Lupara: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Lupara.jpg|right|thumb|350px|A homemade lupara]] |
[[Image:Lupara.jpg|right|thumb|350px|A homemade lupara]] |
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'''Lupara''' is an [[Italian language|Italian]] word used to refer to a [[sawed-off shotgun]] of the break-open design type. It is traditionally associated with [[Cosa Nostra]], the [[Italy|Italian]] [[organized crime]] group dominant in Sicily for their use of it in [[vendetta]]s, defense - such as its use against Mussolini's army when he decided to break up the Sicilian mafioso network - and [[hunt]]ing.<ref>{{cite book |last=Chalker |first=Dennis| authorlink=Dennis Chalker |title=One Perfect Op : an Insider’s Account of the Navy Seal Special Warfare Teams |coauthors=Dockery | year= 2002|publisher= Morrow|location=New York |language=English| pages=251 |isbn=0-671-02465-5 }}</ref> |
'''Lupara''' is an [[Italian language|Italian]] word used to refer to a [[sawed-off shotgun]] of the break-open design type. It is traditionally associated with [[Cosa Nostra]], the [[Italy|Italian]] [[organized crime]] group dominant in Sicily for their use of it in [[vendetta]]s, defense - such as its use against Mussolini's army when he decided to break up the Sicilian mafioso network - and [[hunt]]ing.<ref>{{cite book |last=Chalker |first=Dennis| authorlink=Dennis Chalker |title=One Perfect Op : an Insider’s Account of the Navy Seal Special Warfare Teams |coauthors=Dockery | year= 2002|publisher= Morrow|location=New York |language=English| pages=251 |isbn=0-671-02465-5 }}</ref> |
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==Terminology== |
==Terminology== |
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The word 'lupara' means literally 'wolf-shot', reflecting its lethal power and its history of use in [[Mafia]] killings. It is also one of the oldest Italian firearms originating in Sicily. |
The word 'lupara' means literally 'wolf-shot', reflecting its lethal power and its history of use in [[Mafia]] killings. It is also one of the oldest Italian firearms originating in Sicily. |
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==Example== |
==Example== |
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An early example of criminal use of the weapon in the United States was the assassination of the New Orleans chief of police, David Hennessey, in October of 1890.<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Tom|title=The Crescent City Murders|year=2007|publisher=The Lyons Press|isbn=1-592-28901-0}}</ref> The murder punctuated a rivalry between gangs of Sicilian fruit company stevedores whose contracts did not fall under the auspices of the local longshoreman's union. A pile of sawed-off shotguns was displayed after the murder, including a homemade gun with a folding iron stock, and another with a hook on its stock with which to hang the gun under a coat. Racist provocation following the failed prosecution of a group of suspected men resulted in a mob assault on the New Orleans Parish Prison and the subsequent lynching of many Italian prisoners. This was possibly the first time the term "Mafia" was used during a criminal trial. |
An early example of criminal use of the weapon in the United States was the assassination of the New Orleans chief of police, David Hennessey, in October of 1890.<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Tom|title=The Crescent City Murders|year=2007|publisher=The Lyons Press|isbn=1-592-28901-0}}</ref> The murder punctuated a rivalry between gangs of Sicilian fruit company stevedores whose contracts did not fall under the auspices of the local longshoreman's union. A pile of sawed-off shotguns was displayed after the murder, including a homemade gun with a folding iron stock, and another with a hook on its stock with which to hang the gun under a coat. Racist provocation following the failed prosecution of a group of suspected men resulted in a mob assault on the New Orleans Parish Prison and the subsequent lynching of many Italian prisoners. This was possibly the first time the term "Mafia" was used during a criminal trial. |
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==Modern Usage Of The Term== |
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The term has eclipsed it's origin and is now more often associated with this style of style shotgun and it's popular use as a defensive weapon because it can be more easily handled in close quarters than a longer full length gun. The shorter barrels generally without a choke also provide greater spread of the shot increasing the chances that a frightened and thusly unstable user will hit their desired target. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 04:57, 21 April 2008
 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. |
- For the Italian city, see Lupara (commune).
Lupara is an Italian word used to refer to a sawed-off shotgun of the break-open design type. It is traditionally associated with Cosa Nostra, the Italian organized crime group dominant in Sicily for their use of it in vendettas, defense - such as its use against Mussolini's army when he decided to break up the Sicilian mafioso network - and hunting.[1]
Terminology
The word 'lupara' means literally 'wolf-shot', reflecting its lethal power and its history of use in Mafia killings. It is also one of the oldest Italian firearms originating in Sicily.
From the word lupara originates the Italian expression of lupara bianca (white lupara), a term especially used by journalists to refer to a mafia-style slaying in which the victim's body is deliberately hidden. The word was also popularised by the author Mario Puzo in his bestselling novel The Godfather where the lupara is used extensively by the mafia in Sicily, including Michael Corleone's bodyguards. [2]
Example
An early example of criminal use of the weapon in the United States was the assassination of the New Orleans chief of police, David Hennessey, in October of 1890.[3] The murder punctuated a rivalry between gangs of Sicilian fruit company stevedores whose contracts did not fall under the auspices of the local longshoreman's union. A pile of sawed-off shotguns was displayed after the murder, including a homemade gun with a folding iron stock, and another with a hook on its stock with which to hang the gun under a coat. Racist provocation following the failed prosecution of a group of suspected men resulted in a mob assault on the New Orleans Parish Prison and the subsequent lynching of many Italian prisoners. This was possibly the first time the term "Mafia" was used during a criminal trial.
Modern Usage Of The Term
The term has eclipsed it's origin and is now more often associated with this style of style shotgun and it's popular use as a defensive weapon because it can be more easily handled in close quarters than a longer full length gun. The shorter barrels generally without a choke also provide greater spread of the shot increasing the chances that a frightened and thusly unstable user will hit their desired target.
References
- ^ Chalker, Dennis (2002). One Perfect Op : an Insider’s Account of the Navy Seal Special Warfare Teams. New York: Morrow. p. 251. ISBN 0-671-02465-5.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Puzo, Mario (2002). The Godfather. New York: NAL. pp. 192, 203, 329, 335, 337, 349. ISBN 978-0451205766.
- ^ Smith, Tom (2007). The Crescent City Murders. The Lyons Press. ISBN 1-592-28901-0.
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