Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

NY: Suspend officer in 'Make my day' stunt
Submitted by: Larry E. Bigham

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"A Manhattan narcotics detective is in trouble for pulling a stunt out of a Clint Eastwood movie - giving his gun to a prisoner who had razzed him about his manhood, the Daily News has learned."

" 'Okay, now what are you going to do?' Detective Frank Sola said as he handed the drug suspect his 9-mm. handgun in a macho showdown in the 6th Precinct stationhouse, according to an investigator familiar with the internal police probe."

What is a Libertarian?
Submitted by: LFA Editor
Website: http://www.libertyforall.net

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"We are peaceful people, not anarchists or zealots. We believe we have a life to live here on this mortal coil and we try to do it with the least harm to those around us. We work just like everyone else in whatever we have been trained to do to support our loved ones until they can support themselves. We take care of those loved ones who cannot." ...

"We live life as a gift. We do not question where it came from or where it is going�only the road we will take while we are in it. We have no agenda other than to tell others what we believe."

MO: Right-to-carry
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"On May 5 the Missouri legislature overwhelmingly passed right-to-carry legislation, which will allow honest adults age 23 and older to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm. ...You cannot be denied just because the sheriff doesn't like you for supporting his opponent - or thinks only police should be able to protect themselves, as occurs in states with discriminatory concealed carry, like New York and New Jersey. Gov. Holden has threatened to veto this bill."

"Reenactment" Bans Millions More Guns Submitted by: Newslinks Admin	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"H.R. 2038, introduced by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.), does not just 'reenact' or 'reauthorize' the 1994 Clinton ban, the so-called 'assault weapon' law. It bans millions more guns. And it begins backdoor registration of guns." ...

Smoking Guns - The 60 Minutes News Piece
Submitted by: Paul Raynolds

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"Every Sunday CBS� "60 Minutes" fires a hit piece concocted to damage President George W. Bush. Its May 11 smear attack, implying that Mr. Bush and the Republican Party were eager to put firearms into criminal hands, demonstrated journalistic dishonesty as slanted and partisan as that of the self-righteously leftist New York Times."

"The 'hero' of the CBS story was Robert Ricker, who after two decades working as 'a top lawyer for the NRA [National Rifle Association] as well as the chief spokesman for the gun industry,' suddenly in 1999 switched sides."

Why They Hate The NRA
Submitted by: Paul Raynolds

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"Leftists loathe the National Rifle Association and everyone associated with it. They loathe NRA leaders Wayne LaPierre and former president Charlton Heston."

"They hate the thousands of political leaders who support the NRA, the four million NRA members, the tens of millions of American gun owners, and the tens of millions of Americans who support our Second Amendment rights (all of whom really should belong to the NRA). They hate us all."

UK: Nightmare of gun victim's mother Submitted by: P. Jones	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The mother of Jason Fearon, who was killed in a shooting outside a nightclub, has described as 'crazy' the culture of violence that claimed his life."

Judges rap court on gun-rights case
Submitted by: P. Jones

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"Six federal appeals-court judges last week delivered an extraordinary argument for their view that the Second Amendment guarantees individuals the right to own guns."

"The dissenting judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court criticized the circuit's decision not to rehear a California case in which a three-judge panel ruled that the word 'people' in the Second Amendment does not mean individuals."

"The Supreme Court is not likely to review this December case, and the dissenters complained that the views of three judges would become legal precedent, because the six who felt otherwise could not get a majority of the circuit's 25 judges to join their dissent."

The gun control debate
Submitted by: P. Jones

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"In the gun control debate, labels are often misleading. Assault weapon bans conjure up images of taking machine guns off America's streets, and the news media has often encouraged this view by showing machine guns in their stories on the ban. Yet, the 1994 federal ban has nothing to do with machine guns, only semi-automatics that fire one bullet per pull of the trigger. The ban arbitrarily outlaws some guns based upon their name or cosmetic features, such as whether the gun could have a bayonet attached."

IL: Daley says billboard blitz enough to scare potential gun offenders Submitted by: P. Jones	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Billboards and television spots warning of federal prosecution of gun crimes--and the stiffer sentences that come with it--will be enough to scare even the most hardened career criminals, Mayor Daley said Monday." ------- Uh-huh. Hardened criminals will be deterred by billboards. Just whom is Daley trying to fool?

IL: Residents clash over gun sales near school
Submitted by: P. Jones

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"A citizens group opposed to the planned sale of guns near an Orland Park elementary school showed up at a village meeting Monday night as planned, but found themselves outnumbered by people who supported gun sales."

"The village board's police committee unanimously voted to send a proposed ordinance regulating gun sales at the new Galyan's store to the full board without an opinion. The full board is scheduled to vote on the ordinance next week."

The Magic Bullet - How We Will Win Our 2A Rights Back in '04
Submitted by: Jennifer Freeman
Website: http://libertybelles.org

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"What if we told you about a magic bullet that would help all of us retain our Second Amendment rights? Those of you who are reading this article have already demonstrated your commitment to preserving and strengthening our natural right to self defense. It is you that we have to thank for the rights we still have."

"The gun-banners have been fighting hard to strip us of our rights and they have numerous advantages over us."

CA: Suit Seeks to Ban Kids From Eating Oreos
Submitted by: Salim Farhat

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"Kids in California may have to give up their Oreos, if a lawsuit filed by a San Francisco public interest lawyer is successful."

"The lawsuit, filed last week in Marin County superior court, seeks a ban on the black and white cookies, arguing the trans fats that make the filling creamy and the cookie crisp are too dangerous for children to eat." ...

"The big difference between this suit and others that have targeted tobacco and McDonald's fast food is that consumers know that tobacco is bad for their health and that McDonald's food contains a lot of fat, Joseph said."

CA: Why California's Gov. Davis may be facing historic recall
Submitted by: P. Jones

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"As of last Thursday, Congressman Darrell Issa has created a third recall organization in Sacramento called Rescue California. Issa has also contributed $100,000 of his own money to begin the process of putting full-time signature gatherers on the street up and down the state of California for the recall campaign. Congressman Issa is also planning for nearly 2 million pieces of mail, sending petitions directly to registered voters in the coming weeks."

"This, in conjunction with the two ever-growing grassroots efforts of Davis Recall and Recall Gray Davis, could mean that the recall effort will reach the magical number of 1.2 million signatures by Independence Day 2003 � a new independence for California. (Remember � the legal drop dead date for this recall campaign is not until Sept. 2, 2003.)"

America is a police state
Submitted by: P. Jones

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"The Internet's dictionary.com website defines 'police state' as: 'A state in which the government exercises rigid and repressive controls over the social, economic and political life of the people, especially by means of a secret police force.' " ...

"First, our social life: We begin early here, with zero-tolerance rules in our schools. Would you say that kicking a young girl out of school because her Tweetie Bird key chain is a weapon is just a bit rigid? How about expelling an Eagle Scout who inadvertently came to school with his Boy Scout ax in the trunk of his car after a Scout meeting the previous night?"

"As we move into adulthood, we face Republican Sen. Rick Santorum's expressed belief that the nuances of our sex lives ought to be subject to government regulation based on majority rule! In Santorum's America, you would presumably have to get your government's blessing before you became too adventurous with your mate in the privacy of your home." ...

NY: Gun Dealers Question Impact of Bill Tightening Ammo Purchases
Submitted by: P. Jones

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"Gun-rights advocates, however, dismissed the bill as another example of legislation that would have little impact on criminals and instead punish law-abiding gun owners."

"The measure would require rifle and shotgun owners to show a detailed license when purchasing ammo. While Sanders said it would cut down on criminals with guns, his political director, Mik Moore, acknowledged that its impact remains largely unknown since few stores in New York City's five boroughs stock ammunition."

"The bill also wouldn't preclude gun owners from making their purchases outside the city."

Liberal Academics Continue Assault on Pro-Gun Research
Submitted by: P. Jones

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" 'Lott claimed that the 10 states that enacted shall-issue laws between 1985 and 1991 experienced declines in murder and other violent crimes relative to the crime trends observed in other states that did not pass shall-issue laws,' Donohue wrote in a press release promoting the book. 'In contrast, Donohue contends that the 13 states that enacted shall-issue laws after 1992 experienced relative increases in crime.' [Emphases added.]"

"But Lott never argued that all crime was reduced by passage of concealed carry laws, only violent crime."

" 'That's the finding that people have seen all along,' Lott told CNSNews.com. 'You have some people who were engaging in robbery in order to get money previously and, when people are able to carry concealed handguns to protect themselves, you have some criminals [who] stop committing crimes, but some switch into other crimes.' "

Burglar-Protection Racket
Submitted by: John Fansler

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"Background: The British Home Office reports that between 1996 and 2000 at least 66 householders were killed by burglars. Recent statistics are not available. Most of the victims were elderly."

"Result: Martin, the victim of an attempted burglary, is arrested and charged with premeditated murder. The presiding judge orders the jury to find Martin guilty of murder, no extenuating circumstances. British law does not permit lethal force in defense of one's person or property, says the judge. Martin is sentenced to life in prison. Case is appealed. Higher court reduces crime to manslaughter and the sentence to five years. Martin is sent to prison where he remains." ...

"Burglar Fearon, 32, whom Victim Martin wounded during the break-in, is suing the farmer for 50,000 pounds ($80,000). Fearon has received $12,000, according to the National Post, in legal aid to sue the imprisoned Martin. Plus he has also been granted the right to appear at Martin's parole hearing and offer his views on whether the farmer ought to be granted parole."

"Martin is being denied parole because he is unrepentant and refuses to declare that in case of another burglary he wouldn't defend himself with a shotgun." ...

About those C.O.P.S.
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"Remember Bill Clinton? Before life got serious, Bill Clinton used to work incredibly, just amazingly hard fixing the problems that plagued America. It did not escape his capacious concern that we had a serious crime problem. What we needed, he declared, was a new federal program to fund 100,000 new cops on the streets by October 2000." ...

"The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services performed a self-audit and concluded that the program was working out exactly as planned. The Heritage Foundation, the Office of Management and Budget, and the Justice Department have concluded otherwise."

UT: U of U Refiles Gun Lawsuit
Submitted by: Paul Raynolds

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"The University of Utah has filed in 3rd District Court its suit seeking a ruling upholding the school's ban of campus guns."

"The suit originally was filed in federal court but U.S. District Judge Dale Kimball ruled last month that a state court needed to look at issues of state law before federal issues were considered."

"In a unanimous vote Monday, the university trustees gave the go-ahead to file the case in state court."

CFA Announces Support of Assault Weapons Bill
Submitted by: Paul Raynolds

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"Consumer Federation of America (CFA) today (May 9th) announced its strong support for the 'Assault Weapons Ban and Law Enforcement Protection Act of 2003,' legislation introduced by Representatives John Conyers (D-MI) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY). CFA supports the McCarthy-Conyers bill because it will not only make the assault weapon and high-capacity magazine ban permanent, but will significantly strengthen the current law. The current ban will expire September 13, 2004 unless Congress reauthorizes it." ...

"Susan Peschin, CFA's Project Director, states, "It's no secret that the current assault weapons ban does not meet its stated objective."

IN: Self-defense class geared to women
Submitted by: Paul Raynolds

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"Safety pins, pencils and even self-induced vomiting can be defensive tactics for women who are attacked."

"Hat pins and safety pins are favorite defensive tools of Hunter. Hold 'em in your hand when walking to your car at night, he said. The common pen or pencil is an excellent weapon, according to Bliley."

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One has to wonder about a class that recommends you vomit all over yourself, but doesn't mention the most effective tool of self-defense: a firearm.

'Minutepersons' to the rescue? (Letter)
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Some of the politically correct crowd in Massachusetts would replace the University of Massachusetts' Sam the Minuteman mascot in part because he carries a non-PC musket..."

"But why stop with the minuteman? There's great PC work yet to be done."

"We should be kind and sensitive and give back all those names we have stolen from American Indians � names including Massachusetts, Connecticut, Chicago, Tennessee, Seattle, Nebraska, Dakota, Illinois, Potomac and so on."

AK: Young hopes to make amends for vote cast after Sept. 11
Submitted by: Paul Raynolds

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"Rep. Don Young wants to start making amends for a vote he cast in a moment of anger 18 months ago. He is looking to dismantle parts of the USA Patriot Act, which he and most other members of Congress approved in the weeks following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks." ...

"Young said he also wants to modify the Patriot Act to help ensure gun ownership rights. He describes himself as an active shooter and gun collector. His office walls are adorned with numerous hunting trophies, the most recent addition a sika deer head from Texas."

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Hey, Don, how about scrapping that odious Big Brother legislation altogether?

Jury undecided in gun case
Submitted by: Paul Raynolds

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

The jury in a suit filed by the N.A.A.C.P against the gun industry was deadlocked yesterday in its third day of deliberations, it told a judge in federal court in Brooklyn. Jurors said they were at an impasse over whether the industry's marketing and distribution practices were specifically harmful to the N.A.A.C.P.'s members. The judge will make the final ruling, but the jury was empanelled to advise the judge in the suit, which claims that the industry could do much more to keep guns from being sold to criminals. The suit seeks a court order for more stringent monitoring of gun dealers by manufacturers and distributors. The judge, Jack B. Weinstein, sent the jury back to deliberate.

PA: Humane Society probing shootings Submitted by: P. Jones	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The Lehigh County Humane Society is investigating whether to file charges against constables who shot three dogs Thursday, killing two, as they attempted to serve a warrant for outstanding parking tickets in Allentown." "A cruelty to animals charge carries a fine of up to $1,000 and/or 90 days in jail, said Orlando Aguirre, a Humane Society investigator."

DeLay sees assault weapons ban expiring in Congress Submitted by: Paul Raynolds	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The House of Representatives will not extend a 1994 assault weapons ban set to expire next year despite President Bush's call for its renewal, House Majority Leader Tom DeLay said."

GA: Businessman's home invaded, family threatened
Submitted by: Paul Raynolds

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"The two men kicked down the door, threatened to kill Janelle Baranco and the child and demanded credit cards and access codes. Janelle Baranco handed them over, along with a set of car keys."

"Before the men kicked in the door, Janelle Baranco was able to call 911 operators."

"Records show it took 18 minutes for DeKalb police to respond."

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What's a more effective method of self defense: waiting 18 minutes for the police or putting a bullet through the criminal's brain?

Senate Democrats Vow to Stop Gun Bill
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com

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"Senate Democrats said Tuesday they would filibuster legislation that would protect gun manufacturers and sellers from lawsuits arising from the unlawful use of their products."

"Opponents 'will do everything we can to stop this shameful piece of legislation from becoming law,' said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I."

"Supporters argue it would stop a rash of lawsuits inspired by legal action against the tobacco industry and aimed at winning large rewards or bankrupting the gun industry."

PA: Local prosecutors target gun crimes for federal penalties Submitted by: Newslinks Admin	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Local prosecutors across Pennsylvania, frustrated by the state's flexible sentencing guidelines, are increasingly turning to federal courts for stiffer penalties against gun-toting criminals, law enforcement officials testified Tuesday."

OH: Alleged Shooter Had Gun With 32-Round Magazine
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com

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"Also used was the M-11, 9 mm Cobray. It is banned as part of the 1994 Crime Bill, meaning it's OK to own, but illegal to manufacture."

" 'The big draw in that firearm was that you could have a 32-round magazine in it and have 32 rounds in the gun,' Donnett said."

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The title is misleading. Just because the firearm was capable of holding such a magazine, does not mean that this magazine was used.

TN: Convicted murderer tries to carry gun on flight in Nashville
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

Authorities arrested a convicted murderer at Nashville International Airport yesterday after security screeners say he tried to carry a loaded gun on an airplane.

John Morris Anderson is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, and carrying a weapon or explosive on an aircraft.

FBI agents say they're still investigating what Anderson's motives were for bringing the weapon.

A federal complaint says Anderson was caught as he was passing through security on his way to board a Southwest Airlines flight to Tacoma, Washington. A security screener spotted the firearm in his bag as it passed through an X-ray machine.

Anderson is being held pending a detention hearing later this week.

He was convicted in Davidson County of first-degree murder in 1966, and received a 20-year sentence.

IN: Gun Dealer Reports Theft Of Assault, Sniper Rifles Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Authorities are investigating whether the theft of assault and sniper rifles worth $20,000 was more than just a random theft." "Federal and local agencies are handling a report that four .50-caliber sniper rifles and four .223-caliber AR-15s were stolen from the rear seat of a gun-show dealer's truck parked at a motel in the northwestern Indiana town."

NJ: Personalized gun technology advances
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com

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"The extremely controversial 'personalized gun' or 'childproof handgun law' signed into law by New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey on December 23, 2002, mandates that all handguns sold in New Jersey must be 'personalized firearms' three years after the state attorney general determines that a particular model of handgun can be so classified. 'Personalized gun' is now the technically correct term to identify what was formerly referred to as a 'smart gun,' advises Donald Sebastian, Ph. D., of the New Jersey Institute of Technology. The change in terms involves a proprietary legal consideration. Dr. Sebastian is vice president for research and development at NJIT where the research effort for this new 'nanotechnology' is being conducted."

MI: Local Boy, 8, Allegedly Points Gun At Student Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"An 8-year-old boy was taken into custody after he reportedly pointed a gun at a student outside a Detroit school." "Police say the second-grader brought the gun to school and pointed at an 11-year-old girl who attends middle school on the same campus." "The girl told police she could see the bullet in the gun -- a .40-caliber glock -- that had seven bullets in it, one in the chamber."

MI: Gun-toting homeowner, 75, thwarts attempted break-in
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

Oakland County Sheriff's Detective Scott Patterson said no one was hurt and nothing was taken when the man found three men entering his home in the 5400 block of Mary Sue near the intersection of Maybee and Pine Knob roads about 11:15 p.m. Sunday.

"He was just sitting on his couch watching television," Patterson said. "He heard a loud banging noise and went to investigate it."

When the man entered the kitchen, he found three men coming through the back door, which had been kicked open.

"There was apparently an exchange of gunfire," Patterson said.

Investigators were still determining how many shots were fired.

The intruders fled after the shooting. The man was not able to get a description of the intruders.

MN: St. Cloud Council Supports Repeal of Part of Gun Law
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

The St. Cloud City Council agrees that local officials should be able to determine whether handguns are allowed on city property.

The council voted unanimously yesterday to support an effort at the Legislature to repeal a portion of the state's new handgun law.

The conceal and carry law means sheriffs will have to grant handgun permits to almost all adults who aren't disqualified for criminal, mental health or safety reasons. The law forbids local governments from prohibiting handguns in places where the state law does not ban them � like city parks, libraries and city hall.

St. Cloud Mayor John Ellenbecker says city officials fear that accidents or arguments could lead to gun violence in public places.

Former NRA Lawyer Speaks Out Against Gun Industry Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Ricker said that over the past 10 years he attended meetings between gun makers and their liability lawyers about the growing problem of gun crime. Although there was talk about the ways the gun industry could crackdown on distributors and retailers that supplied thousands of guns to criminals, they elected to do nothing." ------- "Growing" gun crime problem? Gun crime was on the decrease.

MN: The matinee show (Letter)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com

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Third letter on page

FULL TEXT BELOW

Last Friday after a pleasant lunch I was able to get my entertainment on Lake Street: a shootout. It was just like the cowboy movies of my youth. I had a perfect view: A young man running down the middle of the street fired three shots into a passing car. I was crouched in a doorway 10 feet away hoping I did not interest him. Had I owned and carried my own gun I could have shot at any of the bystanders who were as frozen with fear as I was.

So a vote of thanks to the National Rifle Association, the Legislature and Gov. Tim Pawlenty for passing the concealed-weapons bill. Starting May 28 I should have ample opportunities, with the proliferation of handguns, to witness additional shootouts -- perhaps even in my own back yard, which will save me having to leave my own neighborhood.

Or perhaps I will just move back to New York.

Erica Bouza, Minneapolis.

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Quite the disingenuous remark, considering the bill hasn't taken effect yet. But that has never stopped paranoid fruitcakes from making outrageous claims to paint guns and gun owners as evil.

MN: HANDGUN PERMITS: Mayors plead for exemption from law Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The mayors of some of Minnesota's biggest cities gathered at the state Capitol on Friday with a plea: Let us keep guns off city property." "A new handgun law that goes into effect later this month allows private business owners and school officials to ban guns on their property, but doesn't make similar exceptions for city-owned property."

MN: Vanilla or semi-automatic?
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com

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"In the past, business owner Daryl Donath has posted a sign on the door of her store, forbidding shoppers with ice cream from strolling through. This year, she asked her husband to whip up a sign prohibiting guns as well in response to the recently passed law that will allow more Minnesotans to obtain gun permits."

" 'Absolutely No Guns or Ice Cream! Even if you are my Best friend!' reads the fluorescent lime-green sign on the door of her shop. Although Donath chuckles when asked about her sign, she isn't laughing about the new law � saying she's worried about innocent bystanders being shot, and the possibility of more guns in domestic disputes and road rage incidents."

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We, with common sense, call this an invitation for criminals to come on in and victimize the unarmed. A reward for ignorance.

UK: Gun amnesty outstrips estimates Submitted by: Newslinks Admin	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"More than 40,000 guns were handed over to police during the month-long firearms amnesty, the Home Office has confirmed." "The final figure far exceeded initial estimates of 25,000 weapons." "Slightly fewer than one million rounds of ammunition were also surrendered. About 6,500 prohibited weapons such as handguns were included in the final total."

FL: Gun buyback program in Bradenton removes 24 firearms from the city's streets Submitted by: Newslinks Admin	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The Bradenton Police Department removed 24 guns from the streets over the weekend." "A gun buyback program netted the collection as Manatee County residents dropped off rifles, shotguns and handguns. Those that turned in the firearms received gift certificates from several local retail businesses."

TX: Texas Democrats flee to Oklahoma; statehouse at standstill Submitted by: Newslinks Admin	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"State troopers and the elite Texas Rangers were ordered to track down and bring in 59 Democratic lawmakers who brought the Texas House to a standstill Monday by going into hiding." "After hours of uncertainty about the Democrats' whereabouts or how long they would be gone, a lawmaker said they were in Ardmore, Okla. The rebel Democrats were planning a news conference Tuesday in Oklahoma."