Remember the name Louis Guswalter “Bart” Parker III, described by the Seattle Times as “a felon known to carry firearms.”
This model citizen is being held in the King County Jail on $1 million bail in connection with what has now become the shooting death of 19-year-old Markesha Monroe, who made the pitifully poor choice of dating a thug, but it should not have cost her life.
It is not clear to whom the gun belonged, but it should not have been in the same room with the suspect. Several gun control laws were supposed to have prevented that.
Parker should become a poster child for the monumental uselessness of gun control laws that were pandered as solutions to the “criminals-with-guns” problem, but have only managed to impact law-abiding citizens. The Times reported that Parker, 19, has “a lengthy juvenile criminal record” and is a known member of a street gang. He’s also been jailed twice by the cops for investigation of illegal gun possession since becoming an adult; a shining example to whom children in the neighborhood can look upwards, no doubt.
Parker, 19, has a lengthy juvenile criminal record and is a known member of the Westside Street Mobb street gang, according to charging papers.
Monroe was shot in the head with (not “by”) a .22-caliber pistol at her family’s home in Skyway. Published reports say Parker fled immediately after the shot was fired, which happened after Monroe was heard to yell “Stop, Bart!” He returned a short time later, claiming she accidentally shot herself. He ultimately surrendered to police a few days later.
Gun prohibitionists will emerge from their vast intellectual wasteland and argue that tragedies like this are why gun laws need to be stricter. Well, how much more strict can a gun law be than prohibiting a punk thug from possessing a firearm, essentially for the rest of his life? Even if this guy’s record was spotless, he is not old enough to legally purchase or carry a handgun except under specific circumstances.
Since becoming an adult, he has twice been booked into the King County Jail on investigation of unlawful possession of a firearm, the papers say.
The other side to the argument can be found in Florida, where – according to WFTV.com and the Associated Press – authorities report a 67 percent increase in the number of concealed carry permit applications over last year at this time. Good citizens in the Sunshine State and elsewhere have flocked to local police and sheriff’s departments to obtain carry permits to defend themselves against the rising tide of street gangs and individual criminals.
(It should be duly noted for its irony that the Commissioner of the Florida agency responsible for issuing concealed carry licenses is a fellow named Charles Bronson. He had to ask for 61 temporary employees earlier this year to reduce a backlog of 90,000 permit applications.)
California is wrestling with the court-ordered release of thousands of prison inmates at the same time local and state governments are facing massive budget shortfalls that will mean cuts in police services.
Florida is seeing a huge increase in applications for concealed weapon permits. The state is on pace to handle 150,000 requests -- a 67 percent increase over 2008.
This is not a pleasant environment and it is no time to entertain calls for more restrictions on the ability of law-abiding citizens to own and carry guns. Indeed, the Second Amendment Foundation last week filed a lawsuit with some private citizens against the District of Columbia over the right to carry.
There is something pathetically wrong with a system that places all kinds of burdens on honest citizens who wish to exercise their right to own a gun for personal protection, but fails miserably – on several levels – to prevent guys like Parker from being loose in public, much less possessing a firearm.
According to the National Rifle Association, a recent Zogby International/O’Leary Report poll found that 83 percent of Americans support right-to-carry laws now in effect in 39 states. These people believe in the right of self-defense. They also understand police cannot be everywhere, and they realize that there are more people like Parker still out there, and they do not bother with waiting periods, background checks or concealed carry licenses.
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Comments
Interesting to contrast your example with the recent case of George Sodini who was legally armed and not a criminal -- until he shot 12 women in the recent LA Fitness shooting in Pittsburgh.
Perhaps the people who want to totally ban guns have it right? After all, if gun laws don't work, perhaps a total gun ban will?
I agree with. A total gun ban would make guns impossible to acquire. Just like a total ban on heroin and crack works. You gun owners are psycho.
So, you are in agreement with me that the largest jewelry robbery in history in the UK was committed by cops. right? I mean because they have a total gun ban in the UK and the robbers had and fired guns.
Or like in Mexico where ostensibly even one round of .22 ammunition can get you a very long prison terms because guns are totally banned there too. And we know how well that's working. Uh huh, you have a good point, but if you part your hair just right or wear a hat, nobody will notice.
All of you.. ALL OF YOU! Must spread the word. Make sure all the folks you know are told about the propaganda and lies surrounding the stereotyping of gun right advocates as dangerously unstable people with their finger on the trigger. I just read an article on Yahoo news about militia groups on the rise. They deamonize such patriots as deranged kooks praying for anarchy, just waiting for an honest civilian to come along. They portray those who would call themselves Sovereign citizens as "Anti-Government nuts" who approve of acts like the Oklahoma City bombing. It seems our government wants us all to forget the principles this country was founded on and that we, a group of individuals, instituted our government as a way of organizing the people of America to provide for necessary logistics and the common defense of our country. Party politics has created layer upon layer of barnacle like laws designed to prevent us all from making the choices which, are our fundamental continued...
right to make by denying us those choices by which, we are free. I should not be punished for a crime until I commit one. I should have the ability to say and do whatever I choose unless it harms someone and laws like preventing me from owning a 50 cal. rifle because I might shoot at an airplane? These are just wrong. If I shoot at a plane that is a crime but having that weapon in my safe because someday it may become necessary or whatever personal reasons I may have is why freedom is not safe nor easy. Live our lives with honor and remember we all are the supreme rulers of our country and our government is comprised of our servants for that is the difference between being a civilian or a citizen. This is not a democracy. It is a republic and if you don't know the difference you are part of the problem. Read your Constitution regularly. Read the writings of those who fought and died so we can have this discussion. Sovereign Citizen, these are not dirty words. They are honorable words.
Please read my second comment below first as I could not fit my comments into one post.
Thank you
John
You gun-ban folks just don't get it, as evidenced in Great Britain, where almost all firearms are illegal, the Bobbies now must be armed, the violent crime rate has been increasing, and the criminals are smuggling in guns from elsewhere. British citizens have lost their right to self defense (hurt the guy who is robbing you, and he can successfully sue you for his pain and suffering). It took them about 100 years, from the first law in 1903 requiring the licensing of "high capacity" pistols ie Revolvers, until the only guns not confiscated are a few shotguns, licensed, registered, and to be used for hunting only.
If that's what you want, then I strongly suggest that you move there. We ain't havin' it HERE!
Oh by the way: The Brits have also lost (or have severely limited) their rights to free speech and jury trials.
We in the US have a Bill of Rights which guarantees a pre-existing right to self defense through the use of arms. The Brits didn't. We won't let it happen here!
Get this straight: We are all done with letting do-gooders emascualate our Constitution and Bill of Rights!
First, look to those elected reps who pander to the gun-grabbers to lose their seats in the upcoming elections.
You can see the intensity of feeling in these posts. You can see it in the Tea Parties from earlier this year. You can see it in the intensity at the Town Halls being held currently.
Do-gooders: You had your chances with the Assault Weapons Ban, DC Gun Ban, all kinds of limitations at the local, state, and federal level. None of these measures worked, so we are moving back to basics: The 2nd Amendment. Check it out - there WON'T be blood running in the street - they instead will be safer, just like in Britain in 1900 when everyone was armed, and violent crime was almost nil. You shouted us down in the late '80s and '90s. Prepare to be shouted down by the "Silent Majority" which is fed up with your misinformation and outright lies.
Criminals Beware!
yALL ARE GETTING THERE. But a total Gun Ban???? Pardon me but I mean no offense, but i cannot believe a person who seems to be otherwize sane and intellegent would say something that crazy. I know that you are probably the salt of the earth, kind, sweet and loveable. But you lack a little educating. Google 'Gun Facts 5.0. you will find a wealth of information that is well documented so that you can check it out. It will open your eyes. It dispells every myth and lie that the mass media parrots and makes up. It will tell you why, with ample proof, Gun bans do not and cannot work. put another way, has banning various drugs made any dent in the availability of same even a little bit? People consumed more alcohol per capita during prohibition of alcholic beverages than before or since. did you know that there is no such thing as a saturday night special, an assult weapon,and Cop Killer bullets? Did you know that at least 2 times as many crimes are prevented by the use of a firearm than
You anti gun people need to take a step back and look at the whole picture. Rights are just that. Availing ones self of them needs no ones permission. That is what America is all about. I know it's a cliche but it's also true. The person who would forsake a single right for personal safety deserves neither and believe me, if that's how you feel? I agree, you deserve neither. The hundreds of thousands of patriots who died for our rights do not deserve the dishonor of you giving away that which, they died for.
are commited useing a firearm? did you know that your child is 7 times more likely to drown in a public swimming pool than to be shot? that is just a few of the things that put the lie to the gun banners and the media. Did you know that the police organizations say that the So-called assult weapons are a non problem. do you know why? Gun Facts 5.0 is free. just down load it. It is a pdf file and easy to print. it is over 100 Pages long and every statement is backed up with checkable facts. While you are at it google 'On Sheep, Wolves and Sheep dogs by Dave Grossman'. after reading it you will understand many things about this world and learn where you belong in the world. I am a sheep dog. I am proud of this. I love the sheep. we sheep dogs are the only thing that stands between you and death and destruction. This does not make us better, smarter or sexier than anyone else. we are male and female and I hope one of us is nearby to pull your butt out of a pinch. Perh. U R 1 of us?
Guns, in the hands of good, honest people, are no vice.
In Florida, the state Department of Agriculture has 90 days after receipt of application for a Concealed Weapon Or Firearm License to give cause to deny the application. The application has a passport quality photograph, fingerprints, and a notorized affidavit that there is no known reason to deny the application. After 90 days, the state MUST issue the license if no cause for denial is identified. Lack of state personnel to process the application is not justifiable cause to deny the issuance of the license.
The article posted here was correct in saying (several times) that most convicted felons and this one for sure cannot legally obtain firearms, however, the article went on to state that by not being 21 years of age the thug also could not buy a gun. Federal law allows an 18 year old citizen to purchase a handgun as long as the purchase is from an individual and not a licensed dealer. Washington might have a law restricting those between 18 and 21 but the federal law does not. When I lived in Washington there was no law barring individual sales which if changed could also make the original statement true. For the legions who "know" I am wrong about the legality of an under 21 handgun purchase, please refer to July 17, 2009 AP article quoting US Attorney Edward Yarbrough stating the young woman (age 20) who killed Steve McNair (NFL quarterback) bought her gun legally. I am not a big proponent of kids buying nines and '45s but the law allows it in most states. E.Zach Lee-Wright
You're the one who's intellectually bankrupt, gunlover.
If handguns were illegal, it would have been nearly impossible for this jackass to get hold of one because dealers in firearms would be in jail where they belong, and gunnut dealers couldnt infiltrate millions of firearms into urban ghettos and across the border into Mexico. You think the second amendment means you get any firearm, but it means you get to have a rifle in a militia. Your stupidity is also demonstrated by the FACT that countries with stiff arms penalties have murder rates far below ours. I agree that at this point, there are so many guns, that gun control doesnt work, because the lying 'lawful' white rural gun owners still peddle their wares under the radar. You can love your guns, because we know how much you do, but dont go on and on about logic, because that has nothing to do with it. Statistically, your arguments are a joke. Also, righties, dont think libs dont have weapons to defend against your stale minds.
Noone is suggesting a total gun ban. More straw men from the stupidest beings on earth, the rural american male who dreams he still has rights while he votes for country-club elitists like Bush that send his jobs overseas and laugh behind his back while playing him for a sucker. Meanwhile, a populist gets elected, and all the entitled spoiled white males go ballistic because they can't handle that a black man has risen above their Davy Crockett king of the racist frontier paradigm. You all are over 45, too, that's clear, except the younger ones stupid enough to follow in loser daddy's foosteps. And its not just about blacks, it's also about cities full of liberals that you hate because they do the thinking and you do the land-raping, cuz you never could think too deeply or take an entrepreneurial risk, and now Chang and Suqdeep took your worthless jobs. Now you go rant at health care meetings against leaders trying to break corporate control. You're morons to the bone.
yokel bagger, your so ignorant you not even worth responding to. Oh ya Obamasmanthong, a total heroin and crack ban is such a good example of a ban that works! Just like alcohol after prohibition. Worked great!
Yokel Bagger: Funny how the predominant arguments for gun rights posted here are cogent and cite law, facts, well-researched statistical evidence. Your posts look to be froth-at-the-mouth diatribes against some "Bubba" who you think is threatening your president and your safety.
I can't recall seeing ANYTHING racist here, except for yours. I have seen some who called into question our new Pres's integrity - and there may be something to that.
During the campaign last year, Senator Obama did not call for gun control - claimed to citizens who are concerned that "we aren't coming for your guns". His voting and activist record in the Illinois and US senates puts the lie to that statement, as well as the stated anti-gun agendas of many of his picks for high appointed office.
We assume that he wants to push through healthcare first, and will get around to gun control - specifically handgun and "assault weapon" bans when the political winds are right.
Feinstein said so to Stahl.
Yokel Bagger. I fart in your general direction and thunb my nose at you. You want to spout off condescending remarks to people that beleive in THE PERSONAL CHOICE to be armed or not. I could give a rats ass if you think you are man enough to stand up for yourself, for personal safety or whatever. I don't give a damn about your PERSONAL CHOICE to give your opinion. The fact that you refered to my father as a loser doesn't even bother me. You know why? Because you're just another simpleton. Do us all a favor, go drink your warm glass of milk like your mommy asked and get in bed so she can brush your hair, kiss you on the forehead and tell you eveything is going to be alright.
Before I get bombarded with the regular "bottom feeder" defense. (I thu"M"b my nose at you). As for Liberal politicians that have or are close to serving life terms, having been some sort of entrepreneur. HA! Kennedy? Feinstein? Even Obama? Surely you jest? Each one of these "politicians" had some sort of hand out.
Back to the story at hand. It is agreed that this kid needs serious punishment. Possession of a firearm by a felon. That is a no no. No questions asked. But the constant jibber jabber from the lefties to heed more control over the masses is, well, it's been proven that it simply does not work.
yokel---You seem full of hate and ignorance. Your understanding of the 2nd Amendment is laughable. The Militia was only ONE of the reasons the "right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed". You should really read up on what our Founding Fathers had to say on being armed. It would destroy your argument.....so you might want to remain ignorant.
"You're the one who's intellectually bankrupt, gunlover.
blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Also, righties, dont think libs dont have weapons to defend against your stale minds."
I see. Leftists should and do have guns, but everyone else should be disarmed for some warped sense of what's good for society, since we aren't "enlightened" like the socialists.
How democratic of you. Or, should I say, "Democratic"?
Noone is suggesting a total gun ban. More straw men from the stupidest beings on earth, the rural american male blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah Now you go rant at health care meetings against leaders trying to break corporate control. You're morons to the bone."
Keep smoking that stuff, lemming.
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