Detroit Newspapers Declare Ceasefire on Classified Handgun Ads

[Drizzt]

Detroit Newspapers Declare Ceasefire on Classified Handgun Ads
Tuesday February 4, 1:00 pm ET


DETROIT, Feb. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Detroit's two largest daily newspapers, the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News, will no longer accept advertisements for handguns in the classified sections of the newspapers. The newspapers will continue to accept classified ads for long guns -- rifles and shotguns.
The Detroit newspapers changed their classified advertising policy following a meeting with the National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole and local Million Mom March chapters last December.

The campaign is asking newspapers across the country to voluntarily stop taking classified ads for firearms from unlicensed sellers. The campaign is not opposed to newspapers taking classified ads for firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers because licensed dealers are required to conduct criminal background checks on all buyers.

"The issue is not the guns but the process," said John Johnson, coordinator of the campaign. "Unlike gun sales through licensed firearms dealers, there are no background checks on private gun sales through the classifieds. Thus, classified ads in newspapers from unlicensed sellers provide a convenient method for felons, domestic abusers, the mentally ill, and other persons prohibited by law from possessing firearms to purchase guns without a background check. In an age of increasing concern for public safety, it is difficult to defend a newspaper's part in the private sale of firearms without a background check of the would-be buyer."

The Detroit Free Press and Detroit News share a common advertising department operated by Detroit Newspapers Inc., under a joint operating agreement.

Following is a summary of classified advertising policy of Michigan newspapers.

Does not take gun ads:

Takes Ads for Rifles and Shotguns Only -- No Handguns:
Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Daily Tribune (Royal Oak), Macomb Daily (Mt. Clemens), Oakland Press (Pontiac)

Takes Ads for All Guns -- Rifles, Shotguns, and Handguns:
Hometown Newspapers (Howell), Grand Rapids Press, Kalamazoo Gazette, Flint Journal, Jackson Citizen-Patriot, Lansing State Journal, Ann Arbor News, Battle Creek Enquirer, Traverse City Record-Eagle, Saginaw News


The National Campaign to Close the Newspaper Loophole began 14 months ago. Since the campaign began, the following newspapers have changed their classified advertising policy on firearms: the Chicago Tribune, Philadelphia Inquirer, Miami Herald, Sandusky (Ohio) Register, Willoughby (Ohio) News- Herald, Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Detroit News, and Detroit Free Press.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/030204/cgtu048_1.html

 

[Sven]

Close the Newspaper Loophole

Loophole?

Man...

 

[Bergeron]

Y'know, I for one am sick and tired of how people tend to single out pistols as being particularly evil and vile. It is just so incredibly dim-witted. Last friday I had to ship my USP back to the factory for some warranty repair work, but because it was *gasp* a pistol, I had to ship it overnight. I refuse to use the term "handgun" anymore, mainly as it seems to generate horror in the eyes of folks, and besides, I use my hands on all my guns.

Does anyone know who started the whole "handguns are evil" trend, because it seems to me that this is where the whole "some guns are okay, some guns are scary and icky and wrong" trend started.

 

[Standing Wolf]

The difference between a long gun and a hand gun is a $3.79 hack saw.

 

[Old Fuff]

Someone should point out to these somewhat dumb newspapers that in Michigan there is no "loophole." Since 1934 handgun buyers have had to get a "purchase permit" from the police or sheriff department. This includes a background check. After obtaining a permit the potential buyer has 10 days to complete the purchase regardless of where or from whom he buys the gun, be it a dealer, private seller or at a gun show.


Following the purchase the buyer has to return to whatever department issued the purchase permit and have the gun inspected. This is simply a blind for registration as both the department, and the State keep a record of the gun, and the gun owner.

There is no evidence however that all of this paperwork has done anything to reduce crime. For some reason I fail to understand criminals refuse to register their firesrms or obtain perchase permits. They must know that not doing so is illegal.

In 1979 I moved from Michigan to Arizona. Haven't had to fill out a purchase permit ever since. Don't think I miss them.

Dont read the "Free Press" or "News" anymore either. I'm sure I haven't missed much.