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America's Growing 'Gun Gap'
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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A new study out of the University of Kansas confirms what many have anecdotally known � a majority of gun owners vote Republican. What may be news, however, is the growing �gun gap.� That term is a reference to the disparity in the percentage of gun owners who identify with either Democrat or Republican parties. The study found that while the percentage of gun owners who vote Republican since 1973 has remained relatively constant, the number of gun owners voting Democrat has dropped significantly.

GA: NRA Endorses Karen Handel in Georgia�s 6th District Special Election
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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On behalf of our five million members across the country, the National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA-PVF) is proud to endorse Karen Handel in the special election for U.S. House of Representatives in Georgia�s 6th Congressional District. Based on her strong support for the Second Amendment, Handel has earned an �A� rating from the NRA-PVF.

"Karen Handel supports our Right to Keep and Bear Arms,� said Chris W. Cox, chairman of the NRA-PVF. �She has fought for the values and freedoms that Georgians hold dear. In Congress, she will defend our right to protect ourselves and our families.�

Gun control advocates weigh in on death of Bob Owens
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Robert �Bob� Eugene Owens, 46, was found dead Monday with a gun close to his body, later ruled by officials as a suicide resulting from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. As co-workers, friends and those in the Second Amendment community filled social media with tributes, others took the time to note Owens� passing in a different way.

While the Newtown Action Alliance posted an article about Owens to their Facebook page with the hashtag #GunsDontMakeUsSafer and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence�s own post resulted in 600 often disparaging comments, one gun control advocate penned a 1,400-word essay on the blogger�s death.

Jake Tapper Rips �Liberals Dancing On The Grave� of Gun Activist Who Committed Suicide
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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On Tuesday, CNN�s Jake Tapper blasted leftists who slimed Bob Owens on Twitter, after the news broke that the pro-Second Amendment blogger reportedly committed suicide by a self-inflicted gun shot.

Tapper first re-Tweeted a post from Townhall.com�s Matt Vespa, who had linked to an item by Ed Morissey. The HotAir writer paid tribute to his �colleague and�friend� Owens, and linked to a GoFundMe page for the deceased activist�s family.

Ed.: Props to Mr. Tapper for standing up for common decency. something this country could do with a lot more with, on *both* sides of the numerous issues that divide us.

More black women turning to guns for self-defense Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Firearms instructors are reporting an increase in the number of black women learning how to use guns in self-defense courses around the country -- and the reasons are varied. "Minority women are definitely increasing in numbers," Rick Ector, a firearms instructor, said of attendees at his weekly course just outside of Detroit.

LA: House committee shoots down concealed carry bill
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Representative Barry Ivey was joined by many gun rights advocates who support his bill. They say the long and costly process for obtaining a concealed carry permit violates their second amendment right.

Only two people spoke out against the bill, including Cissy Rowley, who survived the 2015 Lafayette theater shooting, but that was enough to convince lawmakers. The vote was 8-5 to involuntarily defer the bill, meaning it is likely dead for this session.

Study: Counties with Highest Murder Rates Among Lowest in Gun Ownership Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
A study conducted by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC) shows that U.S. counties with the highest murder rates are among those with the lowest rates of gun ownership. In other words, fewer firearms correlate with more murder. Ed.: Let's not forget that correlation doesn't equal causation.

GA: Gun and knife reform bill signed into law
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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The 11-page measure, which took effect on signing, prevents banks and lenders from discriminating against gun dealers and manufacturers in the state which is home to Daniel Defense, Dead Air Silencers and newly expanding German gun maker HK as well as over 3,800 Federal Firearms Licensees.

The package allows those moving to Georgia from other states to keep their home state�s concealed carry permit for up to 90 days and allows sportsmen who are hunting or fishing to carry without a permit. The act further provides a route for those involuntarily hospitalized to restore their gun rights ...

In a nod to knife rights, HB 292 extends the ability to carry a blade up to 12-inches long, an increase from five inches.

TX: Texas constitutional carry bills �all but dead� this session
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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With the legislative calendar growing short, supporters of permitless handgun carry proposals in the Lone Star State are less than optimistic their measures will become law this session.

Two Republican-proposed bills were tracking, state Rep. Jonathan Stickland�s HB 375 and Rep. James White�s HB 1911. Now, with deadlines for movement this session approaching and Stickland�s bill left in committee while HB 1911 is still awaiting scheduling for debate on the floor, time is not on the lawmakers� side.

�I am sad to report that Constitutional Carry is all but dead,� Stickland said in a post to social media this week. �The only hope left would be a special session called by the Governor, which I do not expect.�

FL: Florida bill shifts 'Stand Your Ground' burden of proof to prosecutors
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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It could get easier to "stand your ground" in Florida after state lawmakers passed a bill that would put more burden of proof on prosecutors.

The change could mean more work for prosecutors in the pretrial process, which would cost you more money. It could also mean fewer of these cases going to lengthy and expensive trials.

You have no duty to retreat � that's what Florida's Stand Your Ground law says to anyone under attack, and you can defend your life by killing someone else.

Honor Defense Honors National Police Week
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Police officers perform under some of the most grueling conditions while protecting and serving the people of the United States, with between 140 and 160 officers committing the ultimate sacrifice every year.

As such, Honor Defense, maker of the American-made Honor Guard 9 mm handguns, recently partnered with Pittsburgh Cerakote and Kester Farms Tack to auction a custom Honor Guard handgun to benefit Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.).

FL: Anti-domestic violence advocates warn against Stand Your Ground law change Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://marktaff.com	There is 1 comment on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
If signed by the Governor, Florida would become the first state to place the burden of proof in Stand Your Ground cases on the prosecution, instead of the defense. Some fear this change will have a dangerous impact on domestic violence victims. Mindy Murphy is C.E.O. of The Spring of Tampa Bay, a dedicated to preventing domestic violence and protecting victims.

TX: Three gunmen open fire on homeowner in his yard. He isn�t hit � but they sure are.
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Three gunmen attempted a drive-by shooting at a Houston homeowner who was standing in his yard just after 2 a.m. Saturday.

Attempted being the operative term.

See, the homeowner has a concealed-handgun license, KPRC-TV reported, adding that he�s apparently logged more than a few hours at a firing range.

It showed.

The homeowner hid behind a bush and returned fire, KTRK-TV reported.

Police told the station that amid more than 40 rounds exchanged, the homeowner hit all three gunmen.

TN: General Assembly Passes Major Pro-Gun Bills
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Tuesday night, the Tennessee General Assembly passed multiple NRA-backed pro-gun bills. These bills will now be sent to the desk of Governor Bill Haslam for his consideration and your NRA ILA will keep you updated throughout the process.

Those bills include:

After intense debate and the defeat of numerous hostile amendments in both chambers, Senate Bill 445/ House Bill 508, sponsored by state Senator John Stevens and state Representative William Lamberth passed out of the House and Senate. This legislation would create a private cause of action for a party that is adversely affected by a local ordinance, resolution, policy, rule, or other enactment on firearms preempted by state law.

IA: Iowan Pete Brownell elected president of the NRA Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Iowa gun-seller Pete Brownell has been elected president of the National Rifle Association. The CEO of Brownells Inc., which calls itself the world's largest supplier of firearm accessories, Brownell is a lifetime NRA member who has served in several roles with the pro-gun group. The NRA's board of directors voted May 1 at its annual meeting in Atlanta to install Brownell as president.

IN: Gun Guy: Supreme Court Says Police May Not Detain Armed Hoosiers to Check for Handgun License
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Thus, without a basis to believe that Pinner was carrying a handgun without a license - or engaged in some other illegal activity - detaining Pinner to investigate his possession of a gun violated his rights under the Fourth Amendment.

In Monday's opinion, the Supreme Court wholly agreed with Judge May's analysis. Specifically, the court ruled that a police officer, based only on a tip that a person possesses a handgun, may not detain that person to confirm that he has a license to carry:

LA: House Panel Quashes Bill to Allow Permit-Less Conceal Carry
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Lawmakers have once again struck down a proposal to allow Louisiana residents to carry a concealed gun without a permit.

A House panel voted 8-5 Wednesday against Rep. Barry Ivey's "constitutional carry" measure.

State law allows people to openly carry a gun without a permit. In order to conceal a handgun, though, residents must be trained, undergo a background check and have their fingerprints taken.

More than a dozen supporters of Ivey's bill testified that the permit requirements, which include hundreds of dollars of fees, are costly and prevent law-abiding citizens from exercising their Second Amendment right.

Lead Dust From Firearms Can Pose A Silent Health Risk
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Firearms safety is key for people who use weapons at work or for recreational shooting. But one risk has been little acknowledged: Lead dust exposure.

In a standard bullet, a solid lead core wrapped in a copper jacket sits atop a stack of gunpowder and lead primer. When the gun fires, the primer ignites, the gunpowder lights, and some of the lead on the bullet boils. When the casing snaps out of the ejection port, lead particles trail behind it. As the bullet hurtles down the barrel of the gun, a shower of lead particles follows.

Dispatches from gun country: �If Jesus told me to disarm, I would�
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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Mark Muller made headline news in 2009 when CNN interviewed him about a deal he was offering at his car dealership in Butler, Missouri. If you bought a truck from him, he�d give you a free AK-47. This led to him gracing the cover of a book called God, Guns & Guts, and then starring in a tv show on History Channel called God, Guns & Automobiles. He continues to speak his mind, live his life large and rally behind America�s founding principles.

Gun shop owners say pro-gun presidents usually hurt sales
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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"Hurry in before Hillary."

The sign posted in August outside Crown Firearms in Pennsburg suggested to potential customers that if Hillary Clinton was elected president in November, she would likely push for stricter gun control laws.

"When there's a threat to take guns away, people always buy more," Michael Claypoole, the shop's owner said recently when reminded of the sign. "An anti-gun president," he said, "always drives sales."

American Warrior | James Jarrett
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://marktaff.com

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James Jarrett, NRA Carry Guard director of curriculum, is a tough interview in a way we didn�t expect. Even the most lackadaisical stroll through his curriculum vitae results in an unwelcome conclusion: We doubt we�ve made quiiiiiite as good use of our time as he has.

One wonders how he�s had time to fit in so much, frankly, to say nothing of so much excellence. That whole Green Beret thing (10 years); several kinds of sworn law enforcement (LAPD, Toulumne County Sheriff�s Office and deep cover intelligence operative); college professor and court-approved, multi-specialty forensic expert; and world-class competitive shooter and military/law enforcement/civilian firearms instructor (including his own academy).