Don't be flip about gun rights; they may be needed: "What I found to be most poignant about Mr. Hannick's comments was not just what he was saying, but the fact that elsewhere in the newspaper was an article about a photographer who was forced to take pictures for the Nazis at Auschwitz .... This was and is reality, not some philosophical nonsense by some science-fiction writer. If the Germans' forefathers had had half the insight ours had, that young girl might still be alive today, along with millions of her countrymen. ... I recommend that Ron Miller, before he trivializes our Second Amendment rights, get his head out of his science-fiction books and look at the reality of history, both past and present."



PA: Intended victim kills man trying to rob him: "A man being mugged on a residential street last night in the city's West Oak Lane section fatally shot the 34-year-old man trying to rob him, authorities said.The robber approached his would-be victim, who police said may have been a retired SEPTA police officer, about 10:15 p.m. on the 6500 block of North 16th Street and announced a holdup. The victim, who apparently had a handgun on him, shot the man once in the chest."


AK: "Stand Your Ground" bill passes Alaska Senate: "Alaska is a step closer to allowing citizens to use deadly force against muggers, carjackers, sexual assailants and others. The state Senate today voted 17-to-2 in favor of Senate Bill 200. The measure expands the state's 'castle law' which currently allows a person to use whatever force is necessary to protect their home. The bill allows the use of deadly force outside the home under certain circumstances. Sponsor and North Pole Republican Gene Therriault says a person must be able to prove they reasonably believed such action was necessary for self defense. Similar laws have been passed in Florida, Indiana and South Dakota. More than a dozen other states have legislation pending. The bill now goes to the House."