-Caveat Lector- WASHINGTON POST 8/21/01 Fearful French See Crime on the Rise http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38162-2001Aug20.html The fact that so many crimes in France now involve firearms -- everything from pistols to machine guns to grenade launchers used in a spectacular armored car heist last year -- raises questions about France's supposedly strict gun control laws compared with what is seen as a much more permissive system in the United States. Under French law, any weapon of more than 7.65mm is prohibited for all but security personnel. Smaller weapons, such as pistols, can be obtained only by people with high-risk jobs, such as jewelry store owners, and only after a full background check. Hunters with a valid permit can buy hunting weapons, and sports shooters must be members of the French Shooting Federation. But authorities said there are lapses, and they are trying to tighten the rules. "We are using every legal way to limit the circulation of weapons," a national police spokesman said. One problem for France is its central location. Many weapons filter in from Spain, Italy and Belgium, and also from Eastern Europe, where weapons have been plentiful since the outbreak of ethnic warfare in the Balkans. "The stock here is low, unlike in the United States," a diplomat said. "But the supply is only two hours away." For the most part, however, guns have been used by professional criminals, or in dramatic attacks like the recent bank assault. The common tools of the street gangs in the rough and gritty suburbs are knives and metal bars. Most muggings are committed by teenagers using knives or, more commonly, their fists to assault their victims. "I've been mugged twice in two weeks," said Leslie Gladsjo, an American filmmaker who has lived in Paris nearly five years. "I've lived in Paris all this time, and nothing like that has ever happened to me before. I've always felt totally safe here." � 2001 The Washington Post Company <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance�not soap-boxing�please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'�with its many half-truths, mis- directions 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, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== 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
