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MN: And another thing (Letter)
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Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com
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The enactment of the enlarged right to carry a concealed gun, in spite of its carefully crafted safeguards against abuse, is a powerful argument for enlarged penalties for such things as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Otherwise, the innocent public can have no assurance that qualified gun-toters will not become dangerous when not in full control of their faculties.
Henry W. Haverstock, Edina |
MN: Sorry, but safe (Letter)
Submitted by:
Bruce W. Krafft
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FULL STORY BELOW:
I appreciate the efforts of Joel Rosenberg and Joseph E. Olson to make me feel better about Minnesota's new "conceal-carry" law (Star Tribune, May 5). Their soothing tone would really have helped if I were worried that there would be horrendous shootouts all over the place. Their reassurances would have been so nice if I had been anxious that there would be 50,000 more guns in the surpassingly peaceful streets of Minnesota.
But, dang it, I'm still fretting. Because I figure that with thousands more guns around, just a few, a very few, will get into the wrong hands. They may be found at a friend's house or stolen or borrowed from a pal's purse. And just a few, a very few, will be used to maim and kill someone. Perhaps deliberately. Perhaps accidentally. But that's all it takes. A few more people will be injured or dead because "conceal-carry" is now law.
Well, I guess I should remain calm. Because once (if) the perpetrators are found, they will be locked up for a long time. And what are a few more deaths if that's what it takes to give a lot of fearful people peace of mind?
Theresa J. Lippert, St. Paul. |
UK: 'Criminals go free as law picks on honest'
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"Respect for authority is being undermined because criminals are walking free while the law-abiding majority is considered an easy target for police and bureaucrats, Oliver Letwin, the shadow home secretary, will say tonight." |
Homeland Security? Naw, Government Security
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LFA Editor
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"My fear is that many conservative or so-called conservative writers know what is going on within our government in regards to Homeland Security legislation but refuse to admit it. After all, they are the 'good guys' right? Exposing the truth at a time like this might seem un-patriotic and jeopardize the party. Excuse me but I thought that no matter what party a member of congress belongs to, all must take a pledge to defend the Constitution." |
Canada: Liberals shut down debate on gun registry changes
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"The federal government finally cleared the path today for administrative changes to the national firearms registry, changes the Liberals say will make the much-maligned program more efficient and cost-effective."
"The Liberal majority first voted to shut down debate and later pushed through a motion that approved an unprecedented move by the Senate to split a Commons bill into two sections." |
AL: Former officer pleads innocent to gun counts
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"A disgraced former Mobile police officer whose career ended after a man high on crack cocaine shot him in the face admitted Monday afternoon that he has recently used the drug himself." "Ronnie Burch -- who comes from one of the Mobile Police Department's oldest families -- and a longtime friend, Frank Moore, pleaded not guilty to charges of conspiring to sell and selling guns without a federal license. Burch, 51, also pleaded not guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm." |
NJ: McGreevey signs juvenile gun control bill
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"The list of juvenile crimes that would disqualify a person from legally owning a handgun has been expanded under legislation signed into law Tuesday by Gov. James E. McGreevey."
"Previously, a person was disqualified from buying a handgun if, as a juvenile, he or she used a firearm while committing a crime. The bill signed Tuesday expands the disqualification to include offenses involving the unlawful use or possession of a weapon or explosives." |
PA: As I See It: Act Detargets Gun Makers' Responsibility
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"It should be called the Gun Industry 'Impunity' Act, for it will enable the gun industry to act with impunity if enacted. It is a pet project of the gun lobby, intended to strip gun violence victims of their day in court, even if members of the gun industry negligently, irresponsibly or corruptly distribute or sell their lethal products." |
Australia: Police crackdown on gun safety
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"Cowra Police will be inspecting gun owner's firearms and ammunition storage as part of the State-wide safety compliance audit."
"The compliance audit is in response to an increasing number of firearms being stolen during break and enters. A gun was stolen in a break and enter at Cowra last year." |
IL: Retired state police sergeant charged in gun case
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"A retired state police sergeant was charged with federal firearms violations Tuesday following a weekend raid on his home in which agents found 402 guns and thousands of rounds of ammunition." "Dennis Kalinoski, 60, was accused of possessing firearms while using crack cocaine, selling guns and ammunition to a convicted felon, and transferring such weapons for use in drug trafficking and violent crimes." |
Things That Go Oink In the Night
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"CAGW President Tom Schatz notes that during the last two years, as the United States came under terrorist attack and responded to prevent further attacks, the number of pork projects has increased by 47.8 percent, and total pork-barrel spending has risen by 21.6 percent. Schatz compares that with the spending cuts that preceded World War II, when nondefense spending was slashed by 22 percent, and during the Korean War, when nondefense discretionary spending dropped 25 percent." |
Pain
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Newslinks Admin
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"Change -- particularly political change -- historically occurs when one very simple thing happens: a large number of people are unable to receive the basic necessities of life. These necessities do not include cable TV, new cars, or brand new tennis shoes. It involves food, clothing, shelter, and that's ALL."
"For political change to occur, large numbers of people need to be going hungry, naked, or sleeping in the rain."
"People must be in real, substantial PAIN." |
Assault Weapons And Assaults On The Constitution
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"Suppose the Second amendment said 'A well-educated electorate being necessary for self-governance in a free state, the right of the people to keep and read books shall not be infringed.' Is there anyone who would suggest that means only registered voters have a right to read?"
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Keep The United Nations Out Of Iraq -- And America
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Newslinks Admin
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"Although I strongly believe our foreign policy should be based on the philosophy of our Founding Fathers -- open relations with all nations that seek the same, and entangling alliances with none -- I certainly don't believe the UN should be involved in our policy decisions at all. Our foreign policy and our domestic laws can be crafted only by the American people and their elected representatives." |
CA: CA Court Stands By Gun Ban (Another report)
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"A federal appeals court in San Francisco declined today to reconsider a ruling issued last year that upheld California's ban on semi-automatic assault guns."
"The action by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals means the next step for the Second Amendment case is the U.S. Supreme Court."
"Garry Gorski, a lawyer for nine citizens who challenged the California law, said his clients will appeal to the high court." |
LA: Wanted: Apartment with an outhouse
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"Because his bathroom was in flames, Theisen ducked behind a large oak tree in his back yard to relieve himself. Before he could finish, though, one of the police officers at the scene declared he was under arrest for lewd conduct."
"I tried to tell him, 'Sir, my bathroom is burning. It's on fire.' But he didn't seem to care. As soon as I zipped up, he put handcuffs on me." ... |
FL: Woman: Refusal to pray results in discipline
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"Whatever rights Laurel Clanton lost when she was sentenced to a year in the Duval County jail, she never believed the right not to pray was one of them."
"Yet Clanton was disciplined and spent several extra weeks in jail for refusing to participate in an inmate prayer circle that was part of the jail's drug treatment program, she says in a federal lawsuit against the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the agency that runs the program." |
Rumsfeld Pushes For Pentagon Total Control
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"The stories below concern two other proposed law changes which have received far less attention. Firstly there is a Pentagon Bill to give Rumsfeld what looks like effective absolute control at the Pentagon � eliminating Congressional oversight and granting him apparently unlimited powers to contract on behalf of the U.S. Government - and an Intelligence Bill which would if passed would give the CIA and Pentagon powers to spy domestically inside the United States." |
Two Decades of Mediocrity
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"It isn't a money problem, for a great deal more money is being spent on education. It isn't an urban problem, for charter and private schools successfully educate urban children." ...
"It is an institutional problem; a problem created and sustained by layers of immovable bureaucracy in public-school administrations, state departments of education, legislatures and teachers unions." |
Schumer�s Campaign Violations
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"New York Democratic Sen. Charles Schumer, an outspoken advocate of campaign-finance reform, has been hit with one of the biggest fines ever imposed on a member of Congress by the Federal Election Commission � for violating campaign-finance laws." |
PA: Police Officers Accused Of Taking Money From Drug Buyers
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"Three Philadelphia police officers and a probation officer are under investigation for allegedly taking money from drug buyers."
"The case is now in the hands of the district attorney and NBC 10 News has learned that the officers involved are not connected to Operation Safe Streets -- Mayor John Streets initiative to clear the city's streets of drug dealers."
"The police department has acknowledged that an internal investigation is underway regarding some officers." |
Supreme Court Ruling Possible on Weapons
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Bruce W. Krafft
Website: http://www.idcwebdev.com
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"A federal appeals court on Tuesday refused to reconsider its ruling that Americans don't have the constitutional right to own firearms, setting up the possibility of a Supreme Court ruling on the Second Amendment."
"The 9th Circuit's ruling conflicts with a 2001 decision from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that said individuals have a constitutional right to guns."
" 'I'll have this filed [with the Supreme Court] by the end of the week,' attorney Gary Gorski said." |
UK: Amnesty nets 692 weapons
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"The father of a girl shot dead in the Dunblane tragedy has spoken of his 'major concern' after it emerged more than one gun a day banned in the wake of the tragedy had been handed into Lothian and Borders Police during a month-long amnesty." |
Most of Malvo's confession allowed
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Newslinks Admin
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"Nearly all of a confession that sniper suspect Lee Boyd Malvo gave to police can be used by prosecutors at trial, a judge ruled Tuesday."
"The decision by Circuit Judge Jane Marum Roush allows prosecutors to use Malvo's own words against him at his trial, set to begin Nov. 10. Authorities said he confessed to two of the fatal shootings, including the Oct. 14 killing of FBI analyst Linda Franklin outside a Home Depot store that he is to be tried for first." |
Panama: Contribution of Parliamentarians to Practical Disarmament
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The original opinion piece is in Spanish. A reader and gun rights supporter felt it was important enough to translate for us so we all understand and know the gun-grabber attitude in other countries.
FULL TRANSLATED TEXT BELOW:
Contribution of Parliamentarians to Practical Disarmament
Rogelio Baon* Contributor
The proliferation of firearms in civilian society represents an endemic problem for the well-being of the cities and towns of Latin America and the Caribbean. The Central American region in particular has experienced an increase in street violence due to the acquisition, sale and traffic of firearms, ammunition and explosives. The function of parliamentarians is crucial in the improvement and reform of laws that could control illicit traffic in firearms and ammunition. In October 2002 a Permanent Parliamentarian Forum was created in Madrid. It is holding its first meeting now in Panama City. This meeting is an exemplary event, with the purpose that we as parliamentarians can have the opportunity to reform firearms laws and harmonize national legislations.
The Forum is composed of official representatives of six countries of Central America and has the backing of two Countries of Europe by means of the Parliaments of Spain and Sweden. Presently there are efforts underway to increase the number of members of this forum and the meeting in Panama represents a historic event for enlarging its representative base.
We parliamentarians can be the first protagonists of disarmament. As chairman of the Forum, I see a great need for practical disarmament and of encouraging the parliamentarians to have an exemplary attitude and demonstrate their capacity to reform firearms laws.
It is necessary to eradicate violence and strengthen legitimate authority for citizens� liberty. Moreover, we have to fight against organized crime and terrorism, which use firearms and explosives as instruments of evil. These efforts will lead us to better control of trafficking in illicit firearms. As a result, they will contribute to societies� being able to live in peace and will strengthen democratic institutions besides stimulating development of peoples.
In the world at present we can be witnesses of the pressing threat represented by all kind of firearms. The armed conflicts occurring in various cities around the world and the images of women and children carrying firearms show us the necessity of how we have to unite in this common cause and try to suppress and reduce numbers of firearms. As important as the offensive against hidden illegal arsenals is, in preventive terms, the objective of designing a culture of peace is a very ambitious commitment of the Forum.
For all these reasons, it is necessary to support practical disarmament initiatives, particularly within the framework of the United Nations, all the more so in these times of reflecting anew on the role of this institution with relation to maintaining regional and global security.
*Chairman of the Commission of Defense of Congress of Deputies of Spain and Chairman of the Permanent Parliamentary Forum on Small and Light Arms. Saturday May 3, 2002 �Copyright 1995-2003 El Panam� Am�rica-EPASA All Rights Reserved
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FL: NRA: The sniper's ally
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"When NRA apologists in Congress, such as Rep. Mark Foley, R-West Palm Beach, talk about protecting legal products sold legally, remember that Congress has made it legal to sell guns in dangerous ways with crippled enforcement of the few rules that do exist. ...The result, because of shops like Bull's Eye, is easy access by criminals and terrorists to firearms. When that sniper rifle was pried from Lee Malvo's hands, it had the NRA's fingerprints on it."
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UK: Vital report on Martin withheld by Whitehall
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P. Jones
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"Crucial evidence about Tony Martin's state of mind when he shot dead a teenage burglar was withheld from the parole board when it turned down his request for early release, the High Court was told yesterday."
"His lawyers said it was a 'positive injustice' that the panel was not given psychiatric reports which showed the Norfolk farmer was suffering from 'an abnormality of the mind' when he killed Fred Barras, 16, in August 1999." |
Sanetti replaces Blanchard as Sturm, Ruger president
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FULL STORY BELOW
Gunmaker Sturm, Ruger & Co. said on Tuesday that Stephen Sanetti has replaced Erle Blanchard as president and chief operating officer. Blanchard resigned last week, the Southport, Connecticut-based company said.
Sanetti, a 23-year veteran with Sturm, Ruger, has served as vice president since 1993 and was named vice chairman and general counsel in 2000. |
Iraq: Without laws, guns are order of day
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"Guns, whether AK-47s nabbed from looted armories or Berettas heisted from private collections, have flooded Iraq in recent weeks, stolen by thieves, resold to gun dealers, and then purchased by anxious families seeking a way to protect themselves."
"The weapons provide a measure of security in a land where thieves and looters still stalk the streets." ... |
MO: Legislature Passes Bill Allowing Concealed Guns
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"The state Legislature has voted to let Missourians carry concealed guns."
"The House voted overwhelmingly today to send the legislation to Governor Holden, who has threatened to veto it. The Senate passed the legislation Friday."
"Today's vote comes about four years after statewide voters narrowly defeated a proposal allowing concealed guns." |
Group Suing DC Over Gun Ban Shuns NRA Involvement
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" 'The NRA, in our view, is just simply fouling the waters' Levy told CNSNews.com. 'They are prolonging the resolution of the case and introducing all sorts of extraneous causes of action and bringing [Attorney General John] Ashcroft into the case when he has no business in the case.' "
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GA: Man kills mother-in-law, then self
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Newslinks Admin
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"Martin County sheriff's officials suspect the gunman expected to find his wife at his mother-in-law's home, where she recently came to stay, but she was away on a business trip. Friends said the man's wife, Christine Breford, moved from their Fort Benning, Ga., home following incidents of domestic violence, according to sheriff's officials. The couple separated last week." |
UK: Gun fears cancel MTV party
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"A nightclub party hosted by MTV and BBC Radio 1 presenter Trevor Nelson was cancelled because of a threat that 'violent crime' would take place."
------- What happened to the claim that the gun amnesty would reduce violent crime? Did anyone really believe this?
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MS: City Council Shoots Down Gun Proposal
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FULL STORY BELOW:
The City Council on Tuesday shot down an ordinance to regulate gun shows in Jackson.
The council voted 4-3 against the regulation of gun sales at gun shows.
Councilman Kenneth Stokes says he proposed the ordinance to stop some of the gun violence on city streets. Other council members agree there's a problem, but they want to wait to see what state lawmakers will do with the issue.
A new proposal is possible after state legislators decide. |
TX: Texas Man Rides Bike Wearing Black Thong
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Larry E. Bigham
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FULL TEXT BELOW:
San Antonio Park Police say they've received dozens of complaints about a man riding his bike in the park wearing only a black thong.
The 52-year-old man said he'll keep on pedaling because it's his legal right.
"We all claim to believe in the value of personal liberty, but we don't," Joseph Gottschalk said Monday. "No one person has the right to outrank the law and tell me what to wear."
By law, Gottschalk is allowed to wear the thong as long as it covers the appropriate parts. Park Police Capt. Raymond Castro said, "He's within his civil rights and legal rights to wear his thong."
Gottschalk added: "It doesn't take much clothing to take care of the requirement." |
Lott, Donohue and Levitt (Blog)
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"The latest round involves two different issues. First, Lott's new book brings up once again the charge that Steve Levitt of the University of Chicago, a member of the National Research Council panel on guns, is 'rabidly anti-gun.' There's the primary question of whether that's true, and the secondary question of who said so anonymously and was quoted in an NRO column by David Kopel and Glenn. Second, Lott has removed his name from a paper about to appear in the Stanford Law Review, part of his ongoing dispute with John Donohue and Ian Ayres about Lott's famous 'more guns, less crime' hypothesis, and it is being suggested that by doing so he has in effect conceded that they're right and he's wrong." |
VA: Bad Dog: Whitcomb No-Trespassing Signs Trample Liberty
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Anonymous
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"Requiring someone to have a 'legitimate' reason for being in a particular place is anathema to the American understanding of freedom. As the Supreme Court wrote in a ruling that voided Chicago's anti-loitering law a few years ago (which also was aimed at the drug trade): 'Individuals in this country have significant liberty interests in standing on sidewalks and in other places, and in traveling, moving, and associating with others.' " ...
"Conservative, law-and-order types might want to think about how a similar policy might apply to guns. Imagine that, because a small minority of individuals abuse their Second Amendment rights, city officials arrogated to themselves the power to decide who should be able to own a firearm. The individual would have to demonstrate a 'legitimate' reason, and the interpretation of what legitimate meant would be up to individual city authorities or police officers, who would not have to interpret the term consistently."
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IN: Reprimand likely in goose case
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"An Indianapolis police officer who shot and killed a goose as the bird attacked his service dog should get a written reprimand, Police Chief Jerry Barker said Monday."
"Officer Mitch Waters' immediate supervisor had recommended a one-day suspension -- which would have been the first disciplinary action against Waters in his nearly 10 years with IPD."
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UK: Lawyers back burglars
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John Fansler
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"Fury erupted last night after David Blunkett�s lawyers said burglars need protection from householders."
"They insist villains deserve to be treated like any member of the public � and MUST be able to sue homeowners who attack them during a break-in."
"The Home Secretary�s lawyers will make their bizarre argument to High Court judges today in a legal bid to block a parole claim by jailed farmer Tony Martin." |
OH: Researcher: Ohio's concealed carry ban founded in racism
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Ohioans For Concealed Carry PAC
Website: http://www.ofccpac.org
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"The fight to restore Ohioans' right to self-defense with a firearm has been going on longer than many realize. The following is taken from testimony offered by Clayton Cramer to the Ohio Senate, in support of a concealed carry bill, on March 22, 1995, and is something that every Ohioan should consider."
"Summary: The available evidence strongly suggests that racism has been the principal engine driving the development of concealed handgun license laws, until quite recently." |
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