Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

Hope And Change
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"'The election of Barack Obama as President and Joe Biden as Vice President was a decisive victory for common sense gun laws,' the Brady Campaign crowed in its election follow-up report."

"'The election also represents a critical loss for the [NRA],' the report continued, gloating 'The gun lobby pledged to spend $40 million this election cycle, with the largest portion to defeat Obama. They failed.'"

"John McCain's defeat was hardly NRA's fault. ... McCain's past support for political speech suppression ... and his continued endorsement of ending private sales ... made him a tough sell � particularly to ornery gun owners fed up with sell-outs, and tired of holding their noses and voting 'lesser of two evils.'" ...

Exciting Changes for Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"For several months now, OFCC has been working with David Codrea to expand readership of his pro-gun column, the Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner. In today's article, David writes that his efforts to reach an ever enlarging audience has resulted in some great news."

"Gun Rights Examiner going national" ...

"We are pleased to announce that OFCC's Daniel White has been selected as the next Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner! Many of you are familiar with his writings, as he has written articles for OFCC for years. We wish him luck and success, and our website will continue to link to his articles as we have done for David the last couple of months." ...

President Obama won't take your guns (even if he wants to)
Submitted by: Trapper

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"The inevitable rise of President-for-Life Barack Obama will soon unleash his Stalinist hordes to ransack the gun cabinets of the nation and ravish Red America's newly disarmed womenfolk ... the NRA-ILA warns that "Obama would be the most anti-gun president in American history."

"There's some truth to those warnings. That is, Obama is rather anti-gun. Sure, sure, he says he supports the Second Amendment. But he also endorsed the D.C. ban on handguns. ..."

"But that doesn't mean that America will be disarmed under an Obama presidency, even if that's how the hypothetical new chief executive wants to expend his political capital. For starters, law just doesn't matter as much as people think when it comes to how people live their lives." ...

Is Any Place Safe?
Submitted by: David Codrea
Website: http://waronguns.blogspot.com

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"Here's something about Rev. Shuttlesworth and that period in the civil rights movement that's not as well known...

"'Though not a consensus, many SCLC members, including such prominent figures as Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth, were aware of inconspicuously armed SCLC agents who provided protection for civil rights leaders and other activists. On at least one occasion, a shootout erupted between racist attackers and black defenders from the SCLC. Throughout the South, NAACP members had pistols, shotguns and handguns in their homes and on their person, as did many SNCC members.'"

Screw Bass Pro Shops and the Elmer Fudd Horse They Rode In On
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Well, folks, I finally took the plunge and went into the new Bass Pro Shop ..." ...

"... I had to walk the length of the counter and track down two of these 'customer service' types."

"'Excuse me,' I interjected, 'are you out of AR-15s?'"

"One counter guy gave me the old fisheye, and announced with a sniff, 'WE do NOT stock 'assault rifles.' (He said the name sneeringly, with emphasis.) 'We only carry SPORTING weapons.'"

"I looked him dead in the fisheye and replied, 'Now you're startin' to piss me off. Not 'sporting weapons'? I'll tell you what, sport. When they ban semi-auto rifles, they will immediately BECOME 'sporting weapons.' It will be open season on politicians then with no limit. ...'" ...

Praxis: Guerrilla Gadgets
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"My thanks to cycjec for tipping me to this open source for guerrilla gadgets. Let your imagination wander."

"Arduino based UAVs - Open source 'unmanned aerial vehicles'"

"ArduiPilot - Navigation for UAVs
ArduPilot is an inexpensive navigation-only autopilot based on the open-source Arduino platform. It is currently in beta. In fall 2008, it will be available as an easy-to-assemble kit (PCB with SMD parts already soldered, plus a few through-hold parts to solder yourself as required).
Price: $30.00" ...

Ban All Guns
Submitted by: Mark McCullough
Website: http://www.georgiacarry.org/

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"The Founding Fathers of our country made a mistake when they said we had the right to bear arms. They did not know we would be allies with the British and no longer have to worry about them coming over to oppress and colonize us. The British found greater spoils in Africa and India and never looked back on the United States after the Revolutionary War."

"The right to bear arms is killing all of us. In 2005 the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported 3,006 children and teens killed by gunfire, most of them young, black men in inner-city neighborhoods. And CNN reported yesterday that black-on-black murder of young black men is up 40 percent from last year. The harder the times get, the higher these statistics will go." ...

OK: Wild West
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Some Oklahoma legislators seem to have fantasies of the Wild West."

"... Rep. Eric Proctor ... and Sen. Kenneth Corn ... announced they would be introducing legislation in the upcoming session that would repeal state taxes on the sale of guns and ammunition. We were told that people should not have to pay taxes if they need to protect their families."

"It's unclear to me what problem this legislation is intended to solve. ..."

"This just doesn�t seem to be a serious problem to me. Sales tax is not an effort by the state to block people's access to guns or to prevent them from carrying out their Second Amendment rights. Are motivating factors for the repeal simply fantasies of the Wild West where everyone is packing heat? ..." ...

Coalition Developing in Opposition to Omama's Holder Nomination
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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of Pennsylvania, the Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, indicated early in December that he was not overjoyed with the proposed nomination of Eric Holder as Attorney General ... At the time, a number of observers pooh-poohed the news ..."

"Specter, however, had a point of great significance. He said that he was 'looking for a very constructive engagement to determine the qualifications of Mr. Holder.'"

"Since then, a lot has been coming out about the Holder question. Opposition to his nomination has been coming from people upset about his record of support for questionable presidential pardons and from people upset about his record of support for infringement on law-abiding Americans' gun rights." ...

More on Holder: 'Single Bullet Arlen' to the 'Rescue'
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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... "... it seems that Arlen Spector, GOP senator from Pennsylvania (note I do not call him "Republican" for that would be a profanation of that word), is jumping in to lead the 'fight' against Holder."

"I qualify the term 'fight' because I remember too well the questions that Spector ... refused to ask during the Waco and Ruby Ridge hearings. If you are waiting for Single Bullet Arlen to ask the ultimately tough questions necessary to derail Holder's nomination you are trusting in hope over experience."

"We'd better pray that Larry Pratt at GOA is able to find a senator on the Judiciary Committee who can ask those questions, because history shows that Spector will let us down."

Restore firearms ban in national parks
Submitted by: jghilty

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... "... These harmful new rules could take years to undo. Make no mistake, though, they must be taken off the books before they can do too much damage."

"No one associated with our national parks wanted the gun ban lifted. The National Leadership Council, a 22-member group of National Park Service officials, opposed allowing concealed weapons in national parks, which today are some of the safest places in the country. The National Parks Conservation Association, the unions representing park rangers and the National Park Service Retirees organization all opposed lifting the gun ban. For that matter, so did most of the 140,000 respondents during an Interior Department public comment period on the proposed rule change." ...

Brady Campaign sues over guns in parks
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence filed a lawsuit Tuesday to prevent people from carrying concealed weapons into national parks and monuments."

"The Bush administration failed to comply with federal environmental protections before moving ahead with new rules, the campaign said in court papers." ...

"Proponents of allowing legally concealed weapons said public safety would be enhanced by allowing legal holders of concealed weapons into the parks. People who are permitted to carry concealed weapons have undergone criminal background checks and training, said Linn Armstrong, a Second-Amendment activist ..."

"'Criminal elements don't seem to want to go through that same process, for some reason,' Armstrong said." ...

CA: Burglar flees after resident fires shot
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"Sheriff's deputies were looking Tuesday for a burglar who was shot at by an armed homeowner ..."

"The homeowner was alerted by a barking, growling family dog about 1:30 a.m. ... The homeowner, armed with a handgun, walked down her hallway and found a man who had apparently forced his way into the house ..."

"... the burglar 'brazenly and antagonistically challenged the homeowner.'"

"'Threatened by the aggressive behavior and fearing for her life,' the homeowner 'fired in self-defense at the confrontational suspect,' ..."

"The burglar fled ..."

"The intruder was last seen running through an orchard with a male accomplice ..."

"Neither the owner nor a toddler at home was injured." ...

CO: Colorado self defense law eyed in home shooting (follow-up)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Prosecutors are considering whether a Colorado law meant to protect homeowners against intruders applies in the case of a man killed outside a house he thought was his."

"The parents of 22-year-old Sean Kennedy said detectives have told them their son, who had been drinking, was shot Sunday night after breaking a window to try to get in through the back door of a house a block away from where he lived."

"'The detectives agreed from everything we told them and from the way things looked that was pretty much what happened,' said Kennedy's mother, Lisa Kennedy." ...
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Submitter's Note: They say drunk driving kills, apparently drunk breaking and entering kills too.

IL: Pepper spray fails to deter armed robbers in Cicero
Submitted by: jghilty

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

A woman pepper-sprayed three men in the face during an armed robbery Sunday night in Cicero.

Police said the men produced a gun, announced a stickup and grabbed the victim's purse at 4700 W. Roosevelt Rd.

Police said the men dropped the purse after being sprayed but recovered some of the items on the ground, including the woman's wallet, cell phone and camera, and fled east.
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KABA Note: Of course in Cook County most 'civilians' are (il)legally limited to pepper spray and the like.

NE: Self-defense, yes, but a tragedy nonetheless
Submitted by: jghilty

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"During a Sunday night drive, the 19-year-old pulled over to pick up a dropped lighter. Seconds later, a man with a gun opened the passenger door and demanded money."

"Soon after, the gunman was dead, shot with the gun police say he had wielded."

"Authorities say the driver defended himself by the roadside in north Omaha, when he wrested away the gun and shot D'Vontae R. Hutchinson. But the driver's family says the weight of the shooting remains."

"'A life is a life, even if it was in self-defense,' the driver's mother said. 'Somebody's child is still dead. . . . It's not something he ever wanted to have to think about happening in his lifetime.'"

"She said her family left Chicago to escape such violence." ...
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KABA Note: Better to have your own gun, but improvised weapons work almost as well.

2008 Year in Review for Second Amendment Advocates Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Here are some of the top stories we brought you in the NRA-ILA Grassroots Alert in 2008. With what will no doubt be a very busy 2009, we must redouble our efforts to ensure we are prepared to meet the opportunities and challenges we will face next year. We will continue to provide you with information in future Alerts to ensure our mutual success." ...

OH: Year in Review
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Happy New Year, from Ohioans For Concealed Carry!"

"2008 was a very interesting year for gun rights in Ohio, and the United States."

"We kicked off the year in January by filing briefs in our landmark case Ohioans For Concealed Carry v. City of Clyde, which after many years finally worked its way up to the Ohio Supreme Court."

"In February, we learned that, at the request of the Bush Administration and 51 members of the United States Senate led by Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), the National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service were considering revision of the ban on carrying and transportation of firearms in National Parks and wildlife refuges. OFCC was one of the signatories on two petitions ..." ...

MN: Greenfield City Council tries to keep guns out of meetings
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

The Greenfield City Council is proposing an ordinance that would ban city employees from bringing guns to work. The move comes after council member-elect Howard Veldhuizen brought an unloaded gun to a city council meeting.

Some residents believes it sends the wrong message and said they do not feel safe going to city council meetings anymore.

The city council wanted to ban guns from the premise all together but doesn't have the authority under state law to prohibit weapons on city property.

Other cities like Minneapolis have found a way around the law by enacting a similar ordinace prohibiting city employees from bringing guns to work.

KS: Shooting Range CUP Approved With Conditions
Submitted by: RPA-PAC
Website: http://www.rpa-pac.org

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"Linn County Commissioners approved a conditional use permit for a proposed shooting range on Monday with several conditions."

"... The project was denied by the Linn County Planning and Zoning Board by a vote of 6-2 in October. Zoning board officials said the shooting range did not fit the character of the neighborhood. Other reasons were health, safety, welfare and property value concerns."

"After receiving recommendations from the commissioners, the zoning board approved the CUP by a vote of 6-1."

"Larry Robinson, Linn County planning and zoning administrator, ... said the shooting range is near a hunting area, therefore the shooting range will not be a danger to the character of the neighborhood. ..." ...

Former drug officer launches 'KopBusters' TV show
Submitted by: Larry

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"Barry Cooper [is] a former Texas police officer with eight years of specialty in drug interdiction ..."

"Austin, Texas-based Cooper's latest project is not nearly so benign, and will likely generate for the former drug warrior an army of enemies in law enforcement."

"'KopBusters' is a reality TV program that aims to sink crooked officers."

"'KopBusters rented a house in Odessa, Texas and began growing two small Christmas trees under a grow light similar to those used for growing marijuana,' claims a release from NeverGetBusted.com 'When faced with a suspected marijuana grow, the police usually use illegal FLIR cameras and/or lie on the search warrant affidavit claiming they have probable cause to raid the house. ...'" ...
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Submitter's Note: The State's trampling of the rights of gunowners needs to be similarly exposed.

CA: San Jose police officer arrested on sexual battery charge
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A San Jose police officer was arrested Tuesday afternoon on charges that he sexually touched an 18-year-old woman while he was on duty."

"Julio C. Morales, a 41-year-old patrol officer, was arrested on suspicion of sexual battery and false imprisonment � both felonies, according to police."

"'In a police department of 1,400 officers, allegations are not uncommon,' said Lt. Mark McIninch, head of the department's sex assault unit. ...'

"A warrant for Morales' arrest went out Tuesday, police said, and Morales surrendered to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office. ..."

"Police said Morales inappropriately touched the woman during a pat-down search Dec. 3 after detaining her ..." ...

OH: Local cop busted on suspicion of drunk driving
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

A 17-year veteran of the Aurora Police Department is on paid administrative leave after officer Scott Garan was pulled over in Kent Christmas night on a charge of operating a vehicle under the influence.

Aurora Mayor Lynn Mcgill says the allegation against officer Garan is unacceptable although McGill says Garan will not be prejudged and that the case will be thoroughly investigated.

Ironically, the Portage County chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored officer Garan as Aurora's top O-V-I enforcer just a couple of months ago.
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H/t to David Codrea.

VA: Newport News police officer arrested
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Newport News Police Lieutenant Ronald Hendrickson was arrested by the York-Porquoson Sheriff's Office Tuesday."

"... Hendrickson was arrested in the early morning hours on December 26. Ivey says another individual called the Sheriff's office to report the crime."

"'It's difficult for victims to come forward a lot of times. She did cooperate with the investigation, but it is difficult and it's not uncommon for a victim to report third party. That's something that's not uncommon at all,' says Ivey." ...

"'Several of the charges are sexual in nature. There's two abduction charges, one sexual battery charge, and a sexual object penetration charge,' says Ivey."

"The alleged victim is an 18-year-old ..." ...

TN: Slideshow-Police Destroy Confiscated Guns Submitted by: jghilty	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Officer Tom Walsh, left, and Sgt. Neil Cook toss rifles into a metal cabinet which is loaded into a van, then shredded. The Metro Police Department shreds 1,405 guns, including rifles, shotguns and pistols. Many of the weapons were seized during arrests for unlawful gun possession. Weapons associated with homicide investigations and other serious felonies are not included.

NY: Schenectady officer arrested again
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A Schenectady police officer already charged in connection with a domestic dispute has been arrested again following a car accident over the weekend."

"John Lewis, 38, of Schenectady is charged with driving while intoxicated, aggravated driving while intoxicated, improper speed, and improper lane use."

"He was arraigned on Saturday and released on his own recognizance. He has been suspended without pay for 30 days."

"This is not the first time Lewis has been on the other side of the law. He was arrested in November on stalking and aggravated harassment charges stemming from an incident with his wife. He was also charged with harassment earlier this year in a separate incident with his wife." ...

NY: Fulton officer arrested for DWI
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A Fulton police officer has been arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated in Oswego."

"Officer Kevin Brown was ticketed for driving while intoxicated as well as leaving the scene of an accident after police say he hit a parked car Sunday night. Police arrested Brown at a Valero gas station."

"Fulton Mayor Ron Woodward said he is aware of the situation and the matter is being investigated."

"'We're not happy about it. But he's a human being. Made a judgment error obviously by getting in the vehicle after he consumed alcohol,' said Woodward."

"Officer Brown was not working Tuesday, but Fulton Police say it was his normally scheduled day off and they do expect him back later this week." ...

IL: Man sues after "POLICE" t-shirt arrest
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"A Belleville Police officer arrested a St. Charles man for wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the word 'POLICE.'"

"Now, Adam C. Weinstein, of St. Charles, has sued the department for what he calls a violation of his constitutional rights."

"According to police documents, Weinstein was arrested in 2006 outside a bar in Belleville for 'impersonating officers.' He was wearing a black t-shirt with the word police striped across the front and back under a sweater. The t-shirt became exposed when he removed the sweater because he was hot."

"'Those t-shirts are a sign of solidarity,' said Howard A. Shalowitz, an attorney representing Weinstein. 'How many people wear NYPD caps? Are they impersonating police?'" ...
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Submitter's Note: Don't miss the comments.

FL: Don't celebrate New Year's Eve with gunfire, Miami-Dade leaders urge
Submitted by: jghilty

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"If New Year's celebrations Thursday and Friday follow a recent South Florida trend, some revelers will ring in the good times by whipping out their guns and firing away."

"And innocent people will die."

"Celebratory gunshots took the life of 11-year-old Joshua Arroliga at the start of 2008. The Opa-locka boy was playing hide-and-seek behind a discarded sofa at his apartment building when one of his neighbors emptied a 9mm Glock's magazine into the furniture -- not realizing Joshua was hiding behind it."

"A year earlier, stray New Year's bullets took the life of two South Floridians -- Corey Baker, a 35-year-old father of five children in Miami, and Audley Ebanks, 69, of Plantation." ...