NC: Two out of four down: "Derrick Womack, 31, was at home with his wife and stepson on Tacia Lane nine miles west of Lillington just before 10 p.m. when four men tried to enter the house and rob him. Investigators believe Mr. Womack, who had just arrived home from work, was targeted for the day's receipts from the store he owns just down the road. Mr. Womack struggled with one of the suspects and was shot in the hand shortly before he took the gun from the suspect and returned fire. Mr. Womack was treated and released and is recovering from his injury. One of the suspects is still in WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh. The other suspect shot at the scene, 18-year-old Maurice Purcell of Sanford, was charged with attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree burglary and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. He was released from Cape Fear Valley Medical Center last weekend and is in custody at the Harnett County Jail under $100,000 bond. Sheriff Rollins said the incident is still under investigation and his office is still searching for two suspects who ran away from the scene.


TX: Suspected burglar shot dead in self-defense: "Police are not saying much right now because they are still investigating the invasion, but we do know that the suspected burglar was shot and killed. It happened at a home about an hour northeast of Austin in Cameron. Milam County Sheriff's deputies got a call around two this morning about the shooting of a home intruder. Deputies found suspected burglar, 34-year-old Eddie Sexton III, dead. No charges are filed yet, but the case could be the latest in a string of Castle Law defenses. It's still unclear whether or not the homeowner is the one who shot and killed Sexton this morning."


AL: Homeowner opens fire on burglar: "A burglary suspect got an unpleasant surprise while attempting to rob the gun cabinet of a Dothan resident, according to police. Dothan Police Lt. Anthony Westberry said a homeowner is reported to have opened fire on a suspect he found trying to rob his gun cabinet. Westberry said the attempted burglary happened at about 7:48 p.m. The homeowner entered his house on Decatur Street and found the suspect trying to take weapons from a gun cabinet. Westberry said initial police reports indicate the homeowner shot at the burglar and chased him from the residence. Westberry said police continue to search for the suspect, who was described as a black male wearing dark clothing"



DC: New rule prompts fears of guns at inauguration: "Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and gun control groups are concerned that some visitors attending President-elect Obama's inauguration may try to pack heat because of a rule allowing concealed weapons in national parks. The Bush administration recently altered federal regulations to allow people with permits to carry concealed firearms while in national parks if the park falls within a state or district that allows concealed weapons. Washington D.C. does not allow concealed weapons, but Norton and other think confusion over the rule could lead visitors to bring guns to Obama's Jan. 20 inauguration, which will be held on two miles of National Park land - the National Mall."