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Looks like Brady center has its eye on Florida now.
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/01/28/m1a_streetguns_0128.html
Assault rifles escalate violence
By Michael Laforgia
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, January 28, 2007
DELRAY BEACH — Cheap, available assault rifles, which closely resemble the Kalashnikov AK-47s brandished by Iraqi insurgents and African rebels alike, have become the weapons of choice for gang members and other violent criminals in Palm Beach County.
Growing numbers of criminals are favoring these powerful semiautomatic weapons, which, authorities say, have greatly enhanced their capacity for indiscriminate violence. In the past six months, assault rifles have been used to maim or kill dozens, including bystanders such as a 50-year-old father of three and an 8-month-old baby.
Local officials interested in tracing these weapons' paths from federally licensed importers to the trunks of gang members' cars could begin at an unassuming gray building on South Congress Avenue.
Century International Arms Inc., one of the continent's largest dealers in surplus military weapons, has been headquartered here, just across from a sheriff's substation, for the past two years.
The beginning of the U.S. supply chain, federally licensed importers such as Century International sell guns to licensed dealers, from whom the guns might be stolen or bought and illegally resold, authorities said.
In August, one of thousands of guns the company has imported and shipped to dealers nationwide was found in the Boynton Beach apartment of a felon and reputed gang member, 25-year-old Frisner St. Cyr.
Feud ramps up violence
Citing an open investigation, detectives wouldn't share information about how the semiautomatic rifle wound up in St. Cyr's hands. Federal law bars the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from publicly sharing gun trace information, a spokeswoman said.
St. Cyr, convicted of felony battery in 2002 and a reputed member of the B-Town Boys gang, was shot in the back outside a suburban Boca Raton nightclub in February. Soon after, a violent feud between the B-Town Boys and rival San Castle Soldiers began to escalate.
According to information from sheriff's reports and markings on the weapon found in St. Cyr's apartment, most of the rifle, a semiautomatic RomArm GP WASR-10, traveled from a manufacturer in Cugir, Romania, to Century International's warehouse in Georgia, Vt., where it would have been refurbished with five American-made parts to make it compliant with federal laws.
The rifle gave St. Cyr the ability to fire 30 7.62mm rounds without stopping to reload. Guns like this enabled criminals in Riviera Beach to fire 37 times during a Jan. 1 drive-by, killing 8-month-old Tavares Carter Jr., authorities said.
Because the weapons are powerful, readily available and relatively inexpensive, gang members in Palm Beach County are increasingly using AK-47-style rifles, said sheriff's Lt. Mike Wallace, head of the county violent crimes task force. The guns can be bought on the street for $300 to $500, Wallace said. Often they've been stolen or bought legitimately and resold, he said.
"It seems to be the weapon of choice right now," Wallace said, adding: "It's a weapon of war, and the function is to kill and maim. When somebody gets hit with that, it causes horrendous damage."
The damage, inflicted during 2006, the county's most deadly year since 1994, has stood out in recent months:
• In July, deputies found reputed gang member Jeremiah Dolbrus, 21, clutching a loaded AK-47-style rifle in the wreckage of a car, which had crashed after he and gang leader Maken Delva had fled the scene of a drive-by in West Palm Beach, sheriff's reports said.
• In August, 50-year-old Franck Joseph, a landscaper, was killed by gang members firing an assault rifle in another drive-by.
• In September, Jonquinton Jackson, 20, was killed and two others were wounded by at least one shooter wielding an assault rifle in the parking lot of a motel on Hypoluxo Road.
When it comes to bringing these rifles and other guns into the country, Century International claims to lead the way; however, a company spokesman wouldn't share information about how many weapons it imports each year.
The arms company, which, through former executives, has been linked to the Iran-Contra affair and the Nicaraguan Sandinista movement, originally made its headquarters in Boca Raton when it moved to Palm Beach County in 1993.
Regulating deficits abound
The same year, Century International drew attention for its dealings with China North Industries Corp., or NORINCO, one of China's largest defense conglomerates. As a major importer of NORINCO weapons, Century International imported thousands of Chinese rifles and sold them to American dealers.
In Palm Beach County, 76 of 124 assault rifles confiscated and turned over to the sheriff's office armory in the past 15 years were AK-47-style rifles, inventory records show. Of those, NORINCO manufactured more than half.
Because armory records note serial numbers but not importer stamps, it's impossible to say whether Century International brought in any of those rifles.
Century International's policies state the company only sells weapons and ammunition to federally licensed dealers.
"We strictly observe all requirements of state and federal law in conducting our business operations," said Mark Barnes, Century International's attorney, in a written statement. "As a good corporate citizen we take steps to assure ourselves that our firearms customers, all federal firearms dealers and distributors themselves, are committed to the same objective regarding the responsible use of our products."
Problems arise when dealers are burglarized or when private buyers sell guns through gun shows or classified ads, authorities said. Wallace said unregulated gun shows are probably the biggest supplier of assault rifles to criminals in Palm Beach County.
"You could pretty much go to any gun show at the South Florida Fair grounds and get all the education you want about where the guns come from," said another gang investigator, who asked not to be identified.
State law leaves regulating gun shows to county governments.
In 1999, the county commission passed an ordinance requiring criminal background checks for all guns sold at gun shows and a mandatory five-day waiting period for all gun sales. The task of enforcing these laws falls to the sheriff's office and other local agencies. Wallace said he didn't know whether the sheriff's office conducts regular compliance checks at gun shows.
On Friday, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said he's scrutinizing the county code to find more and better ways to enforce its gun-sale ordinances.
Weapons ban suggested
Still, gun-control proponents said, more should be done.
"Florida could and should enact a meaningful assault weapons ban, the kind of thing that dramatically affects gangs and drug dealers who want to get assault weapons but has no meaningful effect on the average gun owner," said Zach Ragbourn, spokesman for the national Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
A representative of the National Rifle Association wouldn't comment for this story.
Asked about what possible practical uses law-abiding gun owners might have for high-powered assault rifles, Barnes, Century International's attorney, replied: "The same uses for any lawfully owned and used firearm: target shooting, sport shooting, self defense and collecting."
Ragbourn pointed to California, which restricts the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as one example Florida could follow.
Alameda County, Calif., sheriff's Sgt. Colby Staysa said California's assault weapon laws have reduced the number of high-powered rifles on the streets of his county.
Although that county is smaller than Palm Beach County, it has a similar population, per-capita income and poverty rate, according to Census data.
"The assault weapon ban is an incredible tool used by gang investigators in California," said Staysa, who heads his agency's gang unit and is a court-certified assault weapons expert.
Fewer assault rifles means less risk for innocent bystanders, Staysa said.
"Beforehand, it was more common to see multiple rounds fired into houses," he said. "We're still seeing assault rifle assaults, but they're not nearly as common."
Even so, the sheriff's office said, violent crime rose dramatically in Alameda County last year, especially in the county seat, Oakland.
People there are still shooting each other, Staysa said. They're just using less-powerful guns.
Some Blog replies:
Comments
By Reality
January 28, 2007 07:33 AM | Link to this
Gun control cutting down violent crime? It just won’t happen and if you are skeptical, just look at the drug situation. Yes, they are illegal and yet you can buy them in ANY neighborhood. Banning any gun will only penalize the law-abiding citizen. If a person is inclined to commit murder, do you really think they will say to themselves, “Oh, I’d better not use an assault rifle, they are banned?” Address the real problem by locking up criminals and putting an end to the revolving jail doors!
By steve
January 28, 2007 07:32 AM | Link to this
Palm Beach county law enforcement has already said they cannot handle the escalating gang violence. So to make it look like they are doing something, they want new laws restricting the law abiding ownership of firearms. Law enforcement from the states attorneys office down to the beat cop are doing nothing but collecting time for their pensions. How about getting out there and doing what you were hired for, putting crimminals behind bars for a long time.
By Boca Bubba
January 28, 2007 06:35 AM | Link to this
OK I am 68, never been arrest, do not own a AK-47, respect the rule of law. But one thing I do know is if these pieces of sh*t want guns they will get them. Do something about these gang-bangers aka Criminals and then you will solve the problem. Don’t waste time preventing people who respect the law from buy guns !!!!
By Gun Freaks
January 28, 2007 06:06 AM | Link to this
You guys sound so smart with your constitutonal rights but what happens when the haitian gangbanger breaks into your house when your at work and steals all your firepower then wipes out a crowd with it? I think the right to bear arms is great, but when good people cannot hold onto their guns (through theft or sale) and they get into the wrong hands then their right to bear arms is suddenly everyone else’s problem.
By Jose Escalada
January 28, 2007 05:38 AM | Link to this
To Whom It May Concern:
Assault weapons are not the reason why people are having problems. The get alone is just bad and here in Palm Beach County it look like people just not getting alone . There are many more powerful guns like the 45 caliber or 38 special . All weapon kill so why blame the assault guns for. We need assault weapons for protection ourselves plus properties. Thanks.
By Jeffrey
January 28, 2007 05:27 AM | Link to this
Wow, so far, 100% of the comments are pro-gun ownership — as they should be. The idea of writing an article about the guns used, and not about the crimes themselves, is absurd. It’s like talking about the kind of lockpick a burglar used. Who cares? We need to fully, publicly legitimize that people need to have the means and the will to FIGHT against this kind of evil, degenerate segment of society.
By Jeffrey
January 28, 2007 05:25 AM | Link to this
Guns cause crime like vaginas cause prostitution. Let’s look at the real issues here. We have an uncontrolled, uncontrollable segment of the population that is sociopathic, and doesn’t care who gets in the way of their pathetic little ego-wars. “Yo, you dissin’ my whip?” Bang! Our answer will lie, probably, in giving the good people of our community a reward for bringing in the heads of these gang member pukes. Gun bans — no, any attention paid to the TOOL and not to the CRIME — are absurd.
By BarneyFife
January 28, 2007 05:14 AM | Link to this
I am in agreement with the previous posters. Criminals will always find a way to get their guns. They don’t go through the legal channels, and never will. Gun bans only penalize the law abiding citizen.
By Doug
January 28, 2007 04:22 AM | Link to this
Nothing wrong with guns if they are in the right hands.And I agree with Chuck noone will take away my right to own or carry my weapon or my right to defend my self against an armed criminal who means me or my family harm.I suport the NRA and my 2nd amendment rights.
By 45superman
January 28, 2007 03:56 AM | Link to this
I’m with Chuck—using laws to try to control the behavior of the lawless is like using a fence to keep birds out of the garden. So-called “assault weapons” aren’t the problem—criminal thugs are. A ban only ensures that they are better armed than the law-abiding citizens.
By chuck
January 28, 2007 03:50 AM | Link to this
I didn’t mean to post the same thing twice. The website told me that my first post hadn’t gone through, so I posted again. Sorry.
By chuck
January 28, 2007 03:42 AM | Link to this
Only criminals in when laws are passed that keep guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens. Do you know why? THEY’RE CRIMINALS! THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT GUN LAWS!
NO ONE is going to take away my right to defend myself and my family, as guaranteed by the 2nd amendment to the US constitution.
By chuck
January 28, 2007 03:40 AM | Link to this
Only CRIMINALS gain from any kind of legislation that keeps guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens. They don’t care if guns are illegal… THEY’RE CRIMINALS!
No one is going to take away my right to defend my family, as guaranteed in the 2nd amendment to the US constitution!
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2007/01/28/m1a_streetguns_0128.html
Assault rifles escalate violence
By Michael Laforgia
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Sunday, January 28, 2007
DELRAY BEACH — Cheap, available assault rifles, which closely resemble the Kalashnikov AK-47s brandished by Iraqi insurgents and African rebels alike, have become the weapons of choice for gang members and other violent criminals in Palm Beach County.
Growing numbers of criminals are favoring these powerful semiautomatic weapons, which, authorities say, have greatly enhanced their capacity for indiscriminate violence. In the past six months, assault rifles have been used to maim or kill dozens, including bystanders such as a 50-year-old father of three and an 8-month-old baby.
Local officials interested in tracing these weapons' paths from federally licensed importers to the trunks of gang members' cars could begin at an unassuming gray building on South Congress Avenue.
Century International Arms Inc., one of the continent's largest dealers in surplus military weapons, has been headquartered here, just across from a sheriff's substation, for the past two years.
The beginning of the U.S. supply chain, federally licensed importers such as Century International sell guns to licensed dealers, from whom the guns might be stolen or bought and illegally resold, authorities said.
In August, one of thousands of guns the company has imported and shipped to dealers nationwide was found in the Boynton Beach apartment of a felon and reputed gang member, 25-year-old Frisner St. Cyr.
Feud ramps up violence
Citing an open investigation, detectives wouldn't share information about how the semiautomatic rifle wound up in St. Cyr's hands. Federal law bars the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from publicly sharing gun trace information, a spokeswoman said.
St. Cyr, convicted of felony battery in 2002 and a reputed member of the B-Town Boys gang, was shot in the back outside a suburban Boca Raton nightclub in February. Soon after, a violent feud between the B-Town Boys and rival San Castle Soldiers began to escalate.
According to information from sheriff's reports and markings on the weapon found in St. Cyr's apartment, most of the rifle, a semiautomatic RomArm GP WASR-10, traveled from a manufacturer in Cugir, Romania, to Century International's warehouse in Georgia, Vt., where it would have been refurbished with five American-made parts to make it compliant with federal laws.
The rifle gave St. Cyr the ability to fire 30 7.62mm rounds without stopping to reload. Guns like this enabled criminals in Riviera Beach to fire 37 times during a Jan. 1 drive-by, killing 8-month-old Tavares Carter Jr., authorities said.
Because the weapons are powerful, readily available and relatively inexpensive, gang members in Palm Beach County are increasingly using AK-47-style rifles, said sheriff's Lt. Mike Wallace, head of the county violent crimes task force. The guns can be bought on the street for $300 to $500, Wallace said. Often they've been stolen or bought legitimately and resold, he said.
"It seems to be the weapon of choice right now," Wallace said, adding: "It's a weapon of war, and the function is to kill and maim. When somebody gets hit with that, it causes horrendous damage."
The damage, inflicted during 2006, the county's most deadly year since 1994, has stood out in recent months:
• In July, deputies found reputed gang member Jeremiah Dolbrus, 21, clutching a loaded AK-47-style rifle in the wreckage of a car, which had crashed after he and gang leader Maken Delva had fled the scene of a drive-by in West Palm Beach, sheriff's reports said.
• In August, 50-year-old Franck Joseph, a landscaper, was killed by gang members firing an assault rifle in another drive-by.
• In September, Jonquinton Jackson, 20, was killed and two others were wounded by at least one shooter wielding an assault rifle in the parking lot of a motel on Hypoluxo Road.
When it comes to bringing these rifles and other guns into the country, Century International claims to lead the way; however, a company spokesman wouldn't share information about how many weapons it imports each year.
The arms company, which, through former executives, has been linked to the Iran-Contra affair and the Nicaraguan Sandinista movement, originally made its headquarters in Boca Raton when it moved to Palm Beach County in 1993.
Regulating deficits abound
The same year, Century International drew attention for its dealings with China North Industries Corp., or NORINCO, one of China's largest defense conglomerates. As a major importer of NORINCO weapons, Century International imported thousands of Chinese rifles and sold them to American dealers.
In Palm Beach County, 76 of 124 assault rifles confiscated and turned over to the sheriff's office armory in the past 15 years were AK-47-style rifles, inventory records show. Of those, NORINCO manufactured more than half.
Because armory records note serial numbers but not importer stamps, it's impossible to say whether Century International brought in any of those rifles.
Century International's policies state the company only sells weapons and ammunition to federally licensed dealers.
"We strictly observe all requirements of state and federal law in conducting our business operations," said Mark Barnes, Century International's attorney, in a written statement. "As a good corporate citizen we take steps to assure ourselves that our firearms customers, all federal firearms dealers and distributors themselves, are committed to the same objective regarding the responsible use of our products."
Problems arise when dealers are burglarized or when private buyers sell guns through gun shows or classified ads, authorities said. Wallace said unregulated gun shows are probably the biggest supplier of assault rifles to criminals in Palm Beach County.
"You could pretty much go to any gun show at the South Florida Fair grounds and get all the education you want about where the guns come from," said another gang investigator, who asked not to be identified.
State law leaves regulating gun shows to county governments.
In 1999, the county commission passed an ordinance requiring criminal background checks for all guns sold at gun shows and a mandatory five-day waiting period for all gun sales. The task of enforcing these laws falls to the sheriff's office and other local agencies. Wallace said he didn't know whether the sheriff's office conducts regular compliance checks at gun shows.
On Friday, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said he's scrutinizing the county code to find more and better ways to enforce its gun-sale ordinances.
Weapons ban suggested
Still, gun-control proponents said, more should be done.
"Florida could and should enact a meaningful assault weapons ban, the kind of thing that dramatically affects gangs and drug dealers who want to get assault weapons but has no meaningful effect on the average gun owner," said Zach Ragbourn, spokesman for the national Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
A representative of the National Rifle Association wouldn't comment for this story.
Asked about what possible practical uses law-abiding gun owners might have for high-powered assault rifles, Barnes, Century International's attorney, replied: "The same uses for any lawfully owned and used firearm: target shooting, sport shooting, self defense and collecting."
Ragbourn pointed to California, which restricts the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, as one example Florida could follow.
Alameda County, Calif., sheriff's Sgt. Colby Staysa said California's assault weapon laws have reduced the number of high-powered rifles on the streets of his county.
Although that county is smaller than Palm Beach County, it has a similar population, per-capita income and poverty rate, according to Census data.
"The assault weapon ban is an incredible tool used by gang investigators in California," said Staysa, who heads his agency's gang unit and is a court-certified assault weapons expert.
Fewer assault rifles means less risk for innocent bystanders, Staysa said.
"Beforehand, it was more common to see multiple rounds fired into houses," he said. "We're still seeing assault rifle assaults, but they're not nearly as common."
Even so, the sheriff's office said, violent crime rose dramatically in Alameda County last year, especially in the county seat, Oakland.
People there are still shooting each other, Staysa said. They're just using less-powerful guns.
Some Blog replies:
Comments
By Reality
January 28, 2007 07:33 AM | Link to this
Gun control cutting down violent crime? It just won’t happen and if you are skeptical, just look at the drug situation. Yes, they are illegal and yet you can buy them in ANY neighborhood. Banning any gun will only penalize the law-abiding citizen. If a person is inclined to commit murder, do you really think they will say to themselves, “Oh, I’d better not use an assault rifle, they are banned?” Address the real problem by locking up criminals and putting an end to the revolving jail doors!
By steve
January 28, 2007 07:32 AM | Link to this
Palm Beach county law enforcement has already said they cannot handle the escalating gang violence. So to make it look like they are doing something, they want new laws restricting the law abiding ownership of firearms. Law enforcement from the states attorneys office down to the beat cop are doing nothing but collecting time for their pensions. How about getting out there and doing what you were hired for, putting crimminals behind bars for a long time.
By Boca Bubba
January 28, 2007 06:35 AM | Link to this
OK I am 68, never been arrest, do not own a AK-47, respect the rule of law. But one thing I do know is if these pieces of sh*t want guns they will get them. Do something about these gang-bangers aka Criminals and then you will solve the problem. Don’t waste time preventing people who respect the law from buy guns !!!!
By Gun Freaks
January 28, 2007 06:06 AM | Link to this
You guys sound so smart with your constitutonal rights but what happens when the haitian gangbanger breaks into your house when your at work and steals all your firepower then wipes out a crowd with it? I think the right to bear arms is great, but when good people cannot hold onto their guns (through theft or sale) and they get into the wrong hands then their right to bear arms is suddenly everyone else’s problem.
By Jose Escalada
January 28, 2007 05:38 AM | Link to this
To Whom It May Concern:
Assault weapons are not the reason why people are having problems. The get alone is just bad and here in Palm Beach County it look like people just not getting alone . There are many more powerful guns like the 45 caliber or 38 special . All weapon kill so why blame the assault guns for. We need assault weapons for protection ourselves plus properties. Thanks.
By Jeffrey
January 28, 2007 05:27 AM | Link to this
Wow, so far, 100% of the comments are pro-gun ownership — as they should be. The idea of writing an article about the guns used, and not about the crimes themselves, is absurd. It’s like talking about the kind of lockpick a burglar used. Who cares? We need to fully, publicly legitimize that people need to have the means and the will to FIGHT against this kind of evil, degenerate segment of society.
By Jeffrey
January 28, 2007 05:25 AM | Link to this
Guns cause crime like vaginas cause prostitution. Let’s look at the real issues here. We have an uncontrolled, uncontrollable segment of the population that is sociopathic, and doesn’t care who gets in the way of their pathetic little ego-wars. “Yo, you dissin’ my whip?” Bang! Our answer will lie, probably, in giving the good people of our community a reward for bringing in the heads of these gang member pukes. Gun bans — no, any attention paid to the TOOL and not to the CRIME — are absurd.
By BarneyFife
January 28, 2007 05:14 AM | Link to this
I am in agreement with the previous posters. Criminals will always find a way to get their guns. They don’t go through the legal channels, and never will. Gun bans only penalize the law abiding citizen.
By Doug
January 28, 2007 04:22 AM | Link to this
Nothing wrong with guns if they are in the right hands.And I agree with Chuck noone will take away my right to own or carry my weapon or my right to defend my self against an armed criminal who means me or my family harm.I suport the NRA and my 2nd amendment rights.
By 45superman
January 28, 2007 03:56 AM | Link to this
I’m with Chuck—using laws to try to control the behavior of the lawless is like using a fence to keep birds out of the garden. So-called “assault weapons” aren’t the problem—criminal thugs are. A ban only ensures that they are better armed than the law-abiding citizens.
By chuck
January 28, 2007 03:50 AM | Link to this
I didn’t mean to post the same thing twice. The website told me that my first post hadn’t gone through, so I posted again. Sorry.
By chuck
January 28, 2007 03:42 AM | Link to this
Only criminals in when laws are passed that keep guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens. Do you know why? THEY’RE CRIMINALS! THEY DON’T CARE ABOUT GUN LAWS!
NO ONE is going to take away my right to defend myself and my family, as guaranteed by the 2nd amendment to the US constitution.
By chuck
January 28, 2007 03:40 AM | Link to this
Only CRIMINALS gain from any kind of legislation that keeps guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens. They don’t care if guns are illegal… THEY’RE CRIMINALS!
No one is going to take away my right to defend my family, as guaranteed in the 2nd amendment to the US constitution!
