Va. Tech & Guns: James Q. Wilson has this op-ed in the LA Times subtitled, "Why one reaction to Virginia Tech shouldn't be tightening firearm laws." The New York Times has a contrary view in an editorial yesterday.

Copycats: Three different incidents of copycats have already occurred after Monday's horrible killing spree at Virginia Tech. Matthew Yi's article in the San Francisco Chronicle reported on 28-year-old Jeffery Thomas Carney (Yuba City), who claimed he would "make Virginia Tech look mild." He turned himself in last night around 9:30. Reports came to Police Wednesday after Carney confessed to his Pastor and Aunt of possessing "an AK-47, poison, and explosives." Another incident in California was reported on by Allison Hoffman of the Associated Press. Cristobal Fernando Gonzalez (32) made a threat over his website that he intended to kill 50 students at San Diego State University. Gonzalez claimed he made the phony threat for more publicity to his site. If Gonzales is found guilty of "making a threatening communication via the Internet," he could get 5 years in prison and $250,000 fines. NASA's Space Center in Houston also had a scare after a gunman was reported at the center. The gunman "killed a male hostage and then himself." The complete article by Bruce Nichols can be found here.

Cop Killer Sentenced: Gang member David Hill (23) was sentenced to life without parole today for the 2004 murder of SFPD Officer Isaac Espinoza (29) and the attempted murder of his partner, Officer Barry Parker. Jaxon Van Derbeken, Marisa Lagos, and Wyatt Buchanan of the San Francisco Chronicle also report that jurors rejected a first-degree murder allegation. An enhancement, however, on his second degree murder charge for killing a police officer got him a life sentence without parole.

Gun Control: "Alameda County's ban on possessing guns at the Pleasanton fairgrounds" was upheld by U.S. District Judge Martin Jenkins yesterday. An article by Bob Egelko of the San Francisco Chronicle explains that gun show promoters believe the ban violates their Second Amendment right to own guns. The promoters' attorney, Donald Kilmer believes that the recent federal court ruling overturning D.C.'s handgun ban supports his clients' rights.