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MI: Michigan Gun Ban Upheld
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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A state appeals court ruled Wednesday that the University of Michigan is allowed to keep its ban on guns on campus, standing against recent court and legislative rulings elsewhere that have limited or eliminated similar bans.

An appeal to the State Supreme Court is �looking probable,� said Steven Dulan, the attorney who represented plaintiff and Ann Arbor resident Joshua Wade. He said he still has to have talks with Wade, and they have several weeks to make their final decision.

USCCA President: �London Terror Attacks SHOULD Spark Gun Debate�
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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In the aftermath of this past weekend�s terrorist attacks in London, some in the national media and anti-Second Amendment community criticized President Donald Trump for rightly observing that they did not immediately spark a renewed debate over gun control because the attackers did not use guns. But Tim Schmidt, President & Founder of the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, said today that the President�s observation was the correct one and that the recent terrorist attacks in London, Paris and elsewhere SHOULD bring the issue of failed gun control laws to the forefront including the inability of citizens in many countries to adequately protect themselves.

IL: Why You Should Carry a Firearm for Self-Defense Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Recently I purchased a new DVD from the USCCA entitled �Armed and Ready �. I will use some of the statistics from the DVD to remind you why it is important to carry a firearm for self-defense. I would like to encourage you to become a USCCA member and want to impress upon you the predicament law-abiding citizens find themselves in. These statistics are for the United States.

FL: Two Critically Important Bills on Governor�s Desk Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Two NRA/USF supported bills � both critically important to self-defense rights are now on the Governor's desk awaiting his action. One, SB-128 Burden of Proof by Sen. Rob Bradley and Rep. Bobby Payne restores the presumption of innocence in self-defense cases by putting the burden of proof BACK ON THE STATE where it belongs.

Why Americans Will Never Give Up Their Guns
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Why do so many Americans own handguns, and resist the regulation of firearms? "Protection" is the most common response, but who (or what) exactly are they protecting themselves from? And why do fact-based arguments, such as the reduction in crime rates and the dangers of having a gun in the house, fail to change minds?

Newly published research provides a partial answer. It finds handgun ownership is motivated by two distinct impulses: "The specific perceived threat of assault, and a diffuse threat of a dangerous world."

NJ: Court Overturns Conviction for Answering Door With Machete
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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New Jersey residents have the right to walk around their homes and answer the door with a weapon�including those other than firearms�so long as they are not using them in a threatening manner unless they believe they are in danger, the state Supreme Court ruled.

In a unanimous ruling Thursday, the court overturned the conviction and 540-day prison sentence of a Monmouth County man, Crisoforo Montalvo, who answered the door of his apartment while holding a machete.

Holding a weapon, like a machete, in one's home is protected by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, as is carrying a firearm, wrote Justice Faustino Fernandez-Vina in the ruling.

MI: House: The Second Amendment is Your Concealed Carry Permit
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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On Wednesday the Michigan House passed legislation to stop requiring a government-issued permit for residents to carry a concealed handgun for self-defense.

Prior to the vote, state Rep. Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) said, �There seems to be some confusion of what our constitutional rights are. Our right to defend ourselves comes from our Creator. Today�s a good day, when you get to vote to uphold the constitution.�

The legislation passed on a vote of 59 to 49.

IN: When You Shoot Someone: The Castle Doctrine Explained
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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If someone busts into your house unlawfully, and if you're afraid for your life, and if deadly force is necessary, then you can legally shoot and kill the intruder. It's happened twice in the past week in Indianapolis. But, there are some circumstances where you could get into trouble.

Guy Relford, gun rights attorney, self-defense trainer, and host of "The Gun Guy" radio show, explained the "Castle Doctrine."

WA: Defensive Reality: The reality of self-defense
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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At a remote private shooting range, 19 students lined up in prone position side by side to aim their rifles at targets 50 yards away, requiring a focus on both marksmanship and safety. Their instructor pressed hard on both principles.

Defensive Reality, a Nine Mile Falls-based personal defense training facility, offered the recent in-depth firearms course with visiting instructor Chris Costa, who owns a tactical and training company in Wyoming. Defensive Reality brings Costa to Spokane about once a year to teach, offering his expertise from work with the U.S. Coast Guard, private sector, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security�s risk management division.

OK: Oklahoma Mom Thanks Armed �Hero� Who Saved Babies
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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We told you earlier this week how an Oklahoma man used his firearm to save two neighbor babies from their crazed father, who was trying to drown them in a bathtub. Now more details are being released about the incident, and you likely won�t hear any of it from Michael Bloomberg, Shannon Watts or anyone in the gun-ban crowd.

When 37-year-old Leland Foster showed up at the house where his twin 3-month-olds were staying with their mother and her 12-year-old niece, he was looking to kill someone. And the babies were his primary targets.

CA: NRA Challenge to Transfer Fee Fails in 9th Circuit
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Allocating $5 of a $19 firearms transfer fee to combat efforts against illegal firearm purchases doesn�t run afoul of the Second Amendment, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit said June 1 ( Bauer v. Becerra , 2017 BL 183907, 9th Cir., No. 15-15428, 6/1/17 ).

The court side-stepped deciding whether the �DROS fee� actually implicated Second Amendment protections. Even assuming that it does, the DROS fee would �survive heightened scrutiny,� Chief Judge Sidney R. Thomas wrote for the court.

FL: Graham calls for gun safety measures in advance of Pulse anniversary
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Florida gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham proposed new gun safety measures in the wake of Monday�s mass shooting outside Orlando and the approaching one-year anniversary of the Pulse shooting.

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Graham called for comprehensive universal background checks on all gun sales �to stop criminals and terrorists from purchasing guns.�

She also proposed: a ban on large-capacity magazines; a requirement that abusers surrender firearms when a protective order is issued against them; and giving law enforcement �the tools they need to prevent those with serious mental illness from purchasing or keeping firearms.�

Kristen Stewart: We Must �Shatter� Idea That Playing With Toy Guns Is Cool
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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During the June 7 Brady Center Bear Awards�where celebrities applaud other celebrities for their gun control support�actress Kristen Stewart warned that it is time to dispel the idea that playing with toy guns is cool.

The awards ceremony honored Chelsea Handler, who refers to gun ownership as a �hobby� rather than a right, and were attended by January Jones, Tom Arnold, and The Voice champion Alisan Porter. Will Ferrell also attended and served as �auctioneer� for the evening.

TX: Texas governor calls special session, leaves out constitutional carry
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Gov. Greg Abbott is calling Lone Star State lawmakers back to work, but gun carry reform did not make his list of 20 action items to focus on.

While a few pro-gun bills passed the legislature earlier this year, two proposals in the Texas House that would have brought permitless carry to the state were left to stagnate, prompting gun rights groups to call on Abbott to convene a special session. The first-term Republican did pull legislators back in session late Tuesday but his marching orders covering everything from a pay increase for teachers to cracking down on mail-in ballot fraud left out any mention of constitutional carry.

FL: Trying To Send A Message, Fla. Lawmaker Refiles Gun Control Bill For Special Session
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A Florida lawmaker is hoping the state legislature will take up a refiled gun control bill during this week�s special session.

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Farmer�s bill aims to make sure all gun sales are conducted by a licensed firearms dealer. It also requires background checks for firearms purchased at gun shows.

�And, so, I understand that it�s outside the call, and it�s unlikely that the call would ever be expanded to include these gun bills, or the one that�s been filed, or just kind of trying to make a statement and symbolically let the NRA [National Rifle Association] and others know that we�re not going away and we�re going to continue to push for sensible gun safety legislation that does not infringe on anyone�s right to bear arms,� he added.

MI: Berrien Sheriff Opposed To Handgun Bill Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There is 1 comment on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Officials across Michigan have been split on the handgun legislation approved this week by the Michigan House. Berrien County Sheriff Paul Bailey is among those against it. The plan eliminates a requirement to get a license to carry a concealed handgun, while also eliminating a requirement to get special training. Bailey tells WSJM News that�s the part he dislikes.

Violent Crime With Guns Is Down, But Why?
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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According to The Washington Post, the incidence of violent criminals using a firearm is down in the United States. In the newspaper�s list of reasons for this phenomenon, there is one glaring omission�widespread gun ownership. As often as the subject of what the media like to inaccurately call �gun violence� arises, when it comes to examining the reasons for ever-increasing levels of safety, the fact that more Americans than ever own firearms is almost always left out of the equation.

VA: Virginia needs Stewart as governor
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Vote for Corey Stewart in the June 13 Republican primary for governor; the reasons are below!

Stewart is best known for implementing the nation�s toughest crackdown on illegal immigration, resulting in Prince William County turning over approximately 8,000 criminal illegal immigrants to the U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, leading to a 48.7 percent drop in violent crime. He is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment.

Relist Watch Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Returning Relists ... Peruta v. California, 16-894 Issue: Whether the Second Amendment entitles ordinary, law-abiding citizens to carry handguns outside the home for self-defense in some manner, including concealed carry when open carry is forbidden by state law. (relisted after the April 28, May 11, May 18, May 25 and June 1 conferences)

DC: D.C. felon gets 3 years for buying guns through straw purchasers
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A District of Columbia man was sentenced Wednesday to three years and one month in prison for conspiracy to make false statements on records kept by licensed firearms dealers.

According to a Justice Department news release, 31-year-old Nicholas Loukas previously pleaded guilty to the charges, admitting that in September 2015 he asked other individuals to purchase guns for him. Loukas was unable to purchase or possess firearms due to a 2002 robbery conviction.

ID: Bus Bans on Carrying Firearms is Being Defeated!
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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It was just a few weeks ago that citizens from several different cities told us about gun bans on Idaho buses in the Treasure Valley, Pocatello, and other cities.

Several of those bans have been defeated! The battles aren�t over yet though. We need your help � more on that in a second.

Some of you are familiar with our �Preemption Project� that we started several years ago. For those that aren�t, allow me to elaborate for a minute. You see, back in 2008, Idaho passed a law that forbade Idaho cities/counties from enacting ordinances regarding firearms that were stricter than the state law.

IN: More Hoosiers turning to guns for home protection
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Two deadly home invasions happened this week in Indianapolis. Each time, police say the homeowners shot and killed the intruders.

The first one happened Tuesday at 75th and Hague Road in Castleton. Police said a teenage suspect broke a window and forced his way inside the home. A man, his wife, and 3-year-old child were sleeping.

The second one happened Wednesday afternoon on the city's East side near 30th and Mitthoeffer. Police said a mother heard someone breaking into her apartment and found an armed suspect inside her home.