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Is The Second Amendment Racist?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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And while were here, lets not forget that racists are often quite stupid, and stupid people are the ones most resistant to facts about how gun ownership leads to homicide instead of preventing it. Stupid racists are least likely to understand (or care) how stand your ground laws are simply a way for whites to justify the killing of black people. Most of the best arguments in favor of gun control are lost on the very kinds of racist people who own guns.

FL: The Ghost of George Zimmerman Haunts a Gun Debate in Sanford, Florida
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The chief has backed off a plan to issue an outright ban on volunteers carrying guns, mindful of the potential legal backlash and that he would have been essentially pissing people off. His new instructions are carefully worded.

It doesnt say you can carry a firearm and it doesnt say you cant. Were not banning firearms. Were telling people that you should notnot shall notbe armed when youre performing as a Neighborhood Watch block captain, he explains. Neighborhood Watch is built on the principal of Observe, identify, and notify the police if you see something suspicious. You dont chase someone down, you dont confront. You call us and well do that.

The 10th Amendment Is Not a Treaty Violation
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The Justice Department concedes that the Treaty Power would not permit Congress to breach prohibitory words applicable to all exercises of federal power. That means a treaty cannot authorize the federal government to violate the First Amendment by banning hate speech, the Second Amendment by confiscating handguns or the Fifth Amendment by allowing punishment without due process. But somehow a treaty can authorize the federal government to violate the 10th Amendment by usurping powers reserved to the states.

MD: Project ChildSafe provides Easton with 500 free gun locks
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Wednesday, Nov. 6, the National Shooting Sports Foundation held an event to announce its partnership with the Easton Police as part of Project ChildSafe.
Started in 1998, Project ChildSafe is a program that provides free gun lock kits intended to educate gun owners on how to safely and responsible secure a firearm when not in use.
Project ChildSafe has distributed more than 36 million kits, a half million this year alone, and has worked with more than 15,000 police departments like the Easton Police Department throughout the United States and its territories.

Elections: McAuliffe, Christie, de Blasio win, whats it mean for gun owners? Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Tuesday was election day in many states and cities across the country. Several key races were to be decided, including who would become governor of Virginia and New Jersey as well as who would take over as mayor of NYC. Here is a brief review of who won and what it means for gun owners.

CA: Sunnyvale takes on gun reform
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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"From the first day I mentioned guns, the NRA's immediate reaction was, 'We'll sue you,' " said Sunnyvale Mayor Tony Spitaleri, who led the campaign for the no-ordnance ordinance. "I thought, OK, fine. That was a line in the sand. I said, 'Well, bring it on.' But I didn't say it out loud."

He didn't have to. By Wednesday morning, the NRA already was working with several potential local plaintiffs to file suit, according to Chuck Michel, the group's attorney. Michel said the passage of Measure C could provide the NRA with a vehicle to test the U.S. Supreme Court's willingness to strike down what pro-gun group views as the constitutional rights of gun owners.

Mexico: Vigilantes give Mexico gov't chance to oust cartel
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Two leaders of the main vigilante groups in western Michoacan state said Tuesday that they are pulling back from confronting the Knights Templar drug cartel because the Mexican government has promised to oust traffickers from the area.

The self-defense forces made a daring march late last month into Apatzingan, an agricultural city that is the central stronghold of the pseudo-religious cartel that for years has dominated Michoacan, a state that sends a steady stream of avocados and migrants to the United States.

The offensive set off clashes that left at least five men dead and hundreds of thousands of people without electricity.

MI: Standing your ground? Black woman shot in head seeking help in white neighborhood
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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As Rania Khalek has rightly pointed out on her blog, The problem with a law like Stand Your Ground is that it excuses and encourages deadly force against perceived threats. In the United States, where implicit and structural racism persists on a vast scale, is it wise to empower people who almost certainly have irrational and racist fears.

Ed.: So white gun owners 'almost certainly have irrational and racist fears'? Pot, meet kettle.

FL: Florida House To Vote On Stand Your Ground Repeal
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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On Thursday, the states Republican-controlled House is expected to keep intact the states law.

The eight-year-old law allows the use of deadly force if someone believes their life is in jeopardy. The House has scheduled a vote on a Democratic-backed measure to repeal the law.

The move by the House is unusual since the Legislature doesnt often spend time on legislation that has little chance of passage.

IN: Indianapolis man IDd as person slain in robbery try
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The shooting happened Monday morning at Black Bear Creek Apartments. Fort Wayne police were called to a unit at 1680 Reed Road, and when officers arrived, they found Williams and a man who lived there both suffering from gunshot wounds, police said.

Officer Michael Joyner, a police spokesman, said the resident of the apartment was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound to his face. He was in serious condition at last check, Joyner said Tuesday. His identity has not been released.

Joyner said the shooting occurred during an attempted home invasion and that Williams was trying to break into the apartment where the seriously wounded resident lived with a woman and child. Those two were not hurt during the robbery attempt, he said.

NC: No trigger-happy heroes needed here, thanks
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Demonstrating one's ability to use a firearm does not make a permit holder a law-enforcement officer. It doesn't empower or authorize him to protect the general public.
The gun is for self-defense. If a permit holder feels the need to carry a gun nearly everywhere he goes for that purpose -- but respects the right of private property owners to prohibit firearms on their premises -- then I suppose he's entitled.
But he's NOT there to ensure anyone else's safety.

MI: Trayvon Martin's mother to speak in Muskegon Thursday Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
The mother of Trayvon Martin will speak Thursday night in Muskegon. Sybrina Fulton will be at the Frauenthal Theater at 7 p.m. Martin was the black teenager from Florida fatally shot by volunteer neighborhood watchman George Zimmerman in 2012. A jury found Zimmerman not guilty by reason of self defense.

GA: Gun Rights Group Seeks to Intervene in 'Stand Your Ground' Lawsuit
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A Georgia group that advocates for the rights of gun owners wants to put a stop to a lawsuit challenging Georgias "Stand Your Ground" law. The lawsuit was just filed by the Georgia Push Coalition and two other plaintiffs.

GeorgiaCarry.Org filed a motion on Tuesday asking a federal judge to allow the organization to participate in the lawsuit. The gun rights group also filed another motion asking for the lawsuit to be dismissed Jerry Henry is executive director of GeorgiaCarry.Org.

FL: Trayvon-Shooting Town: No Guns on Patrol
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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In Sanford, Fla., there will be no more guns for neighborhood-watch volunteers.

The citys police department announced the volunteers will no longer be allowed to carry handguns, even if they are licensed, while patrolling their communities.

A spokesman for the Sanford Police Department said police never encourage volunteers to carry firearms and strongly discourage the practice in neighborhood-watch training.

The Florida town was the site of the shooting of Trayvon Martin by neighborhood-watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who was acquitted in July of second-degree murder.

Readers Slam Guns & Ammo for Editorial Advocating Gun Regulation Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Guns & Ammo magazine is facing stiff backlash from its readers after publishing an editorial in its December issue supporting gun regulation. The magazine's Facebook page has been inundated in the last 24 hours with people claiming they've either canceled their subscriptions or pledging to never buy another issue until Dick Metcalf, the contributing editor behind the article, is fired.

CA: Glock Files Amicus Brief Supporting SAF's California Case
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Attorneys for Glock, Inc. have filed an amicus curiae brief supporting the Second Amendment Foundation's case in California, Pena v. Lindley, a lawsuit challenging the state handgun roster requirements that include microstamping and magazine disconnects.

Glock produces some of the most popular pistols in the world, and their guns are carried by law enforcement professionals and legally-armed private citizens across the United States.

MT: Rep. Daines announces U.S. Senate run
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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U.S Representative Steve Daines (R-MT) officially announced his bid for the U.S. Senate on Wednesday.

Daines, a freshman Representative, made his announcement in front of scores of supporters at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman just after noon, and is aiming to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-MT).

Daines' entry into the race presents Republicans with an opportunity to pick up a Senate seat - one of six they would need to gain a majority in the U.S. Senate.

VA: Terry McAuliffe Win Disproves Media Myth Of NRA's Electoral Dominance
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Despite heavy spending from the National Rifle Association, Terry McAuliffe was elected Virginia governor on a platform that included strengthening gun laws, in direct contradiction to the media myth that the NRA can determine election outcomes at will.

Conventional media wisdom outsizes the NRA's scope of influence by suggesting that the gun rights group has the ability to punish any politician who opposes its absolutist Second Amendment agenda. Following the September recall of two Colorado state senators who had supported stronger gun laws, media hyped this narrative -- ignoring low voter turnout and other factors -- to suggest that the outcome should serve as a warning to politicians who would advocate for stronger gun laws.

Michael Moore Showboating After LAX Shooting Shows Why No One Takes Him Seriously
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Alleged documentarian Michael Moore has a habit of spouting off whatever hard-left talking point enters into his mind. Today, I was actually surprised by the filmmaker.

That surprise was that he waited roughly a week to stand on the newly-dug grave of a TSA agent to lecture America and the NRA on firearms. At 59, it is entirely possible that Moore is losing a step when it comes to capitulating and capitalizing on tragedy. Here's just part of Moore's recent tirade against Second Amendment rights: "Guns don't kill people, Americans kill people." Moore trolling 101.

New Federal Gun Law coming under radar
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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With Mr. Obama and his allies attacking the right to keep and bear arms from a dozen angles at once, the anti-rights forces in America have overlooked the Undetectable Handgun Law of 1988, set to expire on Dec. 3, less than six weeks away. (Google 18 USC §922(p) for the letter of the law.)

If the law expires as it is scheduled to do, airports and all secure areas could be exposed to guns that metal detectors cannot identify.

NC: Some people shouldnt own or carry weapons
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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If more people were armed I could see many more stand-your-ground cases in the courts; you know, the ones where the person who was killed wasnt armed but the supposed potential victim was in fear of his or her life. Many times there are no witnesses to either support or refute the claim.

I may buy a weapon one day if I feel I need the protection and security of having one. It should not be that difficult, as I do not have a criminal record.

I think people who apply for a permit to purchase should be required to list some character references. If it isnt required it should be. There are some people who, no matter how their background checks out, I dont think need to have a weapon.

Is Cody Wilson, inventor of 3-D printed gun, a terrorist?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Is 25-year-old Cody Wilson, the inventor of a 3-D printable gun called The Liberator, a terrorist?

Well, first it might be helpful to define a terrorist or more specifically an act of terrorism. According to Title 22 of the U.S. Code, Section 2656f(d), terrorism is premeditated, politically motivated violence perpetrated against noncombatant targets by subnational groups or clandestine agents, usually intended to influence an audience.

MI: Green co-sponsors Taser legislation
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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State Sen. Mike Green on Wednesday, Oct. 4 signed onto public safety legislation that would allow Concealed Pistol License (CPL) holders to carry a non-lethal Taser into a no-carry zone.

By allowing law-abiding individuals with the proper training to carry Tasers into areas restricted for pistols, you are empowering them with the non-lethal ability to defend themselves and other innocent life from violence, said Green, R-Mayville.

Russia: Russian Gun Rights Congress
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The Lone Star Shooting Association (LSSA) was invited to speak at the All-Russian Gun Rights Congress held in Moscow, Russia, on 31 October 2013. Chairman of that organization, Maria Butina, invited a number of the members of the International Association for the Protection of Civilian Arms Rights (IAPCAR) to the meeting. Our good friends Alan Gottlieb and Julianne Versnel were there representing the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA) as well as IAPCAR.

FL: House chairman says no 'Stand Your Ground' changes advancing on his watch
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The House lawmaker overseeing criminal justice made it clear on the eve of a hearing into Florida's 'stand your ground' law that he doesn't support any changes.

House Democrats held a press conference Wednesday to complain they weren't interested in a "photo op" -- a reference to a scheduled five-hour hearing Thursday on a Democrat-sponsored bll to repeal the law in the wake of the Tayvon Martin shooting.

"There must be major changes and fixes to that law," House Democratic Leader Perry Thurston, D-Plantation, told reporters.

"We're not looking for photo ops."

Crimson Trace Continues Beretta Partnership Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
The partnership will offer Crimson Traces award-winning Laserguard platform as a factory-installed laser sighting system for Berettas Nanoa package that offers the ultimate low light and concealed carry solution.

GA: On shaky ground
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Georgia's "stand your ground" self-defense law has come under legal challenge, and the fact that the plaintiff in the case is Jesse Jackson's Rainbow PUSH Coalition adds all kinds of social, political and racial overtones to the case.

But regardless of the particular interests and agendas involved, this is a law that deserves a closer look, and not just in Georgia.

Racial disparities in some realms of criminal justice, particularly in sentencing and especially in application of the death penalty, are a matter of record. That some Americans -- not all of them ethnic minority citizens by any means -- suspect similar inequities in application of what might be called the "informal" death penalty should come as no surprise.