Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

It�s RINO Season and it�s Time to go Hunting: An Open Letter to the Florida Republican Party
Submitted by: Rob Morse
Website: https://slowfacts.wordpress.com/

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I was raped on campus at Florida State University. He had a knife and I had pepper spray. You can read how well that worked for me. That is why campus carry is important. It is personal for me, and it should be for you.

We saw Republicans elected to positions of power. They broke their promises.

I am done. I am sick and tired of waiting for Florida Republicans to get themselves together and pass bills that would restore our second amendment rights and let women like me protect ourselves. (520 more words)

CT: Governor Malloy�s Outrageous Pistol Permit Increase to Be Heard
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Next Thursday, March 9, the Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue, and Bonding will hear Senate Bill 787, which would implement Governor Malloy�s budget proposal that immensely increases pistol permit fees. Please contact the committee members and urge them to OPPOSE this bill! Also, you may submit your own opposition testimony to the committee by clicking the �Public Hearing Testimony� on the committee�s page. Click the �Take Action� button below to contact the committee members in opposition to this egregious fee hike!

ID: Gun Bills on the Move in Boise
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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With only a few weeks remaining before the proposed adjournment of the 2017 Legislative Session, there are several bills affecting your Second Amendment rights and hunting heritage that are being considered by the Idaho Legislature.

House Bill 93, proposed by state Representative Don Cheatham (R-3B), would exempt active military members from the requirement that they be Idaho residents in order to carry a concealed handgun without a permit inside city limits. HB 93 passed the House State Affairs Committee on Thursday and will now move to a full vote of the House.

CA: Gun Control Legislators in California Have Been Put on Notice Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
On Monday, a Federal Judge ruled in favor of California gun rights advocates, saying they are well-within their rights to publish the home addresses and phone numbers of state legislators who voted for firearms restrictions.

OH: Increase in Concealed Carry Permits
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The State of Ohio had 118,000 new permits issued while Muskingum County had 1036 new concealed carry permits issued. Ohio had 41,000 concealed carry licenses renewed and Muskingum County renewed 272 licenses.

�I come to work and I�m signing [permits] just about everyday at some point,�Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said. �You know it seems to be continuing since the legislation was passed to be allowed to have the [Concealed Carry Weapon] permits and obviously those trends are continuing to go up.�

The Muskingum County Sheriff�s Office also takes Concealed Carry Weapon permit applications from non Muskingum County residents.

SD: Battle over guns brews in Pierre
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The Second Amendment taking center stage in Pierre this week as two controversial gun laws could be headed to the governor's desk soon.

House Bill 1072, also known as "constitutional carry," would allow anyone who can legally own a gun to carry a concealed weapon without filing a permit as is required under current state law.

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House Bill 1072 is on the agenda for full Senate debate Monday afternoon. If it passes, it goes to Governor Dennis Daugaard's desk, where he is expected to veto it despite passionate argument from bill sponsors saying the Second Amendment should not need special circumstances to be followed.

IL: Debate over guns in council meetings revolves around safety
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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While not wanting to trample a gun owner's Second Amendment rights, some elected officials in Lake and Porter counties are concerned that firearms at government meetings could be a safety hazard.

Last month, a southern Indiana town council voted to allow residents to carry firearms at council meetings.

In Northwest Indiana, there's some variation in which towns and cities are allowed to regulate firearms being brought to the public meetings, as laid out in state law.

WY: CPAC an embarrassment for Wyoming
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The only Wyomingite on the program was a jet-lagged state Sen. Affie Ellis from Cheyenne. Interestingly, she participated in a panel titled �Rising Stars in the Conservative Movement.� For those of you who have been following the legislative session, this label may surprise you.

Ellis was one of the deciding votes that killed the campus carry legislation last week in the Wyoming Senate. She recently voted to force school districts to include second language education in kindergarten through second grade without funding it. Ellis didn�t bother to file a single bill during the session. Not one.

GA: House passes campus carry bill Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There is 1 comment on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Controversial legislation that would let Georgians with concealed firearms permits carry their weapons on public college and university campuses cleared the state House of Representatives Friday. The bill, which passed 108-63 and now moves to the Georgia Senate, is similar to the campus carry measure the General Assembly adopted last year. The 2016 bill was then vetoed by Gov. Nathan Deal.

5 Things Every Woman Needs to Know Before Hitting the Gun Range
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Every day, I see countless social media posts from women who are utilizing their Second Amendment rights, particularly at the gun range, which is awesome! Women are the fastest growing demographic of gun owners across the nation. As a woman in the gun industry, I feel compelled to help educate other women, particularly on safety issues. Here�s a guide to five of the biggest no-nos at the gun range.

HI: Anti-Gun Legislation Eligible for Senate Floor Vote Next Week
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Today, notice was given on Senate Bill 898, making it eligible for consideration on the Senate floor as early as Tuesday, March 7. SB 898 passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee last week despite overwhelming opposition. It is imperative that you contact your state Senator and urge them to oppose this misguided legislation. Please click the �Take Action� button below to contact your state Senator!

NRA Applauds Secretary Zinke�s Protection of Traditional Ammunition Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
The National Rifle Association applauds Secretary Zinke�s decision to withdraw Director�s Order No. 219, a decree imposed on the final day of the Obama presidency to ban the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on national wildlife refuges. Chris W. Cox, executive director of NRA�s Institute for Legislative Action, attended the official signing of Secretarial Order 3347.

WA: The Second Amendment is not about guns
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The term keep and bear arms in the 18th century did not mean storing a weapon in your home or carrying it around on your person. The term meant that one could serve in the Militia, in 21st century terms, be a part of the military. Bearing arms was about fighting in the army or navy. Thus what the framers were talking about was not preventing persons serving in the military.

In 21st century language the Second Amendment would read: �A trained and disciplined armed force is necessary to the security of a free State; therefore persons who choose to be part of that armed force shall not be prevented from serving.�

Gun Lobby May Have Their Man in Neil Gorsuch, Supreme Court Nominee
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The U.S. Supreme Court seat last occupied by Antonin Scalia has sat vacant for more than a full year�more than six times longer than the average length of the previous 15 high-court vacancies.

There is no mystery about the reason for Senate Republicans� unprecedented obstruction of President Obama�s nominee to fill the seat, Merrick Garland. In a rare moment of candor, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said, simply, that the Senate wouldn�t confirm Garland because he was opposed by the National Rifle Association.

WV: Campus Carry Legislation Pending House Committee Consideration Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Last week, House Bill 2559 was introduced in the West Virginia House of Delegates and referred to the House Education Committee. Sponsored by Delegate Jeff Eldridge, HB 2559 seeks to amend restrictions in state law that prohibit law-abiding West Virginia Concealed Handgun License (CHL) holders from being able to protect themselves on college and university campuses.

FL: State GOP Wants Victims of Gun Violence To Prove They Did Not Deserve To Be Shot
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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In 2015, Florida�s Supreme Court ruled that defendants in invoking the stand your ground law must prove they were, in fact, acting in self-defense. This is the standard in all stand your ground states.

In practical terms, stand your ground laws already stretch the meaning of �self-defense.� There doesn�t need to be an actual threat � just a �reasonable belief� that a threat could be imminent.

AZ: Legislative Update on Gun Bills Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
On Wednesday, March 1, House Bill 2287 passed the Senate Government Committee with a 4-3 vote. HB 2287 would revise the culpable mental state for the unlawful discharge of a firearm from �criminal negligence� to �intentionally, knowingly or recklessly.� The bill will now move to the Senate Rules Committee to determine whether it is proper for consideration on the Senate floor.

IA: Overdue and commonsense gun reforms
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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House Study Bill 133 will offer some common-sense gun reforms to Iowa�s firearms and use of force laws that will allow Iowa to catch up to other states in individual gun rights. This bill combines many overdue proposals that have been proposed individually and have seen the Capitol floor before. HSB133 includes changes to concealed carry permitting, including uniform permitting from county to county, protecting the privacy of carry permit holders, and removing the need for a permit beyond the traditional background check to purchase a firearm. Iowans who are merely exercising their fundamental rights should demand a right to privacy.

When The Protest Turns Into A Riot
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The past months have been fractious to say the least. Protests have been staged around the country, many of which have become unruly. Some have turned violent. At present, given the nature of the opposition to the current administration, there will probably be more.

Most of these protests tend to occur in major metropolitan areas. While not everyone who legally carries a concealed firearm lives in or in close proximity to large urban areas, a good number of people do. Mobs are a dangerous thing, so it�s good to be aware of what a person should do if they come close to such a �gathering� (we�ll call it) and they think events are about to take a turn.

MN: Important Self-Defense Bills Scheduled for Hearing Next Week
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Next Wednesday, March 8, the House Committee on Public Safety and Security Policy and Finance is scheduled to consider House File 188, the permitless/constitutional carry legislation, and House File 238, the stand your ground bill. Please contact the committee members and urge them to SUPPORT these two bills! Also, please consider attending this hearing to show your strong support for these important measures. Meeting details can be found below. Click the �Take Action� button to contact the committee members!

FL: Florida looks to expand 'stand your ground' immunity
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Florida doesn't just want to let people stand their ground, it also wants to make the state prove they didn't commit violence in self-defense before taking them to trial.

Florida has been seen as a leader in giving citizens immunity in cases of self-defense, its "stand your ground" law serving as an emotional point of debate after several high-profile shooting deaths, including that of unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin.

FL: Florida Supreme Court Rules the Second Amendment Doesn�t Protect Open Carry
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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On Thursday, the Florida Supreme Court upheld a state law prohibiting the open carry of firearms in public, ruling that the Second Amendment does not protect the practice. The decision is yet another legal setback in gun advocates� recent struggle to persuade the courts to strike down a wide range of firearms restrictions as unconstitutional. Like many other state and federal courts throughout the country, the Florida Supreme Court concluded that the Second Amendment cannot be read to bar states from regulating the manner in which firearms are kept and used.

FL: Stand Your Ground Hearing Wraps up in Theater Shooting Case
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Prosecutors and defense attorneys have finished providing evidence in a hearing to determine whether a retired police officer acted in self-defense when he shot a man in a movie theater in 2014.

A judge will decide whether Curtis Reeves should be immune from prosecution under Florida's controversial stand your ground statute. The two-week hearing ended Friday. The judge will rule by March 10.

The law says a person has no duty to retreat when faced with a violent confrontation and can use deadly force if he or she fears death or great bodily harm.

Cornyn Introduces the �Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017� in the Senate
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) on Wednesday introduced his version of interstate carry legislation, titled the �Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017.� Cornyn�s bill follows an earlier release in the House by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) of the �Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017.�

Both bills seek to address the problem of law-abiding concealed carry permit holders having to negotiate a confusing maze of laws, reciprocity agreements, and recognition statutes when they travel out of state.