Keep and Bear Arms - Gun Owners Home Page

OH: Why we printed the list
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"We were able to do so because the state legislature, bowing to Gov. Bob Taft's threat to veto a bill with no public access provision at all, gave the news media access to the list. The general public is not allowed to see it."

KABA Note: Well you sure remedied that, didn't you Dougie Boy? Now any anti-freedom freak has access to the personal information of people who choose to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Feel proud that you did your part?

"From the start, The Plain Dealer opposed that media-only provision, and so did most news organizations. We don't believe the media should have access to records that the general public is denied."

"And, like the governor and millions of others across the country, we believe licensure information of all kinds should be open to public view."

KABA note: Well hope you enjoyed the general public having access to your information.

"The posting, I gather, had two purposes. The first was to say 'turnabout is fair play': Public records are public records, and you're not exempt."

"The second was to intimidate. Why else run a map?"

KABA Note: While we would never presume to speak for OFCC, we would suggest that you get off the cross, Mr. Clifton. The wood is needed elsewhere. The information is freely available to the public through an Internet search. Since you feel it necessary to expose those who choose to exercise their rights to any anti-freedom nut or criminal by publishing their addresses, why should you castigate anyone else for publishing directions as well?

"You can do that in many of the other states that have concealed-carry laws. In one - Delaware - the entire process of getting a permit is a public record. And there, the law requires that the names of permit holders be published."

KABA Note: Anyone can do the footwork, if they so desire to look up information on license holders. It's curious why anyone would, however. You, on the other hand, took it upon yourself to make it easy for any criminal to single out gun owners.

"As it's now written, the only people truly 'privileged' are the holders of concealed-carry permits, because they can shield their identities from the public."

KABA Note: Privileged? They had to battle the legislature just to be able to exercise their constitutionally protected rights. They continue to battle the gun grabbers, who condemn them as "gun nuts," "extremists" and other choice epithets just because they make the choice to be armed. They have to jump through bureaucratic hoops just to be able to carry the most effective tool of self defense on the market today. And now, they have to contend with your paper making their personal information easily available to any criminal who chooses to pay a few coins for the fishwrap you call a paper. And for that you call them privileged?

With all due respect, sir. You deserve the abuse you get and more.

Just as a reprise:

Douglas Clifton
19 Shoreby Dr.
Cleveland, OH 44108-1161
Tel.: (216) 761-6577

Where They Really Stand
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"If we are to be objective about the dangers facing freedom, it must be admitted these threats can come from either the extreme left or right of the political spectrum. At this time in our history, there are warning calls for citizens to be very observant of what powers are given our government under the threat of this global war against terrorism. Already we have seen personal liberties restricted for the sake of national security." ...

"When charges of socialistic infiltration are leveled, the response is always made that these are only fear tactics being waged by right wing extremists. It matters not the issue�be it an attempt to disarm the citizenry with new restrictive gun laws�or medical care for the poor. If anyone poses a question about the impact of such legislation, the label of 'right wing' always floats to the surface. ..."

Gun Control Advocates Frustrated with Kerry's Silence on Assault Weapons Ban (JTO)
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Gun control advocates are angry that Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry has been reluctant to mention the expiring federal assault weapons ban on the campaign trail, the Hill reported July 29."

"Kerry's campaign is divided over whether the presidential candidate should get involved with the controversial issue. Currently, the campaign is running television commercials showing Kerry hunting and distributing literature promoting Kerry's support of the Second Amendment."

Dems Agree with Clinton on Guns
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" 'Our crime policy was to put more police on the streets,' Bill Clinton told a cheering Democratic National Convention Monday evening, 'and to take assault weapons off the streets.' ..."

"With those remarks, Clinton staked out a strong pro-gun control stance for his party and nominee Kerry this year--one that is sure to fuel pro-Bush activities by the National Rifle Association, the Gun Owners of America, and other pro-2nd Amendment groups. Are Democrats from across the country worried that this position on guns, then, may drive gun-owning voters away from Kerry and their party this fall? Hardly, it seems, or at least that was the reaction I got from numerous party leaders on the Fleet Center convention floor the night after Clinton's address. Almost to a person, they believe that Kerry's background as a hunter and veteran will be enough to thwart criticism of his support for the ban on assault weapons--easily the top issue of gun-owner advocacy groups this year. ..."

DC: Candy Bar Gets Scientist Arrested in Metro Station (WTOP Audio)
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"Did Metro Transit officers overreact when they locked up a woman for a candy bar violation?"

"Metro Police Chief Polly Hanson doesn't think so." ...

"Stephanie Willett made fun of the officer during the incident, asking the officer 'Why don't you go and take care of some real crime?' "

"Willett was searched, handcuffed and arrested. She spent several hours in lockup before paying a $10 fine."

"She was outraged by the whole matter. She plans to meet with an attorney on Friday."

FL: Gun Mix-Up
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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A bizarre chain of events takes a stolen gun from sheriff's office evidence room to a Gainesville gun owner. An A.T.F. inspector learned that the Alachua County Sheriff's office must have ran the wrong serial number on a confiscated glock 45 millimeter pistol. So instead of charging the person in possession of the gun with theft, it was combined with others and traded for new deputy weapons. According to Sheriff's Office Spokesman, Sgt. Stephen Maynard, "Hunting rifles, target pistols that have significant value are sold to a reputable gun dealer." The local gun shop which made the trade sold the pistol to a Gainesville gun owner, who has since turned over the weapon. But it's too late to find the 1997 owner or file theft charges.

KY: Soldier Who Seized Car in Iraq Is Convicted of Armed Robbery
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"A decorated Army sergeant who commandeered a sport utility vehicle from a civilian in northern Iraq last year was found guilty of armed robbery by a military jury on Thursday."

"Though the defendant, Sgt. First Class James H. Williams, had faced up to 15 years in prison, the jury sentenced him to no prison time, while reducing his rank to private and giving him a bad-conduct discharge."

"Sergeant Williams said he had seized the Toyota Land Cruiser on the orders of a superior officer who needed the car to replace his broken-down Humvee. Sergeant Williams asserted that the confiscation was legal under the Army's rules of engagement because it was needed for military purposes."

MD: City police directive looks like arrest quota
Submitted by: P. Jones

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"A directive issued to some Baltimore police officers appears to order them to meet quotas by making at least two arrests per week - something critics call an example of how city police are pushing too hard to improve their crime statistics."

"The two-arrests-per-week standard was laid out in a memorandum last month to Southwestern District officers who work the midnight-to-8 a.m. shift. It also establishes weekly minimum enforcement numbers for several other types of police action, including car stops, stop and frisks, curfew violations and parking tickets."

" 'You have made your supervisors look very good to the command staff both in the [Southwest District] and downtown,' states the memo obtained by The Sun. 'However, we still have a few of you who do not wish to perform like the rest of us, thus, this memo.' "

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Got it officers? Your job is not to protect and serve. Your job is to make the idiot bureaucrats look good.

MI: Former Police Officer's Son Allegedly Steals Gun, Car
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Authorities are searching for an escapee who reportedly stole his father's gun and car."

"Christopher Dwyer, 28, was supposed to be on a tether and staying with his father -- a former Detroit police officer -- at a home in Clinton Township. Police say Dwyer (pictured, left) allegedly stole his father's gun and car and failed to return home Thursday night."

" 'I don't think he's going to harm anybody. I think he's going to trade it for marijuana or dope or whatever,' said Dwyer's father."

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Quite the cavalier attitude! This is a guy who is now more "qualified" to exercise his Second Amendment rights than the common citizen.

NJ: Springfield cop charged with misconduct
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"The Springfield police officer who investigators say staged his own on-duty shooting two weeks ago has been charged with misconduct and now faces the loss of his job and up to seven years in prison."

"Christopher LaFragola, an 18-year veteran of the Springfield force, was shot twice in the abdomen in the early morning hours of July 14. ..."

"LaFragola radioed into headquarters that he'd been ambushed while checking out a suspicious- looking vehicle parked in an industrial section of Springfield south of Route 22." ...

"But what the officer didn't count on was the surveillance camera at a nearby office building. When investigators reviewed the videotape, there was no evidence of any suspect car..."

NY: More gun control "effectiveness" Submitted by: Newslinks Admin	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"A gunman opened fire in a Queens nightclub early Friday, killing a patron and a waitress, police said. A second waitress was wounded." "Police said they believe the patron _ identified as 32-year-old Chan Quin Zou _ was the intended victim of the shooting, which occurred at about 2:15 a.m. at the Red Rose club in the Flushing section."

MS: Store Owner Charged After Shooting Suspected Robber Submitted by: Newslinks Admin	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
FULL TEXT BELOW: An alleged crime prompted one Mississippi store owner to take matters into his own hands, and his fate is now in the hands of a judge. Chun Wong is facing aggravated assault charges after shooting an alleged robber who was driving away from Wong's Grand Market in Greenville. Wong shot suspect Julius Crawford in the neck.

UK: Man killed in gymnasium shooting
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"A man was shot dead in a hail of bullets as children practised kickboxing in a Birmingham gym.
Police were called to Chic Physique Health and Fitness Gymnasium on Forman's Road in Sparkhill at around 2000 BST on Thursday."

"It is thought that one or two gunmen burst into the building and fired about 10 shots before escaping in a car."

"The ambulance service said the 35-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after being found."

Canada: 40 Costco employees tied up in Halifax robbery
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"A Halifax Costco store was the scene of a brazen robbery -- one that targeted cigarettes."

"Gun-toting thieves met 40 employees early Friday morning as they arrived for work and tied them up for two hours." ...

"Constable Gary Smith says in the last 10 months, there have been at least 180 break-and-enters in retail outlets across the province, with cigarettes as the target."

"Cigarettes have become a hot commodity ever since the price doubled in the last two years."

TX: Homeowner stops attempted burglary
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"Dallas police are investigating the death of a Grand Prairie man who was shot and killed by a homeowner who said the man attempted to burglarize his Southwest Dallas residence."

"Police responded to a burglary in progress call around 6:15 a.m. Friday in the 7300 block of Bluestem Road."

"When police arrived, Brandon Washington, 32, was found dead from a single gunshot wound to the chest."

MS: Campaign in Mississippi to stop illegal gun sales
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Federal prosecutors in Mississippi will participate in a program to educate retailers on how to detect illegal purchases of firearms."

"U.S. Attorneys Dunn Lampton and Jim Greenlee said in a statement that that the program also is designed to raise public awareness of the seriousness of the crime of buying a firearm for someone who cannot legally do so themselves."

"They said those convicted of buying a gun illegally can face up to 10 years in prison."

WI: Another "gun-free" Pizza Hut robbed at gun point
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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If you remember, Pizza Hut bans firearms and even prohibits its drivers from defending themselves with a gun.

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FULL TEXT BELOW:

Police are looking for the person who robbed the Pizza Hut on South Gammon Road Thursday afternoon.

A man with a covered face entered the Pizza Hut around 1 p.m. with a handgun, robbed employees of an undisclosed amount of cash and fled on foot, police said.

No one was injured.

Police describe the robber as an African-American man in his 20s, wearing a blue, hooded sweatshirt.

OR: Gun ownership, abortion rights and nuclear waste are seen as key issues to winning votes in the swing states
Submitted by: J. R. Miller

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"Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry focused on jobs and national security in his acceptance speech Thursday, but his campaign plans to raise second-tier issues such as gun ownership to win key states in the West."

"The issues include: Gun ownership: The campaign will tout Kerry's record of support for the Second Amendment, officials said in a news briefing. The issue is important to blue-collar voters who might feel disaffected by calls for gun control legislation backed by urban Democrats from the East, they said."

"In 2000, Gore shied away from the gun issue, and he resisted being photographed holding a hunting rifle. Kerry, by contrast, is a sportsman, and his campaign has promoted images of the candidate hunting."

" 'We feel very, very confident that we have inoculated that issue,' said Sam Rodriguez, Kerry's campaign manager in Washington state. 'John Kerry is a hunter.' "

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The fact that Kerry took time out of his busy campaigning schedule to actually do his job for a change and ran back to the Senate to vote in favor of an unconstitutional gun ban should tell you everything you need to know about his "record" on the Second Amendment.

And for the last time, the Second Amendment ain't about hunting, Spanky!

OH: Don't disarm police anywhere
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro issued an opinion last week that defines the places where off-duty officers may not legally carry a concealed weapon.

"The ruling is welcome only in that it clears up confusion as to whether police officers are subject to the same restrictions civilians face when it comes to carrying concealed weapons."

"Petro says the same rules apply to all, which is fair, but is it wise?"

"Civilians licensed to carry concealed weapons may not bring them into bars, schools, courthouses or on private property where restrictions are posted. That is defensible." KABA Note: Defensible? Where in the Constitution does the right to keep and bear arms stop at school doors or court houses?

"But to similarly restrict police is to ignore what should be an obvious distinction: A private citizen may carry a weapon for his own protection, but a law officer carries his for the protection of all. ..." KABA Note: Really? So a law-abiding citizen who has gotten the training and jumped through the myriad of bureaucratic hoops Ohio has instituted won't be able to protect others if need be?

Bush Shoot Out (some fun for the gun nuts in all of us) Submitted by: Joseph P. DeBergalis, Jr.	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Have fun with this game!

UK: Student escapes jail over airport gun
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"A medical student who tried to take a replica semi-automatic pistol on to a plane travelling to Northern Ireland today escaped prison by a 'hair's breadth'."

"Security staff found the blank-firing Beretta and 11 blank rounds of ammunition in Sean O'Connor's luggage at Stansted Airport, Essex, in January as he tried to board a Ryanair flight to Derry."

"O'Connor, 25, a physiotherapy student at St George's Hospital Medical School in London, admitted possessing a dangerous article at an airport."

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A dangerous article? It was replica! A toy!

UK: Gunman jailed after police chase
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"A convicted armed robber who was caught with a loaded gun in a city centre has been jailed for nearly five years."

"Granville Grant, 46, from Nechells in Birmingham, led police on a high-speed car chase through residential streets in Leicester on 2 October 2003."

"Grant was captured after crashing his car into a dead-end, Leicester Crown Court heard."

"Grant admitted possessing a handgun and ammunition, as well as dangerous driving, at an earlier hearing."

OR: Michaels, a leading gun-accessory maker, profits on quality, speed-to-market, 'Made in the USA' brand
Submitted by: J. R. Miller

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"Manufacturing companies have been moving production overseas for decades, unable to resist the lure of cheaper labor. That fact is not lost on Dennis Pixton, chief executive of Michaels of Oregon Co., the nation's leading manufacturer of gun accessories from trigger guards and holsters to carrying cases and scope covers."

"But some customers place a higher priority on a 'Made in the USA' label than on price, and that fact isn't lost on Pixton, either. Despite listening for years to others talk about how much business sense it would make to move production offshore, Pixton has refused to move the bulk of Michaels manufacturing."

LA: Family Rottweiler attacks 2-year-old - shot by dad
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"A 2-year-old girl was mauled by her family's Rottweiler dog Friday morning."

"The girl's father, an East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office detective, shot the dog to death to end the attack, according to a firefighter who helped treat the girl."

"The dog attacked the girl just before 8 a.m., biting her several times in the legs, arms and chest."

"A firefighter who helped treat the girl said the detective, Terry Felton, began hitting, kicking and choking the dog to get it off of his daughter. He then pulled his gun and shot the dog."

"The girl was first taken to Baton Rouge's East Side Fire Station to be treated."

IL: Armed Robber Targets Korean-American Dry Cleaners
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Chicago police have issued a community alert following a series of armed robberies on the city's north side." ...

"Beginning July 10, seven armed robberies took place over 16 days from Andersonville to Lakeview to Lincoln Park. A couple of hundred dollars was taken in each incident."

"Six of the seven cleaners were Korean-American operated, like Lee's. So, the Korean-American Chamber of Commerce is working with businesses and police, hoping to catch the robber and his accomplices, who police say sometimes act as lookouts for the gunman."

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Of course, Chicago authorities would rather these people continue to be victimized rather than lift their fascist gun control measures.

UK: Gun-free and violent
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"More than 10 children a day were expelled from schools in England for assaulting staff or fellow pupils during last year's summer term, Government figures showed yesterday. Far more, 280 a day, were suspended for similar attacks."

"The Department for Education and Skills, which published the statistics, said the true figure was likely to be even higher because some councils had not reported all exclusions."

OH: Gun purchase screenings must be done on time
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"A new report shows 7,000 people should have been banned from purchasing guns, but were able to due to background check delays."

"We're disturbed that more than 7,000 people who should have been barred from buying guns were able to buy them in 2002 and 2003."

"Equally troubling is the fact the government rarely prosecutes such cases, a new Justice Department report says."

"Obviously there's something wrong with the system when this many people can buy firearms."