Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

D�oh! More know Simpsons than Constitution Submitted by: Mark A. Harper	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Americans apparently know more about 'The Simpsons' than they do about the First Amendment." "Only one in four Americans can name more than one of the five freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment." "But more than half can name at least two members of the cartoon family, according to a survey."

Hold your fire: Second Amendment was aimed at building militias
Submitted by: News Director

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"There weren't too many things that frightened the Founding Fathers, but two or three subjects made them very nervous. One was the idea of a state religion. ...Another thing that gave them the fantods was the notion of a standing army. ..." ...

"Knowing the strong feelings of the Founding Fathers on this matter makes it seem less odd to find no provision in the original Constitution for an army. What the Founding Fathers had high hopes for in case of a national emergency was that everyone would drop what they were doing, grab a rifle from over the fireplace, and rush to the aid of their country."

Who Polices the Police?
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"...From what I�ve been able to discern, this attitude is systemic in police officers. The force is a fraternity. They stick together and watch each others� backs."

"I recalled this exchange in light of an undercover investigation conducted by a Miami local news crew that aired last month in which an investigator attempted to perform a seemingly simple task: to obtain a form to file a complaint against a police officer. The investigator went to 38 separate departments in South Florida in an attempt to obtain such a form. He walked out of 35 of them empty-handed. But the worst part of the story was the reactions he received from several officers when he asked for the form. Some of the reactions included asking for his personal information in a threatening manner, threatened citations, lewd comments about his wife, asking if he was on medications, etc. One officer went so far as to chase the man out of the office and down the street, at one point putting his hand on his gun in a threatening manner."

IL: Brady Campaign: If Gun Lobby Is Telling Truth, Assault Weapons Problem Worse Than We Realized
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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" 'The gun lobby's leaders said today in Springfield that banning assault weapons would injure Illinois economically to the tune of $150 million and cost the state 750 jobs,' said Jennifer Bishop, Illinois State director of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. 'Are Illinois residents really buying $150 million a year worth of assault weapons? If so, I urge the Legislature to move as quickly as possible on this proposal, because we have a bigger problem than we realized.' "

" 'If these guys are going to say that this assault weapons ban will cause a loss of a few hundred jobs, how can you compare that to the more than a thousand lives that are lost in our state each year to gun violence, and many more nationally?' asked Northwestern University Political Science Professor Steve Young, the father of a gun violence victim. ..."

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Of course, even if Illinois residents were purchasing $150 million worth of so-called "assault" weapons a year, where is the proof that said weapons are being used in crimes?

IL: Illinois Firearms Manufacturers Gather to Protest Ban on So- Called 'Assault Weapons'
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Representatives from several Illinois firearms manufacturers met in the state capitol today to express their concerns about pending legislation that would, in effect, run them out of business."

"Among the companies represented were ArmaLite of Geneseo, Ill.; Les Baer Custom of Hillsdale, Ill.; Lewis Machine and Tool of Milan, Ill.; Rock River Arms of Colona, Ill. and; Springfield Armory, also of Geneseo."

"The bill in question, HB2414, has sparked considerable controversy since its introduction several months ago by Rep. Eddie Acevedo (D-Chicago). HB2414 would ban the manufacture, sale and possession of thousands of styles of firearms now owned by law-abiding Illinois citizens. In effect, the bill would put an end to competitive shooting in the state and render most privately held gun collections worthless."

IL: Blagojevich calls Topinka NRA shill
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Sketching a likely general election theme, Gov. Blagojevich came out swinging Tuesday against GOP gubernatorial front-runner Judy Baar Topinka, accusing the state treasurer of being a shill for the National Rifle Association and the right wing."

" 'The NRA just gave her an A rating -- an A rating -- and if you get an A rating from the NRA, you're basically taking their talking points and doing their bidding,' Blagojevich said. 'And I would urge her to forget about the NRA, stop pandering to the right wing and join us and help us pass a ban on assault weapons.' "

IL: Illinois Gun Ban 'Sets Bad Public Policy,' Gun Makers Say
Submitted by: News Director

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"Representatives from several Illinois gun makers gathered in the state capitol Wednesday to voice concern over a gun ban bill which would put them out of business and turn law-abiding citizens into criminals." ...

"Gun manufacturers said the bill serves no practical crime-fighting purpose since the guns that would be banned are rarely used to commit crimes, which is the primary reason why the federal 'assault weapons ban' was not renewed in 2004."

MA: New gun regulations billboard
Submitted by: News Director

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"A billboard along the Massachusetts Turnpike in Boston has a new anti-gun message."

" 'Stop Traffic - Background Checks Stop Crime' was revealed today, with four guns pictured underneath the names of four states: New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and Georgia."

"John Rosenthal, the owner of the billboard and the founder of Stop Handgun Violence, says lax laws in those states promote gun trafficking into Massachusetts."

MO: Posed bill toughens self-defense statute
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Bob Gaskill wasn't scared because he knew he had a choice: When you come home to a shotgun-wielding burglar who is tearing through your possessions, you either kill or be killed, he said."

"Gaskill said he kept that thought in mind when that very thing happened to him and his wife, Jan, last October at their Silver Creek home."

"The burglar lifted the shotgun to his wife's head, Gaskill said in a phone interview, and she reached up and grabbed it out of his hands while Gaskill tackled and wrestled the masked man to the ground. While he had the man pinned on his porch, Gaskill shouted to his wife to grab the gun and shoot the burglar. She fired a shot into the yard."

"If she had it to do over, Gaskill said, he's certain she would have made sure to hit her target."

"And if a bill debated Tuesday in a Missouri House committee passes, the Gaskills could have injured or killed the intruder without fear of civil or criminal punishment."

AL: Veteran cop arrested on child porn possession
Submitted by: Robert Tims

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"A 15-year veteran of the Huntsville police force was arrested Tuesday on charges of possession of child pornography."

"Kenneth Haga, 41, of 4111 Newson Road was arrested after Huntsville police investigators found images on Haga's home computer of children under the age of 17 involved in sexual acts, Chief Rex Reynolds said."

" 'There were images on his computer, but we don't have any information that any data was transmitted,' Reynolds said."

PA: Lawsuit Targets Gun Makers and Gun Sellers
Submitted by: News Director

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"A judge in Philadelphia heard arguments over a lawsuit that would hold handgun makers and gun shops responsible for the shooting deaths of two children."

"The families of ten-year-old Faheem Thomas Childs, shot to death outside of his school in February of 2004, and 13-year old Anthony Oliver, accidentally shot by a friend six months later, filed the suit. They claim the negligence of the gun makers and gun sellers put the guns into the wrong hands."

FL: Police Station Intimidation Lawsuit Submitted by: Bruce	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Video story. Click on the link to watch the video. ------- Submitter's Note: For the original story, see here.

SC: Gun Raffle Ruffles Feathers on Campus
Submitted by: News Director

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"A student at Clemson University is bringing attention to the Second Amendment in an unusual -- but creative -- way."

"Andrew Davis is raffling-off an AK-47 in order spark a discussion on what he calls one of the 'least respected amendments' in the United States, according to an Associated Press article.
Davis, editor in chief an independent student newspaper at Clemson University, says, 'Americans need a better education about their right to bear arms.' "

"Liberals on campus are 'up-in-arms.' "

SC: Protesters take tickets, disrupting drawing for AK-47 Submitted by: News Director	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The Clemson student who organized a drawing for an AK-47 to raise awareness of the Second Amendment, says he had to suspend ticket distribution after protesters took more than 150 tickets without providing the requested donation."

NY: Report: Village justice served time for illegal gun sales
Submitted by: News Director

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"It turns out a Hudson Valley court justice has a criminal record of his own."

"The Poughkeepsie Journal reports that Wappingers Falls Village Justice Charles McDonald served time in federal prison in the 1980s for selling illegal guns to undercover agents."

"The newspaper reports McDonald was arrested in July 1980 as part of an undercover sting in Fort Lee, New Jersey. According to federal authorities, McDonald was part of a group busted by undercover agents for trying to sell single-shot weapons that resembled ballpoint pens."

UK: Police take 900 guns off street after bumper six-month haul Submitted by: News Director	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"PUMP-ACTION shotguns and pistols were among 900 weapons taken off the streets and destroyed by police in the past six months." "The armoury was melted down for recycling after being seized by officers or handed in by owners." "The haul represented an increase of around 80 per cent on the previous six months when 500 weapons were scrapped."

South Africa: Nqakula warns gun owners Submitted by: News Director	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Safety and Security Minister Charles Nqakula has warned that gun owners still have to comply with the existing provisions of the Firearms Control Act, despite the publication of a draft amendment bill." "The draft bill was published for public comment in the Government Gazette on Friday."

Canada: Toy gun ban ridiculous
Submitted by: News Director

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"Replica guns are already considered 'prohibited' under federal law. Existing owners could keep them but they must be treated with the same regard as a real firearm."

"This proposed law will have swat teams taking down eight-year-olds playing cowboys and Indians. This will lead to hatred and distrust of police by kids at a very early age."

"Think of it, no more playing with water guns, no more cap guns. Will this make our city and our children safer? Not a chance; this is a feel-good, knee-jerk law."

UK: Brave garage boss challenges armed robber to shoot him
Submitted by: News Director

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"AN armed robber was chased off with a plank of wood after he pointed a gun in the face of a petrol station manager."

"The incident, at Crossway Service Station, Willingdon Road, last Thursday night, left Kalirajah Thulasitharan shaken but unharmed."

"Mr Thulasitharan, 48, was alone at the BP station and locking up earlier than usual."

"As he got into his people carrier on the forecourt at 10.10pm, a masked gunman got into the back of the vehicle."

South Africa: Policeman on election duty �shoots colleague, turns gun on himself� at Transkei hotel
Submitted by: News Director

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"TWO Port Elizabeth police constables on election duty in Mthatha died last night, after a quarrel between them had turned violent in the parking lot of a hotel in the former Transkei capital."

"The Humewood detective branch constables, whose names cannot be released until their next of kin have been notified, had apparently been arguing in the Windsor Hotel�s parking lot around 6pm when one of them allegedly drew out his pistol and shot the other before turning the gun on himself."

"A police member stationed at the hotel, who did not want to be named, said he heard at least five shots being fired. He said both men died at the scene."

MO: Students Hurt When BB Gun Fired At School Bus
Submitted by: News Director

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"4 students suffered minor injuries when shots were fired from a pellet gun into their school bus."

"The bus was from the Lindbergh School district, and the students on the bus were from Long or Truman Elementary Schools. They are 5th graders, 10 and 11 years old. They are desegregation students who were on their way home."

"The bus was at Coleman and North Market in St. Louis when someone on the bus spotted a young person with what appeared to be a gun pointed at the bus. The driver hit the brakes. That apparently caused one injury, leaving a student with a bump on the head."

KY: Gun Found at High School
Submitted by: News Director

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

Action News 36 has learned a stolen handgun was recovered on the Tates Creek High School baseball field today.

Police say it all began as a burglary investigation. Police interviewed a 14 year old Tates Creek Middle School student while investigating a break-in that occurred in the Tates Creek area yesterday. Police say the student confessed, and led them to a handgun stolen during the burglary.

The student is now under arrest, and has been charged with possession of a firearm and first degree burglary, both felonies.

The investigation is ongoing and police say more arrests are possible.

TX: First-grade student brings gun to school
Submitted by: News Director

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"A 7-year-old Caucasian first grader at Aikin Elementary School took the semi-automatic handgun with him to show to his friends Tuesday, according to Paris Police Department Assistant Police Chief Bob Hundley."

"The handgun reportedly stayed in the boy�s backpack all day. A bus aide, who saw the boy showing it to classmates during the afternoon bus ride home, took the gun and handed it over to the bus driver, who turned it over to police, Hundley said."

VA: Agents erred at gun shows, official says
Submitted by: Anonymous

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" 'We acknowledge that some techniques used in our Richmond operations were not implemented in a manner consistent with ATF's best practices,' Michael Bouchard, assistant director of field operations for the agency, told the House judiciary subcommittee on crime."

"The subcommittee launched an investigation into police patrols at Richmond-area gun shows after attendees said officers harassed gun buyers. Show organizers complained about a large, visible police presence that, they said, scared away would-be buyers.
ATF agents set up a command post at the show, increasing the number of visible police officers on site. Bouchard said moving the post from show grounds was one of the things his agents could have done differently."

VA: Firearms proposal carried over to '07
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"A bill that would have limited the ability of county governments to regulate the discharge of firearms failed by one vote in a Senate panel yesterday."

"The bill, sponsored by Del. Clarke N. Hogan, R-Halifax, would have barred counties from setting stricter rules for shooting activities than they do for hunting. Hogan said counties should be able to restrict only the location of sport shooting activities for safety reasons, as they do for hunting now."

Australia: No US path on gun control
Submitted by: Haddock
Website: http://www.servicerifle.com.au/qmrcabout.htm

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"PRIME Minister John Howard tightened gun laws after the Port Arthur massacre because he did not want Australia going down the same path as the US, he said today."

"Mr Howard, on the eve of his 10th anniversary in office, said today the nation's grief over the 1996 Port Arthur massacre had been a great opportunity to tighten Australia's gun laws." ...

"Mr Howard said he did not want Australia to adopt the American stance on guns."

WI: Gun at school leads to expulsion
Submitted by: News Director

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"A cased shotgun in a student's truck on school grounds led to the student's expulsion Tuesday."

"The school board expelled the student through the first semester of the 2006-07 school year. However, the student may apply for early reinstatement starting with the upcoming summer school."

"Superintendent Tom Evert said this morning that the student claimed the gun was used for hunting and that it had been forgotten in the truck."

UK: Gun cop in suicide Submitted by: News Director	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"POLICE marksman in Britain's "gun capital" shot himself dead with his force weapon at his HQ." "The body of PC Ivor Altoft, 44, was found in a toilet block last week, it was revealed yesterday." "Confirming no one else was involved, police said: 'We are devastated at this tragic loss. He was a highly professional, well regarded officer.' "

VA: ATF Sees 'No Evidence of Misconduct' in Gun Show Stings
Submitted by: News Director

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"Federal agents did not use racial or sexual profiling during sting operations at gun shows in Richmond, Va., according to the official in charge of field operations for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)."

"Michael Bouchard, assistant director of field operations for the bureau, told members of Congress Tuesday that his agents broke no laws and violated no one's civil rights."

"Bouchard told the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism and Homeland Security that ATF has conducted its own probe of the allegations, first reported by Cybercast News Service, and found no wrongdoing."

Somalia: Somali parliament's peace bid bad for gun business
Submitted by: News Director

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"Not every trader in Baidoa is making a killing from the legislators, bodyguards and monitors who have swarmed its streets for a historic meeting of Somalia's interim parliament."

"Traders at Eltogte gun market say the government's effort to broker peace in its ranks is bad for business, especially now that their best customers -- the 1,000 or so militiamen who usually prowl Baidoa's streets -- have been forced out of town."

TX: Superintendent: Principal in whose office gun was fired won't return
Submitted by: News Director

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"Although the investigation into the firing of a gun at an Odessa school continues, one decision has been made -- Principal Van Grady won't be returning as an employee of Ector County Independent School District."

"Superintendent Wendell Sollis made the announcement at a press conference in the ECISD Administration Building board room Tuesday. The leave stems from an incident at 11 a.m. Feb. 24 when a gun was reported fired in Crockett's main office."

SC: Anderson Woman Charged With Killing Man With Vacuum Cleaner
Submitted by: Bruce

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What's needed is some commonsense vacuum cleaner control.

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

An Anderson man is dead after being strangled with a vacuum cleaner hose, and his common-law wife is charged with his murder.

Anderson County Sheriff's deputies said they received the call at about 9:30 p.m. Sunday.

A spokesman for the sheriff's office said Evelyn Pressley admitted to killing Jerome Powers.

Deputies said Pressley beat and strangled Powers with vacuum cleaner accessories.

Deputies said the couple lived together on Bellhaven Road in Anderson for about eight years.

Pressley is being held in the Anderson County detention center Monday. An autopsy was planned.

FL: Former Miami Police Officer Arrested For Perjury
Submitted by: Bruce

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"A former City of Miami Police officer finds himself on the wrong side of the law today after being arrested on perjury charges."

"... Torrance Gary, 35, was taken into custody this morning by Miami Police Internal Affairs investigators."

"Gary resigned just days before his arrest on Feb. 18."

"Investigators allege Gary lied about what he witnessed during a drug arrest ..."

"According to police, Gary claimed to have seen Antoine Knight ... attempting to flush suspected heroine [sic] down a toilet."

"At the time Gary allegedly witnessed this, he said he was looking through the front window of the apartment from the outside. It later became clear that the toilet in question was not visible from that vantage point." ...

Lebanon: Young Arabs want stricter gun control, study finds
Submitted by: News Director

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"Young Lebanese, Palestinians and Sudanese want tougher gun control regulations, a survey by a group of NGOs revealed."

"The findings of the study, which was conducted over the last six months by the Middle East North Africa Network on Small Arms (MENSAA), an umbrella group of Arab NGOs concerned with the misuse and proliferation of illicit small arms and light weapons, were released on Tuesday in Beirut."

Canada: Rifles set to be cut from gun registry Submitted by: News Director	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The Conservative government plans to move on a key election promise to amend the gun registry by exempting rifle and shotgun owners from the program and waiving a $60 fee paid by more than 1.5 million Canadians to renew firearms registrations." "According to reports yesterday, the government will limit the registry to handguns and automatic weapons."

Australia: Shooters given gun freedom
Submitted by: News Director

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"AUSTRALIA'S shooting team will be able to take its guns out of the official venue in the lead-up to the Commonwealth Games."

"Officials had banned all competition shooters from removing guns from the Lilydale range from next week."

"It meant shooters would have had to train at cramped Lilydale leading into the competition starting in two weeks."

"Australia competitors including Russell Mark and Michael Diamond were incensed at the decision and threatened to boycott the range until competition."