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It is Time for Gun Owners to Get Political
Submitted by: Rob Morse
Website: http://slowfacts.wordpress.com

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We have a million new gun owners each month. Welcome, but there is more to being a gun owner than buying ammunition. Democrat politicians recently proposed ridiculous regulations on guns and gun owners. Gun sales soared, but I think that is the wrong response. Gun owners need to get political to protect their rights.

Stop indulging yourself at the gun stop. Register to vote instead. Yes, the first step is that easy. Now keep going and do this.

MI: Michigan GOP lawmakers introduce constitutional carry bills
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A legislation that would allow law-abiding citizens to carry concealed weapons for self-protection without having a government-issued permit to do so was introduced to the House.

House Bills 5301-5304 were introduced by state Reps. Tom Barrett, R-Potterville; Lee Chatfield, R-Levering; Triston Cole, R-Mancelona; and Jim Runestad, R-White Lake on Tuesday.

The bill sponsors say the legislation allows more freedom for responsible citizens who want to carry a concealed weapon for self-defense, according to the Michigan GOP.

TN: Gun Show Attendees Talk Rights Versus Restrictions Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Judging by parking lots filled to capacity and the size of the crowd inspecting the wares Saturday at this past weekend's gun show at the Greeneville National Guard Armory, there is still plenty of interest in firearm ownership. Vendors and patrons alike expressed surprise at the number of people who attended the gun show, and offered several theories to explain why.

TX: Commissioner candidates discuss new open carry amendment Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Candidates for Bell County Commissioners Court gave differing views whether guns should be banned from any county building in which a courtroomis located at a political forum Tuesday night at Tenroc Ranch.

MS: Mississippi Bill Would Set Foundation to Nullify any New Federal Gun Control in Practice
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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State employees or agents willfully enforcing such federal gun control laws would face criminal penalties.

SB2110 would set the stage to end cooperation with state enforcement of future federal gun laws, but it would require additional actions to effectuate. The withdrawal of state cooperation depends on a finding of constitutionality the federal action must violate either the state or U.S. Constitution. The bill does not create any mechanism to make that determination. Before ending cooperation with a given federal act, some process must be put in place to evaluate its constitutionality.

WA: Another McDermott for gun control; Finicum memorial this weekend
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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While not related, King County Councilman Joe McDermott, who is seeking to replace retiring Congressman Jim McDermott, are philosophically joined at the hip on the key issue of gun control, according to a story yesterday at MyNorthwest.com, and he reportedly wants to hold gun manufacturers criminally and financially liable for crimes committed with firearms.

Jim McDermott announced his plan to retire early last month, setting off speculation about who might run to fill the Liberal Democrats shoes. McDermott, 79, is something of a career politician. Hes been in Congress since 1989, and before that was a state legislator.

VA: Virginia Beach prosecutors drop charges against woman who fatally stabbed boyfriend
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Prosecutors on Wednesday dropped a voluntary manslaughter charge against a Virginia Beach woman who fatally stabbed her boyfriend after they determined she had acted in self-defense.

...

The evidence was overwhelming that she was acting in self-defense, Macie Allen, a spokeswoman for the commonwealths attorney, wrote in a news release about the decision to drop the charge.

Prosecutors were notified early on by the police department that this may be the outcome, and detectives have continued to thoroughly investigate this case, Allen wrote.

WV: West Virginia Constitutional Carry Bill Moving
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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HB4145 has passed the House Judiciary Committee, and been advanced to the floor. Barring the unforseen, it will be on first reading tomorrow. Friday, it will be attacked by amendment after amendment attempting to water down the bill. Monday, it will go for the vote of the full House of Delegates.

This is where you come in. We need you, your family, your friends, your coworkers ALL to email and call your delegates, and ask them to pass HB4145 intact.

GA: Shots fired in parking lot robbery at Kedron Village retail center
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Peachtree City Police reported that a robbery occurred in the parking lot of the Kedron Village shopping center Thursday at approximately 8:22 p.m. No one was injured in the incident.

Department spokesman Mark Brown said shots were reportedly fired during the incident that was believed to be a robbery associated with a vehicle in the parking lot and involving three black male suspects.

Brown later said a single shot was fired by the victim in self-defense during the robbery. No one was injured in the incident, Brown added.

AZ: Many ASU students oppose guns-on-campus bill in online survey Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Hundreds of Arizona State University students cast a symbolic vote during the past week against a bill in the Arizona Legislature that would allow students to carry concealed weapons on campuses statewide. More than 650 students voted in the survey, with 68 percent voting to oppose the bill. The poll was available through an online student portal and was promoted on social media.

Instructors Need to Use Tact in Tactical Training
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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While Im a tough ol gal who can take a lot of crap from a lot of people, and dish it back just as hard, a few recent conversations left me wondering: do all new and recent gun owners feel this attacked by the experts?

Maybe attacked is a strong word. Judged? Talked down to? The word condescending comes to mind when I think of the last few instructors I spoke with, but Im hoping its because I am who I am.

However, in speaking with a few others recently, Ive found I may not be alone.

WA: Anti-Gun Legislation Still Pending Executive Action in House Committee
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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As previously reported, four anti-gun bills were heard in the Washington state House Judiciary Committee and could be voted on at any time. The deadline for bills to be reported out of committee is Friday, February 5. It is important that you continue to contact members of the House Judiciary Committee as well as your own legislators and politely urge them to oppose the below legislation when it comes up for a vote.

UT: 2016 Legislative Session Convenes With Permitless Carry in the Works
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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On January 25, the Utah State Legislature began its 2016 legislative session. This years rapid-moving session begins with the introduction of legislation to allow permitless carry in the state of Utah.

Senate Bill 97, sponsored by state Senator David Hinkins (R-27), would allow individuals to carry a concealed firearm without a concealed firearm permit as long as they are at least 21 years of age and can lawfully possess a firearm.

A Champion of Freedom, Espanola Jackson Remembered Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of Espanola Jackson, lead plaintiff in the NRA supported case of Jackson v. San Francisco. Born in Shiro, Texas, Mrs. Jackson moved to San Francisco in 1943 and dedicated her life to improving her community and fighting for the civil rights of all law-abiding citizens for over 50 years

MO: Missouri Representative: Concealed Carry Permit Fee Is a Tax on Second Amendment Rights
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Missouri state Representative Eric Burlison (R-Springfield) contends that the fees associated with a concealed carry permit amount to nothing less than a tax on the Second Amendment.

To remove the tax, Burlison is pushing a bill that simply allows any legal gun owner 21-years or older to carry a gun openly or concealed without a permit. Similar laws are in place in Alaska, Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Montana, Vermont, and Wyoming.

KS: Gun rights are on the minds of Kansas lawmakers
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The proposal is titled the Firearms Industry Nondiscrimination Act, a trade association initiative by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Its one of several bills with gun-rights themes that lawmakers are considering in the 2016 session, including measures concerning air guns at schools and a proposed constitutional right to hunt, plus a bill up for a hearing this week to reduce the minimum age for concealed-carry gun licenses from 21 to 18.

In legislative terms, the FIND Act would define as an unlawful discriminatory practice any refusal to do business with a person or trade association solely because a person is engaged in the lawful commerce of firearms or ammunition products.

FL: Campus gun proposal by state Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, likely DOA
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Efforts to change how and where more than 1.5 million people with concealed weapons licenses in Florida can carry handguns easily passed the state House on Wednesday.

A campus-carry bill, led by state Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, also passed the House easily last year but stalled in the Senate -- where it's all-but-certain to die again.

Speaking to reporters earlier Wednesday, Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said the proposals are "in trouble," as far as the Senate is concerned.

The open-carry proposal, offered by state Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, could face the same demise.

KS: Right to Hunt and Fish Constitutional Amendment Passed Out of Committee Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Yesterday, the House Committee on Federal and State Affairs passed House Concurrent Resolution 5008. HCR 5008 proposes an amendment to the Kansas Constitution that will affirm that it is a right of the public to hunt, fish, and trap as such:

OH: What You Can Do to Increase Gun Safety at Home
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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One of the dominant public health issues of today is gun safety.

Every day in my practice, I address the issue by counseling parents with young children about gun safety. Or, I suggest to my patients with depression that, if they own a gun, perhaps a friend or family member should keep the firearm until my patient feels better.

Firearms cause 90 deaths every day in the United States. Thats more than 33,000 deaths a year about the same number of deaths caused by motor vehicle accidents.

Uncle gets revenge on nephews with snowball machine gun
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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In my experience as a niece and now as an aunt, uncles everywhere are definitely a target of their nieces' and nephews' excess energy.

They become jungle gyms, workhorses, bad guys and horsies. They give piggybacks, morph into wrestling partners and get pushed in the pool to the delight of their brothers' and sisters' progeny.

What happens when an uncle is tired of being the focus of that aggression in the dead of winter? They develop a snowball machine gun as a means of self-defense, of course.

FL: Gun violence victims uneasy with possibility of Florida open-carry law
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A bill that would allow Florida residents to openly carry their firearms is making its rounds with lawmakers, despite concerns from law enforcement agencies, businesses and many victims rights groups.

Florida is one of a half dozen states that does not allow some form of open carry.

The idea to allow open carry in Florida was brought up last year, but failed to pass.

This year, the measure to fundamentally change the states gun laws cleared the House of Representatives.

Debating fire
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The gun-control debate has mostly revolved around interpretation of the Second Amendment. It would be more productive, instead, to focus on societal ramifications of the prevalence of guns.

The Violence Policy Center analyzed the data compiled by the Federal Bureau of Justice Statistics for a five-year period (2007-2011). It revealed that average annual defensive gun use occurred 67,740 times. In 2009, this resulted in 13,636 homicides by private citizens supposedly in self-defense. However, law enforcement officials determined that merely 215 were justifiable; thus 98.4 percent of homicides were illegal murders.

WA: Educator: Self-defense laws top issues for gun-permit holders
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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What most people with concealed-pistol permits seem to want to know about the law, says attorney and educator Tom Brotherton, is what he calls self-defense use.

Or, to be more specific, when you can and when you can't use a weapon to defend yourself.

In giving a class recently in Quilcene, Brotherton said, he had to tell one woman that she couldn't shoot a neighbor who was trying to kill her dog.

You need to be in imminent danger. You catch someone in your house, and he has a stick and he sees you and he runs, there's no danger, he said. Trying to explain imminent danger can be hard.

Gun Test: Kel-Tec CMR-30 Rifle
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Few firearm introductions have generated the buzz and demand of the Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc., PMR-30 pistol. Thats unsurprising, though, as a lightweight, .22 WMR-chambered, semi-automatic, full-size handgun utilizing a 30-round-capacity magazine is sure to be appreciated by a large segment of the shooting public. Smartly, the company has subsequently re-commissioned the efficacious delayed-blowback PMR-30 as the foundation for a carbine counterpartenter the autoloading CMR-30.