Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

PA: Emotional outburst in trial of fmr. Phila. Police Inspector
Submitted by: jac

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

It was an emotional day in court as attorneys rested their cases in the corruption trial of a former Philadelphia police inspector.

After court, Daniel Castro was hustled out of the courthouse and into a waiting car. It had been an emotionally draining second day on the witness stand.

He admitted he tried to get thugs to collect a debt. But, claims he was lured into the scheme by the FBI.

"I made the biggest mistake of my entire life," Castro said.

Things got testy when prosecutor Lou Lappen accused Castro of lying.

NE: Charges dropped against officer
Submitted by: Anonymous

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The Council Bluffs city prosecutor dropped two misdemeanor charges against an Omaha police sergeant who was arrested after an off-duty encounter with casino security officers and police.

Sgt. William Dropinski, a supervisor in the Omaha department's traffic unit and former police spokesman, agreed this week to pay $250 to a nonprofit group as part of a plea deal, said his attorney, Michael Fitzpatrick.

Dropinski chose Children's Square USA in Council Bluffs. In exchange, prosecutors dropped charges of public intoxication and disorderly conduct against Dropinski.

FL: Preemption and open carry bills advance to FL senate floor Submitted by: Richard Nascak Website: http://www.floridacarry.org	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Florida Senate bills 402 and 234 advanced out of the Rules Committee on Friday, headed to a floor vote by the end of this month.

IA: Gun permits increase substantially with law
Submitted by: Anonymous

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Since January, when gun laws in Iowa changed, the Kossuth County Sheriff has issued 350 gun permits.

Thats more than were issued in all of 2010, when 266 permits were issued. The same number also were issued in 2009.

Kossuth County Sheriff Steve Kollasch believes the jump in permits is the result of the new law.

This is a topic of interest right now, he said. I think eventually the interest will die down. A lot of people want to get one before the law changes.

TSA security looks at people who complain about ... TSA security
Submitted by: none

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Arrogant complaining about airport security is one indicator TSA officers consider when looking for possible criminals and terrorists,

when combined with other behavioral indicators, it could result in a traveler facing additional scrutiny.

a list of roughly 70 "behavioral indicators" that TSA behavior detection officers use to identify potentially "high risk" passengers

Many are behaviors and appearances that may be indicative of stress, fear or deception. None of them, as the TSA has long said, refer to or suggest race, religion or ethnicity.

one addresses passengers' attitudes towards security, and how they express those attitudes.

"Very arrogant and expresses contempt against airport passenger procedures."

IA: Gun regulation passed in Marcus
Submitted by: Anonymous

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Citizens Tom Willems and Mario Carbo addressed the Marcus City Council Monday night about the proposed resolution prohibiting firearms and weapons in and on property either owned, maintained or otherwise occupied by the city of Marcus. Neither were in favor of it, and they felt it was going against state law and therefore this resolution would not be supported by the courts. Both feel folks have a right to carry a weapon as long as they possess a gun permit. They also questioned how the law could be enforced.

Later in the meeting, the council passed the ordinance unanimously.

OK: Man Claims Fatal Shooting Was In Self Defense, Police Say
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Wilkinson called Stauffer at his home earlier in the night and told Stauffer he was going to come over and kick in his door, police said. Stauffer called 911 an hour before the shooting to report the alleged threat, but wanted to wait until the next day to file a formal complaint.

Stauffer said he grabbed a handgun after hearing several loud knocks at his front door at about 11 p.m., according to the news release.

Stauffer said he opened the door because he could not see outside, and Wilkinson forced his way in the home.

According to the release, Stauffer said Wilkinson tried to grab his gun, and that is when Stauffer fired his weapon, killing Wilkinson.

WA: Armed employee stops two business burglars
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Police say that just before 11:30 PM, a pair of burglars entered Sharp's Outdoor Power Equipment, located on the 5900 block of 4th Avenue in Georgetown, WA and confronted an employee. Acting in self defense, the employee reportedly grabbed and fired his gun, striking one of the suspects and causing the other to surrender. The suspect who was shot is said to have died from his wounds, while the surviving suspect was held at gunpoint until the police arrived and placed him under arrest, according to news reports. No injuries to the employee were reported.

CA: Riverside County gun sales' 154% jump in 10 years far outpaces population growth
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Across Riverside County, gun sales are booming at a much faster rate than the population is growing.

A surge in recent gun violence and fatal shootings in the Coachella Valley points to the ubiquity of guns in the community, most of them legal and legally owned.

From 2000 to 2010, the county's firearm sales increased more than 154 percent, state figures show. The county's population, meanwhile, grew by 42 percent over the same time.

SAF Sues Over Massachusetts Gun Ban For Legal Alien Residents
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The Second Amendment Foundation today filed a federal lawsuit challenging a law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that denies legal resident aliens the licenses required to possess a handgun in the home for self-defense, or purchase any kind of firearm.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Joining SAF in this lawsuit are Commonwealth Second Amendment, a Massachusetts grassroots organization, and two British citizens who reside in the commonwealth. They are represented by attorney Joseph M. Hickson III of Springfield. Defendants are Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert C. Haas, Northboro Police Chief Mark k. Leahy and Jason A. Guida, director of the Firearms Records Bureau in Chelsea.

WI: Wisconsin should join free America
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

While it is true these leaders have been busy addressing daunting budget issues, it is time personal and family safety be given its due. Wisconsin is one of only two states in the nation that doesn't have a concealed carry law.

President Barack Obama's home state of Illinois is the other, and legislators there are considering a Right to Carry bill. In fact, the bill just passed an Illinois legislative committee by a 12-2 margin.

Of course, the gun-ban lobby in Wisconsin in full fear-monger mode. They want you to think that if law-abiding citizens are permitted to effectively defend themselves against violent attackers, mayhem will ensue. They want you to ignore the other 48 states that already have concealed carry laws on the books.

PA: PA Democrat asks if she can kill a Republican Representative
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

In rendering scenarios in which the new law might excuse the killing of a person perceived as a threat, Davidson stood on the House floor and asked a question that included a reference to the chamber's most conservative member and maybe strongest pro-gun advocate, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler County.

"If the gentleman from Butler County stood yelling, knowing that he's a gun-toter, and I felt threatened, would I be protected under court law if I blew his brains out?"

VA: Guns in churches a non-issue for Danville Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Joseph Northen, pastor of music at First Baptist Church, doesnt think theres a place for guns at his churchs services. This isnt an area where having a gun is a really normal thing, he said. There are other places where this is less unusual. On March 8, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli issued an opinion in favor of Virginians right to carry firearms during religious services.

PA: Despite Rendell, gun bill getting its due
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

As promised by state legislators, the castle doctrine bill was reintroduced, and on Tuesday, it passed the House with a 164-37 vote. It now goes to the Senate, where it should be passed immediately!

Although the castle doctrine bill passed last year with an overwhelming majority, Frenchy Rendell vetoed it.

This frightened, liberal former governor is a staunch advocate of retreating. But can you blame him? He comes from the surrender city of Philadelphia, where mayors and other politicians place the rights of thugs above that of law-abiding citizens.

...

After the bill clears the Senate, Gov. Tom Corbett will sign the legislation that Frenchy Rendell should have signed last year.

ME: Bill to allow guns in Maine State House advances
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

A bill that would allow guns in the Maine State House has been narrowly endorsed by a legislative committee, even as efforts continue to bolster security in the Capitol.

The proposal sponsored by Republican Rep. Dale Crafts of Lisbon would allow concealed-weapon permit holders to bring guns into the State House, the state office building that's connected by tunnel and nearby parking areas. Maine Today Media says the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee voted 7-4 to recommend passage of the bill on Friday, setting the stage for floor debate.

Ed.: 7 to 4 is narrowly? It is 64% to 36%. That's a landslide in these parts! That is an even bigger margin than the Reagan v. Mondale election in 1984!

OH: Licensed carriers can have guns in bars if they don't drink
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Permitted Ohioans would be allowed to carry concealed firearms into bars and restaurants that sell alcohol as long as they're not imbibing, under legislation OK'd by the Ohio Senate April 13.

Substitute Senate Bill 17 passed on a final vote of 25-7 and heads to the Ohio House for further consideration.

"This legislation is about affirming law-abiding citizens the right to bear arms," said Sen. Tim Schaffer, a Republican from Lancaster and primary sponsor of the bill. "... It is not the law-abiding citizen that we need to be worried about. It is the criminal who is not eligible for the concealed carry permit in the first place."

Australia: Ripley's Aliens gun too dangerous for Queensland, say cops
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

THEY were used to destroy some the meanest baddies in Hollywood history but Queensland police have now deemed them to be real weapons and illegal to boot.

A movie buff who imported three model guns based on those wielded by Ripley in Aliens has found himself tied up in red tape when customs officers claimed they were prohibited weapons.

In the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, member Peta Stilgoe expressed understanding about collector Mark Hamish Beckett's frustration with bureaucracy, but found she did not have the authority to rule on his case.

Ed.: We can't let you have fake guns. Fake guns are only good for one thing, killing people!

OR: A gun permit - and a medical marijuana card Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Cynthia Willis calls up and down the firing range to be sure everyone knows she is shooting, squares up in a two-handed stance with her Walther P-22 automatic pistol and fires off a clip in rapid succession. Willis is not only packing a concealed handgun permit in her wallet, she also has a medical marijuana card. That combination has led the local sheriff to try to take her gun permit away.

NH: NH Senate considers ending gun permit requirement Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
New Hampshire could become the fourth state to eliminate the need for a permit to carry concealed, loaded guns anyplace not prohibited by law under a bill before the Senate. The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on the bill Wednesday afternoon. The bill has already passed the House where gun rights advocates argue government should not have control over basic rights.

VA: At some Virginia churches, guns are an invisible part of the routine
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Philip Van Cleave, of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, said people have been carrying concealed weapons to church for years because of the threat of terrorism and church shootings across the country.

Al-Qaeda has been our reason, as well as many of the recent church shootings around the country, he said. Think of it this way: If saving your own life isnt a good and sufficient reason to carry a gun, then what else could possibly qualify?

...

But Charles Whitener, who lives near Mount Vernon and has been meaning to get a concealed-weapon permit, said: After some of the horrible things that have happened in other churches, I think the attorney general did the right thing.

OH: Reject Concealed Carry Proposals
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

But the law has its limits. One of them is a prohibition on permit holders taking guns into bars and restaurants where alcoholic beverages are served.

...

Law enforcement officials don't like the idea. Guns and intoxication don't mix, they point out. They are right on target. Alcohol loosens inhibitions and impairs good judgment. And, as responsible gun owners know, even mild intoxication limits the ability of shooters to place a bullet where they aim.

...

Ohioans who believe they need to carry guns for personal safety can simply avoid bars or alcohol-serving restaurants - the same as motorists are supposed to do. We encourage legislators to reject the new bills.

TX: Texas Lawmakers Want Expanded Gun Rights
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Kleinschmidt also reasoned that, as state representatives, lawmakers often travel to places they are unfamiliar with. Oftentimes walking in poorly lit parking lots, stairwells; potentially dangerous situations where carrying a handgun could be a life saver. Kleinschmidt said he would like to expand the bill to all Texans, eventually.

... In fact, the current Land Commissioner, Jerry Patterson opposes it.... The reason?

"We are no different than the average citizen when it comes to our Second Amendment rights," he said. He believes what's good for the goose is good for the gander. Anything less is an unfair practice.

Federal Appeals Court Allows SAF Challenge to Federal Gun Law
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The Second Amendment Foundation's challenge to a federal law that prevents American citizens who reside outside the United States from purchasing firearms while they are in this country will be allowed to move forward, under a ruling today by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.

The case involves Stephen Dearth, a natural-born U.S. citizen now living in Canada, who is prevented from buying a firearm in this country because he does not currently reside here. The case was filed in March 2009. SAF and Mr. Dearth challenged the law's constitutionality because it prevents Dearth from exercising his Second Amendment rights. SAF is represented by Virginia attorney Alan Gura.

TX: Give scholarships, not guns, to students
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

A legislative measure that proposes to allow licensed concealed handguns on Texas college campuses seems in danger of being shot down. The chief sponsor, Sen. Jeff Wentworth, R-San Antonio, says he has not given up though he hasn't found the needed support. I can't help but hope he won't find those needed votes.

I'm not anti-gun and, yes, I know all about the Second Amendment. I am a realist when it comes to the place of firearms in American society and more specifically in Texas culture. The fact that hundreds of thousands of Texans have obtained concealed-carry licenses tells me that a lot of people feel comfortable around firearms.

Repeal the Right to Keep and Bear Arms
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Over the months since the Tucson massacre, not much has happened in Washington to address the problem, which is Too many guns, Too easy access. Inaction is understandable. They're all afraid of the big bad NRA and the gun netherworld behind it. There is another reason: following Justice Scalia's Supreme Court opinion in the Heller case, extended to all other jurisdictions under the McDonald opinion, all gun control is now in doubt. There is only one way to solve this problem and that is to take it head on: Repeal the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. I propose Amendment Resolution and Legislation as follows...

Ed.: The Constitution has no provisions authorizing the repeal of natural rights, or provisions authorizing the amending of state constitutions.

IN: Eberhart pushing for looser gun legislation
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Indiana lawmakers appear determined to ease state gun regulations this year despite reservations from local officials and, some advocates say, gun owners themselves.

I wish the Legislature would spend more time making it harder for dangerous people to get guns rather than making it easier to have guns wherever you want, said Paul Helmke, former Fort Wayne mayor and head of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence.