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McCarthy Bill Moves To The Senate -- "Compromise" bill represents the most far-reaching gun bill in years (GOA)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Associated Press got it right last week when it stated that, 'The House Wednesday passed what could become the first major federal gun control law in over a decade.'" ...

"In 2000, President Clinton added between 80,000 - 90,000 names of military veterans -- who were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) -- into the NICS background check system. ..."

"For seven years, GOA has been arguing that what Clinton did was illegitimate. But if this McCarthy bill gets enacted into law, a future Hillary Clinton administration would actually have the law on her side to ban a quarter of all military veterans (thats the number of veterans who have Post Traumatic Stress) from owning guns." ...

Anti-Gun Congressmans Guns Confiscated In Wake Of Indictment
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"It came to my attention on June 12 that Congressman William Jefferson, Democrat of Louisiana, had his gun collection confiscated by the authorities in the wake of being indicted on June 8th."

"... Quite frankly, without waiting for the trial, I will admit I personally think he is as guilty as sin. The ... loss of his personal gun collection could not have happened to a more deserving fellow."

"Jefferson has been ... an ardent foe of gun owners since taking office [in 1991]. ... Yet despite my admission that I think he is guilty, the confiscation of his guns without a conviction is something that concerns me greatly."

"What bothers me is the fact that we now take rights from people without due process. ..." ...

Pills at fault
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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JOHN Travolta blames Virginia Tech, Columbine and all the other tragic school shootings not on the psychos who committed the heinous acts - but on psychiatric drugs. "I still think that if you analyze most of the school shootings, it is not gun control. It is [psychotropic] drugs at the bottom of it," Travolta told W. But the "Hairspray" film star won't be jumping on couches over the issue or attacking Matt Lauer as his fellow Scientologist, Tom Cruise, did last year: "I don't disagree with anything Tom says. How would I have presented it? Maybe differently than how he did, but it doesn't matter."

OH: Woman Claims Self-Defense In Shooting
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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A Cincinnati woman is charged with felonious assault after police said she shot a man who came to her home.

In court Wednesday, officials said that Janice Young had a protection order against Eugene Vassar. [emphasis added]

On Tuesday, officials said, Vassar came to Young's home on Beech Street. At some point, police said, Young pulled out a .38-caliber revolver and fired twice, hitting Vassar both times.

Vassar drove to a nearby police station for help and was transported to University Hospital for treatment.

Young told police the shooting was self-defense. She is being held on $10,000 bond.

FL: Miami Man Shoots, Kills Small Dog
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A schnauzer dog bit a man who then shot and killed it in a southwest Miami-Dade County neighborhood Wednesday."

"The man said he was walking his dog when another dog attacked him and he was forced to fire." ...

"According to witnesses, the man was walking his dog when a schnauzer ran out and attacked him."

"'The two dogs started fighting, and then the dog bit him in the leg and ripped his pants, so the man took out a gun and shot the dog,' another witness said through an English translator." ...

"Miami-Dade Fire Rescue treated the man on the scene for his injuries."

"Miami Police said they did not charge for any crime because he had a permit for the gun and he was acting in self-defense."

AL: Be a good neighbor: talk before shooting pet
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"When people talk about how folks arent as neighborly as they once were, they may be referring to the fact that, in Limestone County, neighbors are shooting their neighbors' beloved pets." ...

"It is not our place, or desire, to determine which version is true that is for authorities to determine. While we understand pet owners bear the responsibility of keeping their pets off the property of others, we wonder why civilized adults cannot discuss problems before any guns are required."

"Unless a person or his family or livestock are in imminent danger of being mauled by an animal, in which case defense is necessary, why not go to your neighbor and try to resolve the problem before taking violent action?" ...

CA: Bloomberg Quits G.O.P., Fueling Further Talk of 08 Bid
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg [of New York City] announced Tuesday that he was dropping his Republican affiliation, a step that could clear the way for him to make an independent bid for the presidency."

"The announcement was released during a campaign-style swing through California ..." ...

"Mr. Bloombergs aides are working intensely behind the scenes promoting the idea of the mayors candidacy and exploring the mechanics of starting an independent campaign."

"The aides ... would seek to identify states where his positions on major issues global warming, immigration, a crackdown on illegal guns could resonate. If he is well received, the travels could begin to lay a foundation for his candidacy." ...

As a moderate and gun supporter, Richardson Dems' best bet
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"With the unusually early race for the presidency in 2008, it seems the media had created so-called 'rock star' candidates in order to add to the hype. ... it is easy to miss the second and third tier candidates that are also in the race for the White House in 2008. ..."

"Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico is a Democrat running for the presidency in 2008. Gov. Richardson's resume is so expansive that it would be very difficult to point to an issue he has not had experience with. ..."

"... Richardson is a rare breed in the Democratic Party. He is a man that is a strong supporter for the Second amendment. He believes gun ownership is a very important right that should not be taken away. ..." ...

NY: Controversial Gun Tracing Amendment
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"You may have seen an ad in the newspaper or commercials on TV in the past week, they reference something called the Tiahrt amendment. But many people have no idea what it is."

"It's a law that keeps information about who is buying and selling guns private, even from local police."

"Mayors of cities across the country are trying to get it repealed." ...

"The commercial asks people to call Congressmen Walsh and ask him to reconsider, but from his Washington office, he tells us he supports the amendment."

"'Syracuse police jurisdiction is the city of Syracuse. Federal ATF officials and FBI, they have the responsibility to track cross state crimes, and they have access to this information,' Walsh says." ...

VA: Proposed gun ban angers homeowners
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A proposal to add the Lakes at Dare to 62 other areas in York County where shooting small-caliber firearms is prohibited drew withering fire from a half-dozen residents of the subdivision."

"As a result, the York County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed Tuesday night to table the request by the president of the Lakes at Dare Homes Association to make the subdivision off-limits to discharging firearms."

"Residents of the subdivision told the supervisors they were unaware that the county was prepared to include Lakes at Dare in the no-shooting zones until they read it in the Daily Press Tuesday morning."

"Marianne Bayer said the homeowners association didn't poll the residents or ask their opinion." ...

IL: Giving Southern Illinois a voice
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Dear Editor: In light of your June 17 editorial 'Southern Illinois Deserves United Voice for Progress,' we are writing to discuss the unity that currently exists, and the good it is bringing for Southern Illinois." ...

"... Our region has led the way on several important issues such as medical malpractice reform, the defeat of Chicago anti-gun measures ..."

"In Southern Illinois, we are proud to say that our values transcend party labels. We remain committed to ... defending the Second Amendment, and supporting our active military and stateside veterans. And most importantly, we will always listen to the needs and concerns of those we represent, because that is what we are elected to do." ...

OH: SB184 assigned to Senate Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice (BFA)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Buckeye Firearms Association is pleased to announce that Senator Steve Buehrer's Castle Doctrine legislation, which concerns protecting crime victims and restoring the presumption of innocence to those forced to act in self-defense, has received a committee assignment."

"Click 'Read More' for a list of the members of the Ohio Senate Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice, their status as co-sponsors of this legislation, their previous record on firearms-related legislation, etc..." ...

Soldiers take titles at pistol championships
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Army Marksmanship Unit out-shot its service rivals recently at the 48th annual Interservice Pistol Championships."

"More than 50 shooters from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force competed in the championship at Fort Benning, Ga., June 8-15, according to an Army press release."

"'One-handed precision pistol shooting is an amazingly difficult skill,' Lt. Col. David J. Liwanag said in the release. Liwanag is the former Marksmanship Unit commander and was the guest speaker at the June 15 awards banquet."

"Staff Sgt. James Henderson won the overall championship with a score of 3,542 points out of a possible 3,600, breaking the interservice record of 3,536 that he set in 2004." ...

FL: Jacksonville officer faces DUI charge
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A Jacksonville police sergeant has been suspended after his arrest Sunday on drunken driving and traffic charges."

"Patrol Sgt. Charles Harold Ford, 37, was arrested about 3 a.m. after a crash ..."

"Officers said Ford's breath smelled like alcohol ... Ford refused to answer questions or perform field sobriety tests and was booked into jail on charges of driving under the influence and making an improper U-turn, the report says. It contains no information about his blood-alcohol level."

"Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Melissa Bujeda said Ford has been relieved of his duties and police powers pending internal affairs and criminal investigations. Citing department policy, she wouldn't answer questions about the investigation."

MD: Time running out for grand jury in Washington case
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Prince Georges County grand jury reviewing evidence in the Jan. 24 case where former county homeland security official Keith Washington shot two furniture deliverymen has just one more week to decide whether charges should be filed against anyone before its term expires."

"One of the men injured in the incident later died."

"This case is being handled separately from one where Washington has been indicted on charges that he pulled a gun on a real estate appraiser who came to his home April 5." ...

"Washington is a former deputy director of homeland security in Prince Georges and a county police officer; he has been suspended without pay from the police force." ...

ID: ATF Agents Visit Reds...Leave Early
Submitted by: Red's Trading Post
Website: http://www.redstradingpost.com

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Red's Trading Post owner Ryan Horsley says the ATF agents conducting an audit at his store left early yesterday. He said they were only there for about 20 minutes after spending the full day there on Monday. Monday the agents did find a possible infraction where a date was left off of a transfer slip. Things got heated on Monday when the Times News tried to take a picture of the agents at work. Tuesday on Top Story listeners were invited to go by Red's and see the agents in action. Horsley says he thinks that may have prompted the agents to leave early. But, he says he's confident they will be back.

TX: Texas cops taser diabetic seizure man
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"A Texas man who called 911 to request medical assistance for a diabetic seizure earned a tasering from local cops for his trouble, the Waxahachie Daily Light reports."

"Allen Nelms, 52, was suffering said seizure 'during the early morning hours of April 28 when his girlfriend, Josie Edwards, called 911 to request paramedics'." ...

"Nelms claims he was 'struck by Taser barbs on his left side, his back and his shoulder' as he went to roll over, and subsequently handcuffed, with 'paramedics intervening when the officers began trying to yank the Taser barbs from his skin'. The paramedics removed the barbs, checked Nelms' blood sugar level, and the cuffs came off. He was neither arrested nor charged." ...
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Submitter's Note: "To serve and protect"?

PA: Off-Duty Officer Faces DUI Charge After Crash Into Patrol Car
Submitted by: jac

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"Philadelphia police arrested a six-year veteran of their force and charged him with aggravated assault and driving under the influence after he allegedly drove into a marked patrol car and a civilian car early Tuesday morning."

"Michael Connell, 35, a 22nd District officer, was off duty when he rammed into the cars ... at about 3:30 a.m. ..."

"An on-duty officer was inside the patrol car and suffered head and back injuries. The three people inside the other struck car said they were uninjured."

"Connell was arrested at the scene and taken to Presbyterian Hospital for an injured hand and blood alcohol testing." ...

"Connell was suspended for 30 days by with intent to dismiss, police said."
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Submitters note: You don't get a bye when you run into a cop car.

CT: Former Police Officer To Enter Family Violence Education Program
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A former Windsor police officer accused of holding a gun to a woman's head in 2004 was granted entry to the family violence education program today."

"Dennis Adams, 31, was charged with four misdemeanors: disorderly conduct, second-degree threatening, second-degree harassment and coercion, Judge Howard Scheinblum granted Adams' admission to the pre-trial diversionary program in Superior Court in Enfield ..." ...

"According to court documents, the woman contacted Windsor Locks police April 1, 2004, and told them that on March 27, 2004, Adams held an unloaded Desert Eagle semiautomatic pistol to her head and pulled the trigger." ...

DC: Walter Reed guard fires shots
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Bullets flew but no one was hurt Wednesday when a guard at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington opened fire on another officer he felt insulted him."

"Security officer Dwan Thigpen, 34, is accused of pulling out a handgun and firing 10 shots when the other officer jokingly called him 'retarded' during morning rush hour outside the hospital's main entrance ... A third officer stepped in to break up the confrontation but Thigpen allegedly fired away with bullets hitting two cars and a utility pole but no people, police said."

"Thigpen, an Iraqi war veteran, was charged with assault with intent to kill while armed and faces a court hearing Thursday, police said. The name of the other officer wasn't released." ...

CA: Former Calif. officer charged with rape, assaults
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A former Bell police officer was charged Tuesday with repeated violent crimes, including multiple counts of assault with a deadly weapon and a rape."

"Juan Reyes, 31, of South Gate was arraigned on the charges after a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department investigation of a string of incidents over the last two years. Reyes was dismissed from the Bell police force last month after working for the department for more than five years."

"The Los Angeles County district attorney's office is alleging that Reyes threatened a woman he was dating and two other people with a gun at a Maywood club in July 2005, then followed the woman home and raped her. Prosecutors allege that he later stalked the same woman." ...

LA: Federal Officer Charged with Sexual Solicitation of Minors
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Saint Landry Parish Sheriff's deputies arrested a federal officer after he used the internet to sexually solicit minors."

"51-year-old Randy Courville of Eunice is charged with one count of computer aided solicitation of a minor for sexual purpose and pornography involving juveniles."

"Courville was a commissioned federal officer employed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs."

"These charges result from an investigation by Kenner Police that produced six counts of computer solicitation of a minor."

"Sheriff Bobby Guidroz tells TV 10 this is a wake up call for all parents." ...

CA: Police Sergeant Arrested For Sex With 14-Year-Old Girl
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A 58-year-old San Francisco police sergeant has been suspended without pay for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old girl, an Oakland police spokesman said today."

"Sgt. Donald Forte was arrested Thursday in Oakland and suspended without pay Friday, said San Francisco police Sgt. Steve Mannina."

"Forte has worked for the San Francisco Police Department for 36 years and at the time of his arrest was a sergeant in the traffic division."

"At about 11:35 p.m., Oakland police responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle ... Oakland police spokesman Roland Holmgren said."

"Officers found the teen with Forte, who was off duty."

"It was determined that prostitution took place, according to Holmgren." ...

TX: Allegations could taint handgun permits
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"People who received concealed handgun permits through a Harris County deputy constable charged with falsely claiming his students had completed the proper training could have their licenses suspended or revoked, a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesman said Tuesday." ...

"Deputy Wilbert Jue, 52, was fired from his job in Precinct 1 Constable Jack Abercia's office on Monday after being charged with two felony counts of tampering with records. ..." ...

"Undercover officers posing as students in Jue's classes were able to obtain licenses without completing the required hours, Rosenthal said. He declined to release further details."

MD: Blowing smoke with Choptank Muzzleloaders
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"This past weekend I had one of the most fundays of outdoor activity I've had in a long time, spending a full day near Sudlersville with a group of folks known as the Choptank Muzzleloaders."

"I learned of the group the way most good things are learned of -- by chance -- when I stumbled upon a flyer in a sporting goods store advertising their shoot schedule. I'd been wanting to do more black powder shooting, and my old .54 caplock was languishing in the gun cabinet, so off I went."

"You never know what you're going to get when you walk into a new place, especially on your own, but I doubt I can adequately describe how much I was welcomed. Choptank Muzzleloaders is made up of a great bunch of people ..." ...

WI: Beloit Rifle Club receives award
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

The Beloit Rifle Club has received the Club of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Rifle and Pistol Association. It was chosen from 600 clubs in Wisconsin.

The Beloit Rifle Club was given the award for providing facilities and programs to benefit shooters in Wisconsin for over 80 years.

The Beloit club hosted the Wisconsin Outdoor Pistol Championships for 25 years, the small bore silhouette championships and the Marine Corps training program. It also assisted Beloit College in ballistics education, provided practice facilities for the Beloit Police SWAT team, maintained an active hunter safety program and hosted 4-H sectional and regional competitions.

Switzerland: Parliament gets tough in weapons debate
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Swiss Senate has approved a revised law on weapons which forbids the carrying of dangerous objects and the anonymous purchase of arms over the internet."

"The chamber, which represents Switzerland's cantons, followed the example of the House of Representatives. However, there is no question of a ban on keeping military weapons at home."

"Anonymous sales of guns over the internet or by advertisement are to be banned, but there are exceptions for hunters and members of Switzerland's numerous shooting clubs, who can continue to shop for weapons with a written contract." ...

New Zealand: Throat slashed as woman cooked dinner
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Police found Angela Deane with her throat cut - and clasping her kitchen tongs - four days after she was killed."

"A court heard she was cooking dinner for the man accused of her murder."

"The body of Ms Deane, 55, was found in a pool of blood at her Westown home in early February."

"In the New Plymouth District Court yesterday, Duncan Conrad Murray Frost was committed for trial for her murder ..." ...

"In a brief opening address, Crown prosecutor Cherie Clarke said Ms Deane's throat had been cut from ear to ear and she had been stabbed in the back. The force of the blow caused a 135mm wound as the knife severed her spinal column." ...

Japan: Crime against geeks sparks knife-carrying trend
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A new trend in Japan could be mocked as the country's 'revenge of the nerds', if it were not so serious."

"Police in Tokyo's electronics district, Akihabara, have become alarmed at the number of what they call 'geeky types' [otaku] found to be carrying knives." ...

"Last year, police became worried amidst reports of what became known as 'otaku hunting'. In two separate cases, young men were beaten up by thugs, and appeared to have been targeted because they looked 'otaku'." ...

"But police are also worried about the otaku response."

"They have reported a five-fold increase in the number of people found carrying illegal knives, and believe that otaku are doing so in self-defence." ...