Free Republic

Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson wants Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump to reveal his "magic bullet" for combating the spate of murders here. Johnson has a point — what exactly is Trump's secret plan to end the gun violence? The GOP candidate should answer this challenge. Here's a simple plan: Chicago should "Al Capone" its killers. When the notorious Chicago gangster finally went down in 1931, it wasn't because of his complicity in scores of murders or bootlegging that brought him outlandish wealth. The mob boss was taken down because he did not pay his taxes — and that brought...

The 1994 federal law banning "assault weapons" was a high point of the gun control movement and Bill Clinton's presidency. Signing the bill, he said it was the beginning of "our effort to restore safety and security to the people of this country." But something happened that he and his allies had not predicted: nothing. Duke University scholars Philip Cook and Kristin Goss, who are sympathetic to gun control efforts, assessed the ban in a book published this year and concluded, "There is no compelling evidence that it saved lives." A 2004 study led by Christopher Koper of the University...

A Wisconsin group that promotes "open carry" of firearms says it will take action against Madison police after two of its members were issued citations for obstruction Saturday night when they refused to identify themselves at a restaurant. The incident occurred while five members of Wisconsin Carry met and ate at a Culver's restaurant near East Towne Mall, said Auric Gold, the group's secretary. Gold said each of the five men was "wearing a holstered firearm, a legal and constitutionally protected activity in Wisconsin."

You want to buy a firearm at a gun show? You need a background check. It's that simple. But a legislative bill would waive that requirement for people who already have permits to carry concealed weapons. The reasoning is that they've been vetted once in a thorough process, and that ought to be enough. We disagree. Concealed-carry permits are good for five years, and a lot can happen in five years. A fresh background check should be done whenever someone purchases a gun at a gun show. Furthermore, a background check isn't that onerous. Lance Clem, spokesman for the Colorado...

STOCKTON - Could a number help police solve crimes and deter criminals? Several weeks ago, Sen. Joe Dunn, D-Garden Grove, unveiled a bill proposing the serialization of all ammunition sold in California starting in July 2007. The legislation, supported by California Attorney General Bill Lockyer and Sen. Don Perata, D-Oakland, is being hailed by supporters as a cost-effective way to prevent crimes and help law enforcement do its job. Opponents say the bill is rife with problems and will only increase costs to consumers and ammunition manufacturers. The proposal would require vendors to sell ammunition with an identification number zapped...