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CCRKBA Hails Washington AG Opinion on Nickels' Proposed Gun Ban
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Bellevue-based [CCRKBA] is hailing an opinion issued this week by Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna that says cities cannot enact local laws to prohibit the possession of firearms on city property or in city-owned facilities, effectively nixing a plan by Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels to do just that by executive fiat."

"The opinion was written in response to an inquiry from several state lawmakers. ..."

"CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb said the opinion, dated Monday, Oct. 13, 'confirms what we said in June regarding the mayor's proposal.' CCRKBA said then that the Nickels proposal would violate the state's model preemption statute, one of the first and most effective such laws in the nation.'" ...

Ethics from the Barrel of a Gun: What Bearing Weapons Teaches About the Good Life
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"There is nothing like having your finger on the trigger of a gun to reveal who you really are. Life or death in one twitch ultimate decision, with the ultimate price for carelessness or bad choices."

"It is a kind of acid test, an initiation, to know that there is lethal force in your hand and all the complexities and ambiguities of moral choice have fined down to a single action: fire or not?"

"In truth, we are called upon to make life-or-death choices more often than we generally realize. Every political choice ultimately reduces to a choice about when and how to use lethal force, because the threat of lethal force is what makes politics and law more than a game out of which anyone could opt at any time." ...

In many US airports, guns are OK outside security
Submitted by: dave in vegas

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... "An Associated Press survey of the 20 busiest U.S. airports found that seven of them ... let people with gun permits carry firearms in the general public areas of the terminal."

"Some anti-terrorism experts say that is a glaring security loophole that could endanger airport workers, passengers and people waiting to pick them up or see them off. Some suggest that allowing guns in terminals is practically asking for them to be smuggled aboard a plane." ...

"Other authorities say the nonsecure areas of the terminal are no different from other public venues and do not warrant special restrictions."

"'It's really not more of a concern than at a mall or a train station,' said Philadelphia police Lt. Louis Liberati." ...

IL: Clerk kills fleeing robber
Submitted by: Foo Bar

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"A suburban grocery store clerk fired three shots at an armed robbery suspect fleeing on a bicycle, killing the man and raising difficult questions about the line between self-defense and vigilantism."

"Authorities in Waukegan on Tuesday had not decided whether to pursue charges, but others had already made up their minds."

"'Any time you point a gun at me and if I've got a gun and I've got the opportunity, I'm going to use it on you,' Waukegan Mayor Richard Hyde said. '... with the number of armed robberies you have, you've got to fight back.'"

"Experts said the difference between self-defense and a crime likely will come down to whether the suspect was posing a threat when the clerk decided to fire." ...

AL: In this case, having a gun made a difference
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"I knew there were people who could tell the story Ray Babecki tells, about how a loaded gun at the side of the bed can be a good thing ..." ...

"... Shortly after midnight on May 29, he heard the unmistakable noise of someone breaking into his mobile home. He reached for his loaded handgun next to his bed, and shouted to his wife Heather to grab her rifle."

"The intruder entered their bedroom, and fired a shot into the floor. Babecki figures the bad guy wanted to intimidate them, not knowing they were armed. ... his wife pointed her rifle at the intruder." ...

"'I didn't know his intention was, except when he saw two people pointing guns at him he left,' said Babecki ..." ...

Citizens Fighting Back
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Recently released FBI statistics show that justifiable homicides (self-defense lethal force) have continue to rise in the last two years. Some 'experts' attribute this to a 'shoot-first philosophy', when really it is more of an 'able to defend myself' philosophy."

"An article in USA TODAY reported that there were 391 justifiable homicides by police in 2007, and 254 for private citizens."

"USA TODAY reports that 'some law enforcement analysts say the numbers represent changing attitudes on the streets, where police have felt more threatened by well-armed offenders, and citizens have taken greater responsibility for their own safety.'" ...

SAF Founder Says His Book's Message Affirmed by New Data on Self-Defense
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Newly-reported data showing a rise in justifiable homicides reflects a renewed philosophy of self-reliance that was examined in the book America Fights Back: Armed Self-Defense in a Violent Age, co-authored by Second Amendment Foundation founder Alan Gottlieb late last year."

"Gottlieb and co-author Dave Workman, senior editor of Gun Week, took a hard look at self-defense in their book, which has stayed at or near the top of Amazon.com's 'Gun Control' category for the past 11 months."

"The 2007 data, released by the FBI, shows 254 self-defense justifiable homicides by private citizens, the most reported for a single year since 1997. There were also 391 killings by police last year, the FBI reported." ...

FBI: Justifiable homicides at highest in more than a decade
Submitted by: Foo Bar

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"The number of justifiable homicides committed by police and private citizens has been rising in the past two years to their highest levels in more than a decade, reflecting a shoot-first philosophy in dealing with crime, say law enforcement analysts."

"The 391 killings by police that were ruled justifiable in 2007 were the most since 1994, FBI statistics show. The 254 killings by private individuals found to be self-defense were the most since 1997."

"The FBI says a homicide committed by a private citizen is justified when a person is slain during the commission of a felony, such as a burglary or robbery. Police are justified, the FBI says, when felons are killed while the officer is acting in the line of duty. ..." ...

NY: Gun ban isn't same as gun 'control' Submitted by: RPA-PAC Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
FULL TEXT BELOW: Re: A Sept. 30 editorial, "A 'gun-demic.'" There you go again. In the penultimate paragraph, you refer to "a gun-control law in Washington, D.C." I guess a total prohibition could be construed as a "control," as death could be construed as the absence of health. Jack Keough Suffern

Fear and loathing not hope and change
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"All manner of ignorance and self-righteousness is on display on the op-ed page this election season. Many leftist pundits seemingly have nothing of substance to say about what their candidate offers for the country, aside from the ever-present empty bromides of 'hope,' 'inspiration,' and 'change.' One such leftist pundit featured on this page said John McCain 'doesn't have...the ability to inspire.'"

"Perhaps not, but the only things Barack Obama and Joe Biden inspire in libertarian conservatives like me are fear and loathing. One reason is the Democratic ticket's anti-gun record quite fearsome all by itself."

"For example, Joe Biden to this day boasts of writing the semiautomatic rifle ban ... in 1994 ..." ...

Illinois State Rifle Association Executive Director Richard Pearson Issues Open Letter to Nation's Sportsmen Regarding Obama's History in the Illinois Senate
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"The following is the text of an open letter to the nation's hunters and sportsmen issued today by [ISRA] Executive Director Richard Pearson:"

"Fellow Sportsman,"

"Hello, my name is Rich Pearson and I have been active in the firearm rights movement for over 40 years. For the past 15 years, I have served in the Illinois state capitol as the chief lobbyist for the [ISRA]."

"I lobbied Barack Obama extensively while he was an Illinois State Senator. As a result of that experience, I know Obama's attitudes toward guns and gun owners better than anyone. The truth be told, in all my years in the Capitol I have never met a legislator who harbors more contempt for the law-abiding firearm owner than does Barack Obama." ...

Obama is bad for gun owners' rights
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Wake up American gun owners! Our rights and liberties are at stake now. Obama is no friend of the Second Amendment. He wants to ban hand guns and semi-automatic rifles and shotguns."

"Our rights are not open to negotiation, interpretation or infringement by our government."

"The government has no rights, only power, and power corrupts. The Constitution is in place to set limits on that power."

"The liberal media and law enforcement are terrified because the public knows about the rule of nines. The police do not and cannot prevent crime. In 99.9 percent of all felonies committed in this country, law enforcement arrives after the crime has been committed. ..." ...

Gun control a gray area between McCain, Obama
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"John McCain supports background checks for buyers at gun shows and has his name on a law restricting special-interest group advertising, two positions strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association."

"So how'd he end up with the group's presidential endorsement? By running against Barack Obama, whom NRA leaders accuse of wanting to put the firearms industry out of business."

"'Hillary was right: You can't trust Obama with your guns,' the association's Political Victory Fund said in a recent mailing."

"The endorsement reflects the complicated role that gun control is playing in the 2008 campaign."

"For voters who care about the issue, the most unambiguous record belongs not to McCain, but his running mate." ...

NRA postcard against Obama
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"Maine members of the National Rifle Association and other local sportsmen recently have received anti-Obama mailings as part of the group's multimillion-dollar fall campaigning blitz."

"In June, the NRA announced its intention to spend about $40 million on this year's campaign, with $15 million of that targeting Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama."

"The mailing is a large postcard that directly quotes Obama saying he believes in the Second Amendment on one side and, on the other, lists three examples of what the NRA calls Obama's 'radical record.'" ...

Watch out if Dems gain total control
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Democrats are awaiting their Election Day sweep that will give their party a veto-proof and filibuster-proof majority in Congress and total, unstoppable power to enact whatever laws they want."

"One of their first targets will be gun-owners. That's no surprise, since virtually every gun-control scheme that has been perpetrated against the citizens of this country at the local, state, and federal level has been hatched by Democrats."

"Yet Democrats falsely claim to be the true champions of the Constitution and our rights thereunder."

"Barack Obama, despite his lip service to the Second Amendment, is an arch-enemy of gun-owners. His record as an Illinois legislator and a U.S. senator is proof of that." ...

Obama talks about destiny at Portsmouth rally
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Focusing on current economic calamities and directing sharp criticism as his Republican rival, Sen. Barack Obama was received enthusiastically by a vast crowd of supporters on the campus of Shawnee State University Thursday. ..." ...

"In addition to Brown, Obama was also introduced by Gov. Ted Strickland, a former professor at SSU who is widely popular in Scioto County. Countering concerns about Obama's position on gun control in an area where the Second Amendment can be a make-or-break issue for candidates, Strickland assured hunters and gun owners that 'you have nothing to fear.'"

"'Spread the word,' he said. 'Ted Strickland said so.'" ...

Second Amendment not safe in Obama's hands
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing' Edmund Burke"

"What a haunting quote, which compels me to speak up and write this letter. I hope everyone realizes how precious our right to vote is. Even now while Im writing this, an organization known as ACORN is under investigation by the FBI in 12 States for Voter Fraud. Why does this matter, you ask? There is one candidate who is not truthful about his past associations." ...

"Now, I said all that to say this. When it comes to our Second Amendment Rights I do not trust a man who can not see whats right in front of him. He is no friend to gun owners ..." ...

Gun rights an election issue for number of Alaskans
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"With the Nov. 4 election fast approaching, Alaskans are taking a close look at where the major-party presidential contenders stand on gun control and Second Amendment rights."

"The right to bear arms has been front and center in the presidential race, thanks in no small part to the presence of Gov. Sarah Palin on the Republican ticket."

"Palin has played up her hunting credentials and been an outspoken supporter of the Second Amendment ..."

"The National Rifle Association has long argued that those words guarantee the right of all law-abiding citizens to own a firearm without government interference." ...

MA: Brady Campaign Endorses Senator John Kerry for Re-Election to the United States Senate
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"The Brady Campaign ... today endorsed U.S. Senator John Kerry for re-election, for a lifetime of public service and support for sensible gun laws that would help protect Americans and their families."

"'Senator John Kerry has consistently supported sensible gun laws throughout his career in public service, and we're proud to urge his re-election to the Senate,' said Paul Helmke, President ... 'As a prosecutor and as a legislator he has been a leader, working with law enforcement officials on efforts to reduce gun violence. As a hunter and a war hero, Senator Kerry knows that sportsmen do not need military-style assault weapons, and that measures to keep guns away from criminals, terrorists and children are just common sense.'" ...

IL: Brady Campaign still going after Rep. Dennis Reboletti, this time with the help of one of our favorite aldermen
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Brady Campaign really wants to punish State Representative Dennis Reboletti (R-46th District) for having the audacity to thwart their forcible citizen disarmament agenda. I've written about this before, but am bringing it up again because the Brady Campaign is once again touting their campaign against him."

"Brian Malte of the Brady Campaign was joined by Chicago 2nd Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti, 33rd Ward Alderman Richard F. Mell ... to announce plans for holding Illinois state legislators accountable on the gun issue in this year's elections."

"Alderman Richard F. Mell ... the advocate of restrictive gun laws who also uses his clout to push additional laws to help out when he finds himself afoul of such laws. ..." ...

PA: Kanjorski nets NRA endorsement
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"Republican are typically seen as the far friendlier political party to gun owners. But the National Rifle Association broke the mold Tuesday and gave a boost to one of the state's most vulnerable Democrats."

"The NRA endorsed U.S. Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Nanticoke) in his tough reelection fight against Republican Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, calling Kanjorski a 'friend of freedom.'"

"'He is a steadfast supporter of gun rights and of efforts to preserve America's hunting heritage,' said Chris Cox, the group's chief lobbyist."

"Kanjorski is facing Barletta in the 11th Congressional District." ...

NV: Nevada Student Voters May Swing the State and the Nation
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"In 2004, the University of Nevada went red--and so did the state. This time, UNR will likely go blue--and with it, perhaps, the nation."

"Nevada works like this: Las Vegas will vote for Sen. Barack Obama and rural Nevada for Sen. John McCain. In Washoe County (which is rural outside of Reno) McCain leads by one percentage point, according to local media polls. He needs Washoe to take Nevada."

"For either candidate, UNR could be the key to the White House." ...

"Aside from the Clinton years, Nevadan students and residents have traditionally voted Republican. ..."

"Second amendment rights are important here. It's not hard to find a group of folks discussing gun ownership rights as the key issue every four years ..." ...

NY: A strong advocate of Second Amendment rights except for
Submitted by: Gun Legislation & Politics in New York
Website: http://blog.nysrpa.org

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"Assemblyman David Townsend dumps on self-defense, but still claims to be a strong advocate for the RKBA. The Observer-Dispatch reports from the campaign:"

"' Townsend described himself as a strong advocate of second amendment rights, and said he has voted against all restrictions on gun ownership except for legislation requiring guns to be locked. 'And I base that on a simple premise of my experience as a police officer,' he said. 'At the end of the shift when we got done, wed lock our guns in the gun locker. Why would you do that? Because it's the safe way to do it. And I believe it's the safe way at home.' '"

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KABA Note: So if "it's the safe way", why didn't you leave your gun locked up on duty?

IL: Saline County residents discuss concealed weapons
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Hundreds of residents gathered at the Harrisburg Lions Club on Tuesday night to rally behind a referendum encouraging concealed weapons."

"The referendum, appearing on the Nov. 4 general election ballot, will not actually change any laws but could play a role in whether legislators bring the subject of carrying concealed weapons in Illinois to a vote in Springfield. Fourteen counties will vote on the issue, including Saline, Jefferson, Union and Franklin counties."

"Speakers at the event included State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, and Valinda Rowe, representative for www.illinoiscarry.com." ...

OH: 3 Cleveland cops grab top honors at state shooting match
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Police officers Jason Warrington, Russell Lyons and John Farnsworth hardly ever miss their target on the shooting range."

"The trio recently bagged the top awards at a state match in Zanesville, and they have dominated the competition in pistol shooting matches across Ohio and the country over the last three years."

"Warrington, a SWAT officer, took top-overall shooter honors in Zanesville. Farnsworth and Lyons finished first and second in their individual matches and were the top team in others."

"Collectively, they have won more than 50 awards. Farnsworth, a 3rd District patrol officer, snagged 12 awards last month in New Mexico at an international match contested by more than 500 cops. ..." ...

VA: Gun rights advocate will be prosecuted in Waterside case
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"City Attorney Bernard A. Pishko said his office will prosecute Hampton resident Dan Moore for trespassing after he was ordered to leave Waterside for wearing a gun on his hip, and, according to police, refused to leave."

"Moore was arrested on Oct. 8 after speaking to City Council earlier that night, along with other members of a gun-rights group. He and other members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, all wearing guns, were leaving a Waterside restaurant when stopped by an off-duty Norfolk police officer."

"Moore received a summons and is scheduled to be in General District Court on Nov. 14. He could face up to a year in jail and a fine if convicted of the misdemeanor." ...
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H/t to David Codrea who has some interesting information and commentary.

SC: SC hunters bag 200 gators in 1st hunting season
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Wildlife officials say about a quarter of hunters in South Carolina who had permission to hunt for alligators managed to bag one of the animals."

"Jay Butfiloski with the Department of Natural Resources says hunters have reported killing about 190 alligators during the monthlong season that ended Saturday. Hunters could kill one gator per permit, and there were about 800 permits issued."

"Butfiloski says there were no reports of anyone getting hurt during the hunts."

"This was the first time hunters could kill alligators in public waterways in South Carolina in 44 years. ... Biologists estimate about 100,000 gators in the state."

"South Carolina plans another alligator hunt next year."

PA: Gun-toting mom gets permit back
Submitted by: jac

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"A Lebanon woman who lost her right to carry a concealed handgun after wearing it openly to a youth soccer game last month has had her license-to-carry returned by a Lebanon County judge."

"Meleanie Hain lost her license when parents complained ... after seeing her wear the holstered firearm to her 5-year-old daughter's soccer game ..." ...

"Before a courtroom filled with about 20 open-carry supporters, Judge Robert J. Eby told Hain that she did not violate the law but he questioned the mother of three's common sense in not concealing the Glock 26 in the first place." ...

"... Hain said Eby was entitled to his opinion but that it would not change her practice of openly carrying her loaded gun where ever she goes, including her kids soccer games." ...

PA: Activists rally 'round open-carry heroine
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Gun-rights activists who traveled to Lebanon from as far away as Pittsburgh in support of Second-Amendment poster girl Meleanie Hain said it was worth the trip."

"A group of two dozen supporters applauded and cheered when Lebanon County President Judge Robert J. Eby announced his decision yesterday to restore Meleanie Hain's concealed-weapons permit ..."

"'I wasn't surprised,' 37-year-old Greg Rotz ... said of Eby's ruling." ...

"Rotz faced similar charges after he wore a sidearm to his voting precinct on Election Day last November, later receiving a letter from the Franklin County sheriff demanding that he turn over his handgun. He appealed the decision and was vindicated in January when a judge threw out the case." ...

IL: Gun Fights in Chicago
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The ABA Journal has an interesting write-up on the ongoing legal battles, post-Heller, over Chicago's gun laws. An excerpt:"

Gun-rights groups long had eyed Chicago as the next stop should Heller go their way. And Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley didnt have to wait long to add another title to his resumé: defendant. Within a day of the justices decision, the mayor and city found themselves and their gun ban in federal district court. Chicago faces two challenges, one led by the National Rifle Association and the other by the Second Amendment Foundation, an advocacy group based in Bellevue, Wash."

"But even after Heller, does the Second Amendment right restrict state or local actions? ..." ...