Minnesota House passes revised gun bill: "A bill expanding rights to use deadly force in self-defense situations cleared the Minnesota House on Saturday evening. The Republican-controlled House voted 79-50 for the bill, which would broaden what's considered a "dwelling" and reverses the burden of proof in cases of self-defense from the defender to the prosecution. Dwellings would include such places as vehicles, garages and temporary residences. Before the bill was heard, the chief sponsor, state Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Good Thunder, changed or dropped several elements, saying he had addressed numerous concerns stated by police. Cornish conceded people already have the right to defend themselves in their homes, but he said that standard is too limited. "We're trying to increase the rights to defend yourself," said Cornish, also a police chief."


Ohio Bill would allow concealed carry holders to have guns in businesses that serve liquor: "Ohioans with conceal carry permits would be allowed to take their hidden firearms into bars and restaurants that sell alcohol, as long as they're not partaking of those beverages, under legislation approved by the Ohio House May 11. House Bill 45 passed on a mostly party-line vote of 56-40 following more than two hours of debate and heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration. Comparable legislation passed that chamber last month. Existing law prohibits concealed carry licensees from taking firearms into rooms or open-air arenas covered by type D liquor permits, including retail stores, restaurants, nightclubs, hotels, river boats, and shopping malls, according to an analysis compiled by the state's legislative service commission."


Missouri: Owner thwarts attempt to rob his pharmacy: "Columbia police still are searching for the man responsible for an attempted robbery yesterday at Flow’s Pharmacy. At 8 a.m. yesterday, a robbery attempt at the store, 1506 E. Broadway, Suite 118, was halted by owner Randy Flow and his pistol. The suspect entered the store displaying a 2- to 3-inch silver knife asking for drugs and approached the counter, but retreated toward the door when Flow approached him with a pistol. Flow followed the suspect until he exited the store. The suspect, who did not get away with any merchandise or cash, was described as a white male in his mid-20s, about 5 feet 9 inches tall and 175 pounds, in all-black clothing, police said. He was seen leaving in a cream or pearl-colored Lexus SUV."