Chicago cops haven’t distinguished themselves in terms of their use of deadly force lately. So… Sweeping Limits on Police Use of Weapons Proposed in Chicago – “Police officials here proposed sweeping policy changes on Friday that would limit officers’ use of firearms and stun guns and emphasize the ‘sanctity of life’ in an effort to address criticisms that officers have been too quick to fire their weapons and use force, especially against African-Americans. The suggested policy, announced amid a federal investigation of the department, would restrict officers’ use of force to situations in which there is no reasonable alternative. The police would also be instructed to use the least amount of force necessary, and to intervene and report colleagues who violate those guidelines.” This news won’t please law-abiding families on the South Side who live with gang violence every day.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Chicago . . .
Bury the guns, cries a high school Antigone at Steppenwolf – “No arts group in the city has done more than Steppenwolf for Young Adults to tackle the agonizing, relentless, quotidian problem of gun violence in the city of Chicago, a scourge that feels to me all the more intractable given the stunning offensiveness of Donald Trump’s videotaped declarations of intent and practice this weekend, and the valuable intellectual and emotional time and space that now is being taken up in countering his volleys and dressing the wounds caused by his drive-by fire.”
And a little farther south . . .
Rhymefest To Lead Vigil To Remember Those Killed By Guns In Chicago – “Rhymefest is taking part in a public vigil in order to remember those who have lost their lives to gun violence in Chicago. Last month, it was reported that the city had already seen over 500 gun-related deaths (and over 3,000 total shootings). August was the city’s most violent month in 20 years. He hopes the ceremony will inspire people from all over Chicago — especially those not typically included in the conversation — to address the crisis. The vigil takes place at 5PM today in Lincoln Park, an affluent area in the north side of the city that sees little to no gun violence. ”
Savage Arms Adds 6.5 Creedmoor into Its AXIS and AXIS II Lineups – “Savage Arms is pleased to announce its extension of 6.5 Creedmoor in nine existing rifle models, including several entry-level offerings priced less than $500. Shipments of these firearms are currently being delivered to dealers. Since its introduction, the 6.5 Creedmoor has become one of the most popular hunting cartridges on the market. Savage Arms has added nine new rifles chambered for the hot, flat-shooting cartridge. They include the new 16 Lightweight Hunter, AXIS, AXIS LH, AXIS XP AXIS XP Camo, AXIS XP Stainless, AXIS II XP, AXIS II XP Stainless and AXIS II XP Hardwood.”
This should cheer you up: The Coming National Gun Ban – and How the States Can Resist – “The law of averages predicts that at some time in the future, perhaps as soon as 2017, the Democratic Party will once again control the White House and majorities in both houses of Congress. When that happens, the next Democratic president — be it Hillary Clinton or someone else — will sign into law a sweeping, foreign-style gun ban. The legislation has already been written. H.R. 4269 would enact a national, permanent ban on the manufacture and sale of so-called “assault weapons” and all firearm magazines capable of holding more than 10 rounds. The bill, introduced last December, already has149 Democratic co-sponsors (218 are needed to pass the House).”
Wikileaks: PR Firm Seeks Clarification on Hillary’s Support of 25% Gun Tax – “One of the emails contained in the October 7 Wikileaks email release shows Grunwald Communications asking Hillary Clinton’s press secretary about the candidate’s support for ‘a 25 percent tax on gun sales.’ The email is dated October 4, 2015 and was sent from Mandy Grunwald to Brian Fallon. In it, Grunwald asked about Clinton’s reported vacillation on gun control in the 2008 campaign and also about the tax. She said, ‘I also saw something about her supporting a 25% tax on gun sales back in 1993.’”