Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

AL: Chief Justice Stops All Jury Trials
Submitted by: Curtis Wood

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"The Constitution guarantees the right to trial by jury, but that isn't stopping Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore from halting jury trials Monday to 'save money'."

--In parts of Texas we nolonger get a trial by jury either. I received a traffic citation, the judge told me if I wanted a trial-by-jury I must first give 'the people' $200. I refused to pay for MY RIGHT and spent 5 days incarcerated in the county jail.

IN: Court rules tip not enough cause to stop motorist
Submitted by: serinde
Website: http://www.progunwomen.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Melvin Berry was charged with carrying a handgun without a license last year after a Marion County sheriff's officer received an anonymous tip."

"The appeals court ruled that the officer violated Berry's rights under the U.S. and Indiana constitutions, which protect against unreasonable searches and seizures. An officer would need more reliable information from an anonymous tip -- one that included a prediction of future action."

The Best Self-Defense Is Self-Defense Submitted by: serinde Website: http://www.progunwomen.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The April 26th shooting death of sixteen people at an overseas high school occurred in a country known for its strict gun-control laws. The tragedy is another reminder of the paralyzing uselessness of such controls and of the mindset that seeds them. Fighting the darkest amongst us by infringing on the liberties of the brightest is an ignorant, and frankly scary, response to violence."

IL: Daley Named Blagojevich's General Campaign Manager Submitted by: Anonymous	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
CHICAGO - "Democratic nominee for governor Rod Blagojevich now has a truly Chicago-heavy campaign organization, but he doesn't think that will play poorly south of Interstate 80." "Neither does Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, who was named Tuesday as Blagojevich's general campaign manager. He bristled at the suggestion that downstaters and Chicagoans have differences."

TX: Police used undue force, expert says
Submitted by: Lyndell Rottmann

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"A criminologist who reviewed the autopsy report and a videotape of the arrest that led to the death of Luis Alfonso Torres has concluded that Baytown police used excessive force."

"George L. Kirkham, who was hired by the attorney for Torres' family, contends that police used unjustifiable methods in subduing Torres on a Baytown street shortly before his death Jan. 20. Attorneys for the officers said ... that the patrolmen did nothing wrong."

Airline Security: Arming pilots the surest route to safer skies
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Among the many hard lessons of Sept. 11 was this one: We have a long way to go to make our commercial airplanes secure. I submit that the fastest and surest way to get there is to let trained airline pilots carry a weapon that's as lethal as the terrorists themselves."

"We trust the pilot with our lives. It's time to trust him with a firearm. Our pilots want that choice and most Americans support them."

The illusory protections of gun control
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Once a committed individual, group or nation decides that murder is an objective worth pursuing, then taking a life is only a little more difficult than taking a breath."

"Germany today grieves the loss of its blissful post-war ignorance. It is coming to grips with the painful realization that its domestic security was an illusion based on the false assumption that "American-style" violence could be averted by strict gun control."

CO: Concealed-carry bill sound (HB1410) Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Once again, Colorado lawmakers are wrestling with the question of whether to pass a uniform concealed-weapon bill." "Under the law as it now stands, sheriffs issue concealed-carry permits at will, with varying standards and rules. Some folks rightly joke that in Denver, your concealed carry permit will be stapled to your toe-tag in the morgue."

Formerly jailed writer gains a book contract
Submitted by: Lyndell Rottmann

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Houston writer Vanessa Leggett has landed a book contract said to be worth at least $600,000 after spending 168 days in jail for refusing to betray confidential sources to federal investigators."

"Now, after becoming a symbol of the struggle over freedoms of the press, Leggett herself will be a central figure in the story, according to Crown Publishers, a division of Random House."

"Leggett said she originally cooperated with FBI agents on the case, then balked at becoming a paid informant."

Airline Security: Political duel on arming pilots Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Calls to arm airline pilots are growing louder, as supporters in Congress argue that guns in cockpits would provide a "last line of defense" against terrorist hijackers." "But the idea faces major hurdles, despite the rising rhetoric: Bush administration leaders have said they do not support giving pilots firearms, and there are differing views among labor unions and airlines."

Czech Republic: Under the gun Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Shooting guns isn't just a hobby for Vladimir Nechanicky. It's a way of life. He owns a shooting range and gun shop in Prague and also is chairman of a local gun club." "I go to gun shows all over the world," Nechanicky said, taking aim at a paper target with his Czech-made Ceska zbrojovka 9 mm Luger. "But I never carry a loaded gun around. Never." "Others do."

TX: Death sentence for children's dad Submitted by: Lyndell Rottmann	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
DALLAS -- "Rejecting pleas of mental illness, a jury sentenced John Battaglia to death Tuesday for gunning down his two young daughters in what prosecutors called the "ultimate revenge" against his ex-wife." ...as their mother listened helplessly on the telephone.

Germany: weighing tough gun laws after shootings (followup)
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Classrooms across Germany fell silent Monday to reflect on last week's school massacre that left 17 people dead, and Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder proposed tighter gun control laws that include raising the legal age for ownership."

"In Erfurt, students and teachers from the Johann Gutenberg Gymnasium began the day in front of their school, then headed to the nearby city hall for sessions with counselors and teachers."

NJ: judges protest new gun law Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"New Jersey's top judges are in court themselves in a dispute over a new law that gives guns to probation officers. Court administrators have filed papers seeking to overturn the law, contending that it is unconstitutional because it violates the separation of powers between branches of government." "Under the statute, probation officers have the power to "enforce the criminal laws."

Anti-gun Countries Illustrate The Futility Of Firearm Bans
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Sixteen people were killed last week in Germany's school shooting. This follows the killing of 14 regional legislators in a Swiss canton in September, and the massacre of eight city council members in a Paris suburb last month. Yet Europe has the kind of gun laws gun-control advocates admire."

"Germans seeking a hunting rifle, for example, must undergo checks that can last a year -- and the French must obtain gun permits, which are granted only after a similar exhaustive check."

UK: Guarded response to gun cops Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"COMMUNITY leaders in South Manchester have given a mixed welcome to armed police patrols on the streets in response to a recent spate of gun violence." "As revealed in yesterday's Manchester Evening News the initiative, codenamed Operation Goodwood, involves officers carrying machine guns and pistols on foot in Longsight and Moss Side for the first time ever."

Australia: Govt to reassess hand gun imports Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"John Howard says part of the problem of stopping the spread of pistols is their availability under existing state laws. He has told Channel Nine the Government will consider proposals, including a ban on hand gun imports."

CA: bill would ease rules on cops' concealed weapons
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Guns are a part of peace officers' lives even after their shifts end -- most carry weapons off-duty as well."

"I've never had a situation that required an off-duty use of the weapon, but it's always a comfortable position to be in to have one," Modesto Police Sgt. Ed Steele said.

"Though businesses have the right to prohibit concealed weapons, no matter who is carrying them, a bill pending in the Assembly would change that."

MD: Gun-control advocates challenge Ehrlich Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Twenty-six victims of gun violence are asking Robert Ehrlich to apologize for past votes against bans on assault weapons and Saturday Night Specials." "A letter to the Republican gubernatorial candidate released today also asked him to promise that, if elected governor, he would support legislation to require the licensing of Maryland handgun owners."

CO: Senate panel narrowly passes gun bill (HB1410)
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"By a one-vote margin, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed "shall-issue" legislation Tuesday that would require county sheriffs to issue concealed weapons permits to eligible citizens."

"Sen. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Fort Morgan, voted for House Bill 1410, even though the committee defeated her amendment to allow applicants to qualify for a permit by taking a hunter safety class instead of a handgun proficiency course."

Airline Security: House Transportation Committee Moves To Arm Pilots Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Frustrated with what they see as inaction by the new Transportation Security Administration, two key members of the House Transportation Committee are introducing legislation to force the creation of a voluntary program to arm some commercial airline pilots."

Airline Security: Guns in the Cockpit
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

-Free Registration Required-

"Last fall Congress authorized the Transportation Department to consider arming pilots with guns. But while support among pilots and the public for the idea has only grown in recent months, the Bush Administration has yet to act. So yesterday Representatives John Mica (R., Florida) and Don Young (R., Alaska) introduced a bill that would take the decision out of Transportation's hands."

IL: Chicago Cops Could be Subject to Gun Sweeps (followup) Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The Illinois State Rifle Association says officers and other employees of the Chicago Police Department may soon find themselves targeted by the department's own anti-gun initiative."

Airline Security: Jet fliers can carry knitting needles again
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"You're in luck. It's no longer illegal to carry your eyelash curler onto an airplane. Also, nail files are back in, as are tweezers, nail clippers with files attached and syringes with medication."

"But guns, knives and spray repellents are still out, according to the federal Transportation Security Administration's revised list of items travelers can't bring onto planes, which was released Tuesday."

MD: Fund set up for men who confronted burglar Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"A noted legal action foundation has established a defense fund for two Baltimore men charged with first-degree murder for allegedly defending themselves against an intruder that had broken into their furniture business." "This is the height of legal idiocy," said Gary Kreep, executive director of the California-based United States Justice Federation.

MI: Boys sneak in, but dad is charged
Submitted by: Rick Schwartz

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"It was a thing that went bump in the night in Bill Kerr's home and now he's facing two assault charges because of it. Kerr got into a scuffle with two teenage boys after he discovered them hiding in his 13-year-old daughter's bedroom closet about 4a.m. on Feb. 3. But nearly three months after the early-morning encounter, Kerr is being charged with a crime."

--And if these "boys" had raped the girls or robbed the home the authorities would have looked the other way?

Judge Rejects Jailing Of Material Witnesses
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"A key legal tactic employed by the government in its post-Sept. 11 war on terror is illegal, a federal judge ruled today, delivering a potential blow to the Justice Department's methods of detaining suspects and gathering evidence."

"The judge, Shira A. Scheindlin, ruled that the Justice Department has overreached in imprisoning as "material witnesses" men the authorities believe might have information for grand juries investigating terrorism."

CA: DA decides no charges in brawl outside bar
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"A brawl between four off-duty U.S. Secret Service agents and eight to 15 other people outside an Encinitas bar is a draw as far as the San Diego County District Attorney's Office is concerned."

"The federal agents were in San Diego County to protect Vice President Dick Cheney as part of a four-day junket to California, but were off-duty the night of the fight."

KABA NOTE: Ah, the privileges of being one of the Elite.

UK: Machine-gun bought for �1,700 ($2,490) Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"A powerful machine-gun capable of piercing 32 inches of solid oak from 100 yards was sold for �1,700 to a London businessman, a court has heard." "The Yugoslavian-made Sarac 7.92mm Mauser light machine-gun was discovered in the boot of Jimmy Love's car when it was stopped by armed police at a petrol station in Benfleet, Essex, a jury at Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court was told."

IL: Last Vestiges of Chicago's Shooting Sports Crushed
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"The final remnants of what were once thriving shooting sports traditions will be snuffed out on May 1st when the city of Chicago enacts a ban on rifles having bores of .50 caliber or greater. The ban includes black powder rifles - the only rifles approved for deer hunting in the state."

"The hunting rifle ban serves as the final chapter in a two-decade long effort on the part of Chicago city officials to obliterate the shooting sports."

IL: U.S. attorney pledges to battle 'gun violence'
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Gun violence claimed 10,000 lives in 1999--three times the Sept. 11 death toll--U.S. Attorney Peter Fitzgerald told police recruits Tuesday, vowing a "lasting commitment" by federal law enforcement to help dethrone Chicago as murder capital of the nation."

"Chicago last year, as I'm sure you're all aware, led the nation in homicides. We have to do something about that," Fitzgerald said, during a surprise appearance at a police graduation ceremony at McCormick Place.

MA: Two tire company workers help stop bank robbery suspect
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Police are crediting two tire company workers with helping apprehend a suspected bank robber."

"they spotted a man running from a Charter One bank branch with a shopping bag leaking red dye. A teller appeared at the bank door yelling that the bank had been robbed. Plourde pulled a quick U-turn in the company truck. While he pulled the big yellow vehicle up against the driver's side door of the suspect's car to prevent his escape, Chayer jumped out and told the man to drop the money and stay put. Police arrived moments later to arrest the man."

AL: Project ICE targets 'gun crimes'
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Local federal, state and area municipal law enforcement officials are going after people with illegal guns to stem an increase in firearm violence in Mobile County. The officials who gathered for a news conference Tuesday said they are putting criminals on notice -- use a gun and do more time."

"Project ICE -- the acronym for Isolating the Criminal Element -- is designed to aggressively prosecute those who use illegal guns while committing crimes."

NRA Names New Chief Lobbyist Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The National Rifle Association's (NRA) Executive Vice-President Wayne LaPierre, has named Chris Cox as the organization's new Executive Director of the NRA's Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA). "Cox replaces James Jay Baker. LaPierre made the announcement Monday in Reno, NV at the meeting of the NRA's board of directors. The appointment takes effect immediately."

Federal Bill would push driver's license with ID chip
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Legislation to standardize state-issued driver's licenses across the United States, and to mandate that those licenses carry a computer chip and incorporate some kind of unique identifier such as a fingerprint, will be introduced in Congress on Wednesday."

"The Driver's License Modernization Act of 2002, sponsored by Reps. Jim Moran, D-Va., and Tom Davis, R-Va., also directs that the chip be capable of accepting software for other applications, including those of private companies."

PA: Erie police to carry AR-15 assault rifles Submitted by: John Salsgiver	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"As police in Erie await the delivery of AR-15 assault rifles for "frontline" officers, opponents argue the weapons are unnecessary and too dangerous." --If the government would promote it's citizens to exercise their rights to bear arms, then any potential kooks intent on criminal activity would either be apprehended or on their way to the morgue.

Airline Security: Bill would allow pilots to carry guns in the cockpit
Submitted by: serinde
Website: http://www.progunwomen.com

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"On Tuesday, U.S. Reps. Don Young, R-Alaska, and John Mica, R-Florida, said they will introduce a bill that would allow pilots to carry firearms in the cockpit by making them federal law enforcement officers."

"Opposing the arming of pilots are top Bush administration officials such as Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge and Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, who has indicated support for arming pilots with nonlethal weapons, such as stun devices."

An American Reports From Canada
Submitted by: Doug Charette

There are no comments on this story
Post Comments | Read Comments

"Last night was the first time I have looked at your web site in several months. I have just moved from Texas to Northern Ontario and have started trying to live and do business within the Canadian system. We may have problems in the States but nothing like here. One thing that has surprised me is, most of the Canadians that I have met in the last nine years of trips up here, own many firearms both long arms and hand guns."

Canada: Gun registry leak? Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Security breaches in Canada's gun registry system suggest it's being used as a "shopping list" for criminals looking to swipe firearms, says the Canadian Alliance gun critic. But the RCMP and a gun-control advocate insist the breaches were not caused by hackers cutting into the system. Instead, they were most likely caused by people within it."