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United States justice statistics show Americans need firearms for defense of life and property, says gun law expert
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"'An analysis of crime figures released Sunday by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics indicates that law-abiding Americans should continue to enjoy legal access to the possession and use of firearms,' gun law expert John M. Snyder said here this morning." ...

"'What these numbers show, for the umpteenth time,' observed Snyder, 'is that there is a violent criminal class in our country. Law-abiding people have to be able to protect themselves and their families and their property from these thugs. In order to be able to do this, they need access to the tools with which to do it. There is no better self-defense instrument than a gun, in particular a handgun.'" ...

Calling Mr. Obvious
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Every weekday morning, I listen to my favorite morning radio program ... one of my favorite bits involves a recurring character named Mr. Obvious."

"Mr. Obvious hosts a little radio show of his own, and his listeners call in with problems for him to solve. ..."

"At the end of every edition of the Mr. Obvious Show, the caller always says, 'Huh. I never made the connection!' ..." ...

"Gun crime is rampant in some parts of the country. Perhaps the most notable at the moment is Washington DC ... Obviously, the crime rate is a problem. Just as obviously, there's an easy answer. The bad guys already have guns. Why aren't the good guys able to protect themselves on an equal footing? Because Washington DC has what may be the most draconian gun control laws in the country. ..." ...

Armed And Polite
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"An armed society, science fiction writer Robert Heinlein once noted, is a polite society."

"If that's true, the nation may be getting more polite. The New York Times reports that in the last year, 15 states have enacted laws that expand the right of self-defense, allowing crime victims to use deadly force in situations where they might formerly have been prosecuted."

"Ironically, these laws were enacted during a decade when violent crimes have been decreasing. (Although there appears to be a recent spike in crime, particularly in large cities)."

"Among all the state laws, the Florida law received the most publicity. ..." ...

NBC Takes Aim at Right to Defend Yourself (NewsBusters)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"As more and more states recognize the basic right to defend yourself NBC's Today, not surprisingly, took a dim view. ... Ron Mott in a segment headlined by the graphic: 'License To Kill, Self-Defense Gone Too Far,' Mott slanted his story with alarmist rhetoric and unbalanced talking heads."

"Matt Lauer introduced the story: 'Now a debate. How far can you go in the name of self-defense? In a growing number of states people have much more leeway to use deadly force. ...'"

"Mott then began the segment portraying the right-to-self-defense laws as a path to anarchy ... Mott went on to air three talking heads opposed to the laws including two supposed 'victims' of the self-defense to just one talking head from the NRA ..." ...

With Friends Like These At The UN...
Submitted by: DC Taylor
Website: http://restrictedreviews.com

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"The 2006 gun control confab at the UN has mercifully come to an end - for now. As usual, our ambassador to the UN, John Bolton, was a bright light in a dark swamp."

"The U.S. State Department sent the Undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security, Robert Joseph, to the UN Conference. He was not a bright light."

"Joseph won kudos from many Second Amendment supporters, but I do not think they read far enough." ...

"But elsewhere in Mr. Joseph's remarks, the assumptions of gun control advocates comes through his words. Joseph said the U.S. supports 'steps to implement the recently concluded agreement on the marking and tracing of weapons; effective controls on weapons transfers - both import and export - as well as robust end-user certification ...'" ...

Rail Guns For Home Defense
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"I don't care how good a shot you are, no one shoots as well with a flashlight in his support hand as he will with it wrapped around the gun's grip/shooting hand. I spent 12 years in SWAT, 11 years on patrol and five years in narcotics looking for my share of bad guys in dark environments. In the early years I would have killed for a weapon-mounted light--especially during those times when my support hand was needed to open doors, turn on lights, push non-hostiles out of the way, defend against non-deadly attacks, defend the pistol when in close quarters and hold on to handrails so I didn't fall down the steps. These are the realities of room clearing." ...

Smith & Wesson M&P: A Semiautomatic Pistol Worthy Of Its Name
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The moniker of Smith & Wesson's new Military & Police Pistol made me stop and think. Anyone with even a passing interest in handguns instantly recognizes the phrase 'Military & Police' as the appellation attached to what was without a doubt one of the most famous American handguns ever produced: the Smith & Wesson Military & Police Revolver. Introduced in 1899, it became the standard by which every other medium-frame double-action revolver would be judged--as well as serving as the launching platform for one of the most influential handgun cartridges in history: the .38 S&W Special. The popularity of the M&P (aka Model 10) revolver grew so quickly that it was the most widely used police revolver in the free world. ..." ...

OH: Man dies in Minford shooting
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"One man is dead following a shooting Thursday ... after what detectives say may have been a burglary gone awry."

"Robert Bays ... died after the homeowner shot him multiple times on the front porch with a handgun, Capt. John Murphy of the Scioto County Sheriff Department said." ...

"'The boy called his father, then he and the girl got out of the house and to safety,' ..."

"Norman Tackett arrived shortly thereafter and found Bays on the porch with a rifle."

"'What are you doing here?' Tackett asked ..."

"'I'm here to kill you,' Bays answered ..."

"Murphy said Bays then raised the rifle to shoot Tackett, when Tackett shot and killed Bays."

"Murphy said the incident may be handled as a self-defense case and is still under investigation." ...

TX: Shooting Of Suspect By Store Employee Questioned
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Tuesday afternoon a man was listed in critical condition at a north Texas hospital. Police say he was shot Monday night after holding up a convenience store in southeast Dallas."

"The shooting Monday night brings up the question of just what rights people have when it comes to guns. With more and more robbery suspects being bold enough to threaten to kill - what rights do victims have to protect themselves?"

"Monday night, a would-be robber enters a convenience store in south Dallas and allegedly threatens a worker, who then pulls a gun and shoots the intruder. Now police are investigating if the store owner had the right to shoot." ...

OR: Grand jury to decide whether man was shot in self defense
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

A grand jury will be held next week to determine whether a Klamath Falls shooting was done in self-defense.

Authorities say 36-year old Edward Benny Valdez Jr. stabbed his 80-year old grandfather, his grandfather's friend and a neighbor over the weekend. When Valdez returned, one of the stabbing victims shot him twice with a shotgun.

Authorities have not determined a motive for the initial attack.

KY: Allen County Man Scares Away Home Invader
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Kentucky State Police want to find two men who tried to force their way into an Allen County home early Tuesday morning."

"The alleged home invasion happened around 3:00 AM at Gordon Absher's house at 3440 old Bowling Green Road in Scottsville."

"Absher says someone rang the doorbell. When he looked outside he saw two men with their faces covered holding shotguns. Absher opened the door and pointed a pistol and one of the suspects, then grabbed his gun. Absher says the two men ran down the driveway to their truck, leaving the shotgun and other evidence behind." ...

PA: Intruder shot by homeowner
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

An intruder was shot in the leg last night in Lincoln-Lemington when the homeowner caught the young man inside his home.

The intruder, identified as a juvenile, attempted to enter a home in the 1400 block of Paulson Avenue. Police believe the intruder was armed, but a weapon was not recovered from the home last night.

The young man was taken to Children's Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.

Police said it was unlikely the homeowner would be charged.

NY: Yonkers Offers Gun Amnesty Program
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"In another important effort to keep guns off city streets, the City of Yonkers announced a gun amnesty buy back program, through which anyone can anonymously turn in a firearm for cash at designated sites throughout the city with no questions asked by law enforcement."

"The program, a cooperative effort of the city, Yonkers Guardians, and the Yonkers Violence Prevention Coalition, will pay $200 for each handgun and $100 for each long gun turned in."

"Officials say they hope the cash rewards and the 'no questions asked' policy will be enough incentive to remove a significant number of guns from the street." ...

NY: Pataki vetoes pair of gun-related bills
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Sometimes you have to wonder who drafts -- or at least proofreads -- legislation in Albany. Governor Pataki last week vetoed two gun-related bills previously approved by the Senate and Assembly, ostensibly due to poor wording by those who drafted them."

"One was vetoed because it would have unintentionally interfered with private sales through classified advertising and the other bill contained reference to revoking a 'firearms license' when it may have meant hunting license. Licenses, actually permits, are required only for handguns."

"He vetoed A10490/7105-B, which would have amended general business law to make it mandatory that promotional materials for firearms, rifles and shotguns contain the country of origin. ..." ...

MI: Granholm signing Self-Defense act laughable
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"I want to thank Gov. Jennifer Granholm for signing the Self-Defense Act on July 20. I know that the reason she did so was motivated out of a political calculation and not her sincere belief in the measure. However, in signing, she has provided a needed slap in the face to the gun grabbers of Michigan."

"The fact that a democrat governor would sign such a bill against the protests of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and other freedom-hating socialist news outlets shows that the forces of gun control in Michigan are not taken seriously."

"We are told by this elitist cabal of freedom haters that people cannot be trusted to protect themselves only the government can protect us. One can only laugh." ...

OH: From same-sex marriage to Bush, candidates opine
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"What do the two candidates for the 13th Congressional District seat have to say about ... assault rifles ..?"

"The Plain Dealer put the following questions to Betty Sutton, the Democratic nominee, and Craig Foltin, the Republican nominee. Sutton, 43, is a lawyer and former state representative. Foltin, 39, is the mayor of Lorain." ...

"Would you support a new federal ban on assault rifles?"

"Foltin: 'I strongly believe in the Second Amendment right of adult citizens to own firearms, but I also believe in keeping assault rifles off our streets.'"

"Sutton: 'Yes.'" ...

FL: NRA for Crist
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

The National Rifle Association of America and the Unified Sportsmen of Florida are backing Charlie Crist for governor in the GOP primary.

No one has been stronger in support of Second Amendment, self-defense, and anti-crime issues than Charlie Crist and we sincerely appreciate your solid pro-sportsmen, pro-Second Amendment, pro-freedom record, said Marion Hammer, NRA past president and Executive Director of Unified Sportsmen of Florida, in a letter to Crist informing him of the endorsements.

I am honored by the support of the NRA and the Unified Sportsmen of Florida, said Crist. I look forward to working with them as Governor to continue protecting the rights of Floridas gun owners.

OH: Ohio Senator Joy Padgett to Run for U.S. Congress (OFCC)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A friend and political ally of Ohio firearm owners has been tapped by U.S. Congressman Bob Ney to replace him on this falls ballot after his decision to not seek re-election. The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that Senator Joy Padgett 'happily agreed to run, calling it the fulfillment of a childhood dream.'"

"Senator Padgett has been an active supporter of Ohios movement to become a 'Shall Issue CCW' state. She has sponsored Concealed Carry legislation in the Ohio Senate, including SB 252 (the Senates version of HB 347) which aims to enact statewide pre-emption and void the onerous 'plain sight' requirement for vehicular carry." ...

NJ: NJ Transit Cops Suspended After Allegations Of Sex In Patrol Car
Submitted by: jac

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"Two NJ Transit officers are accused of having sex with a woman in their patrol car while on duty."

"Gabriel Mantilla and Lennard Ryner were suspended without pay Monday. They each face a single count of official misconduct."

"The Hudson County Prosecutor's Office is investigating a claim from a 34-year-old woman, who said she met the officers while returning from New York one recent morning. The three later agreed to meet up again, she said."

"She said the cops drove her to a secluded spot and took turns having sex with her."

"The officers pleaded not guilty and are free on $75,000 bail."

"NJ Transit called the allegations 'despicable.'" ...

DC: Officer Charged In Teen Sex Case Out On Bond
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A U.S. Capitol police officer charged with child sexual abuse was released from jail after appearing in D.C. Superior Court on Monday."

"Sgt. Michael Malloy is accused of making a sex tape with a 15-year-old girl. According to court documents, Malloy and Arron Burroughs ... videotaped themselves having sex with the girl at Malloy's home ..."

"Burroughs, a former volunteer football coach ... is accused of using the girl as a prostitute." ...

"Steve McCool, Malloy's attorney, said that although Malloy carried his service pistol, he did not use it in a threatening way towards the girl so that should not be considered an aggravating factor. The judge disagreed. McCool also said his client believed the girl was at least 18." ...

India: Delhi Police constable booked for fake gunfight
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Uttar Pradesh police Tuesday charged a Delhi Police constable with kidnapping and killing two people in a false gunfight."

"The families of the victims ... claimed that five Delhi Police personnel had frisked away the duo from a court in Ghaziabad, a satellite town of the national capital. However, in the first information report the families mentioned only Ashok, a constable who allegedly shot the duo dead in the Timarpur area north Delhi, a police official said."

"'The district collector of Ghaziabad had ordered an inquiry after receiving an application from the family members of the two people who were killed,' said Ghaziabad police chief Govind Agarwal." ...

OH: Plain Dealer Editorial Painfully Endorses Pre-emption (OFCC)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Monday editorial 'Choose your weapons policy' will likely surprise many concealed carry advocates both in its message and its untimely arrival."

"It's also completely full of inaccuracy, as usual, spreading the two-year old half-backed theory that some local governments can prohibit concealed carry. They can't, and the paper's editorial board has no excuse for missing this glaring error:"

"Registered owners may, for instance, carry their guns into non-enclosed parts of many public zoos (including Cleveland's), but not into a police station full of armed officers. They have to leave their guns behind when they visit a college campus or go to church, but may carry them in state or regional parks." ...

ME: Maine taking rap for supplying guns
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"For the last five months, a 252-foot billboard near Fenway Park has been warning Boston motorists that Maine and its lax gun-control laws help supply local criminals with their weapons."

"Even before the billboard went up, Boston officials had been pointing fingers north, saying that Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont must stop what they said had become a pipeline of illegal guns flowing into the city."

"But what neither the huge sign beside the Massachusetts Turnpike nor city officials have revealed is how many people buy guns in Maine to illegally resell the guns in Massachusetts or to commit other crimes there." ...

PA: Action needed now to stop gun violence
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Issue: Reading Patrolman Scott A. Wertz is murdered in the line of duty."

"Our Opinion: Handguns must be taken off the streets."

"Enough! We've lived with senseless deaths; the deaths of innocents; the deaths of malcontents and lowlifes; weve lived and continue to live, lamenting the cold steel that has rendered our city impotent."

"It's enough!" ...

"Handguns have no conscience; they have no remorse; they only function as a way to deal pain and death; they are useless tools of civilization. They need to be put in a cave along with the scribblings of the Cro-Magnon; They need to be relegated to the darkest corners of our world." ...
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Submitter's Note: Does the writer expect that cops will give up their handguns? Or are they somehow immune from the baleful influence of those dastardly handguns?

FL: Deadly force law not clear
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"We support Florida's controversial 'Stand Your Ground' law, but contrary to what some may believe, it is not a license to blow away anybody who gets belligerent with you."

"The law went into effect in October. There has been no general increase in mayhem so far, but there is enough ambiguity in the law that legislators should clear it up."

"These thoughts are prompted by the case of Michael Frazzini ... shot dead in March by Todd Rasmussen, a neighbor of Frazzini's mother."

"The investigation of the case was sloppy. The state attorney's office will not prosecute Rasmussen, even though a key conclusion of fact has changed. We worry that Stand Your Ground can be interpreted to give too much leeway to shooters ..." ...

TX: Dallas may drop the hammer on toy guns
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"They're Americana slipped into the holsters of little boys in cowboy hats."

"But after a 7-1 vote by the City Council's public safety committee, Dallas is closer than ever to passing one of the nation's strictest ordinances regulating the sale and possession of toy guns."

"The committee directed City Attorney Tom Perkins to craft an ordinance that would ban all toy guns except those painted a bright color, such as hot pink or neon green, or made of transparent or translucent material."

"The toys would also have to reflect light."

"Toy guns that don't fit the city's paint/reflection criteria would be illegal even if kept inside a private home or vehicle, council members said." ...