Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

Choices!
Submitted by: Larry

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"I usually don't read too many antigun articles for the simple reason that rarely are they anything but illogical emotional ramblings. The commentary, 'Havent we had enough?' is another such criticism but two items in this editorial struck me as interesting."

"First, the author actually admitted she was completely ignorant concerning firearms. 'I don't like guns. I've never handled a gun. I was not raised in a family that hunted.' Okay, so this is another hysterical plea for weapon confiscation predicated on fear; at least Ms. Larsen acquiesces to the obvious."

"At the conclusion of her impassioned appeal I found a point on which Ms. Larsen and I would agree. ..." ...

Is an Illinois lawmaker trying to conflate 'pro-gun' with 'pro-crime'?
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A time-honored strategy of the forcible citizen disarmament lobby is to paint a distorted picture that links gun owners with criminals. When I say 'time-honored,' I mean just that."

"The National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 is a prime example ..." ...

"The latest application of this strategy might well be just across the river in Illinois, where state Representative Harry Osterman's HB 6123 would make it a felony (a Class 1 felony) 'to knowingly sell or give a firearm to a person who is a street gang member.' This could put gun rights advocates in something of a tough spot, at least with regard to the court of public opinion. To oppose it, after all, can be portrayed as 'being on the side of violent gangbanger thugs.'" ...

Parks gun regulations change Monday while anti-gun hysteria never changes
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"On Monday, Feb. 22 ... regulations will change in national parks that allow visitors to carry firearms in accordance with the laws and regulations of the state in which the park is located."

"Readers of Gun World magazine will note that I did a roundup of some likely guns worthy of back country carry in the March issue, now on sale."

"Various published reports indicate that park employees have been preparing for this change, and there is some concern probably not entirely unwarranted that some fools will parade around for macho photographs, especially around park entrance signs and other identifiable park landmarks. More intelligent gun owners will simply mind their own business as this rule becomes effective ..." ...

Does Justice Scalia Think the Second Amendment Applies Only to the Federal Government?
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Wall Street Journal Law Blog has an interesting ... post devoted to whether or not Justice Antonin Scalia will 'flip flop' on the Second Amendment when the Supreme Court hears the gun rights case McDonald v. Chicago next month. The controversy centers on an article by Jess Bravin, the Journals Supreme Court correspondent, that features the following paragraphs:"

"In a 1997 book, 'A Matter of Interpretation,' Justice Scalia wrote that he viewed "'he Second Amendment as a guarantee that the federal government would not interfere with the right of the people to keep and bear arms.'"

"... 'Of course,' Justice Scalia continued, 'properly understood, it is no limitation upon arms control by the states.'" ...

Urban Shooter Update February 19th 2010
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"This week on episode 153 of The Urban Shooter Podcast, I share some goals for the rest of the year and ask a couple of questions of the listeners to help US focus the show on what we have instead of what we want."

"I tried to mark the different segments but don't think it came through on the MP3. I provide an exegesis of the tale of Dr. Ossian Sweet with some little known historical facts like the similarities between the classic hit play/movie 'Raisin in the Sun' and what happened in 1925."

"To get us there, I tied the fact that Blues music and the railroad are connected to African American culture. I even found the closing argument for defense attorney Clarence Darrow that I read for your edification." ...

Brady campaign gives Ohio's gun laws a failing grade Submitted by: Daniel White Website: http://www.OhioCCW.org	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"I like meeting goals." "Last year, the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence gave Ohio a failing grade, awarding us 13 out of a possible 100 points. I said at the time, and reiterated it in an article earlier this year, that one of my goals was 'to expand freedoms for gun owners and lower our Brady score as much as possible.' Mission accomplished." ...

Brady gun control group releases study documenting their irrelevance
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"On February 18, 2010, Handgun Control Inc. (now known as 'The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence') released their annual 'State Scorecards', grading states on how closely a state agrees with the gun ban movement's agenda." ...

"A quick review of the 50 state comparisons shows that Ohio ranked 22nd out of 50 states. Ohio earned this upper echelon ranking with a grade of 11 out of 100 possible points on Brady's scorecard."

"Think about that a minute...Ohio is in the 56th percentile by agreeing with just 11% of Brady's agenda."

"Stated another way, 28 states agree with 10% or less of Brady's agenda and 38 states agree with 20% or less of Brady's agenda. ..." ...

Concealed Handgun Permit Holders Have Killed at Least 139 Since May 2007, Including 9 Law Enforcement OfficersConcealed Carry Killers Web Site February Update
Submitted by: NYSRPA-PVF
Website: http://www.nysrpa-pvf.org

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"Concealed handgun permit holders have killed at least nine law enforcement officers in addition to 130 private citizens (including 14 shooters who killed themselves after an attack) since May 2007 according to the latest update of Concealed Carry Killers, a Violence Policy Center (VPC) on-line resource that tallies news reports of such killings. The web site, located at http://www.vpc.org/ccwkillers.htm, is updated monthly to include new fatal shootings since May 2007 by concealed handgun permit holders and any changes in the legal status of permit holders facing criminal charges. ..." ...
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KABA Note: Except, of course, these numbers have been completely discredited, but the antis hope that if you repeat a lie often enough it will become true.

TX: Man Fatally Shoots Intruder
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Houston police said a 23-year-old man tried to break through a window to get into a home on Blueberry Lane near Bluegrass Street at about 9:30 a.m."

"Investigators said the homeowner woke up, grabbed his shotgun and fired shots as the man was going through the window."

"'The homeowner was awakened by breaking glass and the movement of a dresser in the front window,' said M.F. Waters of HPD Homicide."

"'I was walking by and heard 'boom, boom, boom,' and saw a guy fall out of the window,' witness Shern Scott said."

"The intruder fell out of the window into the yard and died, officials said. His family identified him as Roosevelt Jackson Jr." ...

Let students bear arms
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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... "... Who should be able to own [guns] is a separate argument entirely, and not one related to public safety and protection on college campuses."

"For those fit, and legally able to carry guns, it is their right to be able to protect themselves and others. I would not dare tell a man he cannot keep a gun to protect his wife in children in his own home. I can't see how one would be able to tell another they have no right to protect themselves and their peers when they leave their house "

"There is the philosophical and legal basis for being able to carry concealed weapons on campus, and then there is the practical reason. People have guns, and if someone wants to shoot up their school, they will find a way. ..." ...

Dont bring a notebook to a gunfight
Submitted by: NYSRPA-PVF
Website: http://www.nysrpa-pvf.org

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"I debated how to broach this topic; its certainly a charged issue, but theres no other way than to simply lay out the facts."

"The events of this Tuesday at Lockwood Library were a near miss for the University at Buffalo, and at the very least it should serve as a wakeup call."

"As we waited for news, it was hard to not think of school shootings in the recent past, Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University among them. School shootings are not the domain of high schools anymore; college campuses, and you, are equally under threat." ...

"The concealed carry movement, an ideology that has been steadily gaining ground over the last decades, offers a valid solution." ...

Bill O'Reilly Supports Confiscating Guns in Time of Emergency
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"... in the wake of the illegal gun confiscations in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, NRA focused its attention on legislation to amend existing emergency-powers statutes to guarantee that local authorities never again attempt the confiscation of lawfully owned firearms ..."

"As you know, following Hurricane Katrina, many New Orleans residents legally armed themselves ... With no way to call for help, and police unable to respond, lawful citizens were able to defend themselves and their neighbors ..."

"However, just when these people needed their guns for self-protection the most, New Orleanss Police Superintendent ordered the confiscation of firearms, allegedly under a state emergency-powers law. ..." ...

Bill O'Reilly Supports Gun Confiscation During Weather Emergencies (video available)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Bill O'Reilly interviewed the founder of the Oathkeepers tonight. During their discussion O'Reilly supported gun confiscation during hurricanes. He told the Oathkeeper that his views on the Second Amendment were extreme."

"O'Reilly labeled Stewart's refusal to obey unconstitutional orders 'a pretty extreme position'. Can there be a scintilla of doubt left that people like O'Reilly and Glenn Beck do not represent Constitutionalist, Tenth Amendment activists and Tea Party members?"

"The previous evening, O'Reilly allowed a Southern Poverty Law Center stooge to demonize the Oath Keepers as violent extremists." ...

'Conservative' Bill O'Reilly supports gun confiscation in emergencies Submitted by: David Codrea Website: http://www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
... "You consider peaceable Americans exercising unalienable rights in the time when they most need them a threat to authority and control? Who do you think the true controlling authorities are? Just what document do you think authorizes state powers?" "And the people who would argue that point are 'extreme'?" "The Founders would be doing a facepalm."

Safer Streets 2010: Schooling O'Reilly
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Begging your pardon, Mr. O, but every conservative needs to be in favor of our second amendment, or one is not as conservative as he boasts."

"The willingness to learn from experts is essential. Because the second amendment is about independence from government, I would not be so quick to ask government for clarification, nor to denigrate resistance to excesses of public servants. On this question, the sovereign are the experts."

"I say this because on last night's O'Reilly Factor, Bill O. didn't want to listen to guest Stewart Rhodes, Founder of the liberty movement, The Oathkeepers. ..." ...

Too Extreme For O'Reilly? The Man Behind The Right-Wing Group 'Oath Keepers'
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Last night, Bill O'Reilly had Stewart Rhodes, founder of the right-wing extremist[sic] group 'The Oath Keepers,' on his show. Things got a little tense when Rhodes described the group's belief that members of the military need not follow orders they believe to be unconstitutional."

"'That's a pretty extreme position,' said O'Reilly."

"O'Reilly had had Mark Potok of the Southern Poverty Law Center on the show the night before. Potok slammed Oath Keepers, which he said is primarily driven by the fear that the government is going to impose martial law and turn American cities into concentration camps." ...
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Submitter's Note: As John Longnecker says "Two words: My Lai".

Gun Owners of America Political Victory Endorses J.D. Hayworth for Congress (video available)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"John McCain has gone out of his way to earn the ire of conservatives and gun owners in his 20-plus years as a U.S. Senator from Arizona."

"Perhaps his crowning legislative achievement was so-called campaign finance reform, or the McCain-Feingold law. This law put the muzzle on organizations such as GOA, prohibiting any broadcast advertisements within 30 days of a primary election and 60 days of a general election that even mention the name of a candidate for federal office." ...

Is Obama Pro Gun?
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Stumping in Virginia in September 2008, Barack Obama reassured a crowd, 'I believe in people's lawful right to bear arms. I will not take your shotgun away. I will not take your rifle away. I won't take your handgun away.' More than year into his presidency, Obama has proved as good as his word. The administration has had little to say about personal firearms, except that they should be permitted in national parks and on Amtrak trains. Obama's near-silence on gun control has prompted a few analysts to try and triangulate his position on the issue. With three years left in Obama's term, what can gun owners expect?" ...

New law allows loaded guns in national parks
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Loaded guns will be allowed in Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and other national parks under a new law that takes effect Monday."

"The law lets licensed gun owners bring firearms into national parks and wildlife refuges as long as they are allowed by state law. It comes over the objections of gun-control advocates who fear it will lead to increased violence in national parks."

"The national parks law takes effect in a climate that favors advocates of gun rights. The debate shifted dramatically in 2008, when the Supreme Court struck down a handgun ban in Washington, D.C., and declared that individuals have a constitutional right to possess firearms for self-defense and other purposes." ...

CT: Proposal to change gun laws spiked
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"State police are dropping a proposal that critics complained would have banned private sales of rifles and shotguns in Connecticut."

"The short-lived recommendation from the Department of Public Safety angered gun owners and organizations that support gun ownership."

"The commissioner of public safety agreed Thursday to drop the controversial proposal from an omnibus bill that suggested a number of changes to firearms laws." ...

Waco Jim's finest hour: How he got to where he is today Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Some folks have asked me why it is I despise (yes, despise IS the right word, I think) Waco Jim Cavanaugh. For an answer, I refer you to the transcript of Mike McNulty's award-winning documentary, Waco: The Rules of Engagement." ...

TN: Does University of Tennessee discriminate against student-athletes? Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Last Friday, WATE-TV, Knoxville reported UT guns policy differs for students vs. student-athletes. Reporter Harlow Sumerford spoke with Athletic Director Mike Hamilton, and Hamilton stated," "We have stood in front of all the head coaches and student-athletes and said, 'No guns,'" "Statements like this are bound to raise questions, so I emailed Hamilton:" ...

UT: A slap at civil rights
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"According to reports, the main motivation of the sponsor of SB247 is to honor the memory of John Browning, the Utah gun manufacturer."

"Really?"

"Browning was indeed an innovator. He held 128 gun patents and was a key figure in the early years of the state. His innovations influenced virtually all future designs of firearms and are still a part of firearms today."

"But SB247, sponsored by Sen. Mark Madsen, R-Eagle Mountain, would create a state holiday honoring Browning on the very same day as the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. That could not possibly be a coincidence, and it is a slap in the face to the civil-rights struggle and to years of efforts to get Utah lawmakers to honor King in Utah." ...
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Submitter's Note: I guess gun rights are the red-headed stepchildren of civil rights.

OR: Sights on gun laws
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"There will always be a public debate over the issue of firearms and other weapons in our society. One aspect that needs no debate is the standing state laws regarding these weapons. These laws are set up through our democracy in a civil way to govern ourselves. It is by following a democratic process that we have progressed so far as a nation and a state."

"It is unfortunate that the Oregon State Board of Higher Education does not follow this philosophy and has decided to craft and enforce their own rules, regardless of their contradiction with state law." ...

NH: Anti-gun violence group gives NH low marks
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Gun control laws in northern New England are being given low marks in the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence's annual survey of state gun laws."

"The survey gave Maine a score of 11 out of 100 for its laws, while New Hampshire was given a 9 and Vermont was given an 8."

"The Brady Campaign says laws in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont allow the sale of guns without background checks, put children at risk and help feed the illegal gun market." ...
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Submitter's Note: Given that NH has the lowest handgun murder rate in the country, if the Brady's truly were 'anti-violence NH would get a much higher score. Obviously the Brady's true purpose is anti-gun.

OK: Gun laws trigger low marks
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Oklahoma has some of the least restrictive gun laws in the nation, according to a recent report by the Brady Campaign, which contends that lax laws feed the illegal gun trade and lead to unnecessary violence."

"Oklahoma was given two points out of a possible 100 in the report. The only marks were for not forcing colleges to allow guns on campus, although legislation in recent years has tried to change that."

"The state is tied with Alaska for second to last, according to the Brady report. Utah ranks worst with zero points, and California is at the top with 79." ...

MN: Firearms in Voyageurs: Gun rights debate moves to parks
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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deep in the North Woods, just south of the Canadian border, sits Voyageurs National Park. It's an oasis of islands and streams, of lakes and land touched by time but barely by man. One could say it's smack-dab in the middle of nowhere, if only calling a place that beautiful 'nowhere' wasn't so cruel."

"Isolated, maybe, but that won't stop Voyageurs from becoming part of the latest front in the debate over gun rights Monday, when the federal ban on firearms in the national parks is officially lifted."

"Instead of a blanket ban on firearms in national parks and wildlife refuges, state regulations will reign. For Minnesotans, that means if you have a permit to carry a handgun, you can now head north and do exactly that." ...

WA: Firearms Industry Hails Washington State Supreme Court Decision
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) the trade association for the firearms industry - hailed today's ruling by the Washington State Supreme Court holding that the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans are applicable to the states through the 14th Amendment."

"'This decision by the Washington State Supreme Court is a welcomed development and victory for the rights of law-abiding firearms owners,' said Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel." ...

WA: Under-18-Year-Olds and the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Submitted by: rick schwartz
Website: http://hubpages.com/hub/Need-business-capital-but-have-poor-credit-No-problem

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"The majority in State v. Sieyes rejects a 17-year-old's challenge to Washington's restriction on gun possession by under-18-year-olds; eight Justices take this view. The restriction is basically a ban on under-18-year-olds' possessing guns, with exceptions for possession at home (for self-defense) or on family property, with a parent's permission, as well as for certain lawful hunting, target-shooting, training, or military purposes."

"The majority opinion, for five of the eight Justices, appears to be based chiefly on the sketchiness of the defendant's argument (some paragraph breaks added), plus perhaps based on the exceptions in the statute:" ...