Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

VPC on Ashcroft Proposal to Destroy NICS Gun Records
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"The VPC warned that immediate destruction of records of approved gun sales immediately will put guns into the hands of felons, fugitives, domestic abusers, and other persons prohibited by law from getting them. GAO compared the effectiveness of the Clinton Administration rule that allows records generated by the Brady Law's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to be kept for 90 days to an Ashcroft proposal that would mandate destruction of the records within 24 hours..." (blah, blah, blah)

VA: Couple hit with wetlands fine for 'trimming bushes' Submitted by: John Fansler	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
KABA NOTE: A bit off-topic, but for one significant quote: "If people don't start fighting stuff," Tammy Nicoll said, "we're going to lose every right that we have."

MA: Embattled police chief to resign in June
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"Easthampton's police chief, who admitted there's enough evidence to convict him of breaking the state's gun laws, will resign in June. Under a settlement with the city, Robert Redfern will receive his base salary of $991 a week until he retires on June 30."

"In addition, the city has agreed to pay Redfern a $24,786 settlement and a Quinn Bill Educational Incentive benefit of $8,170, the newspaper reported."

PA: Grant will help Washington County prosecute 'gun crimes' Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The Washington County District Attorney's office will soon be getting two new assistants who will specialize in crime involving guns. Thanks to a $217,728, three-year federal grant awarded to Washington County through the Community Gun Violence Prosecution Program, District Attorney John C. Pettit said he hopes to appoint two new assistant district attorneys by the end of the month."

OH: Ohio Ban on Concealed Guns Voided (followup) Submitted by: John Fansler	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"A state appeals court Wednesday declared Ohio's ban on concealed weapons unconstitutional--delighting gun-rights advocates who are pushing hard to get citizens in all 50 states the right to carry hidden firearms." -- Another look at the good news.

U.N.: World Court now a 'Reality' Submitted by: du eulear	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The International Criminal Court was officially instituted today at the United Nations headquarters. The court, a permanent tribunal to prosecute "crimes against humanity," strides onto the world stage without the ratification of the United States."

Joint Sierra Times/Fourth Branch Event: Join Us At FreedomFest
Submitted by: Wayne Hicks
Website: http://www.fourthbranch.org

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"The most important function of FreedomFest, however, will be in the Resolutions that will be passed by a vote of all in attendance and delivered to Congressmen, Senators, and the White House, demanding the preservation of our civil Liberties. These Resolutions will be signed by all attendees who choose to do so, to serve notice to our Elected Officials that We, the People, are not just a small gaggle of fanatics who will go away... but rather, that we are many, and we are tired of tyranny!"

TX: Neighborhood Nightmare (Serial Rapist Loose) Submitted by: serinde Website: http://www.progunwomen.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Law enforcement authorities are working around the clock to catch a serial rapist who is terrorizing Cleburne." "[One woman] said a gun that used to be in a locked case is now beside her bed, the outside dog now has free rein of the house at night, and floodlights are always on." "[Another] also recently borrowed a friend's large dog and keeps a screwdriver beside her bed to use as a weapon."

TX: 'Safety Tips' (?) Against Rapists
Submitted by: serinde
Website: http://www.progunwomen.com

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"Cleburne police suggest these safety guidelines [partial list]:

-- Keep exterior lighting on at night.

-- Keep all doors and windows locked. Deadbolt locks are recommended.

-- Keep a cellphone beside the bed programmed to call 911.

-- Invest in a can of pepper spray or a whistle."

[These tips are being followed, except some women are actually keeping guns handy instead of pepper spray or a whistle.]

KABA NOTE: This PD should be sued for endangering the public health and safety.

Airline Insecurity: Agency discusses air 'safety' plans
Submitted by: serinde
Website: http://www.progunwomen.com

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"Pilots, maintenance workers and others who enter secure areas of airports would undergo background checks and receive tamper-proof identification cards under plans being developed by the Transportation Security Administration."

"...the employee ID card could be the prototype for a frequent flier card to allow airline passengers who voluntarily undergo background checks to bypass long lines at security checkpoints."

Number behind bars in U.S. nears 2 million
Submitted by: serinde
Website: http://www.progunwomen.com

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KABA NOTE: Slightly off-topic, but related to Project Exile.

4th story on page

"As of June 30, 2001, one of every 145 U.S. residents was behind bars. Tougher anti-crime policies, more facilities and longer sentences are the reasons cited for the decadeslong increase in the prison population."

"Most of the growth between 2000 and 2001 came in federal facilities. Overall, 1,965,495 people were in custody in federal and state prisons and local jails in June 2001, a 1.6% increase from the previous year."

U.S. Congress: Gun Manufacturer Honored Submitted by: John Rich	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Rep. Wilson of South Carolina made a one-minute speech in Congress honoring FN manufacturing, the maker of 75% of the firearms used by the United States armed forces." NOTE: The link is a PDF file of a page from the Congressional Record. You'll need AcrobatReader.

WA: Man says father didn't pull gun
Submitted by: Anonymous

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Police Spokesman "Fish also said it shouldn't matter whether Miller identified himself as an officer. A civilian with a legal pistol could shoot someone who pointed a gun at them, "and there isn't a prosecutor on the planet who is going to prosecute someone for protecting their own life. I want that same right afforded to police officers."

Also see: www.tribnet.com/frame.asp?/news/crime_safety/0411b41.html

NYC: Staten Island to receive grant to 'fight gun-related crimes' Submitted by: Blacksnake	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The office is receiving a three-year, $360,000 federal grant which will allow the district attorney to dedicate three assistants to prosecute crimes involving guns. "The funding is being awarded under the Federal Community Gun Violence Prosecution Program, which was created last year to allow for the hiring of new prosecutors nationwide to handle cases, specifically involving gun crimes."

France/UK: Briton stabbed to death in France Submitted by: Blacksnake	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"No right to self-defense" mentality breeds victims.

New Product Production - Heated Firearm Stock Submitted by: Hot Grips Stock Company Website: www.geocities.com/hotgripsstockco	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
I have a new patented gun stock that is nearing production. U.S. Title: "Heated Firearm Stock", U.S. Patent #6,164,003. The "Heated Firearm Stock" keeps the hand, more particularly the fingers of the shooting hand warm in cold weather without the need of wearing a heavy, bulky glove. Please give me your input as to what firearms you would like to have this new stock made available. Ron Miller

'Don't Target Mental Illness in Gun Checks'
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"WHEN A PERSON with mental illness kills someone, there is usually an outcry for reforms to make sure that people with mental illness don't kill again. But we must be careful not to paint all people with mental illness as potentially violent offenders as we try to tighten safeguards against guns ending up in the wrong hands." -- Christopher Slobogin, professor at the University of Floridas Frederic G. Levin College of Law

Lead Astray - Gun sports are safe, so long as you know the rules
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"Recently, several employees at George Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic in San Rafael, Calif., were standing outside on a coffee break talking about those things Jedi-makers do. Suddenly one of the men felt a sharp pain in his arm, then another on his head. Checking his body, he found bruises and welts with no immediate visible cause."

"Sounds like the start of a great special-effects movie invisible attackers; call out the Jedi warriors, something like that..."

Property rights 'issue' awaiting 'court clues'
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"Is it legal for the government to use its power of 'eminent domain' to condemn private property, then transfer the same property to another private owner for development purposes? Or does such action represent an unconstitutional "taking" of private property?"

"The 'debate' centers on the definition of "public use" under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which reads "nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation."

IL: It's open season for debate over concealed carry Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
NOTE: Free Registration Required "Should law-abiding citizens be allowed to carry concealed firearms in Illinois, as they are in most other states? -- The question is again before lawmakers in Springfield, and it gets to the heart of the gun-control debate."

HI: Halts Use of Traffic Cameras
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"Gov. Ben Cayetano on Wednesday ordered a halt to the use of cameras to catch speeders, a safety measure many Hawaii motorists considered so underhanded they tried to subvert the system."

"Cayetano said the Legislature was about to repeal the program anyway. "The traffic van cam law is the creation of the Legislature, and if they want to now cancel the program it will be canceled," he said in a statement."

LA: Veterinarians say guns endangering eagles
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"After treating nine eagles for gunshot wounds in 14 months, LSU veterinarians say humans are threatening the birds' ability to breed. Louisiana has an estimated 151 eagles, so nine is a sizable percentage, said Mark Mitchell, assistant professor of zoological medicine at LSU."

"This is just the unfortunate result of individuals who have no respect for wildlife or even human life," Mitchell said.

FL: Feds arrest Hollywood man with 'stockpile' of weapons, ammunition
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"A Hollywood man stocked his Presidential Towers condo with sniper rifles, killing arrows and more ammunition than the local ATF has on its shelves."

"After a month-long investigation, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service arrested Douglas Altman ... and charged him with impersonating an officer and confiscated a large cache of weapons and ammunition."

"Altman's attorney, Tim Day, said Altman's guns were legally owned and that he threatened no one."

CO: House supports restricted access to gun permit records Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The public would have a tougher time seeing records kept by sheriffs and chiefs of police on people holding concealed weapons permits under a bill given final House approval Wednesday." "House Bill 1147 by Rep. Mark Cloer, R-Colorado Springs, was sent to the Senate on a 38-24 vote after the House decided to reverse a decision it made Tuesday."

MI: Duggan wants 'tough ad campaign on guns' to 'Deter criminals from carrying weapons'
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"To cut through the helplessness many Detroiters are feeling after another little girl was killed by random gunfire ... Wayne County's prosecutor offered this idea: Appeal to criminals and would-be criminals through a corporate-funded billboard, television and radio blitz."

Mike Duggan's message would be twofold: "to get criminals to stop carrying guns because they're afraid of federal prison time," and "for the drug rings to order their dealers to stop carrying guns because they're afraid it will bring down the whole organization."

CA: Gun's owner held in slaying
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"The father of a teenager accused of fatally shooting a 12-year-old boy in Foresthill was arrested Tuesday on a charge of failing to limit his son's access to the pistol."

"The father, 41, was taken into custody in Placer County Juvenile Court in Auburn just minutes after an arraignment hearing for his 15-year-old son, who was arrested on suspicion of second-degree murder. The Bee is withholding the father's name so as not to identify the juvenile."

OH: 'Many object' to weapon ruling
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"State, county and local attorneys hope today the Ohio Supreme Court will once again make it illegal for Hamilton County residents to carry concealed firearms ... they filed a flurry of motions asking the court to stay an appellate decision legalizing concealed-carry in the county."

"Government attorneys also are asking the Ohio Supreme Court to hear their objections to Wednesday's decision by a three-judge panel."

OH: Hamilton County prosecutor Allen (Hypocrite of the Year) Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Public, private Allen disagree" "As Hamilton County's prosecutor, Mike Allen is fighting to preserve the Ohio law that forbids carrying hidden handguns and which was overturned as unconstitutional Wednesday by the 1st District Ohio Court of Appeals." "Allen the person, though, supports the right to carry." KABA NOTE: Allen should be sued for endangering the public health and safety.

Israel: Citizens get guns for home
Submitted by: Rick Schwartz

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"The country recently expanded the number of people allowed to have gun licenses. Israelis are flocking to gun shops to buy weapons or trade the guns they have for bigger ones. Even opponents of loosening gun laws have dropped their objections, at least for the moment."

"You cannot ignore the situation," said Gali Etzion, a lawyer for Na'amat, a woman's organization that has in the past opposed liberalizing laws on gun ownership."

OH: Brady Center says 'Appeals Court Ruling Puts Ohio at Risk'
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence sharply criticized the decision by Ohio's First District Court of Appeals in Klein v. Leis, a landmark challenge to the constitutionality of Ohio's law prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons. The Appeals Court upheld a lower court ruling that forbids the enforcement in Cincinnati of Ohio's longstanding law generally banning the carrying of concealed weapons."

IL: Lawsuit against gun manufacturer for shooting victims Allowed to Proceed
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence hailed the decision by Judge Michael Hogan of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois, allowing a lawsuit to proceed against the gun manufacturer, the gun distributor, and the gun dealer that armed Benjamin Nathaniel Smith, a follower of the white supremacist World Church of the Creator, enabling him to carry out his July 1999 shooting rampage in which he shot 11 people in Illinois and Indiana."

MI: Police crack down 'potato launchers' Submitted by: John fansler	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Authorities have issued a 'zero-tolerance' warning for homemade weapons that young people are building to launch potatoes and other projectiles 200 yards or more." "After confiscating a batch of "potato launchers," the East Grand Rapids Public Safety Department issued a zero-tolerance warning this week for the homemade weapons."

'More Guns = More Deaths'
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"The gun lobby long has promoted the idea that if more people owned guns, there would be less crime. Whether or not that is true, the price paid by children has been steep, according to researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health..." -- Opinion of The Hartford Courant

KABA NOTE: If they were a good newspaper, they would have found out "if it is true or not" BEFORE writing editorials on a subject.

MI: Stray Bullets - 'no acceptable level of innocent lives lost' Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Whether it's keeping better track of violent offenders or responding more seriously to personal disputes, someone has to stem this outbreak before it spreads." -- Opinion of Detroit Free Press KABA NOTE: Those "someone"s are the citizens.

CA: Old Town the site for old-fashioned shoot-'em-up Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The sights and sounds of a bygone era will fill the streets of Old Town Temecula with the celebration of Western Days on Saturday and Sunday. The highlight of the weekend's festivities will be a simulated gunfight at the Bank of Mexican Food. At high noon both days, the Old Town Temecula Gunfighters will treat crowds to a mock gun battle."

NV: Court rules citizens can't use deadly force on fleeing felon Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that citizens cannot use deadly force to apprehend a fleeing felon, thereby reinstating charges against a Carson City man who fired shots in a 1997 altercation. The court was unanimous in its interpretation of the law, but disagreed 4-3 over whether charges against local businessman Rolland Weddell should be reinstated."

Somalia: 'Clans And Guns - A Deadly Combination'
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"His blood slowly staining a pillow red, Somali merchant Ali Moumin explains how a business dispute landed him in hospital with a bullet wound in the head. A rival merchant settled matters by shooting Moumin in the back of the skull with an AK-47 rifle at near point blank range."

"The attack taught the newcomer to Mogadishu a lesson he says he will not forget - to stay in business, respect clan turf."

IN: Case tests liability of gun owners in deaths Submitted by: Bob Beatty	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"State high court to rule whether parents were at fault when son killed deputy with their weapon." "Timothy Stoffer, already a convicted felon, wasn't even supposed to have a gun. But he found one anyway, in an armchair in his parents' house."