-Caveat Lector-
"``The value of this new law is not so much that police can seize your
guns [if you're a "nut"},' said Connecticut representative Lawlor, sponsor of
the state law..
"``It gives police a system to investigate a person who poses a
potential threat. The police can now look into a person's behavior and
prevent future tragedy by intervening.''
Law Targets Dangerous Gunowners
By ADAM GORLICK
.c The Associated Press
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Before Columbine High School, before the Atlanta day
trader offices, before the Jewish community center in Los Angeles, there was
Matthew Beck.
In March 1998, the 35-year-old accountant went on a suicidal shooting spree
in his offices at the Connecticut Lottery headquarters. Four people died
before Beck put the gun to his own head.
Lawmakers reacted with one of the toughest gun-seizure laws on the books.
Starting next month, Connecticut police will be allowed to confiscate guns
from anyone determined to be an immediate danger to himself or others. The
law is rooted in the notion that rampages such as Beck's are preceded by a
detectable descent into madness.
Critics say the law tramples the Second Amendment and fear it could lead to
unwarranted searches and seizures.
Supporters say the standards for seizing guns are so high the law will seldom
be used.
>From both sides, Connecticut's law - apparently the first of its kind - is
attracting attention.
Legally seizing a gun will require more than suspicion, said state police Lt.
Robert Kiehm.
There must be evidence that the person recently tortured animals, threatened
to kill himself or others or acted violently. A police investigation must
conclude there is no other way to keep the person from doing harm, and a
warrant must be issued by a judge.
The law also requires a hearing within 14 days to determine whether the gun
should be returned.
``You need probable cause just to begin an investigation,'' Kiehm said. ``But
it gives police officers the power to take some proactive steps instead of
waiting for something to happen.''
Beck had threatened to kill his bosses at the lottery several days before the
rampage. His co-workers were so nervous, one started bringing a gun to work
for his own protection, said Rep. Michael Lawlor, the law's sponsor.
Under the new law, if those co-workers had ``called the cops and said Beck
was talking about guns and making threats, something could have been done
before the shooting happened,'' Lawlor said.
Gun-rights advocates argue that allowing police to take weapons from people
who haven't done anything wrong violates their Constitutional right to bear
arms
``You don't forfeit your rights just because you might do something bad,''
said Dennis Fusaro, director of state legislation for Gun Owners of America.
The National Rifle Association declined to comment.
The law also could lead to illegal searches, said Rep. Richard Tulisano.
``Now police can say, `We saw you kick a dog peeing on your petunias, so now
we could go in your house and look for guns because you might be
dangerous,''' Tulisano said. ``What happens if they're looking for guns and
they find drugs? This law becomes the basis for which people could invade
your home.''
Lawmakers in other states say the focus on prevention is the law's strength.
Illinois Rep. Tom Dart, a Chicago Democrat, said he plans to introduce a
similar Illinois proposal in November.
``The thing that frustrates me is that when they're pulling bodies out of a
house, neighbors are telling the police 'Yeah, the guy who shot them was nuts
- we all knew that,''' Dart said. ``But everyone says that there's nothing
that they could have done to stop the shooting.''
Steven Duke, a Yale University law professor, said he doubts the law would
have prevented Mark O. Barton from killing nine people at two brokerage firms
in Atlanta in July.
``What guy who wants to shoot somebody is really going to be deterred because
his pet weapon has been confiscated?'' Duke asked.
But Lawlor said the new law could stop people like Benjamin Smith, the white
supremacist who killed two people and wounded nine during a two-state
shooting spree targeting Jews, blacks and Asians.
Smith's criminal record and reputation for passing out hate literature could
have prompted police to take action, Lawlor said.
``The value of this law is not so much that police will seize your guns,''
Lawlor said. ``It gives police a system to investigate a person who poses a
threat. If the police never confiscate a person's guns, they can at least
look into the person's behavior and perhaps prevent a tragedy by
intervening.''
DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER
==========
CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic
screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters
and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright
frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects
spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL
gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers;
be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and
nazi's need not apply.
Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector.
========================================================================
Archives Available at:
http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html
http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/
========================================================================
To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email:
SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Om
