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CCRKBA Calls Maryland Bill on Semi-Auto Rifles 'Frivolous Pandering'
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"A bill submitted to the Maryland General Assembly that would add 20 years to a criminal's prison sentence if he uses a so-called "assault rifle" when committing a violent crime amounts to "frivolous pandering to anti-gun extremism," the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) said today."

"The measure, sponsored by Sen. Rob Garagiola (D-Montgomery County), got a quick endorsement from Montgomery County State's Attorney Douglas Gansler. The prosecutor told reporters that Garagiola's bill 'is not about gun control. This bill is about putting people who ought to be in jail behind bars.'"

"'That's ridiculous,' CCRKBA Executive Director Joe Waldron fired back. 'This bill is about demonizing a specific type of firearm because of its appearance. It should make no difference what kind of firearm a criminal uses. If that individual is caught and convicted, he ought to be locked up for a very long time, regardless of the kind of gun he used. Senator Garagiola is simply attempting to blame a certain type of firearm for the criminal actions of the person using it, and it's nonsense.'" ...

Gunmaker surviving battle against his product
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"Ronnie Barrett got his start as a photographer shooting weddings."

"But things changed more than 20 years ago when the Murfreesboro, Tenn., resident tinkered with the design of a machine gun to create the most powerful rifle available to civilians."

"As of Jan. 1, sales of the .50-caliber BMG (Browning Machine Gun) are banned in California. Although other manufacturers have begun making the weapon, Barrett is at the center of a growing controversy over the sniper firearm used by the world's military personnel and civilians alike." ...

"Barrett, 50, acknowledges that the average civilian doesn't need the weapon."

"'You don't need a five-bedroom home,' he said. 'You don't need Corvettes, breast implants or fishing clubs. Not all guns are hunting guns. This is a toy.'" ...

VA: Senate panel narrowly backs gun show bill
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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Legislation requiring unlicensed dealers at gun shows in Virginia to conduct background checks on buyers has squeaked through a Senate committee by one vote.

Last year the bill cleared the committee by the same thin margin only to be killed by the full Senate.

Under current Virginia law, only federally licensed dealers are required to conduct check on buyers.

The pro-gun Virginia Citizens Defense League says unlicensed dealers -- such as gun collectors and private sellers -- don't have the facilities to do background checks.

But the bill's sponsor, Democratic delegate Henry Marsh of Richmond says every state on the east coast from North Carolina to Canada has closed the gun show loophole except Virginia.

VA: Gun-banning bill defeated in Senate panel
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"Virginians can continue to pack heat the real thing, not toys -- in child day-care centers."

"The Senate Courts of Justice Committee yesterday killed 8-7 a bill that would extend the gun ban that currently applies to schools to privately operated day-care centers."

"The sponsor, Sen. Yvonne B. Miller, D-Norfolk, did not cite any incidents in which a gun was used in a day-care center in Virginia but said she was worried about the potential." ...

"Tom Evans, a gun-rights advocate, said the ban in schools is designed to prevent youngsters from bringing guns."

"'There is not a danger in preschools,' he said."

"He also argued that the ban would not stop someone from taking a gun into a preschool and start shooting." ...

Deer eating away at forests nationwide
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... "Todays high deer population may shape how the countrys forests look decades from now. The animals are reducing the number of trees and seedlings and affecting which species will survive, forestry experts say."

"In the 14,000-acre Letchworth State Park in western New York, a 1,200-acre 'safety area' for recreation where hunting is forbidden has seen vast damage from overbrowsing by deer."

"'There are no saplings, no underbrush for ground nesting birds,' said Richard Parker, regional director of the Genesee State Park Region. 'There will be no regeneration of the forest. In 40 to 50 years, as the current forest dies, there will be nothing to replace it.'" ...

NH: Man credits gun in foiling intruder
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"Donald Narkis said hes glad he had a gun handy to confront an intoxicated intruder who was smashing furniture in his house."

"Hes equally glad he didnt need to shoot the intruder."

"'I think its important that people realize that the first line of protection is themselves. By the time the police arrived, there could have been three bodies here,' Narkis said of the incident at his home early Monday morning." ...

OH: Chillicothe: Armed man robs 'no-guns' business
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"The Chillicothe Gazette is reporting that a business called Check Into Cash was robbed at gunpoint Thursday afternoon."

"The newspaper did not report that the criminal walked right past the business' 'no-guns' signs in order to commit his crime."

"According to the story, an employee reported to police a man entered the store in Central Center with a gun and rushed toward her as he demanded money. The man then retrieved the money from the cash registers while the employee lay on the floor." ...

"Is advertising that customers and employees inside your business are defenseless really such a 'safe' idea?"

South Africa: Boy loses eye after being caught in crossfire at eatery
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"The difference between life and death for 5-year-old Bonga Ngeva is but a centimetre."

"On Saturday afternoon, Bonga was on a swing alongside his best friend, Kirsten James, at his favourite restaurant - the Oklahoma Spur, in Eastleigh, Edenvale. At that moment, about 150m from Bonga, gunmen tried to hijack a car and engaged in a shootout with their intended victim."

"Suddenly, Bonga jumped off the swing and ran screaming, clutching his eye. He had been caught in the crossfire."

"Bonga has lost the sight in his right eye. Tomorrow, doctors will operate to remove the bullet lodged in his skull." ...

"Anthony Millar, an attorney ... said that even if the bullet came from the motorist's gun, the hijackers could face a civil claim as their actions had led to Bonga's injury." ...

Malaysia: Two robbers shot dead by remisier
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"A remisier shot dead two armed men who tried to rob him in his bungalow in Section 19 here this morning."

"Two others escaped but one of the men is believed to have been injured after being shot by the 51-year-old remisier."

"He was arrested at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Klang where he sought treatment for his wound."

"The remisier suffered a head injury after being slashed with a parang during a scuffle with the armed men. He received several stitches." ...

"He said the four robbers, all in their 20s, climbed into the compound of the bungalow in SS19/4A and entered the house when the remisier's wife opened the door to go into the front yard at 6.30am." ...

NY: Boy brings loaded gun to school
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"An 11-year-old student and his parents -- both city transit employees -- were arrested Wednesday after the child brought his parents' loaded gun to a Queens middle school, police said."

"The boy brought the 9-mm gun to IS 59 ... where he is a student, and showed it to a friend, who then alerted school safety officers, police said. School safety then held the weapon until police arrived."

"The friend and the arrested boy had both devised a scheme to bring guns to school Wednesday, but only one did."

"The boy and his mother, Latiesha Soto, 29, were taken to the 113th Precinct station house and arrested, police said." ...

NE: Wahoo Student Will Be Charged For Bringing Gun To School
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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The Saunders County attorney said he will file charges against a Wahoo student who had a gun on school property last week.

School officials found the gun in his car last Friday. It was in the parking lot at Wahoo High School. Students who heard the 18-year-old talking about the gun reported it to administrators.

"We're proud of our students and more schools are finding that out," said Edward Rastovski, with Wahoo Public Schools. "That students are stepping forward and when they know something is not right, come forward and tell us."

The student told police he had the gun to go target shooting after school. On the same day, a Lincoln high school student was arrested for having a gun in his locker.

The incidents are unrelated.

IL: Family Sues Police For 'Retaliation, Abuse'
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"A Southwest Side family said it filed a suit Tuesday accusing several Chicago police officers of harassment."

"Laura Ramirez and her two sons named as defendants the City of Chicago and at least nine officers. The family accuses of intimidation and false arrests." ...

"The Ramirezes have been 'victims of retaliation and abuse' at the hands of the officers ever since Laura Ramirez testified against them during a criminal trial in July 2002 and later in a civil trial, a copy of the suit alleged."

"In July 2002, Laura Ramirez ... saw the officers beat her next-door neighbor, Janice Kasper, the suit stated. The officers said they were assaulted by Kasper first, but Ramirez's testimony rebutted those claims, according to the suit." ...

IL: Police Officer Charged In Wife's Stabbing
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"A 32-year-old Chicago police officer was charged with first degree murder Wednesday in the fatal stabbing of his wife in the family's Northwest Side home."

"Rafael Balbontin of 2948 N. Luna Ave. was also charged with aggravated battery, Cook County state's attorney's office spokeswoman Marcy Jensen said."

"Neighbors said they heard the screams of the woman who was found stabbed to death, 29-year-old Arcela Balbontin, of Chicago. Balbontin's 65-year-old mother was also stabbed, but was treated and released." ...

"Balbontin's wife called the police at about 10:35 p.m. Tuesday and said she and her husband were fighting and that she feared he was going to commit suicide ..." ...

MI: New Police Chiefs Poll Just Released
Submitted by: D. Finlayson

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"The National Association of Chiefs of Police released its 17th Annual Survey of Police Chiefs and Sheriffs and some of the survey findings are surprising and compelling. The survey -- released in the January 2005 issue of Police Times Magazine -- had some surprising results on various topics including terrorism, gun control, homeland security, and drug enforcement." ...

"Gun Control: With regard to private citizens owning firearms for sport or self-defense, 93.6 percent of the respondents supported civilian gun-ownership rights. Ninety-six percent of the police chiefs and sheriffs believe criminals obtain firearms from illegal sources and 92.2 percent revealed they hadn't arrested anyone for violation of the so-called 'waiting period' laws. When asked if citizens concealed-weapons permits would reduce violent crime, 63.1 percent said yes." ...

MO: Sheriff's Office Acquires 25 M-16 Rifles
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"Franklin County sheriff's deputies will soon be armed with new M-16 rifles obtained through a program with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)."

"The 25 rifles, worth close to $50,000, were delivered recently to the sheriff's office in Union."

"The only charge to the county was for shipping expenses, according to Maj. Mike Copeland, chief deputy, who applied for the surplus arms through the 1033 Property Disposal Program administered by the Law Enforcement Support Office."

"'It's a heck of a program,' Copeland remarked."

"A couple of years ago, the sheriff's office acquired 20 M-14 rifles through the program. The department also received a van which is used by ERT (Emergency Response Team) squad members, along with clothing and other surplus military equipment." ...

NJ: How Do Cop Impersonators Get Police Badges?
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"It is a growing problem in our area. Police impersonators so real they have authentic badges. We have seen several cases recently. But how do the criminals get them?"

"The Eyewitness News Investigators looked into the matter and discovered that in one particular case caused by simple carelessness by one state police department."

"Jim Hoffer joins me now with his exclusive report."

"They are supposed to be the most closely guarded items of any police department. Yet we've discovered dozens of ID's, badges and even some guns have been lost or stolen from New Jersey State Police troopers. Law enforcement experts tell us it's a problem that in a post 9-11 world calls for immediate attention." ...

TN: Police: Watch Out for Fake Cops
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"Law enforcement agencies from across Tennessee are on the lookout for two armed men who allegedly assaulted a Monroe County woman, while pretending to be police officers." ...

"Police say if you're driving alone especially at night, and an apparent undercover police car approaches, use extreme caution."

"'In event females unsure, proceed to a lighted area, possibly a service station; let the officer know you know he's behind you by putting your flashers on, if you have a cell phone dial 911.'" ...

"Also, on a routine traffic stop ask to see a badge." ...
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Submitter's Note: How about when someone is kicking in your door at 3 AM?

TX: Jury recommends probation for ex-cop
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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A jury in Houston recommended nearly ten years probation for a now-ex policeman convicted in the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy.

Jurors earlier found Arthur Carbonneau guilty of a lesser charge -- criminally negligent homicide.

Carbonneau could have been convicted of murder or manslaughter over the November 2003 death of Eli Escobar Junior during a struggle at an apartment complex.

Carbonneau said the shooting was an accident as he and another officer searched for a suspect in an earlier assault.

Police have said that when Carbonneau drew his pistol after Escobar kicked him in the groin, the 220-pound teen kicked the officer's arm and the gun went off.

Jurors recommended nine years, six months and 14 days of probation for Carbonneau, who resigned last April.

TN: Police Blotter: Thief Gets Away With Officer's Gun, Taser, Mace
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"A thief at Greenway Farm broke into a police officer's car while she was out jogging and took a number of items."

"Heather Stone said when she returned to her vehicle she noticed that the driver's side window had been knocked out and that her police duty belt and gear were no longer on the seat. She found her uniform shirt outside on the ground."

"Also taken were a Smith and Wesson .45-caliber handgun, a taser, a can of mace, a Tac light, a streamlight flashlight, two sets of handcuffs, a police radio and two magazines for the gun." ...

PA: Ex-cop gets house arrest in ammunition theft
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"The 54 firearms, 10,000 rounds of ammunition, dozens of grenades and more than 50 pounds of explosives stored in Mark Short's Moon home were for training purposes, the former county police officer said at his sentencing yesterday."

"Short, 43, had pleaded no contest in November to charges of theft and possession of prohibited offensive weapons. He was sentenced to two years of house arrest and a year of probation by Common Pleas Judge Jeffrey Manning, who said he took into account the former officer's good record and the seriousness of the offenses."

"Short was accused of stealing thousands of rounds of ammunition and trading it for weapons at a gun shop. He also was charged with illegally possessing and storing high explosives, automatic weapons and a silencer." ...

FL: Cycling activist Raphael Clemente has had enough idiot-induced wipeouts to last a lifetime
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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... "The following year [1991], he was on A1A in Juno Beach with other cyclists. 'A car came by, swerved at us,' he recalls. The driver started hurling a few choice epithets at the riders. 'A few of the guys went up alongside his car and yelled back. And he winds up reaching in the glove box, pulling a gun out, and putting it up against his window.'"

"Clemente and the other bikers rode to the fire station and called police. Within minutes, a Juno Beach squad car had the driver pulled over. He turned out to be a Lake County cop who said he felt threatened by the angry pack of cyclists. 'Everything got smoothed over then,' Clemente laments, 'and they sent him on his way.'" ...

India: 'Gun battle was police killing unarmed leaders'
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"Eyewitnesses of an alleged gun battle between police and Maoists in an Andhra Pradesh forest said Wednesday that it was actually an act of unprovoked firing by the cops, resulting in two of their comrades being killed."

"Addressing a press conference here, Akala Bhumaiah, N. Dharmapal and Maddileti of the Telangana Jana Sabha, a political group fighting for a separate state of Telangana, narrated how police killed their two colleagues in the Warangal forests on Sunday."

"The sensational disclosures have caused further embarrassment to the Congress government, which was already under attack from different quarters for the series of 'fake gun battles' which led to Maoists pulling out of peace talks." ...

CA: San Francisco, frustrated by rising homicides, tries handgun ban
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"Frustrated by a 28 percent increase in homicides during the past year, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has proposed a sweeping measure banning handguns, injecting the city into the national debate over gun control."

"The proposal will appear on the municipal ballot in November and would bar residents from keeping handguns in their homes or businesses. It also would prohibit the sale, manufacture and distribution of any firearms or ammunition in San Francisco, where residents have bought nearly 22,000 handguns since 1996, according to the state attorney general's office."

"Supervisor Chris Daly, who proposed the measure, said he and other supervisors already have received threatening phone calls and e-mails from gun supporters." ...

PA: There's An Upside To Gun Ownership, Too [first letter on page]
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THE Daily News editorial "Gunning for a Solution" gives an unbalanced perspective on the relationship between guns and crime.

If being "awash in guns" leads to higher crime rates, as you suggest, then the handgun ban in Washington, D.C., should make that city safe. Instead, it has one of the highest crime rates in the nation. By contrast, neighboring Virginia, which like Pennsylvania has decriminalized the carrying of concealed weapons, has a significantly lower crime rate.

This past New Year's Eve, an armed storekeeper acting in self-defense shot and permanently stopped the Camden serial rapist. This incident underscores an important point: Guns are used to commit crimes, but at the same time are used to prevent and stop crimes.

AL: Camp to teach kids rifle, archery, shotgun skills
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"OK, all you shooting sports enthusiasts, here's your chance to become a certified 4-H Shooting Sports instructor. A training workshop for adult volunteers interested in working with the 4-H Shooting Sports program is planned for Feb. 11-13 at the 4-H Center in Columbiana." ...

"Participants may sign up for one of the following disciplines: rifle, archery, muzzleloading or shotgun. They will train in that discipline for the entire workshop. All participants will receive information on 4-H youth development, risk management, and training in safety and teaching methodology. Participants will also get a chance to practice teach their discipline to others." ...

KY: New firearms range has city of Crestwood split
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Oldham county planners will consider approving a new business Thursday that has the city of Crestwood split in half.

A real estate broker from California wants to turn an old roller rink into an indoor paintball and firearms range. But over 100 residents around the area have signed a petition to keep the business from opening up.

Resident Rob Hansen told Fox 41 News he is not opposed to a gun range in Oldham County, just opposed to the location which is about 3 feet from his house.

But other residents are writing letters of support for this new business. They say this would give local kids something to do.

The Oldham county board of adjustments will discuss the proposal Thursday morning at 10:30 in the Oldham fiscal court building.

MD: Maryland State Police Acting Like 'Keystone Cops'
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence today characterized a new report by the Maryland State Police recommending the repeal of the state's comprehensive ballistic identification system as 'politically-motivated junk science.'" ...

"'The new report questioning the effectiveness of Maryland's ballistic identification system is nothing more than a blatant attempt to cover up the fact that the Governor and the Maryland State Police have failed to properly implement this important crime solving technology,' said Josh Horwitz, Executive Director of The Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence." ...

UK: Police retrace path of murder bullet
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"FORENSIC and ballistic experts yesterday re-enacted a Scottish murder in scenes reminiscent of an American TV crime series."

"They wanted to discover the exact height of the killer, the trajectory of bullets and glean 'other information'."

"A main Glasgow street was closed to all traffic except buses for an hour during the 'forensic reconstruction' of the shooting."

"It was designed to replicate and take full advantage of images from a roadside CCTV camera which captured the gunman shooting Stephen Holmes, 25, last October."

"Enhancements have so far failed to identify the killer, who is pictured side-on at best, and with his back to the camera at worst." ...

UK: New gun laws to cut restrictions
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"New firearms legislation that relaxes some restrictions on guns will come into effect at the beginning of February, the Northern Ireland Office has announced."

"Under the new law certificates for holding firearms will be extended from three years to five years, although the NIO says renewals will be more 'rigorous'."

"The new law also says low-powered air rifles, paintball guns and de-activated guns will no longer require certificates, and there are provisions to allow shotguns and estate rifles to be loaned out."

"New firearm holders will be required to demonstrate they can shoot safely, as will shooters already holding a certificate but wishing 'to acquire a firearm of a significantly different type.'" ...

Jamaica: Two arrested after gun find in Grange Hill
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
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"Two persons are in custody at the Morgan's Bridge Police Station in Grange Hill, Westmoreland, following Tuesday's seizure of an illegal firearm and ammunitions."

"Sergeant Alva Douglas, lead investigator in the case, said that the police discovered the weapon in a house in Geneva District during a police operation in the area."

"A Stern Ruger 9mm pistol, loaded with 10 live rounds, was found under a pillow. It is the second gun find in Westmoreland since the year began."

"A man who the police say is wanted in Sandy Bay, Hanover, was at the house at the time of the raid, along with a woman. Both were arrested and charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition." ...