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FL: Names of six jurors who acquitted George Zimmerman made public
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The names of the six-member jury panel that acquitted George Zimmerman in the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin have been made public for the first time, after a new court order, records show.
Circuit Judge Debra Nelson, who had previously ordered the jurors' identifying information be kept confidential, granted access to the names in a ruling March 21. ...
Attempts to reach the jurors by phone and in-person Thursday were unsuccessful. ...
Nelson's order follows an inquiry last month by the Sentinel.

SUBMITTER'S COMMENT: Once again the media wreak havoc on our civil society, abusing their First Amendment rights.
And to what end? This will not further citizens' willingness to participate in the judicial process.

Bob Costas offers wager to his gun critics
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Sports broadcaster Bob Costas is not backing down in the face of criticism for his outspoken advocacy of gun control. In fact, hes challenging his critics to a bet.
Costas was asked about the controversial political positions he has taken on the air, including gun control, in an interview with Late Night host Seth Meyers, and said its very much an issue in sports that deserves to be talked about. ...
Costas said regardless of Americans positions on gun control generally, its undeniable that sports has a gun culture.

SUBMITTER'S COMMENT: You can take the "ignorant" and "banal" boy out of New York City, where he was born and grew up, but you can't take New York City out of the "ignorant" and "banal" boy.

Should mentally ill soldiers be allowed to own guns? It's not that simple
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A month before Spc. Ivan Lopez opened fire at Fort Hood's First Medical Brigade Building, he was under the care of military doctors, having been evaluated and treated for depression, anxiety and sleep disorders, according to military officials.
Lopez reportedly purchased his .45 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun legally at Guns Galore, a gun store near Killeen, Texas, on March 1. He had no criminal history that would disqualify him from owning a gun in Texas. His background check was clear.
Barely a month later, that same gun would be used to end the lives of three people and wound 16 others before being used by Lopez to kill himself.
But should he have been allowed to have that gun in the first place?

India: NYPD cop barred from leaving India after accidentally bringing three bullets into country: officials
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An NYPD cop is stuck in India after being arrested for accidentally bringing three bullets into the country, officials said Friday.
Officer Manny Encarnacion was taken into custody on March 10 after security at New Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport found the bullets in his checked baggage, police sources said.

SUBMITTER'S COMMENT: The many innocent victims of police at Newark Airport (I can't bring myself to use its new official name) and other venues in the Democratic People's Republic of New Jersey would be interested in hearing of this cop's plight.

NY: NYPD detective who fatally shot unarmed National Guardsman hit with departmental charges
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The NYPD detective who shot and killed an unarmed National Guardsman during a traffic stop on the Grand Central Parkway was slapped with a departmental charge for the mans death, sources told the Daily News.
Emergency Service Unit Detective Hassan Hamdy was charged late Thursday with failing to employ proper tactics causing a civilians death for blasting Noel Polanco, 22, in the chest after he was stopped for reckless driving on Oct. 4, 2012, the sources said. ...
Sgt. Thomas Glaudino, who was leading Hamdys unit at the time of the shooting, was charged with failure to supervise and two tactical violations.

TX: Texans aim for self-defense in gun control debate
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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But the term gun control actually assumes too much. To the extent that we see a renewed discussion of gun control in Texas, attitudes toward guns here strongly suggest that any discussion will almost certainly be dominated by talk of increasing access to guns, not curtailing it. When confronted with the horrors of mass shootings, most Texans appear likely to embrace self-defense over tightening controls on access to guns.

OK: DA finds fatal shooting justified
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Kyle Ford was acting in self-defense when he shot and killed Joshua Pride Salyer, the Muskogee County District Attorneys Office has ruled.

Ford, 30, told officers that he shot a man, later identified as Salyer, after Salyer and two other men came toward him in an aggressive manner.

Ford said his next-door neighbor had knocked on his door, asking for help. When Ford stepped outside, he saw three men at the neighbors house. He told the men several times to leave the area, but they kept coming toward him. Ford said he fired his gun when Salyer was about a foot away from him.

KS: Legislature to Consider Comprehensive Pro-Gun Bill
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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This week, the Kansas Senate passed Senate Bill 447 by a 34-2 vote. Following its passage, SB 447 was integrated into House Bill 2578 (previously reported on here) in a conference committee and passed again.

The integrated version of HB 2578 received a 4-2 vote in the conference committee, which becomes an Agree to Disagree. Both the Senate and House concurred on the motion to Agree to Disagree this afternoon. After a second conference committee tonight, the integrated version of HB 2578 will now be returned to both the House and Senate for a final action concurrence vote.

MS: Mississippi Governor Signs Bill Creating Second Amendment Weekend With State-Subsidized Gun Sales
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Are you in the market for a new assault rifle? Do you worry that youll be unsafe unless you have a brand new handgun strapped to your belt? If so, then the entire state of Mississippi is about to become the worlds biggest bargain outlet for firearms. A bill signed by Gov. Phil Bryant (R) on Wednesday, designates the first full weekend of every September Second Amendment Weekend, during which the state will stop collecting its 7 percent sales tax on firearms, ammunition and hunting supplies.

NY: Gun Company Changes Design of AR-15 To Comply with Second Amendment Trampling NY SAFE Act
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Governor Andrew Cuomo's gun restrictive SAFE Act has been the source of much controversy in New York. The bill is a burden for gun owners who simply want to carry their firearms and it bans AR-15 assault rifles with military-style features.

Now, one Missouri-based gun manufacturer, Black Rain Ordnance, has produced an AR-15 rifle that is compliant with New York's rules. Based on Black Rain Ordnance's description of the new gun, it's easy to tell they're a little bitter (emphasis added):

Otis McDonald, champion of Supreme Court victory, passes
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Otis McDonald, the man whose name will be forever synonymous with Second Amendment activism for his victory over Chicagos handgun ban, died today, according to his nephew, Dr. Frederick Jones, who spoke with this column. He was 79.

Mr. McDonald, who was 76 at the time the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in McDonald v. City of Chicago that its handgun ban violated the Second Amendment, and that the right to keep and bear arms was incorporated to the states via the 14th Amendment, had been suffering from a lengthy illness.

Ed.: Rest in peace, Mr. McDonald, and thank you.

Putting an End to the Insanity: Our Soldiers Deserve Their 2nd Amendment
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Criminals, crazed maniacs, and terrorists always obey the rules.

After all, Sandy Hook Elementary Schools gun-free policy deterred Adam Lanza from his sadistic plot to slaughter children in Newtown, Conn. The same policy at Rocori High School stopped Jason McLaughlin from pulling a gun on his fellow students in my childhood home of Cold Spring, Minn. In the same vein, the Cinemark Theater chains gun-free zone policy certainly dissuaded James Holmes from his plan to walk into a dark room of unsuspecting movie goers in Aurora, Colo. and blast the life out of them.

Indeed, criminals, crazed maniacs, and terrorists always obey the rules.

FL: Pros and cons of the new "warning shot" bill
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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For Marissa Alexander, the benefit of the warning shot Bill is obvious. It could save her from a 20 year prison sentence.

Alexander fired a warning shot to ward off her allegedly abusive husband but because she didn't actually shoot him, she was the one convicted of discharging a weapon.

Her case is being appealed.

Marion Hammer, a former NRA President, says Alexander's case embodies the reason behind the bill.

"If the governor signs this bill, before her next hearing, the judge will have discretion and could and probably should dismiss that case," predicted Hammer.

MO: New gun legislation passes Missouri House
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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This week the Missouri House moved several pieces of legislation, but one of the more critical bills to move in my opinion was the Second Amendment Preservation Act. This is a bi-partisan bill very similar to the one that was passed out last session, but failed to receive enough votes after Missouri Governor Jay Nixon vetoed the legislation over some first amendment concerns. This year we have worked together to resolve the issues the governor had and I am pleased that this legislation that I co-sponsored and which contains language that I drafted was Third Read in the House and now heads to the Senate by a vote of 110-36.

IL: Photogenic wife's gun photo rejected from 'People' magazine contest
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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An Illinois couple is questioning People magazine's decision to reject a photo they sent in for a contest.

"I don't think there is anything more beautiful than a woman holding a handgun," Bob Ferris said.

Those feelings are the reason why one day last summer, when's Bob's wife Sandra came home from church looking especially fetching, he grabbed his camera and his .45-caliber Colt and started taking photos.

"That was my husband's idea," Sandra Ferris said.

So was entering the picture he took in a contest called "Real Beauty at Every Age", sponsored by People magazine.

IL: Chicagos newly armed residents send murder rate plummeting
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Murders in the Windy City have plummeted since the Illinois legislature enacted its concealed weapon carry law, and the state Supreme Court upheld a persons right to carry firearms outside the home.

The Chicago Police Department posted the citys 2014 first quarter crime figures Tuesday, indicating the lowest number of homicides since 1958, according to local ABC affiliate Eyewitness 7 News, which reported:

Giffords takes heat for forgiving gunman, while 'punishing' honest gun owners
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, said in a press release that his group has great empathy for the former Congresswoman, and we continue to pray for her full recovery.

But that doesnt mean, Gottlieb said, we will stand silent while she and Kelly continue to exhibit misplaced values by treating responsible firearms owners like criminals while the criminal who tried to kill her basks in the blessing of her forgiveness.

WA: Gun rights rally Saturday in Olympia with something to celebrate
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Gun rights activists will rally tomorrow in Olympia, showing solidarity with gun owners in Connecticut now battling that states restrictive new gun laws, while the Evergreen State has something to celebrate with the new short-barreled rifle law, signed quietly by Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday, according to State Rep. Matt Sheas Facebook page.

They can also tout the fact that Washingtons active concealed pistol license figure is continuing to climb, with more than 454,000 CPLs now in circulation, according to the Department of Licensing. One year ago, there were 410,891 active Washington licenses, translating to an increase of some 44,000 new licenses.

FL: 'Warning shot' bill in Florida passes: Fla. self defense law amended
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A "warning shot" bill in Florida was passed by lawmakers Thursday and is the first time the Sunshine State's self-defense laws were amended in the wake of the Trayvon Martin shooting, where George Zimmerman was acquitted of murder. It was inspired in part by an outdated and "misused" law that gave Marissa Alexander a 20-year sentence after her conviction of on firing warning shots at her abusive husband, citing an April 4 Fox News report.

GA: Guns in schools? Georgia bill becomes battleground
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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If the sweeping, 29-page bill does become law, Peach State gun owners will have more places where they can legally bring their weapons. They wont get arrested for carrying guns into bars (though bar owners still can kick them out). School boards will be able to decide whether to let teachers bring guns to class. And gun owners will be able to stay strapped when visiting a government building, assuming that building doesnt have armed security guards.

Plenty of critics call the Safe Carry Protection Act the guns everywhere bill, and former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona is among those dissenting voices. In January 2011, Giffords was at a rally with constituents in Tucson, Ariz., when a man opened fire.

FL: New FL law lets the next George Zimmerman clear his name after beating murder rap
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A bill to expand Floridas Stand Your Ground law would allow the next George Zimmerman have his record cleared after successfully beating the rap for shooting someone and claiming self-defense.

The state Senate passed a bill Thursday to grant immunity to people with clean criminal records who fire a warning shot or threaten to use deadly force in self-defense.

The bill, which has already passed the House and will go to gun-friendly Gov. Rick Scott, also seals the court records of anyone charged with firing a weapon but later have those charges dropped.

NRA accepts Bob Costass gun wager
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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On Wednesday, renowned NBC sportscaster Bob Costas made a bet with those who support ones right to keep and bear arms. On Friday, NRA-ILA Executive Director Chris W. Cox accepted that wager.

So, what was the bet?

Generally speaking, Costas believes that guns and athletes dont mix.

Therefore, hes willing to bet that if one were to track instances of gun-related violence within athletic circles versus instances of defensive gun use and other positive gun-related activities the bad would far outweigh the good.

CT: NJ2AS Leaders Invited to Join Connecticut Rally
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Nj2AS leaders will travel to the Nutmeg State this weekend to support our Connecticut brothers and sisters in their fight for the inalienable human right to keep and bear arms.

Subjected to suffocating limitations on their Constitutionally-protected rights, the citizens of Connecticut are staging a gun rights rally in front of their capitol building this Saturday, April 5, 2014 from noon until 3:00 PM.

KY: In Kentucky, Any War on Women Will Face Armed Resistance
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The way the bill would work for domestic violence victims is that anyone who has an emergency protective order or a domestic violence order will be able to apply for an emergency temporary (good for 45 days) concealed carry permit, for which the training requirement would be waived (the applicant would still have to pass a criminal background check). If the permit holder does receive the required training at some time during those 45 days, the permit becomes like any other Kentucky concealed carry permit.

HI: Record run for guns
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Jason Bryant says there are two major factors driving an increase in Hawaiis firearm registration: Individuals who move to Hawaii and bring their firearms with them, and the general populous that is increasingly interested in personal defense measures in this rocky economic climate.

There is no doubt about whether firearms and ammunition sales have risen in the past few years, said the owner of JGB Arms in Lihue. Generally, gun ownership increases and violent crime statistics go down. Think about it. No one likes a victim that could potentially shoot back.