Sociable gun-maker: "Smith & Wesson has launched a program to communicate better with customers and stage events in Springfield and elsewhere to draw gun buyers. The program is dubbed Club 1852 in honor of the year in which Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson first went into business together. Almost 10,000 customers have signed up for the program in the several months Smith & Wesson has been shipping information about it with new products. The program will include a series of shooting and social events, including an annual meeting in Springfield for program members. Yesterday, Smith & Wesson held a ceremony to promote the program and enroll all its workers in it. The company employs about 600 at its Springfield headquarters."




Homeowner: "I had to shoot dat baar": "Bachelor Gulch homeowner John Tietbohl shot and wounded a 150-pound bear Tuesday outside his Daybreak Ridge [CO] home. 'I had to shoot the bear,' said Tietbohl. 'It was determined to get inside this house.' Craig Westcoatt of the Colorado Division of Wildlife Wednesday followed the bear's blood trail but lost it after a quarter mile. He said the animal was bleeding heavily. He guessed it was 2 or 3 years old. The Colorado Division of Wildlife is investigating the incident to decide what, if any, charges will be filed."




Sam Colt still right: "Gun ownership is like wrestling in water -- it levels the playing field. A 110 lb woman who pulls a gun out of her purse can instantly stop two 250 lb drug crazed rapists. Gun ownership allows citizens the ability to protect their life and property from criminals. Police will rarely be in a position to stop a rape, a mugging, or a car-jacking. In these situations, only an armed female stands a good chance of surviving unharmed."