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AK: Former UAF riflery standout Sagen Maddalena claims silver medal at Paris Olympics
Submitted by: Corey Salo

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Olympians with ties to Alaska have shined bright at the 2024 Games in Paris this week.

Early Friday morning, the latest of the bunch to earn some hardware was former University of Alaska Fairbanks riflery standout Sagen Maddalena, who claimed a silver medal after finishing second in the women�s 50-meter rifle three positions shooting final.

The 30-year-old from Groveland, California, called Alaska home from 2013 to 2018, starring for the Nanooks � including being named UAF�s Most Outstanding Female Athlete in her final season.

With a mark of 10.1 on her final shot Friday, she earned a final score of 463.0, second only behind Chiara Leone of Switzerland.

MD: FPC Win: Federal Judge Declares Multiple Maryland Public Carry Bans Unconstitutional
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) announced today that United States District Court Judge George L. Russell, III has issued a decision declaring Maryland�s bans on firearm carry in locations selling alcohol, private buildings or property without the owner�s consent, and within 1,000 feet of public demonstrations unconstitutional in its federal Second Amendment lawsuit Novotny v. Moore. The opinion can be found at firearmspolicy.org/novotny.

Everytown Press Release Highlights Kamala�s Gun-Ban Record
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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A press release from so-called Everytown for Gun Safety purports to explain what �Freedom from Gun Violence� would look like under a Kamala Harris presidency. What it really does, however, is list numerous reasons why no gun owner should even consider voting for the current vice president on Election Day.

�In the lead up to the Democratic National Convention, Everytown for Gun Safety, along with its grassroots arms Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, will work to ensure voters get the facts about Vice President Harris� strong record of keeping communities safe from gun violence�and what her presidency would mean for the future of gun safety,� the press release stated.

IL: There's no excuse for opposing more gun safety to keep guns out of criminals' hands
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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After witnessing recent shocking gun shootings in Chicago, we have to ask: How many more deaths and injuries will it take to change the minds of those who oppose efforts to reduce gun violence?

Across the nation, the number of willful, malicious and accidental shooting deaths was lower in 2023 than in the previous three years, according to the Gun Violence Archive. But the U.S. gun homicide rate is now 26 times that of other high-income countries, Everytown for Gun Safety reports.

When other nations can keep their residents so much safer, it�s clear that those who oppose gun safety in the United States share responsibility for much of the carnage.

TX: The El Paso massacre: Five years later, Latinos are still under attack
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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During the last legislative session, Texas leaders had the chance to find common ground on policies likelegislation to raise the age to purchase semi-automatic rifles�including the AR-15 and other assault weapons� to 21 years old, which could have prevented shootings like the one in at Robb Elementary in Uvalde. They could have voted to fund Community Violence Intervention Programs, which are proven to save lives and reduce daily gun violence. Instead, Texas lawmakers dangerously armed more teachers and put our kids at greater risk.

Governor Abbott�s response to gun violence in our state has been nothing short of a complete failure.

MN: DNR To Auction Off Confiscated Guns, Fishing Items, And More
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is conducting public auctions of confiscated fishing, hunting, and trapping equipment.

Two separate auctions will be held online on Aug. 26 and on Oct. 7. The equipment was confiscated following serious game and fish violations, the DNR said.

All equipment will be sold as-is, including all defects or faults, known or unknown, the agency notes. All sales are final, and background checks are required of anyone who successfully bids for a firearm.

WY: Minnesota's 'Draconian' Self-Defense Ruling Exposes Loophole In Wyoming Law
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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David Kopel, senior fellow at the University of Wyoming Firearms Research Center, called the ruling an anomaly in U.S. gun laws.

�I think it�s undisputed that this deviates from the laws of all 49 other states,� said Kopel.

Mark Jones, a national director with Gun Owners of America, called the new rule a "draconian" interpretation of self-defense and "probably the most anti-Second Amendment or personal defense interpretation in the whole country."

NY: Lake George fatal stabbing ruled self-defense
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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Hare was also taken to Glens Falls Hospital where he was treated and later taken into custody for first-degree assault. He remained in custody Friday afternoon awaiting arraignment.

Tucker was transported to Albany Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition Friday afternoon. Police said charges �will not be filed against Tucker as it was determined he was defending himself from an attack.�

Police said the three were acquainted with one another.

IL: Shooter acted in self-defense during fatal Schiller Park road rage: cops
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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A motorist acted in self-defense when he fired shots killing a 19-year-old Streamwood man after a road-rage situation in Schiller Park Tuesday night, police said.

No charges were planned, according to police, who said detectives determined that the surviving motorist acted in self-defense and owned a valid concealed-carry license and firearm owner�s identification card, Schiller Park police said.

The situation unfolded about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the southbound lanes of Interstate 294 as 19-year-old Malachi N. Johnson and another motorist became embroiled in a dispute that carried over to the 10000 block of Irving Park Road near Scott Street, police said.

CA: Homeowner Shoots And Kills Intruder After Being Struck In Face With Rock
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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A resident in Oceanside shot and killed a man suspected of attempting a home invasion, according to local police.

Oceanside Police reported that officers were dispatched to the 4100 block of Diamond Circle around 7:22 pm on Monday in response to an assault with a deadly weapon. The incident involved a male and a female resident inside the house when an unknown man, armed with a rock and a stick, entered the backyard and made his way through a bedroom sliding door. The female resident was in the bedroom when the intruder entered.

TX: 2 Armed Citizens Draw On Man Threatening Verizon Staff With Knife
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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A tense situation at a Verizon store in Marble Falls was defused on July 23 when armed citizens intervened to stop a threatening individual. According to Marble Falls Police Capt. James Cole, 80-year-old Charlie Porter Jones, Jr. of Kingsland, entered the store at 2600 U.S. 281 North and began threatening the staff around 1:53 p.m.

Jones did not attempt to make any purchases; instead, he demanded access to a restricted area of the store. �He never tried to buy anything. All he said was �I want in the back,�� Capt. Cole explained. Jones then revealed an empty holster before pulling out what appeared to be a pocket knife.

Courts Attacking Second Amendment Right to Legally Acquire Firearms
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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There�s an interesting � if not devious � trend emerging in some Second Amendment cases. The first step of the U.S. Supreme Court�s Bruen test is to ask whether the conduct at issue is covered by the text of the Second Amendment which protects a pre-existing �right to keep and bear arms.� Some lower courts in purporting to apply the Bruen test are upholding gun control laws by holding that you do not have a Second Amendment right to buy a firearm.

That�s intellectually dishonest, to say the least. The ability to freely approach the gun counter to legally purchase a firearm is paramount to exercising the Second Amendment rights to keep and bear arms.

TX: Jurors unable reach a verdict in murder trial of Pflugerville 2020 killing
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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Knatte and Mathurin had previously been involved in an affair. Mathurin showed up at Knatte's apartment while his wife was home after she sent a string of threatening text messages throughout the day, including one that said "prison or death here we come."

That was the last text sent before Mathurin died. Puryear added that Knatte had interpreted it to mean she would kill him or he'd have to kill her. Knatte knew she had a gun, as she had sent him a picture days earlier of her sleeping next to his firearm. It's unclear how or why she had his gun.

Charging documents filed at the time of Knatte's arrest said that he and Mathurin had been arguing via text messages throughout the day.

CO: Assault, murder convictions reversed in 2 cases for judges' errors
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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A three-judge panel for the Court of Appeals rejected the government's argument that a "reasonable interpretation" of the surveillance video could paint Priest as the one responsible for starting the assault.

"The altercation is barely visible," wrote Judge Anthony J. Navarro in the Aug. 1 opinion. "And no other evidence was presented at trial that could support giving the instructions."

Because Priest's only defense was self-defense and the exceptions listed in the instruction had a "strong potential" of steering jurors toward finding Priest was the aggressor, the panel ordered a new trial.

IL: Road Rage Dispute Escalates to Fatal Shootout; Second Shooter Cleared in Self-Defense
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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On July 30, 2024, a road rage incident in Schiller Park escalated into a fatal shooting, leaving one person dead and another injured. The incident occurred at approximately 5:30 PM near the intersection of Irving Park Road and Scott Street. Upon arrival, officers from the Schiller Park Police Department found a male and female with gunshot wounds. Both were treated on the scene by paramedics and transported to local hospitals.

The male, identified as 19-year-old Malachi N. Johnson from Streamwood, Illinois, was later pronounced dead at Lutheran General Hospital. The female was treated for her injuries at Loyola Medical Center and subsequently released.

MN: Supreme Court �retreat� ruling deeply troubling
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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The Minnesota Supreme Court has issued a troubling ruling that severely impacts the rights of law-abiding gun owners. In State v. Blevins, the court decided that individuals under an attack must attempt to retreat before even brandishing a weapon in self-defense. This unprecedented decision extends the duty to retreat to situations where a person merely displays a weapon to deter a threat, without using force.

This ruling creates a dangerous precedent that could leave Minnesotans defenseless in life-threatening situations. Under this new interpretation, drawing a firearm or displaying any weapon to scare off an attacker could be considered a crime if the court determines retreat was possible.

GA: Judge Says Ashlyn Griffin Is Immune from Prosecution
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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As such, the immunity hearing must be conducted again � to completion, the court said.

That hearing was again held on Friday, August 2 before Judge Gates Peed, again with Griffin represented by Warnock as well as Statesboro attorney Gabe Cliett. Peed said he would issue an order on the matter after reviewing the transcript and arguments, but by 2:30 p.m., he granted the defense�s motion and ruled Griffin is immune from prosecution. The order effectively ends the case against Griffin.

She�s been in GDC custody since her sentencing in February 2022 � a total of 27 months.

TX: Kyle Rittenhouse turns on Trump, takes it back, in the span of 12 hours
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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"A lot of people are upset that I'm going to be writing in Ron Paul for president of the United States," Rittenhouse said. "And that is true: I will be writing in Ron Paul. Unfortunately, Donald Trump had bad advisors making him bad on the Second Amendment. That is my issue. If you can't be completely uncompromisable on the Second Amendment, I will not vote for you and I will write someone else in.�

Rittenhouse ended the video prophetically: "That is my decision and I have no take-backs."

MN: Minnesota AG Pushes For Rehearing In 18-20 Carry Case
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: www.marktaff.com

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After a U.S. District judge ruled in March that Minnesota�s ban on issuing concealed carry permits to adults 18-, 19- and 20-years old was unconstitutional and a three-judge panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously upheld that ruling last month, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison still isn�t satisfied with allowing young adults their Second Amendment rights.

On July 30, Ellison petitioned for a rehearing by the full 8th Circuit Court in the case Worth v. Jacobson, in which plaintiffs argue that such a ban is a violation of the constitutional rights of adults 18 to 20 years old.