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MI: Michigan firearms instructor who shot student accepts plea deal
Submitted by: Corey Salo

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A firearms instructor who accidentally discharged his gun and shot a student in both legs accepted a plea deal in a Livonia courtroom Thursday.

Michael Edward Hearn, 44, of Farmington Hills, a concealed pistol license training class instructor at Firearm Exchange in Livonia, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge punishable by up to a year in jail.

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office originally charged Hearn with careless, negligent or reckless use of a firearm.

Livonia 16th District Judge Sean P. Kavanagh delayed sentencing because the victim wishes to be present and couldn't attend the hearing Thursday.

"There was no intent to do any harm at all," said Hearn's attorney, Jim Makowski. It was an unfortunate accident.

Women's Growing Interest in Guns Good for Everybody Submitted by: Silkman Website: www.thirteenfox.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
I strongly believe the future success of Second Amendment advocacy is tied to our ability to bring females into the fold. This should be an easy mission. Collectively, we all have the same goal. Women empowerment. After all, "gun rights are women's rights."

WA: CCRKBA To Seattle: Gun Violence Tax Is A Monumental Failure!
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Almost two years after the City of Seattle adopted a hastily-crafted gun violence tax ostensibly aimed at reducing so-called gun violence, city police statistics show a startling 17 percent increase in the number of police calls for gunshots, and an alarming 30 percent increase in the number of shooting victims.

That gun violence tax is been a monumental failure, and we are challenging Mayor Ed Murray and the Seattle City Council to publicly admit it, declared Alan Gottlieb, chairman of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, based in nearby Bellevue. You simply cannot provide better evidence than the Seattle Police Departments crime statistics of such a colossally stupid idea that has not worked.

20 million birds and other animals die annually after ingesting lead left behind by hunters
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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In March, conservationists cried foul when new U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke overturned an Obama-administration ban on using lead ammunition or fishing tackle on federal lands. Lead is toxic to the neurological systems of animals that ingest it, killing millions each year. Though lead's poisonous effects on wildlife have been known for more than a century, eliminating it from nature continues to be an uphill battle.

Mark Pokras, V84, an associate professor emeritus of infectious disease and global health at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, conducted research on lead poisoning in loons that led to several state bans on lead fishing tackle.

OH: Not Guilty of Murder
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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During opening statements Wednesday, Barnett told the jury the case was not a case of who done it by any means because Blanchard admitted he shot Fairchild. He said Blanchard climbed a ladder into the back door of a trailer at 323 Valley St., Minerva, and shot Fairchild with a 9mm handgun.

The defense claimed it was a case of self defense, saying Blanchard drove by the trailer earlier in the day Aug. 31, saw the back door open, thought someone had burglarized the trailer, went home and got a gun and returned to the trailer to check. He said as Blanchard was checking the inside of the trailer, Fairchild lunged at him and Blanchard shot him.

OK: Gun measure gets signed
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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A bill that makes it legal for people to draw their weapons in self-defense, but not have to shoot an assailant, was signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin.

Senate Bill 40, authored by Sen. Michael Bergstrom, allows a person to point a weapon at a perpetrator in self-defense or in order to thwart, stop or deter a forcible felony or attempted forcible felony. Under current law, pointing a firearm at someone else is illegal except in instances of deadly force.

Bergstrom says SB40 is a step in the right direction to improve self-defense law in Oklahoma.

CA: Man says PB stabbing was self-defense, cops say Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
A man was taken to the hospital after being stabbed in Pacific Beach early Thursday. The stabbing occurred in the 1500 block of La Playa Avenue around 6 a.m. According to police, a person called 911 to say he stabbed a man in self-defense.

WA: County educates citizens on legal, moral ramifications of self-defense
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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That was a fundamental message of a detailed four-hour class on Self-Defense and the Law given last month by the Okanogan County Sheriffs Office, in partnership with the county prosecutor.

Okanogan County Sheriffs Deputy Michael Blake, a certified instructor who also trains sheriffs deputies and leads safety trainings in county offices, reminded the 135 attendees to think about the criminal, civil and emotional ramifications of their actions. Youre there to stop them. And then you stop dont keep shooting. Your ultimate goal is to be safe, not to hurt the person, said Blake.

Self defense expert gets manhandled by wrestler
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Many self defense experts have long been criticized for a lack of realism in their counter attacks to various real life threats. In the video above, you can see a self defense instructor shadow boxing. The intimidating intro to his video didnt last too long however, as his attacker for the demonstration quickly shows how a wrestler can stop his counter.

The wrestler easily takes the man to the ground and effortlessly controls him while our expert looks to secure what appears to potentially be an inverted triangle. He then manages to scramble back to his feet, where he once again manages to get taken down by his attacker as the cameraman and people off screen continue to laugh.

When the smoke clears
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Memorial Day is almost here, a day when we honor those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedoms we enjoy.

Even as we remember those who died to defend our nation and way of life Im reminded that the ultimate responsibility for my protection lies with me.

Thats why everyone in my home is proficient in the use of firearms and my wife and I have concealed carry permits.

News channels and social media spring to life every time theres a mass shooting but if they did so every time an American used a firearm in self-defense there would be no time to cover anything else.

UT: Bishop introduces bill to protect and defend 2nd Amendment
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01) has introduced H.R. 2620, the Lawful Purpose and Self Defense Act.

The Act will eliminate ambiguity in current code that could lead to the restriction of certain types of firearms and ammunition that are used for self-defense. This legislation will curtail the ability to interfere with the rights to obtain and use firearms for lawful purposes. Bishop offered the following statement:

NC: Home Owner Shoots at Five Greenville Teens, All Charged In Home Break-In
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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A homeowner was notified of the break-in by his alarm and camera system around 2:45 p.m. They say he alerted the sheriff's office while on his way home.

When he arrived, deputies say, the man encountered several teenagers still inside and fired at them as they fled. One of the teens was immediately caught by responding deputies, while a second was found in a nearby field. The other three were arrested around 10:00 p.m. after a search in the Hugo area.

One of the burglars was hit in the arm and has non-life threatening injuries and remains at Vidant Medical Center.

Trump lawyers ask Supreme Court to reject 2nd Amendment claim by men who lost gun rights over nonviolent crimes
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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However, both offenses triggered the federal ban. Since 1968, federal law has prohibited people from owning a gun if they have been convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. Although the two men pleaded guilty to misdemeanors, their crimes could have been punished by more than a year in jail.

Gura argued it was absurd to stretch the federal law to cover state misdemeanors that did not result in a jail sentence. He also argued that because the 2nd Amendment protects a constitutional right, judges should waive the ban for people who were convicted of minor, nonviolent offenses in the past and have had a law-abiding record since then.

Gun Digest the Magazine Announces Major Expansion
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Gun Digest the Magazine, a property of Gun Digest Media, LLC, has announced a significant expansion to its flagship title. Beginning with the June issue, several notable columnists will be lending their expertise to the magazines pages, reinforcing the Gun Digest promise of We Know Guns So You Know Guns.

These new columns and partnerships with key subject-matter experts add to the extensive firearms coverage the Gun Digest brand has been known for during the past 73 years.

Review: Kahr CM9 Pistol
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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The world of modern firearms has become much like that of cars or motorcycles. Folks get comfortable with a certain manufacturer and tend to stick with it. I know guys who would never consider any other shotgun than a Winchester because that's the gun grandpa used to teach them to hunt rabbits. Kahr Arms has been at a bit of a disadvantage, due to a lack of name recognition. However, those looking for a concealed-carry pistol would do well to examine the Kahr CM9.

WA: Second Amendment group prods Tacoma to repeal Taser ban
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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A legal team retained by gun rights advocates are warning a Washington city that its prohibition on stun guns and Tasers could land them in federal court.

The Firearms Policy Coalition is holding Tacoma to task over its local ordinances against the sale, manufacturing, purchasing, possessing or carrying of any electroshock device by a law-abiding resident, visitor or traveler.

The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms not only the right to keep and bear firearms, said FPC attorney Stephen Stamboulieh in an April 3 letter to the Tacoma city attorney, citing the 2008 Heller decision as well as a 2016 Supreme Court case directly concerning stun guns.

Five Pro-Second Amendment Moves McConnell and Ryan Could be Making
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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When the House and Senate both voted to repeal the Social Security gun ban in February, Americans got the impression that we finally had legislators who were going to be proactive on the Second Amendment, who would seize the opportunity of having a pro-gun president, and pass bill after bill to bolster the exercise of Second Amendment rights.

However, everything stalled as both the House and Senate appear to have largely embraced a return to status quo on gun rights.

What follows are five pro-gun moves that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) could be making right now, but are not.

Supreme Court Reschedules Concealed Carry Case For Eighth Time
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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The Supreme Court put off the Peruta case, which could restore concealed carry in NJ if taken up, again this morning. Second Amendment advocates are eagerly watching the courts to see what the court will do with this case, because if the court were to strike down California concealed carry laws, New Jersey's would be on the chopping block as well.

The Court has rescheduled the case for their conference on the 25th of May. We will not know the results of that conference until the following Monday.

KS: Court: US gun ban doesnt apply to city domestic abuse laws
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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A Kansas man convicted of misdemeanor domestic battery under a city ordinance can legally carry a gun, an appeals court found in a ruling that could have broader implications for firearm sales.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling came in the case of Alexander Pauler, a Wichita man who was accused of violating a federal law that prohibits someone from owning a gun if theyve been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence under federal, state or tribal law.

PA: State bill to expand firearm background checks
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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A new bill to extend criminal background checks to all purchases of firearms was formally unveiled Tuesday in Harrisburg.

State Rep. Jamie Santoras, R-163 of Drexel Hill, House Bill 1400 will add a paragraph to section 6111 of the state code, sale or transfer of firearms, to include a background check for the sale of all guns . Current state law requires a background check for the purchase of handguns with a barrel less than 15 inches. The bill will also offer a multi-day background check approval for use at lawful gun shows in the state. The bill was presented on the House floor May 18 and referred to the Judiciary Committee.

More Gun Hysteria in the Media Than Ever, Says Author
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Stephen Hunter cut his teeth at the Baltimore Sun before moving to The Washington Post in 1997. It was there that he became the publications chief film critic and eventually won the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism in 2003.

Hunter left his job in 2008 to focus entirely on writing thriller novels, the newest of which, G-Man, was recently released. His primary literary protagonist, former Marine sniper Bob Lee Swagger, is also now at the center of a popular USA Network series, called Shooter.

American Guns Drive the Migrant Crisis That Trump Wants to Fix With a Wall
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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When José Luis Hernández was a boy, his hometown of San Pedro Sula, Honduras, had its share of gangs, neighborhood toughs who used knives to claim turf and settle scores. As he came of age, a new generation of criminals took over. These crews worked with international organized crime rings, and they carried guns.

I started seeing guys around town that werent just local gangs, Hernández says. They were sicarios professional killers working for the drug cartels armed better than the police. Theyd have AK-47s.

Lott criticizes state background check system at Pennsylvania gun rally
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Popular pro-gun economist and author Dr. John Lott dumped on Pennsylvanias background check system during a rally Monday at the state capitol.

During his nine-minute speech at the Make the Second Amendment Great Again rally, Lott praised law enforcement, challenged gun free zones and griped about the failures of the Pennsylvania Instant Criminal Check System, which costs state police about $7 million to operate each year.

British Sniper with American Gun Kills Islamic State Jihadist 1.5 Miles Away
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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A British SAS sniper armed with an American gun took out an Islamic State jihadist in Mosul from a distance of 1.5 miles.

The sniper was using a CheyTac M200 Intervention, which is made in South Carolina, USA.

The Daily Mail reports that the ISIS jihadist was himself a sniper and was moving from position to position to find the place from which to shoot infidels when the SAS sniper shot him in the throat. Because of the distance between the jihadist and the SAS sniper, it took three whole seconds for the bullet to reach its target.

ID: Our right to drugs
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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The controls on guns are falling away because citizens convinced the judiciary to recognize the Second Amendment. The war on drugs is an end run around constitutional federalism through international treaties. Before the narcotics treaties were ratified, the states alone had the power to criminalize drug use. Because the people of the states now demand legal access to cannabis, federalism is being restored for that benign drug. But there is no large state demand for legal meth, heroin or cocaine. Fewer people use these drugs, and the fog of prohibitionist misinformation clouds common sense.

KS: Court overturns gun charge stemming from local domestic abuse conviction
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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A unanimous panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found that a Kansas man prohibited from gun possession due to a prior domestic battery charge shouldnt be.

The court on Tuesday overturned the conviction on a federal weapons charge of Alexander Pauler, a Wichita man found with a gun after his conviction on a previous misdemeanor crime of domestic violence made him a prohibited firearms possessor. The court held that only a history of domestic abuse convictions under federal, state or tribal law can strip away gun rights, while Pauler had been charged with breaking a Witch municipal domestic battery ordinance.