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Woman 'Randomly Selected' for Arrest in California Wildfire
Submitted by: Roger MacDonald

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"Earlier in the day, investigators were searching for a camper whose campfire may have ignited the uncontrolled wildfire in a steep canyon in the park about 10 miles north of Kernville on Sunday afternoon. Kernville is 115 miles north of Los Angeles."

"It was unclear whether the female suspect and the camper were the same person, a fire information official said."

Then WHY was she ARRESTED without a WARRANT or PROBABLE CAUSE?

Man Sues Manufacturer of the 'Assault Hamburger W/ High Capacity Fries'
Submitted by: Roger MacDonald

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"A New York City lawyer has filed suit against the four big fast-food corporations, saying their fatty foods are responsible for his client�s obesity and related health problems."

"Samuel Hirsch filed his lawsuit alleging that McDonald�s, Burger King, Wendy�s and KFC are irresponsible and deceptive in the posting of their nutritional information, and that they create a addiction in their consumers, particularly the poor and children."

Hey- It's for the children.

Sound familiar?

Boston Globe: Good sense prevails on guns for pilots Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"REASON SCORED an unexpected victory two weeks ago when the US House broke with the Bush administration and voted, 310 to 113, to arm airline pilots. A second surprise came yesterday, when Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta said the Transporation Security Administration, once opposed, was now actively exploring the option of letting pilots have guns in the cockpit."

LA: Some of the people in Baton Rouge are waking up to the fact that police can't protect them!
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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ORIGINAL TITLE: "Fear spurs surge in gun, alarm sales in BR"

"The unsolved slayings of Gina Wilson Green, Charlotte Murray Pace, Christine Moore and Pam Kinamore have sparked surges in gun and alarm sales in Baton Rouge, dealers say."

"Police say they believe the same man killed Green, a 41-year-old nurse found strangled in her Stanford Avenue home in September, and Pace, a 22-year-old master's in business administration graduate who was stabbed to death in her Sharlo Avenue town house in May."

"Gun shops say they can't keep pepper spray or chemical self-defense spray on their shelves."

"Dan Calvert at Jim's Firearms said sales of Mace and pepper sprays have been 'astronomical' for about a week."

"Small handgun sales also have increased."

"For self-defense weapons, business has probably tripled or quadrupled, Calvert said. He said about 95 percent of self-defense weapon purchasers have been women."

PA: Philadelphia man admits to gun dealing
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"The West Philadelphia man who caused the Lex Street massacre prosecution to crumble on the eve of trial pleaded guilty yesterday to illegal gun dealing."

"Dawid 'David' Faruqi, 27, entered his plea in federal court with no negotiated deal in place. He ceased cooperating with homicide investigators last month after they would neither offer him immunity nor guarantee his safety, said Todd Henry, Faruqi's attorney."

NRA supports background check gun control bill sponsored by Dem. Rep. McCarthy
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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ORIGINAL TITLE: "Gun-Buying Scrutiny Gains"

"Absent the usual heated rhetoric about the pros and cons of gun control, the House Judiciary Committee yesterday approved a bill by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy to help states link more public records to the federal background-check system for gun buyers."

" 'I have in my hand a letter from the NRA [National Rifle Association] supporting the legislation,' said Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.)."

"The action was a clear victory for McCarthy (D-Mineola), who brought together NRA allies, gun control supporters and privacy advocates, on an issue that launched her political career. The success marked a political evolution for McCarthy from crafting comprehensive gun-control packages to taking a more incremental approach. McCarthy's first bill on the issue sought sweeping child-safety restrictions."

NM: Police officer's child uses service weapon to shoot young child
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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Add this to your "only police should have guns" files...

"The 3-year-old son of an Albuquerque police officer shot in the cheek when his 5-year-old brother found their mother's service revolver is recovering while his mother undergoes investigation."

"The 3-year-old suffered superficial wounds and was released today from University of New Mexico Hospital, hospital spokesman Sam Giammo said."

Ashcroft Assailed on Gun Policy Memo
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"Gun control groups yesterday accused Attorney General John D. Ashcroft of misleading Congress in December by not disclosing an internal Justice Department opinion that concluded the FBI could legally search gun purchase records for the names of suspected terrorists."

"But Justice Department officials said there is no contradiction between Ashcroft's views and the legal opinion, since both conclude that authorities can only search for names of people known to be felons, illegal immigrants, domestic abusers or mentally ill."

"The flap centers on a fledgling FBI effort last fall to search the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for the names of suspected terrorists. Justice officials in mid-October ordered a halt to the effort, arguing that the search appeared to violate the federal law that set up the background check system."

"The move sparked howls from gun control advocates and many Democratic lawmakers, who questioned why Ashcroft would bar such searches while simultaneously jailing immigrants in secrecy for often tenuous ties to terrorism."

Ashcroft: Gun Record Destruction good, Counter-terrorism strategies constitutional
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"Attorney General John D. Ashcroft told senators yesterday that he had scrapped plans to include a centralized database as part of a controversial program enlisting millions of Americans as anti-terrorist tipsters."

"But Ashcroft defended the Operation TIPS initiative as a valuable way for truck drivers, ship captains and others to identify potential terrorist activities."

"The attorney general, who has come under fire from Democrats and some Republicans in recent months, also staunchly defended the Justice Department's anti-terrorism tactics as effective and constitutional."

"Ashcroft also disagreed with findings by congressional investigators that plans to quickly destroy gun-purchase records would result in more illegal weapons on the streets."

Teach Your Children to be Brave
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"...This century of ours has been marked most conspicuously by cowardice of the people everywhere. It was by our cowardice that we were betrayed into the hands of corrupt men who promised to make life safe for us and devoid of hazard, and robbed the adventurousness by which the spirits of men are strengthened. It was by our poltroonery that we lost our liberties. It was by our fears that we almost died. A brave people never become slaves."

New TSA Head 'Hesitant' About Arming Pilots Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The new acting director of the Transportation Security Agency says he is 'hesitant' about proposals to train and voluntarily arm commercial airline pilots with deadly weapons to defend against terrorist attacks." "Adm. James Loy, acting Undersecretary for Transportation Security, made the statement to the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Thursday morning."

Key Senator Opposed to Arming Pilots - says pilots just shouldn't open cockpit doors Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The head of a key Senate committee reiterated his opposition Thursday to a bill that would allow the nation's airline pilots to carry guns." "Sen. Ernest Hollings, head of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, said that instead of guns, pilots should be prohibited from opening cockpit doors in flight."

NC: NCGV Legislative Alert: Cracking Down on Gun Crime in North Carolina
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"Legislation was recently introduced in the General Assembly to fight crime and protect the citizens of North Carolina. The Crime Gun Trafficking Bill, SB 1434, sponsored by Howard Lee (D - Orange), and HB 1744, sponsored by David Miner (R - Wake) and Jennifer Weiss (D - Wake) is a pro-law enforcement plan designed to solve a real problem - that of criminals and kids obtaining guns."

"The legislation addresses the following issues:

"� Creation of a statewide gun trafficking task force;
� Increasing penalties for obliterating serial numbers on firearms;
� Increasing penalties for felons in possession of firearms; and
� Modernizing mental health records for background checks."

DSPs: Dangerously Stupid Persons in the War on Terrorism
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"If you were a conscientious citizen and you saw the makings of a bomb on someone's work bench or a plan for a terror attack on a computer screen, what would you do? Most people would report their suspicions to someone who could do something about them."

"If that's what sensible people would do -- on their own -- then why does the Bush administration believe it needs an organized network of citizen-informers, controlled from Washington, D.C.?"

"Homeland" Security measure toned down
Submitted by: serinde
Website: http://www.progunwomen.com

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"A Senate committee, worried about creating a powerful new spy agency, decided Wednesday to tone down legislation that would have granted broad intelligence authority to the proposed Homeland Security Department."

"The legislation would still create an intelligence division whose analysis would cover all aspects of American life. President Bush's plan focused on crucial industries, public works and transportation systems."

MD: Baltimore Mayor seeking to intimidate judges on gun cases
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"While angrily criticizing Baltimore's court system, Mayor Martin O'Malley yesterday called for the formation of a volunteer watchdog group that would monitor gun cases and the judges who preside over them."

"The group would provide a visible reminder to judges and prosecutors that the public cares and wants long prison sentences for gun crimes, O'Malley said at a news conference in which he heavily criticized judges and prosecutors."

FL: Ruling opens way for young convicts (to get off lightly) Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Whether it was Nathaniel Brazill or other kids convicted of gun crimes, judges repeatedly have thrown up their hands and said they have no discretion but to sentence such youths under the state's tough 10-20-Life mandatory sentencing law." "On Wednesday, an appellate court untied judges' hands in such cases involving young -- but violent -- defendants."

Scotland: 1 in 12 households still capable of self-defense if the law would allow it Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"THE number of firearms in circulation is at an all-time low, but there are still 180,000 legally-owned guns in Scotland - one for every 12 households." "Official figures from the Scottish Executive showed that there were 60,000 firearms and 120,000 shotguns legally owned in Scotland."

Eleanor Roosevelt Packed a Rod Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The August issue of America's 1st Freedom recalls how the former first lady risked the wrath of the Ku Klux Klan in Tennessee by crusading for civil rights in 1958, at age 74." "The Secret Service warned that the KKK had a $25,000 bounty on Mrs. Roosevelt's head. " " 'I didn't ask for your protection,' she replied. 'I have a commitment. I'm going.' "

TX: A&M joins to pursue anti-terrorism center
Submitted by: serinde
Website: http://www.progunwomen.com

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"Several Texas universities agreed Wednesday to work together to become the nation�s homeland security research center, after opposition emerged to a House bill that favored Texas A&M University."

"The agreement established a consortium made up of Texas A&M University System, the University of Texas System, Texas Tech University System and the University of Houston System."

"Each will bring its unique strengths to the project, [Richard] Ewing said."

MD: Townsend says she'll focus on Ehrlich [gun] record
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"On the day a new poll showed her 15-point lead in Maryland's gubernatorial race had slipped to a virtual tie, Lt. Gov. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend vowed yesterday to start focusing attention on the record of her Republican opponent, Rep. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr."

"Townsend indicated that she would spotlight the Republican congressional votes in the mid-1990s to disband the U.S. Department of Education, as well as Ehrlich's record on gun control and support from the National Rifle Association."

" 'I think this is really a choice between a person who understands the importance of education and making sure every child can succeed and a person who voted against education funding,' Townsend said."

Japan: Knife attack suspect had "Mass murder fixation"
Submitted by: Blacksnake

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DID you hear CNN and MSNBC and every other news agency report on this mass murder for days or weeks on end? NO. Why? It didn't involve a firearm. ...

"Mamoru Takuma, who is standing trial for the murder of eight students in a knife attack at Ikeda Primary School in Ikeda, Osaka Prefecture, said Thursday he had thought often about committing mass murder since his arrest 17 years ago for allegedly molesting a woman."

"Takuma, who is also accused of injuring 15 other people in the attack in June last year, told the Osaka District Court he had wanted to kill as many people as possible before taking his life."

Whack'em & Stack'em: How We Do Things Down In Texas Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"Ah yes, the dreaded meth lab. A new rave that almost anyone can do, and a good reason to be executed by Texas' finest. Alas, in a time when Team Jihad roams the countryside at will, we must need military to police the streets since our 'peace officers' have a more important role in life. This is Texas. So slap on that holster, grab a cowboy hat, and let's party."

Ashcroft Touts Citizen Vigilance Plan
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"Attorney General John Ashcroft assured senators Thursday that a program that would ask millions of Americans to report suspicious activity won't create an Orwellian government database that could be used against innocent Americans."

" 'We don't want a new database, I've recommended that there be no database and I've been assured there won't be one' created by the program, Ashcroft told the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday."

* If you believe this...*

Sen. Hollings Snubs 9-11 Pilot's Widow Over Cockpit Gun Stance
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"Sen. Fritz Hollings, D-S.C., has reportedly snubbed a bid by the widow of the pilot whose jetliner was hijacked and crashed into Tower 2 of the World Trade Center because he disagrees with her support for arming pilots in the cockpit."

"Ellen Saracini, whose husband piloted United Airlines Flight 175 on Sept. 11, told Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly late Wednesday that she wrote to Hollings requesting to testify before the Science and Transportation Committee, which he chairs."

"I have a letter right here that was addressed to the senator," Saracini told O'Reilly. "Sen. Bob Smith [also] wrote a letter, asking that I be able to testify and it was denied."

SC: Paintball attacks no joke to unsuspecting targets
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"Paintball guns, generally used for sport, have become weapons at least five times in south Charlotte since late June, police said."

"Four of the attacks occurred since last week. The victims: two joggers, a pair of landscapers, a bicyclist and a woman driving a pickup truck."

"The attacks occurred on some of Charlotte's most affluent streets, including Rea Road and Ballantyne Parkway."

KABA NOTE: One recent report of a paintball gun assault involved an attack that concluded when the intended victim pulled out a real firearm and perforated Mr. Paintball Assailant with lead. Unfortunately, the armed citizen missed the paintball attacker's accomplice -- a good justification for more frequent visits to the shooting range.

Bush Threatens Veto of Homeland Security Bill Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
" 'The president is very concerned that the substance of the Senate's proposal so far on homeland security is a step backward, not forward, in protecting the country,' White House spokesman Ari Fleischer told reporters traveling with the president. 'The president remains hopeful and optimistic that these provisions can be fixed without a veto. But he does feel strongly about it.' "

Lawmaker Seeks to Remove Hoover's Name From FBI Building Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The chairman of the House Government Reform Committee wants to take former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover's name off the FBI Building in Washington, D.C., saying Hoover doesn't deserve the honor since he frequently took the law into his own hands."

DEA Calls Bottled Water 'Drug Paraphernalia'
Submitted by: Roger MacDonald

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"Will the drug war serve as a model for the war on terrorism? Some within the federal bureaucracy seem to think it should."

"The drug war has been a massive failure: a waste of money, of lives and of time. It's also been accompanied by extensive inroads on traditional American freedoms: property forfeitures, 'no-knock' searches, expanded wiretap authority, and the destruction of financial privacy, to name just a few."�

NC: Man uses pistol to stop rabid fox attack Submitted by: Roger MacDonald	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
CONOVER � "It took three shots with a .40-caliber pistol to get a rabid fox off Brian Bloom's leg on Saturday." "The seventh confirmed case of rabies in Catawba County for the year 2002, this case is the first that does not involve a raccoon, according to Catawba County Animal Control. Bloom said he left his house at 6 p.m. Saturday to investigate animal sounds in his front yard."

LA: Killings of four women spark gun, alarm sales (another version)
Submitted by: Rick Schwartz

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"The unsolved slayings of four women have sparked surges in gun and alarm sales in Baton Rouge, dealers say."

"William Saint, a dealer with Precision Firearms and Indoor Range, said gun sales have doubled or tripled from about three or four a day to six or eight a day. Saint said the spike in sales is similar to that after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks."

"These women are so scared," he said. "They're at our counter, and tears come to their eyes. It shouldn't be like that."

MA: Handgun sales fall by 8 percent - new gun laws cited as reason
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Costs incurred by new ballistics fingerprinting law contributed to decline, officials say"

"Handgun sales in Maryland fell nearly 8 percent during the first six months of this year compared with the same period last year, according to state police figures."

"State officials attributed the drop in part to a state law that took effect in October 2000, requiring a ballistic fingerprint for every gun manufactured for sale in the state."

F-16's scramble to intercept airplane - false alarm
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Two F-16 jet fighters escorted a novice pilot on his first solo flight Thursday morning after he accidentally set his transponder to a frequency indicating a hijacking, authorities said."

"Air traffic controllers at Sky Harbor International Airport couldn't contact the student for several minutes after takeoff and called the Arizona Air National Guard's 162nd Fighter Wing at Tucson International Airport, officials said."

" '(The jet fighters) were activated by the North American Air Defense Command, or NORAD, in response to an FAA request to identify a civilian aircraft that was flying in the East Valley near Chandler,' said Lt. Col. Carlos F. Roque, public affairs spokesman for the Air National Guard in Tucson."

State Department to keep a close eye on Israel's use of American-made weapons
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday that Israel's use of American-made weapons in attacks that kill civilians is under Bush administration review."

[Apparently, only the U.S. can use U.S. weapons to kill civilians.]

"However, he gave no indication that Israel's use of a U.S.-made F-16 jet fighter to execute a Hamas leader violated U.S. law, which specifies the weapons maybe be used only in self-defense."

MI: County sheriff's office faces mass exodus
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Because of a rare opportunity to make it easier for some Monroe County sheriff's deputies to retire, an exodus is under way leaving administrators worried about filling the vacancies and, more importantly, providing enough protection for the public."

"As many as 11 deputies - more than 13 percent of the force - are expected to take advantage of a new contract that will allow them a one-time only chance to retire early."

"That poses a problem because once new candidates are found, it can take 30 weeks to get them road ready."

OH: Trooper fired for filing false report, shooting gun
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"An Ohio Highway Patrol trooper was fired Wednesday for allegedly firing a gun in front of a Swanton Twp. home while off-duty and filing a false report about a stolen gun."

"Trooper Rosemary Sullivan, a 10-year veteran assigned to the Swanton post, was fired for untruthfulness and conduct unbecoming an officer, said a patrol spokesman, Lt. Gary Lewis."

"The patrol conducted a predisciplinary hearing Tuesday. Sullivan�s firing was recommended during the hearing."

"A Lucas County grand jury indicted Sullivan on July 13 on one count of aggravated menacing and two counts each of evidence tampering and falsification."

St. Thomas: Shoot an innocent person, hang by the neck until you're dead Submitted by: Newslinks Admin	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"ONE OF the two men who were accused of murdering two employees during an attempted robbery at the Unipet gas station, Seaforth, St. Thomas, in September 1999 has been sentenced to hang." "He is Paul Murray, 21-year-old labourer, of Seaforth." Evidence and witnesses said he did it, and now he faces The Rope.

Valor and Courage - Vietnam veteran proud of his war experience Submitted by: Newslinks Admin	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"David Lilland makes no excuses about the Vietnam War or the 160 combat missions he flew as a machine gunner on board an Army helicopter." "I think a bullet going through my body hurt just as much as it did going through a World War I or World War II veteran," this career military man and law enforcement officer said. "It is still a war."

PA: Police burning old evidence, including toy guns
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"There were no S'mores or hot dogs, but Allegheny County police and Allegheny County Fire Academy sure know how to start a campfire."

"Yesterday, authorities burned four years worth of evidence - including $1 million in seized drugs - from closed cases at the fire academy."

"Also seen were toy guns (Morton said real guns are melted down at a foundry), luggage, lamps and other items similar to those one would see at a weekend yard sale."

"Guns should be kept away from children"
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"DEAR DR. GOTT:"

"I read the column in which you stated that, when children are present in the home, firearms should be kept locked or field-stripped. I took your advice and disassembled my trusty Colt .45."

"I have also framed your column and will show it to any burglar who breaks in. I'll request that he not harm me or my family until I have re-assembled the weapon so I can blow his butt away, as we are legally able to do in N.J."

"I wonder how many rapes can be ascribed to your advice. I suggest that you don't dabble in social issues."

OR: Man uses firearm to stop car thieves
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"The incident began at 2:16 p.m. near Northeast 13th Avenue and Halsey Street when the victim, a 40-year-old Boring resident returning to his parked pickup, saw two suspects attempting to steal his vehicle."

"When the victim physically intervened, one of the suspects removed a loaded assault rifle from behind the seat of the victim's pickup. The victim and suspects struggled near the vehicle. While the victim regained control of the rifle, one of the suspects pulled out a handgun and began to run."

"As the suspects fled, the victim pulled out a second gun from his pickup and fired 4 shots at the suspects who had gotten into their pickup. One of the suspects fired a shot at the victim."

Grandpa's Justice
Submitted by: Roger MacDonald

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"Having the best vegetable garden in the village might put food on the table and make some money at the market, but it also can cause some problems. Or so it was with my grandfather, the mayor of a small village in Hungary."

"My father told me Grandfather grew some of the best potatoes, cabbage, and carrots in the area. But one summer he ran into problems. Someone was stealing his produce. Not just stealing it, but also digging some of the plants up and leaving them to spoil."

Submitter's Comments:

This is a delightful short story I ran across. There is no violence, no guns, just an old man with a lifetime of profound wisdom and a caring soul.

In retrospect, it shows how a justice system tempered with simplicity and common sense can produce far better results.

I felt we needed a break from the "doom and gloom" that our elected officials feel we need to be mesmerized with.

My thanks to KABA for allowing me to do this.

Forever in Arms,
Roger MacDonald

Where do we draw the line?
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"Here's a talking point for your next debate about privacy: What if no absolute right to privacy exists because we don't really want one?
Scholar Alan Westin once observed that 'the individual's desire for privacy is never absolute, since participation in society is an equally powerful desire.' "

"That statement from his 1967 book, 'Privacy and Freedom,' was written long before reality TV shows proved his point."

Removing the "Terror" from "Terrorism" Submitted by: Doug Charette	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"You know it really amazes me how easily so many people are scared into submission. Even more than that, I am dumbfounded at how easily the masses are led astray with phantom fears of 'nonspecific, uncorroborated but credible' threats of further terrorist attacks on our soil."

AZ: Background checks under the gun
Submitted by: G. Hughes

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NOTE: This story has been moved from its original location, and they do not have a search engine to find it. This is what was submitted with the story, so here it is...

"A federal firearms background check system set to replace a state-run program next month will leave the same loopholes that led to the shooting deaths of three girls in Colorado three years ago, authorities and gun control advocates said."

Packing Heat In The Friendly Skies
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"While I fully realize that the United States Senate has passed numerous pieces of legislation outlawing logic and common sense, you would think that the lessons of September 11th would have shaken at least a few of them from their intellectual lethargy. Apparently such is not the case."

"When the matter at hand concerns the arming of airline pilots, both the majority of Senators and President George Bush wring hands, gnash teeth and utter the ludicrous mantra of 'but somebody could get hurt'."

UK: "More criminals own more guns in the UK than ever before."
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Gun culture is sweeping Britain."

"According to the latest available figures, there were some 17,500 incidents involving guns in England and Wales last year."

"More criminals own more guns in the UK than ever before."

"Vanessa Collingridge reports on the gunmen without a conscience."

"She travels to Britain's gun crime blackspots to track down gang members, criminals and former armed robbers."

"Rival gang conflicts usually happen in the streets which means there is always the chance an ordinary law-abiding citizen will get caught in the crossfire."

"By the middle of the 90s, Moss Side had had so many shootings that Manchester became known as Gunchester, a label that has stuck."

"This year alone, the Moss Side and Longsight districts have seen 19 shootings."

NC: Pistol Safety Class Scheduled
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"The Rudolph Howell and Son Environmental Learning Center, or Howell Woods, of Johnston Community College is scheduled to conduct a National Rifle Association First Steps Pistol Safety class Monday, Aug. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m."

"The class is designed to offer new firearms owners a hands-on introduction to the safe handling and proper operation of pistols."

"Topics to be covered are ammunition, cleaning, basic shooting positions and safe storage."

41 years in prison for shooting cop in the leg
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"A local man convicted of shooting a Detroit police lieutenant was sentenced to at least 41 years in prison Wednesday. ... He will not be eligible for parole until he is 64 years old."

"Circuit Court Judge Patricia Fresard called Kevin Sykes, (pictured, left) a danger to society. He will not be eligible for parole until he is 64 years old."

"Yost, 31, said that she responded to a call of a man with a gun outside of Page's Bar in the 13900 block of Dequindre Road. She encountered Sykes with an assault rifle and ordered him to put down the weapon, but he fired at her instead, she told Local 4. She was wounded in the leg."

"Sykes' attorney blamed past run-ins with the law for his aggressiveness toward police, citing an incident in which his client was shot 17 times by officers..."

JUXTAPOSITION: Police officers who "raided" the wrong house and shot an innocent child to death last year received no prison time.

Cop of the Day: Officer makes arrest using his pocketknife
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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An off duty police officer and active duty member of the Georgia Air National Guard probably should have had his firearm with him earlier this week -- but his pocket knife sufficed.

Sgt. Freddie Smith witnessed a hit-and-run accident. He made sure the female victim was okay, followed the driver and confronted him.

"Police said the passenger rifled through a tool box, as though looking for a weapon. Smith pulled out a pocket knife and told the man to close the box."

The passender ran and got away, but Mr. Hit-And-Run is in jail.

Hats off to Sgt. Smith.

SPIN ZONE: "U.S. attorney still pondering gun charges"
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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ORIGINAL TITLE, in case the story is moved: "U.S. attorney still pondering gun charges"

SODUS, MICHIGAN -- "Five months after agents seized 40 guns from his home, Lawrence Bauer still faces no federal weapons charges."

"On Feb. 26, about 30 local police and federal agents seized the guns and 8,000 rounds of ammunition from the home at 6473 Lett Road."

"A federal judge issued the search warrant and agreed to the U.S. attorney's request to seal the supporting affidavit." [A cop will call this "investigational necessity" or some such thing; the general public should call it what it is: withholding data from the public eye.]

"Authorities have not said why they think Bauer had the guns and ammunition." ["Just because" is a good enough reason in America.]

"During the raid, Bauer was arrested in nearby Pipestone Township as he drove home in a tow truck. Police said they found a loaded handgun in the truck."

"Bauer, 37, pleaded guilty July 15 in Berrien Trial Court to the state charge of carrying a concealed weapon. He is slated to be sentenced Aug. 19, the Berrien County Prosecutor's Office reported." [From this report, it sounds like the only thing he should be pleading "guilty" to is exercising his right to keep and bear arms.]

"The arrests and gun seizures followed an 11-month investigation." [11 month investigation, 5 months to review "evidence", and still no charges -- but the man's property hasn't been returned? Sounds like BATF must be involved.]

"Officers said the probe was launched after neighbors reported [Think TIPS.] automatic gunfire at or near the Bauers' home."

"Meyer in March said the weapons would be test fired to determine if any were automatic." [We could determine that for you in one day at the range, with all the weapons fully tested -- yet no charges, or even mention of whether or not they are full auto.]

"Meyer on Tuesday would not comment on the results."

AS IF THAT'S NOT ENOUGH SPIN........

"Also on Feb. 26, police arrested Bauer's wife, Tricia Carrie Lavanway-Bauer, 27, for allegedly possessing marijuana in a school zone."

The gunowner's wife having a banned plant has... what? ... to do with this "investigation"?

And even though the gun confiscating "authorities" won't say whether or not any of these firearms confiscated from this man are machineguns -- while hiding the warrant used to steal the man's firearms -- this reporter proceeds to say:

"Ownership of automatic weapons is highly restricted under federal law."

LESSONS LEARNED:

1) Your neighbors can ALLEGE that they hear full auto gunfire on your property and spark an 11-month "investigation" of YOU.

2) Armed government employees can forcibly enter your domicile and steal every firearm you have, based on this alleged complaint.

3) The "search warrant affidavit" used to make the armed robbery "legal" can be withheld from anyone who chooses to look into what was done to you.

4) Your property can be withheld from you, without any charges at all, for months on end.

5) The local newspaper will "report" on matters involving your family in an attempt to make you look like the bad guy, even if you're innocent as can be.

6) While the "investigation" against you continues -- without charges or review of "facts" in the warrant -- the "authorities" can "protect and serve" your neighbor with the same treatment.

Monitor's Gun Turret Set to Surface
Submitted by: Doug Charette

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"Dec. 31, 1862: The Union Navy's first ironclad warship, the USS Monitor, is under tow from Hampton Roads, Va., to do battle at the port of Wilmington, N.C. The calm seas that greeted the Monitor's crew at daybreak have become a roiling nightmare 16 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras. Frigid water crashes over the low-lying deck and floods into the Monitor's hull faster than the steam-driven pumps can expel it."