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Congress blocks rule barring mentally impaired from guns
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress on Wednesday sent President Donald Trump legislation blocking an Obama-era rule designed to keep guns out of the hands of certain mentally disabled people.

The Obama rule would have prevented an estimated 75,000 people with mental disorders from being able to purchase a firearm. It was crafted as part of Obama's efforts to strengthen the federal background check system in the wake of the 2012 massacre of 20 young students and six staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School ...

Submitters note: Typical liberal news headline and content. The prohibition had absolutely nothing to do with mental disorders. It was an attempt to prohibit tens of thousands of perfectly sane and competent people from buying guns.

TN: Tennessee Constitutional Carry Bill, 2017 Submitted by: Liston Matthews Website: http://www.knoxgunguy.com/	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
An analysis of an anti-gun editorial in the Knoxville News-Sentinel. The editorial writer doesn't like Constitutional Carry.

Senate votes to repeal Obama�s ban on gun sales for certain Social Security recipients
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Congress on Wednesday approved the first gun rights bill of the new Republican-controlled Washington, voting to erase an Obama administration regulation that would have forced Social Security to scour its lists and report some of its beneficiaries to the firearms no-buy list.
The Senate approved the bill on a 57-43 vote. The House cleared the legislation earlier this month.
If President Trump signs the bill into law as expected, it will expunge a last-minute change by the Obama administration designed to add more mental health records to the national background check system that is meant to keep criminals and unstable people from obtaining weapons.

TX: Anti-Campus Carry Grad Students Hold Meetings at Bars to Block Undergrads from Being Armed for Self-Defense
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Some University of Texas graduate students are holding their meetings with undergrads at bars so as to meet somewhere they are not allowed to be armed for self-defense.
The grad students are holding �office hours at gun-free bars on or near the university� as part of their protest of campus carry.

The Houston Chronicle points to 28-year-old Mark Sheridan, an English doctoral student who meets his undergraduate class in a bar to be sure none are armed for self-defense. Sheridan said, �If I want to work at a place that bans guns, the bar seems like the safest bet for me.�

MN: Protect Minnesota takes aim at 'lifetime permit' gun bill introduced in Legislature
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Opponents of a proposal to allow carrying handguns for life say the legislation would allow people to carry guns after it is safe.

Under Minnesota law, permits expire every five years, at which point applicants must undergo training and pay a fee to renew their permit.

The new bill, introduced by Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center, would establish a one-time permitting system by eliminating expiration dates from carrying permits issued after Aug. 1.

MD: Lawsuit prompts repeal of Howard County's electronic weapons ban
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Howard County lawmakers introduced an emergency bill Wednesday that would lift a ban on electronic weapons in response to a federal lawsuit that challenges the county's longstanding restrictions on the use and sale of Tasers and stun guns.

In the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Maryland in late January, Leah Baran, a Marriottsville resident, is suing Baltimore City and Baltimore and Howard counties � which have electronic weapons bans in effect � to allow her to carry a stun gun.

The Council is scheduled to vote on the proposal Feb. 21.

Baran argues Tasers are essential for self defense. Unlike weapons like batons or knives, Tasers allow individuals to apprehend an attacker at a close proximity.

WY: Wyoming Senate panel advances gun bills
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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After hearing nearly two hours of public testimony, a Senate committee endorsed two proposals that would allow people with concealed-carry permits to take weapons onto Wyoming college campuses and to state and local government meetings.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 4-1 Wednesday to send House Bills 136 and 137 to the full Senate for additional debate. The bills have already passed the House.

Supporters of the two proposals say law-abiding citizens who must meet stringent requirements to earn a concealed carry permit shouldn't have their rights infringed upon. They say the measures would improve self-defense in active shooter situations.

GA: Police say store clerk shoots and kills man trying to rob business
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Police say when a masked man tried to rob a liquor store in Dekalb County, the clerk pulled out his gun and didn't hesitate to use it. The clerk wasn't hurt, but police say the masked man was hit three times and later died at the hospital.

Alwyn Noronha was behind the counter at Happy's Package Store on Rockbridge Road Tuesday evening. He was the only one in the business when he says a masked man with a hood came in. �He came in with his gun drawn and jumped over the counter. He shot first so I fired back,� says Noronha.

Police say the gunman fired off at least 5 rounds. The clerk wasn't hurt, but the gunman was hit three times. Police say the gunman ran out of the store and made it about 50 yards before collapsing.

KS: Bill Allowing KU Health System To Ban Guns Fails In Committee Vote
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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A Kansas House committee narrowly rejected a bill Wednesday that would have allowed the University of Kansas Health System to continue banning concealed firearms. It failed to advance on an 11-11 vote.

The chairman of the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, Republican Rep. John Barker of Abilene, chose not to vote to break the tie.

A state law set to take effect in July will allow concealed weapons on university campuses and in public hospitals and government buildings unless security is in place to keep out guns. The bill would have exempted the KU Health System.

OH: 2017 Fun �n Gun � Rochester Rod & Gun Club Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Ohioans For Concealed Carry invites our members and supporters to join us as we kick off spring with a bang at one of OFCC�s partner ranges for our 13th Annual Fun �n Gun fundraiser!

TN: Knoxville News Sentinel Running �Fake News� That Constitutional Carry Is �Dangerous�
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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The Knoxville News Sentinel is running a column, written by Frank Cagle, which asserts without any data that constitutional carry legislation by Sen. Mark Green (and Rep. Andy Holt) this year is both �dangerous� and �irresponsible.� While that is at most a matter of opinion rather than fact, it is clear is that running columns such as this is allowed under the 1st Amendment even if some might find that it is nothing more than an opinion masquerading as news.

CA: Paper guns, real politics: Second Amendment advocates march on the Capitol to support Trump and oppose new state laws
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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A crowd of more than 200 gathered near the Tower Bridge and marched to the state Capitol in support of gun ownership on Sunday.

The February 12 march, organized by William Andrew Edson of Stockton, drew supporters from various Second Amendment advocacy groups and right-wing organizations such as the California Valley Patriots, Californians Opposing Gun Restrictions, the California Three Percenters and American Civil Defense.

PA: Deadly Wilkes-Barre Shooting Ruled Justified
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A shooting in Wilkes-Barre last year that left a man dead is justified, according to the Luzerne County district attorney.

Robert Hood, 34, of Wilkes-Barre was shot and killed in a home on Stanton Street in June of 2016.

Hood had attacked a woman and was attacking the man with a knife when, in self-defense, the man shot Hood.

Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis also indicated that Hood had threatened to kill both the woman and man on other occasions, had assaulted the woman previously, and had broken into the woman's home.

WA: As gun sales grow, more are learning how to shoot
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Bonnie Stecher shot a .22-caliber rifle as a girl.

Her dad used to take her to visit an old dump near Lake Roesiger. They would aim for the rats.

Shooting was her family�s version of bowling night.

Now, at 61, she is a certified pistol instructor with the National Rifle Association.

Stecher established Washington�s first chapter of The Well Armed Woman four years ago. About 45 women from across Snohomish County get together once a month.

WY: Pro Gun Bills Advance To Wyo Senate Floor
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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The Wyoming Senate Judiciary Committee voted 4-1 Wednesday to send to the floor a pair of House-passed bills allowing individuals with concealed carry permits to have their guns on college campuses and in state and local government meetings. The action followed nearly 2 hours of public testimony on both proposals.

Supporters said law-abiding citizens who meet the stringent requirements to earn a concealed carry permit shouldn't have their rights infringed upon and that allowing guns on campuses and in meeting would improve self-defense in active shooter situations.

RI: Anti-Gun Bills Stacking up at the Statehouse
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Lawmakers are several weeks into their 2017 session, and it didn�t take long for anti-gun politicians to recycle their same old failed gun bills from previous years. Rather than focus on real issues facing the state, anti-gun politicians are once again fixated on harassing lawful gun owners. Several dangerous gun control bills have already been introduced. The following list highlights some of the more dangerous bills, with several more bills expected as the session continues in Providence.

WA: Gun Control Proponents Attempting to Amend Gun Ban Bill
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Your NRA-ILA has learned that anti-gun legislators are planning to make amendments to House Bill 1387 in order to make it seem less outrageous. This legislation remains an affront to law-abiding gun owners in Washington State and the NRA remains opposed to House Bill 1387 and any anti-gun amendment that is made. Please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and politely urge them to staunchly OPPOSE House Bill 1387 outright.

NC: Who can carry a concealed gun? And where?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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I thought about Mr. and Mrs. Bat Masterson, who were openly wearing their peacekeepers last week when some state lawmakers introduced House Bill 69.

That bill, also known as the Constitution Carry Act, would obviate the need for Tar Heel citizens 18 and older to obtain a concealed carry permit to carry a rod. Toting a piece without a permit is currently a Class 2 misdemeanor.

I asked state Rep. Ken Goodman, whose district is comprised of Richmond, Robeson, Scotland and Hoke counties, what he thinks of the bill. �You can�t print what I think of it,� Goodman said Wednesday before adding, �I think it is the stupidest bill I�ve ever heard of. Where is the need for a bill like that?�

NRA Applauds Senate's Bipartisan Vote to Respect Due Process for Gun Owners
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) today applauded the U.S. Senate's passage of H.J. Res. 40, a joint resolution to revoke a final rule made by the Obama administration that would strip law-abiding Americans of their Second Amendment rights. The resolution passed by a bipartisan vote of 57-43.

�Today�s Senate vote was the next step in rolling back some of the egregious government overreach that characterized the Obama era,� said Chris W. Cox, executive director, NRA-ILA. �Congress is reversing a last-minute, back-door gun grab that stripped law-abiding Americans of their rights without due process.�

AR: Campus Carry Bill Advances Out Of Arkansas Senate Committee Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There is 1 comment on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
A bill requiring public colleges and universities to allow their faculty and staff to carry concealed handguns on campus easily advanced out of the Arkansas Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday. Sponsored by Fayetteville Republican Representative Charlie Collins, the bill, HB1249, now heads to the full Senate. It was approved by the House of Representatives earlier this month.

Gun industry seeks eased restrictions on purchasing silencers
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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They are the stuff of legend, wielded by hit men and by James Bond. For decades, buying a silencer for a firearm has been as difficult as buying a machine gun, requiring a background check that can take close to a year.

Now, emboldened by the election of Donald Trump as president, the industry has renewed a push in Congress to ease those restrictions, arguing that it'll help preserve the hearing of gun users.

"We look at this as a Second Amendment issue. We look at it as a health issue," said Erich Pratt, executive director of Gun Owners of America. "The decibel level of a fired gun, even the lowly .22-caliber, can cause hearing damage."

CCRKBA Lauds Senate Vote To Protect 2A Rights Of Soc.-Sec. Recipients
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms today congratulated the U.S. Senate for its 57-43 vote to block an Obama administration regulation that threatened the Second Amendment rights of tens of thousands of Social Security beneficiaries.

The Obama administration regulation required the Social Security Administration to submit the names of SS recipients with apparent "mental impairments" who had third parties manage their benefits to the federal National Instant Background Check System (NICS) to block their ability to buy firearms. The measure now goes to President Donald Trump for his signature.

KS: Concealed-carry backers show strength in Kansas Legislature
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Gun-rights advocates sent a strong signal Wednesday that they still have enough clout in the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature to make sure that concealed firearms are allowed in hospitals and on university campuses starting this summer.

The House Federal and State Affairs Committee rejected a bill that would have allowed the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, to continue banning concealed guns. A state law mandates that state universities, public hospitals and mental health clinics allow concealed weapons into buildings starting in July, unless the buildings have "adequate" security measures such as guards or metal detectors.

WA: Gun Ban Substitute to be Considered [Today]!
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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As we alerted earlier today, anti-gun legislators were planning to amend House Bill 1387 into something that would help them garner more support. Now, the substitute legislation they plan on replacing House Bill 1387 with is available. Your NRA-ILA remains staunchly opposed to this anti-gun legislation and needs your help to stop it! Please contact members of the House Judiciary Committee and continue urging them to OPPOSE House Bill 1387 and its proposed Substitute Bill.

MT: To the Governor: Montana Passes Bill to Authorize Firearms on Post Office Property Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
The legislation would allow handguns in U.S. Post Office buildings and on their property. ... HB246�s effectiveness lies in the refusal to cooperate with enforcement of federal law. The bill would prohibit state or local law enforcement from enforcing federal regulations prohibiting firearms on U.S. Postal Service Property.

MA: 'Stand Your Ground' And America's History Of Lethal Self-Defense
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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It's been five years since the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida. Martin was shot by George Zimmerman who claimed self-defense. Zimmerman and his family claimed that Martin threatened him and attacked him, forcing him to shoot. Zimmerman was found not guilty in 2013.

One of the laws surrounding the case was known as "stand your ground." Zimmerman waived his right to a "stand your ground" hearing before the trial. Florida passed the first such law in 2005 that allows people to stand their ground instead of retreating, in order to protect or defend themselves.

NH: Your Urgent Action Needed to Ensure Constitutional/Permitless Carry Bill Becomes Law!
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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Last week, Senate Bill 12 passed its final vote by the House of Representatives and is currently waiting to be sent to Governor Sununu�s desk for his consideration. Sponsored by Senator Jeb Bradley (R-3), SB 12 would repeal the license requirement to carry a concealed pistol or revolver, unless a person is otherwise prohibited. ...

Unfortunately, this legislation is under attack by some gun control groups in New Hampshire who oppose the bill and have been spreading misinformation about the bill�s intent. It is imperative that you contact Governor Sununu to urge him to sign SB 12 into law, and also to set the record straight on constitutional/permitless carry.

SD: "Constitutional Gun Bill" passes House State Affairs Committee
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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South Dakota lawmakers are considering a bill that would eliminate permit requirements for gun owners.

House Bill 1072 would remove the requirement to obtain a permit to lawfully carry a firearm for self-defense.

"The right of the people to keep and bear arms should not be infringed,� said Senator Phil Jensen, �It doesn't say you can carry if you jump through this hoop, or if you jump through that hoop."

In the state of South Dakota it is already legal to carry a firearm openly and our neighbor to the west, Wyoming, has a permitless carry law already in place.

"They have passed it and they don't have any problems with it,� said Jensen

Some of the concern over permitless carrying is about rise in crime.

ID: Loertscher won�t budge on bill
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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My �Castle Doctrine� bill is written by a noted gun rights attorney, but it has hit a major roadblock, writes Rep. Christy Zito.

The Castle Doctrine is a simple but important concept. People should be able to defend themselves, their families and their property from intruders and potential attackers�using deadly force if necessary. Idaho has a Castle Doctrine, but the law is outdated and weak. This legislative session, I have a bill to improve, strengthen and update our Castle Doctrine.

Unfortunately, the bill has hit a major roadblock, House State Affairs Chairman Tom Loertscher, R-Iona. He refuses to grant a hearing and allow the committee to vote on this important bill. The chairman has falsely alleged my lack of cooperation.

How To Win A Gunfight
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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One of these days I�m going to slow down long enough to log all of my firearms training hours. Offhand, I know it�s now north of 400+ hours in professional courses with some of the best firearms instructors in the world, including Green Berets, SEALs, top competitive shooters, and highly-experienced SWAT veterans. I�ve learned to fight with handguns, shotguns, and rifles, and have learned some tactical medicine along the way, because it isn�t always bad guys who get shot in the real world.