NC: Man killed in apparent home-invasion robbery attempt: "A man trying to force his way into a Maxton mobile home in an apparent home-invasion robbery attempt was shot dead during a struggle, according to the Robeson County Sheriff's Office. Derrick Ray Chavis, 27, of Contour Lane in Maxton, was killed in the shooting at a home on Nina Drive shortly before 3 a.m. Wednesday, Maj. Howard Branch said. Authorities said that 20-year-old Jesse Fulmer, also of Nina Drive, was at the home of his girlfriend, 21-year-old Cheryl Maynor, when a vehicle pulled into the driveway. Fulmer knew one of the men, 41-year-old Bobby Wallace, of Maxton, and let him in, Branch said. But then Chavis forced his way inside with a gun, he said. Fulmer, who was armed with a long gun, began struggling with Chavis along with another resident of the home, 51-year-old David Earl Brewer, he said. Chavis was shot in the struggle and died at the scene. No other injuries were reported."


IN: Police say Fatal Shooting Was Self Defense: "A fatal shooting that left a Bloomington man dead was an act of self-defense, police said. Officers were called to a home at 4900 S. Rogers Street just after midnight Wednesday. Scott Melton, 29, was found shot to death inside the home. Several people who were in the home at the time told police that Melton and Casey Ratts, 20, had gotten into a fight. Melton pulled a gun, but Ratts wrestled the gun away from him, witnesses said. Melton then got a knife and charged at Ratts, who then shot Melton, police said. Ratts was questioned and released. The Monroe County prosecutor will determine if any charges will be filed in the case."




Free Americans buy 10,800,000+ guns in 2011: "Recent statistics released by the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) report that for nineteen straight months, and that includes all of 2011, American men & women bought over 10,800,000 plus firearms. ... Law abiding Americans now easily qualify as the most heavily armed population in the world."


The rifleman’s burden: "So far I have conveyed that the rifleman is someone who we hope is never needed, is not well understood by the masses, and who has a skill that seems out of date and out of place in modern society unless the worst happens, and the thin veneer of stability is worn away. Let’s examine the rifleman as he was conceived in our country to better understand him in his proper context."