Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

Speaking of the right to own a gun
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Although the story was missed or ignored by most of the mainstream media, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton agreed to negotiate a small arms treaty with the United Nations. That treaty if and when it becomes effective could lead the U.S. into a trap whereby it will be argued this country is "obligated" to negate the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. That provision in the Bill of Rights affirms that "the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." Backers of the treaty are using the issue of "arms exports" as a cover for UN involvement.

Can IBM car technology pose threat to gun rights? Submitted by: David Codrea Website: http://www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Sound nuts? Hey, I'm not the one applying for a patent to take over control of your car. But, yeah, the overarching compulsion to control every aspect of another human being's life is, no doubt, indicative of a deeply disturbed mind."

GRNC campaign leads Marriott to say signs will be removed
Submitted by: Charlotte Gun Rights Examiner
Website: http://www.GunsPoliticsandFreedom.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

After GRNC began the effort and Gun Rights Examiners Paul Valone, Dave Workman and David Codrea and others ran it, the boycott immediately went viral, appearing on forums across the country and generating untold numbers of contacts to Marriott many of which were from Marriotts Rewards members who supported the boycott. On Sunday, the Marriott boycott made nationally-syndicated radio on Tom Greshams Gun Talk.

Today, upper level Marriott executive Keith Thomas told GRNC board member Bill Krupicka that signs from the Charlotte property had already been removed, and that signs across the country will be removed promptly

ATF Under Fire from CNN Submitted by: David Codrea Website: http://www.examiner.com/x-1417-Gun-Rights-Examiner	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"What gets me is, it's not news until they acknowledge it to be. Some of us have been out there waving this flag for the better part of a year.."

NY: Black Homeowner's Claim of Self-Defense Rejected in Fatal Shooting
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

An appeals court in Brooklyn on Friday upheld the conviction for manslaughter and gun possession of a Long Island, N.Y., black man who shot a white teenager to death in a confrontation in front of the man's home.

John H. White was sentenced to two to four years in prison for killing the teen, Daniel Cicciaro Jr., 17, who arrived at White's house along with four other teens in two cars and challenged White's son Aaron, 19, to fight as the group shouted racial epithets at the son and father, both of whom were armed.

A unanimous panel of the Appellate Division, 2nd Department, upheld the jury's rejection of White's defense that the shooting was justified because he believed he was defending his family from a "lynch mob."

CO: Armed homeowner shoots burglar in self defense
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

An early morning home invasion robbery attempt reportedly ended with one suspect dead and his accomplices on the run, after a homeowner fired in self defense.

Police say that three robbers set out to burglarize a home on the 3100 block of Gaylord Street in Denver, Colorado at 2:20 AM. Fearing for his safety upon the burglars' forced entry to his house, the homeowner reportedly grabbed his self defense gun and fired, striking one of the suspects and sending the other two fleeing. One suspect, identified as 17 year old Marcus Duran, was found dead at the scene from gunshot wounds, according to police. Police are seeking the other two suspects, and the homeowner was unharmed.

AL: Limestone D.A. will decide if charge merited in fatal shooting
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Limestone County Sheriffs investigators believe an Athens man who fatally shot his uncle Saturday night for threatening his girlfriend with a steak knife acted in self-defense. However, the Limestone County District Attorney will decide whether charges result from the shooting, an official said Monday.

Terry Cline, 41, of 13443 Reid Road, fatally shot his uncle, Kenneth Mark Cline, 46, in the chest with a .44-caliber pistol about 9:22 p.m. Saturday outside the home, said Limestone County Chief Investigator Capt. Stanley McNatt.

Kenneth Cline died of a single gunshot wound to the chest, McNatt said.

CO: Police: Homeowner Shoots, Kills Teen Intruder
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The homeowner at Gaylord Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard told police he heard glass breaking upstairs and when he went to investigate he found several intruders.

One intruder appeared to have a weapon, the homeowner said.

The homeowner said he told the intruder to drop the weapon but instead the intruder pointed it at the homeowner, according to an investigator.

The homeowner opened fire, killing one of the burglars. The other two intruders fled.

Marcus Duran, 17, died in the shooting. The Denver coroner's office said he died from multiple gunshot wounds in the head.

Calderon Reignites Gun Debate
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Kristen Rand, legislative director of the Violence Policy Center, said that pressure from Calderon would not necessarily lead to new laws, but that it might have some effect on the Obama administration, which has declared opposition to the assault weapons ban.

"I think it's more likely in the short term we're going to see administrative enforcement," Rand said. "They can tighten up the import rules, they can tighten up oversight of gun dealers, and they can tighten up oversight of manufacturers. I think over time the Mexican call for an assault weapons ban could lead to some kind of legislation against assault weapons or gun show loopholes, but not in the short term."

NY: Mayor Bloomberg Moves To Relax Gun Rules, But Advocates Still Unhappy
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has said his administration will simplify the process whereby New Yorkers can obtain gun permits, reversing what gun rights advocates have long criticized as arcane and restrictive rules. However, his move appears to have failed to satisfy gun proponents.

...

However, representatives of the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) have said that on reviewing the new regulations they see the announcement as "a lot of flash and very little substance."

...

"The handgun application fee is $340, and there is a $94.25 fingerprinting fee on top of that. This fee structure screams for elites only because those fees are outrageously expensive for average citizens," Gottlieb concluded.

FL: Life in prison for stealing $4 package of socks
Submitted by: Anonymous

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

What started as a shoplifting and turned into an armed robbery when the suspect revealed a handgun to a loss-prevention officer has resulted in a mandatory sentence of life in prison for a Daytona Beach man.

A jury deliberated for about an hour April 14 before finding Dean Rockmore, 48, guilty of robbery with a firearm, assistant State Attorney Chris Kelly said.

Submitter's note: Misleading headline; he did not receive the sentence for the theft.
They called it an "armed robbery" because after he was chased into the parking lot he exposed a handgun in his waistband.
He got away and was arrested the next day.
Now the taxpayers will be supplying him with tee shirts and socks for the rest of his life.

FBI says violent crime rate down again
Submitted by: Anonymous

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The violent crime rate in the United States went down in 2009 for the third year in a row and the property crime rate fell for the seventh consecutive year, the FBI reported Monday. ...

According to the numbers, all four categories of violent crime declined compared to 2008 -- robbery, murder, aggravated assault and forcible rape.

Submitter's note: Police are given the credit but the only reason cited is that they have "better tools."
Meanwhile, they don't cite the large annual increases in the legal carrying of concealed weapons. This is more likely the true explanation because criminals are more often stopped at the time of the crime or decide to take up less dangerous lifestyles.

US crime rates drop for 3rd year, despite recession
Submitted by: Anonymous

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Crime in the United States dropped dramatically in 2009, bucking a historical trend that links rising crime rates to economic woes. Property crimes and violent offenses each declined about 5 percent, the FBI said Monday, citing reports from law enforcement coast to coast. ...
Experts offered a range of factors that might have contributed to the drop in reported crimes. ...

According to the numbers, all four measured categories of violent crime declined compared with 2008 -- robbery, murder, aggravated assault and forcible rape.

Submitter's note: But of course, nowhere among the "range of factors" is the yearly increase in the legal carrying of concealed weapons to be found.

CA: New BART Police Chief Had 9 month "stress leave" Submitted by: Federale Website: http://www.federaleagent86.blogspot.com/	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
New Bay Area Rapid Transit District Police Chief has checkered history of suing the taxpayers, stress leave, and old boy network promotions.

OH: Lakewood shooting may have been self-defense
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

An early morning Lakewood shooting could have been a case of self-defense.

...Lakewood Police were called to 1437 Newman Ave. for a report of gunshots in the parking lot. Upon arrival they found one male on the ground with gunshot wounds and he was taken to Metro Hospital.

Chief Tim Malley says their investigation reveals this possibly may have been an attempted robbery. The suspected robber had produced a firearm while committing a robbery, when the victim of the robbery produced his own handgun and shot the robber.

The victim of the robbery, a 35-year-old male from Charlotte, North Carolina, was taken into custody by Lakewood Police. Two handguns were recovered at the scene. No charges have been filed.

FL: Letter: Governor's request to review the state's 'stand your ground' law needs watching
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Gov. Charlie Crist is in the process of asking the Florida Legislature to reconsider the Stand Your Ground Law the self-defense and self-protection law that currently exists here in Florida. The law is not a gun law and has no reference in the bill to guns or shooting. It is purely and simply a self-defense and self-protection law.

It clearly states that law-abiding citizens may legally presume the threat of bodily harm or death if someone breaks into your house or your occupied vehicle, and we may use defensive force, including deadly force, against the intruder.

FL: Man claims innocence under stand your ground' law
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

A man accused in a Cottondale stabbing case is claiming he should be set free because of Floridas Stand Your Ground law.

Alan Rice is accused of stabbing Keith Bailey in the middle and upper torso during an altercation in Cottondale in December 2008. The two men were at a gathering at 2431 Sapp Road when a fight broke out, investigators said. Bailey was seriously injured and taken to a hospital, but Rice was injured, too, and went to Chipley to get medical attention, investigators said.

Rice was scheduled to go to trial this week, but his attorney filed the stand your ground motion. Rice always claimed he acted in self-defense, and he now is claiming he is covered under the new statute.

TN: Local gunners win Shultz Charity Shoot
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Shooters from the Murfreesboro Police Department partnered with On Target Indoor Shooting Range in Murfreesboro to take home top honors at the American Cancer Society's Linda Shultz Charity Shoot.

The first-place team was Murfreesboro Police and On Target, made up of Chris Pitts, Leroy Farris, Sean Rumaner and Ken "Ol' G" Haynes. First-place individual was Rumaner.

...

This was the fourth year for the Charity Shoot honoring the late Linda Shultz of Brentwood an avid shooter who lost her battle with cancer in 2009. The event is overseen by Linda's husband Ed Shultz, former CEO of Smith & Wesson. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

CO: Colorado Right to Carry is Protected Once Again
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Thanks to the efforts of Larimer County Commissioner Tom Donnelly and the staff at Rocky Mountain Gun Owners, there was no confusion about the right of citizens to carry concealed handguns at this weekends Republican State Convention.

Just weeks ago, RMGO activists noted that the Budweiser Events Center in Loveland the site for the 2010 Republican State Convention listed all firearms, including those carried by permit holders, as being banned at that facility.

One problem: its a taxpayer-built and owned facility, and state law doesnt allow them to ban concealed carry.

SIG SAUER Increases its Competitive Shooting Activities
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

SIG SAUER, the leading manufacturer of military, law enforcement, government agency and commercial firearms, today announced the line-up of its first official shooting team to compete in national competitions.

Led by National Shooting Champion, and Team Captain Max Michel, Jr., Team SIG will serve as ambassadors to the shooting sports industry, while competing with SIG SAUER pistols and rifles. Max and Team SIG will aim to prove that the same superior quality and reliability that the military and law enforcement markets have come to expect from SIG SAUER is also applicable in competition.

TX: Governor's showdown spurs 'Coyote Special' pistol
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Texas Gov. Rick Perry's showdown on the jogging trail has spurred a gun maker to sell a "Coyote Special" edition of the weapon he used to take down the varmint.

Perry shot the coyote that he said was threatening his daughter's puppy with a Ruger .380-caliber pistol. Manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co. Inc. has now come out with a version emblazoned with "Coyote Special" and "A True Texan" on the sides.

On top is a picture of a coyote howling at the moon and five-pointed star of Texas. The box says it is "For Sale to Texans Only."

2nd Amendment no more important than others
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Now, now, dont get all bent out of shape. I dont want to take your guns away. I believe that our founding fathers wanted a well-regulated militia as necessary to the security of a free state, etc. I would like to point out, however, the inconsistency in the position of those who worship the Second Amendment as they encourage or ignore violations of our other rights.

To those of you who are strong advocates of the Second Amendment right to bear arms, I have a few questions. Did you support passage of the Patriot Act, or did you join with the librarians and American Civil Liberties Union to try to prevent its violations of the Fourth Amendment?

Inhofe bill would ensure off-base gun rights
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

Ownership and carrying of guns by people living and working on U.S. military bases could end up part of next weeks debate in a Senate committee on the $760 billion defense policy bill.

Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced a bill Thursday that addresses one of the issues raised after the November 2009 shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, the possibility of stricter rules about gun ownership on military bases.

From Their Cold Dead Hands
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

The idea of terrorists with guns is not a pleasant thought, and considering how gung-ho Americans are about fighting terrorists, common sense dictates that we would do everything possible to ensure that they dont get their hands on any. If thats the case, then leading members of the NRA do not have common sense.

There is a terror gap at the moment, one that allows people on the terrorist watch list to easily buy guns without so much as a second glance on the part of the seller. Its good business for the person selling the gun, but bad news for our national security interests.

CA: Hard to know if Stanislaus County Sheriff OKs more concealed weapon permits
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

It's too early to know whether Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson has granted more concealed weapon permits since pledging to do so before a gun group last month.

Second Amendment advocates hailed the pledge as a significant policy shift in the county, where sheriffs have been stingy with gun permits, compared with most other California counties, over the past three decades.

But Christianson's opponent on the June 8 ballot contended that the pledge amounted to a campaign flip-flop calculated to win votes. Christianson backpedaled in subsequent interviews, leaving gun-rights advocates wondering where he really stands.

Firearms Industry Responds to Mexican President's Calls for the U.S. to Reinstitute its Ban on Moder
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Some 29,000 firearms were recovered in Mexico in 2008, of which approximately 5,000 were traced to U.S. sources. That means more than 80 percent of the firearms recovered in Mexico were not traced to the United States. Furthermore, according to the ATF, those firearms traced were originally sold at retail not recently, but on average 14 years earlier. This is completely inconsistent with any notion that a flood of newly purchased firearms are being illegally smuggled over the border into Mexico. And let's not forget, no retail firearms sale can be made in the U.S. until after a criminal background check on the purchaser has been completed.

"In recent years as many as 150,000 Mexican soldiers, 17,000 last year alone, defected to go work for the drug cartels -- bringing their American-made service-issued firearms with them. It has also been well documented that the drug cartels are illegally smuggling fully automatic firearms, grenades and other weapons into Mexico from South and Central America. Such items are not being purchased at retail firearms stores in the United States.