Sydney's suburbs have a high concentration of gun owners, with many holding multiple firearms, prompting calls for stricter gun laws following a recent terrorist attack. The NSW government plans to review and tighten firearm regulations, including limiting the number of guns per person and restricting licensing to Australian citizens, amid concerns over the current system's effectiveness and safety.
Wess Roley, a 20-year-old with no criminal history, is the suspect in a shooting that killed two firefighters in Idaho. His family expressed shock, noting his aspirations to become a firefighter and his generally positive life, despite owning firearms. Authorities are still investigating his motives, and little is known about his intentions.
A new survey of almost 13,000 Americans reveals that a significant number of recent gun purchasers and those who regularly carry loaded weapons in public are open to engaging in political violence, including shooting perceived opponents. The study, conducted by the University of California, Davis, found that the risk of violent behavior rose dramatically among certain subsets of gun owners, particularly those who purchased weapons since the disruptions of Covid in 2020 and those who often carry guns in public. The study's authors hope that their findings will guide preventive measures as federal and state officials brace themselves for potential political violence in the future.
Potential jurors faced weighty issues during jury selection for the trial of James Crumbley, the father of a teen who opened fire at a Michigan high school, killing four students. Emotions ran high as some potential jurors were dismissed due to their inability to be fair and impartial. The case tests the limits of who is responsible for a mass shooting, with prosecutors arguing that the shooter’s parents are responsible for the deaths. The jury, consisting of community members, will have to judge the facts about what James knew and could foresee regarding his son's mental health and gun storage. The trial is expected to determine whether James Crumbley will be held accountable for the tragic events.
A jury of nine women and six men, all white, has been seated for the trial of James Crumbley, the father of the Oxford school shooter. Most jurors have some familiarity with his wife's case but believe they can be fair and impartial. The jurors have diverse backgrounds, with some owning guns and others having no experience with firearms. The trial follows the conviction of Crumbley's wife for involuntary manslaughter in the 2021 mass shooting at Oxford High School, where four students were killed. Opening statements are set to begin, and the case has drawn attention due to the family's tragic involvement in the shooting.
The previous owner of the gun used in the Oxford High School shooting may testify in James Crumbley's trial for involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors want to call the original purchaser of the SIG Sauer handgun to provide insight into its purchase, use, and storage, potentially as a rebuttal witness. Despite defense objections, the judge ruled that the witness will be allowed to testify.
The conviction of Jennifer Crumbley for involuntary manslaughter in the Michigan school shooting has potential implications for her husband's upcoming trial, as both parents face similar charges. While the verdict in Jennifer's case could impact James' trial, there are factual differences and separate juries. The prosecution accuses James of gross negligence for giving a gun to their son and failing to address his mental health issues. The parents' legal strategies and personal traits differ, and the outcome of Jennifer's trial may influence James' defense.
Bodega workers in New York City have reportedly formed a "secret society" to help each other secure legal firearms for self-defense. The workers, who often face the risk of robberies and violence, have turned to this underground network to navigate the complex process of obtaining firearms permits in the city. The group aims to ensure the safety of bodega employees and their businesses in a challenging environment.
The mother of a 6-year-old boy who shot his teacher in Virginia has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for using marijuana while owning a firearm. The boy used his mother's gun to shoot his first-grade teacher, who has filed a $40 million lawsuit against the school district. The mother pleaded guilty to using marijuana while owning a gun and lying about her drug use on a federal form. Prosecutors argued that her chronic drug abuse and the shooting incident warranted a prison sentence, while her attorneys requested probation and home confinement, citing her mental health issues. The boy's grandfather currently has custody of him.
The Supreme Court, with its conservative supermajority, seemed inclined to rule that the government may disarm individuals under domestic violence restraining orders, despite their previous decisions expanding gun rights. Justices who have historically pushed against restrictions on gun ownership appeared sympathetic to limits for people under such orders.
A 4-year-old boy in Rhode Island is in critical condition after his father, who is on probation and prohibited from owning a gun, accidentally shot him in the head. The father, Michael Jones, allegedly discharged a 9-millimeter gun in his bedroom, with the bullet going through the wall and hitting the boy in an adjacent room. Jones will face multiple charges, including felony assault and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. The child was taken to the hospital for surgery, and the incident highlights the need to keep firearms out of the hands of prohibited individuals.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has signed a decree tightening access to firearms, reversing the trend of increasing gun ownership under his predecessor Jair Bolsonaro. The new regulations limit civilians to owning two firearms, require documentation justifying the need for a weapon, and reduce the amount of ammunition allowed per gun. Despite the rise in gun ownership during Bolsonaro's tenure, Brazil's homicide rate has reached its lowest point in a decade. Experts attribute the decline to various factors, including public security policies, social programs, a fragile truce among criminal gangs, and the country's aging population. The Igarape Institute, a public security research group, praised the new rules as a step towards responsible gun control.
Country music star Jason Aldean is facing backlash for his new music video, which features footage of people protesting against police alongside lyrics about gun ownership and vigilantism. The video for the song "Try That In A Small Town" shows clashes with police, looting, and people damaging a police car, while Aldean sings about the consequences of disrespecting the police and engaging in "unpatriotic" actions in small towns. The song has sparked criticism on social media, with some pointing out the irony given that Aldean's concert was the site of one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. However, country music magazines have praised the video for addressing pressing social and political issues.
A 4-year-old girl was accidentally shot and killed by another child inside a home in River Grove, Illinois. The father of the child, who is a FOID cardholder and admitted to being the owner of the gun, claimed to store it on a high shelf in a closet. An investigation is underway.
Former President Barack Obama, in an interview with CBS Mornings, stated that public attitudes around gun rights have to be reshaped. He suggested that communities where gun ownership is an important tradition should be actively reached out to, while recognizing that it's not an either/or question – either we eliminate all guns, or there's nothing we can do about violence. Obama's My Brother's Keeper Alliance has started a new initiative where cities and towns that have had success reducing violence and increasing graduation rate have been chosen to share their best practices with other communities.
