KABA
4-minute Gun Report
by Angel Shamaya
Director, KeepAndBearArms.com
December 4, 2000
In This Report...
Another "Buyback"
Failure
A federally-funded gun "buyback" in
Kentucky fell flat. They pulled in all of 42 guns, most of which were "old
and/or inexpensive guns...of little value." While there were a couple of
people who expressed concern about making sure the guns "don't go into the
wrong hands," some of the folks simply wanted to get rid of clunkers
sitting around collecting dust, or so it seems -- and get a good deal for their
unwanted dust collectors.
The program used $2,100 of the $10,000 in money
granted by HUD. To date, I have not heard a decent refutation of the suggestion
that the feds exceeded their authority in allocating HUD funds to purchase used
guns from citizens. The documented proof that gun "buybacks" do not
reduce crime seems irrelevant to the pipedreaming anti-self-defense crowd.
We enjoy hearing the reports of citizens
cashing in poor quality goods for cash almost as much as we enjoy hearing when
citizens show up and outbid the government.
Full
Report
Quotes
from the Media on Gun "Buybacks"
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Canadian Cops assail
violent video games
Saying that violent video games "desensitize
human beings, especially our children," Royal Canadian Mounted Police are
asking parents not to buy violent video games for their kids. One Canadian
official in this report is now on record as saying that youth violent crime is
rising steadily in Canada.
"If you allow your children to watch this
stuff hour after hour, you are breeding a violent adult," said Supt. Jamie
Graham, the commanding officer of the North Vancouver RCMP detachment and a
30-year veteran. In referring to a child killer some years ago, another Canadian
official said, "Our Tac-Team couldn't do that well; the kid was an
expert." The "expert" to which he refers was a kid who has never
shot a handgun at a range, "but had spent more than 10,000 hours on a video
shooting game which gave the player bonus points for shooting pretend people in
the head."
Does anyone really doubt that kids practicing
killing people as amusement helps foster violence? If so, and if we had
Sex Offender Training Videos with titles like "Rape Little Sally,"
would you ignore that, too? Children are impressionable, and repetition is quite
effective in programming the human mind. Isn't this self-evident? We join the
Canadian police and echo their call to parents -- especially those with guns in
the home -- to wake up and start being responsible for how their children are
programming themselves. We further that call by urging parents to make sure
their children are properly trained and guided in the safe and effective use of
real guns -- at the range.
Full
Story (Canoe.ca has a tendency to change
their links after the story has run for a day or two. If you click and it's not
there, use their search feature with the above title.)
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Canadian School locked
down during gun scare
A Canadian student in Alberta brought a pellet
gun to school, and the entire school was locked down.
He brought it to school to return it to a
friend.
Add the gunfear-mongering of the media to the
ignorance of so many people about guns, you get the above paranoia turned
frenzy.
"You can never over-react," said
Palliser School District trustee Joe Watson, about the decision to "lock
down" the nearly 200 students in the kindergarten to Grade 12 school.
Actually, you can.
Full
Story (Canoe.ca has a tendency to change their links after the story
has run for a day or two. If you click and it's not there, use their search
feature with the above title.)
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Concealed weapon permits
may become easier to obtain in Michigan
Long overdue relaxing of the right to carry
concealed self-defense guns appears to be on its way in Michigan -- as early as
next week.
In their bid to to prevent women from defending
themselves against rapists, foes of self-defense are promising a ballot measure
-- if some of the infringements of "the right of the people to keep and
bear arms" are eased.
The final language is expected to include
prohibitions on carrying weapons in schools, sports arenas and taverns. It has
become apparent that the self-defense opposition likes to have our schools and
public places especially easy targets for bad people, and apparently the
Michigan freedom-fighters have identified this mental malady up yonder, as well.
State Rep. Mike Green, R-Mayville, one of the
bill's primary sponsors, said he was optimistic the measure will finally win
approval. The exclusions, Green said, "make it an easier sell."
Why we have to sell people on allowing little
old ladies to stop knife-wielding murderers from killing them remains unclear,
but we know it's not due to excessive common sense or compassion.
Full
Story
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Defaced pistol is found in
cop locker
A New Jersey police officer's wife filed a
domestic violence complaint against him, causing the removal of guns from his
possession. This report tells us a .45 was found in his locker that has its
serial number removed.
But that doesn't mean he's guilty of anything,
at all.
Women can file a complaint whether or not
you've even yelled at them, let alone raised a hand, and the automatic removal
of firearms is still a reality.
And since we've seen a number of police
officers recently convicted of planting evidence, who's to say the cop having an
affair with his wife didn't plant the defaced gun in an attempt to further
derail him?
Detective Al Sodaro
has a history of saving elderly women from burning buildings. To the gunowners
willing to crucify him based on a liberal media's report, let's not be too quick
to assume the worst until a judge and jury do some proving.
Full
Story
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Student shooter is up for
parole soon
Randy Earl Matthews, a 17-year-old student, was
charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and unlawfully carrying a
weapon on school grounds. He shot 6 students at Palo Duro High School in
Amarillo, Texas in 1992.
He was sentenced to eight years in prison and
will be up for parole in July.
Our prisons being such healthy rehabilitation
centers, we are confident he'll surely be a fit member of society come July,
right?
Full
Story
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Weapons must be declared
when traveling with commercial airlines
Airline officials are reminding people to declare their weapons if taking them
in luggage when traveling.
"Since January, we've had about 150 cases
of undeclared weapons showing up in checked baggage," said FAA Special
Agent John White.
It's perfectly legal to transport firearms, but
you're supposed to let the airline know you've got them in your baggage.
According to Joette Storm, community relations
manager for the Federal Aviation Administration, "39 weapons were
confiscated from passengers within the last year" for not having been
properly declared. They are reporting that they used, in essence, a CAT scan to
look for guns -- praising its effectiveness at finding them. Take the hint.
If you choose to declare your guns when
traveling, make sure your airline doesn't put a neon "Steal Me" sign
on them. Some, I'm told, still do. Calling ahead is a good idea. I ask BEFORE I
book my flights.
Ammo is supposed to be declared, as well, and
yes, you can store it in loaded mags -- unless you're flying into places like
Washington, D.C., where guns are banned and crime is booming.
Full
Story
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Arms Laws Put to Test in
AOL Lawsuit
Our friend Luke Hansen and his associates are
getting even more publicity in their lawsuit against Amerika Online. The leading
internet service provider fired Luke and two friends for having guns in their
cars. They were going shooting after work. AOL doesn't even own the parking lot;
they lease it. And the three Americans have concealed weapons
"permits," as well.
They didn't take it lying down and are suing
the company. Considering the many reports we've run illustrating the dark under
belly of AOL, we're not only anxious about the outcome of the case, we're
excited. Go Luke!
Full
Story | Another
Report
Get
your pro gun internet access with KeepAndBearArms.com
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5 Years in Prison for
Carrying a Concealed Gun
In case you missed this one last week, Jackson
County, Missouri is telling us that someone who carries a gun concealed for
self-protection could go to prison for FIVE YEARS. According to this report,
"Under the new policy, first-time
concealed weapon offenders continue to get city tickets. Second offenders get
felony convictions in state court and sentences to community service. Third
offenders get a federal gun charge that carries a minimum sentence of five
years."
Viewing this situation from our saddle, we urge
law enforcement officers in the area to let people GO if caught carrying
concealed unless they show clear criminal intent to use their weapons in
criminal-like ways. Some police officers do let good guys go, you know. Busting
a guy on mere possession is not only an infringement on his right to life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness, it's rude.
Full
Story
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Home Invasions -- Things to
Consider
The Christmas holidays typically bring
increased home burglaries and robberies. Sadly, the "the season of
giving" is for some the season of taking. Though some of our members live
in areas where crime is a foreign concept, rural home invasions have happened
even recently, and precautions make sense in areas where your neighbors are less
likely to hear a commotion, as well.
In the last week, we have seen at least 10
reports of home invasions around the country -- three of them right here in
Phoenix. I plan to do a full report on home invasions soon, but for now, here
are some things to consider in the interest of your own safety and the safety of
the people you love. While many of our members could have written the following
themselves, for new gun owners or those busying themselves trying to be
politically correct gun owners: give it up; in America 2000, there ain't no such
critter. Consider the potential of someone to kick your door in long enough to
know you're prepared to handle it. Maybe the following will get your gears
cranking...
- Have a deadbolt locked on your door at all
times. If you don't have one, install one. You're worth the investment.
Don't rely on a flimsy chain to keep a bad guy (or several big bad guys)
out.
- When answering your door, don't open it
until you've looked at the person and identified him or her as someone you
know -- through your peephole. If you don't have a peephole, install one
now. If they hide their faces, tell them to look into your peephole so you
can see them. If they cover your peephole, assume you don't know them and
act accordingly. One man recently let someone in who covered his peephole
and got beaten badly, tied up and robbed. He thought it was someone who'd
just left minutes earlier. His life was not only threatened directly, his
hospital bill didn't help his day along, either.
- If you don't know someone who is at your
door, they can hear you just fine through your door. If you're
concerned about "seeming rude" by not opening your door, remember
that it is your house and your privacy they are invading to
sell you something. You didn't invite them; you set the terms of your
conversation. If they talk softly, tell them to speak up. In fact, it is
safe to say you NEVER have to open your door to a stranger.
- Listen to your instinct. If it tells you not
to open the door, for God's sake don't open it. Remember these words:
"No thank you. Have a nice day, and better luck at the next
house."
- Recent home invasions around the country
have taken on many forms. Two recently took place where the people claimed
to be FBI, several have claimed to be local police, one recently told the
homeowner he was injured and needed to use the phone to call for help. The
homeowner could have called for the man, and his gut told him it was a ruse,
but he opened his door and got pistol-whipped, tied up and robbed at
gunpoint by a less than savory character -- one who was still at large as of
last week. The three events in Phoenix recently were people posing as if
they wanted to discuss buying a car the victim had parked on a street corner
with a for sale sign in the window. If you're selling your car on a street
corner and someone wants to come over, offer to meet them at the car. Crooks
read the news, too, and they get ideas from other crooks.
- Consider answering your door with your cold
steel friend in your hand. One senior citizen in Las Vegas answered his door
with his gun in his hand a couple of months ago, and when the people opened
fire on him as they attempted to enter his home, he shot and killed one of
them on the spot and the police apprehended the other one, I believe, with
an unsightly hole in his body. The homeowner didn't get so much as a
scratch, and all he has to do is fix some plaster on his wall where they
rudely put holes in it. (Some criminals are really bad shots.) Personally,
when I answer my door, even if I am expecting someone, My Friend The .45 is
in my strong hand, and my mindset is on both greeting a friend warmly as
well as putting large holes in any fool who picked the wrong house to
invade. Notice I said "in my hand" as opposed to in my
always-with-me holster. When someone kicks your door in, if they are
pointing a gun at you and your gun is in a holster, who is more likely to
win that gunfight? If your home is invaded, who better to survive: you, or
them? We want you around, not you in a hospital or the morgue. While it's
unfortunate that some home invaders need to be shot, it ain't that
unfortunate. The boy scouts are right: Be Prepared.
Just a few thoughts in advance of a thorough,
detailed report covering at least 8 facets of the home invasion issue.
Finally, Bill Cain, a retired Macon-Bibb County
police officer from Georgia, recently
said of home invasions, "Keep your mouth shut, give them what they want
and get out of the situation alive...resisting a robber is always
dangerous..." He's only right if they get the jump on you. If you've got
the jump on them because you are fully prepared for the worst, the greater
danger will be faced by the person at the business end of your firearm.
This same former police officer tells you that
if you use a gun for self-defense, you are more likely to be shot and the
criminal will take your gun and sell it on the street. But you can bet that if
some jerk comes calling on Mr. Cain by kicking in his door, he won't be
"keeping his mouth shut and giving them what they want." He'll be
using his firearm. Officer Cain surely means well, but he's teaching submission.
With proper training and ample preparation, the only one experiencing submission
should be the bad guy, not me or you.
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