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An Outstanding Post-Attack Defense of the Second Amendment
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Inevitably and almost immediately after crazed leftist James T. Hodgkinson shot and wounded five, including Republican Rep. Steve Scalise, as they practiced for a baseball game, gun control came up. A reporter asked Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL), who had just survived the harrowing attack, Congressman, does this change your views on the gun situation in America? Yep, leftists are once again exploiting an atrocity to trot out the tired, flawed guns are the problem anti-Second Amendment narrative. But Brooks didnt take the bait. In fact, he tactfully and expertly exposed the flaw in the argument against the right to bear arms. Brooks responded:

DC: Thomas Massie wants DC to recognize concealed carry permits from other states
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Rep. Thomas Massie introduced a bill Thursday allowing people with a concealed carry permit from their home state to use that permit while in the District of Columbia following Wednesday's shooting at Republicans' baseball practice.

"What I'm trying to do is anticipate how to avoid a tragic situation in the future, and what the American people don't realize is that most congressmen do not have a security detail, and we are as exposed as the general public is exposed as they come to visit our nation's capital," Massie, R-Ky., said in an interview on Fox Business.

"I don't want to extend a special privilege just to congressmen. I recognize that everyone has the right to defend themselves, and that's in the Constitution."

Study: Gun Owners Dont Just Fear Crime, Believe Society At Brink Of Collapse
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Gun ownership in the United States has long been a topic of controversy split along party lines, but supporters beliefs may be more profound that you might think. A new study finds the desire to own a handgun for self defense is not simply the result of ones concern about being a victim of a crime, but also linked with the belief that the world is an unpredictable and dangerous place and that society is at the brink of collapse.

Scientists from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands and the University of Maryland proposed a model that concluded it is not just concrete, specific threats that change our behavior, but also vague, general ideas about threat, ...

AZ: Second Amendment: An American tragedy
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A year ago, Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives staged a sit-in demanding a vote on federal gun-safety bills following the shootings at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando. The National Rifle Associations lobbying was largely blamed for no vote happening. But looking deeper, the Second Amendment, with the unique American individualism wrapped around it, underlies all. It is Americas fundamental gun problem.

As Michael Waldman at the Brennan Center for Justice suggests in Politico Magazine, the NRAs construing of the Second Amendment as an unconditional right to own and carry guns (a right beyond actual constitutional law in Supreme Court rulings) is why it thrives and has clout.

Profs Mock Scalise Support For Second Amendment After Shooting Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are 2 comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Several college professors took advantage of Wednesdays shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise to mock his support for gun ownership and the Second Amendment. Daniel Blair, a physics professor from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., tweeted that he hopes Scalise will rethink his A+ rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) following the shooting.

MA: Joe Arpaio, former Arizona sheriff, to speak at Second Amendment rally in Belchertown
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Joe Arpaio, former sheriff of Arizonas Maricopa County who has styled himself Americas Toughest Sheriff, will be a guest speaker this weekend at a Second Amendment rally in town.

Arpaio, who turns 85 this week, will speak at Belchertowns 4th Annual Flag Day Second Amendment Rally, which starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Swift River Sportsman Club.

Dave Kopacz, organizer of the rally, said Arpaio will probably speak around noon, though the official schedule for the event is still in the works.

Rep. Mo Brooks stance on guns 'absolutely unchanged' after Washington shooting
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Gunfire shattered the tranquility of a light-hearted baseball practice outside Washington on Wednesday, wounding five people that included House Majority Whip Steve Scalise.

It's the latest in what's been a series of public shootings across the country in recent years - events that have stirred the gun debate in the U.S. in the aftermath.

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks saw the shooting up close - too close - at the workout the day before the annual Congressional baseball game at Nationals Park. That experience, however, hasn't shaken him from his position as a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment.

NJ: NJ Democratic strategist creates Hunt Republicans hashtag after shootings
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Rahway resident Jim Devine, a self-described "masterful Democratic Party campaign strategist,' created new #HuntRepublicans and #HuntRepublicanCongressmen Twitter hashtags after the shootings of Rep. Steve Scalise, R-LA, and three others.

"I think it speaks for itself," Devine said of the tweets Thursday. "Yesterday's events are the result of escalating rhetoric and vitriol that has been evident in our political system culminating with the election of our president and the chickens came home to roost, you know?"

KS: Brownback allows gun bill to become law without his signature
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Publicly owned hospitals and other health care facilities can continue banning people from carrying concealed firearms after July 1.

Gov. Sam Brownback on Thursday announced that he was allowing that bill to become law without his signature.

The right to bear arms is essential towards preserving our freedoms and maintaining self-government," he said in a statement released to the media. "Working to secure second amendment rights, while balancing logistical and safety concerns from state mental health hospitals, I assembled stakeholders to forge a solution. I endorsed an agreement that accomplished this goal."

If Were Going To Blame Rhetoric, Which Side Really Incites The Violence?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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And if we are going to deflect blame from the purveyors of violence to the rhetoric which supposedly caused their violent acts, lets take a look at which side actually incites violence with their provocative rhetoric.

Many left-wing politicians and pundits have been able to convince their followers that their opponents on the right are not merely a politically ideological opposition but an evil force. Constant accusations of racism, sexism, homophobia and xenophobia by democratic politicians, celebrities and media personalities have created such a resentment of conservative Americans that violence is sometimes seen as a justifiable reaction. Who could not justify violence against Hitler, right?

Internet Writer Under Fire For Tweets About Virginia Shooting
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A political writer who has published articles with The Washington Post and the New Republic sparked outrage when he tweeted a joke about the congressional baseball shooting.

Four people -- including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise -- were shot when James Hodgkinson, 66, opened fire on Republican congressmen as they practiced for the annual Congressional Baseball Game in Alexandria, Virginia. Hodgkinson was eventually killed in a shootout with police.

As news broke about the shooting, writer Malcolm Harris made a joke on Twitter implying that Hodgkinson may have been acting in self-defense.

How The Left Incites Violence, Then Spins It Into Justification For More Gun Control
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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When the attack on Republican lawmakers at a Congressional baseball practice occurred Wednesday, the nation again witnessed that a good guy with a gun stops a bad guy with a gun. Yet rather than acknowledge that factand it is a factthe left began blaming Congress for not passing more gun control, even as a Congressman was still bleeding on the field.

Think about itpeople on the left responded immediately by blaming the victim for a violent crime that was carried out by a deranged left-wing zealot. The lefts reaction is the result of a complete abandonment of common decency. To them, somebody getting shot in a highly publicized setting is just another opportunity to push their gun control agenda.

ME: LePage considers carrying a gun after congressmans shooting
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Gov. Paul LePage said he may start carrying a gun in response to the Wednesday shooting at a congressional baseball practice in Alexandria, Virginia, that left five people wounded including House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana.

Im thinking of carrying, yes, LePage said when asked whether he felt the need to protect himself after the incident.

LePage cast the shooting, which also left a congressional aide, a lobbyist and two Capitol Police officers wounded and the lone gunman dead, as part of escalating national and global tensions that go beyond politics.

Recognizing 3 Keys To Womens Self-Defense
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Most members of the public seem more motivated to capture the next viral video then to drop their cell phones and render assistance in an emergency. Combine this with the proliferation of video surveillance in our society and unfortunatelyor fortunatelythose who study what real world violence looks like have endless footage of crimes available to them with a few strokes of a keyboard and a wifi password.

NYT: Who Wants to Live in a Society Where Everyone Is Armed for Self-Defense?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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When the Alexandria attack led to call for Congress to pass national reciprocity so citizens can protect themselves, the New York Times responded by suggesting no one wants to live in society where everyone is armed for self-defense.
The NYT said the desire to arm up for self-defense is an entirely reasonable reflex after such an attack, but the editorial board believes actually doing it is a step too far.

According to NYT, The reaction of some [the Alexandria attack] was that the only solution is yet more guns. Representative Mo Brooks of Alabama, who was among those who came under fire on Wednesday, said, Its not easy to take when you see people around you being shot and you dont have a weapon yourself.'

Passing Parade: Florida bill could set national tone
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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What do you do if the Florida State Supreme Court cuts the heart out of the Stand Your Ground law, as they did in 2015? The court ruled that the defendant has the burden of proof before trial, if a Stand Your Ground defense, is pursued.

A bill, sponsored by State Representative Bobby Payne, Republican of Putnam County, would undo that burden by shifting that burden to prosecutors.

That bill was made a priority by the Republican Legislators of Florida. It passed both houses, and now has just been signed into law, by Governor Rick Scott.

MN: Man Found Not Guilty Of Attempted Murder
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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A St. Cloud man who claimed self-defense in a March shooting in Waite Park has been acquitted of the charges against him.

Herbert Owen Campbell was found not guilty of attempted 2nd degree murder and not guilty of 1st degree assault after shooting a man in the chest in a driveway at 255 Waite Avenue North just after 8 p.m. on March 20th.

The jury reached its verdict Thursday afternoon after a trial that lasted three days.

Ed.: Another good guy tried for defending himself. And they wonder why we want SYG laws.

MS: Shes In Jail Because Gun Inside Purse Went Off
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Only main stream left media would present such a story as a firearm issue. Another victim shot in a gun accident?

Later in my paraphrased story above, U S News points out the womans a prohibited felon with a stolen firearm. No doubt the facility was also a posted Gun Free Zone

Typical of anti gun media. Just reading the headline by this reporter, Harold Gater, and you would think it was a careless gun owner, instead of a convicted felon

Just read the headlines and you think it was a careless gun owner, instead of a convicted felon!

'The View' Panel Explodes Over Whether Gun Laws Make People Safer
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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In response to yesterday's shooting that targeted Republican congresspeople, The View had a discussion on gun rights. Joy Behar said, "Because there are tight gun laws here, I take the subway, I take the bus, I walk around freely." And Jedediah Bila, the show's only conservative, responded that she actually feels safer in red states that have more lawful carry options. Whoopi Goldberg didn't like that, and accused Bila of being less than honest about her experiences. She said the Second Amendment is only about keeping a militia, not about self-defense.

Willful Blindness: The Washington Post Ignores Lawful Gun Ownership
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Over a period of three consecutive weekdays this month, The Washington Post dedicated an astonishing 5,752 words to its ongoing effort to further erode the Second Amendment liberties of peaceable American citizens. (See here, here and here.)

The three separate pieces focused on the gut-wrenching fact that survivors impacted by acts of violence are often forever emotionally scarred. Obsessed with the kind of violence that is committed with firearms, the paper examined the two mass murders that happened last year at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla., and at a school in Townsville, S.C.

KY: Attempted Robbery Ends In Shooting Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
An attempted robbery ended in a shoot out Wednesday night. Police say around 11 p.m. a woman on the street flagged an elderly man down and asked him for a ride. She directed him to Hawkins Avenue, where two men with guns walked up and pointed guns at him. The woman jumped out of the car and the man tried to drive off, but police say the men fired at his car.

What radicalized gunman in Virginia shooting?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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We now know that the gunman who apparently intended to take out as many Republican members of Congress as he could was a Bernie Sanders supporter. It has prompted people to ask, was he radicalized by left-wing rhetoric?

Rep. Dave Reichert: I hope we dont have to be surrounded by security

The stuff he wrote about trickle down economics and Republicans giving tax breaks to the 1 percent is straight out of the Democratic platform. But its hardly radical.

His Facebook post that reads, Trump is a traitor Its time to destroy Trump & Co could imply violence. That rhetoric could easily have come from left-wing sites or from the comment section of just about any website.

Should Members Of Congress Be Packing Heat After Alexandria?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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After the shocking events of yesterday morning at the GOP baseball practice field, lawmakers are understandably nervous. Are changes in order in terms of security for the members of Congress who have to spend a fair amount of their time mixing with the public or just going about their private affairs? The fact that the only member with any assigned security detail at the practice was a member of the leadership prompted Senator Rand Paul to note that the ball field might well have been a killing field had the officers protecting the GOP Whip not been there.

FL: Freedom of speech returns to the doctors office
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Its official. Doctors may talk to their patients about gun safety.

Florida had passed a law in 2011 that had restricted the ability of physicians to speak on that subject.

Called Docs vs. Glocks, it was a blatant attack on the First Amendment that did not rise to the level of other constitutional restrictions on free speech, such as slander, libel or falsely yelling fire in a crowded theater.

Had the law survived legal scrutiny, it might have served as model for the rest of the nation, much like Stand Your Ground.

Why Did a Conservative Judge Uphold an Assault Weapons Ban
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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In February, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit dealt gun rights advocates a bitter defeat. In Kolbe v. Hogan, it upheld a Maryland law that bans "assault weapons" and detachable large-capacity magazines, holding that the Second Amendment offers no impediment to such prohibitory legislation. Among the judges who joined the 104 decision was J. Harvie Wilkinson III, who during the George W. Bush administration was rumored to be on the president's shortlist of Supreme Court candidates.

What led a respected conservative judge to uphold a sweeping gun control law, asks Damon Root in the latest print edition of Reason.