UK: Gun t-shirt sparks security alert: "Stereophonics frontman Kelly Jones was stopped from boarding a flight at London's Heathrow Airport, after the gun print on his T-shirt sparked a security alert. The Have a Nice Day singer was taken aside by over-vigilant officials after his clothes set off a metal detector. And Jones was left amazed when told his T-shirt -- which shows a pistol with a flame coming out of the top -- was unsuitable for flying in. Jones explains, 'I beeped as I went through the metal detector, so they took my belt, watch and phone off. The guy takes me aside and says, 'You know you're not supposed to wear that.' I said, 'Not supposed to wear what?' I honestly didn't have a clue.' A security man then pointed to the star's T-shirt. Jones adds, 'I was like, 'What am I going to do with a gun on a T-shirt?'"


South Africa: Battle axes and batons are replacing guns: "Battle axes, batons and plastic bullet guns are just some of the alternatives to firearms that people are snapping up to try to improve their safety. This is since the Firearms Control Act of 2000 clamped down on the number of guns one person can own. For self-defence only, one firearm is allowed. Hunters or sports shooting enthusiasts may own as many as four firearms. However, applying for a licence has become much more difficult, with hardly any licences having been granted in the past year. So gun dealers are branching out into other types of weaponry such as knifes, swords, bows and traditional weapons like battle axes and knobkieries."


Playing chicken roulette : "Imagine that your local government makes it a crime to engage in an activity that you believe to be constitutionally protected -- like possessing a handgun in your home for self-defense. Imagine further that the weight of legal scholarship, from liberals and conservatives alike, holds that the Second Amendment secures an individual right to keep and bear arms. Too bad if you live in Washington, D.C., where you may be faced with a Hobson's choice. You can forego possessing a gun for self-defense, and perhaps suffer personal injury. Or you can defy the law, illegally own a gun, use it to defend yourself, then risk arrest, prosecution, fine, or even incarceration when D.C. authorities investigate your 'crime.'"