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CCRKBA Challenges Conyers To Close 'Police Gun Loophole'
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms today challenged incoming House Judiciary Chairman Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) to 'close a real loophole' that seems to be putting quite a few guns on the street, particularly in his own congressional district."

"'Conyers is an avowed anti-gunner who believes only cops should have guns,' observed CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb. 'Well, in the past six months, in and around his hometown of Detroit, police have lost at least five guns, including a submachine gun and an M4 semiautomatic rifle ...'" ...

"'Of course,' Gottlieb said, 'the typical Conyers approach would be to hold every cop in the country responsible and institute some one-size-fits-all regulation ...'" ...

Gun rights case is a first for Supreme Court
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"In a case that could shape firearms laws nationwide, attorneys for the District of Columbia argued Thursday that the Second Amendment right to bear arms applies only to militias, not individuals."

"The city defended as constitutional its long-standing ban on handguns, a law that some gun opponents have advocated elsewhere. Civil liberties groups and pro-gun organizations say the ban in unconstitutional." ...

"If the dispute makes it to the high court, it would be the first case in nearly 70 years to address the amendment's scope. The court disappointed gun owner groups in 2003 when it refused to take up a challenge to California's ban on assault weapons." ...
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Submitter's Note: The Second Amendment does not apply to 'militias' or individuals: It applies to government.

Big bang theory: Is Vermont flooding New England with illegal guns?
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A recent conference on illegal gun trafficking has put Vermont, along with the mayor of the state's largest city, back in the crosshairs of an ongoing debate in New England."

"The debate centers on this basic premise: Do Vermont�s lax gun laws contribute to crimes in other cities by encouraging illegal gun trafficking? According to top law enforcement officials, the answer is no."

"Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss, a Progressive, attended a recent regional conference hosted by Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, a Democrat, to talk about ways to stem the flow of illegal guns onto the urban streets of New England. Republican Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York is also raising the issue nationally." ...

Shooting for Sport, Not Survival
Submitted by: Anonymous

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... "I got my first gun for Christmas when I was 10. It was a standard 4/10 shotgun. I got a hand-me-down .22 rifle a few years later. And occasionally I used Grampie Red�s 30.6 rifle. I never really liked to hunt. Getting up at the crack of dawn, traipsing�very quietly�through the woods all morning long, maybe getting to shoot the gun that you've lugged through the forest, maybe not. But I did it for years because of the guns. I simply like to shoot them." ...

The Debates in the Several State Conventions, (South Carolina), May, 1788
Submitted by: GunShowOnTheNet.com
Website: http://gunshowonthenet.com/index.html

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"... it will not easily be in the power of factious and designing men to infect the whole people; it will give an opportunity to the more temperate and prudent part of the society to correct the licentiousness and injustice of the rest. . . . and oppress the people by laws the most infamous that have ever disgraced a civilized nation...."

"...With us, the sovereignty of the Union is in the people...."

"...It must be obvious that, without a superintending government, it is impossible the liberties of this country can long be secured...."

"...We are to reflect that this Constitution is not framed to answer temporary purposes. We hope it will last for ages--that it will be the perpetual protector of our rights and properties...."

IL: Gunman wounds four in Chicago office.
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"A gunman shot four people and took a hostage in a downtown skyscraper Friday, then was killed after police fired at him, authorities said."

"The shootings in the 38-story Citigroup Center ... sent office workers running from the building ..."

"Three people were hospitalized in critical condition and a fourth was stable ..."

"The gunman, armed with a snub-nose revolver, knife and hammer, shot the four victims over 'several minutes,' police Superintendent Phil Cline said." ...
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Submitter's Note: A gunman wounded four in a Chicago office before being shot by police. How can this be?

Bloomberg's Foot
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"One of the questions about Mayor Bloomberg's campaign against guns is whether he is going to end up, in respect of his presidential aspirations for 2008, shooting himself in the foot. The mayor, backed by his corporation counsel and police commissioner, held yesterday another one of his high-caliber press presentations to announce yet a new round of lawsuits against what he represents are 'irresponsible' gun dealers. ..." ...

Mayor Launches Another Assault on Out-of-State Gun Dealers
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Mayor Bloomberg rang the bell for round 2 of his legal battle against outof-state gun dealers."

"Mr. Bloomberg and his legal team, who in May sued 15 small-town gun stores, yesterday filed a lawsuit against 12 more dealers."

"The suit, which was filed in Brooklyn federal court against dealers in the same five states as the last lawsuit � Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia � stems from an undercover sting operation conducted by a private investigation firm hired by the city." ...

With Victories, City Challenges More Gun Sales
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said yesterday that the city had reached agreements with six out-of-state gun dealers, who agreed to let court officials monitor their operations to prevent illegal gun sales. He said that New York had sued 12 additional gun stores to demand similar oversight."

"The expansion of New York�s legal attack from 15 to 27 gun dealers, in Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Georgia and Virginia, reflects the city�s growing confidence that its novel approach to battling illegal gun traffic is gaining momentum."

"The agreements with the gun dealers � reached over the last four months, with the latest one signed on Wednesday � give officials broad monitoring powers over the individual stores." ...

Handgun control advocate speaks out
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"The country doesn't necessarily need new laws to limit handguns, but it should enforce the laws it has and resist efforts to weaken them, one of the nation's top handgun control advocates said Thursday."

"Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, was in Portland to speak at the annual meeting of Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence, which presented its top annual award for efforts to reduce gun violence to Chellie Pingree."

"The Buzz Fitzgerald Public Service Award was given to Pingree, the founding co-chairwoman of Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence, for the gun control bills she sponsored while a state senator. Pingree is now president and chief executive officer of Common Cause ..." ...

PA: Local Gun Shop Named in Law Suit
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Officials in New York City are using the legal system to go after illegal guns on the streets and they're pointing a finger at a gun shop in Easton. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced the filing of a federal lawsuit against 12 gun dealers in five states today. The city hired private investigators to travel to out-of- state gun shops and make undercover purchases that they say violated federal laws. One of the defendants named is John's Gun and Tackle Room in Easton. The owner, John Coscia, tells 69 News that he hasn't seen the lawsuit yet. He says he turns down the sale of guns to people he feels are not buying them legally. The lawsuit filed today asks the federal court to order supervision and extra training for the dealers. ..."

OH: Democrats shedding pro-gun mantle already? (BFA)
Submitted by: Buckeye Firearms Association
Website: http://www.buckeyefirearms.org

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"The vote totals from November are not even official in all races yet and a few Ohio Democrats are already giving gun owners reason to question their commitment to firearm rights."

"This past November, Democrats took control of statewide offices due, in part, to finally running pro-gun candidates. In fact, the two statewide races considered upsets, Attorney General and State Auditor, were races in which a pro-gun/anti-gun choice was presented, and the underdog pro-gun candidate won. Unfortunately, the veto override vote on H.B. 347 has begun to raise the question of whether Ohio's Democrats were only pulling a Taft - talking a pro-gun game but not being there when the votes were needed." ...

AR: Bill would expand self-defense rights
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A bill that would expand the limits of legal self-defense in Arkansas was pre-filed Thursday ..."

"State Rep. Mike Burris, D-Malvern, pre-filed House Bill 1027, the proposed 'Stand Your Ground Law.'"

"The bill would permit the use of deadly force against a person forcibly entering a dwelling or occupiable structure, unless the person is a lawful resident of the structure and is not violating a protective order or no-contact order."

"It also would permit the use of deadly force against a person who is removing a person from a dwelling or occupiable structure against his or her will, unless the person being removed is a child, grandchild or other person in the legal custody of the person doing the removing." ...

OH: Media Access Loophole fix eviscerated in Senate committee (BFA)
Submitted by: Buckeye Firearms Association
Website: http://www.buckeyefirearms.org

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"Since April 2005, this political action committee has been documenting legislative attempts to remove Bob Taft's ridiculous media access loophole ..."

"... The provision was removed from HB347 in March 2006, when Taft again vowed to veto the bill over that provision, and finally inserted into HB9 via a floor amendment introduced by Rep. Tom Brinkman. The bill passed 93-1 and was sent to the Senate, which has taken the bill up under consideration in the Senate Judiciary Committee on Civil Justice, chaired by Sen. David Goodman."

"On Wednesday, December 6, a substitute bill was introduced in the committee, and the provision dealing with media access has been altered significantly." ...

OH Supremes: Cincinnati gun ban 'not in conflict' with state law (BFA)
Submitted by: Buckeye Firearms Association
Website: http://www.buckeyefirearms.org

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"Buckeye Firearms Association announced today that they regret the Ohio Supreme Court's unanimous decision in the Cincinnati vs. Baskin case, upholding that city's assault weapon ban. However, the decision was not unexpected and the preemption language in H.B. 347 addresses every one of the Court's criteria as set forth in the Baskin opinion. The reason the preemption language was changed between the 'dash 1' version and the 'dash 2' version that ended up passing was in anticipation of this decision." ...

CA: Officer is held in attack on teen
Submitted by: jac

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"A Los Angeles police officer was arrested Thursday on suspicion of assault after he was caught on videotape applying a chokehold to a handcuffed 16-year-old boy inside the Central Division station, authorities said."

"The officer's alleged actions were recorded by a hidden camera that had been installed after some chairs at the station had been vandalized."

"The video was the third to surface in recent weeks that shows LAPD officers involved in alleged misconduct. But Police Chief William J. Bratton said that unlike the incidents depicted in the other two videos, the teenager's beating was so egregious that he ordered the officer's immediate arrest." ...

NC: Sheriff fires deputy involved in shooting
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"New Hanover County Sheriff Sid Causey has fired one of three deputies who have been on paid leave in connection with the shooting death of 18-year-old Peyton Strickland." ...

"The reason for Long�s dismissal was not explained in the release. But it did state that 'a criminal investigation is being conducted by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation ...' apparently a reference to the ongoing investigation into the Dec. 1 shooting." ...

"The shooting came as members of the sheriff�s heavily armed and armored Emergency Response Team and UNCW police officers sought to arrest Strickland at his home. Strickland had been charged in connection with the Nov. 17 robbery of two PlayStation 3 game stations from a UNCW student." ...

TX: Why Don't More Cops Go to the Videotape?
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"One afternoon in November, Houston Texans lineman Fred Weary was pulled over by Houston police for a traffic violation. The cops say he was belligerent and uncooperative. Weary's lawyer says he did as he was told. What no one disputes is that the story had an unhappy ending. The officer shot him with a Taser before handcuffing and arresting him."

"At times like this, wouldn't it be nice to know exactly what happened? Of course it would. It would also be easy -- had the incident been captured by a video camera. But it wasn't, because the police car involved didn't have one. Video recording is one of the most extraordinary law enforcement tools ever invented, but despite years of availability, it is still grossly underused." ...

PA: It's still gun control
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The 'Civil Protection Ordinance' proposed by Cherry Tree, Pa., Councilman Henry Statkowski -- that there should be a firearm in every household in the Indiana County community -- was voted down 6-1 on Wednesday for good reasons. But not for the best reason." ...

"The Pennsylvania Constitution ... could not be more emphatic. 'The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.'"

"Note that 'questioned' is followed by a period. Had it somehow become law in Cherry Tree, it would have been a tacit acceptance that the state can question anyone about firearms."

"Those who believe in the right to bear arms must never forget that any type of gun control is gun control."

AZ: Man imprisoned for shooting hiker hopes for 2nd trial
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The attorney and wife of Harold Fish, a father of seven and convicted murderer, are eagerly awaiting the ruling of a pending Arizona Supreme Court case they hope can be used to obtain a new trial for the retired school teacher who fatally shot a man while hiking in northern Arizona." ...

"Mr. Fish is a 'blue chip citizen,' says his attorney Mel McDonald, who maintains he feared for his life when he shot and killed an irate Grant Kuenzli after the man's aggressive dogs charged him. ..."

"The conviction does not sit well with Mr. McDonald, a former Maricopa County Superior Court judge and U.S. district attorney. ... He regards the decision to prosecute Mr. Fish by the Coconino County Attorney�s Office as 'unconscionable.'" ...

CA: National Rifle Association aids Jerry Brown landslide
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Poochigian ran a nasty, underhanded campaign against Jerry Brown � did you catch the picture of Charlie Manson? Manson, of course, couldn�t be executed because the courts had struck down an earlier version of California�s death penalty. A subsequent reenactment could (and can) not be legally applied retroactively to Manson�s crimes."

"Brown�s support by rank and file cops (in Oakland and around the state) provided strong evidence to the voters that the Poochigian ads were bunkum."

"But the landslide that Brown ultimately won by � a greater margin than the Governor or the Attorney General � must be attributed to Poochigian�s lemming-like following of the directions of the National Rifle Association and it�s state affiliate on firearms legislation." ...

NY: Mayor: Cash for illegal guns Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Website: http://www.nysrpa.org	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
FULL TEXT BELOW: Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown announced a cash-for-guns program, using private money donated by Buffalo businesses. Police said an illegal gun was used to shoot two Buffalo police officers this week. Carl Andolina was shot twice and was released from the hospital on Thursday. His partner, Patricia Perete, remains hospitalized at Erie County Medical Center in critical condition.