Evening star., 1914-11-17
FORRESTR|CT|0N0F
SALE Of WEAPONS
East Washington Citizens
Heartily Indorse The Stars
Campaign.
SENTIMENT OF MEETING
FOR MORE DRASTIC LAW
James M. Wood Proposes Amend
ment to D. C. Code to Reach Adults
Responsible for Homicides.

The Stars campaign for more drastic
law governing the sale of weapons was
given a hearty Endorsement by the East
Washington Citizens Association at a
meeting of that organization held last
night in East Washington Hall.
Dr. Charles NJ. Emmons, president of
the association, called the attention of
the members of the association to the
campaign that is being conducted by The
Star.
"Other associations" said DR.. En-
mons. have indorsed what is being done
by The Star, and 1 think it no more
than right that this association should
voice it's sentiments and indorse the CAM
paign.''
"Certainlywe WILL" said Capt. William
NJ. Potter.
Il think that sales of weapons should
be permitted DR.. Emmons resumed,
but only under restrictive measure.
Adopted by Unanimous Vote.
Capt Potter, vice president of the as
ISOLATION, put the question and it was
carried by a unanimous vote.
James NJ Wood, a member Of the as
sociation, is heartily in favor of the
enactment of law that will restrict
the sale of weapons. He also favors
drastic law to punish irresponsible per
sons who are found carrying them: Ihe
New York law, he says, would be
good one to adopt in this city.
Under the provisions of that law,
he told Star reporter, 1T Is not
matter of paying a few dollars fine for
carrying a revolver, but a case OF
going to the penitentiary."
Mr.. Wood says he thinks there are
numerous questions of Importance In
connection with the sale and handling
of weapons that might be enacted into
law for the benefit of the community.
One question to which he has given
much thought, he says. Is that OF adults
leaving loaded weapons where they fall
into the hands Of children and end In
accidental homicides.
Text of Proposed Amendment.
1t is his intention to ask a member of
Congress to introduce a bill covering
that phase Of the question soon after
Congress meets. His proposed amend
ment, which is intended to be made
part of section S57 of the District code,
reads:
provided further. that any person
or persons who shall, within the Dis
trict of Columbia, or on the waters or
the Potomac river and it tributaries
WITHIN CQe DlSITlCt VI SOAuiiloid, SAPoSS
or allow to be exposed, any loaded gun,
revolver or other deadly and danger
Gus firearm which comes into the pos
session of any minor under the age OF
twenty -one years and which results IN
said minor committing felony, snail
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and
shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined
not more than 1000 or be imprisoned
not more than five years, or both.
Too Manv Accidental Homicides.
Accidental homicides by children
are entirely too numerous in this coun-
try" Mr. Wood said, land it is time
to make an effort to put a stop to
them.
Last year we had one such homicide
to every 1000 of the population of
the country he added, land while oc-
Icasionally some child is convicted of
charge of manslaughter the adult who
really is responsible for the killing is
An adult who leaves a loaded
weapon where a child may get hold
of it and discharge it," Mr.. Wood said.
should be dealt with SO severely that
other owners of weapons would take
notice" In every such homicide, he said.
the life of the child who takes life is
blighted, and sorrow is brought to at
least two families.
II am going to do my best to have
the proposed amendment enacted into
law" he concluded.
Two Convicted in Court.
James Contee, colored, was sentenced to
pay a fine of $50 or serve thirty days in
default of the fine in the Police Court
| today by Judge Mullowny. on a charge of
| carrying a concealed wapon.
| Policeman Castle told the court he was
attracted to a poolroom at 1907 18th street
| northwest last evening by number of
colored men running from the place. He
| entered and declared he found Contee with
a pistol in his pocket. The defendant de-
clared he had taken the pistol from anoth-
er man who had declared his intention of
shooting it.
John J. Walters was also sentenced to
pay fine of $50 or serve fifteen days
at Occoquan in default of the fine by
| Judge Mullowny. He was arrested by Po-
| lceman j. w. Conrad on charge of
| carrying concealed weapon. The po-
| lceman told the court that he found a
| razor in Walters pocket. The defendant
said he was going to take it to barber
shop to have it honed. His statement
was such that the court said he could
not understand how he carried it from
| Sunday until yesterday, if his story were
| true, and had not yet had it honed.