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SAF Lauds Anchorage Mayor Who Backs Out on Bloomberg
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Second Amendment Foundation today applauded another western mayor for bowing out of Michael Bloomberg's anti-gun mayors' coalition."

"Anchorage, Alaska Mayor Mark Begich announced his withdrawal from Bloomberg's 'Mayors Against Illegal Guns' ... earlier this week. While noting that he supports efforts to prosecute armed criminals, Mayor Begich acknowledged, 'upon further review of the coalition, it appears they may have a different agenda than I anticipated.'"

"'I am concerned the coalition is working on issues that conflict with the beliefs we share in Alaska about legal gun ownership,' Begich wrote, 'and I'm also concerned gun ownership advocates are not part of the full discussion within the coalition.'" ...

ATF Signs Agreement With Germany to Trace Crime Guns
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced today that it has signed an agreement with the German Federal Police (Bundeskriminalant or BKA) that will allow the Germans to use ATF's eTrace system to electronically trace crime guns seized in their country."

"The agreement, signed this week by ATF National Tracing Center Chief Charles J. Houser and Jurgen Maurer, head of the BKA's Division of Serious
and Organized Crime, will now make the Internet-based system available to a second major European U.S. ally. Britain has had access to eTrace since participating in a pilot program." ...

Why I Broke One of My 'Cardinal' Rules
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Guns are evil. This inviolate 'death and taxes' truth sustained me�a peace-loving granny, a tree-hugging liberal�through 64 years of protected, upper-middle-class subsistence. It was the one fixed point on a vacillating compass of relative morality until, one day, a tiny bird, the merest wisp of red plumage, tore away my comforting absolute and aligned me squarely with the NRA supporters, Second Amendment defenders and pro-gun crusaders I had reviled." ...

"As we scribbled through a mound of paperwork, I commented, 'I'll bet you don't get too many liberal women in here buying guns.'"

"He chuckled. 'You'd be surprised.' His eyes sharpened as he declared: 'A gun is evil only until you need one.'" ...

Conservatives target Rudy
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Eager to head off Rudolph Giuliani's recent gains in the polls, conservative activists this week strengthened their attacks, with some promising to step up their efforts on the Internet, talk radio and 'below-the-radar' to discredit his going forward." ...

"Giuliani this week has taken pains to back away from some of his most controversial positions in a bid to make himself more palatable to social conservatives."

"He ... expressed support for gun owners' Second Amendment rights, even though as New York mayor he sued gun manufacturers and argued that more guns lead to more crime." ...

Hannity ask Giuliani the right questions on guns (BFA)
Submitted by: Buckeye Firearms Association
Website: http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/

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"On Monday, February 5, 2007, Republican Presidential hopeful (and, according to polls, frontrunner) Rudy Giuliani appeared on FOXNews' 'Hannity & Colmes'. To his credit, co-host Sean Hannity grilled Giuliani on some of the controversial issues upon which the former mayor finds himself in opposition to the GOP base."

"A partial transcript, devoted to their discussion on gun issues, follows. As you read the former New York mayor's comments, as yourself if he ever really answers Hannity's first question -"

"'Do you support the right of people to carry handguns?'" ...

SC: Garden City man found not guilty of shooting neighbor
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

A Garden City man has been found not guilty in a shooting that killed his neighbor.

An Horry County jury deliberated around 12 hours before acquitting Henry Bramlett of murder and other charges early Thursday morning.

Testimony in the trial in Conway shows that Bramlett shot Robert Tomlinson 13 times with a .22-caliber rifle in 2005.

Others in the neighborhood said the men had argued about whether a carport on Tomlinson's property encroached on Bramlett's land.

Bramlett's attorney said he fired on his neighbor in self-defense.

Prosecutors said Bramlett was angry because Tomlinson had offended him.

VT: Store Owners Prepared To Shoot Armed Robbers
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Some small store owners say they are armed, waiting, and willing to shoot if they are targeted by a gun-toting robber."

"It is the latest development in response to a record-setting rash of armed robberies in Vermont since the new year started."

"Some store owners tell Channel 3 that they have armed themselves and are fully prepared to shoot any armed robber ... None of the armed store owners were willing to speak on camera, but they stressed they want any would-be armed robber to know that they will not hesitate to shoot."

"The store owners say they feel forced forced to pack pistols at work in response to crooks ... There have already 18 armed stick-ups in Vermont this year." ...

Legal snafu may derail gun shop sting
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Private investigators hired by the city to conduct sting operations on out-of-state gun shops could be breaking the law, and the dealers they caught making illegal sales will not be prosecuted, federal officials said Thursday."

"City officials have sued more than two dozen dealers after hiring investigators to pose as buyers attempting straw purchases ... The scam is often used by convicted felons and others barred from owning firearms."

"The city argues that the shops ... are responsible for many of the illegal weapons that end up in New York ..."

"The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced in May it was reviewing whether the city acted legally." ...

Statement from Firearms Industry on Federal Rebuke of Mayor Bloomberg
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"In a strongly worded letter dated February 6, the United States Department of Justice rebuked the City of New York for engaging in stings of out-of-state federally licensed firearms dealers using private investigators. ..."

"At the time the city announced filing civil lawsuits against these dealers, the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the trade association of the firearms industry, called for a federal investigation, which has now concluded, and warned then that the mayor's stings jeopardized the lives of law enforcement officials and interfered with ongoing criminal investigations." ...

Despite Snub, Gun Cases Will Go Forward
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Legal analysts expect the city to be able to proceed with civil lawsuits against 15 gun dealers targeted by Mayor Bloomberg's out-of-state sting operations, despite the Department of Justice's decision yesterday not to file criminal charges against them."

"The city had given the evidence to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to examine for potential criminal charges. But in a letter sent to the city on Tuesday, the director of the executive office of United States Attorneys, Michael Battle, said its offices 'concluded that the circumstances surrounding the purchases do not rise to a level that would support a criminal prosecution.'" ...

VA: Va. gun owners go ballistic after NYC sues dealers
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Virginia gun enthusiasts aren't backing away from a scrum with the Big Apple."

"They're calling it the 'Bloomberg Gun GiveAway,' named for Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City, which has sued more than two dozen out-of-state gun dealers and fired up gun owners in the process."

"Until March 31, customers who spend $100 at one of two Virginia stores become eligible to win a handgun or rifle in an April drawing, courtesy of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, a gun rights organization."

"'We decided to step up and take care of our own,' says Philip Van Cleave, the League's president. 'We're trying to drive business to these stores to help them cover the financial cost of being sued.'" ...

WA: Opponents: Bill to close 'gun show loophole' wouldn't cut crime
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Gun rights advocates packed two Senate hearing rooms Thursday as those in favor of gun control moved to expand background-check requirements to gun shows."

"After many years of failed attempts, the Senate is poised to pass a bill to close the so-called gun show loophole out of committee and possibly on to a full floor vote."

"Once again, opponents tried to shoot the measure down with a barrage of statistics to show that the proposal would do next to nothing to reduce violent crime while infringing on the rights of law-abiding gun sellers."

"'This will be the first step to register all private gun transactions,' said National Rifle Association lobbyist Brian Judy. 'What this bill is about is expanding the database of Washington gun owners.'" ...

GA: Senators: Guns Ok In Parking Lots (second item)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Legislation that would bar employers from prohibiting their employees from keeping a gun in their locked cars easily passed a Senate committee Thursday, even though numerous groups spoke out against it."

"Senate Bill 43 would make it illegal for an employer to ban guns in publicly accessible parking lots. It includes exceptions, though, allowing employers to restrict weapons in secured parking lots and parking lots at jails and in several other cases. But, generally, employees would be allowed to have guns in locked cars at work."

"Sen. Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock, the sponsor, said he considered the bill a protection of Second Amendment rights. The National Rifle Association backed the bill." ...

PA: Hanna weighs in on [Gov.] Rendell budget plan
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"State Rep. Mike Hanna, D-Lock Haven, said this week he has reservations about parts of Gov. Ed Rendell's budget proposal." ...

"Hanna also addressed the governor's proposals on transportation funding, education, the environment, and fighting crime."

"Of Rendell�s proposal to limit handgun purchases to one per month, Hanna said, 'I'm against any legislation that infringes on the Second Amendment.'" ...

TN: Lawmakers want to protect citizens in using deadly force
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Crime in Memphis and Shelby County may technically be down, but it's no where near out. It's why State Representatve Curry Todd of Collierville wants to help fight back."

"'I just want to make sure the folks out there committing these crimes know that if they do this, they have a chance of getting injured or killed.'"

"Representative Todd wants to build on an existing law passed back in 1999. In Tennessee you can already use deadly force if there is reasonable belief your life is in danger. But Todd wants to broaden that law and close what he calls loopholes. Giving the citizen every bit of legal protection when, if threatened, they can shoot to kill." ...

NJ: Healy sees gun bill advance
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Still campaigning for a one-gun-a-month ordinance that a Hudson County judge shot down in December, Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy successfully broadened his target yesterday to include the entire state."

"Considering a bill drafted at Healy's request, members of the state Assembly's Law and Public Safety Committee voted unanimously to send legislation that mirrors Healy's Jersey City ordinance to the full Assembly for a vote."

"'I'm happy,' Healy said after the vote. 'Anything that slows up the flow of handguns to my city and every suburb is good thing.'" ...

GA: Sounds like a bill that could get studied nigh on to death
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle expressed ambivalence on Friday about a bill backed by the National Rifle Association that would allow employees to keep guns in their cars on company parking lots.

Many companies prohibit firearms on their property.

�I�ve always been a strong Second Amendment defender, but I�m also a strong supporter of property rights,� Cagle said. �And the two issues are competing.�

Cagle said S.B. 43, which passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday, would undergo close scrutiny before moving any further.

DC: Repeal D.C.'s gun law
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Just a couple of weeks ago, Mayor Adrian Fenty acknowledged the obvious: 'We have one of the highest homicide rates in the country but at the same time have the strictest [gun] law.' Of course, his solution was that every place else needed more gun control. Then this week, D.C. Council member Marion Barry and three other lawmakers proposed suspending the city's 30-year-old handgun ban. For 90 days, Washingtonians should be able to buy and register handguns. It is a good start, though a permanent repeal would make more sense." ...

MN: Minnesota "Castle Doctrine" Legislation Needs Your Help
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"House File 498, 'Castle Doctrine' legislation, sponsored by State Representative Tony Cornish (R-24B) would allow a person to use deadly force in and outside of their home and vehicle and removes duty to retreat when outside of the home. This legislation provides criminal immunity when someone is justified in using deadly force. The House Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee, which currently has the bill, may not even hear it because of anti-gun members."

"Please contact your State Representative at (651) 296-2146 and respectfully ask him or her to demand House File 498 go before the House Public Safety and Civil Justice Committee." ...

AZ: Lawmakers not giving up as ruling limits use of self-defense law
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The Arizona Supreme Court on Friday ruled that a self-defense justification law friendly to defendants wasn't retroactive to offenses committed before the law took effect last April, but legislators are renewing efforts to help a hiker convicted in a fatal trail shooting."

"The 2006 law shifted the burden of proof in cases where a defendant is claiming self-defense. ... the new law says prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a self-defense claim was unfounded." ...

"Friday's ruling came four days after a Senate committee endorsed new legislation to explicitly make the 2006 change retroactive to cases that were pending at the time. A lobbyist for prosecutors told the lawmakers they were opening a legal can of worms." ...

WV: W.Va. Senate Gives Thumbs Up to Shoot-Intruder Bill
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

By a unanimous vote on Friday, the Senate approved a bill that protects homeowners who shoot an intruder in self defense.

There was some lingering concern that a homeowner would be open to civil action by the person who is on the receiving end of deadly force.

An amendment to add protection from lawsuits was rejected in a narrow vote.

According to the bill, an occupant may use deadly force if he or she feels there is imminent harm. Such intruder laws have grown popular, especially when law enforcement in some jurisdictions opted not to charge a defending homeowner when no law was present.

Journals of the Continental Congress, "any abuses or injuries contrary to their instructions", June 2, 1783
Submitted by: GunShowOnTheNet.com
Website: http://gunshowonthenet.com/

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"...Resolved, That theTreasurer of the United States Agent of Marine, for the time being be, and he is hereby authorised and directed, whensoever complaints are exhibited of public abuses or private injuries committed by the captains or commanders of any privateers or armed vessels sailing under the authority of the United States, to cause such legal measures for obtaining redress, by means of the bonds given on taking out commissions for such privateers or armed vessels, for any abuses or injuries contrary to their instructions, or in violation of the maritime ordinances of the United States..."

"...And thus we find just how our RIGHT was erroneously placed under the supposed 'authority' of the Treasury Dept...."

Thomas Jefferson to John Jay and Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, July 18, 1793
Submitted by: GunShowOnTheNet.com
Website: http://GunShowOnTheNet.com/

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"...of greater importance to the peace of the U. S. These questions depend for their solution on the construction of our treaties, on the laws of nature* & nations, & on the laws of the land; and are often presented under circumstances which do not give a cognizance of them to the tribunals of the country. . . . as to occasion much embarrassment & difficulty to them. The President would therefore be much relieved if he found himself free to refer questions of this description to the opinions of the Judges of the Supreme court of the U. S. whose knolege of the subject would secure us against errors dangerous to the peace of the U. S. and their authority ensure the respect of all parties...."

Monday Congress opened, "Arms are a Resource to which We shall be forced, a Resource afforded Us by God & Nature", Oct. 3, 1774
Submitted by: GunShowOnTheNet.com
Website: http://gunshowonthenet.com/index.html

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"...Mr. Henry for it. Says that a preparation for Warr is Necessary to obtain peace--That America is not Now in a State of peace--That all the Bulwarks, of Our Safety, of Our Constitn. are thrown down, That We are Now in a State of Nature--That We ought to ask Ourselves the Question should the planns of Nonim [portatio] n & Nonexp [oratio] n fail of success--in that Case Arms are Necessary, & if then, it is Necessary Now. Arms are a Resource to which We shall be forced, a Resource afforded Us by God & Nature, & why in the Name of both are We to hesitate providing them Now whilst in Our power...."

William Hooper to James Iredell, "which are necessary to procure the means of Offence & defence", Jan. 6, 1776
Submitted by: GunShowOnTheNet.com
Website: http://GunShowOnTheNet.com/

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"...politicks, it is a study that corrupts the human heart, degrades the Idea of human nature, and drives men to expedients that morality must condemn. Deep stratagems, dark disguise, Fiction, falsehood . . . No, my Friend, the Science of politicks is not to be learned in the principles of the laws of nature and Nations . . . and Vice assumes another name, when it ministers to the strength and importance of the state. The black part of the Character is ascribed to this and Virtues if any there are, are the personal property of the prince. Hide the picture ! 'tis a horrid one..."

"... And the Merchants find means to dispose of their Commodities which are necessary to procure the means of Offence & defence...."

Journal of the Senate of the United States of America, "officers and privates shall arm and equip themselves", June 14, 1832
Submitted by: GunShowOnTheNet.com
Website: http://GunShowOnTheNet.com/

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"...That [for the more perfect defence of the frontier of the United States, the President is hereby authorized, whenever, in his opinion, the public service may require it, to receive into the service of the United States any number of mounted volunteer gun men...."

"...Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said non-commissioned officers and privates shall arm and equip themselves, unless otherwise ordered by the President, and provide their own horses, and shall be allowed, each -- per day as a full compensation for their services, and the use of their arms and horses...."

PA: Police: City Officer Charged In Brutality Case
Submitted by: jac

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"Police confirmed Thursday night that one of their own has been charged in a case of police brutality."

"Officer Chad Gugger, 29, faces aggravated assault and related charges in connection with an arrest he made a couple of years ago, police said."

"The department was not releasing details, but police sources said it was ... sometime in 2005, that Gugger ... stopped a pedestrian for investigation."

"The suspect apparently ran. Gugger took off after him. They ran into a nearby alley, where ... Gugger caught the man."

"He allegedly cuffed him ... The suspect was placed on the ground and ... Gugger began beating him.

"The beating was reportedly so severe that two arriving officers yelled for him to stop and one climbed a fence to pull him away from the suspect. Charges against that suspect were eventually dropped."
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Submitters note: 2 years to press charges. How many days if it was you or I?

IL: State police's conduct attacked by defense in Fox Lake beating case
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Defense lawyers for two former police officers charged in the brutal beating of a man outside a Fox Lake bar urged a judge to throw out the case Thursday because of what they labeled 'reprehensible' conduct of Illinois State Police officers investigating it."

"Attorneys for Jerome Volstad and Ronald Pilati claimed state police agents hid evidence, lied about their work and botched the investigation so badly that it is impossible for the ex-Spring Grove cops to receive a fair trial ..." ...

"The defendants, along with a third former police officer, Brian Quilici, are accused of attacking a man outside KC's Cabin in Fox Lake, handcuffing him and then kicking and punching while he could not defend himself. ..." ...

Australia: Weapons paid for with Australian taxes, now in criminal hands.
Submitted by: James Daniel Ross
Website: http://www.radiationangels.com

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"A NETWORK of firearms dealers has rorted the $600 million national guns buyback scheme, and weapons supposedly destroyed years ago have resurfaced in criminal hands in NSW."

"The Herald can reveal that at least two of the so-called 'phantom guns' - both pistols written off by the Queensland Firearms Registry - have been fired at the scene of separate unsolved robberies in Sydney in the past six months. Police believe there are hundreds more like them."

"The buyback scheme has been credited with removing about 650,000 firearms from the streets in the past 10 years. A newly elected John Howard staked his political future on forcing it through after the 1996 Port Arthur massacre. He still regards it as one his finest achievements." ...
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Submitter's Note: Wow...just...just wow.

IL: Gun Ownership Not a Sin Says ISRA
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"'An appalling display of disrespect for our Constitution,' is how the ISRA is characterizing remarks made by Cook County Commissioner Roberto Maldonado during a recent meeting of the county board. Maldonado, who had just introduced a proposal to tax ammunition, characterized his revenue plan as a 'sin tax.'"

"The ISRA would like to inform Maldonado that, in this country, constitutional rights are not considered sins; they are cherished icons essential to our liberty."

"'Maldonado's disrespectful slam against our Constitution is the kind of thing you can expect from the Cook County Board,' commented ISRA Executive Director, Richard Pearson. 'This 'bullet tax' is just another facet of an ongoing campaign to vilify and punish county residents who dare to own and enjoy firearms.'" ...

NY: Mother who lost daughter launches rebirth of local anti-gun violence group
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Armed with the endorsement of local and state officials and dozens of area residents, a grieving mother last night launched the rebirth of a local group against gun violence."

"Gisela Marin, whose only child, 19-year-old Jessica Santos, was shot dead as an innocent bystander last summer, said the revived Westchester chapter of New Yorkers Against Gun Violence will focus on youth education while providing manpower and resources for the statewide group."

"'Six shots were fired, but it only took one to destroy Jessica's life and mine forever,' Marin, 45, told an audience of more than 60 during the group's kickoff meeting at the Warner Library." ...

OH: Fear the guy with 3000 lb weapon, not the concealed one (BFA)
Submitted by: Buckeye Firearms Association
Website: http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/

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"The Columbus Dispatch recently published a graphic enumerating data involving arrests of aggressive drivers in 2006. ..."

"According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol's figures as displayed by the Dispatch, 106,145 drivers were arrested for aggressive driving in 2006 ..."

"... that would mean that approximately 1.2% of all Ohio drivers were arrested for aggressive driving last year." ...

"Judging by these numbers, the nanny state media is worrying about the wrong group of Ohio license-holders with when they rail against concealed carry. Obviously they be more worried about a license-holder behind the wheel of a 3000 lb. weapon than about a license-holder carrying a firearm for self-defense. But then we already knew that, didn't we?"

AL: Group asks residents to turn in their guns
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Members of a community action group are asking residents in west Tuscaloosa to turn in their guns."

"From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, members of the recently formed All for One Tuscaloosa Standing Against Violence will gather at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School to receive guns that residents turn in, said the Rev. Clarence Sutton, president of the Tuscaloosa chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference."

"Sutton and Maurice Muhammad, minister of the Nation of Islam Study Group in Tuscaloosa, organized All for One Tuscaloosa last fall after several homicides shook area neighborhoods." ...

"But even if only one resident turned in a gun, the effort would be meaningful, Sutton and Muhammad said." ...

FL: Look at qualifications and records for drivers, too
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"I grew up in New York City, where only the police and criminals had guns, unless you were rich and famous."

"I was fortunate to move to Florida ... whereupon most people who receive a concealed weapons-carry permit are law abiding and most are extremely careful how they take care of their guns."

"There are always exceptions in every category. Is every person qualified to own a firearm or even have a driver's license? ..."

"The Sun-Sentinel would be doing more of a public service if it published the names and photos of drivers who had their driver's licenses revoked for DUI or an accumulation of driving offenses, but continue to drive with a suspended license, or no license, until they cause a fatality." ...