Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

FL: Family Firearm Business Shoots for Success
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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After retiring from the communications industry, Tom Cruden was ready to follow his passion. He wanted to create a business that combined the two loves in his life: his family and firearms.

In May of 2011, he did just that when he opened JCT Arms on State Road 580 (next to Tiny Treasures Boutique and Consignment Store and across the street from the new Neighborhood Walmart store).

JCT stands for Joan, Chris and Tom. Joan is Toms high school sweetheart and wife and Chris is one of the couples three sons who owns the business with them.

AZ: Lawmakers not respecting city and county boundaries Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Or the numerous lawmakers seeking to wrest control of gun safety laws away from cities and universities in the name of Second Amendment rights, their principles abetted by the furious lobbying -- and fundraising -- of the NRA.

TN: Let property owners set rules to allow guns
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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There is no need for the guns in parking lots law.

We believe people have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. We also believe in the rights of property owners to control what happens on their property. Thats why we urge the Tennessee General Assembly to reject a sweeping measure that would require employers and landowners to allow individuals licensed to carry a handgun to store guns in locked, personal vehicles. The legislation extends such right to virtually every public and private parking lot and location, including schools.

No Joy In Romneytown Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Conservatives have not made much forward progress in the last century or in this one. One of the few victories was on the Second Amendment where a coalition was successfully put together to aggressively push back against gun control efforts. In most other areas, the left has pushed on and on until what used to be radicalism became so mainstream that few Republicans would dare argue against it.

PA: Giving new meaning to restaurant carry-out Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
The Applebee's in Folsom, Delaware County, attracted a high-caliber crowd Saturday night. More than 30 gun owners showed up with their weapons legally displayed, while the rest of the dinner crowd blithely ordered their "2 for $20" specials, boneless wings and Bourbon Street steaks, plus alcoholic refreshments.

IA: Its another make-break week in Iowa Legislature
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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However, measures designed to expand gun rights and self-defense measures against unprovoked attacks, license naturalistic medicine and allow white emergency flashing vehicle lights for certain health-care professionals appear to have fallen off the legislative grid, while a number of issues state regulation of legalized online poker, a ban on traffic enforcement cameras and a prohibition of job posting that discriminates against unemployed Iowans face significant challenges this week to stay viable.

WI: Milwaukee police call for concealed-carry changes
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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"If he's got a problem, he needs to go talk to the (district attorney) and say, 'Why are you plea-bargaining these down to a misdemeanor that should otherwise be felonies?' That's a problem the DA needs to address," Clark said. "If these are serious offenses, they shouldn't be plea-bargained out. If you're not going to utilize the laws that exist, don't come asking for new laws that have the potential to infringe on the rights of law-abiding (people)."

Milwaukee Police Chief Ed Flynn said that because there is not enough court or jail space for every bad guy caught by police, plea bargains are necessary in urban jurisdictions.

TN: Tennessee legislative gunfight prompts search for compromise
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Caught in a lobbying crossfire between Second Amendment activists and Tennessee's biggest businesses, state legislators are searching for a compromise on legislation to protect gun owners from "discrimination" by their employers.

Three interrelated bills are scheduled for votes in House and Senate committees in the coming week after hours of conflicting testimony from both sides and an onslaught of emails and telephone calls to legislators.

MI: New bills aim to decrease use of fake firearms when committing crimes
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A package of bills could make it illegal to possess fake firearms that have been altered to look real that are used while committing a criminal act.

Senate bills 779, 780 and 781 are now on the senate floor and should be voted on soon, said Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.

This bill addresses a problem going on in southeast Michigan, Jones said. Gang members were taking imitation firearms and taking off the orange tip and using them to harass people. One gang member was shot by police, because they thought it was a real gun.

IL: Too many incidents?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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This is unlike most crime sprees, when some or all incidents are related or similar. These incidents stem from unknown motivations, possible domestic disputes or arguments among acquaintances, an innocent child making a senseless and tragic mistake because he had access to a loaded weapon and an assault on emergency personnel trying to help an accident victim and finally, the fatal shooting of what turned out to be an unarmed suspect by police who had been pursuing him on the highway.

NC: Gun-rights group plans to oust McGrady
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A political advocacy group is promising payback in this year's election against state Rep. Chuck McGrady and other North Carolina lawmakers they view as soft on pro-gun laws.

Grass Roots North Carolina, an all-volunteer organization whose main focus is preserving the right to keep and bear arms, has labeled McGrady, former state Rep. David Guice and House GOP leader Paul Skip Stam as the three weasels of the North Carolina House for what it views as the Republican trio's role in weakening an omnibus gun bill signed into law in December.

MD: The right of protection Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Maryland will appeal, as it should. Judge Legg makes a serious argument that the Maryland law impermissibly burdens the individual with proving he is entitled to exercise his rights; the burden should be on the government to show why an individual should be stripped of that right.

IN: Indiana lawmakers start 2012 session with roar, end it with whisper Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
The House later voted 67-26 in favor of the bill that is in response to a public uproar over a state Supreme Court ruling last year that residents couldnt resist officers even during an illegal entry. The measure specifies that people are protected by the states self-defense law if they reasonably believe force is necessary to protect themselves from unlawful actions by officers.

PA: It appears to be a cost that we're willing to pay
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Given events of recent weeks, it now seems pointless to string together the words "gun," "control" and "battle" and expect them to mean something.

Whatever gun control battle that might have existed in our state and nation seems to be over, and those who fought to reduce our rampant gun violence have lost.

The cost of that defeat, it seems, is that we all must simply accept the casualties whenever some lunatic inevitably goes off his nut and shoots up a school, or a hospital, or a church, or a public appearance by a congresswoman.

KS: Concealed carry on campus bill is cynical
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A bill in the Legislature sponsored by Rep. Forrest Knox, R-Altoona, would allow the concealed carry of weapons on university and college campuses and in many state and local government buildings.

HR 2353 is nothing but a vehicle for raising a wedge issue for zealous Second Amendment supporters in this years elections.

If the bill comes to the floor in the Senate, incumbent senators, including Republican and Democratic moderates, will have to vote on it.

PA: Food and weapons: they're my rights, too
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Imagine that at some point during my tenure with your organization, a right-wing president and Congress so advance the cause of a citizen militia, as it existed in the Founders' day, that a law is passed mandating employers to provide employees with free guns if the employees wish to have them.

And I do!

Unbeknownst to you, I feel strongly about the Second Amendment. I believe it's necessary to my personal safety and well-being to bear arms, but the weapons and ammunition I need to exercise this right can get quite expensive. It would be very helpful to my budget to get them for free.

MO: Elderly farmer near Bois D'Arc pulls gun on 3 thieves who came back for more Submitted by: Anonymous	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
An elderly cattle rancher recently came face-to-face with three thieves on his property, and he took the matter into his own hands. The thieves might have been arrested if Vance West had been able to get someone to help him. Vance West, 92, is a veteran and father of three. He lives by himself outside Bois d'Arc on more than 100 acres.

NC: Mixing Guns & Religion in North Carolina?
Submitted by: Opposing Views
Website: http://opposingviews.com

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Americans United and the ACLU recently won a court case barring the Forsyth County, N.C., Board of Commissioners from opening its meeting with sectarian prayers. Now other local governments in North Carolina are complying with the ruling, and some people are (literally) up in arms about it. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals held that [f]aith is as deeply important as it is deeply personal and the government should not appear to suggest that some faiths have it wrong and others got it right. A few North Carolina residents apparently dont see it that way.

UT: Utah Legislature Stands Up for Gun Owners
Submitted by: Opposing Views
Website: http://opposingviews.com

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Yesterday, the Utah Legislature adjourned sine die and the close of this legislative session brought with it a win for law-abiding gun owners. As previously reported, 1 Substitute House Bill 395, legislation that would amend Utahs Concealed Firearm Act and the law pertaining to prohibited persons, and 1st Substitute House Bill 49, a disorderly conduct measure, were pending in the Senate Rules Committee earlier this week. In the final hours of yesterdays floor proceedings, 1st Substitute House Bill 395, introduced by state Representative Stephen Sandstrom (R-58), passed in the state Senate by a vote of 26 to 3, and will now be sent to the Governor for his signature.

WA: Shot by sibling, police officer's daughter dies
Submitted by: D. Smith

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The 7-year-old daughter of a Marysville police officer died Sunday after being shot by her young sibling on Saturday.

Police say at about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, two children were left alone in a van parked just off Highway 532 in Stanwood.

There was a gun in the car. One of the children picked up the gun and accidentally shot the other.

Snohomish County Sheriff's Department says the van and gun is registered to a member of the Marysville Police Deptartment. The young girl is the daughter of the officer.

The sheriff's office says their parents were nearby when it happened.

"At this time we are all extremely concerned for the well-being of one of our department family members," said Marysville Police Chief Rick Smith.

MI: Alleged police time card fraud in Sterling Heights probed
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police command officer has quit and 21 other officers are being investigated for alleged time card fraud, city officials said.

The command officer who resigned was in charge of the division where the misconduct allegedly occurred, according to Sterling Heights Police Chief Michael Reese.

The officers involved didn't accurately report leave time on their time cards over a three-month period. Reese also said the incidents were isolated in one of the department's three divisions.

...

Steve Guitar, the city's community relations director, said the investigation's preliminary findings show the misconduct is a personnel matter and did not warrant a criminal investigation.

WV: Former West Virginia sheriff, county clerk plead guilty to attempting to steal election
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As the sheriff of Lincoln County, W.Va., Jerry Bowman is sworn to uphold the law. But the 58-year-old law enforcement veteran stood in a federal courtroom in Charleston on Wednesday and pleaded guilty in a shocking voter fraud case that has stripped him of his job and could send him to prison for a decade.
Prosecutors say Bowman and former Lincoln County Clerk Donald Whitten, 62, were part of a scheme to steal the May 2010 Democratic primary by stuffing ballot boxes with illegal absentee ballots.