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Safer Streets 2010: Safer corporations too, Part I
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A lot of corporations are weighing in on the Starbucks news of following the law when it comes to the open carry of handguns in its coffee shops. Starbucks has stayed neutral and has not given in to the pressures of the anti-gun movement now beginning to punish them for standing their ground. [See Safer Starbucks and the anti-gun's what-if about food poisoning of customers, an underhanded disparagement.]" ...

Safer Streets 2010: Safer corporations too, Part II
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Even with a divided opinion, many corporations are posting their support for Starbucks' decision to ignore the Brady Center's insistence that Starbucks throw customers out of their establishments. [See Part I.]"

"It's great to see praise for standing your ground against a political nuisance. Brady, not open carry customers. Most of the opposition to armed customers or even armed students on campus has been that companies may be found liable if an armed employee goes postal, but it happens a lot with knives and brute force without guns. The preponderance is in more who are coming to realize that it's safer to see armed students and armed workers than to be known as unarmed and defenseless." ...

April 19th: Liberty's show of force
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"April 19th looks to be a big day for gun rights. On the 235th anniversary of the 'shot heard 'round the world,' the Washington Monument grounds in D.C. will be the scene of the Second Amendment March (actually more a rally than a 'march'), from 10 AM to 4 PM (also discussed here)."

"Follow the link for much more information. For those who can't make it all the way to Washington, click here for developing information on coordinated state marches." ...

Gun bans and workplace violence
Submitted by: Daniel White
Website: http://www.OhioCCW.org

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"By now most of you know about the shooting at Ohio State University early yesterday morning. At around 3:30am, Nathaniel Brown, who was reportedly serving a suspension for a poor job performance review, entered the universitys maintenance building and began shooting. Building supervisor Larry Wallington was killed and operations shift leader Henry Butler wounded. Brown killed himself before police could arrest him."

"Gun control advocates will point to this as an example of why guns have no place in schools or the workplace. The problem with this logic is that it was already illegal for Brown to bring a gun into the maintenance building. Not only is it a violation of workplace policy but it is also banned by Ohio law ... None of that deterred Brown ... The gun ban did, however, ensure that nobody was able to fight back." ...

Nigerian 'gun control' enables massacre 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
... "Thankfully, the UN leader is 'concerned,' and is joined by Hillary Clinton in calling for 'restraint.' After all:" "'People were attacked with axes, daggers and cutlasses -- many of them children, the aged and pregnant women.'" "That'll restrain 'em." ...

Gun advocacy rallies raise a question for corporate security: Do you allow customers to openly carry?
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"On Friday, March 5, 2010, at a public plaza situated among restaurants and retail shops in Palo Alto, Calif., a group of people planned to show up with guns on their hips. It wasn't going to be a massive shootout or a group robbery or even gangland violence. The guns weren't even going to be loaded. It was, instead, an open demonstration of 2nd amendment rights supporters ..."

"On the surface, it doesn't sound like much of a traditional security issue, as much as it is politics/NRA/second amendment topic -- except that sometimes these meet-ups are held at private businesses, or at least private businesses are so close to these public spaces that they can be impacted." ...

On handgun ban, will Chicago succeed where D.C. failed?
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"As James Madison and other Founding Fathers adeptly worded the Bill of Rights in order to assure us the blessings of liberty and individual freedoms, they knew their words would be interpreted by future judiciary bodies."

"Whether they did so purposely or not, one amendment, the second, allows for the widest range of interpretation[sic]. ..."

"In 21st century America, there is little debate over the peoples right to join or maintain a militia. However, an enormous amount of debate takes place in our legislatures and courts regarding the peoples right to bear arms. There is one reoccurring[sic] question requiring interpretation of the Second Amendment: Where and when can these arms be beared[sic]?" ...
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Submitter's Note: Actually the Second allows no 'interpretation'. The dependant clause provides the justification for the independent clasue. In order to maintain liberty, the right of the people to keep and bear arms "shall not be infringed." Period, stop.

Frappuccinos and firearms -- Businesses should ban openly carried guns
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Guns are always a hot topic and have been recently linked with the Pacific Northwests favorite hot beverage. Starbucks has unwillingly become involved in a heated debate between a growing open carry movement across the country." ...

"Gun enthusiasts in California and Washington, among other states, have been testing their rights to openly carry guns in public places by walking into local businesses, sometimes in groups, with guns strapped to their hips. Concealed weapons carried by individuals with permits do not have the same intimidating effect, but many gun proponents believe these permits are too difficult to obtain. Perhaps this is their way of protesting." ...

Guns don't belong at coffee shops
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The battle over gun control has found a new, highly-caffeinated fulcrum: Starbucks." ...

"This is a lose-lose situation for Starbucks. Because the gun owners have picked the coffee company as a gun-friendly hangout, Starbucks has had to come out publicly with the policy of allowing guns in their stores. ..." ...

"The real issue is Starbucks' reasoning. While they do say that they are only complying with state laws, they also give a more outrageous reason: Starbucks' official statement stated that if the shops were to adopt an anti-gun policy, 'we would be forced to require our partners to ask law-abiding customers to leave our stores, putting our partners in an unfair and potentially unsafe position.'" ...

No need to ban guns, regulate them instead
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Supreme Court has had slurry of important cases ... However, the recent case of McDonald v. Chicago, which challenges the Chicago handgun ban, is going to be its most important yet." ...

"... the overall ban on handguns in Chicago should be overturned. This would affirm the Second Amendment to the states for the first time ..."

"More importantly, the Supreme Court must do something I would normally disagree with: They must legislate with their opinions from the bench."

"They need to make certain that people have the right to bear arms, but they must do so reasonably. Any language the majority opinion uses must include the right for legislation to be passed to regulate gun purchases and sale. ..." ...

SC: Amendment's intent no longer relevant today
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"As a country, we have lost our senses and gone bananas over the right to 'keep and bear arms,' ...

"The purpose of this amendment was clearly to be able to raise an army quickly when the country had no standing army. The British were still on our doorstep ... In those days, wars were fought with single-shot, muzzle-loaded rifles."

"If I had my druthers, I would repeal the Second Amendment and replace it with local laws that described when and how the populace can own a gun, what type of gun they can own, where they can keep them and when they can use them."

"It makes no sense to me to openly wear a side arm on your hip and be allowed to walk into Starbucks or even maybe a bank."

WA: Vancouver woman protests Starbucks gun policy locally
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"A Vancouver woman will make the rounds today at Starbucks coffee shops with a letter to managers imploring them to establish a gun-free policy." ...
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KABA Note: Isn't it interesting that when it is a question of requiring employers to allow lawful property in employees locked cars, the antis are prating about "a business's right to set their own policies." But when they don't like a business's policy it is perfectly acceptable to attempt to coerce the business to accomodate their hoplophobia.

CA: California lawmaker would outlaw 'open carry' gun right
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"A California lawmaker has stepped into a growing gun rights debate by introducing legislation that would essentially outlaw what's called the 'open carry' of unloaded weapons on public property."

"The measure, which was first introduced last month but is not expected to have its first hearing until April, is meant to address the growing 'open carry' movement, in which some gun owners have taken to meeting in coffee shops, parks, and restaurants while wearing holstered weapons to raise awareness about gun rights." ...

"In some ways, [Professor] Weisberg says, provoking a Democratic California lawmaker to go after open carry laws is a boon for the movement. 'They wanted a generic California liberal to attack them,' he says, 'and they have succeeded in that regard.'"

CA: Boy, 7, rescues family from home invaders
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"There is no mistaking the terror in the boys voice. On the 911 recording, you can feel it like a physical object.

They come. They come. They open and ring the door. They have guns. Can you come, really fast? And bring soldiers, too, the unidentified 7-year-old says in 911 tapes played on TODAY Wednesday." ...
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Submitter's Note: It would have been far better if one of the ADULTS had taken responsibility for their own and their childrens safety by being armed.

MA: SJC: Second Amendment does not bar Massachusetts gun laws
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"In a case that had drawn attention from the Gun Owners Action League and the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, the Supreme Judicial Court today upheld a state law requiring trigger locks on guns kept in people's homes."

"In a victory for law enforcement and advocates of gun control, the state's highest court ruled that the Second Amendment does not currently apply to states and therefore Massachusetts has the power to regulate gun ownership."

"'We conclude that the legal obligation safely to secure firearms in [state law] is not unconstitutional,' Justice Ralph Gants wrote for the unanimous court." ...
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KABA Note: And to heck with that whole state constitution, Art. XVII. stating "The people have a right to keep and to bear arms for the common defence."

MA: Mass. court upholds state gun-lock requirement
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The highest court in Massachusetts on Wednesday upheld the constitutionality of a state law that requires gun owners to lock weapons in their homes, a case closely watched by both gun-control and gun-rights proponents."

"Massachusetts prosecutors argued that the law saves lives ... The Gun Owners' Action League and the Second Amendment Foundation Inc., however, pointed to a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that said people have a constitutional right to keep weapons for self-defense."

"The state Supreme Judicial Court ... unanimously agreed that the Second Amendment does not overrule the state's right to require owners to store guns safely." ...
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Submitter's Note: I guess the court disregarded the studies showing that 'safe storage' laws have no effect on suicides and accidental shootings.

OK: Procedures shoot down Oklahoma's open-carry gun proposal
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A proposal to allow unrestricted open carrying of weapons was shot down by legislative procedures Wednesday in the state House of Representatives."

"But a proposal to allow those with permits to carry concealed weapons to also carry them out in the open is still alive and may be attached to another bill today, the last day House members can act on House-generated bills."

"Both proposals were filed as amendments to House Bill 2538, which would have allowed a gun owner who has a permit to carry a concealed firearm to put a loaded weapon on the dashboard or seat of a vehicle. Oklahoma only allows concealed gun permits, and gun owners with permits must conceal the weapons in their vehicles." ...

FL: Only fair to protect gun trust fund
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"For years, legislators fought gun owners over funding a statewide licensing program that would provide uniformity and fairness to gun owners. Legislators didn't want taxpayers to fund a gun program. Gun owners are taxpayers, too, and wanted to use tax dollars."

"In 1987, the firearms licensing law passed with a financial contingency. The Legislature insisted that the firearms program not be dependent upon ... any government funding. The NRA, Unified Sportsmen of Florida and gun owners insisted upon only being responsible for funding the program and that licensing fees only be an amount necessary to administer the program no more, no less. ... That was the agreement."

"Gun owners have kept their part of the agreement. ..." ...

VA: A few members of a 'kill bill' subcommittee shouldn't have the power to decide state law
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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... "This session brought a new place [for bills] to die: a special 'kill bill' subcommittee. Late in the session, the chairman of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee, Henry L. Marsh III, D-Richmond, formed an ad hoc panel with one job: to off some gun bills sent over by the House." ...

"It did its job: It killed one of the most symbolically and pragmatically significant gun bills of this session: to do away with the state's one-per-month limit on handgun purchases."

"Now, the bill deserved to die, just not that way. One handgun-a-month is a good law. In fact, when it was championed originally by then-Gov. Doug Wilder, it had the support of the [NRA], which even promoted its passage in other states." [emphasis added] ...

MD: Baltimore prosecutor to push for stronger gun laws
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"Baltimore's top prosecutor is heading to Annapolis to push state lawmakers to pass stronger gun laws."

"Baltimore State's Attorney Patricia Jessamy says she plans to appear Thursday at a Senate hearing to recommend expanding a no-parole law that has helped cut violent crime."

"Under the 2000 law, convicted felons charged with gun possession face a mandatory no-parole penalty of five years in prison. The state's attorney is pushing to increase sentences in some cases up to 15 years ..."

"Jessamy says Baltimore prosecutors have obtained hundreds of no-parole sentences for violent felons caught with firearms, which she says has led to a drop in gun crime."
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KABA Note: Well which is it, felons or violent felons? Remember, putting you prescription meds in a Su thru Sa dispenser is a felony. Keeping a feather you found on a hike could be a felony under the Lacey Act. Throwing snowballs at a city plow is a felony.

IN: One incident doesn't change the gun debate
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Can one incident alone change the course of a law? ..."

"On Thursday, the General Assembly sent the take-your-guns-to-work day bill to the governors desk ... The next day, a Portage man angry about a performance review went to his car, grabbed a shotgun, returned to the office and began shooting at his co-workers."

"... some legislators and business groups that have opposed the gun bill say the incident is proof the legislation is a stupid idea, so the governor should veto it." ...

"... dont forget the law in question, giving him the right to keep his gun in the car, has not yet been signed into law. All this proves is that a nut with a gun is a force unto himself no matter what the law says or doesnt say." ...

OH: Cleveland to fight for its gun restrictions before Ohio Supreme Court Submitted by: Anonymous	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"If Cleveland had its way, every gun in the city would have to be registered[sic], no one would carry a weapon openly and assault weapons would be banned." ... ------- KABA Note: SCOTUS has ruled that criminals are not required to register guns because it would be self-incrimination, therefore "every legally owned gun in the city would have to be registered".

TN: New guns-in-bars bill advances
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A new guns-in-bars bill cleared its first legislative hurdle Wednesday, a step toward allowing handgun-carry permit holders to go armed in restaurants that sell alcohol."

"A similar bill passed the General Assembly last year but was overturned by a Davidson County court that said it was unconstitutionally vague."

"While the state is appealing the Chancery Court ruling, 'we don't know what the courts are going to do. So we would rather come back and make it clear for the permit holder where he can carry and not carry,' Rep. Curry Todd, R-Collierville, the bill's sponsor, told House Criminal Practice and Procedure Committee members." ...

AR: Open carry soon in Arkansas?
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The open carry movement has been gaining steam in Arkansas and Oklahoma recently, beginning with Oklahoma representative David Derby introducing a bill in the state legislature which garnered plenty of attention. Now, Arkansas is entering the open carry arena, with the subject getting increasing publicity."

"KNWA in Northwest Arkansas published an online story and video last week with the dubious headline of 'Packing Heat in Public: Open Carry in Arkansas'. While the headline is slightly emotional, the article itself is decently fair." ...

VA: A voice for gun rights
Submitted by: Mile66

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... "Listening to an opinion contrary to your own with an open mind can be very difficult at times. Having the power to censor those with an opposing opinion, and utilizing that power in an unfair and unethical propaganda fashion, is not what the Founding Fathers intended for future generations when they proposed all the amendments."

"The Times would well serve itself by providing its readers with fair and unbiased reporting -- giving the same amount of time and space to all views on any particular subject. You utterly fail your readers by not doing so." ...

Agents of Incompetence: ATF Seizes Toys, Then Touts Their Danger (Part II)
Submitted by: rick schwartz

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"It is quite a stretch for U.S. Customs inspectors at the Port of Tacoma to declare that they recently intercepted machine guns, especially when the devices they confiscated were two models of a well-known brand of high-end Airsoft toys. To make such a claim, Customs relied upon a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) determination that these toys could have parts replaced or modified to turn it into a weapon capable of firing real bullets in automatic mode." ...

Agents of Incompetence: ATF Seizes Gun Shipment Labeled Toys But They Really Were Toys
Submitted by: rick schwartz

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"One glance at the headlines would have convinced you that a major tragedy was averted ... recently. KOMO blared: 'Customs agents nab shipment of machine guns in Tacoma.' Other news outlets pointed out the dastardly nature of the shipment. KIRO in Seattle claimed: 'Automatic Rifles Labeled As Toys Seized In Tacoma.' The Seattle Post-Intelligencer went with: 'Customs seizes gun shipment labeled 'toys.'"

"... Customs and Border Protection Area Port Director Rolando Suliveras Jr. claimed:"

"These rifles could have had far-reaching and potentially devastating ramifications ..."

"But there was much, much more to the story that Suliveras and the CBP failed to mention, starting with the fact that the 30 'machine guns' seized in the raid really were toys." ...

Remington Shotguns--Solicitation Number: EDOOIG-10-000004
Submitted by: Rick Schwartz

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"The U.S. Department of Education (ED) intends to purchase twenty-seven (27) REMINGTON BRAND MODEL 870 POLICE 12/14P MOD GRWC XS4 KXCS SF. RAMAC #24587 GAUGE: 12 BARREL: 14" - PARKERIZED CHOKE: MODIFIED SIGHTS: GHOST RING REAR WILSON COMBAT; FRONT - XS CONTOUR BEAD SIGHT STOCK: KNOXX REDUCE RECOIL ADJUSTABLE STOCK FORE-END: SPEEDFEED SPORT-SOLID - 14" LOP are designated as the only shotguns authorized for ED based on compatibility with ED existing shotgun inventory, certified armor and combat training and protocol, maintenance, and parts.
The required date of delivery is March 22, 2010." ...
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KABA Note: Trying to control those unruly kindergarteners?

MA: Ruling clouds gun laws
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A state trooper who lives in Sandwich won't have to sweat a second prosecution on a charge that he improperly stored his department-issued gun."

"Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe said he won't refile charges against state police Lt. Richard Bolduc, despite yesterday's ruling by the state Supreme Judicial Court that upholds the state's gun storage laws." ...
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Submitter's Note: Okay, let me make sure I have this straight: Richard Runyan's son allegedly shot a BB gun at a neighbor, and he is facing 2 1/2 to 10 years in prison. A cop's gun is used to kill someone and he gets a pass. Nope, no double standard here!

NJ: Bad Call: Gun Retailer Denied Little League Sponsorship
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Nothing is more aggravating to baseball fans than a bad call by those officiating a game. And in New Jersey last week, the committee in charge of a little league program made a real stinker."

"In an 8-1 vote, the South Orange-Maplewood (NJ) Babe Ruth/Cal Ripken baseball league rejected an offer from a local licensed firearms retailer to become a $300 sponsor for his son's team because of the potential controversy it may cause."

"Matt Carmel, owner of Constitution Arms in Maplewood, called the decision 'arbitrary, capricious and unfair.'"

"... the gun dealer and NRA-certified pistol instructor offered to sponsor his sons little league team ... but was soundly rebuffed by the volunteer committee that oversees the league." ...

NJ: First Amendment right, Whats in a name?, Alcohol more deadly (first three letters)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"I just read with great interest the article 'Youth league to gun seller: Stay off our backs' (March 5). Shame on the South Orange-Maplewood Baseball Committee for putting such a negative connotation on firearms." ...

"I was disappointed to read that the board of the South Orange-Maplewood Baseball Committee decided to reject the offer of a legitimate business to sponsor one of their teams. Did they give this serious consideration, or was it something that didnt agree with their agenda? ..." ...

"I see that the township of Maplewood wont let a licensed gun dealer sponsor a youth baseball team. Yet the league permits a liquor store to sponsor a team even though drunk drivers are responsible for 24,000 deaths and 100,000 injuries on the highways each year. ..." ...

FL: Fear & Firearms
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Just over a year ago, Southwest Florida gun stores experienced a frenzy of buying that industry veterans had never seen before. Store shelves were bare. Customers plunked down thousands of dollars on ammunition. The rush on weaponry was the result of regime change in Washington. Sales soared amid fears that the new administration would move quickly to institute bans on guns."

"More than one year later, gun shops continue to coast on the wave of fear and uncertainty that initiated a rash of gun and ammo purchases. ..." ...

NY: Gun Rights Expert Discusses Controversial Case March 31
Submitted by: NYSRPA-PVF
Website: http://www.nysrpa-pvf.org

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"Robert Spitzer, a distinguished service professor and chair of the SUNY Cortland Political Science Department, will discuss the pending Supreme Court case of McDonald v. City of Chicago at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 31, at Main Street SUNY Cortland, 9 Main St."

"A panelist for the Ivory Tower Half Hour on WCNY PBS in Syracuse and author of three books and numerous articles on the Second Amendment, Spitzer will discuss 'Gun Rights to the States: Incorporation and the McDonald Case.'" ...

IL: Gun Owners Lobby For More Rights
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Illinois gun owners say momentum is on their side in the fight for a concealed carry law. They rallied at the state capitol on Wednesday, stating their message loud and clear."

"'Concealed carry now,' the marching mass chanted."

"They are three words that mean so much to the roughly 10,000 Illinoisans that marched down Capitol Ave. in Springfield Wednesday. It is a Second Amendment right they say they've been stripped of by state lawmakers." ...

"A House Subcommittee just passed a concealed carry bill Rep. Phelps sponsored. That is further than similar bills last session went, further energizing those like Garry Jenkins."

"'We just hope that it passes,' he said. 'It's about time we had our rights back.'" ...
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Submitter's Note: The headline is incorrect; we don't want more rights, we want our civil rights.

AK: Now you can take your gun camping
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"In Katmai National Park and Preserve, Denali National Park and other areas of the state, visitors bring cameras to shoot bears. This summer, they may bring something much more deadly."

"On May 22, 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 into law. Tacked onto that piece of legislation is an unrelated amendment that repeals a National Park Service rule prohibiting ... firearms in national parks and reverting regulation to individual states. ..."

"'I've never had any desire to visit Denali Park as a backpacker or a hiker because of that restriction,' said Bob Bird, of Nikiski, one of the organizers of a Second Amendment/Constitutional Task Force Rally ..." ...

NM: Second amendment group protests fairgrounds sign
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A local gun rights advocacy group is taking aim at the Otero County Fairgrounds over posted signs that prohibit guns on the premises."

"Members of the Alamogordo Second Amendment Task Force say about a handful of signs posted near the fairground's entrances, as well as others spread across the grounds, are illegal.

"'We want (the gun) restriction removed from the fairground's signs, plain and simple,' said Chris Dearstyne, a member of Alamogordo 2ATF. 'There is no ulterior motive. We want to get people's rights restored in areas where those rights can be infringed upon.'" ...