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AZ: Arizona lawmakers vote to make self-defense change retroactive Submitted by: Mark A. Taff	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
The Arizona Legislature has completed action on a bill to explicitly make a 2006 self-defense law apply retroactively. The 2006 law shifted the burden of proof in cases where people charged with a crime are claiming self-defense. The new law says prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a self-defense claim was unfounded.

MT: 'No-retreat' bill passes House; brandishing gun in self-defense would be legal
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff

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The House bucked the law-enforcement community and endorsed a proposal to let residents brandish firearms if they feel threatened.

The measure, House Bill 340, took a tortured route through House floor debates, where it first was supported two weeks ago, killed last week amid pressure from police groups, resuscitated with the help of gun-rights activists and then endorsed again today.

Ed note: Thanks to our supporters who helped make this reverse-reversal happen.

NY: What do you do .... if someone breaks into your home? Submitted by: Mark A. Taff	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Two months in 2007 there have been two high profile home invasions in Monroe County where the home owner fired a gun at the intruder. What would you do if someone broke into your home? What's right and what's wrong? How can you best prevent a break-in the first place? Jennifer Johnson teamed up with the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and here is what she found out.

Costa Rica: Costa Rican security minister warns against gun crime Submitted by: Mark A. Taff	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Some 48 people were shot dead in Costa Rica resisting robbery, and another 24 robbery victims killed their attackers in self-defense, according to government data published in the La Nacion newspaper on Sunday.

MO: One killed, another injured in shooting Submitted by: Mark A. Taff	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
One teen was killed and a second was injured Monday after a mother and son opened fire on a group of youths who had come to their home looking for a fight. Witnesses estimated the group of young men at between 12 and 30.

Catholics This Week Commemorate St. Gabriel Possenti
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff

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On February 27, Catholic and other religionists commemorate the Feast Day of St. Gabriel Possenti, an Italian seminarian who died 145 years ago on this date in Isola del Gran Sasso.

Today, Isola is about a two or three hour automobile drive east of Rome.

In 1860, Possenti rescued villagers in Isola from a terrorizing gang of renegade soldiers with a striking one-shot demonstration of handgun marksmanship.

SC: Woman who shot husband in apparent self-defense will face no charges
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff

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A woman who says she shot her husband will not be charged in court, according to Newberry officials.

...

According to a letter to Sheriff Foster, [Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry] Peace states, "It is my legal opinion that Cynthia Franklin acted in self-defense. She was being beaten severely by her husband and took the appropriate action to protect her life. My recommendation is that charges not be pursued and that this investigation be closed."

OK: OK Senate passes measure to arm judges Submitted by: Mark A. Taff	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
The new measure passed by the State Senate would allow judges to carry firearms while on the job. The measure would lalow [sic] district, associate district, and special district judges to carry and use weapons in courtrooms.

MN: Shooting of intruder changes couple's lives Submitted by: Mark A. Taff	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
That's a normal response to direct involvement in a fatal shooting, said Minneapolis police chaplain Jeffrey Stewart, who counsels officers involved in on-duty shootings. "We have a desire not to take a human life, even if you are forced and it is the right thing to do," Stewart said.

CO: Senate panel kills expansion of 'Make My Day' law Submitted by: Mark A. Taff	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
DENVER - A Senate committee on Monday killed a proposal to expand Colorado's "Make My Day" law to protect the use of deadly force in self-defense in stores and other workplaces.

OR: How could this happen? Submitted by: Mark A. Taff	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
In a few short days the career of the best known hunting writer in America was served in small bloody pieces to a crowd of vicious, vengeful, vitriolic jackals. This is worth analysis. Ed. note: Zumbo likens gun owners to terrorists, and then this commentator calls gun owners "vicious, vengeful, vitriolic jackals"? Is argumentum ad hominem a requirement to get published in Oregon?

National Right-to-Carry Bill Introduced in Senate Submitted by: Mark A. Taff	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Recently, Senator John Thune (R-SD) introduced legislation calling for a national reciprocity of right-to-carry (RTC) licenses for firearm owners across the nation. This bill mirrors one introduced in the House by Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and seeks to create a national system of state-to-state recognition of various RTC licenses and permits.

Beware assault on gun rights Submitted by: Mark A. Taff	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
On, Feb. 13, a bill, HR 1022, was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that would ban many types of semi-automatic firearms. The national media was uncharacteristically silent about this legislation almost like they wanted it to slip by unnoticed.

OPINION: Using Defective Ammunition in Firearms Argument Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Website: http://www.nysrpa.org	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Lawyers against gun owners. Given how disliked members of both groups are among segments of American society, it's a battle worthy of an Ultimate Fighting cage match. The American Bar Association is suiting up against the National Rifle Association over an issue that pits property rights against gun rights: Should firearms be allowed in the personal vehicles of employees while they are at work?

NY: Pistol program group holds annual meeting, recognition night Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Website: http://www.nysrpa.org	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
The Warren County Pistol Safety Program, administered by Southern Adirondack Firearms Education and Training Inc., recently held its annual meeting and election at The Grill at the Ramada in Queensbury.

Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, "except such of them as may choose to furnish their own arms", Dec. 24, 1806
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"2. Resolved, That the President of the United States be authorized to accept of any company or companies of volunteers, either of artillery, cavalry, or infantry, who may associate and offer themselves for the service, (not exceeding thirty thousand men,) who shall be clothed and furnished with horses, at their own expense, and armed and equipped at the expense of the United States, except such of them as may choose to furnish their own arms . . . and when called into actual service, and whilst remaining in the same, shall be under the same rules and regulations, and be entitled to the same pay, rations, forage, and allowance for clothing, with the regular troops of the United States..."

"...It was resolved in the affirmative..."

MD: Police Leaders, Gun Violence Prevention Advocates to Urge Passage of Maryland Assault Rifle Ban
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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Advocates of legislation that would reduce the high incidence of assault rifle crime in Maryland will hold a press conference at 12:30 PM Tuesday, February 27, 2007 in the Media Room of the Miller Senate Office Building, 11 Bladen Street in Annapolis. Immediately following the press conference, the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will hold a hearing on the bill.

Ed note: Brady tries to make MD seem like Fallujah. ;-)

ME: Bill proposes waiting period for gun buyers
Submitted by: Anonymous

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AUGUSTA - Legislators will consider a gun-control bill that would require anyone under 21 to wait 10 days before buying a rifle or shotgun.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Margaret Craven of Lewiston, is similar to one she proposed two years ago that mandated a 10-day waiting period for anyone under 22 wanting to buy a gun.

Craven is sponsoring the bill with the support of Catherine Crowley of Lewiston, whose 18-year-old son killed himself with a newly purchased shotgun in 2004.

TX: Use Of Deadly Force in Public Places on Legislature's Agenda: Hearings on Changing the Definition of Self-Defense
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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A measure recently proposed in the State Legislature would alter Texas' longstanding self-defense law and make it harder to prosecute violent offenders. Supporters claim that the change is necessary to prevent crime victims from being thrown in jail. The bills, HB284 and SB378, would change Texas law by allowing deadly force to be used as a first resort by any citizen, in any public place, and prevent criminal charges from being filed against any shooter who claims he or she felt threatened. Despite the fact that there has never been a reported case of a person being prosecuted in Texas for acting in self-defense, the bill's sponsors claim they're taking action to protect crime victims from overzealous prosecutors.

Samuel Ward to Henry Ward, "Riflemen & other Soldiers raised in the middle & southern Colonies found their own Arms", Dec. 12, 1775
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"...The Contest between the two Countries involves a Question of no less magnitude than the Happiness or Misery of Millions & when We extend our Views to future Ages We may say Millions of Millions. Our Views therefore ought to be extensive, our Plans great & our Exertions adequate to the immense Object before Us and such I doubt not will be the Conduct of Congress..."

"...Who allowed the Expenses of moving the Stock and the Amount of the Cannon but as the Riflemen & other Soldiers raised in the middle & southern Colonies found their own Arms and were allowed no Bounty The Congress would not pay those two Charges..."

UK: 'Evict gun thugs' families' call
Submitted by: jac

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Families that shield gun criminals from the police should be evicted from their homes, a senior police chief has said.
Bernard Hogan-Howe, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, believes the tough measure would make communities feel safer and help tackle gun crime.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he also calls for tougher action on teenagers caught with guns and the power to force witnesses to give evidence.

Submitters note: I don't understand. I thought guns were illegal in not so great Britain.

NY: Gun permit study group to form
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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As expected, a committee at the Westchester Board of Legislators today officially pulled a controversial gun permit proposal from the "joint legislative package", the combined state wish list of the board and county executive for 2007. But that doesn't mean the county executive's office is dropping its efforts to change the permit process in some way. Deputy County Executive Larry Schwartz, in a letter to Vito Pinto, chairman of the board's legislation committee, has proposed creating a study group that would work over the next 30 days to "find acceptable solutions to improve the present system."

John Jay to Alexander McDougall, "Dont tread on me", March 23, 1776
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"...As to continental Colors, the Congress have made no order as yet respecting them, and I believe the Captains of their armed Vessels have in that particular been directed by their own fancies and Inclinations. I remember to have seen a flag designed for one of them on which was extremely well painted a Rattle Snake rearing his Crest and shaking his Rattles, with this Motto "Dont tread on me". But whether this Device was generally adopted by the fleet, I am not able to say. I rather think it was not..."

"...In a word with some Men in these as in other Times, a Man must either be their Tool and be despised, or act a firm disinterested Part and be abused..."

MI: Woman allegedly pulls out a handgun and shoots at the tires of a tailgator
Submitted by: R.S.G.

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HARRISON TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - A woman who told authorities she was fed up with tailgaters pulled out a gun and shot at the tires of a pickup that got too close, police said. Officials believe the bullet missed the pickup, and no one was hurt. Bernadette Headd, 39, was in rush-hour traffic Wednesday in suburban Detroit when the pickup pulled behind her, police said.

Note: I'm sure the anti's will use this to disparage CCW.

Robert Morris to Unknown, "necessity that ever induc'd Us to take up arms, & that now forces Us to depend on them", Dec. 9, 1775
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"...it seems absolutely necessary to provide for a vigorous defence seeing that every Account we receive from England threatens nothing but destruction. These threats will prove vain whilst the Americans continue united..."

"...as it was notorious that the Ministry depended on that Country & its Inhabitants to pierce Us in the Rear, & get Us between two fires, in short it is meer necessity that ever induc'd Us to take up arms, & that now forces Us to depend on them..."

"...as Brothers entitled to the same freedom*, the same priviledges themselves enjoy, they cannot expect a people descended from their own flesh & blood, long Used to & well acquainted with the blessings of freedom..."