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MT: Police would have to collect evidence for defense under proposed bill
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Today, Montana legislators heard a bill to require police to collect evidence for the suspect�s defense in self-defense cases.

Republican Rep. Randall Pinocci is carrying House Bill 388, though he immediately handed the microphone off to Gary Marbut of the Montana Shooting Sports Association to explain what the bill is for. Marbut said when officers take time at a crime scene collecting evidence only for prosecution, other evidence may be lost.

�Think of this evidence as footprints in the snow. The sun�s going to come up in the morning and they�re going to be gone,� Marbut said.

KS: Senate coalition seeks to drop concealed-carry license mandate
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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The Senate majority leader and two dozen colleagues Thursday argued the U.S. Constitution's provisions on the right to bear arms provided Kansans all the authority necessary to legally carry a concealed weapon in the state.

The Second Amendment should be relied upon by lawmakers to wash away obstacles to the legal carrying of a concealed firearm without a state license, said Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce, R-Hutchinson. He spoke for 25 co-sponsors of Senate Bill 45, which would create an avenue for license-free concealed carry of handguns statewide.

"There truly is not a reason why you need the government's permission to protect you or defend your family," Bruce told the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee.

Senator Says Cops Can Own Assault Weapons, But Anyone Else Only Wants �Armed Insurrection�
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Normal citizens, however, are essentially only interested in criminal activity and �overthrowing the government� if they want a magazine that holds more than 10 rounds.

Murphy recently made this bold statement, in pushing a proposed ban on magazines that hold more than this magic number of 10 rounds. He added that any and all who want guns that hold more than 10 rounds are only interested in �armed insurrection� and have essentially committed an act of treason.

Obama Administration BATF Silence Is American Consent to Unreasonable UN Gun Control
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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As some of you may already know, TSM has been monitoring the situation with respect to the UN Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) and the UN International Small Arms Control Standards (ISACS) from Geneva for several years.

We thought you might find it interesting know that the UN ISACS multi-stakeholder initiative (MSI) recently reopened a comment period for a planned international standard on the �National Regulation Of Civilian Access to Small Arms and Light Weapons.� ( 19 February 2015 deadline for comments )

CA: Women changing the culture of gun ranges
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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For a long time the sport of shooting was predominantly a man's world. But over the last few years, more and more women are taking aim and changing the culture of the shooting range.

"Women and firearms were non-existent 10, 15, 20 years ago," said John Phillips, president and owner of Poway Weapons and Gear.

With more women wanting to learn self-defense and gun ranges even becoming a date night hot spot, the very feel of shooting ranges are evolving.

Ladies Choice Awards Presented to 15 Shooting Industry Leaders at SHOT Show in Vegas Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
In front of a standing room only crowd with a multitude of onlookers sneaking a peek through the entryway, fifteen (15) awesome industry leaders accepted 2015 LADIES CHOICE AWARDS for Guns and Gear for the Modern Woman presented by Shooting for Women Alliance, a nonprofit 501(c)3 nationally-renowned organization based in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Eric Holder�s Latest Attempt To Curtail The Second Amendment Failed Miserably
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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According to recent reports, a measure outgoing U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder hoped would restrict Americans� access to certain firearms was struck down by a federal judge.

A Washington gun rights organization, the Citizens� Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, petitioned the court to overturn a nearly 50-year-old law prohibiting individuals from purchasing certain guns across state lines. Holder argued against repealing the Gun Control Act of 1968, which was reportedly passed in the wake of the high-profile assassinations of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy.

SC: SC bill aims to prove state gun-friendly through NRA curriculum in schools
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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State Rep. Alan Clemmons is attempting to keep the pro-gun momentum going through legislation that would force the topic of guns into classrooms, front and center. The bill, the Second Amendment Education Act, would mandate a three-week National Rifle Association�developed Second Amendment curriculum in all public elementary, middle and high schools.

Gun control advocates say the measure, proposed in December, would use South Carolina children for the benefit of the gun industry.

TX: Open, Campus Carry Bills Pass Senate Panel
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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A crowd of Second Amendment rights activists, survivors of gun violence, students, concerned parents, and law enforcement officers showed up at the Texas Capitol on Thursday to give lawmakers their views on two high-profile gun bills.

After a hearing that lasted almost eight hours, the Senate State Affairs Committee passed bills that would lift a ban on concealed handguns at university campuses (Senate Bill 11) and allow license holders to carry holstered handguns openly (Senate Bill 17). Both measures passed 7-2, with the committee's two Democrats voting against, and now proceed to the full Senate.

PA: Gun Banners Vandalize �NOT a Gun Free Zone� Signs
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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Conoy Township, Pennsylvania, made the news the other day when it posted signs reminding everyone that it was not a �gun free� zone.

It seems that a disarmist took umbrage at the signs and vandalized several. Few are surprised at the vandalism. It is a stark difference between law abiding second amendment supporters and disarmists.

I do not recall seeing a single �Gun Free Zone� sign that has been vandalized.

TX: Sean Smith Found Not Guilty in the Big Spring Murder of Carlos Guerrero
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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The jury unanimously voted not guilty based on Smith acting in self-defense but Richard Guerrero believes that they made the wrong decision.

...

After the trial, the Smith family quickly exited the courtroom and did not want to comment. But the Howard County District Attorney, Hardy Wilkerson, made a brief statement on behalf of the verdict.

"We were grateful to have the opportunity to try the case, we felt it was fully tried and both sides had their say so. Obviously, there's some disappointment with the verdict, but if 12 folks in Howard County feel that this was self-defense, we're not going to quivel with their verdict," Wilkerson said.

AZ: House panel OKs bill allowing guns in public buildings
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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Saying people have �a God-given right�� to defend themselves, a House panel voted Thursday to let people with permits to carry concealed weapons bring their guns into public buildings.

HB 2320 would overturn existing law which says that a public agency can ban guns simply by posting a sign and making lockers available for people to check them.

Instead, buildings could be kept gun-free only by ensuring that all people are disarmed. And that would require government agencies to install metal detectors and security guards at all entrances.

CT: Draft of Sandy Hook Commission final report released
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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The Commission believes that ―assault weapons like the AR-15, as well as large capacity magazines (LCM�s) often used with those weapons, have no legitimate place in the civilian population. The Commission finds that the cost to society of easy civilian access to assault weapons and LCM�s vastly outweighs the benefits of civilian ownership. By contrast, the Commission finds that the significant benefit to society from eliminating civilian ownership and possession of assault weapons and LCM�s can be realized with only a minimal burden on persons who want to hunt, engage in target practice or use weapons for self-defense. They remain free to engage in those activities with a vast array of long guns and handguns.

Stutzman renews concealed-carry reciprocity effort
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-3rd, announced Thursday that he has reintroduced legislation that would let people cross state lines with concealed handguns.

Stutzman said he has introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2015. The legislation would require states to honor one another's concealed-carry laws.

Stutzman, who offered similiar legislation in 2011 and 2013, noted that Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, introduced a bill identical to his Thursday in the Senate.

CNMI: CNMI officials oppose repeal of handgun law
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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This comes as David and Li-Rong Radich seek a summary judgment in a lawsuit against the Department of Public Safety, claiming it denied their second amendment rights to own handguns.

The office of the Attorney General says a favourable ruling by the court would not redress the plaintiffs' alleged injuries.

It also argues the second amendment cannot be interpreted in a manner which is contrary to the intent of the framers of the Covenant.

It added that handguns are not constitutionally protected in the CNMI because handguns have never been used by the law-abiding citizens of the territory for the purpose of self-defense.

Federal Court: Handgun Transfer Ban Unconstitutional
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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One of the frequent questions that has arisen since yesterday�s order was made public is whether an interested purchaser can now buy a handgun from an out-of-state FFL without having to go through the process of transferring the handgun to an in-state FFL to complete the transfer.

...

As a practical matter, however, I�m sure you�ll find the answer to be �no.� I very much doubt any FFL is going to be willing to do direct out-of-state transfers until this matter has been thoroughly litigated, and even then only if the ATF(E) issues a letter assenting to such transfers. Given this order came from a �mere� federal District Court, we are a many years from having this be settled law.

DC: The Battle Over the Right to Carry Handguns in Our Nation�s Capital Is Heating Up Once Again
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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The battle between D.C. residents and local government officials over the right to conceal carry handguns in the city-limits is heating up again. Last week, a lawsuit was filed against the city of D.C. over the restrictive process that residents must go through to obtain a permit to carry a handgun.

The Second Amendment Foundation, the group responsible for the suit, isn�t a stranger to battling the District when it comes to Second Amendment violations. The group was also the plaintiff in the case which found D.C.�s ban on handgun carry unconstitutional.

IN: New firearms bill: Job creator or lawsuit killer?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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An Indiana lawmaker is touting his new bill as a job creator that he says would make the state a haven for the $37 billion firearms industry.

Fifteen years ago, Gary stirred controversy when it sued gun makers and sellers, attempting to hold them accountable for the havoc that their products caused on that city's streets.

But critics say the bill's author, Sen. Jim Tomes, R-Wadesville, is giving special favor to the gun industry with Senate Bill 98 and claim it reveals a troubling agenda � one that targets an active lawsuit with potentially wide-ranging effects on businesses that sell or manufacture guns which wind up in the hands of criminals.

WA: Surprises in hearing on House gun control legislation
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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There was something of a surprise during yesterday�s hearing on House Bill 1857, regarding so-called �extreme risk protective orders,� when a representative from the Family Law Executive Committee of the State Bar Association testified against the measure.

Richard Bartholomew, legislative coordinator for the Family Law Executive Committee, told the House Judiciary Committee, whose chairwoman, Rep. Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) is a bill sponsor, that there are already mechanisms under state and federal law to disarm dangerous people. Jinkins had testified on behalf of her measure only moments before. Bartholomew also pointed to some semantics problems with the measure.

AZ: House panel votes to let gun owners bring concealed firearms into public buildings Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Saying people have "a God-given right' to defend themselves, a House panel voted Thursday to let people with permits to carry concealed weapons bring their guns into public buildings. HB 2320 would overturn existing law which says that a public agency can firearms guns simply by posting a sign and making lockers available for people to check them.

ID: Dueling Concealed Weapon Bills Hit the Statehouse
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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People would be allowed to carry concealed weapons without a permit outside city limits, under a new law that will be introduced into the Senate State Affairs Committee Friday morning. The bill would also strip elected officials of the right to carry concealed anywhere without a permit.

But proponents of legislation that would more radically change weapon permits view Sen. Marv Hagedorn�s bill as a half-measure.

Hagedorn�s proposal is different than the Idaho Second Amendment Alliance-backed proposal, introduced into the House State Affairs Committee a week ago. That bill would give anyone who can legally own a gun the right to carry concealed without a permit, inside or outside a city. No hearing has yet been scheduled for that bill.

GA: Athens gun shop owner testifies in congressional hearing on asset seizure
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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A veteran of three combat tours in Iraq, local gun shop owner Andrew Clyde has chosen a new battle � advocating for change in federal asset forfeiture laws.

Clyde, a U.S. Navy veteran and owner of Clyde Armory in Athens, began a public phase of his campaign with his Wednesday testimony in front of the oversight subcommittee of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee, where he recounted the Internal Revenue Service seizure of nearly $950,000 taken in at his business.

TX: Texas Gun Bills to Get Their First Capitol Hearing
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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Groups on all sides of the fight over gun laws will testify at the hearing, where lawmakers are set to consider bills that would let permit holders carry holstered handguns openly ("open carry") and allow concealed handguns to be carried on university campuses ("campus carry").

Notably absent from the Senate committee�s agenda on Thursday is a so-called �constitutional carry� measure sponsored by Dallas Republican Don Huffines that would repeal handgun permitting rules altogether. The bill, which mirrors legislation championed by Bedford Republican Jonathan Stickland in the House, is favored by vocal factions within the gun rights movement.

Federal judge: Interstate handgun purchase bans are unconstitutional
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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A U.S. District Court judge Wednesday ruled that the federal law prohibiting handgun sales to out of state residents filed is in violation of both the Second and Fifth amendments.

The Citizens Committee for the Rights to Keep and Bear Arms originally brought the case, Mance v. Eric H. Holder and B. Todd Jones, last July. The group filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth division, over the case of a couple from Washington, D.C. who tried to buy handguns from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Texas but could not due to federal law.

TX: Business groups add their voice to open-carry debate in Texas Senate
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Restaurant owners want to protect their ability to control activity on their property.

Suzanna Gratia Hupp, who lost both her parents in the Luby's shooting rampage in Killeen in 1991, was the champion of the concealed handgun legislation. Jackson said restaurants have had few issues with patrons carrying handguns into restaurants, but the idea of open carry may be less palatable to some.

"I suspect we just want to ensure they have the right to exercise their property rights," Jackson said. "We want to give them the ability to say, 'No, we don't want you in here. We're not comfortable if you are carrying a weapon. Or we're not comfortable if you're carrying a visible weapon.'"

TX: Tone down open carry threats Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Now Kory Watkins of Open Carry Tarrant County has a problem. Apparently he has never heard the old saying, �You can get more with honey than you can vinegar.� Intimidation and threats won�t get you very far with voters or elected officials, Watkins. I don�t have a problem with open carry. It�s just not my cup of tea.

UT: 'Common sense' constitutional carry gun bill on hold
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Herbert's 2013 veto cited concerns raised by law enforcement officials that the law would mean a dramatic change in the state's concealed weapons permit system that requires permit holders to pass a background check and a course in gun safety.

The state's top gun rights lobbyist, Clark Aposhian of the Utah Shooting Sports Council, said he is confident there will be a bill that will be acceptable to the governor next year.

New York Times spreads anti-gun junk science hysteria against concealed carriers
Submitted by: David Codrea
Website: http://www.DavidCodrea.com

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"Understand that this is the 'paper of record' that didn't seem to have a problem with concealed carry when publisher ]Punch Sulzberger' had one of the rare permits only the connected elites 'qualify' for (because he carried 'large sums of money,' obviously more important than your life). And VPC is a group that has proudly centered its 'assault weapon' ban strategy on an admitted deception, relying on gullible low-information marks to not know the difference between a semi-automatic firearm and a machine gun."