Posted on 09/20/2007 12:42:47 PM PDT by neverdem
The International Association of Chiefs of Police urged Congress to pass `an effective assault weapons ban.'
The International Association of Chiefs of Police issued a report Wednesday calling for a ban on assault weapons, arguing it will make officers safer by reducing the ``firepower available to criminals.''
The report hits home this week in South Florida, where law enforcement officials are still reeling from the murder of one of their own. Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez, a former police officer and police director, gets angry when he talks about the fact that the gun used to kill Officer Jose Somohano was legal.
''There's absolutely no reason I can see having these weapons out on the street,'' he said.
His voice rising, he brings up Shawn LaBeet, the man who killed Somohano and shot three other officers: ``This guy just went to a gun store with a fake ID and bought one.''
Somohano was killed with a Mak-90, a modified assault rifle that was not covered by the assault weapons ban that expired three years ago. A bill in Congress now would ban it, but that legislation hasn't made it out of committee.
Police say LaBeet bought nine guns in the past year, including six assault rifles.
Local police say the number of murders committed with assault weapons has been steadily rising since the ban expired in 2004. They've become popular on the street, Miami Police Chief John Timoney said.
''It's become fashionable, if you will,'' he said. ``It's almost the gun of choice.''
In Miami, four people were killed with assault weapons in 2003. Last year, 15 murders were committed with assault weapons. So far this year, 12 people have been killed with high-powered guns.
Dr. David Shatz, a University of Miami trauma surgeon at Jackson Memorial Hospital, sees the trend in the emergency room.
''The appearance of violent crime has dropped in half in the last six or seven years,'' he said. ``But assault weapon injuries seem to be increasing.''
Without an assault weapon ban, local law enforcement officers say they're forced to ramp up their own arsenals.
Miami police recently decided to allow officers to carry assault rifles. Last year, the Broward Sheriff's Office allowed deputies to carry them. Fort Lauderdale police have been allowed to for six years.
Miami-Dade police have plans to do the same, Alvarez said. But he doesn't think that will solve the problem, because officers can't carry them on every call.
''They're not going to get out of their cars on a traffic stop with an assault rifle slung over their shoulder,'' he said. ``They're not going to approach a house with an assault rifle in their hands.''
Local law enforcement officials say they're looking to Congress for an answer.
''This is not a local issue. It has local implications, obviously. A police officer was just killed here,'' said Timoney, an ardent gun control advocate.
``The resolution of this is in the nation's capital. But there's no appetite to address that.''
U.S. Reps. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton; Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, and Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, all said Wednesday they support a new assault weapon ban.
''That officer was killed by an assault weapon that shouldn't have been in anybody's hands, at all,'' Hastings said angrily Wednesday.
The National Rifle Association was provided with a copy of the IACP report, but did not return phone calls for comment. Several Republican lawmakers also did not return phone calls.
This is two days in a row for this paper and author. The neoCOM base is getting way out of control.
BS BS BS. nuff said.
Assault weapons owners call for ban on the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Except for the hurricane aftermath - when there are no police. And for riots - when the police are busy elsewhere. And for terrorists - when the police are not around...
Domestic Enemy
How about a ban on illegal aliens....if they are gonna break the law entering the country...they ain’t gonna follow no weapons laws
Of course, this is the same organization that was just purchased outright by the Joyce Foundation, so this little press release is no surprise...
http://armsandthelaw.com/archives/2007/09/joyce_foundatio_9.php
These people are morons.
“Dr. David Shatz, a University of Miami trauma surgeon at Jackson Memorial Hospital, sees the trend in the emergency room.
‘’The appearance of violent crime has dropped in half in the last six or seven years,’’ he said. “
Yes it has. Violent crime dropped because...... On March 23, 2005, The Florida Senate passed SB-436, the “Castle Doctrine” unanimously, by a vote of 39 YEAS to zero NAYS.
And the fact it is a “must issue” state.
“The International Association of Chiefs of Police urged Congress to pass `an effective assault weapons ban.”
Which means, of course, that The International Association of Chiefs of Police has no idea what the political definition of an “assault weapon” is.
Surrounded by morons!!
I personally don’t give a damn what the National Association of Police Chiefs calls for. The Police Chiefs Association for one does not speak for rank and file officers, they are puppets who speak for the politicians who hire them. A police chief is hired by a mayor, a city manager or a city council and he can be fired by those same people. When the nation’s sheriffs speak up I then listen because sheriffs are elected to office by the citizens of this country and they answer directly to each and every voter. That’s why you’ll never see a group of sheriffs posed in pictures around liberal politicians.
Thanks for the link.
The International Association of Chiefs of Police issued a report Wednesday calling for a ban on assault weapons, arguing it will make officers safer by reducing the "firepower available to criminals."
Why, yes! Of course! All we have to do is make guns illegal and they'll disappear. It's so brilliant, yet so simple. I wonder why nobody has thought of this before today?
After all, the ban on the growth of marijuana has stopped marijuana production and made it impossible to obtain in the USA. The ban on methamphetamine production and possession has eradicated that particular horror from our midst. Drunk driving laws have completely put to rest the fear of being struck by an intoxicated driver.
Moreover, laws restricting the flow rate of my shower head guarantee that there will never again be a drought in America. The laws barring illegal entry into my country make it certain that the only competition I have for employment comes from other legal workers.
Overall, I just love laws! They solve everything.
Have a problem? Just get a law passed, and your problem goes away. Criminals will stop being criminals just as soon as we pass enough laws to leave them no other option!
Up with laws, regulations and widespread government control of everything! Call your congressman today! Do it now! Tell him that you want more laws so your life can be perfect. Obviously, the only reason it isn't perfect already is that there aren't enough laws!
And that pesky little thing called the 2nd Amendment...
A policeman’s job is only easy in a police state.
- Orson Welles
An oxymoron proposed by morons.
Stupid
Golf club = assault weapon
There has been a push in Miami/Dade for the evillookinggun ban for a number of years.
And this Looney Timooney even LOOKS like an officer straight out of the 3rd reich.
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