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Opposing Lawmakers Unite on Background Check Improvements - NRA Buddying Up with Schumer, McCarthy
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"What do you get when you put a current and former board member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) in the same room with two of the most vehemently anti-gun members of the House and Senate? On Thursday, the answer to that question was: agreement." [emphasis added]

"Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), a current NRA board member, joined former NRA board member Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) and anti-gun colleagues Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the author of the Brady gun control law, and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.), who was elected to Congress on a gun control agenda after the murder of her husband and wounding of her son, to reintroduce a nearly identical version of the Our Lady of Peace Act (H.R. 4757)." ...
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Read the article. Look at the picture, then click the picture to get the larger picture and save it -- lest you forget.

Brady Campaign Praises NRA's New Bill -- the one where they are partnered with Sen. Schumer and Rep. McCarthy
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"The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence United with the Million Mom March commended a bipartisan effort to pass legislation to strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The effort was announced today by House members and Senators from both political parties. [NRA Director Sen. Larry Craig was on stage smiling, next to Sen. Charles Schumer and Rep. Carolyn McCarthy.] ...

"Michael Barnes, President of Brady Campaign [said] 'This bill will help ensure the proper records are entered at the state level, and thus has the potential to save lives. We commend the leaders from both chambers and both parties who say they�ll fight to pass this legislation.' "

"The legislation was to be introduced by Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and [NRA Director] Larry Craig (R-ID), and Representatives [Former NRA Director]John Dingell (D-MI) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY)." ...
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KABA NOTE:

Many people in the gun rights community wonder what has possessed the NRA management that makes them proudly help dedicated gun prohibitionists "strengthen background checks" on firearm purchases. Would NRA support background checks for the purchase of Bibles? Or for the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure without probable cause? Should we also agree to and then strengthen background checks to be able to speak freely or publish editorials -- or background checks before we are allowed to peaceably assemble? After all, a First Amendment background check is no more invasive than a Second Amendment background check.

Bipartisan Agreement Is Reached On Gun Bill
Submitted by: Anonymous

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"In an unlikely alliance of politicians often at odds on gun issues, leading Republicans
and Democrats in Congress announced a deal today on legislation that would provide
more than $1.1 billion to help prevent felons, illegal immigrants and others from buying guns."

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KABA NOTE:

If you have wondered why Tommy Daschle is all of a sudden loudly touting the NRA's pet legislation that would protect gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits, you might want to consider this so-called "bipartisan agreement" as a clue into his motivations and then ask your NRA some serious questions.

The PATRIOT Act's Assault on the Bill of Rights
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"The PATRIOT Act�s baleful abrogation of our right to due process under the law cannot be overstated. As defined in legal jargon, our constitutional right to due process endows every person with appropriate safeguards to protect against arbitrary or unreasonable treatment under the law. It is noteworthy to all, including the Department of Justice, that the framers used the term �person� instead of �citizen� in reference to due process. ... In essence, these provisions institute ideological censorship, authorize deportation for lawful group activities, and allow the Attorney General to detain foreigners with a piece of paper."

What fear is doing to our freedoms
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"Secrecy in a democratic government is the antithesis to all that a representative democracy stands for. It keeps the people in the dark and destroys any opportunity they may have to speak out for or against any governmental action."

"When access to governmental activity is denied or restricted in any way, and access to the opportunity to observe that activity is stopped, democracy dies. It's just that simple. For, if this is truly a country of, by and for the people, then the people must be informed, if they are expected to act. The people have the right to know."

"But what is it that we, the people, have the right to know?"

IL: Aldermen Challenge Federal Patriot Act
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"City aldermen are taking on the USA Patriot Act in a move that could make Chicago the largest of 200 cities nationwide to oppose the federal act."

"According to a report published in the Chicago Tribune, the City Council's Human Relations Committee endorsed a resolution Thursday that condemns provisions of the act and urges Congress to repeal it."

"Council members supporting the resolution claim the Patriot Act tramples on the civil rights of many of their constituents."

CA: San Ramon voices opposition to Patriot Act
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FULL TEXT BELOW:

San Ramon has joined more than 170 other cities around the country in opposing the U.S. Patriot Act.

After listening to more than an hour of testimony this week, the City Council voted to oppose some parts of the act.

The Patriot Act -- passed after the 9-11 terror attacks -- expands the government's ability to collect information.

Some San Ramon residents are fighting to have the act repealed.

They say strong emotions and security fears may have led to the hasty approval of a constitutionally flawed law.

Experts: Don't panic over Patriot Act, Sarbanes-Oxley
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Increased litigation among corporations and new regulatory requirements are taxing IT departments, which are being asked for information without having been involved in the business process that produced it, lawyers and analysts say."

"Still, many banks and securities firms are taking a go-slow approach when it comes to buying technology to address requirements of the USA Patriot Act, which requires financial companies to know the identities of their new customers as of this coming Wednesday. By contrast, firms seem to be more focused on the Sarbanes-Oxley Act's corporate accounting requirements, which are still a year away and, for the most part, don't even apply to them."

MD: Seat Pleasant police chief charged in juvenile sex case
Submitted by: Jim Sr

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"FBI agents arrested the police chief of Seat Pleasant in Prince George's County yesterday on federal charges of crossing interstate lines to pick up a juvenile boy for illegal sexual activities that allegedly included taking explicit nude photos with a digital camera."

"Ronald Cyril Forrest, 39, was arrested after a woman 'who knows Forrest well' handed over to Special Agent Matthew J. Vilcek a photo album from the police chief's home in Clinton that the woman said contained pictures of young boys Forrest had mentored through a junior police program, according to a criminal complaint filed by the FBI in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt."

"Among the photos she handed over Sept. 17 were pornographic images of a teen-age boy from Washington, the FBI said."

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Consider that in a state as unfriendly to armed self defense as Maryland this man is tasked with protecting and preserving your safety and security

VA: Charges Certified in Law School Shooting
Submitted by: Pirate

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"Odighizuwa, 45, is accused of killing Appalachian School of Law Dean Anthony Sutin, professor Thomas Blackwell and student Angela Dales and injuring three other students in a shooting spree in this tiny mountain community in Virginia's Southwestern coal fields."

"Friday, Buchanan County General District Judge Fred Combs certified charges of capital murder, attempted capital murder and illegal firearm use to the grand jury, which meets Oct. 13."

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This AP article fails to mention that Odighizuwa was stopped by two fellow law students, who happened to be off-duty LEO's. However, the damage could have been even less had they not been prevented from carrying concealed on campus by the PC BS school policy. The two officers had to run to the parking lot to retrieve their firearms before confronting the shooter.

The AP, like the vast majority of the news sources in this country, de-emphasizes the fact that the use of firearms saves lives.

FL: Flag flier gets reprieve on foreclosure sale of Jupiter home
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Jupiter flag flier George Andres won a reprieve Thursday when a judge put the Oct. 9th foreclosure sale of his house on hold so that Andres can ask an appeals court whether he should lose his home."

"In one of the least acrimonious hearings in the four-year legal battle, Chief Circuit Judge Edward Fine put his own Sept. 10th order allowing for the foreclosure on hold, saying Andres' right to go to a higher court would be 'hollow' if the home were sold out from under him while that appeal was pending."

"The reprieve was expected, and Andres said he was relieved."

CA: Gun 'Safety' Law Unsafe, Interest Group Says
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"The Law Enforcement Alliance of America is blasting California Gov. Gray Davis for signing a gun control bill that effectively bans the sale of many new handguns commonly used by law enforcement officers and citizens for self-defense."

"The bill Davis signed this week requires all semiautomatic handguns sold in California to be equipped with magazine disconnects and chamber indicators by 2007."

"Gun control advocates call them 'safety' devices, but gun owners say just the opposite."

"In fact, the bill Davis signed exempts law enforcement from the requirements, but the mechanical devices would be required on guns that officers purchase for their own private use."

UK: Men jailed over 'gun factory'
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Two drug dealers who ran a "weapons factory" which produced lethal guns found on the UK's streets have been jailed for 11 years each."

"Birmingham Crown Court heard the weapons were found in the hands of criminals as far away as Manchester and Bristol."

"Shabir Hussain, 29, of Fladbury Crescent, Selly Oak, Birmingham, and Mohammed Shabir, 31, of Park Lane East, Tipton, used basements at their homes to convert blank firing pistols into fully-working guns."

FL: Fatal Carjacking Victims' Home Searched
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"There were new developments in the murder of a prominent South Florida businessman and philanthropist who was gunned down in his driveway a week ago as his wife exchanged gunfire with an alleged carjacker."

"On Friday, police investigators searched the Calvo home, serving a search warrant at the house, located on Crawford Avenue in Coconut Grove. Investigators would not say what they were looking for, or if they took anything from the home." ...

"Police on Friday did not reveal why they sought the warrant to search the Calvo home, but they said Denice Calvo is not considered a suspect in the case."

LA: Intruder hitting women's apartments near LSU
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"Just months after the arrest of a suspect in a series of alleged serial killings, a man is sneaking into the apartments of young women near Louisiana State University."

"So far, no one has been physically harmed, police said. But police said Steve E. Danos has snuggled with some women while they sleep, folded their clothes and cooked in their kitchens. Danos is wanted on one count of simple burglary of an inhabited dwelling, two counts unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling and two counts of misdemeanor theft, police said."

Australia: Gun control doesn't seem to be working very well Submitted by: Newslinks Admin	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"A 21-YEAR-OLD man is being treated at Liverpool Hospital after being shot at Green Valley, in Sydney's west, this morning." "The Liverpool man left a house in Thursday Place about 1.30am (AEST) when a number of shots were fired from a passing black-coloured sedan." "The man is receiving treatment for a gun shot wound to his right buttock. His condition is described as satisfactory."

GA: We can only trust the police and military with firearms
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"A Hunter Army Airfield Ranger is in the Chatham County Jail tonight following an early morning domestic dispute. Officers say 24-year-old Brian Arnall fought with another man over a woman and fired a gun into the ground."

"When police showed up, Arnall took off and officers used pepper spray to stop him. Police also found a shotgun in Arnall's truck. Police say two people at the apartment complex were treated for minor injuries."

MD: Muzzle Loading Rifle shoot Saturday
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"The Hardy County Heritage Weekend is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the Muzzle Loading Rifle Shoot, sponsored by the Hardy County Rod and Gun Club in conjunction with the weekend, is celebrating its 30th anniversary."

"The shoot will be held on Saturday at the club range, located on the South Fork Route, two miles from Moorefield."

"The shoot will begin at 10 a.m. and continue until 2:30 p.m. It is open to anyone with a safe and traditional muzzle loading rifle."

TX: Council opposes Patriot Act
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"The Austin City Council decided to take a stand against the Patriot Act."

"On Thursday night the council put its opposition to the act in writing."

"The Patriot Act was passed after Sept. 11 to give law enforcement broader investigative powers. It's aimed at curbing terrorism, but critics say the act infringes on Americans' basic liberties."

"The council measure stopped short of directing police not to cooperate with federal law enforcement."

"Dozens of cities and counties nationwide have passed similar measures."

LA: Study: Louisiana women killed most often by people they know
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"Of the 55 women killed in 2001 in Louisiana, 91 percent of the victims knew their attacker and more than half were murdered by guns, a new study of FBI crime statistics found."

"Louisiana ranked fourth in the nation in the rate of women murdered by men, with 2.42 killed per 100,000 residents, according to a report issued Friday by the Violence Policy Center, a Washington, D.C., nonprofit agency that advocates gun control."

Brady/MMM: Trying to Further Whine Away Our Rights
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Senator Tom Daschle (D-ND) has cosponsored S.659, the appalling bill that would give unprecedented legal immunity to the gun industry and bar gun violence victims from suing reckless gun dealers and manufacturers who supply the illegal gun market."

"Senator Daschle agreed to support the bill after working with the NRA on an amendment that will make a few minor changes to the bill." ...

"We must stop this legislation or the court doors will be slammed shut and gun violence victims will never have their day in court." ...

MD: Police Chief Facing Child Sex Charges Released
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"FBI agents arrested Chief Ronald C. Forrest, 39, on Thursday. He had an initial court appearance Friday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Md."

"Forrest was released to the custody of his brother and has been placed on home detention. A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Oct. 15."

"Under the conditions of his release, Forrest is not allowed to use the Internet and he cannot have any contact with his daughter, who is currently with her mother."

ME: Gunsmith decides it's time to step down
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Brunswick Gun Shop, which for the last 28 years has served the needs of gun enthusiasts from here and afar, will close its doors for good on Saturday."

"Gun racks and shelves that were once brimming with firearms and shooting supplies are nearly empty. Light spots on the dust-covered walls show where dozens of certificates and posters once hung, but they have all been stored away in boxes. All that's left are a few rifles and shotguns, several yellowing boxes of ammunition and a wide open checkered floor."

FL: Last suspect arrested in fatal Pompano jewelry store stickup
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"The last living suspect in a jewelry store robbery attempt that left an accomplice dead was arrested Thursday at his home in Fort Lauderdale, the Broward Sheriff's Office announced Friday."

"Damian Wilkey, 19, was one of four men who held up the Jewelry Francy's store on Southwest Sixth Street in Pompano Beach, according to the sheriff's office. An employee of the store foiled the robbery when he pulled out a gun and fired, killing Jamel Shelton, 20, of Pompano Beach. Police said Shelton was one of the robbers."

CO: Columbine legacy is safer local schools, officials say
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"But while traffic issues are the day-to-day headaches, the more serious problems are also on Sullivan's mind. The shootings at Columbine in April 1999 changed the way schools - and police - approach safety." ...

"The big lesson learned for law enforcement at Columbine was that you can't handle an active shooter situation the same way you handle a barricaded gunman..."

"With a barricaded gunman, you make the area safe, get people out of the way and start to negotiate. In an active shooter situation, time is not on your side. You have to act now, and you can't even wait for SWAT to arrive."

Should there be stricter gun control?
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Stricter gun control is like Nancy Reagan's 'just say no' campaign. Those who were never inclined to indulge are validated, those who already abuse continue to abuse. Do you really think stricter gun control is going to decrease homicides? The only people who won't be able to get guns will be law-abiding citizens who have no knowledge of underground networks. Those aren't the people committing crimes." ...

"I personally think that the drinking and driving analogy is a good one -- we punish the violators, not the good drivers. But we do place reasonable restrictions on the good drivers, out of caution." ...

Greece introduces U.N. resolution for Olympic truce
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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" 'The call to observe the Olympic truce is an appeal for the Games to silence the guns -- all over the world,' U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said. 'It gives parties in violent conflict a reason to pause, to provide relief to suffering populations, to reflect on the misery of war, and to open dialogue.' "

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Yeah. Sure. The criminals will be glad to put down their guns just for the sake of international cooperation at the Olympics!

KY: Former Police Chief has Pleaded Guilty to Stealing Pills
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"A former police chief has pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of prescription pills."

"Former Martin Police Chief Jeff Powell stole more than 2,800 prescription pills from the Martin Police Department."

"He also pleaded guilty to six counts of theft for taking guns that had been purchased by the city."

"The Floyd County Commonwealth's Attorney recommended a five year sentence that will be suspended after two and a half years with the remainder of the sentence to be probated for three years."

TSA chief: Boxcutter blades can get through airport security
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"It's still possible for someone to sneak a blade onto a commercial plane, the head of the Transportation Security Administration acknowledged Friday."

"But the problem isn't related to airport screeners. It's the technology that's lacking, said James Loy, who nonetheless has trimmed the agency's research budget."

"Government officials believe the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers used boxcutters to commandeer the four jets that crashed that day."

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So let's get this straight. The U.S. spent billions of dollars to ensure that guns, tweezers and Medals of Honor do not make it onto the airplane. And after two years and billions of dollars, box cutters can STILL slip through security!

Bill to Strengthen Background Checks a Sensible Step that Will Save Lives
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MO: Indicted Insurance Agent Says He's Not Guilty
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"A 42 year old insurance agent says he's not guilty of any crimes for getting a long term, low interest loan from an elderly client. Todd McGrath is free on $20,000 bond. Prosecutors say he scammed one of his clients out of almost $400,000."

"A grand jury indicted McGrath, Thursday, on one count of mail fraud and another of lying on a loan application." ...

"In court today, Judge Mary Ann Medler issued an order to McGrath, who is a hunter. She told him to have his friends or relatives remove his guns from his home and he's not allowed to go hunting."

MO: Police advises Mo. drivers to point out concealed weapons
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"A motorist transporting a concealed weapon in a car should advise police officers of that fact in the event the driver is pulled over on the highway."

"That's the advice from the Missouri State Highway Patrol as law enforcement officers and motorists prepare to deal with the concealed weapons law that goes into effect Oct. 11. While the law sets up a permit system for people to carry hidden guns on their person, it also allows anyone over 21 years of age who lawfully owns a weapon to carry it concealed in the driver's compartment of their vehicle without a permit."

WI: Police split on concealed-weapons law Submitted by: Newslinks Admin	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
" 'I don't think it's necessary,' said Hartland Police Chief Robert Rosch." ... "If the measure passes, Wisconsin will be the 46th state to allow people to carry concealed weapons. And that is why Delafield's police chief thinks Wisconsin should get on board." "City of Delafield Police Chief Scott Taubel said there have been no significant problems in the other states that have the law."

South Africa: Police must determine fitness to own firearm Submitted by: Newslinks Admin	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
"The Minister of Safety and Security has lost an appeal in a case in which a 31 year old man who was shot in the back by a woman who was granted a firearm licence, even though she had a history of mental illness. The case was heard in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein."

IL: Former Illinois cop indicted in Mercer
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Kevin Paul Crum, 31, a former policeman in Champaign, Ill., Lawrenceburg and Lexington, was indicted by a Mercer Grand Jury on six counts of attempted murder, carrying a concealed deadly weapon, criminal trespass, improper registration and receiving stolen property. The receiving stolen property charge is in connection with a stolen firearm allegedly in Crum's possession."

"Crum was arrested Aug. 30 by Harrodsburg police after he was discovered in the parking lot of Corning, Inc., with a bulletproof vest, weapons and disguise makeup. A security guard at the plant saw Crum and alerted police, who arrested him without incident."

Malaysia: Firearms licences for JPJ approved
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"The Home Ministry has approved firearms licences for Road Transport Department (JPJ) staff on enforcement duty, Deputy Transport Minister Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib said."

"Without specifying the number of licences approved, he said his ministry was now seeking an allocation for the purchase of the firearms."

" 'Apart from this, JPJ enforcement officers are undergoing weapons training,' he said after opening the biennial general meeting of the Peninsula Malaysia Transport Officers Union at Politeknik Kulim here yesterday."

UK: Armed siege closes three schools
Submitted by: Newslinks Admin

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"Three schools have been forced to close because of an armed siege at a nearby house, police have said."

"A suspect in his 30s, believed to have a firearm, barricaded himself in a flat in Leatherhead, Surrey, at 6am."

"Fifty officers, including firearms specialists, surrounded the house and negotiators were trying to persuade the man to come out. The road was closed off and around 2,000 pupils at Therfield School, West Hill School and All Saints School were asked to stay at home."

MD: Concealed guns let citizens fend for themselves (Letter)
Submitted by: Jim Sr

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"But I would paraphrase the anti-gun groups' mantra, 'If it would save one life, it is worth it,' and say, 'If one Maryland citizen defends his or her life with a legally carried handgun, it would be worth passing such a law in our state.' "

"And the truth is that it would save many lives because a concealed-carry law would prompt a significant decrease in the statewide crime rate."

"The only statement I totally agree with in Mr. Chapman's column is: 'The advantage of these laws is that they give individuals the means to protect themselves from violence.' "

"Why not give that advantage to law-abiding Marylanders?"