored the World Poverty Act which wanted the US to adopt the United Nations Millennium Declaration. This is from the UNMD

To take concerted action to end illicit traffic in small arms and light weapons, especially by making arms transfers more transparent and supporting regional disarmament measures, taking account of all the recommendations of the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons."

UNMD

18 posted on 03/24/2012 7:48:39 AM PDT by Roccus
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To: marktwain
"Already tough French gun laws were tightened further earlier this month with the approval of longer jail terms and larger fines for anyone caught with an illegal firearm."

"...police say the use of illegal arms in violent crime is on the rise. In 2010, police confiscated 2,710 guns, 79 percent more than in 2009."

19 posted on 03/24/2012 7:57:27 AM PDT by Red Dog #1
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To: marktwain
Does the United States Department of Justice have a Operation Fast and Furious for French Muslims?

Is this the tip of another 0bama Iceberg?

20 posted on 03/24/2012 8:09:08 AM PDT by TYVets (Pure-Gas.org ..... ethanol free gasoline by state and city)
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