Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

Progressive icon's view refutes modern 'monopoly of violence' advocates
Submitted by: David Codrea
Website: http://www.davidcodrea.com

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"It is not good for us that we should ever lose the fighting quality, the stamina, and the courage to battle for what we want when we are convinced that we are entitled to it, and other means fail. There is something better than peace, and that is peace that is won by struggle. We shall have lost something vital and beyond price on the day when the State denies us the right to resort to force in defense of a just cause."

CA: Officer shot, killed by fellow police in Calif.
Submitted by: Anonymous

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A police officer under investigation for sexual misconduct with a teenage minor was shot and killed while on duty by fellow officers Saturday as they tried to arrest him on California's central coast, authorities said.
The officer was manning a DUI checkpoint when the shooting occurred shortly after 1 a.m. He was declared dead after emergency surgery at Marian Medical Center, Santa Maria police Chief Danny Macagni said in a statement.
The officer, a four-year Santa Maria department veteran, had just learned of the internal investigation of an alleged sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, and it became necessary to arrest him immediately, Macagni said.

NRA Calls for Action to "Stop Obama/Holder Gun Registration Scheme"
Submitted by: Opposing Views
Website: http://www.opposingviews.com

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Recently, a federal district court in Washington, D.C. issued a ruling upholding an Obama administration policy that requires federally licensed firearms retailers in states bordering Mexico to report multiple sales of semi-automatic rifles. The case was brought by two NRA-backed firearm retailers and by the National Shooting Sports Foundation acting on behalf of its affected members. Plaintiffs have already filed an appealbut while we await the outcome, your help is urgently needed in seeking congressional action to end this illegal policy.

OR: Boy, 11, arrested with gun on MAX, threatened female passenger w/ stroller Submitted by: none	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Shaquita Louis, the boy's mother, pleaded for him to be released into the custody of an aunt, the newspaper reported. Louis is the mother of Yashanee Vaughn, whose body was found just a few hundred yards off Rocky Butte Road in July, about four months after she disappeared. Vaughn's boyfriend, 14-year-old Parrish Bennette, is charged with her murder."

Guns Take Back Seat in 2012 GOP Presidential Race
Submitted by: Opposing Views
Website: http://www.opposingviews.com

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Gun issues have not played a major role in the race for the Republican presidential nomination. They are barely on the radar this go around. At the Tallahassee Gun Show, attendees ranked Second Amendment cbelow issues like the economy and "the Constitution." Only two of the four remaining candidates mention the Second Amendment prominently on their sites: Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum. From Gingrich's site: The right to bear arms is a political right designed to safeguard freedom so that no government can take away from you the rights which God has given you.

WA: Former Ore. cop gets 10 years for sex crimes
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A former Portland, Oregon, police officer living in Washington state has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for sex crimes with girls.

Ryan Graichen, of Kennewick, sobbed as he apologized to his four victims during his sentencing Friday in Benton County Superior Court.

Graichen pleaded guilty in October to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor and five counts of commercial sex abuse of a minor. He admitted paying an underage girl for sex and offering alcohol, marijuana and money to other girls or young couples for sex acts.

The Tri-City Herald reports Graichen told the court Friday that he is remorseful. Graichen served as a Portland officer from 1998 to 2006.

CA: New sheriff mired in domestic abuse drama
Submitted by: D. Smith

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Mirkarimi -- inaugurated less than three weeks ago with wife and son at his side, and now embroiled in a domestic abuse case -- called the decision on Thursday "enormously crushing" and "disproportionately cruel," according to a report in The Bay Citizen, a nonprofit news site.

The legal case promises personal and political drama fit for afternoon soaps, starting with Mirkarimi's reputation as fiercely liberal --even in the context of progressive San Francisco -- and prone to hotheaded tirades against his staff.

The son of an Iranian immigrant father and a Jewish-Russian immigrant mother, the sheriff is known for advocating environmental causes, legalization of marijuana, gun control and minority rights.

NY: Snowshoe Biathlon Scheduled For March 3 & 4
Submitted by: GunPoliticsNY
Website: http://www.gunpoliticsny.com

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Most of us grew up knowing that when Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett sighted a target, it was going down. Here's an opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to see how they stack up against our folk heroes. The St. Lawrence Valley Primitive Snowshoe Biathlon, organized by the Fort La Présentation Association and Forsyth's Rifles and hosted by the Massena Rod & Gun Club, is March 3 and 4. "In our primitive biathlon, competitors on snowshoes run or walk a measured course," said Fred Hanss, an event organizer. "They must load and fire two shots from a muzzle-loading firearm at five targets set at well-spaced stations and throw an axe at the sixth station."

WA: Spokane police may wear body cameras
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Among the reforms the Spokane City Council is considering for the police department is one that would put body cameras on officers to record their interactions with the public.

Advocates say a video record can both protect citizens treated improperly by officers and prevent frivolous lawsuits against police.

The proposed reforms are a result of a Spokane officer being found guilty of using excessive force against a man who died in custody, and lying to investigators.

The Spokesman-Review reports ( http://is.gd/kubhW7) the council will vote Feb. 6 on its police reform goals.

NY: LaPierre returning to Albany Submitted by: GunPoliticsNY Website: http://www.gunpoliticsny.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
National Rifle Association president and CEO Wayne LaPierre will return to Albany in March as the featured speaker at an annual rally of the state's hunters, anglers and trappers. LaPierre will deliver the keynote address at the third annual "Sportsmen and Outdoor Recreation Legislative Awareness Day," held in "The Well" of the Legislative Office Building.

KS: State bill proposes right to carry concealed weapons on campus
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A bill in the Kansas House of Federal and State Affairs Committee would allow concealed carry permit holders to bring firearms onto college and university campuses.

The committee heard testimony Wednesday and Thursday on House Bill 2353, introduced by Rep. Forrest Knox, R-Altoona.

Under the current law, public and private buildings may prohibit entry of permit holders firearms with signs posted at every entrance, which the University currently does.

NJ: Cabal of North Jersey Democrat Despots Endorse Sweeping Anti-gun Bills
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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On Friday afternoon January 27th, news broke on various social networks that four Northern New Jersey autocratic Assembly members snuck two new sweeping and completely unnecessary anti-gun bills onto the calendar of the Law and Public Safety Committee for Monday January 30th.

Assembly Bill A588 concerns a new ammunition ban, cleverly disguised and marketed for the protection of Law Enforcement, but granting unprecedented powers to an unelected official, in the form of the State Attorney General; to unilaterally ban any ammunition, of any type or construction, including incredibly enough, benign plastic BBs of the type used by Airsoft Toys, if the Attorney General deems them a threat to the safety or welfare of Law Enforcement .

IN: Guns can stay in homes, not on campus
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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These situations are definitely worst-case scenario and would likely not be a common occurrence. But if carrying guns on campus is illegal, shooting a gun on campus requires a lot more forethought and planning. This bill would have reduced that planning and forethought to a simple rash act of grabbing the gun out of a holster and pointing it. Owning a gun in your own home is a protected right that all Americans should be able to take advantage of. Carrying a gun anywhere you please is not a right, though, especially on college campuses.

WV: Murder Charge Reduced to Manslaughter, Family Outraged
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Questions swirl of whether or not Raines was just defending himself.

"If you're outside on your porch under the black and white letters of the law -- you're no longer in your home and you now have a duty to retreat," Plants said.

However, police say Raines didn't retreat and opened fire, killing Baldwin.

"He ended up dying in the street so at some point how far can you pursue on the castle law and still be shooting?" brother James Baldwin said. "How many shots is enough?"

OH: What is Castle Doctrine and how does it apply to me?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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You're sitting at home one night, and someone kicks your door in. What do you, as a homeowner, have a right to do in that situation?

That's where the Castle Doctrine comes in - a law derived from a common law provision that your home is your "castle."

It is an affirmative defense provision, said Brent Yager, Marion County prosecutor. "It says that if you find someone breaking into your car or home, you can use deadly force."

Maj. Bill Collins said the Castle Doctrine basically says "someone has to be in fear for their life, or someone else's life, in order to use deadly force."

CO: Shoot down weakening of Colorado gun laws (again) Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Republican state legislators have introduced a smattering of gun bills that resurrect old proposals to loosen firearms restrictions. We've opposed most of these ideas previously and continue to do so. The most disturbing of the bunch would eliminate the requirement that gun purchasers undergo a background check via Colorado's Insta- Check system.

TN: Close gun-show loophole to save lives
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The gun-show loophole describes the sale of firearms between non-licensed individuals at gun shows, flea markets, ad circulars and individual personal sales.

I have been in the gun business for over 38 years as either a shop owner or show promoter. I defend the Second Amendment and support law-abiding citizens right to own firearms. I do not see the need for more restrictive federal gun laws. However, Tennessee has a problem, as do most states, with gang and drug violence.

...

There is a simple solution: Close the gun-show loophole. The federal government does not need to be involved in this. An individuals ability to sell their own property will not be hindered if a little common sense is applied.

OK: Lawmaker Supports Expanding 'Make My Day' Law
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A push to strengthen the rights of citizens across the state is on the agenda as Oklahoma lawmakers look at the 2012 legislative session as a time to expand the rights of gun owners.

State Senator Steve Russell said Sunday he is working to strengthen Second Amendment rights.

"I think it's important constitutionally," explained Russell. "What we see are homeowners able to save their own lives and business men and women able to save their own lives. We have to keep that in view."

Target the mentally ill, not guns
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Gun control as an issue has little to do with the shooter in Tucson who attacked then-Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) or the one at the Virginia Tech massacre or even John Hinckley Jr. [To honor Rep. Giffords, editorial, Jan. 24].

In all of these cases, the issue being ignored is that of mental health and the lack of funds or means to treat these severely ill people. If you find a way to take these people off the street and get them the help they need before the shooting begins, the problem is solved.

OK: Okla. lawmakers look to expand 'Make My Day' law underscored in recent shooting deaths
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The law, nicknamed after the line by Clint Eastwood's "Dirty" Harry Callahan character in the 1983 film "Sudden Impact," was expanded last year to allow the use of deadly force by business owners or employees. It currently applies to those who have a "reasonable fear of imminent peril of death or great bodily harm" after someone illegally enters their home or business. This year, lawmakers are looking to expand the protections the law provides to include people who may enter a business peacefully but with "violent intent."

TN: Untraceable gun buys lead to high body count Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
If gun lobbyists and their associates in the General Assembly do have a legislative agenda this year, heres a proposal they should consider: Make it so that no one can legally sell a firearm in Tennessee without first obtaining a background check on the purchaser.

AZ: Burke of Fast and Furious had anti-gun history
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The career path of former U.S. Attorney Dennis Burke can be charted through an ascending string of jobs from Arizonas Supreme Court to the U.S. Senate, White House, Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department.

It is a resume that spans more than two decades in three branches of government.

Then, suddenly, it nose-dives on Aug. 30, 2011, when Burke resigned as U.S. attorney amid a scandal over a gun-smuggling case known as Operation Fast and Furious.

SC: Right-to-carry statistics
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Spartanburg County Councilman Michael Browns recent comments are totally without validity. The facts belie his opinion. Time and again, statistics have shown that where responsible, trained citizens have been allowed to exercise their constitutional right, crime has gone down, not increased. South Carolinas own statistics have shown that violent crime has steadily decreased ever since right to carry has been put into place.