Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

MO: St. Louis County prosecutors dismiss Ferguson man's murder charge
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But Chris King, a spokesman for St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell's office, said Bland had a "credible" claim of self-defense.

"Had all the pertinent facts been known at the time of charging, it is unlikely the case would have been filed," he said.

Bland's public defender, Lacy Heiskell, said she was "pleased" with the outcome "and that Jerry was finally able to return home with his family after being wrongfully incarcerated for years."

PA: Suspect in Philadelphia shooting believed to be mentally ill, law enforcement source says
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During the shooting, the brother of one of the people who was killed picked up a handgun his brother legally had on him and returned fire at Carriker, Wainwright said.

That person was taken into custody but was released without charge, and officials said he acted in self-defense. He fired seven shots at Carriker, Wainwright said. Carriker was not hit.

Carriker will be assigned a public defender. A spokesperson for the Defender Association of Philadelphia declined to comment Wednesday.

Circle The Wagons: The Government Is On The Warpath
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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How many Americans have actually bothered to read the Constitution, let alone the first ten amendments to the Constitution, the Bill of Rights (a quick read at 462 words)?

Take a few minutes and read those words for yourselfrather than having some court or politician translate them for youand you will be under no illusion about where to draw the line when it comes to speaking your mind, criticizing your government, defending what is yours, doing whatever you want on your own property, and keeping the governments nose out of your private affairs.

TX: In murder case, Bexar jury acquits San Antonio man who shot another during brawl at IHOP
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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A Bexar County jury acquitted Alejandro Diaz III of murder and manslaughter Wednesday, accepting the defense argument that he was justified in fatally shooting a man who had punched him at the start of a fight at a far West Side IHOP in 2021.

The fight quickly involved two women they were with, and Diaz shot his assailant, Kevin J. Clifton, 44, as both men tried to separate them, evidence and testimony showed.

The en Banc Third Circuit Concludes Citizens With Prior Felony Convictions for Welfare Fraud Are Among the People Protected by the Second Amendment
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In Range, Judge Hardiman explains that Bruen abrogated the Third Circuits two-step Second Amendment jurisprudence such that future Second Amendment challenges must be analyzed under Bruens three-part test, which requires determination of: (1) whether the challenger is of the people who have Second Amendment rights; (2) whether the plain text of the Second Amendment covers the challengers conduct; and (3) if so, whether the government has proven that the firearms regulation is part of the historical tradition that delimits the outer bounds of the right to keep and bear arms.

TN: A closer look at how a US Supreme Court ruling is upending gun control laws across the country
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Tennessee lawmakers hoping to take on gun control in an August special session could face hurdles from a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling that is now causing turmoil in courts across the country.

The so-called Breun decision in June 2022 overturned a New York law limiting the right to carry guns in public and has since sparked hundreds of legal challenges to gun laws, with varying opinions from judges.

While gun rights groups like the National Rifle Association have lauded the ruling as a major win for the Second Amendment, others say its causing more legal questions than answers.

Supreme Court to discuss gun law that could impact domestic violence victims
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After wrapping up its term, the Supreme Court is already looking ahead at tackling a major Second Amendment case.

Earlier this year, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that it was unconstitutional to ban alleged domestic abusers, who are under a restraining order, from having a gun.

Experts said the danger posed by abusers with guns could split the solid conservative majority.

In February 2020, Zackey Rahimi had a protective order issued after he allegedly assaulted his girlfriend. During a span of a month in the winter of 202, Rahimi was involved in five shootings across North Texas.

NJ: New Wild West: More Guns and Stand-Your-Ground Laws Fuel Self-Defense Shootings, Experts Say
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Pistol permits are effectively being seen as licenses to kill as more and more Americans use legally owned firearms to defend themselves from perceived threats, legal experts told The Messenger.

"There certainly is data on increases in homicides and assaults and we know that gun ownership is through the roof," said Stuart Green, a professor at New Jersey's Rutgers Law School and an expert on justifiable homicide.

"It appears that people are more likely to settle disputes violently than in earlier times and are more likely to resort to force. It appears people are more suspicious and more afraid of being attacked by people they have disputes with."

Right to bear arms
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Many folks believe the Second Amendment was designed to protect the interest of hunters or for citizen self-protection from bad guys. Those are certainly worthy reasons for having firearms. But the primary drafter of our Constitution and its amendments was Thomas Jefferson. He is quoted as saying, the primary purpose of the Second Amendment is to protect citizens from the tyranny of their governments. Protection from their governments. Wow, that is certainly a different slant as the reason for having the Second Amendment!

PA: Man who fired deadly shot in Allentown AutoZone altercation wont be charged, DA says
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A man who fired a deadly shot during an altercation in the parking lot of an AutoZone store in Allentown will not be charged, officials said Wednesday.

Edgar Gonzalez, 22, of Allentown was fatally shot June 4. In a news release, District Attorney Jim Martin said the gunman, identified only as John Doe, acted in self-defense and the shooting was justified.

One of Gonzalezs companions during the incident, Joshua Ortiz of Allentown, was charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault and related offenses for his alleged role. Martin said Ortiz, 27, was exchanging gunfire with John Doe in the AutoZone lot, 1871 S. Fifth St.

TX: Pregnant woman shot when liquor store robbery leads to gunfight in northwest Houston, HPD says
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According to Houston police, two masked men, with firearms in hand, got out of a vehicle and approached the liquor store. Police said the store clerk saw the suspects on the store's live feed and took out his own gun in self-defense.

At some point, gunfire was exchanged, and the woman, who is two months pregnant, was shot three times. The woman was taken to the hospital, where she is stable.

Police are still working to determine if the woman was an innocent bystander or if she was involved in the shooting. It's unclear who fired the shots that ended up hitting her.

MI: Jury acquits Detroit woman in stabbing death of husband Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
A jury in Wayne County recently acquitted a Detroit woman in the stabbing death of her husband, an act her attorney says was done in self defense. Davida Franklin was arrested in 2020 after police said she fatally stabbed her husband, Governor Franklin, during a domestic dispute on Nov. 30, 2020. She was charged with second-degree murder.

NJ: Keep 'gun bearing freaks' in Philly and out of New Jersey
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Camden County's top elected officials had harsh words and a warning following the July 4th mass shooting in Philadelphia.

Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. spoke after the shootings that claimed the lives of five people.

"We just wanna send a clear message to the thugs and criminals and gun bearing freaks over in Philadelphia who live in a society of lawlessness. We don't want you here. Stay out of Camden. Stay out of Camden County. Stay out of New Jersey," Cappelli said.

Freedom and Responsibility: 2 Sides of the Same CoinFourth of July Reflections Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Its the time of year that we celebrate the hard-fought freedoms that define our nation and it is fitting to reflect on the relationship between those freedoms and our responsibility. For me, there is one figure that stands out as a symbol of the profound connection between freedom and responsibility. Spider-Man Yes, Spider-Man, with his web-slinging prowess and unwavering sense of duty.

NY: Arrest Made in Somers Shooting
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They found Laudo suffering from a gunshot wound to the arm. The homes resident had been hit on the head by a metal pipe, police said.

Both men were taken to Westchester Medical Center where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries and released.

State police said an investigation determined that Laudo had forcibly entered the residence and violently assaulted the victim.

The victim then fired one round from a .22-caliber rifle in self-defense, they added.

38 Super vs. 9mm Luger
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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The 38 Super and the 9mm Luger cartridges use the same diameter bullet and are often fired from handguns that are nearly identical in size. Generally, 38 Super ammunition is more powerful than 9mm Luger ammunition, and this causes many to wonder why the 9mm Luger is so much more popular. Like with most any other cartridge comparison, when it comes to the 38 Super vs. 9mm the answer is a firm it dependsit depends on what you want to do with your pistol.

OH: Ohioans voted to kill this monster
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Ohioans, much like the residents in other states where Stand Your Ground laws have been enacted, don't understand that the gun rights expansions actually changed the definition of "self-defense" to include instances in which a person with a gun if they fear for their life can pursue and kill another person.

It is a radical change that gets approved in gerrymandered statehouses because it's not understood. And because proponents aggressively suggest that only anti-Second Amendment people would be opposed to it. And because they tuck it into other legislation and, therefore, don't have to define it or defend it.

MS: Bruen Claims Another Victim (Albeit Reluctantly)
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So you would expect Judge Reeves to be all in on gun control in general and the value of laws prohibiting felons from possessing guns in particular. You would be wrong.

Last week, Judge Reeves ruled in a 75-page opinion that the felon-in-possession statute violates the 2nd Amendment.

The government was prosecuting Jessie Bullock, who as a 31-year-old hothead had gotten into a fatal bar fight. He did time for manslaughter. Now, the 59-year-old Jessie was caught in possession of a .22 level-action rifle and a .22 revolver, hardly the stuff of gang wars or bank robberies. No matter. The government charged him with being a felon in possession.

Gov. Newsoms 28th Amendment Political Stunt
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In June, California Governor Gavin Newsom, who pretends he isnt running for President, proposed a Constitutional Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to restrict gun national rights.

Reflecting the spirit of Judge Benitezs message, Rick Travis, Director of Government Affairs for the California Rifle & Pistol Association told the Globe, Newsom shows an astounding lack of leadership by once again attacking the law-abiding Gun owner rather than tackle the hard stuff such as crime control, the fentanyl crisis, homelessness and the multi year state budget deficits.

TN: Local GOP pushes legislators to support 2nd Amendment during upcoming special session Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
With a primary focus of this session on possible gun control measures, and even discussions entertaining versions of a red flag law, the MCTNGOP unequivocally opposes any legislation or Republican member of the state Legislature who would seek to defy the duties and responsibilities to their constituents and constitutions, especially regarding our inalienable Second Amendment right.

PA: Philly district attorney says politicians need to swear off 'absurd' Second Amendment interpretation
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Philadelphia's Democratic district attorney, Larry Krasner, called on would-be lawmakers Wednesday to abandon their "absurd interpretation" of the Second Amendment days after a mass shooting that killed five people in his city.

Gun control laws in the city have been stymied by Pennsylvania's preemption laws, which prevent Philadelphia from instituting gun reform. The fight against these preemptive laws will continue, according to Krasner.

"It is time for this legislature and, frankly, legislators across the country to swear off their addiction to NRA money and to swear off their addiction to this gun fetish that is really only shared by a moderate quantity of the U.S. population," he said.

CT: Attorney General Tong Defends Rhode Island's Restrictions on Large-Capacity Magazines
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Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 18 state attorneys general in filing an amicus brief defending Rhode Islands restrictions on large-capacity firearm magazines.

The coalition filed the brief in Ocean State Tactical, LLC, et al. v. State of Rhode Island, a lawsuit seeking to overturn a 2022 Rhode Island law restricting magazines to a maximum of 10 rounds of ammunition. A federal district court correctly refused to block the law, and now the plaintiffs Rhode Island gun shop owners are asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit to step in.

MA: Commonwealth Proposes Unprecedented Sweeping Gun Control
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For years, gun-grabbing politicians in Massachusetts have been chipping away at the Second Amendment, imposing some of the harshest gun-control in the country. Now, it appears they want to do away with your Constitutional rights altogether.

This week, Massachusetts politicians put forth HD 4420, an act modernizing firearm laws. This massive piece of legislation re-writes gun laws in the Commonwealth and imposes unprecedented gun-control. Every NRA member and gun rights supporter in Massachusetts is urged to contact lawmakers now and tell them to oppose HD 4420.