Texas: WWII vet sends armed burglar to hospital: "Police said one man is in the hospital after an elderly North Texas man took action into his own hands when confronted by two armed brothers inside his home Saturday night. Police said they believe the brothers went to 80-year-old James Pickett's home with the intent to rob him, and even possibly kill him. However, Pickett - a World War II veteran, former fighter and lifelong John Wayne devotee - wasn't about to let that happen. It all began Saturday night when Pickett said he opened his door and two men barged inside. "He just come through that door stabbing and beating," he said. However, Pickett said just before he went to answer the door, he had first placed a pistol into his pocket. "And he jumped and turned, and I shot him there," he said. The two brothers, Paul and Holden Perry, ran, but didn't get far before calling an ambulance. One of the bullets just missed Paul Perry's spine. Both brothers face assault, burglary and robbery charges. Deputies assured Pickett they aren't likely to get out of jail anytime soon. However, he didn't seem that worried anyhow. "I think I'm a ten times better shot than he is," he said. "... But, they best not come back."


Texas burglar shot, arrested: "Dallas police arrested one person in connection with a home burglary, but not at the crime location. In fact, no one was inside the home that SWAT police surrounded for hours Thursday afternoon. It all started around 3 p.m. when a homeowner interrupted a burglary in progress in the 2800 block of W. 8th Street near Westmoreland Avenue. A neighbor had called him at work and told him three people were breaking into his house. The armed homeowner, who says he has several other weapons and lots of ammunition at the house, arrived with his own weapon drawn and confronted the three intruders. "He had a gun with him and fired a couple of rounds and he believes he struck one of them," said Sr. Cpl. Geraldo Monreal of the Dallas Police Department. "Two of the suspects fled. The third suspect ran back inside the house where he has barricaded himself inside the residence." Police threw tear gas into the home, but later discovered it to be empty. They later found one person with gunshot wounds at Parkland Hospital and arrested him in connection with this crime. Two others are still on the run."


WA: Committee votes to strip gun owners of jury trial rights: "The Washington State House Judiciary Committee cast its votes today to strip Washington gun owners of the right to a trial by jury. Since at least 1959, Washington citizens have had the right to a jury trial with a standard of 'clear, cogent, and convincing evidence' before losing their right to bear arms due to being involuntarily committed for an alleged mental health illness. House Bill 3095, sponsored by Committee Chairwoman Rep. Pat Lantz (D-26), effectively removes these protections by stripping citizens of their right to bear arms, perhaps permanently, after being involuntarily committed for a mere 14 days. In these 'probable cause' hearings there is no jury, no elected judge, and the standard of guilt is a mere preponderance of the evidence."