So, "Social Justice" Equals Gun Control?

According to a "social justice" forum in Moscow last night tiled titled "Murder, Weapons and Violence on the Palouse: What Should We Do?" it does. This was predictable. From today's Moscow-Pullman Daily News:

Moscow Assistant Police Chief David Duke and Moscow lawyer Charles Kovis said better gun control would be an effective way to reduce violent crime.

Duke and Kovis were among the panelists at a Thursday night forum in Moscow titled "Murder, Weapons and Violence on the Palouse: What Should We Do?" Forum panelists and community members discussed the roots of violent crime and possible solutions for a safer future.

Duke said the number of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty nationwide is at its highest level in 30 years.

Officers need tools to protect themselves and the public, and do not want to be in "an arms race with criminals," he said.

Duke spoke in support of a resolution being reviewed by a U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee that would reinstitute a ban on assault weapons.

"Take those weapons away that are high (capacity) and also take the bullets away that are armor-piercing," he said. "Those aren't needed in our community."

Kovis, who represented Jason Hamilton in a case prior to his May 19-20 shooting spree in Moscow that left four dead, including himself and Moscow Police Sgt. Lee Newbill, said gun control is necessary.

"We need to control assault weapons and we need to control handguns that are specifically designed to kill people," Kovis said.

Let me get this straight. It was illegal for Jason Hamilton, a convicted felon, to own a firearm. It was also illegal for him to convert his semi-auto AK-47 to full-auto. So what would have stopped Hamilton? More laws? Riiiiiight. And "handguns specifically designed to kill people?" WTF? I'd like to find one of those handguns that won't kill someone.

By the way, Duke is in the running to be the next WSU police chief. Stand by for that, campus gun owners.

Meanwhile, according to another article in today's Daily News, Queen nancy is still pursuing her unconstitutional gun grab:

Moscow Mayor Nancy Chaney said Thursday she is drafting a letter to state representatives requesting they work toward allowing Idaho cities to regulate firearms.

Chaney said she would like to be able to ban weapons in places like City Hall, city parks and city-run youth facilities.

In August, Chaney asked City Attorney Randy Fife to write to the Idaho Attorney General’s Office to determine whether the city had the authority to regulate firearms.

Chaney said the letter will be sent to Reps. Shirley Ringo and Tom Trail and Sen. Gary Schroeder before the next legislative session, which begins in January.

Deputy Attorney General Stephen A. Bywater sent a reply in September stating that the city cannot restrict people from legally carrying firearms.

Chaney said her letter also will ask the legislators to consider making requirements for concealed-weapons permits more stringent, and to support programs that would encourage “responsible use of firearms,” gun safety and nonviolent conflict resolution.

In Idaho? Have fun storming the castle, Nancy.

What Do You Mean "We," Kemo Sabe?

Queen Nancy didn't get her unconstitutional gun ban, so the next step is that favorite leftist meme, "social justice."

The Moscow Human Rights Commission is holding a "Social Justice Forum" titled "Murder, Weapons and Violence on the Palouse: What Should We Do?" next Thursday night.

Well, first of all, the Palouse doesn't have a murder problem, Moscow and Latah County have a murder problem. Latah County's murder rate for 2007 is 19.65 murders per 100,000 residents. That's worse than the 2004 murder rate in Miami, Memphis, Chicago, Phoenix, Houston, New York and Boston.

Whitman County's 2007 murder rate is 0 murders per 100,000 residents. Pullman has not seen a murder since 2005, and those were committed by, you guessed it, a Moscow resident.

Secondly, does any rational person believe that "economic inequality" or "racism" (two major tenets of "social justice") drove certifiable psychos John Delling and Jason Hamilton to commit mass murder? If anything, in Hamilton's case, the justice system was far too lenient with him. We need less hand-holding, namby-pamby, feel good, kum-ba-yah nitwittery like this forum and more judges and peace officers ready, willing and able to kick ass and take names.

Here's the City of Moscow press release:

Press Release

To: Interested Media

From: Gary J. Riedner, Moscow City Supervisor, 206 E. 3rd St., Moscow, Idaho 83843, telephone: (208) 883-7006, Fax: (208) 883-7018, e-mail: griedner at ci.moscow.id.us

c: Mayor, City Council, City Management Team

Date: October 11, 2007

Re: Moscow Human Rights Commission to Hold a Social Justice Forum

The Moscow Human Rights Commission announces a Social Justice Forum, "Murder, Weapons and Violence on the Palouse: What Should We Do?" to be held Thursday, October 18, 2007 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Moscow Hamilton Indoor Recreation Center, 1724 E. F Street.

Numerous panelists have been invited, including judges, lawyers, professors, and mental health professionals. A brochure for the event is attached.

The purpose of the forum, states Moderator Tim Gresback, is to "discuss the reasons for the recent increase in homicides and explore what measures can be taken to decrease the likelihood of future tragedies."

Following short panelist presentations, the public is invited to ask questions. Moscow Human Rights Commission Chair Ken Faunce states that "we wanted to provide the community a voice in shaping our evolving strategies to cope with violence."