Polling is underway in the WA state election with 1.3 million voters deciding whether a Liberal Opposition can halt the dominance of Labor governments nationally. Despite the redrawing of electoral boundaries under the state's one-vote, one value legislation, the Carpenter government is widely tipped to fall today. To form government, the Liberals must win nine seats and keep those they already hold in the 59-seat Legislative Assembly. Regarded as an impossible task at the outset of the four-week campaign, opinion polls and commentators now predict the result will be so close that neither the Labor or Liberal parties may be able to form government in their own right.
An investigation is under way after a policewoman left a loaded pistol in a Starbucks toilet. The pistol was reportedly found on the toilet floor of a branch of the coffee shop in central London by a member of the public. The highly-trained officer involved is believed to be part of former prime minister Tony Blair's protection team.
Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson has been severely embarrassed by revelations one of his senior MPs committed security breaches while on a parliamentary tour of the Gulf, putting the lives of Australian servicemen at risk. The breaches, by former parliamentary secretary Peter Slipper, Liberal Member for the Sunshine Coast seat of Fisher, occurred in July after he insisted on using the satellite phone on HMAS Stuart to call his family and office.
The variety of weapons on offer in Britain is extensive and includes machine guns and shotguns, as well as pistols and converted replicas. A source close to the trade in illegal weapons listed a menu of firearms that are available on the streets of the capital. "You can get a clean [unused] 9mm automatic for Ł1,500, a Glock for a couple of grand and you can even make an order for a couple of MAC-10s," he said. "Or you can get a little sawn-off for Ł150.
Students in the tiny Texas town of Harrold spent much of the first couple of days in school this week trying to guess which of their teachers were carrying pistols under their clothes. Gun-control advocates are wringing their hands, while pro-gun groups are gleeful. Leaders of the state’s major teachers unions have expressed stunned outrage, while the conservative Republican governor has endorsed the idea. Submitted by CE.
The question for Mayor "We Must Ban All Handguns" Miller, of course, is now that you have put the squeeze on some legal guns and owners, how are you doing on the illegal ones? Dismally, say the statistics. There are 15 unsolved shooting murders this year. It's a shocking number and none had anything to do with the (shooting club) at Union Station.
US: McCain chooses NRA life member as running mate
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has emerged as John McCain's vice-presidential running mate. Sarah Palin is a God-fearing, gun-toting former beauty queen who could just become America’s next vice president. In Alaska, the right to bear arms means staying on top of the food chain. Palin, a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association, hunts, shoots, and fishes.
UK: James Bond fan fed gun crimes
A James Bond fan's backyard operation turning replica firearms into deadly weapons contributed to 52 shootings across Britain, including eight London murders. Grant Wilkinson may not have pulled the trigger at the shootings, but relatives of victims say he is just as culpable for the bloodshed that flowed from his business. Wilkinson, found guilty yesterday of running Britain's most prolific gun factory, bought 90 replica Mac-10 submachine guns from a licensed dealer. He converted them into live weapons in two garden sheds at Three Mile Cross, Berkshire, west of London.
More proof, if any were needed, that criminals will always find ways to get guns.
Action Match: Sig Sauer announces Bianchi Cup sponsorship
Sig Sauer has announced it will again be a major sponsor of the NRA National Action Pistol Championship, also known as the NRA Bianchi Cup, in Columbia, Missouri, May 18-23, 2009. The New Hampshire-based manufacturer produces firearms known internationally for their reliability and performance. Sig Sauer will sponsor the Moving Target match of the NRA Bianchi Cup and plans to provide $15,000 in cash and prizes.
NSW: Investigations continue into death of armed robber
Investigations are continuing into the shooting death of an armed robber at the National Australia Bank in Parramatta last week. Kalid Dib was shot by an Armaguard security guard during an attempted armed robbery last week. A cash-in-transit van was parked in George Street outside the National Australia Bank when three masked men two carrying firearms threatened two armed guards who were inside the bank.
UK: Man converted replicas into lethal weapons
A man was found guilty today of converting replica submachine guns into lethal weapons which were later used in some of Britain's most notorious crimes, including eight murders. Grant Wilkinson, 34, of no fixed abode, adapted replica Mac-10 guns in a garden shed in Berkshire. The weapons were then distributed to criminals in London.
UK: Power-hungry gangs members behind surge in shootings
Power-hungry young gang members are behind a spate of shootings in Birmingham that included the killing of a 24-year-old man on Saturday night, an expert believes. Derrick Campbell, a Home Office adviser who was born and lives in the city, fears that the death of Dimitri Foskin will lead to more revenge attacks.
UK: Calls for tighter airgun controls after Birmingham accident
Campaigners have called for legislation to make airgun owners liable for their misuse after an 18-month-old Birmigham boy was shot in the head. Rashid Rullah is in a critical condition at Birmingham Children's Hospital after what police said appeared to be a "tragic accident" in Washwood Heath on Sunday.
SA: Execution style killing may be drug related
A neighbour who heard the apparent execution of a man at Payneham South last night has told how the victim pleaded for help. The man said he had just turned off his TV about 1am last night when he heard four loud shots. "I didn't go out but my mum panicked and she went to the door and saw a man sitting on the footpath by a dark car," the man said. Shaken residents have said they believe the shooting is drug-related.
RELATED: Earlier Story
US: Bushnell to acquire Millett Industries
MidOcean Partners, a leading middle market private equity fund, and Bushnell Outdoor Products, the worldwide leader in sports optics, premium eyewear, and outdoor accessories for over 60 years, announced today that Bushnell has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Millett Industries in Huntington Beach, Calif. The transaction is expected to close within the next thirty days.
NSW: Hospital deaths 'a result of medical mistakes'
Reports of 61 deaths as a result of medical mistakes in western Sydney hospitals should have been included in the recent Clinical Excellence Commission report, the New South Wales Opposition says. A review of 85 deaths found there were deficiencies in treatment or care in 65 cases. In another 49 cases the patient would not have died if the care had been adequate. The report says 19 procedures were performed on the wrong patient or the wrong body part and five people died after being misdiagnosed.
SA: Man shot dead on roadside in Adelaide
Witnesses heard two to three shots before the body of a man was found with gunshot wounds in Adelaide this morning. Witnesses at the scene have talked of hearing two or three sharp sounds before the victim's body was found, but most people in the area said they neither saw nor heard anything.
Australia should be proud of its' Olympians, says Rudd
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd says all of Australia should be proud of the country's achievements at the Beijing Olympics. Mr Rudd says he watched the diving last night with his family and he is thrilled for gold medallist Matthew Mitcham.
The Australian victims of Nigerian online scams are greedy and should be jailed along with the Africans who relieved them of their cash, the Nigerian envoy to Canberra said Friday. "People who send their money are as guilty as those who are asking them to send the money," High Commissioner Sunday Olu Agbi told The Sydney Morning Herald.
A 24-year-old man has become the third to be shot dead in the same area of Birmingham in less than a year. Dimitri Foskin was shot at about 2215 BST on Saturday in Hockley Close in the Newtown area of the city. He was taken to hospital but died there.
London kicked off its preparations for the 2012 Olympics by screening a painting of a child murderer in a promotional film. Marcus Harvey's portrait of Myra Hindley, who was sentenced to life imprisonment along with her lover for killing four children between 1963 and 1964, was one of several works of art shown in a three minute video that also featured well-known London landmarks. 832
Oklahoma police investigating the shooting deaths of two girls have told area residents with guns to bring them in for a test to determine whether they were used in the attack, sparking concern among those who own guns for hunting and self-defense. According to reports in the Tulsa World the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation sent letters to members of the community who were registered as owning .40-caliber handguns suggesting they voluntarily bring in their gun or guns for a test.
High Court Judge Justice Michael Kirby has again called for Australia to adopt a charter of human rights. Justice Kirby made the remarks in response to a commitment by the Federal Government to consider the issue last year. Victoria and the ACT have already adopted their own charters of human rights. Would the Charter include a right to self defence?
Controversial boxing trainer and promoter Craig Christian was stopped from boarding a flight to Sydney on Tuesday morning after an X-ray of his suitcase at Perth Airport allegedly revealed a loaded handgun, drugs and cash. 75g of methamphetamine was hidden among his belongings. Submitted by PC Qld.
Independent MP Bob Katter was interviewed by Lisa Wilkinson on TV 9's "Today" show August 21. Mr Katter responded to all her objections resulting in Ms Wilkinson becoming more and more frustrated and sounding increasingly shrill as the 'interview' progressed. Most politicians treat the media with kid gloves. Not Mr. Katter! Submitted by PC Qld.
A 25-year-old man suffering a gunshot wound to the chest was dropped off at Auburn Hospital shortly after a botched hold-up, but was pronounced dead on arrival. Later, the dog squad and a police helicopter had to be called to the hospital when staff reported up to 50 people had gathered outside and were making threats. It is believed the crowd was trying to retrieve the dead man's body. RELATED: Earlier story
Early morning raids on members or associates of the Finks motorcycle gang by the Crime Gangs Taskforce and Star group police have netted drugs, pornography and Tazer guns. Four men and a woman have been arrested and three have been refused bail as they were on existing Court Bail at the of the alleged offences today. Items seized include drugs, knives and a .45 Browning handgun.
The World-Muzzle-Loading Championships were held at the SSAA SA's Monarto Range last week. Over 200 shooters from Australia and Overseas competed. Full results, and a photo gallery, are available on the SSAA South Australia website. RELATED: USIMLT website
The armed robbery suspect who died after being dumped outside a Sydney hospital was Khaled Dib, a police source has confirmed. A black balaclava, with holes for eyes and mouth, was found today dumped in the gutter around the corner from Dib's home in Lidcombe in western Sydney and taken away by detectives. A senior police source, who had investigated the man in the past, said that Dib was known to police as a drug dealer and a member of gangs involved in a series of armed van robberies.
A spokesperson for PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has revealed the group has sent Gwyneth Paltrow letters and videos “showing how people suffer for fur” but are yet to receive a response. The spokesperson added: “Gwyneth Paltrow won't be the apple of her daughter's eye if she continues to flaunt fur.
A primary school went into lock-down for two hours today after fears a gun had been brought into the school. A police spokesman said students at Illawarra Primary School were shut inside their classrooms after a youth was seen with a group of four people walking through the school grounds carrying what appeared to be a hand gun.
Police divers found parts of firearms in the water at Hells Hole south of Mount Gambier on Tuesday. The search followed recent discoveries by two recreational divers of a loaded shotgun in the sinkhole on June 30 and a second shotgun the next day. It’s believed the weapons could have been stolen during a housebreak four years ago in Mount Gambier.
A man has died after being shot by security guards during the attempted armed robbery of an armoured car in Sydney's west last night. Police say the cash-in-transit van was collecting money from a bank on George Street at Parramatta about 6:30pm (AEST) when two masked men carrying guns confronted the security guards.
Replica guns that can be converted into fully functioning firearms have been sold in WA.
Police have expressed grave fears after uncovering a shipment of the replica 9mm Beretta pistols and 8mm Bruni revolvers, which were imported from Italy. Detectives from the Licensing Enforcement Division have issued a nationwide alert about the potentially lethal weapons that have been sold by army surplus stores in Perth.
Airport customs officials in south-western China have seized 300 Bibles from four Americans, saying it was illegal to bring the books into the country. Officials were not immediately available for comment and a police official in Kunming said he was not able to confirm the seizure. 831
