Middle class horror over Australian gunshop: "Up in arms would accurately describe the incensed reaction of Roseville residents to news that a gunshop is to open in their midst. Last night hundreds were expected to pack a community hall to protest against the approval granted by Ku-ring-gai Council, apparently without notification to those who may have an opinion about such an enterprise. Andrew Peter, a gun enthusiast and coffee shop owner from Bondi Junction, made an application last month to turn an old printing shop into a sporting goods and firearms store. One of the main reasons for his decision was the estimated 1300 firearm owners who live in the area. The shop is opposite a community hall that runs a preschool centre. It is also near a bus interchange used by schoolchildren, and some neighbouring businesses say the approval, although legal, is inappropriate. Lisa Warrand is one of dozens of parents who fear the worst: the potential for an armed hold-up and shootout, or merely having to explain to children who walk past every day why a shop sells guns". [Tim Blair has some cutting comments]


Arkansas teen dead after home invasion: "A Pine Bluff teenager was shot to death Thursday night after he reportedly kicked in the back door of a house in the Dollarway area and was confronted by the homeowner who had a handgun. Chief Deputy Coroner Chad Kelley said Winston Walls Jr., 14, was pronounced dead at Jefferson Regional Medical Center at 11:57 p.m. of a gunshot wound to the abdomen. The body was sent to the state Medical Examiner’s Office at Little Rock for an autopsy. Police spokesman Sgt. Greg Holland said officers were called to the area of Malcomb and School streets at approximately 8:25 p.m. in response to a shooting and when they arrived, found Walls with a gunshot wound. Holland said Walls was armed with a handgun when he kicked in the door of the house, and was confronted by the home owner, Jimmy Shaw, who also had a gun. Shaw reportedly fired at Walls, striking him in the abdomen, and Holland said investigators located a weapon allegedly carried by Walls inside the house, as well as evidence that the gun had been fired in the residence. Holland said investigators also learned that two additional juveniles, a 17-year-old male and a 16-year-old male, were involved in the attempted burglary that resulted in the death."


Florida man says he shot someone who threatened him: "A Jacksonville man told police he shot someone Wednesday night after the man approached him on Ring Lane off Emerson Street and pointed a gun at him. Gregory L. Christopher, 47, of Welford Road said he pulled out a gun himself and shot Larry S. White, 56, of San Diego Road, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. White was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Police aren't releasing further details as the investigation continues. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, White has an extensive criminal history, including weapons, burglary and robbery charges. Christopher has had a clean record in Florida over the last 20 years."