CHP buys Smith & Wessons again: "The California Highway Patrol is buying 9,700 semi-automatic pistols from gun maker Smith & Wesson Corp. in a deal the CHP says is worth $6.6 million. Delivery of the .40-caliber firearms will start in June and be completed over the next 18 months, Smith & Wesson Vice President Liz Sharp said. The new firearms will replace older Smith & Wesson pistols that CHP officers have carried as their primary service weapon since the 1990s, Sharp said. Leland Nichols, Smith & Wesson�s chief operating officer, said the Springfield, Mass.-based company was �honored� that California�s premier law enforcement agency had decided to stick with his company�s guns. �They are happy with the brand and happy with the reliability and durability,� Nichols said. �They have some units that have fired over 100,000 rounds.� The 4006TSW pistols, which weigh 37.8 ounces each, are made in Springfield and sell in stores for between $850 and $996 each, the latter the suggested retail price on the company�s Web site".


National Rifle Association convention begins Friday: "The 135th annual meeting of the National Rifle Association is expected to attract 60,000 gun advocates to downtown Milwaukee this weekend in celebration and defense of the 2nd Amendment, organizers say. Those convention-goers will come more than anything else for the "acres of guns and gear" in the exhibit halls, said Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's executive vice president. Others will come to see flamboyant NRA board member Ted Nugent; still others to hear retired Gen. Tommy Franks - an architect of the 2003 Iraq invasion - deliver a keynote address Saturday night. Some will come to place an order for guns that will be shipped to their homes after they clear background checks. Many more will buy non-weapon gear that will be sold at more than 300 booths. "The convention is a celebration of the American freedom we have to own firearms," LaPierre said. "It will be an uplifting event on firearms, hunting, recreation shooting, collecting, self-defense, crime protection and defending our 2nd Amendment rights to own and bear arms. "We view ourselves as the second line of defense in defending the Bill of Rights.""


Progress in Michigan: "Michigan is closer to having more forgiving self defense laws. Lawmakers in Lansing discussed deadly force legislation Tuesday. Some groups, like the National Rifle Association, say the laws will make Michigan a safer place. Others, like Million Mom March members, worry they're a license to kill. Inside the State Senate's law committee some strong emotions provoked a little disorder. Darin Goens of the National Rifle Association said, �There is a need for this bill. People are under attack every day in this country.� Shikha Hamilton of Million Moms March said, �We have a right to self defense, but these bills do not deter crime, but invite unsavory behavior.� The sponsor of the bills supporting someone's right to use deadly force - even outside their home - is the former Eaton County Sheriff. Rep. Rick Jones of Grand ledge said, �If you actually believe you are feeling great imminent threat of death, or imminent rape� Representative Jones' proposal would also give immunity to people who kill in self defense... After today's action there were 5 affirmatives and 2 no votes. The laws will soon go to the full senate".