Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

Book review: 'Thank God I had a Gun' (BFA)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Self defense stories are as unique as the individuals involved. I have read hundreds of such stories and talked personally with many individuals involved in life and death struggles. Most get no media coverage ... The result is that most find it 'unbelievable' that such encounters occur 2,500,000 times per year in our country."

"In Chris Bird's latest book, 'Thank God I had a Gun', he examines 14 encounters. The stories each share the theme that the intended victim has a gun, but the settings, the actions taken by the criminals and the intended victims as well as the attitude of the police are very different. Some things are beyond our control, and it's useful to learn from the experience of others." ...

New York's Bloomerg-Schumer axis would eliminate American right of personal self-defense, says gun law expert
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"Two extremist New York politicians, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, obviously seethe with apparent disdain for the right to self-defense of millions of law-abiding Americans."

"Whether they admit cooperation or not, they work hand in glove from different parts of the political spectrum to deny citizens the ability to acquire the firearms they need to defend themselves and their loved ones against violent criminal predators."

"Bloomberg and Schumer and their supporters promote policies the effect of which would be the denial of the right of self-defense, of the very right to life itself, to ordinary American citizens."

"Here's their game plan." ...

AR: Fincher challenges indictment, jurisdiction
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Hollis Wayne Fincher is challenging the validity of the grand jury indictment that led to his conviction for illegally possessing machine guns."

"The motion also challenges the federal court's jurisdiction in the case and seeks 'an arrest of judgment.'"

"The motion argues Fincher's indictment makes no attempt to allege federal jurisdiction under the interstate commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution. It alleges Fincher possessed three machine guns described only as homemade."

"The motion contends the government has never shown the defendant where it says Congress has the power to regulate machine guns not sold in interstate commerce." ...

Children's Defense Fund Releases Annual Gun Violence Report
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"As the nation's mayors discuss solutions to gun violence at their annual conference, the Children's Defense Fund today released Protect Children, Not Guns 2007, its new annual report that details how each and every day we continue to lose children and teens to gun violence in America."

"'Gun violence affects everyone in America and is a major public health problem,' said Marian Wright Edelman, CDF President. 'Each and every day in America we continue to lose far too many children and teens to gun violence in towns, cities and rural areas all across the country. What is it going to take for us to stop the killing of our youth and the proliferation of guns, which leave every single American at risk?'" ...
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KABA Note: According to the report, 58 pre-schoolers (under 5 year-olds) died from 'gun violence' in 2004. In that same year almost nine times that number (527) drowned. So where should we focus our efforts?

IN: Police say car owner shot man trying to steal Jaguar
Submitted by: Daniel L. Moulder

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"Indianapolis metropolitan police said a man who tried to steal a car at an Eastside service station was shot by the car's owner."

"The would-be car thief was placed under arrest and sent to the hospital. The car's owner, Isaac Wilson, was questioned by detectives but not arrested. Police said they would submit the case to the Marion County prosecutor for a decision on charges."

"Steven A. Dotson ... was at a service station at 25th Street and Keystone Avenue when Wilson stopped for fuel in his Jaguar. When Dotson tried to take the Jaguar, Wilson pulled a gun and shot Dotson in the knee."

"Police said Dotson was awake and in stable condition when he was sent to Wishard Memorial Hospital for treatment."

CO: Legislators consider changes to concealed weapons permit laws
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"When lawmakers allowed Coloradans to obtain permits for concealed weapons four years ago, part of the package included a statewide database that tracks who gets them."

"That database is supposed to expire this year, and at least four bills are floating in the Colorado General Assembly regarding its future."

"State Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley, is carrying a bill that would eliminate the database altogether. Other lawmakers have offered bills to the opposite effect." ...

VA: Update on Pending Firearm Legislation in Virginia (NRA-ILA)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Earlier this week, the Virginia Senate easily turned back two proposals aimed at restricting the rights of Virginia gun owners. On Wednesday, the Senate Courts of Justice Committee soundly rejected ... a bill crafted to end gun shows and regulate private firearm transactions. On Tuesday, the Senate Local Government Committee defeated Senate Bill 767, sponsored by Senator Mamie Locke (D-2). Senator Lockes measure would have gutted Virginias firearms preemption statute by allowing localities to ban lawful possession of firearms in public libraries." ...

"In the Virginia House of Delegates, several key pro-gun measures are on the move. Please contact your Delegate ... and urge him or her to support the following bills:" ...

NY: Westchester wants police to license guns
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"Westchester's state representatives say they'll push for a special law that would put county police in charge of pistol license applications and require handgun owners to renew their license every five years."

"The move, which would eliminate the county clerk and courts from the process, is part of County Executive Andrew Spano's 2007 state legislation wish list. The complete legislative package is being reviewed by the county Board of Legislators and will most likely be forwarded to Albany next month." ...

OR: Ban fake guns?
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Beaverton has made the Oregon news with a proposed city law to ban 'replica guns' in public places. It deserves attention because it would be the first in the state."

"The Beaverton police are concerned about how often they've responded to incidents where teenagers were waving around so-called airsoft guns or similar replicas. But its not too clear just what would be banned and what would be allowed. And since it's not illegal (though ill-advised) to be in public with a real gun, its hard to see how a ban on fakes could stand up." ...

"Common sense says that you dont create an alarming situation in public, a situation that likely will bring the cops, and one in which law officers might feel that you are threatening them or others with a gun."

Journals of the Continental Congress, "...When hardy attempts are made to deprive men of rights, bestowed by the almighty..." May 29, 1775
Submitted by: GunShowOnTheNet.com
Website: http://gunshowonthenet.com/index.html

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"...Alarmed by the designs of an arbitrary Ministry, to extirpate the Rights and liberties of all America, a sense of common danger conspired with the dictates of humanity, in urging us to call your attention...."

"...By the introduction of your present form of government, or rather present form of tyranny, you and you wives and your children are made slaves...."

"...You certainly will not permit the infamy and disgrace of such pusillanimity to rest on your own heads, and the consequences of it on your children forever."

"We, for our parts, are determined to live free, or not at all; and are resolved, that posterity shall never reproach us with having brought slaves into the world...."

TX: Officers home burglarized; guns, uniforms stolen
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The investigation is still going on into everything taken Thursday morning from a Gainesville home, but Gainesville Police Chief Carl Dunlap issued an early warning for law enforcement and people everywhere to be on the lookout for anyone impersonating a police officer. Dunlap said thieves went into the home of a part-time Cooke County Sheriff's Office deputy ... while the family was out. When they returned about 9:30 a.m., they discovered the house burglarized."

"Missing are three guns, a Ruger .22-caliber pistol, a Kimber .45-caliber pistol, and a Remington .27-caliber rifle; two police uniforms with Azle (Texas) P.D. patches on the sleeves, but no badges; one bullet-proof vest; and one duty belt and holster. ..." ...

NJ: DWI Cop Driving Record A Wreck (follow-up)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"An off-duty Jersey City cop's horrific crash Tuesday night not only left a mother and son fighting for their lives but also has raised questions about nepotism and the Police Department's hiring practices."

"Kevin Freibott, 38, was arrested on charges of drunken driving and assault by vehicle late Tuesday night after he rear-ended a car that was joining traffic on the Pulaski Skyway from the Broadway ramp." ...

"Freibott was off duty at the time of the accident and had not worked since Jan. 13 because he was 'sick,' police officials said. Internal affairs is currently conducting an investigation involving his absence from work and the accident, though it's unclear how they are connected." ...

VA: Inmate finds loaded police gun at Beach training site
Submitted by: The Eggman
Website: http://www.the-eggman.com

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"An inmate cleaning a bathroom at the Law Enforcement Training Academy found a loaded police gun last month, prompting an internal police investigation into breaches of security procedures."

"Police spokeswoman Rene Ball confirmed that the Police Department is handling the incident internally, but declined to identify the officer whose gun was found in one of the women's bathroom stalls. She said rules governing internal inquiries forbid public disclosure."

"'It is a very serious matter, definitely a breach of safety,' Ball said. 'Officers are being reminded to be mindful of where they keep their weapons. They must be locked, if not holstered.'" ...

NY: Feds probe Village of Montgomery cops' gun buys while Jack Byrnes ran department
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"The feds are investigating gun purchases made by Village of Montgomery police officers while longtime Officer in Charge Jack Byrnes Jr. was running the department, according to people familiar with the investigation."

"Those people say that at least one federal law-enforcement agency is assembling a paper trail to track the movement of the guns including documents pertaining to the private security business that is Byrnes' bread-and-butter."

"In one case, a source said that the FBI received copies of handgun sale slips documenting purchases by Byrnes. Those records are normally kept by the state police Pistol Permit Bureau, which documents all legal handgun transactions in New York." ...

CA: Marine witness in Iraq beating case says statement was changed
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A Marine lance corporal testified Friday that government agents altered key parts of a statement he made to authorities investigating assaults allegedly carried out on Iraqis."

"One of the agents who helped interview Lance Cpl. Christopher Faulkner also testified that at least one incriminating detail the serviceman provided appeared to have been changed in the statement attributed to him." ...

"According to Faulkner's final statement, he told investigators he saw a squad leader ... choke a detainee. But Faulkner testified Friday that he told investigators he was not sure if it was Hutchins he'd seen."

"Asked by prosecutors why he signed the statement if it was inaccurate, Faulkner said he hadn't read it carefully." ...

AZ: 5 sheriff's employees resign or fired in stolen weapons case; probe under way
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A criminal investigation of a former Pima County Sheriff's sergeant and a former department employee accused of selling firearms stolen from the department's evidence and supply section is under way, the department said ... today."

"Both, who were working at the Pima Regional Training Center, resigned in December, when faced with firing, the statement said."

"The statement identified them as former Sgt. Thayer Thacker and Thomas Sibley." ...

"Sibley was accused of selling stolen items on e-Bay, including 11 pistols, two shotguns, a rifle, two high-capacity magazines, 24 rifle magazines, ammunition, two bullet-resistant vests and a knife. He also was accused of keeping one pistol for himself ..." ...

TX: Official: Toy guns could prove deadly
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Precinct 6 Constable Victor Trevino is sounding the alarm about youngsters carrying realistic-looking toy guns."

"He said carrying them could prove dangerous."

"Constable Trevino cites two separate cases."

"'In both instances, when youths were stopped by deputies, they produced the fake guns as they were being questioned. One of the youths actually turned the toy gun toward the approaching deputy forcing him to draw his weapon,' said Trevino."

"In both cases the weapons, a plastic gun resembling a semi-automatic pistol and a metal-toy gun that is similar to a small revolver, were both confiscated."

"The youths were not charged, but their parents were contacted." ...

MA: Smith & Wesson takes aim at military, other markets to bolster growth
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Smith & Wesson may be best recognized as the brand of choice for Dirty Harry, the movie cop who warned punks his .44 Magnum was 'the most powerful handgun in the world.'"

"But that was in 1971, and much has changed in the past 36 years. Police officers want lighter-weight pistols than the bulky steel revolver 'Dirty' Harry Callahan barely concealed under a sport coat. Soldiers need foolproof weapons that won't get jammed by the desert sands."

"There are guns now more powerful than the .44, and Smith & Wesson has realized it can't get by on its name - or Dirty Harry's - alone. " ...

NY: Gun owners take issue with Journal News
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"The regulars at the Coyne Park Rifle and Pistol Range in Yonkers are pretty fired up."

"Their issue is with The Journal News, which published a list of pistol permit holders in Westchester and Rockland counties, a move that just didn't sit well with gun enthusiasts at the range - or anywhere else, for that matter."

"'I was just upset that that's available through the Freedom of Information Act,' said licensed gun owner Steven Nitis of Yonkers. ..."

"The New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, the state's largest gun group, has now vowed to join other groups and lobby Albany lawmakers to remove the names of pistol owners from public scrutiny, making them available only to law enforcement personnel." ...

UK: Public fear of violent crime fed by rise in robberies with guns
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Robberies at gunpoint increased by 10 per cent last year in England and Wales, according to Home Office figures published yesterday."

"The figures include armed robberies in the street, which rose by 9 per cent, and armed robberies in homes, which almost doubled. The figures, have been falling for the past four years and the sudden reversal will alarm the Home Office."

"The total number of robberies at gunpoint rose to 1,439 and the number of gun robberies at residential properties jumped by 46 per cent to 645, an increase of 204 and more than five times the level recorded when Labour came to power. ..." ...