OK: Pharmacy robber shot and subsequently caught: "Fort Smith police believe the man responsible for an armed robbery at the National Family Pharmacy has been caught. Police said a man wearing a black, green and white shirt walked into the pharmacy with a gun and ordered employees to fill a bag with prescription pills. Cpl. Steven Dooly said as the man walked out of the store, the owner fired a shot hitting the man. At about 4:40 p.m. Dooly said sheriff's deputies in Latimer County, Okla., had a man in custody matching the description of the Fort Smith robber.Dooly said the man was wearing clothing similar to the man caught on video, matched the physical description and was complaining of a gun shot wound consistent with the pharmacy shooting."


AK: Robbers shot, one dead: "Anchorage police have identified the man shot during a late-night weekend robbery attempt in Spenard. Robert Kost of Anchorage, 23, was killed just past midnight Sunday at the 800 block of West 23rd Avenue. Another suspect was injured during the incident, and police say an investigation is in its early phases. Police say there were multiple shell casings found on the floor. “They demanded something they demanded money and valuables and other items of this nature,” said APD Sgt. Slawomir Markiewicz. “We know that several people came in. One was shot and killed. We are still looking for other people who came with him.” Officials say that officers arrived and found Kost already dead, lying just below the stairs of the building. Detectives are investigating whether his shooting was self-defense."


FL: 3 cleared in shooting: "Miami-Dade prosecutors on Monday dropped felony murder charges against three men involved in what police said was a botched robbery and double killing at a West Miami-Dade Shell gas station in 2008. Carlton Williams, 22; Norris Smith, 22, and Henry Richardson, 19, were cleared in the slayings of brothers Dion and Danzel Coppett. On March 28, 2008, the three defendants and the Coppetts had just left the Miami-Dade County Fair when they got into a fender bender with a Cadillac Escalade at the station, 10690 SW Eighth St. The five confronted the three men and one woman in the Escalade. Dion Coppett pulled a gun and he and his brother tried robbing them of jewelry, according to a close-out memo released by prosecutors on Monday. That's when Franswai Jones, who had a concealed weapons permit and was acting in self-defense, pulled a gun and shot the brothers dead. Jones also shot and gravely wounded Richardson, prosecutors said."


Have law-abiding citizens lost their constitutional rights?: "After carrying a duly licensed weapons permit for five years, I was notified that a renewal application was required. To make a long story short, I was denied my renewal based upon a conviction for ‘drag racing’ in 1968. From April 1995 until April 3, 2000, I was legally licensed to carry a firearm.”

CA: Hilton’s boyfriend pulled gun on knife-wielding home intruder: "Vegas nightlife impresario Cy Waits, 34, pulled a gun on an armed intruder at [Paris] Hilton’s Los Angeles home early Tuesday, a law enforcement source told the Daily News. Waits forced the trespasser, Nathan Parada, 31, to drop two knives and lay down on his stomach until cops arrived a few minutes later.”


British police arrest man for firing warning shots near trespassers: "Landowner Christopher Bayfield, 40, was arrested on suspicion of firearms offences after the father of a five-year-old boy called the police. Mr Bayfield is believed to have taken his gun, that he apparently uses for shooting pigeon, to investigate suspicious noises heard near his five-bedroom home. Upon discovering the children, he allegedly fired a shot up in the air and warned them to leave. A police spokeswoman confirmed Mr Bayfield's arrest, saying: 'We were called at 6pm on Thursday evening by a man who said his five-year-old son had walked on private land. 'We have arrested a 40-year-old man on suspicion of firearms offences. This man has now been bailed and no charges have been made.' [More background here]

U.S. Virgin Is.: Robbers flee after being shot at: "Three men in dark clothing, armed with a handgun and a stun gun, robbed a man in Smith Bay at 1 a.m. Friday, police said. The attackers shocked a man in the neck with the stun gun as he arrived at a Smith Bay home, police spokeswoman Kishma Harrigan said. A witness to the crime had a gun and fired shots at the robbers, and the men fired back before fleeing, Harrigan said. Harrigan said she did not know exactly where the incident occurred. The man shocked by the stun gun did not seek medical treatment, she said. Schneider Hospital spokesman Sam Topp said that no one was treated for a gunshot wound in connection with the incident."




PA: Alleged teen robber shot by Wal-Mart shopper: "Police say Joshua Eastman, 28, of East Stroudsburg was unloading groceries at his car shortly before 12:45 a.m. today when Reneau Jean Jacques [above], 17, of 77 Symphony Circle, East Stroudsburg, pointed a handgun at him and demanded that he hand over his money. Eastman replied that he did not have any money - that he used a debit card to pay for his purchases. Jacques became more threatening, pointing the gun and using a more menacing tone of voice. Eastman dropped his wallet and started ducking down. Jacques fired a shot that went through the window of the door almost striking Eastman and causing flying glass from the car window to cut his face. Eastman pulled out a handgun he was carrying and fell to the ground. He returned fire under the truck's door with his pistol while the teen continued to fire his weapon. Eastman shot Jacques in the lower leg and foot."


Man let off over self-defense belief: "A drug dealer called an Arnold man last April, got into an argument with him about his daughter and threatened to kill his family, according to prosecutors. A few minutes later, a county sheriff's deputy driving an unmarked SUV coincidentally drove up to the house, parked outside and prepared to serve a warrant on the daughter, a 21-year-old heroin addict. Fearing the man outside was the same man who had just threatened him, Rodney Divine, 61, of 987 Shore Acres Road, walked outside with a loaded .45-caliber semiautomatic handgun, crossed his front yard and opened fire on the deputy. No one was injured in the April 11 attack on Sgt. Carl Schanberger. Even though the charge carried a possible sentence of 30 years in prison, Hackner handed down a five-year suspended sentence and placed Divine on five years' unsupervised probation."


EPA denies bid to ban lead in hunting ammunition: "The Environmental Protection Agency on Friday denied a petition by five environmental groups to ban lead in hunting ammunition, saying the issue is not within the agency's jurisdiction. The EPA said it did not have the authority to enact the ban, aimed at protecting wildlife, under the Toxic Substances Control Act, as the groups had requested. But the agency said it's still reviewing another part of the petition, to ban lead fishing sinkers. "EPA is taking action on many fronts to address major sources of lead in our society such as eliminating childhood exposure to lead," Steve Owens, the agency's assistant administrator for chemical safety and pollution prevention said in a statement. But he said the agency "was not and is not considering taking action on whether the lead content in hunting ammunition poses an undue threat to wildlife."

AZ: Robber shot. Victim charged: "One man is dead and another man has been arrested following a robbery and an altercation in Gilbert Thursday night. It happened at a Circle K near Rittenhouse and Power Rds about 7 p.m. Thursday. 21-year-old Stefen Selvy had just purchased alcohol when 36-year-old Bobby Baughman robbed him in the parking lot, according to police. During the robbery, Baughman hit Selvy in the head with a wrench, and Selvy retaliated by getting a gun out of his vehicle and allegedly shooting Baughman. Baughman was killed. Selvy was arrested at the scene and booked on charges of second degree murder. Gilbert Police detectives are investigating the circumstances leading up until the shooting".


OH: Former inmate killed during robbery: "A Cleveland man turned the tables on four robbers late Thursday, grabbing one of their guns and shooting one of the suspects dead. The Cuyahoga County Coroner's office identified the dead man as Terrance Manning, 20, of nearby Central Avenue. He died shortly after midnight Friday at MetroHealth Medical Center. Manning was released from prison on Aug. 21 after serving two years on robbery and weapons charges. Police spokesman Sgt. Sammy Morris declined to release the name of the shooter for fear of reprisal. "As far as we can tell, this was just a man going to his apartment," Morris said. "He lives in the apartment with his family." "As one of the suspects attempted to unlock the apartment door, he switched the gun from one hand to the other," said Morris in a news release. "At this time, the victim grabbed the gun, and a struggle ensued between the victim and two of the suspects."


Ohio bill negates business gun ban: "Ohio businesses no longer could stop employees with concealed-carry licenses from bringing their guns onto the premises under a House bill that is backed by a bipartisan mix of 31 co-sponsors. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Joe Uecker, R-Loveland, proposes allowing a licensee to store his or her gun in a locked car while it is parked on an employer's lot. Current law gives businesses the ability to ban guns from any part of company grounds. "Employees should not be discriminated against just because they choose to exercise their Second Amendment right," Uecker said. "This legislation will prevent intrusive company policies on personal freedoms and possible dismissal simply based on the merit that management does not agree with the individual's right." Uecker said 13 other states have similar laws."


CA: BB toting woman ordered to serve sentence: "A federal judge Tuesday refused to delay a jail sentence any longer for a Santa Cruz Mountains woman who has been fighting to overturn her misdemeanor gun-brandishing conviction with an argument that her Second Amendment rights have been violated. In a nine-page order, U.S. District Judge Phyllis Hamilton found that Stanford-educated medical doctor Barbara Saldinger is unlikely to prevail in her legal battle and that she should begin serving her 60-day jail sentence immediately.”

NC: Clerk wounds robber: "In one of the robberies, the store clerk returned fire despite his wounds, possibly pocking the side of one of two getaway cars with bullets. Deputies arrested Keith Mason, 17, and Kwame Bellamy, 19, both of Raleigh. The two teens are being held in the Johnston County jail with bail set at $500,000. Bellamy was injured in the exchange of gunfire with one of the store clerks, Amaon said. Both Shop-N-Go clerks, ages 18 and 62, were taken to WakeMed Raleigh Campus with injuries that were not life-threatening, Amaon said. Authorities identified the clerks as Herith Alkiefy, 18, and Wesley Davis, 62.... About 20 minutes later at the Shop-N-Go at 13597 Highway 39, which is about eight miles away near Zebulon, the pair came in with a gun and held up the clerk there, Amaon said. The clerk also was shot, she said, but exchanged gunfire with the robbers, wounding Bellamy."


MO: Home invader shot: "An ongoing dispute between two men turned violent overnight. Police are trying to determine if the shooting is a case of self defense. It happened in the 4000 block of Maffitt around 12:30 a.m. Thursday. A woman called police and said a man was trying to get into the home. He reportedly had taken off a screen and broken a window. A male inside the home confronted the alleged burglar outside the house and was able to get a gun away from the man and shot him. The 30-year-old shooting victim ran across the street and collapsed on the sidewalk. He was later pronounced dead. Homicide detectives were called to the scene to investigate. It's too early to determine if charges will be filed. This could be a case of self defense."


WV: Lawyer urges easing of gun prohibitions: "A Raleigh County attorney and gun rights advocate says he may be able to help restore the right to own guns to those convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence. His efforts don’t sit well with the leader of a local domestic violence awareness group, however.Under federal and state law, a person convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor domestic violence crime is prohibited from owning a gun. Jim Mullins, a lawyer in Beckley, has been running ads in local newspapers offering to help domestic violence offenders overcome that law. Under the law, it is possible to petition the court to restore the right to own guns, although it isn’t easy.”


HR 45 dead but gun registry looms: "Due to your grassroots activism, we’re happy to report that the momentum behind H.R. 45 has disappeared. Capitol Hill insiders are highly doubtful that H.R. 45 will even get a committee hearing before the election. … While this is certainly good news — and a fine example of the power of grassroots activism — a far more onerous prospect could be just around the corner.”

TX: Robber shot in drug deal: "Johnny Garza, 35, was found dead with two gunshot wounds to his back and head around 2 p.m. inside a residence in the 1000 block of Lamar Street, according to a police report. Police discovered Garza after they spoke to man at a convenience store in the 2500 block of East Houston Street, just wearing boxer briefs, who told them he had been stabbed at the home after going there to sell some marijuana, the report said. The man, who had cuts on his arms, hands and side, told police Garza took out a knife and attempted to rob him, that he tried to grab the knife and that Garza took out a gun, the report said.. The injured man said he took the weapon away from Garza and fired multiple shots. Police said the shooter has not been charged but that officers are still investigating the incident."


AL: Would-be shooter shot: "The Andalusia Police Department has interviewed the suspect in a shooting that occurred early Friday afternoon, but doesn’t plan to press charges. Thomas Ridgeway was airlifted from Andalusia Regional Hospital, where he was taken for treatment of gunshot wounds to the chest. Chief Wilbur Williams said the investigation revealed that Ridgeway went to a home on Murphree Stree in the West Haven apartment complex where he an Terrell Curry “had words.” Ridgeway allegedly went to his vehicle and returned to the apartment with a gun. Williams said it is believe the gun discharged in a tussle over it. Ridgeway drove himself to the hospital."


GA: Wife shoots husband in dispute: "A man suffered a severe gunshot wound Tuesday morning at a Windsor Forest home, and police believe his wife fired the weapon, according to Savannah-Chatham police. His wife, a soldier in the Army, also somehow was wounded and is believed to be the shooter. She was found nearby, said Gena Moore, metro police spokeswoman. Moore added the woman had run to get help. Although she was confirmed as the shooter, investigators have not determined her to be a suspect, Moore said. Both the man and woman were taken to area hospitals. The man suffered life-threatening injuries"


More candidates hunting votes with guns: "Jesse Kelly, a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona, is wielding an assault rifle in his political ads. Russ Carnahan, a Democratic congressman from Missouri, is pictured in a home state newspaper pointing a pistol at a target. … So far, 2010 ‘has been a big year for guns in political ads,’ says Darrell West, director of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution.Well, it is a scary world. And voters are looking for can-do leaders who can solve complex problems easily. But there is the question of whether a parade of politicians pictured with guns makes us feel safer, or even more frightened.”

Guns can save a lot of trouble: "There are numerous ways to communicate from one vessel to another when at sea: maritime radio, lights flashing Morris code, semaphore flags, flaghoist signals, and gale pennants and hurricane flags. But when facing down a Johnny boat full of pirates motoring through light chop toward our stern, the Captain improvised his own communication. He snatched the shotgun from my hands and held it over his head like a victorious minuteman. After the pirates got a good look, he grabbed the weapon by the forearm, again with one hand, and pumped a round into the chamber with a flick of his arm. Without aiming, he discharged a single shell from his hip over their heads. Without deliberation, the pirates veered away.”


TX: Bank allows customers to carry: "A bank in Chappell Hill is taking the second amendment out of the vault by letting their customers carry guns inside. At first glance, you might not notice anything unusual about the Washington County bank, but take a closer look. ‘If you’ve got a handgun carry license I don’t have any problem at all and I encourage you to bring it in the bank,’ Chappell Hill Bank President Edward Smith said. Chappell Hill Bank is one of the oldest banks in Texas, and it’s also one of the first banks to encourage the right to bear arms. ‘I’ve been looking at what’s been happening in this country; lawlessness, and we’ve been robbed several times, so I changed it to reinforce the second amendment,’ Smith said.”


Embracing the gun; States loosen laws on open and concealed weapons: "In the red rock and sand of the Arizona desert, just past the retirement villages … that have made this sun-worshipping city famous, sits the biggest public shooting range in the United States. … Residents have the right to carry handguns openly, and starting last month residents … also are able to carry concealed weapons just about anywhere, without the bother of getting a permit. The full embrace of firearms is just as fervent to the north in Montana, where nearly two-thirds of all households have firearms. Montanans feel so strongly about their right to own guns … that lawmakers passed a measure last year that challenges the federal government’s authority to regulate guns made and kept in their state.”


Canadian cops want gun registry scrapped: "A national survey conducted by an Edmonton police officer reveals that 92 percent of police officers in Canada want Members of Parliament to vote in favour of scrapping the long-gun registry in September. Constable Randy Kuntz, a 22-year veteran with Edmonton Police Services (EPS), says the survey he conducted last year should be embraced by M.P.s when they vote on Bill C-391 that advocates dispatching the registry. "The CACP is not some mindless group of misguided men and women who strive to oppress," says Kuntz. "There are many things they do very well as a unit. They simply have this one matter very wrong. The idea that the firearms registry is necessary and useful is wrong. They claim that they speak for all police officers on this matter. I think I have shown that they don't."

KY: Shot man threatened group, had weapon: "Alice and David Morris said Charles Pearl stopped his vehicle and approached their picnic table, swinging a tire iron in his hand. "He said, 'Which one of you hos wants your head knocked off first?' So everybody jumped up and I said, 'Hey buddy, come on, I don't know what your problem is but we don't need this around here,'" shooter David Morris said. Morris said he told Pearl to leave, but Pearl yelled profanities at him. When Morris came back, Pearl was still there, and Morris said Pearl approached him. "I came down with a clip in this hand and gun in the back. I laid it down, like that. He said, 'That doesn't scare me. I said, 'No, this will.' And bam. That's all I done," Morris said. Police interviewed more witnesses Monday, but no arrests have been made."


NY: Intruder shot by 80-year-old man during apparent break-in: "Stephen Boyechko had been napping with his wife, Pauline, when he was awakened by the sound of someone breaking into his home through a bathroom window, police said. Stephen Boyechko picked up his handgun, which Albright said he legally owns, and confronted the intruder. The suspect, who has not been identified by authorities, moved toward Boyechko and was shot twice, once each in the abdomen and the groin, Albright said. When they arrived, police found the intruder wounded in a hallway by the bathroom …”


IL: Off-duty cop shoots man who broke into his home: "An off-duty Chicago police officer shot and killed a man who broke into his South Side home Friday morning, police said. The intruder, who police said was armed, had not been identified as of late Friday. The officer thought he heard someone breaking into his home in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood and called 911 around 8:45 a.m., then he was confronted by an intruder ‘with something in his hand,’ said Wentworth Area Deputy Chief of Patrol Eddie Welch. The officer, who police did not identify, fired his service weapon several times, killing the intruder …”


San Francisco eyes ammunition registry; gun group vows lawsuit: "Today’s revelation that the City of San Francisco might consider an ammunition registry scheme brought a promise from the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms that a lawsuit would quickly follow. CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb said in a report in the San Francisco Examiner that Supervisor Michela Alioto-Pier is working with the City Attorney’s Office to ‘craft legislation’ regarding an ammunition registry shows the city has learned nothing from its defeat in court over a 2005 gun ban proposition.”

Oregon: Shooter says he killed man in self-defense in his home: "A man was found dead of a gunshot wound inside a Northeast Portland home shortly before 7 a.m. Saturday. Police said the shooting was not gang-related. Officers were dispatched to 2700 block of NE Saratoga on a report of a shooting and found the man in his 30s inside a house, police said. Several people who were in the home were being cooperative in police interviews. The shooter told police the bullets were fired in self-defense. Police said the shooter will not face any charges but would not release any further details in the incident."


GA: Burglary suspect shot dead by Superior Court judge: "Deputies say the shooting happened around 4:00 this morning at Judge Overstreet’s home on the 2200 block of Cumming Road. That’s when investigators say Howard, possibly along with a second person, broke into Judge Carlisle Overstreet’s Augusta home. Investigators also tell News 12 Howard was masked when Judge Overstreet confronted him in the home. After the shooting, we’re told Judge Overstreet is the one who called 911. … 20-year-old John Howard was killed by one shot from the judge’s pistol. Investigators believe burglars broke in thinking nobody was home, but quickly found out otherwise"


SAF sues Chicago over gun range prohibition: "The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) today filed a lawsuit in federal court against the City of Chicago’s new gun ordinance, asserting that ‘by banning gun ranges open to the public … under color of law,’ the city is depriving citizens of their right to keep and bear arms in violation of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Joining SAF in this lawsuit are the Illinois State Rifle Association (ISRA), Action Target, Inc., and three individual plaintiffs including a retired Chicago police detective.”


Chicago’s handgun law a childish act of arrogance: "Whatever spin Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and the city council wish to offer, it is their stubborn arrogance that has resulted in more gun rights lawsuits filed against the city …. The city’s childish stubbornness is going to cost taxpayers a small fortune. Mayor Daley and his anti-gun city council adopted what amounts to a ‘tantrum ordinance’ that essentially spits in the high court’s face. Sure, the city adopted an ordinance that — at least on paper — allows Chicago residents to own a handgun; but in reality, it is one huge ‘Catch-22′ that was deliberately crafted to discourage residents from exercising their Second Amendment rights.”

MD: Attorneys: State faces uphill battle in dog-shooting case: "While local animal lovers clamored and petitioned last week for county prosecutors to file additional charges against a federal police officer who shot and killed an off-leash Siberian husky earlier this month, seven criminal defense attorneys and former prosecutors openly questioned if the state would be able to secure convictions on the two misdemeanor animal cruelty and weapon charges already filed. "I certainly wouldn't want my dog shot, but if the man felt threatened ... (prosecutors) are going to have a real tough time proving anything beyond a reasonable doubt," said defense attorney Gill Cochran. They noted he has no known criminal record, is an Iraq war veteran, and has maintained from the beginning he fired in defense of himself, his wife, Wendy, and his German shepherd, Asia.


Freedom-Hating antigun Lawyers Work to Undermine laws: "Take the latest from the so-called Legal Community Against Violence (LCAV), a handful of freedom-hating lawyers operating out of an office in San Francisco, California. Mimicking the Brady Campaign—probably not a good business plan, given that Brady Campaign is not exactly a thriving enterprise these days—LCAV is now ranking the states according to how “strong” their gun laws are. LCAV ranks California best in the nation, though its firearm-related death rate is higher than those of 16 other states, including Vermont, the gun owner-friendly laws of which LCAV ranks third worst in the nation. LCAV ranks Maryland 7th-best, just ahead of New York and Rhode Island, the firearm-related deaths rates of which are only 42 percent and 29 percent that of Maryland. Joining the declaration of ideological war by some in California against neighboring Arizona, LCAV ranks the Grand Canyon State worst in the nation."

Minnesota: No Charges Against Bouncer In Fatal Shooting: "The Hennepin County District Court is not pressing charges against a bouncer who shot and killed a man outside Grumpy's Bar and Grill. Sgt. Bill Palmer said 24-year-old Tirso Cruz Gomez of Minneapolis pulled a knife on the bouncer. The bouncer tried to get that knife out of Gomez's hand but couldn't. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner said Gomez suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, which caused his death. The bouncer had to get stitches after being cut."


AL: Robber fatally shot: "A man who tried to rob a bail bonding company early Friday was shot and killed by an employee of the business. According to a Gadsden Police Department report, a man with a gun and wearing a mask entered the A Absolute Bail Bonding, 929 W. Meighan Blvd., about 12:40 a.m. and demanded money. The man knocked an employee onto a couch, went to the desk and began going through the cash bag. Another employee came from the back room with a .45 caliber automatic pistol and told the intruder to drop his gun. The intruder turned his gun toward the second employee, and that employee fired one shot, hitting the intruder in the head. Neither man has been identified. Coroner Michael Gladden said the police have an idea who the intruder was, but an autopsy is being done and forensics will identify him."

PA: Deliveryman shoots robber in self defense: "As he was being punched in the face and beaten with a glass bottle, a Chinese-food deliveryman grabbed his pistol and fired at the two robbers attacking him, striking one of them -- a 16-year-old boy -- in the shoulder, police said. The deliveryman had just stopped at a house in the 1200 block of North 13th Street around 10:30 p.m. when he was confronted by two men. The men grabbed him and demanded to give them money, police said. As they punched him in the face and hit him on the head with a glass bottle, the deliveryman fired a shot to ward them off. He then called police as the robbers ran away, police said. Within minutes, an ambulance was called to the Hall Manor housing development for a gunshot victim. The 16-year-old robber was found there with a non-life-threatening wound of his left shoulder, police said. He was taken for treatment and later charged with robbery and conspiracy"


TN: Drug buyer acquitted of killing dealer on self-defense grounds: "Mason Anderson, 18, was found not guilty of second degree murder. He was convicted of possession of a firearm in commission of a felony and was given a time served sentence since he had been in jail for a year. Meeks recounted Anderson’s version of the story to the jury, that while attempting to purchase marijuana from Self, Self pretended he threw marijuana into the car Anderson was a passenger in and then snatched the money from Anderson’s hand. When Anderson grabbed the money back, Self tried to enter the vehicle. Anderson told the jury Wednesday he knew Self carried a gun and thought he would be shot and pulled the gun to scare Self. Anderson told the jury that he “accidentally” shot Self when Self grabbed at the gun and it went off. “We know (Self’s) reputation, he had a reputation for violence in Lincoln Homes and with Clarksville Police,” Meeks said".


SC: Domestic altercation lands man in jail after wife fires shot in self defense: "North Charleston police arrested William Michael Staton and charged him with criminal domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature. Staton has two prior criminal domestic violence charges in North Carolina and an order of protection against him. The victim told police that Staton began to shove her and yell at her. The victim took her daughter and tried to leave the room, but Staton grabbed her by the hair and pulled her back into the room. She told police she repeatedly tried to exit the room, but Staton kept grabbing her hair and pulling her back into the room. Then she reached into her purse and pulled out her pistol and told Staton to let go of her. She told police that Staton refused to let go, so she fired a shot at his feet and then ran out the door with her daughter when he released her."


Obama bans over 100,000 rifles: "According to The Korea Times, the Obama administration has blocked efforts by the South Korean government to sell over a hundred thousand surplus M1 Garand and Carbine rifles into the United States market. These self-loading were rifles introduced in 1926 and 1941. As rifles, they are especially well-suited to community defense in an emergency, as in the cases of community defense following Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Along with AR-15 type rifles, the M1 rifles are the quintessential firearms of responsible citizenship, precisely the type of firearms which civic responsibility organizations such as the Appleseed Project teach people how to use.”

OH: Would-be robbers flee from gun-toting owners: "Authorities are still on the lookout for a pair of would-be robbers who were forced to flee a Vinton County store Saturday after its owners and a customer opened fire on them, Vinton County Sheriff's deputies reported. At about 4:54 p.m. Saturday, two men wearing camouflage and carrying an assault-style rifle and shotgun entered the Zaleski General Store at the intersection of Ohio 278 and Ohio 677 and demanded money, according to a release from the Vinton County Sheriff's Office. Store owner Letha Toops retrieved a small handgun from under the counter and fired four shots into the floor in front of the would-be robbers, who then fled." [Risky. She should have shot the scum]


NC: Hundreds bear arms at rally: "Hundreds brought their guns to a Tea Party rally in Greensboro, North Carolina on Saturday to peacefully demonstrate that the Constitution protects the right to own and carry a firearm. Two hundred attended the Restore the Constitution Rally at the Guildford Courthouse in Battleground Park, openly carrying their pistols and rifles in recognition of a new law allowing people to carry guns at federal parks. ‘We want to remind Americans that they have a basic human right to keep and bear arms — both for self-defense and to preserve individual freedom — that is not only enshrined in the Bill of Rights, but is protected only by Americans’ willingness to actually exercise that right,’ wrote rally organizer Randy Dye in a statement.”

MI: Hung jury for fed-up man who chased and killed burglar: "A judge has declared a mistrial for a Detroit homeowner on trial for manslaughter in the shooting death of a man he caught breaking into his house. Hathaway ruled Tuesday that jurors were hopelessly deadlocked. A hearing on setting a new trial date is set for Aug. 30. Police say the 31-year-old Croff returned home Dec. 28 to find 53-year-old Herbert Silas and another man in his back yard. Authorities say Croff chased Silas to the next street, where they say the drunken burglar taunted Croff before Croff shot him."


GA: “Guns in church” case lands in federal court: "A minister’s fight to bring a gun to his Upson County church is now a federal case in Macon. State and Upson County officials had the case moved to the U.S. District Court in Macon on Friday. The case garnered national news coverage when it was first filed a month ago in Upson County Superior Court by the Rev. Jonathan Wilkins of the Baptist Tabernacle of Thomaston, which is partnering with GeorgiaCarry.org Inc. on the lawsuit. Wilkins said he has a constitutional right to be armed in church, which is now prohibited under state law. … Wilkins’ attorney, John R. Monroe of Roswell, said the case depends more on Wilkins’ First Amendment right to freely worship than his Second Amendment right to bear arms.”


Armed “wild frontier” not such a bad place: "Friends say Pantagraph commenters always claim it’ll be a wild frontier if non-criminal Illinoisans carry legal self-defense firearms. Nonsense. I’ve been to self-reliant, truly wild America, without law enforcement or crime because inhabitants carry guns. Affiliations, status, education, wealth or lack of it are meaningless. You’re judged by the look in your eye. I recall in a primitive saloon in wilderness Alaska just south of Yukon River, fishermen, loggers, gold-panners, hunters and trappers discussed guns with me. Rugged alpha men, they exuded manners, politeness, kindness and self-confidence. Outside were stray dogs they all cared for.”


IL: Lawsuit says Chicago’s latest gun ordinance unconstitutional: "A lawsuit filed Monday argues Chicago’s latest gun ordinance is unconstitutional. The suit was filed in federal court by a group known as ‘The Second Amendment Foundation.’ They argue that since the ordinance bans gun ranges from operating within the city limits a citizen cannot meet the training requirement needed for gun ownership without leaving the city. A ‘Second Amendment Foundation’ executive calls it a ‘catch 22′ scenario that discourages Chicago residents from owning a gun.”

GA: Car thief shot: "A Martinez man remains in critical but stable condition at the Medical College of Georgia after being shot during a confrontation on the 2000 block of Westfield Drive in Augusta. Authorities say 19-year old Milo Hayes III was shot by Brete Anthony Gunby after Gunby spotted Hayes allegedly attempting to break into a neighbor's truck. The 39-year-old says he watched Hayes enter his neighbor's truck and that's when he called 9-1-1. He then went outside with a pistol and told Hayes to stay put until the police arrived. Hayes pulled out an object from his pockets and that's when Gunby fired at him, according to the police report. Investigators say the shooting was self-defense."


MI: Road rage shooting trial ends with hung jury: "An Oakland Circuit judge declared a mistrial this morning in a road rage case after jurors told him they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict in their fourth day of deliberations. Carl Mintz, 28, of Farmington Hills is charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm and felony firearm in an April 12 incident in which he wounded another motorist in the arm during an altercation on Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills. Mintz said he acted in self-defense after Faith Said of Commerce Township got out of his car behind him, approached Mintz's vehicle in a threatening manner and made a motion as if reaching for his own weapon. [Nine jurors voted to acquit. I'd shoot too if I were a little guy and two big guys were coming aggressively towards me]

TX: Store clerk shoots 1 of 3 robbers: "Two men have been captured and a third is on the loose after Bryan police said a clerk shot at three armed robbers wearing masks and ended up striking one of the culprits. Authorities said shortly after the 9:56 p.m. Friday call from Prince’s Food Mart, 103 S. Coulter Ave., a gunshot victim arrived at St. Joseph Regional Health Center where the person who drove him there was detained for questioning and later arrested for the robbery. The clerk told officers that the men demanded money and left with an undisclosed amount of cash before running from the store, according to Officer Jon Agnew, spokesman for the department. Agnew said the clerk believed one was wounded because he left the store crawling."


PA: Township removes gun ban in parks: "Most people going to East Hempfield Township’s parks are usually carrying tennis rackets, Frisbees or bocce balls. But township officials have amended park rules to protect individuals who practice their constitutionally-protected right to carry firearms. The township supervisors voted last week to approve a revised ordinance governing their parks. Before, visitors to East Hempfield parks were not allowed to carry or discharge firearms. But that rule was not constitutionally correct, township officials said. So park rules were amended, removing the ban on simply carrying firearms. It is still illegal ‘to discharge firearms, bows and arrows … or slings, except in authorized areas’ …”


Suicide indicators at your doctor’s office?: "Meanwhile, we gun owners discover (I was first flagged to it by a retired NYPD officer) that it’s becoming common in doctors’ offices to screen you for suicide potential by asking certain questions that may just include questions about gun ownership. It turns out one of my good friends, a gun-savvy attorney in one of America’s most crime-ridden cities who is licensed to carry a concealed handgun in public — and does so just about every day of his life — went through this not too long ago. The result was absolutely hilarious, and I share it with you now …”


Why I want to carry: "Two nights ago, my daughter’s boyfriend asked me ‘Why do you carry a gun?’ I told him I had the right to protect my family. Wrong answer. My ‘right’ wasn’t in question. Nor should it be. My unconditional right to bear arms is enshrined in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Says so right there: ‘the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.’ Infringe as in ‘to limit or undermine.’ So the Rhode Island concealed carry process, which asks me roughly the same question as my first born’s squeeze (and a bunch more queries besides), violates my constitutional rights. But it’s still an excellent question. The correct response: ‘I have an obligation to protect my family.”

CA: Robbery Thwarted By Gun-Packing Employee: "Gunfire erupted Friday afternoon when two suspects attempted to rob a cell phone store in Fairfield and an employee with a gun opened fire in apparent self-defense, according to police. Officers responded to a reported attempted robbery at a MetroPCS store located at 2023 N. Texas St. at around 3:15 p.m., Fairfield police said. Witnesses told police that two black men in their early 20s entered the store and one of them pointed a handgun at two employees while the second jumped over the store counter and demanded cash. One of the employees apparently drew a handgun and fired multiple rounds at both suspects, according to police. The two men fled and were last seen running west through an open field onto Tabor Avenue."


Md. crime victim sues over denial to renew permit to carry concealed handgun: "On a snowy Christmas Eve a few years ago, Raymond E. Woollard was watching television... At the sound of breaking glass, Woollard dashed to his bedroom for a shotgun, and the holiday evening quickly became one of the most frightening nights of his life. There was a hand-to-hand struggle for the weapon, but Woollard, with help from his adult son, eventually subdued the 6-foot-2, 155-pound intruder at gunpoint. Then they waited for more than an hour for police to find their way, on icy back roads, to the home, about 25 miles south of the Pennsylvania border. That night made Woollard a crime victim for the first time in his life and also one of a select few Maryland residents to receive a license to carry a concealed handgun. But to Woollard's surprise, Maryland State Police denied his request last year to renew the permit, saying they thought the danger to his life had passed."


Maryland group gives $10k to SAF for lawsuit: "A generous $10,000 contribution to the Second Amendment Foundation’s continuing legal efforts to roll back onerous gun laws across the country, including the state of Maryland, has been announced by Maryland Shall Issue (MSI), a grassroots gun rights organization. … On July 29, SAF filed a lawsuit in Maryland on behalf of Baltimore County resident Raymond Woollard, challenging the denial of his gun permit renewal in 2009 on the grounds that he could not demonstrate ‘a reasonable precaution against apprehended danger.’”

Pa.: Doorman found not guilty in bar shooting: "Dane Brooks, 41, of Homewood was charged with criminal homicide in the shooting death of John Allen, 22. Police said that Mr. Brooks shot Mr. Allen after he was denied access to the Mac Can Do bar on Brushton Avenue. But defense attorney Donald N. Turner told the jury that it was Mr. Allen who brought the gun to the bar that morning -- and that he had previously been banned from the club because he had a weapon. When Mr. Brooks told Mr. Allen he couldn't enter, Mr. Turner told the jury, Mr. Allen pulled out his gun. Mr. Brooks grabbed for it, and it went off. He argued self-defense in testifying on his own behalf on Thursday."


FL: Husband, wife cleared in birthday party shooting: "A husband and wife have been cleared of criminal charges in the wounding of a man at a Seminole Heights birthday party. It took jurors about three hours late Thursday to acquit Tyrone Anthony Jackson of attempted second-degree murder and aggravated battery in the shooting of Miezan Etti. Jackson admitted shooting Etti but claimed he was acting in self-defense, saying he was only returning fire. Etti was shot once with a .45-caliber pistol that was retrieved from the Jacksons' sport utility vehicle. He spent a month in hospital and required surgery to restore the use of his legs. Police found numerous .40-caliber rounds, both live and spent, at the scene but only the single .45-caliber shell."


KY: Woman fatally shoots husband in self defense: "A Montgomery woman shot her husband in an apparent act of self-defense Monday afternoon, according to police officials. Witnesses said Debbie Shouse, 52, and her husband, 47-year-old Tony Shouse, were arguing when they heard a gun shot. EMS took Tony Shouse to St. Joseph's hospital in Mt. Sterling where he was pronounced dead. Family members say the couple had a rocky 22-year relationship littered with abuse and restraining orders. Montgomery County Sheriff Fred Shortridge said the case will go to a grand jury, adding that evidence at the scene supports Debbie's self defense claim."


MI: Marysville changes firearms ordinance: "A Marysville ordinance banning firearms from parks has gone against state law for more than 20 years. However, that ordinance has been amended since city officials were educated about Michigan’s open-carry law by two men flexing their rights at Marysville Days in June. The ordinance previously barred any person from carrying firearms … within any public park without special permission. … The City Council voted Monday to remove the word ‘firearms’ from the ordinance … City Manager Jack Schumacher said the city attorney reviewed the municipality’s ordinances after it was found that the two men — Rob Harris and Scott Webb — had the right to carry holstered firearms in the city park.”

Va.: Suspect in robbery attempt shot dead: "One of the suspects, Hayles Lee Goodall, 20, was found dead in a getaway car in the nearby parking lot of Food Lion in the 5600 block of Hull Street Road, police said. Authorities charged the other wounded suspect, Kevin Jalen Gary, 18, and another alleged accomplice, Michael Anthony McMorris, 44, with malicious wounding, attempted robbery, and two counts each of use of a firearm in a felony. The victim suffered life-threatening injuries, including multiple gunshot wounds to his chest, but he was in stable condition yesterday at VCU Medical Center, authorities said. Police did not identify him. The robbers encountered resistance when they tried to rob the man, who was walking along the street, police said."


FL: Robber shot with own gun: "McAllister says early Thursday, he was out in front of the home on Evergreen Avenue where he rents a room from a friend. An SUV pulled up with two people inside, and his real life turned into an action movie. "Came up with their guns out, just trying to rob us," McAllister said. "And dude came up, pistol-whipped my [friend], and pushed him inside the house." "The other dude was still outside with me, so I dropped him, picked up his -- he had a shotgun -- started hitting him in the head with it." During the struggle, shots were fired, but no one was hit -- yet. The two robbery suspects ran back to their SUV. "Started firing at me. So, I fired back. I hit him in the stomach and he hit me in the hip," McAllister said. Police chased the suspects. Their getaway lasted just five miles... One suspect surrendered. Police say the other was convinced after one bite from a police dog."


FL: Robber on wheels stopped by gun owner: "Al Diaz of The Miami Herald was preparing to photograph the Taqueria Mexicana Orale taco truck at Northwest 27th Avenue and 17th Street for a feature story. He briefly placed his camera on a chair to set up some lighting equipment. Seizing the moment, a man on wheels snatched the camera and whooshed down 16th. Someone munching a taco yelled, ``That guy just grabbed your camera!'' The minivan overtook a roller-blader at 3071 NW 18th Ter. Christopher bounded out of the car and ``pounced like a cobra'' on the skater, said Amanda. Gonzales, the taco maker, joined the fray. Ian Vaquero, in whose front yard the chase ended, didn't know what to make of the wrestling match. So the Iraq war vet sorted things out the Miami way, drawing his 9mm Smith & Wesson and telling everyone to freeze. The skater, James Dewey Bretthauer, was hauled off to jail, charged with theft."


OH: Home invasion ends badly — for the perpetrators: "One suspected home invader is dead and another injured after the two men were shot by a resident who was trying to defend himself, authorities said. The shooting occurred about 1:45 a.m. Sunday morning, Aug. 8, in the 1100 block of Beissinger Road. Two black males entered the home, assaulted a man and demanded money, according to a press release from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office. The resident, who neighbors say is the homeowner’s nephew, told deputies the men had a small caliber handgun and “struck him in the head with the firearm.” He then fired at them with an automatic weapon. When police arrived, they found the two men near the door with multiple gunshot wounds. Butler County dispatchers reported Sunday afternoon that one man died at University Hospital, and the other man was scheduled to be released from the hospital Sunday night."

MI: Defendant in road rage trial claims shooting was self-defense: "Mintz told jurors one of the men began banging on his car, and that as Said turned away, he appeared to be reaching into his pocket. Mintz, who has a license to carry the gun, said he thought Said was retrieving a weapon so he shot him in the elbow.”


NY: Lesbian attacks lover, gets shot: "A city cop -- and niece of former Met Shawon Dunston -- was released on $1,000 bail this morning after being charged with shooting her lesbian lover in a vicious quarrel. Ekeythia Dunston, 32, claimed she shot her long-time gal pal Erica Legall, 42, early Monday morning in self-defense because she was being attacked herself with a clothing iron. "Obviously there are extenuating circumstances here," said defense attorney Edgar De Leon in Manhattan criminal court. "The complainant hit the defendant with a handheld laundry iron about the head several times," said Assistant District Attorney David Smith. "The defendant pulled out her service revolver, which was loaded, and she shot twice." Legall was struck in the thigh and shoulder and taken to Harlem Hospital where she was in stable condition."


MI: Gun rights activists square off with Royal Oak over anti-gun rule: "Gun rights activists filled the Royal Oak city council chambers last night in the latest protest against the ban on firearms at the upcoming Arts, Beats, and Eats Festival. … Local gun rights activists have attended the last three Royal Oak city meetings to bring attention to what they believe is unlawful firearms ban. The controversy is over a ‘no-firearms allowed’ clause in the contract between The City of Royal Oak, the site of the festival, and the private Arts, Beats, and Eats, Inc. (ABE) company contracted to run the festival. The Michigan Firearms Preemption Act 319 of 1990 act bars cities or other local units of government from enacting or enforcing any firearms laws stricter than state law.”

OK: Homeowner shoots would-be burglar: "A Tulsa homeowner shot a man who attempted to break into his house early Monday after the homeowner called police and told the man to leave. The suspected burglar, Michael Brian Crawford, 36, was hit once in the left shoulder. He was treated and released from a hospital before being arrested on one count of first-degree burglary. The homeowner, who works out of his home in the 2300 block of South 121st East Avenue, said the man rang his doorbell about 3:30 a.m., which woke him up, and asked for help. He called 911 and told the man the police were coming but didn’t open the door, the homeowner said. A few moments later the light on the front porch went out, and he went and got his pistol, the homeowner said. As he secured his house, he saw a shadowy figure against his back porch blinds and the back door began to jiggle. That’s when the back porch light went out, he said. The homeowner then let out a shot and the man fled."


OH: Two intruders shot in attempted robbery: "Charges will be filed against a Lebanon man who deputies say is one of two armed intruders shot early Sunday morning by a Beissinger Road man. The shooting at about 1:45 a.m. Sunday left Steven Deshaun Davis [above], 23, of Middletown, dead and John Eric Robinson, 27, of Lebanon, with multiple gunshot wounds. Early Sunday, the two men allegedly broke into the home of Gregory K. Gabbard, 38, in the 1100 block of Beissinger Road, to rob him. “He (Gabbard) cooperated,” Dwyer said, but after some threats, felt he was in imminent danger. “He was able to grab a gun and shot the guy with the gun pointed at him,” Dwyer said. Then there was a struggle between Gabbard and Robinson, who tried to grab the gun. More shots were fired. In a 911 call released from the sheriff’s office Tuesday, a man said, “I shot both of them ... the robbers."


Trial starting for frustrated Detroit homeowner accused of fatally shooting intruder: "An armed security guard accused of chasing down and shooting a man he says he caught breaking into his home was involved in "a hot-blooded pursuit" after rampant thieving and doesn't deserve a long sentence, a defense attorney argued Monday. Croff has said he was arriving home from his job guarding a warehouse in Southfield when he surprised two men standing next to his house. The window had been broken, a hammer was on the sill, Silas was holding the glass dome removed from the electric meter, Croff told police. The younger, taller man ran and Silas followed. Police said Croff expressed being "frustrated" about being victimized by thieves and spoke freely with several officers after the shooting, telling them he "emptied his clip," shooting all of the bullets in his gun while chasing the men."


OR: Man who shot at robbers takes plea deal: The man who shot his gun twice at a suspected getaway car used by thieves has taken a plea deal in court. Roger Witter, 48, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct on July 14. As a result of the plea, the charge was reduced to a violation, and the judge dismissed the other charge Witter was facing: discharging a firearm. Witter was ordered to perform eight hours of community service as a result of the sentence. Witter was arrested and charged after Gresham Police said he pulled out a gun and fired two rounds at a getaway car used by thieves who had just robbed an AT&T store in Gresham on May 25. No one was injured in the shooting.

IN: Robbery attempt ends with shot robber: "Jeremy Stokes, 23, of Indianapolis, was taken to Wishard Hospital with two gunshot wounds n one to his stomach and the other to one of his arms. Stokes was last reported in critical condition. Officers found Stokes with a metal pipe wrench around 5 p.m. Sunday. A police report states that a blood trail led from Stokes to a residence in the 1500 block of Bradbury Avenue. There officers reportedly found James Neligh, 50, who lives at the residence. Neligh had injuries to his head and arm. Police say he had let Stokes into his house to help with some repairs. As they were walking through the house, Stokes reportedly attacked Neligh with the metal pipe wrench. Officers say Neligh attempted to fight off Stokes before retrieving a gun and shooting him twice. Investigators believe Stokes was attempting to rob Neligh."


KY: Woman Fatally Shoots Husband in self-defense: "Montgomery County investigators say a woman shot her husband in an apparent act of self defense. It happened around 4:00 Monday afternoon inside a mobile home on Norman Rd. in Jeffersonville. Witnesses say 52 year old Debbie Shouse and her husband, 47 year old Tony Shouse had been arguing when they heard a gun shot. Brittany Welch was next door when the shooting happened. Welch said, "I heard a gun shot and then I saw Deb running up the road saying, 'I shot him. I didn't mean to, but I shot him. He was going to kill me." Tony Shouse was taken to St. Joe hospital in Mt. Sterling where he was pronounced dead. Paramedics transported Debbie Shouse to St. Joe as well, thinking that she had suffered a heart attack."


Armed, and representing in NY: "Who's packing in the Legislature? You might be surprised. Asked to describe the average handgun owner, some will conjure the image of an upstate, conservative Republican male. But the short list of lawmakers with handgun permits manages to reflect New York's diversity at least a little -- with men and women, conservatives and liberals represented, albeit not in equal numbers. In the Assembly, Democrat Aileen Gunther has worked to secure funding for a performing arts center near the site of the Woodstock festival. She owns a Glock and a Ruger. "We've always had guns in our house," said Gunther, a nurse who has a hunting camp and a shooting range at her rural home. All told, the Times Union identified at least a dozen lawmakers with handgun licenses. The list is likely incomplete"


DE: Housing authority “waves white flag” on gun ownership: "Residents of public housing in Wilmington will now be allowed to legally keep firearms in their units. The Wilmington Housing Authority suspended its ban on firearm ownership by tenants because of a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision … WHA Executive Director Frederick Purnell Sr. said an outright ban still would be in the best interest of public safety, but after a reviewing the recent high court ruling that tossed out a handgun ban in Chicago, ‘We felt we had no choice but to amend the policy. … We are going to comply with the law but hopefully, from a managerial standpoint, we will be able to put some controls in place to keep residents as safe as possible.’”

AL: Man’s fatal shooting by woman ruled justified: "Homicide detective Cynthia Morrow said today that Bozeman, his sisters, an ex-girlfriend and a current girlfriend went to the home of his child’s mother to jump her. They already had done so twice before. This time the woman was armed and defended herself.”


GA: Motel shootout leaves robber dead: "The friends and family members of Radesh Patel were breating a little easier Sunday. It appeared that the 22-year-old general manager of the Travel Lodge in the 2700 block of Forest hills Drive was going to be OK after getting shot in the stomach Sunday afternoon. Police said it all started when a man tried to rob the office. “We have several witnesses that report hearing the robber say, 'Let me have the money from the cash register,' and it was at that point that the two people exchanged gunfire,” said Atlanta police Maj. Keith Meadows. “We actually have pretty good video of the shooting incident. You see the clerk produce his own hand gun and that’s when he discharged his weapon and the wood-be robber discharged his weapon as well,” said Meadows."


Gov. Ted Strickland the right man for Ohio gun owners: "During his time in Congress and then as governor, Strickland has proven that he is a friend to hunters and gun owners. As governor, he has stuck to his pledge to veto any legislation that infringes on our Second Amendment rights. Strickland also has pushed through legislation like the Castle Doctrine, which restored the presumption of innocence to gun owners who act in self-defense. His opponent, meanwhile, has a marked history of disregarding the rights of gun owners. While in Washington, Congressman John Kasich not only voted in favor of the Clinton gun ban, but whipped together a group of 30 Republicans to pass the legislation. Not surprisingly, he received an "F" from the NRA."


Do restrictive gun laws reduce crime?: "Guns; as a weapon, they can be both a potent killer and a protective guardian. They can intimidate someone into doing as you wish, or protect a person like spikes protect a porcupine, by telling the hostile that you’re armed and to back off. And like most other weapons, whether it serves as a protective aegis or a terror threat is entirely up to the wielder. The weapon is an inanimate object, and the form of its power is entirely in the intent of its wielder. And it is this power that restrictive gun laws attempt to nullify. They intend to level the playing field, such that killers and victims alike both lack weapons. But do these laws really work?"

TN: Memphis Homeowner Shows Burglar Who's Boss: "A Raleigh man defended his property Saturday morning, August 7, by shooting the guy who was trying to steal it. James Curlin says this is the third time his shed has been broken into. Just before 5 a.m. Curlin woke up to a familiar scene, "My neighbor called and said somebody's in your shed." "I jumped out of bed, grabbed my gun and I come out here. I hollered, 'come out of the shed, come out of the shed.'" But Curlin says instead of coming out, the intruder threw items from the shed at him, gas cans, bottles and even a hand saw. "He started slinging stuff at me, if he hit me he'd kill me. I didn't know if he had a gun, I didn't know," and Curlin says he didn't want to risk that he did. So he shot him twice in the leg. The intruder was found by Memphis police in a neighbor's yard, just minutes after the shooting."


TX: Armed assailant had his eye on Hummer, not on victim's gun: "Customers at the Academy Sports & Outdoors in the 2600 block of N.W. Loop 410 had to duck for about 10 minutes as two men began shooting at each other in the parking lot. The victim told police he was loading up his vehicle after shopping when a man with a gun surprised him from behind and demanded the man's Hummer. That's when he pulled out his own gun in order to protect himself. As it turned out, that shopper is also a licensed concealed handgun carrier. Two vehicles were hit during the exchange of bullets, and so was the shopper. He suffered a gunshot wound to the hip area, but he is expected to be OK. Meanwhile, witnesses say the suspect took off in a white small 4-door car. Investigators are reviewing surveillance video and have a description of the gunman".


CA: A pier is a park? "A group of gun owners who gathered Saturday on the Redondo Beach Pier to extol the virtues of the 2nd Amendment found themselves confronting a different hot-button legal issue: Redondo Beach Municipal Code 4-35.20 (a). Passed by the City Council in May, the ordinance prohibits guns in public parks. The city attorney says the pier is a park. Members of South Bay Open Carry, an organization that promotes a California law that allows people to openly carry unloaded weapons, say the pier is a commercial district. What's more, they contend that the city's ordinance oversteps state law by adding parks to the types of public venues where open carry isn't allowed, such as schools and public buildings. The two sides have been going back and forth on the issue in recent days."

Jurors acquit NY man in gun death: "An Orange County Court jury has cleared Charles Melvin in the shooting death of Delvin Pemberton on Nov. 3. After 21/2 days of deliberating, the jury found Melvin not guilty of murder, manslaughter and weapon possession in the fatal shooting of Pemberton who was parked in a minivan on Liberty Street in the City of Newburgh at the time. His lawyer, Alan Joseph, called the jurors' decision "just and appropriate" based on the evidence presented to them. "Mr. Melvin denied guilt the entire time, and I think the physical evidence backed it up," Joseph said." [Background here]


FL: Woman shoots at black invader with a .45: "An intruder pummeled a 33-year-old Jacksonville man with a gun Thursday afternoon and shot his naked 31-year-old girlfriend, but was fired on himself as he fled their home in the 7000 block of Paul Jones Drive.... Bleeding from an apparent gunshot wound to a hand, she was seen running to a store in the 800 block of Edgewood Avenue West, where police and paramedics found her. Police found a large puddle of blood and three .45-caliber shell casings in the bedroom, while another gun with a spent round stuck in it was found near the store. Police said the gun belonged to the shooting victim, who apparently shot at the gunman before or after he shot at her."


SC:Edgefield teenager stares down burglar using rifle: "A burglar targeted a home in Edgefield County. He got in, but he didn’t stay long, thanks to a quick-thinking 13-year-old boy determined to protect himself and his brother. …. Jacob and his little brother were home doing chores. That’s when Jacob saw a man wearing a hoodie and a ski mask entering the back of the house. He quickly reacted…..”He [Jacob] went and got a [Winchester] .30-30 [rifle], hid our youngest one under the bed, told him to be quiet, and then he went out with the gun and faced the intruders,” said Mims. Rifle in hand, Jacob stared down the burglar, who moments later ran out the same unlocked door he entered. ”

CA: Robbers pick the wrong guy: "An Internal Revenue Service criminal investigations special agent shot and wounded one person during an apparent robbery attempt in San Francisco's Bayview District overnight, police and an IRS spokeswoman said. Dangerfield said two suspects approached the agent and attempted a robbery. At some point the agent fired a gun at the suspects, hitting one in the torso, Dangerfield said. The wounded suspect was taken to a hospital for treatment and is expected to survive. Police detained a second person at the scene but Dangerfield said that person has not yet been arrested. IRS spokeswoman Special Agent Arlette Lee said the agent involved in the shooting was on duty at the time. Police had initially said the agent was off-duty."


VA: Sheriff supports using force against burglars: "Desperate times often call for desperate measures, and that’s apparently the case in Ararat, where residents wanting to arm themselves against burglars have the full support of their sheriff. ‘Numerous’ burglaries have been committed in the Ararat area since November 2009, according to Patrick County Sheriff Dan Smith. … Until the suspect is arrested, Smith advocates residents taking lawful steps to protect themselves against a would-be burglar. The sheriff said he ’strongly supports’ the Second Amendment right to bear arms and the right of individual citizens to protect themselves. … He added, ‘If you are protecting yourself against an intruder, I will support you.’”

Anti-Gun Groups Seek Ban on Lead Bullets

It's hardly arguable that anti-2nd Amendment activists will try every conceivable backdoor bureaucratic method to impede the use of weapons or take them out of the hands of American citizens.

The latest attempt is a petition by anti-gun ideologues filed with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claiming that lead ammunition violates the Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976.

The petition goes on to suggest that the use of traditional ammunition poses a danger to wildlife, in particular raptors such as bald eagles, that may feed on entrails or unrecovered game left in the field.

The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) has voiced strong opposition to the petition, citing its erroneous assertions.

“There is simply no scientific evidence that the use of traditional ammunition is having an adverse impact on wildlife populations that would require restricting or banning the use of traditional ammunition beyond current limitations, such as the scientifically based restriction on waterfowl hunting,” said NSSF President Steve Sanetti.

Sanetti's argument is supported by the explosive increase in breeding populations of bald eagles and raptors throughout the U.S. even though they have been feeding on "entrails or unrecovered game left in the field."

TN: Vicious home invasion ends with death of invader: "The home invasion robbery at the rancher-style home didn't begin with robbers forcing their way through the front door. Instead, one of the two intruders fired through the front door with the Mossberg pump shotgun loaded with bird shot, killing Robert Sanders Doyal, 31. Robert Doyal lived with his father, Larry Doyal, 61, and his father's fiancee, Judy Adams, 63. Larry Doyal, who was in a back bedroom, grabbed a .40-caliber semiautomatic Glock handgun and "attempted to exit his bedroom to locate the source of the shots," court records show. "He observed a white male (later to be identified as Ronald Carter) walking down the hallway in black clothing with his face covered, pointing a shotgun at him. "Mr. L. Doyal stated that he ducked back into his bedroom and fired several shots down the hallway which resulted in the death of suspect Ronald Carter," records show."


Why shouldn’t Brits have the right to pack heat?: "It’s almost blasphemy to say this, but it needs to be said: Britain’s gun laws should be massively relaxed... But much of the opposition to gun ownership originates not in the brain but in the gut. The proponents of ever-harsher restrictions attack sporting pastimes – or forms of pest control – that they don’t wish to partake in themselves and don’t understand. Anyone wishing to own a firearm is stigmatised as at best a Rambo-wannabe weirdo and at worst a Derrick Bird, Thomas Hamilton or Michael Ryan in the making. The evidence used to argue this case is invariably specious."


"Good cause” lawsuit: "No need to ‘demonstrate’ why you wish to exercise a Constitutional right. The Second Amendment Foundation has joined a U.S. District Court lawsuit filed in New York, which demands a permanent injunction against a state law that requires applicants for gun permits to demonstrate ‘good cause’ ‘American citizens should not have to demonstrate good cause in order to exercise a constitutionally-protected civil right,’ said SAF executive vice president Alan Gottlieb. ‘Our civil rights, including the right to keep and bear arms, should not be subject to the whims of a local government or its employees.’”

TN: Man acted in self-defense when shooting 2 burglars: "Knox County prosecutors have determined a 21-year-old man who killed two burglars he caught in his residence acted in self-defense and will not face criminal charges. Douglas Jordan III told detectives he shot the two men dressed in black after entering his Love Lane trailer about 11:18 p.m. June 27. When Knox County Sheriff's Office deputies arrived, they found Adam Peiffer, 25, and Jimmy Cannon, 39, both of Knoxville, dead in the trailer, Nichols said. Peiffer had a criminal history in Knox and Blount counties. Cannon had no criminal history in Knox County, but had an armed robbery conviction and drug-related charges in Georgia. Nichols said one man was shot in the arm and chest while the second was shot in the chest. One man wore a mask and one wore a bandana. The investigation, Nichols said, showed the door to the trailer where Jordan had lived for a month had been pried open."




La.: Home invader killed so accomplices charged with murder: "Alexandria Police officers have charged two suspects with second-degree murder and home invasion after a botched armed robbery resulted in the death of a third accomplice at the hands of the home's resident early Monday on Willow Glen Street. Resident Roy Harris Jr. shot and killed Darwin Johnson, 24 [above], of the 2700 block of Ninth Street, Alexandria, during the break-in about 4:30 a.m. Monday, police said. Marlon Chaney, 19, of 3919 Norman St., Alexandria, and Warren O'Conner, 20, of 1920 Dublin Road, Alexandria, each face the second-degree murder charge because they were attempting an armed robbery when Johnson was killed, say police. Police say Johnson, Chaney and O'Conner broke into the home while members of the Harris family were asleep."


La.: Resident was prepared for robber: "As of Tuesday evening, the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office had not released the name of a suspect shot during another alleged home invasion that occurred around 1:30 a.m. Monday in the 6000 block of Old Boyce Road near Alexandria. Resident Donnie Baggett had been sleeping on the floor of his living room with his pistol after a burglar broke into his house two days in a row last week, he said. On Monday morning, Baggett awoke to see a masked man standing over him, so Baggett drew his gun and shot the burglar, authorities reported. The burglar ran off and wound up in the intensive care unit at a local hospital, the Sheriff's Office said."


It’s official: Gun ownership is trendy: "The cover article in Harper’s magazine’s August issue is ‘Happiness is a worn gun: My concealed weapon and me’ by Dan Baum. Harper’s does have a Web site, but you must subscribe to read the articles. Before you do so, or rush out to buy the paper copy on the newsstand, this review will give you a taste of what to expect: It’s official: gun ownership is trendy. When a prime exemplar of the liberal press publishes a ‘Come to Jesus (Armed)’ feature, you know it’s only a matter of time before every state in the these here United becomes a ’shall issue’ state. Yes, even California, Rhode Island and New York.”

WA: homeowner fires shots at two armed masked invaders: "Two armed men in ski masks were fired on - and apparently wounded - by a rural homeowner after they were caught attempting to rob the premises Thursday night. Larry Kunzler, owner of the 7-acre property just north of Sedro-Woolley, said he confronted the two men shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday after hearing his wife scream. Kunzler, a well-known researcher on Skagit River flood issues, told the Skagit Valley Herald that he fired several shots at the men, both of whom were carrying weapons. Sheriff's Office deputies and Mount Vernon police arrived at the home with a canine unit. Officers found a gun nearby that they believe belongs to the suspects. A couple hours later, a 36-year-old Auburn man arrived at United General Hospital in Sedro-Woolley with a gunshot wound in his torso, Reichardt said. The man is considered a suspect"


FL: Concealed weapons permits, applications skyrocketing: "Cynthia Jones doesn’t need a fancy gun. ‘Just so when I fire it, it brings somebody down,’ said the 50-year-old single mother. ‘It’s not something that needs to make a fashion statement for me because it’s not something people will see.’ ‘In fact, the less people see of her gun the better, she said.’ That won’t mean the Ocala woman will hide her purchase under her mattress or in the drawer of her night stand. It will more than likely end up holstered on her hip or strapped to her ankle. ‘I just want to be able to protect myself and my daughter,’ said Jones, who recently finished firearms training and is applying for a concealed weapons permit.”


Campus gun ban at CU Boulder ignores reality: "A recent motion from the Boulder Faculty Assembly (BFA) supports a campus gun ban — as if someone intent on killing would comply with a campus gun ban, let alone regret breaking one. CU has banned people from carrying guns on campus since 1970. In April, a Colorado Court of Appeals ruling found that the ban violated the state's 2003 Concealed Carry Act. Hence, CU must allow those with concealed-carry permits to be armed on campus. Last month the CU Board of Regents voted to appeal the ruling the Colorado Supreme Court. This followed a motion in April by the BFA to maintain a "weapon-free campus." A "weapon-free" campus invites rapists and murderers to prey on defenseless victims. Campus gun bans did not stop mass murders at schools such as Columbine, Northern Illinois University and Virginia Tech."


NRA Protects Second Amendment Rights Of Residents In Public Housing: "Gun owners and sportsmen earned a victory this week as the House Financial Services Committee considered and adopted an amendment offered by Congressman Tom Price (R-Ga.) to protect the Second Amendment rights of public housing residents. His amendment to H.R. 4868—the Housing Preservation and Tenant Protection Act—was adopted by a voice vote on Tuesday evening. The measure would restore and protect the right to possess and lawfully use firearms for self-defense and other legitimate purposes in federally assisted housing, and would bar housing authorities from restricting residents’ legal ownership of guns."

OH: Man shoots back at drive-by shooters: "The man, in his early 20s, was taken to an area hospital for his injuries. His condition was unknown as of press time. Witnesses told police a white Chevy Astro van-type vehicle drove east on Hillcrest and started exchanging fire with the man who was at a bus stop, said Lt. Brian Johns of the Dayton Police Department. “We had a big gun battle in a pretty nice neighborhood,” Johns said. After being shot, the man ran about 50 yards down Elsmere before collapsing, leaving a blood trail behind him. The van, which had its side door open was last seen heading north on Elsmere."


CA: Gunman beaten to death: "Merced County Sheriff Mark Pazin said a disagreement over a wager started about 1 a.m. between two groups of people attending a cockfight at a house on the 6200 block of Washington Avenue. One man fatally shot Orosco. The shooter was chased down by Orosco's older brother, 24-year-old Rafael Orosco, and another man, 32-year-old Juan Carlos Aguilera, both from the Modesto/Turlock area. Aguilera and Orosco wrestled the shooter's gun away and beat him to death in the street outside of the home. Aguilera was flown to a Modesto hospital with a gunshot wound, Pazin said. Another person was treated at Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock."


MD: Gun rights advocates challenge Maryland’s restrictions: "The gun rights advocates who successfully challenged the District’s gun laws have moved their campaign to Maryland, filing a federal lawsuit claiming that the state’s weapons restrictions violate the Second Amendment. The seven-page suit … challenges Maryland’s restrictions on handgun carry permits. Under state law, applicants must show, among other things, that they are not addicted to drugs or alcohol, don’t have a history of violence and have a ‘good and substantial reason’ to carry a gun. Plaintiff Raymond Woollard, a Navy veteran who once fought with an intruder in his … home, was denied a permit because the state found that he could not show he had been subject to ‘threats occurring beyond his residence …’”


The NYC "subway vigilante" story retold: "First up at 10 p.m. is the story of Bernard "Bernie" Goetz, who gunned down four men threatening him on the Seventh Avenue 2 express subway train in 1984, at the low point of NYC's modern crime-and-grime era. Goetz says that after shooting the four men, which he describes in detail, he went back to his apartment, where he listened to news coverage on the radio. He was surprised it was being played as big news. "It's a big deal, Bernie..." says Shatner. "You shot four people." "Well... if you think you shot innocent people, it's a big deal. If you think you shot some bad guys, it's 'who cares?'" Goetz says."

AL: Threat with bat gets aggressive guy shot: "50-year old Robert Brown was shot in the chest just after seven this morning and later died at Baptist Hospital. Police say the victim and a 28-year old male suspect were fighting but later parted ways. When the suspect came back this morning to apologize, police say Brown attempted to attack him with an aluminum bat. That's when the suspect pulled out a gun and shot Brown in the chest. Right now, police say they are looking for that 28-year old shooting suspect. There's no warrant out for him since the shooting could have happened in self defense. Authorities say that they just want to ask him a few questions to find out more about what happened."


CO: Make My Day shooter cleared in home invasion: "It was clear from the get-go that the shooting of Daniel Deleon at a South Williams Street home had all the earmarks of a Make My Day case, à la the incident in which Filberto Alderete was cleared in the killing of the death of Jesus Sifuentes Jr. And now it's official. The homeowner in question has been exonerated, while alleged Deleon accomplices Zachery Montoya and Francine Segura face multiple felony counts."