Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

The Bottom Line
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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... "Sadly, however, for many the overall shock and sadness over the tragedy at Virginia Tech was quickly replaced with pointing, blaming everyone from the campus police ... to gun supporters." ...

"To those looking to blame gun supporters, adding more gun laws wont solve anything either. Besides, what more should we really have to add to 'dont shoot someone else?' ..."

"But, even if we did repeal the Second Amendment, these kinds of incidents won't completely disappear."

"Shortly after the Virginia Tech incident, a disgruntled gangster allegedly gunned down the mayor of Nagasaki, Japan. Clearly, this particular individual didn't seem to care about Japan's stance on gun control ..." ...

American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA) tries to bully the NRA
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"American Hunters and Shooters Association (AHSA) is clearly a master at the imitation game. ... the organization rode into St. Louis on the coattails of the NRA Convention using the same type of deception the organization is known for in attempting to lure NRA members to their organization."

"The information all came to light when AHSA held a press conference at a hotel close to the NRA Convention site. AHSA President Ray Schoenke ejected the NRA-TV news crew from the event. According to Gun Week, 'Schoenke twice put his hands on the shoulder and arm of reporter Ginny Simone as cameraman Mark Wahley recorded the event.' Schoenke, a former pro-football player towered over the rather petite Simone ..." ...

2nd Amendment Survives D.C. Challenge (Cato)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"'A federal appeals court yesterday denied a petition by D.C. officials to reconsider a March ruling that overturned the District's 30-year-old gun ban,' reports The Washington Times. ..."

"If the Supreme Court grants review, the citizens of this country will finally have a foursquare pronouncement from the nation's highest court about the real meaning of the Second Amendment,' said Cato Institute senior fellow Robert Levy, who acted as plaintiff's co-counsel. 'That's good news. For those of us who have long argued that the Second Amendment secures an individual's right to own a firearm for personal protection, the D.C. Circuit has confirmed that the Constitution is on our side.'" ...

Campaign Money Distorts Gun Control Measures
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Tragedy struck one of our state's premier centers of higher learning last week. Senseless violence, the magnitude of which has never before been seen on U.S. soil, ripped through the rural Blacksburg community Monday morning, April 16." ...
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Submitter's Note: I guess the author doesn't count the 2,948 deaths on 9/11/01, 168 in Oklahoma City on 4/19/95, or 45 at the Bath School on 5/18/27 since those weren't accomlished with guns.

Ladies Home Journal: The Virginia Tech Shootings: An American Tragedy
Submitted by: MACpistol.com
Website: http://www.MACpistol.com

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"At Ladies' Home Journal, our hearts go out to the loved ones of the students and staff members who were recently killed or injured during the April 16 shooting rampage at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia. We join you in mourning them."

"In our June issue, which goes on sale May 8, we take a look at the problem of guns in the wrong hands. Readers will find a petition in the pages of the magazine and on our Web site in support of legislation to help law enforcement officials control the flow of guns to criminals and traffickers. Take a look, and think about joining this effort." ...
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Submitter's Note: Brady was crowing proudly about this here.

Gun control the only way to prevent massacres
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"There it was, what I have come to call 'the look' from my wife. Coming home from work on April 16, I got 'the look.'"

"Once again, the target was a school campus. Once again, many died. Once again, without breaking a single law, an insane loner purchased enough guns and hollow point bullets to decimate the lives of so many families."

"Once again, our elected officials plaster themselves across the airwaves to express their sorrow and grief at another shooting inside a school. Once again, I speak with my students about another massacre at a school." ...
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KABA Note: Once again, an anti lies. Cho committed a federal felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison when he answered "No" to question 11f on the 4473.

Recent tragedies revive debate about gun control in the U.S.
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Recent events have undoubtedly proved that gun control laws are neither archaic nor distant to the American population. However, politicians on both sides of the aisle have avoiding making statements on the issue. ..."

"Many gun proponents say that people, not guns, cause these tragedies. This is simply not so, because if American gun culture mirrored the limited gun culture in other world societies, we would see a drastic drop in gun-related deaths as we can see in these foreign nations. In societies where gun control policies are in place, murders and massacres such as those at Virginia Tech and the Ward Parkway mall do not take place with such tragic frequency." ...

MN: After the Virginia Tech tragedy, even talking about concealed carry is grounds for suspension
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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... "In the aftermath [of VA Tech], officials at Hamline University sought to comfort their 4,000 students. David Stern ... sent a campus-wide email offering extra counseling sessions for those who needed help coping."

"Scheffler had a different opinion ... Counseling wouldn't make students feel safer, he argued. They needed protection. And the best way to provide it would be for the university to lift its recently implemented prohibition against concealed weapons." ...

"After clicking send, Scheffler didn't think much more about his emails. ..." ...

"... Scheffler received a letter informing him he'd been placed on interim suspension. To be considered for readmittance, he'd have to pay for a psychological evaluation ..." ...

NC: Student caught with toy gun
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"An 11-year-old was suspended from Mary McArthur Elementary School on Tuesday after he brought a toy gun on campus."

"'The children told the assistant principal that the student was showing it on the bus,' said Wanda McPhaul, Cumberland County schools' spokeswoman."

"The child was released to his parents, said Debbie Tanna, spokeswoman for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office."

"Detectives from the Juvenile Division were investigating, she said."

"The AirSoft pistol shoots plastic pellets, Tanna said, and has a magazine clip that allows the handler to change out empty cartridges."

"The pistol looks similar to the 9mm guns used by law enforcement officers, Tanna said." ...

Paul, Not Romney, Won First GOP Debate
Submitted by: clell

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"No less than ten Republican hopefuls in the 2008 White House race participated in the first national GOP debate last Thursday, May 3. Even before the 90-minute debate had concluded, media pundits were declaring that former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney had won." ...

"Yet, when one looks at MSNBC's own poll, a much different picture emerges. According to this poll, there was a clear winner alright, but his name was not McCain, Giuliani, or Romney. It was Texas Congressman Ron Paul." ...

"As has been reported by many, Ron Paul has never voted to raise taxes, has never voted for an unbalanced budget, has never voted for a federal registration on gun ownership ..." [emphasis added] ...

Bloomberg Joins Attack on Gonzales
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"Mayor Bloomberg has joined the attack against the nation's embattled attorney general, saying Alberto Gonzales's Department of Justice has become 'complicit' in the 'disgrace' of an effort to further restrict gun trace information."

"The mayor is directing his rage at a proposal that would require law enforcement officers to 'certify' that any gun trace information they request will be used only for a criminal investigation or prosecution, a plan he says the justice department once disputed. The mayor says that if the information is used for any other reason, such as tracking broader gun sales patterns, law enforcement officers could be prosecuted." ...

Mike guns for Gonzo (another view)
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"Mayor Bloomberg has stepped up his opposition to a federal law that protects gun records, blasting scandal-scarred Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and the Justice Department for 'criminalizing good police work.'"

"Bloomberg yesterday released the contents of a strongly worded letter to Gonzales, arguing provisions of the measure 'rob us of our best opportunity to identify the trends and patterns that define the illegal-gun black market.'"

"The measure ... restricts law-enforcement access to gun data collected by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives."

"Supporters say the amendment protects the identities of undercover agents and sensitive information about investigations." ...
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KABA Note: Those unnamed supporters include the National President of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Acting Director of the BATFE.

NICS Improvement Act Fact Sheet
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"Improving the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) has been on the top of my agenda for over 5 years. Our current system is deeply flawed and incomplete. Each day, individuals who are barred from purchasing firearms under the 1968 Gun Control Act slip through the cracks, pass background checks and purchase firearms. Congress must address the systems flaws to ensure only those legally eligible to purchase firearms can do so." ...

NY: Senator Adams introduces legislation creating crime of unlawful sale of ammunition
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"Saying it is important to limit the sale of ammunition to those who have legal firearms licenses, State Senator Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) today announced he has introduced legislation that would create the crime of the unlawful sale of ammunition."

"'It is only logical to require any purchaser of ammunition to produce a valid firearms license for a weapon that uses that type of ammunition,' Senator Adams said." ...

TN: Guns in Parks Bill Moves Forward
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A bill that would allow anyone with a handgun carry permit to take it into any public recreational area in the state - including parks, playgrounds, civic centers and zoos - has passed a key vote this morning."

"The House Judiciary Committee passed the bill by a 6-4 vote."

"The original bill only would have allowed guns in state parks, but the bill as amended broadens that to any recreational area operated by a state or local government. A second amendment would require governments to post the new rules."

"The bill does not cover schools or college campuses, which will remain off limits to handguns." ...

FL: NRA Endorses Rep. Baxley of Ocala
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"No surprise that the National Rifle Association had endorsed Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, in his campaign for the state Senate."

"Baxley, an avowed Second Amendment advocate despite never owning a gun of his own, has pushed for a number of NRA priorities while serving in the Florida House since 2000, including the controversial 'castle doctrine' law the legalized use of a gun if its owner feels threatened."

"'Dennis Baxley's superlative record, on issues that are important to gun owners and sportsmen, stands alone in this race,' said Marion Hammer, past president of the NRA. 'No other candidate in this race has the background of dedicated legislative service for the cause of freedom.'" ...

TN: Gun bill should be shot down
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"There are many good reasons the legislature should not pass a law to allow folks to carry guns into state parks. But there's one that stands out: golf."

"That's, right golf. Have you ever been around a guy who's having a truly lousy round? It's not pretty. I've seen grown men at charity fundraisers cuss a blue streak, stomp their feet and fling a golf club."

"Throw a loaded handgun into the golf cart? Yikes."

"Or how about bringing handguns along for the youth group-friendly raft ride down the Ocoee River? That would lend new meaning to the term, 'shoot the rapids.'"

"Don't like the veggies on the Mother's Day buffet this Sunday at Fall Creek Falls? Be afraid. Be very afraid."

"Yes, I'm being facetious ..." ...

MO: Liberalizing gun control laws
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Virginia Tech massacre features a disturbed gun-obsessed killer. ... a mentally ill man engaged in a random shooting spree at the popular Ward Parkway Center in Kansas City."

"One would think state lawmakers might duck liberalizing gun usage for a spell."

"Yet last week the 'Castle Doctrine' bill breezed through the Missouri House after passing in the state Senate. The bill would inoculate homeowners from civil and criminal liability for blasting - in self defense - would-be arsonists, burglars and assailants on their home turf (or in their car)."

"And in April, the governor gladly signed a bill that now prevents the state or a city from confiscating lawfully possessed firearms ... during a state of emergency ..." ...

TN: Tennessee's Senate Moves To Ban Hunting Under The Influence
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Tennessee Senate today unanimously passed legislation by Senator Roy Herron ... establishing the crime of 'hunting under the influence.'"

"'Drinking or drugging and shooting is at least as dangerous as drinking or drugging and driving, and the penalties for doing it ought to be just as serious,' Herron said. 'We have laws that severely punish driving under the influence and boating under the influence. This bill establishes the crime of hunting under the influence and deals out the same strong punishment.'"

"... A first offense would be punished by 48 hours in jail, a fine of between $350 and $1,500, and the loss of a Tennessee hunting license for one year. Very drunk offenders would be jailed for up to seven days." ...

VA: Va. AG to New YorkC mayor: No more undercover gun transactions
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Attorney General Bob McDonnell has warned New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg about a new law that would prevent the mayor from sending undercover private investigators to buy guns in Virginia."

"The Republican mayor has sued 27 out-of-state gun dealers in attempt to reduce the flow of illegal guns into New York. Between 80 and 90 percent of the firearms used to commit crimes in the city are initially purchased out of state, according to police." ...

"'While I understand that you are attempting to take steps that you believe may enhance the public safety of the citizens of New York City, such laws are Virginia's duty to enforce,' McDonnell wrote in a letter to Bloomberg last month ..." ...

Preamble to a Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge, By Thomas Jefferson, Fall 1778
Submitted by: GunShowOnTheNet.com
Website: http://GunShowOnTheNet.com/

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"...Whereas it appeareth that however certain forms of government are better calculated than others to protect individuals in the free exercise of their natural rights, and are at the same time themselves better guarded against degeneracy, yet experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms, those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny and it is believed that the most effectual means of preventing this would be, to illuminate, as far as practicable, the minds of the people at large . . . they may be enabled to know ambition under all its shapes, and prompt to exert their natural powers to defeat its purposes..."

AL: Indictment Returned in 42 Year Old Civil Rights Shooting
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A Perry County, Louisiana grand jury returned an indictment today (Wednesday) after meeting behind closed doors for two-hours to review the 1965 shooting death of a black man by a state trooper during a melee at a civil rights demonstration." ...

"... retired state trooper James Bonard Fowler was the target of the grand jury investigation and had said he expected to be indicted in the fatal shooting of 26-year-old Jimmie Lee Jackson. The killing of Jackson inspired the historic 'Bloody Sunday' protest at Selma."

"Fowler maintains he shot Jackson in self-defense in a struggle over his gun while he and other troopers were being struck with bottles. He said he was not asked to appear before the grand jury." ...

NY: Police pistol firing probed
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A Syracuse police officer who fired his weapon near the Thruway after a funeral for a Utica police officer is the subject of an internal police investigation, Syracuse police Chief Gary Miguel said Tuesday." ...

"The incident occurred when a bus carrying Syracuse police officers pulled over about 10 p.m. April 18 on the state Thruway in Madison County so officers could relieve themselves, Miguel said."

"Several officers left the bus and walked across a grass strip alongside the highway and into the woods, Miguel said."

"The officer under investigation urinated and then fired his pistol once into the ground, Miguel said." ...

ME: Education, not gun control, should be focus
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"I would like to weigh in from a woman's viewpoint on the April 21 Kennebec Journal article discussing more gun control laws. As a mother, grandmother, nurse and farm girl with 27 years of military experience, I have very definite views on guns and their use."

"The statement that 'it is just too easy for anybody to go in and buy a gun' is thankfully true. Where would this great country be without citizen access to firearms? What is needed, however, in light of the recent events of violence in this country is not more control, but more education on the use and benefits of firearms."

"I have asked this question repeatedly since the massacre in Virginia. Why was the gunman not tackled? ..." ...

CA: National shooting records set by local club shooters
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"Since the beginning of 2007, members of the Hi-Desert Rod & Gun Club have set nine official National Rifle Association (NRA) national shooting records."

"Junior member Jacob Miller of Bermuda Dunes, set two official NRA records for smallbore rifle competition, bringing his total to four. His older brother, David, now in college, holds two national records."

"Helen Flint of Yucca Valley set yet another smallbore rifle national team record while shooting with the Los Angeles Rifle and Revolver Club Team at their Whittier Narrows Recreation Area rifle range. She now has set 26 records." ...

NY: Right to arms is true guarantee of liberty
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"In Mark Freeman's April 29 column, he outlines what a sportsman 'needs' in the way of hunting and target weapons."

"How thoughtful of him to decide for others what they 'need!'"

"Is Mr. Freeman a socialist? We should only be allowed to have what someone else decides we need?"

"Who gets to decide what I need? Who does Freeman believe should decide what he needs?"

"I'd like to remind him that the public's right to private ownership of firearms doesn't exist for the convenience of hunters and target shooters." ...

IL: Organizing angry moms
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

The Glock killed 32 people.

The Constitution refers to a well-armed militia, and at that time, a single shot musket was state of the art for weaponry.

If you talk to most people, we respect the rights of hunters to hunt. But we are 100 percent against killers killing. Take the AK-47s and Glocks and other killing weapons and melt them down so nobody has them.

To even consider arming everyone talk about insanity so, where does that end? Do we give pre-schoolers a pistol in their backpacks?

I am beginning a grassroots campaign of mothers, angry mothers, who have finally had enough. Watch out National Rifle Association, we are going to unite like you've never seen and get these obscenities gone.

TX: More armed Texans only help create a safer state
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A recent Chronicle editorial predicted removing restrictions on concealed carry of handguns in certain locations is a 'formula for bloodshed' and would fuel the 'domestic arms race.'"

"In opposing the concealed handgun law in 1995, the language was similar. 'Blood in the streets,' a return to the 'Wild West,' and 'shootouts at every four way stop.'"

"None of this occurred. Since then, little has changed."

"The tragedy at Virginia Tech reignited this debate and again demonstrated how clueless the anti-self defense crowd can be. Once again, emotional pleas, not thoughtful consideration of the facts, fuel the editorial process." ...

CA: NRA holds fundraiser to aid in gun safety
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"On Thursday the Yolo County Chapter of the Friends of the National Rifle Association will hold its 12th annual fundraiser dinner and auction at the Elks Lodge in Woodland."

"The prime rib dinner has attracted more than 200 local supporters from throughout Yolo, Colusa and Solano counties in the past years."

"According to event chairman, Kent Malcolm, the no-host bar will open at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. with the live auction, silent auction and special drawings for exclusive NRA merchandise such as prints, knives, jewelry and firearms to follow dinner." ...

WA: Downtown's Gun Business Takes Another Beating
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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... "Customers who dream of owning guns they can't carry without assistance are the reason Central has been in business since 1927. ... the shop has provided all manner of intimidating and esoteric armaments to Seattle's gun heads. John Wayne even staged a scene at Central for his 1974 cop film, McQ, solidifying the shop's reputation as a destination for people who like shootin' stuff."

"But First Avenue is no longer the gun-shopping mecca it once was. With the erection of every new condo development, Alan and his brother Larry Goldman have seen a corresponding drop in sales receipts. In the late '90s, they might've sold 2,000 guns a year, says Alan, whereas last year it was about 750. ..." ...

IL: ISRA-PVF to Announce 'Gun Grabber of the Year' Award
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The following is being issued by the ISRA Political Victory Fund:"

"WHAT: Press conference to discuss the status of gun control legislation in the Illinois General Assembly as well as to announce the awarding of the first ever, 'Gun Grabber of the Year' award by the ISRA-PVF."

"WHEN: Thursday, 10 May 2007, 4:45 PM WHERE: Diplomat West Banquet Hall, northwest corner of Route 83 and North Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois"

"WHO: Richard Pearson, Chairman, ISRA Political Victory Fund. Alan Gottlieb, Chairman, Second Amendment Foundation"

"A 4:45 PM press conference kicks off an evening of activities for the ISRA Political Victory Fund (ISRA-PVF) and the Illinois State Rifle Association." ...

IN: No knife massacres, so guns to blame
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

In light of the massacres at Virginia Tech and Columbine High School, we are no longer willing to accept the high price of gun freedom in this country. The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Center for Health Statistics lists 30,136 firearm deaths per year, including 16,750 firearm suicides. We dont hear of knifing massacres. Both homicide and suicide attempts are deadly with guns. Guns kill people.

Why have we agreed to let this carnage continue? Is it possible to have a free society and still value human life? Join our former mayor, Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, at www.bradycampaign.org. It is time to say no to guns and yes to life.

Australia: Pizza store 'heroics' concern watchdog
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"PIZZA store staff who overpowered an armed robber and held him until police arrived are having their actions investigated by the West Australian work safety watchdog."

"Police allege two armed bandits tried to hold up a pizza store in southeastern Kenwick last night, but staff tackled one of the would-be robbers causing him to drop his pistol." ...

"Meanwhile, WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today she was investigating the actions of the pizza store staff who overpowered the armed robber." ...

"'The best course of action is to co-operate with the robber it is never worth putting yourself and others at risk in these situations by trying to be a hero,' she said."