Letter Indeed From NY Gunman: Police

(NEWSER) - Today’s shooting at an immigration center in Binghamton, NY, “was obviously premeditated,” the city’s police chief said during an evening press conference, confirming that 14 were dead. He said he “was not 100% sure” the shooter was among them, the New York Times reports, and would not identify the man. The AP says the shooter was Jiverly Voong, 42, a resident of nearby Johnson City who, according to the area’s congressman, was recently laid off by IBM. More»

Social acceptance of guns explains new Black Friday record: Analysts

(NEWSER) - This year's Black Friday gun sales broke a record set in 2008 by nearly a third , and while fears about President Obama outlawing some types of firearms are thought to be behind 2008's record, analysts say this year's surge in sales is part of a long-term trend. Gun ownership was "politically incorrect" five years ago, but "what seems to be changing is social acceptance," an analyst at investment firm Avondale Partners tells MSNBC . "I think there might be a changing view of firearms." More»

129,166 firearm sales beat old mark by 32%

(NEWSER) - Deck the halls with hails of gunfire? It turns out that Black Friday didn't just set a record for retail sales , it also set a record for the most firearms sold on a single day, reports USA Today . A stunning 129,166 firearms were sold on Nov. 25—that's 32% higher than the previous record, from Black Friday in 2008 when 97,848 were sold. These figures are based on background record checks sent by gun deals to the FBI. More»

'Docs vs Glocks' bill passes state senate

(NEWSER) - Doctors in Florida will be restricted from asking patients about gun ownership under a bill headed for Gov. Rick Scott's desk. The so-called "Docs versus Glocks" bill passed by the state Senate yesterday was introduced after a woman complained that her pediatrician told her to find another doctor when she refused to answer a question about guns in her home. Doctors will no longer be allowed to ask the question as part of a routine medical survey, reports Reuters. More»

Glocks accidentally sent to LA, vanish

(NEWSER) - American Airlines shipped guns belonging to the bodyguards of the Israeli prime minister to the wrong airport. In what might be the world's most awkward example of airline incompetence, 4 Glock 9mm weapons were mistakenly sent to LA, not Washington, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was set to meet with President Obama . When the luggage resurfaced, the guns were missing, notes the BBC . Now the airline—and everybody else—is struggling to figure out how it happened. More»