Shooter could get probation, victim prison: "In an extremely odd twist of events, the woman charged in connection with the stabbing and shooting of her longtime boyfriend is expected to be placed on probation while her victim likely will be going to prison. Domonique Benavidez, 26, Hays, pleaded no contest Thursday in Ellis County District Court to two amended counts of aggravated battery, both domestic-violence designated convictions. Benavidez originally had been charged with attempted second-degree murder and aggravated battery in connection with the Nov. 20 shooting and stabbing of William T. Crangle, 36. Under the terms of a plea agreement reached recently -- at the urging of Crangle, her victim and the father of three children with Benavidez -- she is expected to be sentenced Jan. 23 to three year's probation with Northwest Kansas Community Corrections. To provide a basis of fact to justify the plea, Drees read from a portion of the affidavit used to charge Benavidez. That affidavit painted a picture of continuing domestic violence by Crangle, and she "believed that she was acting in self defense." She told police she feared for her safety and had obtained the gun for her personal safety."


Gun clubs Will Appeal New Jersey Right-to-carry Ruling: "The Second Amendment Foundation and Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs will appeal a federal judge's ruling Friday that "the Second Amendment does not include a general right to carry handguns outside the home." Federal Judge William H. Walls, a Clinton appointee, dismissed a case filed by both organizations challenging New Jersey's handgun carry laws, which have all but eliminated the right to self-defense with a firearm outside the home. "The Second Amendment Foundation and ANJRPC are prepared to take this case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where SAF has already won a landmark case defending the rights of gun owners," said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb. "The judge has it backwards," said ANJRPC President Scott Bach. "If he really cared about protecting citizens from lethal force, he wouldn't be interfering with their constitutional right to defend themselves against violent criminals."