Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

David Codrea: Principle Freaks Need Not Apply
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"It may surprise some of you to hear me admit this, but I believe questioning Mike Vanderboegh's letter to the editor is an entirely appropriate discussion to be having in the RKBA activist community. No, I'm not going soft--at the risk of sounding presumptuous, I believe Mike will agree with me."

"But what happened the other day was uncalled for, hysterical and ugly. And it points to a greater issue that must be addressed and faced--the widening gulf between majority 'pragmatists' and we happy few 'principles freaks.'" ...

Resolution... sort of
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Most of you will remember a few years ago when I blogged about the story of Mark Edward Marchiafava, who was unlawfully detained, had his property confiscated and was subsequently told that his right to keep and bear arms was little more than a privilege subject to the interpretation of the Gonzales, La. police, despite what the Supreme Court or the laws of Louisiana say."

"Many of you will also remember a blurb by Say Uncle a few days ago that gave a small preview of the fact that Mark's case has finally been settled - AFTER MORE THAN TWO YEARS!"

"Well, I've been in sporadic contact with Mark these past two years, and I was gratified to finally hear that this egregious miscarriage of the law has been resolved. ..." ...

Conceal Carry Considered for National Parks
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A controversial topic is brewing in Washington, D.C., and could affect your next family trip. The debate centers on the second amendment and where the government draws the line. At issue is your opportunity to carry a concealed weapon into a national park."

"It's a change the National Rifle Association has been pushing for years, and has mixed reaction in our area."

"We caught up with Beverly Bain as she pushed her youngest daughter on the swing at their neighborhood park. Growing up around guns herself, she has no worries about what many fellow gun owners want." ...
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Scalia and the Second Amendment
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Right-wing legal scholars love to quote Justice Robert Jackson's famous maxim that 'the Constitution is not a suicide pact.' The adage has been cited to support numerous provisions that restrict civil liberties in the name of fighting terrorism and social disorder."

"Now the right-wing's guru, Justice Antonin Scalia, has come along to announce that the Constitution really is a suicide pact!"

"In his majority opinion for the Supreme Court in the recent gun-control case, Scalia announced that a major purpose of the Second Amendment was to provide opportunity for the people to store arms in order to be able to overthrow an oppressive government." ...

WV: Two people shot on Huntington Avenue
Submitted by: R.S.G.

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Huntington Police are investigating a reported shooting in the 1300 block of Huntington Avenue shortly after 3 p.m.

Captain Mike Albers said it appears that one man tried to rob another man, who is a resident at Oakview Apartments, 1330 Huntington Ave.

The resident, also identified as a man, shot the suspect, to which the suspect fired back, Albers said.

"It appears to be an attempted robbery," Albers said. "I don't know for sure that we have only have these two people involved."

Both men were taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital and were reported by Albers to be in surgery. One of the victim's injuries, Albers said, could be life threatening.
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Submitters Note: The robber is a "VICTIM"? I'm confused.

AK: Juneau man shoots bear who enters home
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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A Juneau man shot and injured a bear who he says had entered his residence.

Local olice haven't identified him.

They say the man shot the bear in the face with a .45 semiautomatic handgun.

Officers have been unable to locate the injured bear.

Sergeant Chris Burke says the man reported being woken up by a noise in his residence.

The man told authorities that when he got out of bed the bear was about four feet into the home.

The bear turned and ran back toward the porch.

When the man yelled at the bear to encourage it to leave, the bear turned around and lunged and that's when the man shot it.

Sergeant Burke says officers tracked a blood trail for the bear, but haven't found it.

OH: Victim Zones: We have to move the goal posts
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Two more businesses where legal concealed carry is banned were robbed last week in Ohio. A BMV office on the east side of Columbus (a victim zone by statute) was robbed on the same day as a branch of Fifth Third Bank, which is a 'gun free' zone due to the company's private policy."

"Clearly, it doesn't matter why concealed carry is forbidden at a location, because the results are usually the same. Only the criminal will be armed despite the signs or laws that ban ownership of firearms to people with a felony conviction. In both of these cases the patrons were left at the whim of a street thug because honest people follow the law and criminals don't." ...

AZ: Cops: Bad Blood Motivated Phoenix Community College Shooting (follow-up)
Submitted by: jac

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"The most seriously wounded of three people shot in a community-college computer lab had punched the gunman in the face before he opened fire, police said Friday."

"Isaac Deshay Smith, 19, had beaten the suspect, Rodney Smith, in a fistfight in December and the two unrelated men had gotten into verbal confrontations every time they met since ..."

"On Thursday, police said, Isaac Smith punched 22-year-old Rodney Smith in the face during a confrontation at South Mountain Community College."

"Rodney Smith, a former student at the school, responded by opening fire with a handgun, according to a probable cause statement released Friday. School officials say 20 to 30 people were in the lab at the time." ...
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Submitters note: Another victim disarmament zone shooting. When will they learn?

AZ: Yet another School Shooting in a Gun Free Zone
Submitted by: Dustin
Website: http://dustinsgunblog.blogspot.com

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"Opponents to 'allowing' law abiding citizens to exercise their constitutionally protected but preexisting right to bear arms for self protection on campus (just like they already do while off campus) often make the baseless claim that 'Gun Free Zones' make everyone feel safe from violence. Tell that to the 3 law abiding unarmed students at Phoenix Community College who were shot yesterday by a violent killer seeking to murder 1 (or more) defenseless victims while they were in just such a gun free zone. The killer didn't have to disarm his victims, the useless gun free zone policy did that for him." ...

PA: NRA endorses Altmire in race against Hart
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"The National Rifle Association on Thursday endorsed U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-McCandless, in his bid for a second two-year term in Congress."

"Altmire faces a rematch in November with former Rep. Melissa Hart of Bradford Woods, the Republican he ousted in 2006. Support from the NRA was a factor credited with helping Hart win the 4th Congressional District seat in 2000."

"In a letter to Altmire, an NRA national official cited Altmire's consistent support of 'the Constitutional rights of law-abiding gun owners and sportsmen.'" ...

Let's give gun rights to criminals!
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) has introduced legislation to restore the gun rights of individuals convicted of minor, non-violent crimes."

"H.R. 6622, the Second Amendment Restoration Act, ensures states have the discretion to restore individuals' gun rights after conviction of minor crimes."

"The National Rifle Association (NRA) endorsed the legislation this week."

"'The Second Amendment provides for the right to bear arms and individuals should not forfeit that right due to convictions for minor crimes,' Stupak said. 'I appreciate the support of the NRA as I attempt to clarify that individuals convicted of minor crimes decades ago should not be subject to lifetime bans on gun ownership.'" ...

IL: Chicago continues to enforce gun ban
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Chicago Police will continue to enforce the city's handgun ban and firearm registration laws while lawyers fight the pro-gun lobby in federal court."

"The National Rifle Association and the Illinois State Rifle Association filed federal lawsuits to shoot down Chicago's gun laws after the U.S. Supreme Court voided the District of Columbia's handgun ban last month."

"City Corporation Counsel Mara Georges told a City Council committee Thursday that she's prepared to fight those lawsuits all the way to the Supreme Court." ...

NY: Lawmakers deadlock over pistol-cam purchase
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Orange County legislators on the Public Safety and Emergency Services Committee put off the purchase of video-recording training guns for the Sheriff's Department based on possible limitations of the grant money, amid speculation that there could be some political pressuring going on to move the resolution through the legislature."

"Committee members Thursday decided to table the resolution, which would have accepted $20,000 from Senator William Larkin's member item fund, for the purchase of a 'Pistol Cam/ Shot Cam Integrated Video Technology Equipment,' as the agenda read." ...

IL: Chicago lays out handgun legal strategy
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The City of Chicago is planning to defend its handgun ban with a highly technical legal argument that some law scholars say isn't likely to fly."

"Mara Georges, the city's chief lawyer, appeared before aldermen yesterday pledging to 'vigorously' defend Chicago's 1982 handgun prohibition." ...

"Georges says the city is likely to argue that the court's decision applies only in Washington, a federal territory, and not to the states."

"'The opinion does not say that the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms applies to states or municipalities,' says Georges."

"Some experts say that argument will face tough scrutiny in court." ...

OK: Kern says she didn't mean to take pistol into state Capitol
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"State Rep. Sally Kern says she's an 'outdoors girl' who's done some shooting but didn't intend to bring her pistol into the state Capitol on Wednesday."

"Kern ... said she was in a hurry and didn't realize she had her pistol in her purse."

"She got no farther than the Capitol security station with her pistol Wednesday." ...

"... Kern was asked to secure her weapon outside the Capitol after troopers and other security guards discovered it in her purse. ..."

"'We didn't feel like that was a malicious act,' [Capt.] West said in explaining why Kern was allowed to take her pistol to her automobile." ...

"This isn't the first time Kern brought her pistol into the Capitol." ...

ID: Idaho officer charged with fondling teen
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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A Caldwell police officer has been indicted by a grand jury on a charge of sexual battery of a 17-year-old girl.

Ada County Deputy Prosecutor Jean Fisher says Sgt. Dennis Paul Schat is accused of fondling the teen in May while off duty.

The 38-year-old is a 7-year veteran of the Caldwell Police Department. Chief Chris Allgood says Schat has been on unpaid administrative leave since his indictment on Wednesday.

The Idaho State Police investigated the case and the Ada County prosecutor's office will handle the prosecution.

GA: Sheriff's officer charged with battery
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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A Hall County sheriff's officer was arrested on a battery charge stemming from an alleged incident at his home.

Sheriff's Major Jeff Strickland confirmed that 31-year-old Stephen Weiler of Demorest was placed in the Habersham County Jail Thursday morning. He said the charges were connected to an alleged domestic dispute between Weiler and his wife.

Weiler posted $12,000 bond and was released from custody.

Weiler, a 4-year employee with the sheriff's department, was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

TN: Police director sues for critical bloggers' names
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Memphis Police Director Larry Godwin and the city of Memphis have filed a lawsuit to learn who operates a blog harshly critical of Godwin and his department."

"The lawsuit asks AOL to produce all information related to the identity of an e-mail address linked to MPD Enforcer 2.0, a blog popular with police officers that has been extremely critical of police leadership at 201 Poplar."

"'In what could be a landmark case of privacy and the 1st Amendment,' the anonymous bloggers write on the site, 'Godwin has illegally used his position and the City of Memphis as a ram to ruin the Constitution of the United States.'" ...

KS: Topeka officer charged in off-duty shooting
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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Jason M. Judd, one of four off-duty police officers who were at the scene in a southwest Topeka neighborhood when two brothers were shot early March 18, has been arrested on charges that he shot the men, District Attorney Robert Hecht confirmed at 5:28 p.m. today."

"Judd is charged with two counts of aggravated battery, Shawnee County District Court records show." ...

"Judd faces charges linked to the shootings of Daniel Llamas 27, and Devin Llamas, 18. The brothers required hospitalization for wounds suffered when they were shot during a confrontation with four off-duty Topeka police officers outside the Llamas home at 7418 S.W. 25th." ...

IL: Officer charged with misconduct held in Saline County
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A Franklin County Jail corrections officer accused of custodial sexual misconduct with three female inmates remains in custody at the Saline County Jail."

"Scott E. McMurray, 27, was arrested Thursday morning by the Franklin County Sheriffs Department. ..."

"The allegations against McMurray first came to light in early June when another inmate told a corrections officer information about the case."

"Interviews with six or seven inmates ... were conducted over the next six weeks."

"The results of the investigation conducted by Franklin County Sheriffs Department investigators were turned over to Franklin County State's Attorney Tom Dinn, who filed formal felony charges Thursday morning." ...

IL: Activists Fight To Get Guns Off The Streets
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Community activists argue that the fewer guns there are on the streets, the less likely people will use them."

"For that reason, they are making an all-out push for a gun turn-in program this weekend."

"As CBS 2's Joanie Lum reports, 25 churches from around the city will participate in the fourth annual gun turn-in on Saturday."

"On Friday, four Chicago aldermen, members of the clergy and other officials and advocates appeared at a news conference at the Grace and Peace Center, 2100 N. Kildare Ave., to help get the word out." ...

TX: Fight over open carry gun policy in Texas
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Imagine walking down the street and next to someone with a gun strapped to their hip. It's an image a group of Texans are hoping to turn into reality and they're gaining support by the thousands every day."

"'This is a basic right,' said former state Legislator, Suzanna Hupp." ...

"Hupp helped pass the current concealed carry law in the mid 90's."

"'It wasn't blood and chaos in the streets when we enacted the concealed carry,' said Hupp."

"Now she wants more."

"'We should allow people to carry. That means in their pocket, in their purse, on their forehead, on their hip. I don't care how they carry. If they can legally own a gun I think they should be able to carry it in public,' said Hupp." ...

MI: Gun owners show their metal in Hastings
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Most of us probably don't know it, but Michigan is among the 44 states where it's legal to carry a gun in public without a permit."

"To make that point, about 40 gun advocates walked out of Richie's Koffee Shop Inc. late Thursday afternoon with handguns holstered at their sides, part of a small but growing national movement to stand up for the constitutional right to bear arms. They strolled down this tidy west Michigan town's main street, barely causing a stir among passing motorists and pedestrians."

"When they finished, the group -- mostly white men -- gathered around a fountain at the Barry County Courthouse and heard a red-meat, pro-Second Amendment speech by organizer Skip Coryell ..." ...

NY: City's gun licensing rules restrictive toward ownership
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"The media was buzzing over possible challenges to city firearm regulations following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that gun ownership is an individual right. Although Mayor Michael Bloomberg and other city gun control supporters believe the ruling will have little effect, maintaining the city's licensing scheme is not the best way to combat illegal guns."

"In the city, owning a rifle in one's home requires a license costing over $234, six months of background checks and other bureaucratic hurdles. The licensing process has grown so burdensome that not only are would-be gun owners forgoing the process, but even the NYPD has decided to ignore the rifle/shotgun permit when training new recruits." ...

NY: Local reaction to gun ruling - Brooklyn officials debate impact of Supreme Courts latest decision
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Some of Brooklyn's elected leaders remain wary over the recent Supreme Court recent 5-4 decision upholding an individual's Second Amendment right to keep a handgun for use in their home." ...

"Assemblymember Joseph Lentol believes that policymakers will still have opportunities to regulate the use and permitting of handguns, though the case could give ammunition for gun owners and the National Rifle Association to bring lawsuits to the Court."

"'It is not the last word and it is not a definite decision on what rights individuals have to own a gun,' said Lentol. 'The Court just basically said that jurisdictions cannot prohibit individuals from owning a gun on ones premises.'" ...

Canada: Shooting star Chao irked by timing of city's gun ban
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Avianna Chao arrived home from being hailed as a first-time Olympian to find an eviction notice from the city."

"Chao has been informed that the shooting club she uses as her main training base, the Canadian National Recreation Association, upstairs in Union Station, is being closed Aug.29, five days after the closing ceremonies at the Beijing Olympics."

"It was quite a blow for Chao to get the email with the bad news after an upbeat news conference Wednesday, when the Canadian Olympic Committee presented her as part of the Beijing team."

"'We were all very happy from the COC launch and then we get home and, bam, this thing just slaps you in the face,' said Chao yesterday." ...