AL: Shooting outside bar probable self-defense: "A man was shot and stabbed early Sunday morning outside a bar on Coliseum Boulevard, but police believe it was a case of self-defense. The 26-year-old was involved in a dispute at Wesley’s Sports Bar at about 12:09 a.m., said Maj. Huey Thornton, a police spokesman. When the person he was arguing with left the bar and attempted to drive out of the parking lot, the 26-year-old stepped in front of the vehicle, Thornton said. The driver stepped out of the car and the man punched him, Thornton said. The driver backed away, but the man continued to come toward him, until the driver shot and cut the man, Thornton said. The case will be presented to a grand jury, Thornton said".


MO: Man shot in response to punch: "A judge is expected to rule soon whether a Noel man should stand trial on a charge of voluntary manslaughter in a shooting death last year.... Recounting an interview with James Patterson a couple of days later, Miller testified that Patterson told him that he and Reece had spent part of Sept. 7 together playing golf and pool. Reece apparently had been drinking, Miller said. The pair parted ways at some point that day. Miller said Patterson later that night received a phone call at his home from Jindy Patterson, who said, “If you can hear me, I need you to come right now” in response to a quarrel with Reece. Patterson’s wife told him that he should take a gun with them as the couple headed toward Reece’s home several miles away. Authorities have previously said that Reece and Jindy Patterson were getting a divorce at the time of the shooting. When the Pattersons arrived, according to Miller’s interview of James Patterson, James Patterson headed toward a vehicle that had been carrying Jindy Patterson and Reece. James Patterson reportedly told Miller that he approached Reece first, and that Reece “sucker-punched” him. Miller testified that he saw blood on Patterson’s face at the scene.


Maine seeks to stymie federal law on guns in parks: "Lawmakers in Maine, home to one of the nation's most-visited national parks, are considering whether to override a new federal law that allows guns in the sanctuaries. A law that took effect Monday lets licensed gun owners take firearms into national parks and wildlife refuges - provided state law doesn't say otherwise. No states have laws that supersede the new policy, officials say. The Maine bill would outlaw guns in Acadia National Park and the St. Croix Island International Historic Site. "There are places where we don't carry guns. There's families in this state that really appreciate that," said Sen. Stanley Gerzofsky, a Brunswick Democrat who is co-chairman of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee - and a hunter and gun owner. "Now, there's also families in the state that also want to be able to pack bazookas, but that's a little different story." But Wayne Bosowicz, a seasoned hunter and licensed guide from Sebec, said Wednesday that he wished he'd been allowed to carry a gun when a bear confronted him in Yellowstone National Park two years ago."


AL: Guns in cars bill opposed by many employers: "A House committee is considering a bill that would prohibit most private employers from telling employees they can’t keep a legal firearm in their own locked vehicles parked at work. Major business groups opposed the bill by Rep. Craig Ford, D-Gadsden, that was the subject of a Wednesday public hearing in the House Commerce Committee. “You must provide a safe workplace for employees,” said Business Council of Alabama lobbyist Anita Archie. “This limits our ability to provide a safe workplace.” Michael Sullivan, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, said the government cannot violate the U.S. Constitution that he said guarantees the right to possess firearms. The bill would allow any citizen who has a pistol permit from the local sheriff to keep a firearm in his or her vehicle while parked at work. “The civil rights of private citizens cannot be obstructed or violated by the government in disregard of their safety of going to and from work,” Sullivan said."