OKC Gang Violence Quadruples

Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty says there were 50 or 60 gang-related drive-by shootings in 1999, and the number jumped to 260 in 2005. In a May 31 drive-by shooting, six Hispanic teenagers were hit by gunfire from black gang members.

Citty says the number of estimated gang members in Oklahoma City has remained a constant 5,000, but they have become more violent.

Citty's answer to the crime wave in a recent news conference: Enact restrictions on law-abiding gun owners.

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Citty Under Fire For Gun Control Comment

Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty, who yesterday called for more gun control following a gang-related drive-by shooting that wounded six over the weekend, is under fire today from numerous quarters.

National Rifle Association news commentator Mike McCarville told NRA News listeners last night Citty "apparently has bought into the 'it's the guns, not the criminals' mindset" that propels those pushing gun control.

"Why isn't he talking about more gang control?" McCarville asked. "And since when do gang members pay any attention to gun laws? The only thing Citty's proposal would produce is more restrictions on those who already follow the law."

The NRA's Institute for Legislative Action put the Citty story on its international news wire feed, prompting numerous 2nd Amendment bloggers to comment.

The Oklahoma Shooters Association blog is jammed today with comments critical of Citty. Read them at http://www.okshooters.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30828.

Oklahoma City outdoor television and radio show host Ron Black scorches Citty in comments posted today on his blog.

KTOK radio talk show host Mark Shannon discussed Citty's remarks on his afternoon talk show.

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OKC Police Chief Wants More Gun Control

Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty called today for tighter gun control laws to curb the kind of gang violence that left six teenagers with gunshot wounds following a drive-by shooting in southeast Oklahoma City two days earlier.

Citty, speaking at a news conference by a coalition of social services, clergy and community groups opposed to gang violence, said he believes in a citizen's right to carry firearms but that too many guns are reaching the hands of gang members. He said gang members and their victims are getting younger and younger.

"There has to be some tighter rules and regulations on the sale of firearms and the registration of those firearms," Citty said.

Citty refused two years ago to sign a pledge offered by the National Rifle Association that he would not support the confiscation of firearms from law-abiding citizens as occurred in New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Mayor Mick Cornett was the first big-city mayor to sign the pledge.

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What Role Did FOP Lobbyist Bobby Stem Play In Lloyd Fields' Quick Detox Center Release?

What role did Capitol lobbyist Bobby Stem (pictured) play in securing the quick release of Labor Commissioner Lloyd Fields from the Public Inebriate Alternative in Oklahoma City on February 17th? The question hangs in the air today after The Oklahoman's Nolan Clay revealed it was Stem, a lobbyist for the Fraternal Order of Police, who "helped arrange for Fields' release" from the detox center after the Democrat was taken there by Oklahoma City police.

Controversy over the quick release, reported by The Oklahoman, prompted Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty to issue an edict that no officer on his force has the authority to secure the release of anyone from the detox center "for any reason."

The new directive from Citty comes after a police officer allowed Fields to be released from the detox center after about four hours. Detainees usually are held 10 hours.

The police officer involved in the release was not disciplined, the chief said.

Stem could not be reached for an explanation of his involvement in the Fields release. A list of his clients on file with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission shows that among his clients is the Fraternal Order of Police.

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