Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

Facing facts
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Last month I gave out a vehicle for engaging business owners who prohibit guns in their establishments. It consisted of a cover letter asking for their thoughts after they read a copy of my column analyzing who gun free zones protect us from, and a lined sheet of paper for them to write back to you. ... So far, the file has been downloaded 565 times. If we assume about half the well intentioned folks did nothing with it, we have 280. If each of them actually used it for one business and passed the file on to a friend or two by email, we are probably back to maybe 500 tries to engage someone on the other side with a reasoned argument and a polite request for a response. I also asked for anybody who did get a response to let me know ..." ...

Do Gun Control Groups Manufacture Claims on Concealed Handgun Laws? Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Letting people walk the streets armed with guns must be dangerous, right? The Brady Campaign and the Violence Policy Center keep claiming that even those individuals who have legally obtained permits to carry concealed handguns are extremely dangerous. With millions of Americans already having been issued such permits from the various states, this is an important issue." ...

Coming Up: Tax-Free August Shopping
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"How does buying clothes, shoes, back-to-school supplies and even computers without paying sales tax sound? If you're interested, get out your wallet now."

"Within the next five weeks 17 states with sales taxes will be offering 'holidays' during which certain purchases can be made tax-free. ..." ...

"Sales tax holidays aren't all aimed at back-to-school shopping, however. In Louisiana, ... in September, at the start of dove hunting season, [LA] will offer a special sales tax holiday for hunting supplies. ... South Carolina also will hold a "Second Amendment" holiday, exempting handguns, rifles and shotguns from sales tax on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving--during deer hunting season.

Kagan's Snowe job on gun rights
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The more it looks like the Senate will confirm Elena Kagan for the Supreme Court, the more gun owners should worry. Yesterday, Sen. Olympia J. Snowe of Maine became the fourth Republican to stand behind President Obama's nominee on the phony basis that Ms. Kagan supports gun rights."

"Mrs. Snowe explained in a press release that, 'as a longtime, ardent supporter of Second Amendment rights, it was critical that [Solicitor] General Kagan stated during her testimony that the precedents set by the Supreme Court in the Heller and McDonald cases ... are 'deeply rooted in this nation's history and traditions' ... and, that she will apply these cases as law 'going forward.'"

"We've been down this road before. ..." ...

Elena Kagan and Iowa's Senior Senator
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"We were standing in Montana Senator Jon Tester's office when we had the first conversation about the Senate Judiciary Committee vote on the nomination of Elena Kagan as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. ..."

"... The only surprise about the vote was that Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) voted for the Kagan nomination. Iowas senior senator, Chuck Grassley, voted no with the remaining Republicans, which was expected in a Senate where almost every action has become politicized. The Democrats on the judiciary committee all voted for the nomination. The next question will be whether the full senate will be able to break a filibuster of the nomination. One hopes they will." ...

FNH Launches Limited Edition SCAR 17S
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Buyers of the limited first production run of FNH USA SCAR 17S rifles get a free lockable, waterproof HardiggŽ Storm hard side case, a certificate of authenticity and a choice of 10 or 20-round magazines. To paraphrase Bill 'assault rifle ban' Clinton, it's the gun stupid. We're talking about a modular, eight-pound, semi-automatic 7.62 x 51 mm (308 WIN.) rifle in authentic USSOCOM flat dark earth finish with a free-floating, cold hammer-forged MIL-SPEC 16.25" barrel with a hard-chromed bore; a gas-operated, short stroke piston system; fully ambidextrous operating controls; a receiver-integrated MIL-STD 1913 optical rail, three accessory rails; and a side-folding, polymer stock. ... Dirty deeds done dirt cheap? Around three grand."

Steyr Arms To Sell MA-1 and SA-1. Again. Still. Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"As of August, Steyr Arms International (SAI) will once again import their former sales winning Steyr MA-1 and SA-1 pistols into The Land of the Free. The company claims they stopped bringing in the weapons when the exchange rate ate their profit margin like Ms. Pac-Man devouring a ghost. ..."

Gun ban's defeat will backfire on society
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"In an earlier piece, I noted my background as a retired federal law enforcement officer and the brother of 20-year-old Michael, who was fatally shot in a robbery aboard a CTA train in 1972. I also described my working with families of handgun victims through programs both in the Cook County State's Attorney's office and the Victim Advocacy Project in the Illinois Attorney General's office."

"I do not recall any of them calling for more guns in our society for self-protection." ...
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Submitter's Note: Well they have obviously drunk the 'guns are baaaad' KoolAid. This does not, however, change the facts. Guns are the safest and most effective self-defense tool in existence.

WA: Sammamish park shooting underlines need for gun control
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"THE recent tragic shooting at Lake Sammamish State Park once again illustrates that where there are guns, particularly when accompanied by alcohol, there is a much greater chance of death and violence. Contrary to the claims of the gun-rights groups, guns do kill people, and they do it very efficiently."

"The tragedy at Lake Sammamish began with fisticuffs and escalated when someone fired shots in the air in an attempt to quell the fighting. In the span of a minute or so, dozens of shots were fired, and two people lay dead and four more were seriously injured." ...
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Submitter's Note: Seattle Gun Rights Examiner Dave Workman called it.

OH: Would-be robber shot by potential victim
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

A man was fatally shot yesterday while trying to rob someone in a North Side parking lot, Columbus police said.

Shawn Mitchell, 23, died behind 6121 Zumstein Dr. after being shot about 5a.m. Police said Mitchell was trying to rob a person in a parked car and was shot by that person. Police would not name the shooter but said evidence in the case will be given to a grand jury.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call detectives at 614-645-4730.
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H/t to Buckeye Firearms Association.

IN: Violent robber shot by his victim
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A would-be robber was reportedly shot in self defense by his victim."

"Police say that a man was driving around, looking for an apartment to rent, in the vicinity of Fairfield and College avenues in Indianapolis, IN, when a robber approached him and demanded money. The man reportedly gave the robber $6, yet a struggle ensued. At this point, the man drew his handgun and fired one shot in self defense, striking the robber in the stomach and ending the attack, police say. A suspect was reportedly found nearby, suffering from a gunshot wound, and was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his non-life-threatening injuries." ...

Yellowstone-area bear attack underscores guns-in-parks effort Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The political effort leading to adoption last year of a new statute allowing defensive firearms to be carried in national parks got a major affirmation albeit tragic Wednesday morning when a bear rampaged through a campground near Yellowstone National Park, killing one person and injuring two other campers." ...

AK: NRA PAC endorses Murkowski
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski has gotten the endorsement of the National Rifle Association's political action committee.

The chairman of the NRA Political Victory Fund, Chris Cox, says the Alaska Republican has a record of support for Second Amendment rights. The group says Murkowski also has gotten an "A" rating for her support of individual gun ownership rights.

Murkowski faces an Aug. 24 primary challenge from Joe Miller, who's gotten support from the national Tea Party Express.

MA: Mass. Gov. Blames "Gun Lobby" for Slowing 1-Gun-a-Month Bill
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) is blaming 'the gun lobby' for the growing opposition to his one-gun-a-month bill in the state legislature."

"Governor Patrick can blame whomever he likes, but the facts speak for themselves."

"Limiting the sale of firearms to law-abiding citizens is premised on the false belief that doing so reduces illegal firearms trafficking. There is no evidence to support such a claim."

"According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the significant drop in crime that began in the mid-1990's coincided with more guns being in private possession and more restrictive gun laws being taken off the books." ...

PA: Taking action to stem violence in Chester
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Chester is a city besieged by violence. Fourteen people have lost their lives on the citys mean streets since January." ...

"[Rep.] Kirkland called a press conference to ask Chester Council to join 45 other Pennsylvania municipalities that have passed either an ordinance or resolution to report lost or stolen firearms.

"An ordinance by city council would require residents to report lost or stolen guns within a specific timeframe or face fines and/or incarceration. The ordinance Kirkland proposed suggested a 72-hour timeframe for reporting missing guns, fines not to exceed $1,000 and jail time no longer than 90 days." ...
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Submitter's Note: Of course such an ordinance violates PA state law and they know it!.

AZ: July 29: The Arizona Concealed Carry Bill Becomes Law
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"In two short days, Arizona Senate bill 1108 becomes effective. This bill allows law-abiding Arizona citizens 21 years of age or older to carry a firearm concealed on their person or in their vehicle without fear of negative action by Arizona law enforcement [Constitutional carry]."

"This bill was the subject of numerous articles looking at the positives and negatives that may result from it. Tucson Gun Rights Examiner, Chris Woodard said, 'I do not think that there will be numerous people here that will start carrying concealed. While those of us who are active in the movement are only too aware, this new bill will escape the vast majority of the population.'" ...

NH: Governor vetoes gun-sales license bill
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Urged on by police chiefs, Gov. John Lynch vetoed legislation Monday that would have scrapped the ability of cities and towns to license handgun sales, legislation that was sponsored by a leader of Lynch's own Democratic Party."

"The veto keeps intact a law that gives cities and towns the option to license sellers of pistols and revolvers."

"The sponsor of the legislation called local licensing redundant because the federal government already licenses firearm dealers and regulates firearm sales. ..." ...

Officers down in Arkansas
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"This column is sometimes used to refute law enforcement agencies and the falsehoods they spread about gun rights. In this article, I hope to show the people of Arkansas some history of the brave individuals who enforce the laws of this state and put their lives on the line every day."

"One late summer afternoon in 1976, I was introduced to the evil that police officers and citizens face in this world ..." ...

OK: OKC woman's second strip-search leads to claim against Seminole County
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"An Oklahoma City woman who was strip-searched twice after a Wewoka police officer arrested her on a misdemeanor driving violation has filed a claim for damages with Seminole County." ...

"Sills said she was strip-searched and placed in the Wewoka County jail the night of her arrest and bonded out later that day."

"'A few days later, she was contacted by the Seminole County sheriff's office requesting that she come in because they had failed to book her in properly,' Sills' attorney, J. Michael Sherrod, of Norman, wrote Seminole County commissioners."

"Sills was told deputies would only photograph and fingerprint her, but she was 'illegally and unconstitutionally' strip-searched after she arrived, Sherrod said." ...

IL: Peterson Wants Gun Charges Dropped
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Attorneys for Drew Peterson, the former Illinois policeman charged with the murder of his third wife, have filed motions to have his felony gun charges dropped. When he was arrested, Peterson was charged for possession of a rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches."

"Joel Brodsky, one of Peterson's attorneys, argued that Peterson carried the weapon while on duty with the Bolingbrook Police Department and therefore is immune from prosecution."

"Brodsky's motion also said that the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding gun rights gives Peterson the Second Amendment right to own the rifle." ...

DC: Pepin Tuma Sues D.C. Over False Arrest, Anti-Gay Slur
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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... "Tuma ... admits to engaging in some light taunting prior to his arrest. From his complaint:"

"... As Mr. Tuma passed the police cruisers, he said, in a sing-song voice, 'I hate the police; I hate the police.' Neither Mr. Tuma nor his friends stopped or slowed down as they walked. They did not approach, address or gesture to any of the police officers."

"Then, Tuma claims:"

"Within seconds . . . Officer Culp charged across U Street shouting, in substance, 'Who do you think you are? Who do you think you're talking to? You can't talk to me that way!' ..." ...

WV: Plea entered in child porn case
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A former Martinsburg correctional officer currently serving a federal prison sentence on counterfeiting and possession of child pornography convictions pleaded guilty Monday in Berkeley County Circuit Court to 10 additional counts of possession of child porn as part of a plea agreement."

"Under the conditions of the non-binding plea agreement, 39-year-old Brian Lee Sine agreed to plead guilty by way of an information to the charges." ...

CA: Police Taser Autistic Teen and Then, After Family Complains, Return and Arrest Teen
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Hawthorne City Council is considering a $300,000 settlement in a case were its police tasered an autistic teenager and then, after the family filed a complaint with the department, returned a week later and arrested the teenager."

"There is a pending federal civil rights lawsuit related to the incident at Hawthorne Middle School. ..."

"The city just lost a motion to dismiss where it argued, among other things, that the boy had no standing to sue because he was not really injured."

"What is striking is that there is no record of discipline in the case. While I understand that the officer claims the teen was combative, there is no mention of the suspicious arrest after the family filed their complaint."

CA: Sheriff Opposes New Ammunition Law
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Tehama County Sheriff Clay Parker is hoping a new law affecting the Second Amendment will get shot down. He was named the lead plaintiff in a civil suit that opposes Assembly Bill 962. The National Rifle Association filed the suit in June in Fresno Superior Court. The measure requires handgun ammunition buyers to register with the government. Sheriff Parker says the language on the bill is too broad. 'What we're doing is asking the Attorney General to define what hand-gun ammunition is and until they do that, they want an injunction so this does not go into effect.'" ...

PA: Sources: Officers steal money from bar safe
Submitted by: jac

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... "... [T]wo officers were responding to a report of a burglar alarm at New Vision Auto Detailing located behind the café. The alarm turned out to be unfounded."

"... surveillance video shows the two 15th district officers opening the basement doors of Pat's Café, which apparently were unlocked. They then made their way into the establishment which was already closed for the night."

"They are then seen in the video for a good 30 to 40 minutes making themselves at home drinking beer in the bar. A third officer can be seen joining them later."

"... one of the officers is then seen rifling through the café's two safes and stashing cash in his pants. More than $800 was allegedly taken before the officers left the scene." ...

CO: Gun owner sues city
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Loveland resident Bill Miller wants $100,000 and a policy change from the Loveland Police Department."

"The 72-year-old man sued the city in U.S. District Court in Denver this week, claiming officers violated his constitutional rights in 2008 when they stopped him at Lake Loveland for carrying a gun." ...

"Miller was sitting on a bench overlooking Lake Loveland on Oct. 7, 2008, with a holstered handgun."

"He carries a gun to advertise his custom holster business and to open a dialogue about every Americans Second Amendment rights, according to his lawsuit."

"However, others enjoying Lake Loveland saw the gun, worried and called police."

"Officers approached Miller to check out the complaint." ...

PA: Exeter police chief takes blame for flare-up over gun law
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"It's been open season on Exeter Township police Chief Christopher L. Neidert since rumors about proposed changes to a township firearms ordinance began spreading last week."

"On Monday night, Neidert took the hit."

"'I guess you can blame me for this whole stir of emotions,' he told a standing-room-only audience at the township supervisors meeting. 'There has been some confusion, some misconceptions.'"

"Though a resident later told the audience the chief should not be blamed, Neidert said accepting responsibility was the best way to defuse the situation, quell confusion and ease residents' concerns." ...

CA: Police gun down rampaging pregnant cow at California State Fair
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"In the second bizarre incident at the State Fair in a week, Cal Expo police shot an agitated, pregnant dairy cow that twice escaped her confines and knocked over an officer as she bolted through the fairgrounds Tuesday morning."

"Neither the cow nor her calf survived the shooting, which occurred an hour before gates opened to the public." ...

"Just days earlier, fair officials were fielding media calls after an equally strange incident: Two armed men possibly employees of a food vendor walked into a cash-counting room and left with $100,000 in a bag. They haven't been seen since."
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SUBMITTER'S COMMENT: Too bad the cops weren't as diligent about catching the robbers as they were about executing the pregnant cow.

Canada: Quebec police sue man who killed their colleague
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Police in Laval, Que. ... have filed a $2-million lawsuit against a man acquitted in the shooting death of one of their officers."

"Basil Parasiris was the first Canadian ever cleared of a murder charge in the death of a police officer. Det.-Sgt. Daniel Tessier was killed during a botched raid at Parasiris south-shore home in March 2007."

"A jury later acquitted Parasiris of first-degree murder, accepting his claim that he had fired in self-defence during the pre-dawn raid."

"He said that he thought he was being attacked by robbers, claiming that Tessier was dressed in dark clothing and did not identify himself."

"But Laval police want Parasiris to pay material damages for the death of their employee." ...