Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

Open Letter To The States' Attorneys General (ATF)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"We at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), like all Americans, were saddened by the tragic events that unfolded at Virginia Tech ..." ...

"During the first week of May, ATF used the occasion of the annual FBI ... NICS Users Conference in Portland, Oregon, to reach out to State law enforcement officials to clarify the meaning of the Federal prohibition for those persons adjudicated as a 'mental defective' or committed to a mental institution. ..." ...

"... 'adjudicated mental defective' to include anyone adjudicated to be a 'danger to him or herself,' 'a danger to others,' ... For purposes of Federal law, 'danger' means any danger, not simply 'imminent' or 'substantial' danger ..." ...

Lawmakers to consider mental background-check bill for gun buyers
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"In the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre, lawmakers are again pushing states to provide more comprehensive mental-health records for use in background checks for gun purchases."

"Congress is set to consider legislation that would provide $375 million to upgrade state computer systems and ensure faster delivery of mental-health data into the check system. States that fail to comply could lose funding for some law enforcement programs, though the bill does not impose any new restrictions on gun ownership." ...
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Submitter's Note: See ATF letter above for the latest "no new restrictions just clarifications" scam.

Wash Times: An Anti-Gun Column Filled With Lies
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"What is it about anti-gunners that they just have to lie in their advocacy against guns? Do they lie because they know the facts makes them look so bad? This time it's the Washington Times' turn to publish an anti 2nd Amendment piece based on several lies. This one, penned by an Alex Gerber, worries that gun control will 'apparently be glossed over again' and claims that the evil 'American gun culture' is so insensitive to have tolerated 'some 14,000 firearm murders' in 2005."

"Only there weren't 14,000 'firearm murders' in 2005. According to FBI statistics, there were 10,100 gun murders in 2005 instead ... In fact, the whole of the 2005 murder rate of all causes was 15,517 ..." ...

Self Defense Against Rogue Statistics (BFA)
Submitted by: Buckeye Firearms Association
Website: http://www.buckeyefirearms.org

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"Mark Twain is often quoted as saying, 'There are three types of lies - lies, damn lies, and statistics.' That's another way of saying that while statistics are useful, they can be slippery. Much of the problem with statistics is ignorance about how they are created and what they mean. However, many people, including some anti-gun zealots, purposely misuse statistics, especially polls and surveys, to deceive the public."

"Unfortunately, people in the media are equally ignorant about numbers, so they are just as easily deceived and become accomplices in the deception. ..." ...

"So what can you do? The best form of self-defense against deception is knowledge. ..." ...

Guns Are Back in the News: Here's a Handy Guide
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"In the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre, a new wave of gun control debate and legal measures will remain in the news for months. It would be a good idea for the press to at least get its technical terminology right in covering the developments."

"My field of expertise is firearms and I am constantly amazed at the lack of knowledge and/or research (laziness?) that some writers exhibit when writing about guns or the use thereof."

"For example, one noted author ... when describing a group men in the early 1970s had one of them shooting a Glock pistol. Glock didn't make handguns until the 1980s." ...

Gun licenses safe choice (BFA)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"When Florida liberalized its restrictive and disjointed system of concealed carry laws in 1987, many states followed suit. In each case, naysayers predicted everything from 'blood in the streets' to 'parking lot shootouts.' Just as regularly, after each state changed the law to allow more law-abiding citizens to carry concealed handguns, the results were peacefully anticlimactic. ..."

"Now after the Virginia Tech shootings, there are those wanting concealed carry to be allowed on college campuses. I've wanted this for ages, not as an 'answer' to mass shootings (there is no single answer), but because it would further improve the safety of individuals who are legal to carry elsewhere in Ohio." ...

Defending liberties -- NRA should oppose 'arbitrary denial' of right across board
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"For those of us worried about government intrusion into our private lives - made possible by such anti-terrorism laws as the Patriot Act - the National Rifle Association (NRA) last week presented an eloquent defense of constitutional liberties."

"At the same time it opposed a gun law sensibly aimed at keeping weapons out of the hands of terrorists."

"The NRA's position would set a precedent to support the idea than anyone, even a student with a history of mental illness, has the constitutional right to bear arms."

"Chris Cox, the executive director of the NRA, is lobbying the Bush administration to stop the Justice Department from backing a bill that would keep terrorist suspects from buying guns ..." ...

Sent the following to AZ. Governor Janet Napolitano;
Submitted by: GunShowOnTheNet.com
Website: http://GunShowOnTheNet.com/

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"Ran across an article over this last weekend on Keep and Bear Arms titled 'Bill to Carry Concealed Weapons Without Permit Heads to Gov.' It kept coming into my mind that I should do something about it. However my mind was on another matter/project and I kept dismissing the recurring thought..."

"Another person that frequents Keep and Bear Arms had wrtten to me previously. And, advised how that the Arizona Constitutional Convention of 1910 had specifically mentioned Concealed Carry. I remember filing it away and thinking that might be useful some day. Well, "some day" arrived at around 2:30 this morning..."

"Remembering what the fellow 'gunnie' from KABA had advised me. I did a search on the net and came up with what follows..." ...

Smith & Wesson Begins Shipping M&P45 Polymer Pistols
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation ... announced today that it has begun shipping the M&P45, the .45 caliber version of the company's Military & Police (M&P) Series of advanced design polymer pistols."

"First introduced by the company in February at the 2007 SHOT Show, the M&P45 is the newest addition to the M&P Pistol Series, a product line launched in December 2005. The M&P series offers performance, safety, and durability features engineered to the exacting standards of global law enforcement and military personnel. The full-size polymer pistol is chambered in .45 ACP and will ship with a 10+1 magazine capacity. An optional 14+1 magazine capacity will also be available." ...

Getting our sights on gun control
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The recent shooting stories and the article on the total rejection by the National Rifle Association of any and all gun-control measures featured in the Register, in addition to the Virginia Tech massacre, bring to mind some interesting statistics in the April 21 Economist Magazine: Last year, there were about 14,000 killings by gunfire, plus another 16,000 suicides. Since the murder or John F. Kennedy in 1963, more Americans have been killed by using guns than have perished on foreign battlefields in the whole of the 20th century."

"Also, according to the Economist's article, there are some 200 million privately owned guns in the U.S ... That amounts to more than three for every adult who can legally own a gun. ..." ...

Some gun laws needed
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The human body is surprisingly fragile. A small amount of force can puncture the skin, break bones or cause significant damage. This is especially true for guns where a bullet can take down the strongest of men. This is why I have always been confused by gun owners who scream the loudest when gun control is mentioned. It does not take much to stop an intruder or take down a deer. Do you really need a TEC-9 submachine gun for self-defense or an AK-47 for hunting?" ...

AZ: Wife tells her side of alleged domestic dispute
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"A husband and father was gunned down earlier this week in a domestic dispute and today the victim's wife spoke out because she claims she's being wrongly portrayed in the public eye." ...

"Jose Manny Martinez was shot Thursday night outside the couple's West Phoenix home. The alleged shooter was Marisol's friend."

"Lopez-Martinez said she had gone out with her friend that night and when she got home her husband became upset and attacked the other man. That man opened fire but wasn't arrested because police are investigating this as a case of self defense." ...

IN: Homeowner fatally shoots burglar
Submitted by: Daniel L. Moulder

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

A homeowner shot and killed a burglar Sunday inside a Near Northside home, police said.

Wilbur Carson, 61, shot and killed intruder Wilbur Copeland, 42, in a home in the 3100 block of North Park Avenue at 11:27 p.m., Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Sgt. Matthew Mount said.

The intruder entered Carson�s home through an upstairs window, Mount said. Carson confronted the burglar and fired a .22-caliber rifle.

Copeland, 3300 block of North Park, died of a gunshot to the chest, according to the Marion County coroner�s office. Copeland was not armed, Mount said.

Carson has not been arrested.

NC: Man shot after breaking into home
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Deputies with the Person County Sheriff�s Department are currently investigating a domestic incident that occurred Friday and left one man hospitalized with gunshot wounds." ...

"Dietrick Lamarr Reed, 32, of Oxford, reportedly suffered gunshot wounds in his elbow, his hip and buttocks when he allegedly attempted to break in to a residence ..."

"Tracy Lynn Self, 32, reportedly fired the shots that injured Reed from a .22-caliber rifle."

"According to Person County Sheriff Dewey Jones, the shots were fired after Reed allegedly kicked in a back door at the home."

"Sheriff Jones said ... that the shooting appeared to be in self-defense." ...

NC: Being alone in the woods makes some women feel vulnerable, uneasy
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Many of us are uneasy about being in the woods alone. But are you an easy victim or an 'uneasy' target for a potential attacker?" ...

"We would all like to think we are strong enough or smart enough to protect ourselves, but even strong men have been taken down by other men. ..."

"Take a self-defense class. The Asheville Women's Cycling Club hosts a free women's self defense class each year. ..."

"Sgt. Keith Buckner of the N.C. National Guard leads the class. He says the best thing to say to an assailant is 'Get back.' Say it loud, with conviction and with an outstretched hand toward the attacker." ...
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Submitter's Note: An outstretched hand with a gun in it works better that saying Stop! or I'll say Stop! again!

OH: Conceal-carry was factor in stopping attack
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Michael Holloway's Tuesday letter 'Little evidence guns make campus safer,' responding to an earlier op-ed, was filled with factual errors and misleading statements. Holloway claimed that it was 'police officers, not packin' youngsters' who stopped the attack at the Appalachian Law School in 2002."

"After the evidentiary hearing in which the killer pleaded guilty, The Washington Post wrote on Feb. 28, 2004, 'Odighizuwa was subdued without incident by armed students.' As their main witness for that hearing, the prosecutors had put on the stand Michael Gross, one of the two students who retrieved their guns from their cars to stop the attack." ...

South Africa: 'He wanted to protect me and the family'
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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... "Aldred Morton Tissong, 39, was appearing on a charge of murder after shooting two suspected robbers in his home on Friday morning."

"Tissong, a father of two, was charged on Monday with the murder of Kenneth Samuels, 36, and the attempted murder of an unnamed accomplice, who was critically wounded."

"Police spokesperson Siphokazi Mawisa said the two men apparently burst into Tissong's house in Third Avenue, Lotus River, with a firearm, and threatened him and his wife."

"Tissong struggled with the men and shots were fired." ...
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Submitter's Note: First guns are stigmatized, then stigmatize their misuse, then even legitimate use is suspect.

OH: Fifth Grader Takes Stun Gun To School
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Edgewood Police are investigating a report that a fifth grade student took a stun gun to school on Monday and showed it to several of his classmates." ...

"'There were no threats involved. He basically was showing his friends what his mom used as a self-defense weapon when she was on her job traveling and no threats were made. There was no intent to harm anyone,' [Principal] Ryle said."

"Investigators, prosecutors and school officials currently have no plans to file criminal charges against the student."

"'We certainly don't want to downplay this situation. It is serious to a level, but we don't want to over emphasize it as well. This was a stun gun not a firearm,' Chief Kramer explained." ...

NV: UNLV proposes arming faculty, staff to increase campus security
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, some universities are looking into tightening security measures on campus. In Nevada, one man is proposing a reserve police officer program that would allow employees at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to carry guns.

Regent Stavros Anthony, also a Las Vegas police captain, said the program would allow normal employees at the university, such as faculty members, to be trained as reserve police officers." ...

"However, there are some groups that oppose letting schools control firearm possession rules on campus. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence released a press release May 3 regarding the risk of guns on college campuses." ...

NYC Mayor Agrees to Follow Virginia Law in 'Gun Stings'
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is under federal investigation regarding 'rogue sting' operations against gun dealers in five states outside his jurisdiction, has agreed to abide by Virginia law when undertaking any future operations in that state."

"'We will continue to use creative and aggressive strategies and, in Virginia, that would include contacting the Virginia State Police,' said Jason Post, a spokesman for Bloomberg, after a clash with the state's attorney general, Robert McDonnell, over the mayor's practice of using undercover agents to root out dealers who sell guns illegally." ...

Lautenberg measure takes aim at terror
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The federal government would be able to prevent known or suspected terrorists from buying guns or obtaining firearm permits if legislation by Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., becomes law."

"Lautenberg's measure would give the Department of Justice explicit authority to prevent those on the government's terrorism-watch list from obtaining weapons or permits."

"Under current law, authorities can block purchases for nine types of people, including felons and illegal aliens, but not just because their names appear on the so-called Violent Gang and Terrorist Organization File." ...

Presidential candidates on gun control
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Democrats:"

"Joe Biden: Voted against preventing gun manufacturers from being sued. Earned an F from the NRA."

"Hillary Clinton: Made gun control a key issue of her 2000 campaign for the U.S. Senate, backing proposals to require the licensing and registering of all new handguns purchased in the United States."

"Chris Dodd: Voted for requiring background checks at gun shows. Said U.S. needs to look beyond guns to 'issues of mental health, what's on our television and video things.'" ...

MO: Legislators looking for a compromise
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"With time quickly running out in the Missouri General Assembly, legislators are rushing to come to a compromise regarding a bill that would allow Missourians greater rights to kill intruders entering their homes or vehicles."

"Dubbed the 'Castle Doctrine' by supporters ... and a 'Shoot First' issue by opponents ... the issue is one that has been debated by state legislatures across the country since it was first passed in Florida in 2005."

"The House version that allows the right to defend oneself 'in a place where he or she has a right to be' makes some Democrats, like Kansas City Sen. Jolie Justus, uncomfortable." ...

IL: Gun makers, local reps explain opposition to bill
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"When one of Illinois' gun control bills finally broke through the Senate last week, it sent a collective chill up the spines of five local gun manufacturers and the 500 employees it could impact in the Illinois Quad-Cities area."

"Last Wednesday, Illinois Senate Bill 1007, which bans making, selling, possessing, delivering or buying magazines that hold more than 10 bullets, passed 31-26. On Monday, local gun manufacturers, politicians, and representatives from the Illinois Quad City Chamber of Commerce held a press conference denouncing the Senate bill and jobs it could cost the area." ...

PA: The State of "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence" No More
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"We've seen Alabama define Domestic Terrorists as those who believe in the Constitution and now see Pennsylvania do the same."

"From the State of Pennsylvania's Terrorism Awareness and Prevention website (or is it 'and Protection', more on that later), Domestic Terrorists include Anti-government groups and Single Issues Groups."

"For example, from Who are Terrorists? Domestic Terrorists: Anti-Govt Groups:"

"Anti-Government Issues and Beliefs"

"Gun Control is a conspiracy to enslave us starting with the removal of our ability to either defend ourselves or forcefully change our government." ...

CO: El Paso County sheriff's deputy dismissed
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"An El Paso County sheriff's deputy has been fired after two internal affairs investigations in seven months ..."

"The dismissal of Shawn Moncalieri ... was revealed during a court hearing for Edward Johnson, a burglary suspect whom Moncalieri said he shot when the suspect tried to run him over." ...

"On Aug. 30, Moncalieri fired seven shots at a suspect fleeing in a truck with stolen items ..."

"District Attorney John Newsome's investigation into the shooting determined Moncalieri was 'justified in using deadly force' with his first three shots."

"Newsome's office did not file criminal charges, stating prosecutors would have had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Moncalieri was not acting in self-defense." ...

VA: Gun Rights Group's Giveaway Upsets Fairfax County Officials
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"In Virginia, a planned gun giveaway by a gun rights group is creating controversy with Fairfax County officials."

"The Virginia Citizens Defense League will hold a drawing on Thursday ... Fairfax County officials have been fighting for years to keep guns out of its county-owned buildings."

"The gun rights group said the giveaway is intended to help two gun shops fight lawsuits from New York City ..." ...

"The drawing planned for Thursday is legal, but it's reopening a 10-year sore spot for county officials ..."

"'So we want to make sure that for everyone's safety ... the possession of weapons in county-owned buildings should not happen ...' said Fairfax County spokeswoman Merni Fitzgerald. ..." ...

NY: Virginia's gun laws are killing New Yorkers
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"Even the slaughter of 32 Virginia Tech students and faculty has not dissolved Virginia�s morbid obsession with handguns."

"A top aide of Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., carries a loaded pistol into a U.S. Senate office building, gets arrested and then is released with no sanction."

"After declaring he has 'nothing but loathing' for those who would use the massacre to strengthen the state�s gun laws, Gov. Tim Kaine issues a fig-leaf directive that might have prevented Seung-Hui Cho, who was mentally ill, from buying handguns."

"Now, the state's attorney general, Robert McDonnell, has warned New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg about the undercover agents the mayor sent into the commonwealth to 'sting' Virginia gun dealers who sell weapons illegally." ...

WI: A gun reform all can support
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Few issues divide the United States so thoroughly as gun control. ..."

"The argument is not going to end any time soon. But there is one legal reform that people on all sides of the gun debate should be able to agree upon." ...

"... If there is a determination that the [mental health] loophole exists, [A.G.] Van Hollen and Gov. Jim Doyle should move to close it."

"It happens that Van Hollen and Doyle come at the gun debate from different ends of the spectrum. But they should be able to agree on the need to ensure that no one who is judged to be an 'imminent danger' should be able to obtain a deadly weapon."
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Submitter's Note: If a person is an 'imminent danger', why are they walking the streets?!?

IL: Legal gun ownership and increased crime not related
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"As the ban-guns furor mounts after the Virginia Tech killings, another study was released which clearly indicates that there is no correlation between legal firearms ownership and the increase in crime."

"The Second Amendment Foundation applauded a new report by two criminologists, Prof. Don Kates of the United States and Prof. Gary Mauser of Canada, which contends that the rate of firearms ownership is irrelevant to the homicide and violent crime rate. The report should be required reading, SAF founder Alan Gottlieb emphasized, 'especially by reporters, editorial writers and elected representatives.'" ...

VA: NRA works to protect rights for all
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"As a longtime life member of the National Rifle Association, I am used to getting beat up every time some nut uses a gun to cause a tragedy, and I expected no less after the Virginia Tech incident. The NRA has only about 4 million members who are diligent enough to pay their dues and keep track of what's going on. However, we represent the interests of over 70 million gun owners ...

"Some of the more strident gun-rights groups have chastised the NRA for working with government officials in an effort to keep guns away from mentally unstable persons. This is problematic because we do not wish to permanently deny guns to people with temporary problems, such as post-traumatic stress, etc., which are treatable conditions." ...

WI: Virginia had few gun limits
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"A letter to the editor dated May 4 under the headline 'They should have been allowed guns' leaves us with the impression that most students and faculty at Virginia Tech had wanted to own guns but were denied the right to do so. The fact is that the state of Virginia has few, if any, restrictions on the purchase of guns."

"The Roanoke Gun Shop not only sold a gun to the mentally ill assassin, but according to the New York City police commissioner, guns from that retailer have been showing up on the streets of New York in the commission of crimes." ...
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KABA Note: Whether Virginia has "lax" laws is immaterial: VA Tech banned guns.

MI: Ownership of powerful weapons unnecessary
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"The shooting crisis at Virginia Tech University has once again sparked the debate over gun control." ...

"Obviously, the need for a state militia has been replaced by the National Guard ..."

"The only two reasons for a citizen to own a firearm is for hunting and/or defense of the household from intruders."

"In either case, ownership of a handgun, shotgun or shoulder rifle is more than adequate to satisfy these purposes."

"There is absolutely no need for any U.S. civilian to own any weapon more powerful or sophisticated than these. Accordingly, all handguns, shotguns and shoulder rifles must be licensed and registered to the degree necessary to match weapon to owner at the click of a computer key." ...

OH: Sport aims for safety
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Like most Americans, I was shocked to hear the news of the unspeakable events that took place at Virginia Tech."

"In response to this disaster, some are calling for stricter gun control laws. Some people claim that the second amendment to our Constitution does not protect the right of the people to keep and bear arms. Such critics of this amendment often claim the purpose was only to protect the right of militias to be armed; however, if this is the case, why didn't the founding fathers decry the ownership of arms for non-militia members? Also, why didn't the federal government repeal this amendment after the militias were turned into the National Guard? ..." ...

KY: More reasons for gun ownership
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"I must take exception to the letter to the editor by John Hansel in the May 7 paper."

"He lists three reasons to own a gun. I can think of more than his three reasons, such as collecting guns, as well as just because this is still America and I can."

"But he is falling for the anti-gun fallacy, and the anti-gun media's mislabeling of so-called 'assault weapons.' Fully-automatic and semi-automatic weapons have been around since the 1890s. They are nothing new, and they are no more deadly than your granddaddy's 30.06 bolt-action rifle."

"As a matter of fact, they are not as deadly, as they typically fire a much less powerful round. ..." ...

TX: Wait, I'm still reloading (fourth letter)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

The debate over the right to bear arms as stated in the Second Amendment goes on and on. After every massacre, the argument heats up again. I have a solution that will make everyone happy. Well, almost everyone.

We simply agree to define arms as the weapons that were available in the late 18th century, when the Second Amendment was written. After all, those were the weapons the Founding Fathers were referring to.

If we do that, we won't have to figure out why we have the right to carry Glocks but we can't have flamethrowers, rocket launchers and nuclear weapons. We won't have to put up with the folks who need an assault rifle to hunt deer.

And the mass murderers will have to take more time to reload.

BRIAN HAYCOCK

[email protected]

Austin

TX: Second Amendment a relic (fifth letter)
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

The Second Amendment sets up the provisions for maintaining a militia, and since we no longer have militias, the Second Amendment is no longer necessary. Therein lies the core of this sore.

The amendment should have been repealed, or at least re-written, many years ago. But it wasn't; it still sits there fueling this fire.

The best thing both sides can do is to stop pushing for their personal preferences and start pushing for better enforcement of existing gun laws.

GEORGE HELMKE

Bastrop
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Submitter's Note: Not to be confused with Paul Helmke of the Brady Bunch.

TX: Gun-free zones are fatal mistakes
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

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"Reacting to questions from reporters about how to prevent future outrages like the murders of 32 students and teachers at Virginia Tech on April 16, Texas Gov. Rick Perry dispelled any notion that common sense has been eradicated by political correctness in the United States."

"Perry's sensible solution: Allow legally armed citizens to carry their defensive firearms anywhere -- schools, restaurants, churches. Perry correctly asserted that so long as such areas are legislated as 'gun-free zones,' killers who don't care about the law will enjoy risk-free opportunities in which good people cannot fight back."

"Perry's remarks were in stark contrast to comments made in Oklahoma recently by Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. ..." ...

UK: Countryside Alliance: 200 open days in National Shooting Week
Submitted by: New York State Rifle & Pistol Association
Website: http://www.nysrpa.org

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"The countdown to National Shooting Week has begun! In just a few days, thousands of people across the UK can try one of our most exciting Olympic sports for the first time ever during National Shooting Week from May 26th to June 3rd 2007. More than 200 public open days are being laid on by shooting schools and clubs across the country."

"Members of the public are being encouraged to try one of the most exciting participation sports in a safe and friendly environment. Shooting is one of the most inclusive Olympic and Paralympic sports, where gender, age and disability are no barriers to success. National Shooting Week is a Government-backed initiative organised by the British Shooting Sports Council, the umbrella body for shooting sports." ...