Morning Brew: July 30th, 2007

Bizarre. Maybe U of T ought to close down their archery club as well, as painful reminders of the Hundred Years' War. Hey, some people are still hurting!

400 & Steeles Ave

Boy, a right ray of sunshine you are on this Monday morning.

And by "you" I guess I mean "gun-toting citizens of Toronto", as it hardly seems sensible to blame Jerrold.

Maybe the Bad Brains dude was smart to be wearing that bulletproof vest afterall!

Shooting remains a sanctioned event at international university competitions, said Ms. Chao, who sees Mr. Bryant's call for a handgun ban as a knee-jerk, political response that will punish responsible shooters, but have little impact on a social problem as nuanced as gang culture. Crime, she pointed out, has also been banned, but gang members apparently "didn't get the memo."

Got a point there - although break-ins to properties holding guns remain an issue for legal owners.

Shooting remains a sanctioned event at international university competitions, said Ms. Chao, who sees Mr. Bryant's call for a handgun ban as a knee-jerk, political response that will punish responsible shooters, but have little impact on a social problem as nuanced as gang culture. Crime, she pointed out, has also been banned, but gang members apparently "didn't get the memo."

They should close down Chess Club as I have very painful memories from childhood

: - ), just wanted to lighten things up, but jeesh, what's goin' on up there?

Rifles and bows, while can be used against other humans, are primarily hunting weapons.  Gloria, you don't hunt with a hand gun.  They exist for one reason only.  To shoot people.  Someone didn't invent them with the grand idea of gun ranges or gun collectors. Unless you support the idea of killing other human beings, a hand gun has no reason to exist.

According to the Star article the police did not shoot the woman in the head, but in fact it appeared that the gun shot wound was self-inflicted.  In the future please read the article before making a statement

Rob: I read the Star article. And others.

Where in the article does it say that she shot herself?!  While that is entirely possible, the article is vague because we don't know that as fact yet.  That's why the SIU is involved.

680 news is reporting that police will not yet say who fired the gun:

http://www.680news.com/news/local/article.jsp?content=20070730_090442_3944 

I may have misinterpreted the story, and have updated the post.

We can't hunt with swords either (well, you can, but it'd be difficult). They are weapons, expressly manufactured to wound and kill other human beings. Should fencing be banned?

Ryan, you defend rifles. My point was just that. It seems a bit over the top to associate sporting rifles -- the sort seen in Olympic events -- with handguns used for crime and murder. Long rifles are not weapons commonly seen on the street, just like the bow and the sword (unless you've got your occasional medieval enthusiast). Yet the article says the ban is for the rifle as well as the hand pistol.

But then again, rifles aren't entirely benign either. Ever heard of a sniper?

It seems we both read the same story but different versions of it.  The version that you posted a link for seems to be an earlier report.  Check out http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/241303 for additional information.  Sorry if the comment came off a little harsh.  I think I was channeling my frustration with Canadian media (like Global News and City TV) taking on a more American style of sensationalist statements and biased newscasts.  I always enjoy the "Morning Brew" and look forward to more in the future.