In Arizona, families can get photos with Santa – and an AK-47: "For some Arizona kids, photos with Santa come with the usual holiday cheer and some serious firepower. Armed with assault rifles, grenade launchers, and pistols, the jolly old fellow is posing with families and their children at a Scottsdale, Ariz., gun club. Young and old can preserve the moment while gripping the high-powered weapon of their choice. Although the holiday photos are raising eyebrows, they exemplify Arizona’s thriving gun culture. This past April, the Colt Single Action Army revolver became the state’s official firearm. As for the holiday photos, they first made a splash at the Scottsdale Gun Club last year. The cost of a sitting with Santa is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers, with one print photo and one digital copy included."


Some Brits like guns: "Pippa Middleton has been invited to join the Royal Family’s Christmas gathering at Sandringham. In a highly unusual move, she has been asked to take part in the traditional Boxing Day pheasant shoot – which is normally restricted to members of the Royal Family and their spouses. Pippa, 28, who recently split with banker Alex Loudon, 31, is an expert shot and is apparently keen to join the festivities....‘Pippa’s very keen to go and she’s been on a couple of shooting weekends to make sure she won’t let the side down."


Report: “Fast and Furious” whistleblowers still struggling: "Six months ago, several agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives stood before Congress to testify about the details of a U.S. government program that armed Mexico's largest drug cartel with thousands of assault rifles. The administration denied it at the time and questioned the agents' integrity. The men were nervous and scared. They said they feared for their careers, their reputation and their families."