New Zealand farmer cleared of murdering gangbanger: "A frightened farmer who shot dead a gang associate when threatened on a remote Eastern Bay of Plenty property was cleared of murder in the High Court at Hamilton late today. David Allen, 45, said he was acting in self defence when he fired once at Muni Rangi Sam Collier -- known as "Boxer" -- following a confrontation over a disputed debt. After deliberating for five hours, the jury of seven men and five women accepted his defence, also ruling out manslaughter. A single man, Mr Allen managed an isolated 607 hectare forest and cattle farm in the Takaputahi Valley, off Motu Road about 40km southeast of Opotiki, for the overseas owner. During the trial it was revealed that two weeks before the fatal shooting, Mr Allen had been brutally beaten with a fence post by two men who arrived on horseback demanding money. Mr Allen, who suffered extensive head and facial injuries, spent several days in Whakatane Hospital. The court heard that Mr Collier, 35, left his Opotiki home at 2.35am on September 15, 2007, to find Mr Allen, who allegedly owed Mr Collier's gang of workers money for tree pruning. Evidence was given that he had traces of methamphetamine and cannabis in his bloodstream when he died."


GA: Man shot in self-defense : "A man was killed last Tuesday, Feb. 3, resulting from an altercation with his alienated wife and her male friend. Boderick Horne, 31 of Milledgeville, was found dead with several gunshot wounds in the home of his alienated wife, Lakeisha Horne, 28, in her duplex apartment located in River's Edge Subdivision. Officials said that Boderick Horne had forcefully entered his estranged wife's home confronting Lakeisha Horne and her male friend, Keeno Weaver, a GCSU Employee.Authorities say that the males got into an argument taking the confrontation into the kitchen when Weaver shot Boderick Horne several times resulting in his death."


AR: Area clergy respond to concealed-gun proposal: "Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition" could take on new meaning if a measure passed this week in the Arkansas House gains Senate approval and Gov. Mike Beebe's signature. House Bill 1237 would allow people licensed to carry concealed handguns to carry them in church and on church property.The possibility of armed members in the congregation received a mixed reaction among some Twin Lakes Area ministers.Dave Gadbaw, pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Mountain Home, said he thinks the proposed bill is "not a bad idea" in light of church shootings across the country."I find the idea of carrying a handgun to church very disturbing," said Pastor Ron Rector of First Christian Church of Mountain Home."


An insurance policy that increases risk: "The Chi-Town Political Machine is flexing its gunhating muscles once more. The latest in your face harassment of Illinois' `law-abiding' gun owners comes from Representative Kenneth Dunkin .. House Bill 687. would force all of those individuals to obtain a $1 million liability insurance policy. This policy would cover any damages that take place from the use of a firearm owned by the individual. The bill also authorizes the Department of the State Police to revoke and seize the identification card from any firearm owner that does not supply proof of the liability coverage to the Department. So he's got you! If you abide by the state's restrictive firearms laws and this passes, you'll either need to be able to pony up for coverage, or lose the means to defend yourself and your loved ones in your own home. If you can't afford it, too bad."