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CT.-Gun-Law Loophole Cited In Shooting
Josey1
Member Posts: 9,598 ✭✭
"To all the gun owners out there that consider themselves "sportsmen" and support restrictions on "assault weapons" or handguns (after all, they'll never go after your duck gun, or cowboy rig, right?) this one's a wake-up call for you.Your Single Action Army is about to be just as regulated as my Glock."
Gun-Law Loophole Cited In ShootingDecember 11, 2001 By TRACY GORDON FOX, Courant Staff Writer SALEM -- A loophole in the state's gun laws allowed William G. Adamson Sr. to carry the gun that police say he used to kill a Salem businessman last week.Adamson was armed with a "black-powder" revolver when, state police say, he gunned down Steven Rex Roesler, the owner of a computer sales and service company. Black-powder guns are exempt from state guns laws meant to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals or those with mental conditions that would preclude them from gun ownership.A background check might have flagged the mental condition for which Adamson was taking strong medication. But Adamson was legally able to carry the black-powder revolver. Black-powder guns, the kind seen in movies about the Old West, can be bought, sold and carried without a permit. Some state legislators are now looking into changing gun control laws that exempt the type of pistol police say was used to kill Roesler. State Rep. Linda Orange, D-Colchester, who represents Salem, said she already has been in contact with state police, inquiring about how Adamson was able to acquire the gun. She said she was surprised to learn he needed no permit."I think we should look at the whole issue of this gun," Orange said. "From what I understand, it's not too good for long range, but close up it's a devastating piece."It isn't clear where Adamson purchased the gun or how long he had it. But according to police sources, he had been taking strong medication for a mental condition. Senate Majority Leader George Jepsen, who has been a leading advocate of stronger gun control laws in the state, said he would have to further investigate the type of gun used before recommending any action. "I'll have to take a look at black powder guns," he said. But he added that it would not be realistic to regulate every antique weapon.Jepsen also said that Connecticut's confiscation law, which allows police to take weapons away from people who may be a threat, is among the strongest in the nation. "It sounds like this guy may have fit that bill, but nobody got him on time." Adamson, 49, of Montville, had gotten a computer fixed at Roesler's computer store some time before the shooting and later became delusional about Roesler, according to police sources. Some witnesses told police that Adamson yelled at Roesler, 38, calling him a child molester before the shooting. Authorities believe that Adamson had delusions about Roesler because he had teenagers working in the store. There is no evidence to suggest that Roesler did anything except fix Adamson's computer, police sources say. Adamson had no prior record.Adamson allegedly shot Roesler in the stomach several times shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday as Roesler was walking out of his business, Aegis Technologies, at Salem Marketplace, at routes 82 and 85, an intersection known as Salem Four Corners.Police say Adamson then fled in his gray pickup truck, and was seen about 11:30 p.m. in Montville. He refused to stop, police say, but was caught after his vehicle struck a state police cruiser. Police found the black-powder revolver in the truck.The guns can be bought through gun magazines and newspaper advertisements or at gun stores. "A lot of people like to buy them because it's fun, a different kind of shooting experience," said Scott Hoffman, who owns Hoffman's Gun Center in Newington.Hoffman said he didn't believe the guns should require permits because there have been very few problems with them."They have been selling black-powder guns like this since the beginning of time," Hoffman said.The guns work differently than modern-day revolvers, in that each bullet - a half-inch round ball - needs to be preloaded with black powder and a cap. Orange said she was looking into whether Adamson's mental status would have precluded him from purchasing a handgun. http://www.ctnow.com/news/yahoo/hc-gun1211.artdec11.story
Gun-Law Loophole Cited In ShootingDecember 11, 2001 By TRACY GORDON FOX, Courant Staff Writer SALEM -- A loophole in the state's gun laws allowed William G. Adamson Sr. to carry the gun that police say he used to kill a Salem businessman last week.Adamson was armed with a "black-powder" revolver when, state police say, he gunned down Steven Rex Roesler, the owner of a computer sales and service company. Black-powder guns are exempt from state guns laws meant to keep firearms out of the hands of criminals or those with mental conditions that would preclude them from gun ownership.A background check might have flagged the mental condition for which Adamson was taking strong medication. But Adamson was legally able to carry the black-powder revolver. Black-powder guns, the kind seen in movies about the Old West, can be bought, sold and carried without a permit. Some state legislators are now looking into changing gun control laws that exempt the type of pistol police say was used to kill Roesler. State Rep. Linda Orange, D-Colchester, who represents Salem, said she already has been in contact with state police, inquiring about how Adamson was able to acquire the gun. She said she was surprised to learn he needed no permit."I think we should look at the whole issue of this gun," Orange said. "From what I understand, it's not too good for long range, but close up it's a devastating piece."It isn't clear where Adamson purchased the gun or how long he had it. But according to police sources, he had been taking strong medication for a mental condition. Senate Majority Leader George Jepsen, who has been a leading advocate of stronger gun control laws in the state, said he would have to further investigate the type of gun used before recommending any action. "I'll have to take a look at black powder guns," he said. But he added that it would not be realistic to regulate every antique weapon.Jepsen also said that Connecticut's confiscation law, which allows police to take weapons away from people who may be a threat, is among the strongest in the nation. "It sounds like this guy may have fit that bill, but nobody got him on time." Adamson, 49, of Montville, had gotten a computer fixed at Roesler's computer store some time before the shooting and later became delusional about Roesler, according to police sources. Some witnesses told police that Adamson yelled at Roesler, 38, calling him a child molester before the shooting. Authorities believe that Adamson had delusions about Roesler because he had teenagers working in the store. There is no evidence to suggest that Roesler did anything except fix Adamson's computer, police sources say. Adamson had no prior record.Adamson allegedly shot Roesler in the stomach several times shortly after 5 p.m. Wednesday as Roesler was walking out of his business, Aegis Technologies, at Salem Marketplace, at routes 82 and 85, an intersection known as Salem Four Corners.Police say Adamson then fled in his gray pickup truck, and was seen about 11:30 p.m. in Montville. He refused to stop, police say, but was caught after his vehicle struck a state police cruiser. Police found the black-powder revolver in the truck.The guns can be bought through gun magazines and newspaper advertisements or at gun stores. "A lot of people like to buy them because it's fun, a different kind of shooting experience," said Scott Hoffman, who owns Hoffman's Gun Center in Newington.Hoffman said he didn't believe the guns should require permits because there have been very few problems with them."They have been selling black-powder guns like this since the beginning of time," Hoffman said.The guns work differently than modern-day revolvers, in that each bullet - a half-inch round ball - needs to be preloaded with black powder and a cap. Orange said she was looking into whether Adamson's mental status would have precluded him from purchasing a handgun. http://www.ctnow.com/news/yahoo/hc-gun1211.artdec11.story