Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

Court: President cannot detain U.S. citizen as enemy combatant
Submitted by: John Fansler

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"In a setback to the Bush administration's anti-terrorism policies, a federal appeals court ruled Thursday that the president does not have the power to detain an American citizen seized on U.S. soil as an enemy combatant."

"In a 65-page decision, a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 that the U.S. government must release Jose Padilla from military custody within 30 days."

Trial Lawyers Question Jurors' 'Strong Religious Beliefs'
Submitted by: John Fansler

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"A new guide for trial lawyers advises them to be wary of Americans with 'extreme attitudes about personal responsibility' when selecting jurors in personal injury lawsuits. The author of the guide says such jurors typically 'espouse traditional family values' and often 'have strong religious beliefs.' "

"David Wenner is a trial lawyer and nationally recognized expert in identifying alleged biases in potential jurors. The Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) named the former psychotherapist co-chairman of its "Blue Ribbon Committee on Juror Bias" and included a chapter on the topic written by him in ATLA's Litigating Tort Cases , the industry's guide to winning product liability, medical malpractice and other personal injury lawsuits."

Airport follies
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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This is a follow up to yesterday's account of an airport encounter -- told from the point of view of the man who was detained.

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"Now one goon comes up to me and says I'm under arrest for improperly checking in my guns. WTF? There's a declaration tag sitting right there in the case with the guns. My legal obligation is met! They take me outside and remove my glasses, shoes, belt and stand me against the wall and search me. Outside the terminal are three marked cars, a cop with a dog, and a couple supervisors." ...

"$1500 in lawyer fees, $500 in airfare, another $1000 in lost time from work."

Getting back our liberties
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"We all have a moral obligation to pay our share for constitutionally mandated functions of the federal government, but we have no such obligation to have Congress take the earnings of one American and give them to another American. ..." ...

"Self-determination is a human right we all should respect. If some people want socialism, that's their right but it is not their right to use brute government power to force others, who want liberty, to be a part of it. Liberty-minded Americans might organize to acquire government power to impose their will on socialist-minded Americans, but that's not right either. A far more peaceful method is simply to part company."

AGS wants proof that Ashcroft and crew are enforcing unconstitutional laws
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Americans for Gun Safety (AGS) today accused Attorney General Ashcroft of using misleading percentages to mask a dismal record of enforcement of federal gun laws and called on the Department of Justice to release the actual numbers of new cases being prosecuted." ...

"In a series of recent press events and releases, the Department of Justice has taken credit for a 24% increase in federal firearms prosecutions in 2003-without releasing the actual number of prosecutions (see attached DOJ release Dec 11,2003). A look at the numbers shows that a 24% increase over the dismal record of enforcement of federal gun laws in 2002 (the last year enforcement numbers are available to the public) is almost meaningless."

Muzzling Speech
Submitted by: John Fansler

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"The Supreme Court's decision on campaign finance is a triumph of political correctness over the Constitution. The First Amendment says that 'Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech.' It does not permit an exception for areas of Congress's 'particular expertise,' such as political campaigns. But five members of the court have carved out this exception to uphold McCain-Feingold, which otherwise would contain unconstitutional limits on political speech and association."

"To justify abolishing basic constitutional rights, the court cites the danger that wealthy interests could, through campaign contributions, capture government for their purposes. But if the wealthy are trying, they either have botched the job or are remarkably charitable."

Appeals panel: Decalogue unconstitutional
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"By a 2-1 vote, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals today upheld a lower-court ruling that said three Kentucky counties could not display the 10 Commandments in public buildings, even when the Decalogue is accompanied by other historical documents."

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Keep this precedent in mind and think about the number of religious imagery on practically every public building in Washington DC. Will the government spend billions in taxpayer funds to remove every one of those as well?

Take a look at this photo essay by Carrie Devorah for a small taste of the religious imagery scattered all over government buildings in DC.

IN: ICLU Sues Indy Police Over Actions Involving Protesters
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"The Indiana Civil Liberties Union filed two federal lawsuits Thursday alleging police officers stifled the rights of protesters during a National Governors Association meeting in August."

"One lawsuit said the protesters were kept in a small area surrounded by police officers, who blocked them from walking elsewhere along downtown Indianapolis sidewalks."

"A city police representative denied that security was overzealous at the four-day meeting attended by governors from 29 states and three U.S. territories."

TX: Boy told not to distribute religious flier in class
Submitted by: John Fansler

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"A religious liberties law firm threatened today to sue over a public school's refusal to let a third-grader give classmates fliers saying candy canes are hard because Jesus Christ is 'the Rock of Ages.' "

"Eight-year-old Jonathan Morgan, a student at Thomas Elementary School in Plano, had asked for permission to pass out 'The Legend of the Candy Cane' -- along with the red-striped candy -- at a holiday party in his classroom Friday."

"However, school officials told him no student is allowed to offer a gift containing a religious expression, according to the nonprofit Liberty Legal Institute. The Plano-based firm was retained by the boy's parents, Doug and Robin Morgan."

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Time to remind the secularists that for a government to prevent a person from expressing their religious beliefs is just as much a constitutional violation as forcing an individual to worship a certain way.

Haiti: Haiti police shut down radio station
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"Police stormed and shut down a pro-opposition radio station, smashing studio equipment in what they said was a search for weapons, witnesses said Thursday."

"Police later displayed guns and grenades they said were found Wednesday on the roof of Radio Maxima in the northern city of Cap-Haitien. State-run television reported 11 people were arrested, including station employees."

"The raid came as police shot and killed a teenage boy Wednesday during clashes with anti-government protesters in the northern town of Trou du Nord, independent Radio Metropole reported."

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When guns are outlawed they make a convenient excuse to repress "undesirables".

Iran: Man Faces Jail for Car Sticker
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"An Iranian man faces a possible lengthy prison term or even the death penalty for attaching a sticker to the rear window of his car proclaiming 'The era of arrogant rulers is over,' his lawyer said Thursday."

" 'My client faces jail for acting against national security just because of that sticker,' attorney Mohammad Ali Dadkhah told Reuters."

"The charge of acting against national security normally carries a hefty prison sentence and in some cases has led to the death penalty being imposed."

"Dadkhah said Ali Akbar Najafi, 27, an unlicensed taxi driver, was arrested in June in southern Tehran. He said his client had thought up the slogan himself, but that it was not specifically aimed at Iran's clerical establishment."

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While America doesn't match the totalitarianism described in this story, think about the treatment received by the student who had the temerity to wear a T-shirt equating President Bush with terrorism.

GA: Students subdue teacher's attacker
Submitted by: John Fansler

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"Debbie Shultz's class had just finished a Spanish II final exam Wednesday morning when the door to their trailer burst open with a bang."

"Shultz's estranged husband stood wild-eyed in the doorway, teeth gritted, pausing almost for dramatic effect, she recalled. Then he rushed toward her, she said, raising a large knife toward her chest."

"That's when Shultz's students, 16- and 17-year-old kids, went to her rescue. Several of the youngsters tackled the man, pinning him to the floor and wresting the knife from his hand." ...

"Debbie Shultz said she is in the final stages of divorcing her husband of seven years and had a restraining order against him. She said her husband had been released Monday from a mental institution that failed to notify her."

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So the authorities failed to protect her from her insane ex spouse, while unilaterally disarming her and everyone else at the school, leaving them to risk their lives while he ignored the rules.

FL: Motel robber gets life sentence for robbing nun. Caught when shot by would-be victim
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"A Fort Myers man convicted Oct. 2 of breaking into a nuns motel room and robbing her at gunpoint will spend the rest of his life in prison."

"Ernest Major who was also involved in a motel robbery that ended in a deadly shootout was sentenced Wednesday by Lee Circuit Judge Lynn Gerald Jr."

"Major, 23, was convicted of home-invasion robbery for forcing his way into the hotel room of Sister Carol Andrew, who is an episcopal nun and priest at a convent in Augusta, Ga."

"Sister Carol was staying at a Motel 6 in North Fort Myers and visiting relatives in Southwest Florida on Aug. 11, 2002, when Major knocked on her door, forced his way into the room and robbed her." ...

"The heist was one of a string of motel robberies in the summer of 2002 that ended on Aug. 24 with a shootout at a Howard Johnson Express in North Fort Myers."

"The shootout left Majors alleged accomplice, Phillip C. 'New Wave' Nelson, dead. Major fled with several bullet wounds but was arrested a few hours later." ...

"The robbery at the Howard Johnson Express went awry when motel guest Steven D. Robey pulled a pistol from under his pillow and began shooting at Nelson and Major."

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Once again the armed citizen was the last line of defense, putting a stop to a string of crimes perpetrated by these two thugs.

UK: New millionaire jailed for terrorizing pub staff with a plastic pellet shooting toy gun
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"Terrance Hope had only recently learned of a Ł1.3 million inheritance from his late mother when he terrorised Black Country restaurant workers with the imitation firearm."

"Recorder Patrick Thomas QC, sentencing the 57-year-old at Wolverhampton Crown Court, said he believed Hope's head had been turned by the inheritance."

"He said Hope, of St Patrick's Road, Coventry, had an immature fascination with guns and that he had frightened staff at the Foley Arms in Old Swinford, Stourbridge, with his 'silly and stupid' behaviour."

"Zaheer Afzal, prosecuting, said the defendant had threatened to kill manageress Francis Healey if she did not meet his random demands during the incident on August 13 this year."

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In disarmed UK, even a toy can be used to terrorize a defenseless populace.

WY: Police chief finds missing gun
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"Evansville Police Chief Zach Gentile found his service pistol a day after reporting it missing a week ago, according to Casper Police reports."

"No criminal charges will be filed and the case is closed, according to police reports."

"Gentile found his .357-caliber Smith and Wesson 'duty weapon' in another Evansville police car, according to the reports."

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But only cops are responsible enough to have guns.

UK: Drunken would-be robber locked himself in toilets
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

A 22-YEAR-old Belfast man who "chickened out" of a robbery, locking himself in a toilet instead, was jailed today for 18 months by Belfast Crown Court.

The court heard a drunken Martin Rice initially grabbed the wrist of the cashier in a city centre filling station, then staggered off and locked himself in the station toilets.

Prosecution lawyer Donna McColgan said that when police finally forced open the toilet door of Great Victoria Street petrol station, Rice, who had an imitation gun tucked down his trousers, told them "there's going to be a robbery here".

Rice, from Edith Street, Belfast pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation pistol with intent to rob.

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Yet another imitation pistol in the hands of a foolish incompetent used in an attempt to victimize a disarmed populace.

UK: Anger at arms find on waste ground
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"PARENTS in Ballymena have expressed anger after an arms find on waste ground often used by children as a playground."

"A gun and ammunition was found at a railway embankment beside Ballymena Council's skip yard which is used by hundreds of people every day."

"It is understood the find was close to a tree which has a rope attached and which local youngsters often use as a swing."

"One parent said: 'Kids use that area as a swing and whoever left that stuff there was acting very irresponsibly as any child could have picked it up.' "

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Yep. That is why you teach your kids gun safety even if you are in the "gun free" People's Republic of the United Kingdom.

Australia: Gun theft company owner in jail
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"THE owner of a security company which had 34 handguns stolen during an armed robbery is in jail."

"Peter Norman Wilson, 41, of Chester Hill is in custody awaiting a hearing on a conspiracy charge."

"He faced the charge, which is unrelated to the robbery, when he appeared in Central Local Court on November 24 and was refused bail."

"According to court documents Wilson with another man and a woman allegedly conspired to commit armed robbery between October 24 and November 21."

"Wilson was arrested nearly three months after his company was raided on August 31 when an unarmed guard was held up by two men wearing balaclavas and wielding a handgun."

Philippines: 13 shot dead as gun ban takes effect
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"At least 13 people have been killed and five others injured in 18 shooting incidents throughout the country since the election gun ban went into effect on Monday, the Philippine National Police reported Thursday."

"Director Avelino Razon Jr., PNP operations chief, said police also seized nine firearms and arrested 13 people during the first three days of the ban."

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Can anyone define "irony"?

OH: City officer accused of gun offense in XO Club
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"An off-duty Toledo police officer was arrested Monday night by Maumee police and accused of being drunk while carrying a loaded gun inside the XO Club in Maumee."

"Richard H. Carl, Jr., was issued a summons charging him with using weapons while intoxicated, a misdemeanor. He was released to Toledo police command officers later."

"A club manager called Maumee police about a man seated at the bar who was intoxicated, carrying a gun, and said to be a Toledo police officer. The man was refusing to leave, Maumee police said."

OH: Gov. Taft at work to avoid veto of gun bill
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"One week after promising to veto the bill allowing Ohioans to carry concealed weapons, Gov. Bob Taft now says he hopes that will not happen."

"On Wednesday, Taft said his office is negotiating with the Ohio House to develop a new bill that would address his concerns regarding the openness of concealed-carry permitting records." ...

"But Taft said he would veto the [proposed] measure because it does not go far enough to ensure the public has access to permitting records. The bill allows journalists to view the records, but only for the specific names they request."

"The Senate agreed to go along with Taft's request, but the House would not."

NY: Bronx student charged with attempting to bring a gun into school
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

A Bronx high school student was charged with criminal possession of a weapon Thursday.
Police say a 15-year-old student at Adlai Stevenson High School tried to get a loaded nine millimeter handgun into school. The teen was caught with the gun before getting into the building. No one was injured.

Students say they are often stuck on long security lines, but after Thursday's incident some say waiting may be worth it.

Police have not yet said how the teen got the gun or whether he intended to use the weapon.

MI: Mike Hewitt Announces Bid for Michigan State House
Submitted by: The Committee to Elect Mike Hewitt
Website: http://Mike4StateRep.com

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Mike Hewitt has entered into a primary race against a LIBERAL, well funded Republican. He's going to need all the help he can get. Defending our rights is more than just talking about it. Join the team, volunteer, send support. Visit the website ... do something!

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Mike on the issues:

"Right to Bear Arms: That there is even a question about the meaning of these words offers insight into how far from mainstream and the United States Constitution and our Federal Courts have gone. I support the insight of our forefathers and pledge to keep up the fight so as to insure that the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. " ...

"Taxes: As Your next State Representative I pledge to support and promote a Michigan Constitutional Amendment that would abolish state income tax. Income tax is not a fair or equitable way for a government to fund itself. It is contrary to American values and offers only roadblocks to a solvent state budget." ...

She's a leader in Libertarianism!
Submitted by: LFA Editor
Website: http://www.libertyforall.net

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"As Mr. Lichtenstein reminded us at the end of the conference and I hope you can see from my thumbnail sketch of what each speaker's concern was, is that the Patriot Act was ill-conceived and more ill-accepted by our congress. The speakers represented here a very broad spectrum of political and private issues but all were united on one fact. The Patriot Act is both unconstitutional and dangerous to our liberties as American citizens."

Central African Republic: Leaders Set Up Vigilante Groups to Restore Security in the East
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"Leaders in the Central African Republic (CAR) eastern province of Haute Kotto have set up village vigilante groups in a bid to restore security in the province frequently attacked by highway robbers, cattle rustlers and poachers."

"The radio reported that the local leaders, led by Haute Kotto governor Serge Gabin Nakombo, agreed on the setting up of the vigilante groups during a meeting on Wednesday."

"Nakombo was quoted as saying that the self-defence volunteers would not substitute regular security forces but complement them by patrolling their neighbourhoods. The volunteers would also provide information to security officials about crime suspects."

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Strange how this news story refers to a militia as a "vigilante" group.

CA: Police say Yucca Valley man killed in self-defense
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

One man is dead tonight and investigators are saying the man who shot him did so in self-defense.

Police say a man went into 22-year-old Andrew Gasper's apartment in Yucca Valley and took a handgun, saying he was going to go shoot someone who lived in the same complex.

The man fired off four rounds before Gasper came after him with a shotgun. Police say the suspect then pointed the handgun at Gasper. Gasper repeatedly told him to drop the gun, but he kept it pointing at him.

Police say Gasper then fired once, killing the man. Investigators say Gasper acted in self defense. The case will be reviewed by the district attorney.

NH: Witnesses Say Dragging Death Was Self-Defense
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

A judge is considering whether to drop charges against a Manchester woman accused of causing the death of her boyfriend by dragging him with a car.

At a hearing Wednesday, police testified that witnesses reported Michelle Knick, 23, was trying to defend herself. James Mason, 33, was killed last month.

Knick's lawyer asked that the charges be dropped, saying Knick acted reasonably and in self-defense in response to a violent man who had abused her in the past. Officers who testified at the hearing agreed that there was no evidence that Knick did anything other than try to protect herself.

A passenger in the vehicle told police Mason and Knick were arguing and that she drove off as Mason grabbed her and tried to pull her out.

MO: Judge rejects second gun challenge
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"A decision today by a St. Louis judge leaves intact his ruling that has Missouri's concealed gun law on hold at least until the state Supreme Court takes up the matter next month."

"Circuit Judge Steven Ohmer rejected claims the concealed carry law violates the state's Hancock Amendment. Opponents of the law claim the law violates the spending-limit amendment because the Legislature failed to appropriate money for its implementation."

"Ohmer ruled Nov. 7 the law is unconstitutional but on grounds other than the Hancock Amendment."

"The judge also declined to release the $250,000 bond he required the law's opponents to post to make effective his injunction blocking the law's enforcement."

TN: Gun Found In High School
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"A 16-year-old freshman was caught with a loaded handgun at Hillsboro High School, in south Nashville Thursday."

"The gun was found in the school's gymnasium as the students gathered for a morning test, police said."

"The suspect was standing near a teacher when a .22-caliber semi-automatic pistol fell out of the boys coat pocket."

"The teacher took the gun and the student was arrested."

"Investigators said the gun was loaded with three bullets in the magazine but none in the chamber."

"There were no injuries."

"The student did not say why he had the gun."

"He's was suspended and could be expelled for one year."

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More guns in a "gun free zone."

NC: Another "gun-free" school failure
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School officials are investigating a student who brought a gun to Kernersville Middle School Wednesday.

Officials said the handgun was unloaded and was discovered in the student's book bag. Students are required to keep their book bags in their lockers, according to officials. The gun was discovered after another student told a school counselor.

A letter about the discovery went out to parents Thursday. Kernersville police is assisting the school district with the investigation. The student has been suspended. Officials have not released the student's identity.

UT: Student With Gun Removed From Wasatch High School
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

A student is busted for bringing a loaded gun to school...but no parents or students were ever told about the incident.

It all happened last week at Wasatch High School but officials never notified other students or their parents.

Now, at least one parent is calling for a change in policy.

An anonymous call led Wasatch High School administrators to a student armed with a loaded gun. He was immediately pulled from class and questioned.

But eventually investigators were convinced he had no plans of shooting anyone... he only had it to show off.

Police say they didn't want to unnecessarily scare students or parents... which is why no one was notified.

MT: Former undersheriff charged with assault with a weapon
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"Arthur Robert Behr, 37, made his initial appearance in Ravalli County District Court Wednesday after a Thanksgiving Day incident led to his arrest."

"The Stevensville man was charged with two counts of assault with a weapon, and he entered innocent pleas to both allegations."

"Behr is a former law enforcement officer with seven years of experience, and was undersheriff for Wolf Point."

"According to court records, law enforcement agencies had received a report of a driver brandishing a weapon in the general direction of a car on U.S. 93. The victim reported he and an adult passenger were attempting to pass Behr when he raised a .45 caliber pistol and cocked the weapon."

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But only cops should have guns according to the Brady Bunch.

NC: Durham Officers Say City is at Risk
Submitted by: E. F. Haywood

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"Some serious allegations are emerging involving the Durham Police Department. Durham police officers have complained about their salaries and not having enough officers on the street to truly fight crime. But now a group of officers are talking about the impact those two factors could have on the Bull City." ...

"They claim to be so burned out that they turn a blind eye to crime." ...

"The officer we interviewed claims the top brass, from the police chief to the city manager and mayor, know all about the problems. He says city officials are pulling the wool over citizens' eyes with exactly how many police officers are on the streets." ...

NY: Pizza delivery driver murdered in robbery
Submitted by: George Combs II
Website: http://www.georgecombs.org

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"Valery Pazdenkov, 56, a Domino's Pizza delivery driver, was shot to death during a Dec. 14 robbery."

"According to Newsday, Pazdenkov had just delivered an order to a regular customer on the second floor of an apartment building, and as he exited the building, a gunman confronted him and demanded money. When the driver turned over $30, the gunman appeared enraged at the small amount and shot Pazdenkov."

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Last month, I wrote an editorial, ironically about another hard-working immigrant named Avni Dobratiqi, who drove for Domino's Pizza. Avni, too lost his life at the hands of a coward who shot him to death while delivering a pizza.

When is Domino's, Pizza Hut, Papa John's et. al. going to learn? Who is going to be the next Valeriy Pazdnikov or Avni Dobratiqi, both hard-working men whose families are left with only memories of their loved ones?

How High Is the Murder Rate in Baghdad?
Submitted by: Mark Anderson

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"...Some assert that in October Baghdad had one of the highest murder rates in the world, while others point to numbers that it was below even the U.S.'s own murder rate. ..." ...

"I contacted the authors of both pieces. Albuquerque and OHanlon, who wrote the Times piece, provided two sources for their murder rate numbers: An article by Neil MacFarquhar in the New York Times (Sept. 16, 2003) and a piece by Lara Marlowe in the Irish Times (Oct. 11, 2003). Yet, both references clearly stated that much more than murder was included in the reports that they used from the Baghdad morgue. MacFarquhar notes that these deaths also included 'automobile accidents' and cases where people 'were shot dead by American soldiers,' cases that clearly did not involve murders. The Irish Times piece mentions that 'up to a quarter of fatal shootings [in the morgue] are caused by U.S. troops.' "

"For some perspective, in D.C., murders account for fewer than 5 percent of all deaths. Even counting only the types of deaths explicitly mentioned in the stories citing the Baghdad morgue (accidental deaths, murders, suicides) and assuming that soldiers were engaged in the same type of fighting in D.C. as they are in Iraq, murders in D.C. would account for just a third of deaths. (The respective numbers for the U.S. as a whole are even lower: a half of one percent and 11 percent.) Obviously, counting these other deaths as murders in D.C. would imply that murders were three to 20 times more common than they actually were."

"The Wall Street Journal Europe instead relied on the U.S. Army 1st Division stationed in Baghdad. A public affairs officer with that division, Jason Beck, confirmed for me that a large part of the Iraqi legal system is being overseen by the U.S. JAG officers, and they are using the same standards for murder rates as used in the U.S. and separating out murders from other deaths."

"Numbers mean a lot. Perceptions that conditions in Iraq are deteriorating constantly gets play in evaluating whether President Bush deserves re-election. When a publication of record such as the New York Times gets Baghdads October murder rates wrong by up to a factor of 28 to 1 and no correction is issued, the consequences are significant. To equate accidental deaths and U.S. soldiers killing terrorists with murders is irresponsible."

Malvo guilty of capital murder
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Lee Boyd Malvo is guilty of capital murder and terrorism for his role in the sniper spree in the Washington area last year, a jury decided today."

"The jury of eight women and four men deliberated for more than 13 hours before returning at 4:35 p.m. with guilty verdicts on both capital charges."

"The penalty phase of the trial will begin Friday morning. The jurors will hear evidence to help them determine whether 18-year-old Malvo should be put to death or spend the rest of his life in prison without parole."

NY: NYPD Daily Blotter
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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* A gun-wielding thug shot and killed a man in a drug-related dispute in East Harlem, police said yesterday.

* One of two brothers accused of murdering a man in June has been linked to another shooting in Bedford-Stuyvesant, authorities said yesterday.

* A man was shot dead in the lobby of a Mott Haven building late last night, cops said.

* Three men were arrested on attempted-murder charges yesterday in the shooting of acquaintance on a Rego Park street, police said.
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All these shootings in the "gun-free paradise" of NYC.

M.A.D.D. A Hate Group!
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"We can all agree that driving under the influence of any intoxicating substance is foolhardy, but MADD has demonstrated that your right to own a firearm can also be curbed by lowering the threshold for DUI and increasing the penalty."

"The day will come when a misdemeanor parking violation could bring a one year prison sentence along with a complete loss of rights. I would hope that we would wake up before then."

UK: Gun Found by Dog a Likely Tale, Says Judge
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"A 23-YEAR-OLD north Belfast man who claimed that the gun discovered under his bed had been found by his dog, was freed yesterday after agreeing to complete 200 hours' community services."

"Belfast Crown Court Judge Kennedy told James Haddock his story was 'not very convincing', but she was prepared to accept he had made a mistake which he now regretted and that he was considered a low risk to the public."

"Prosecuting QC Ken McMahon told the court that during a search of Haddock's Tyndale Green home in the Ballysillan area, police found the 8mm pistol wrapped in a black sock in a drawer under his divan bed."

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In the "gun free" UK?

UK: Rogue Gardai (Irish Security Forces) Aided IRA Killers
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://home.comcast.net/~bruce.krafft/

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"TWO reports into allegations of collusion between Irish security forces and IRA killers are to be published today."

"A spokesman for the Republic's Justice Department said the reports, by Canadian Judge Peter Cory, would be made public following a statement by Minister Michael Mc-Dowell in the Dail."

"The British Government received four reports following Judge Cory's investigation of eight murders involving allegations of state collusion in six controversial cases during the Troubles."

"Sources have indicated that Judge Cory found that members of the Garda Siochana may have provided information to the IRA killers of RUC Supt Bob Buchanan and Insp Harry Breen as they returned north from a meeting with Garda officers in Dundalk."

OH: Open Letter to Gun Violence Prevention Advocates from Senator Eric Fingerhut
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"The time is now to activate your networks and contact your friends, neighbors and colleagues on House Bill 12, which -- if signed by Governor Taft -- would repeal the restrictions on carrying concealed weapons in Ohio, allowing just about anyone to carry hidden, loaded guns just about anywhere, just because they want to. Press reports say the governor has said he would veto the final version, which emerged from a House-Senate conference committee only moments before being voted on by both Houses one week ago. While the governor has promised to veto the bill, the bill passed both houses by more than the number of votes necessary to override a gubernatorial veto."

NM: Official credits program for less gun crime
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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A 2-year-old program aimed at reducing gun crime has succeeded not only in getting firearms off the streets, but also in sending violent felons to federal prison, U.S. Attorney David Iglesias says."

"Since Project Safe Neighborhoods began in the summer of 2001, federal prosecutions of criminals who use guns in New Mexico have increased by 63 percent, Iglesias said at a news conference Wednesday."

"Federal prosecutors in New Mexico have brought charges against 442 people for gun violations since the program started, he said. Of those, 274 have been convicted, the 'vast majority' through guilty pleas, Iglesias said."

"Of those already sentenced, three-quarters have been given at least three years in prison, he said."

MA: Teen charged for having BB gun in school
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"The principal of B.F. Brown Middle School suspended a 14-year-old student Wednesday for stashing a pistol-like BB gun inside his locker." ...

"The 14-year-old apparently arrived to school in the morning with the weapon but staff learned about the gun just after noon, Mayer said."

"They found out because another student went to the main office and told administrators, said police Sgt. Timothy McDermott."

" 'The good thing is we have a student body that trusts us and lets us know what's going on,' Mayer said."

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What you have is a student body indoctrinated to be fascist, paranoid rats.

IL: Assault charge for 'toying' with gun
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"A Chicago woman was arrested after she allegedly pointed what turned out to be a toy handgun at another woman in a Niles parking lot."

"Irene Ramirez, 30, of the 2200 block of North Menard Avenue, was charged with aggravated assault following the incident which occurred just before 7 p.m., Dec. 5, in a parking lot on the 5600 block of Touhy."

"The complainant in the incident, a 41-year-old woman, told police that she and Ramirez became involved in a verbal dispute following a traffic altercation." ...

"...Police said the toy gun was retrieved from the back seat of Ramirez's car near her two children and some other toys."

IL: Gun range shot down at Greene Valley preserve
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"A police gun-shooting range won't end up next to Greene Valley Forest Preserve near Naperville and Woodridge thanks to public outcry."

"Where the range will eventually be located and what will happen to plans to put an accompanying sheriff's parking lot for 250 seized vehicles near the preserve remain in question."

"DuPage County sheriff's police decided to drop plans to put an outdoor rifle and pistol practice range for DuPage law enforcement officials next to the preserve after receiving calls and e-mails of protest, said sheriff's spokeswoman Carol Roegner."

SD: Gun locks available in Sturgis
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Sturgis Police Department will provide free [read: paid for with money extorted from the taxpayers] firearm safety kits to local residents through a partnership with Project ChildSafe, the nationwide firearms safety education program. The safety kits, which include a gun lock, will be distributed until the supplies are gone. The kits are available at Meade County Law Enforcement Center at 1400 Main St. in Sturgis."

"Project ChildSafe, a program developed by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, plans to distribute millions of firearm safety kits throughout the country over the next year. A U.S. Department of Justice grant funds the program, with additional funding provided by the firearms industry."

NY: Hunters dealing with gun permit delays
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"State Representative Smitty Pignatelli said he just has to laugh when he hears about deer kills being down this year because of fewer hunters. Pignatelli is trying to reinstate a 90-day grace period for individuals who possess a firearms identification card while the State Police catch up with their processing." ...

"The grace period for FID cards was originally passed in 1974, but was eliminated by the much stricter Gun Control Act of 1998. Pignatelli agrees with the legislation. He simply wants to see the renewal process, in particular, get streamlined."

MA: Lee Police chief explains FID card changes
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"According to Lee Police Chief Ronald Glidden, an amendment to the supplemental state budget in fiscal 200 changed the expiration dates of certain fire-arms identification cards."

"Glidden, who serves as chairman of the Massachusetts Gun Control Advisory Board, said FID cards that originally expired in October, November or December 2003 now will expire in 2004; those that were to expire in January, February or March 2004 will now expire in 2005, and those that were to expire in April, May or June 2004 will now expire in 2006."