GUN WATCH

2012-01-28T19:09:00.001+10:00

CA: Man Shoots, Kills Intruder: "A Dana Point man shot and killed an intruder in his home late Monday night, authorities said. A resident was asleep in his home on the 34000 block of Capistrano by the Sea when he was awakened by a noise shortly before 11 p.m. Monday. The resident opened his bedroom door, was confronted by a male intruder inside his house and fired multiple shots, hitting the man, Amormino said. Authorities believe the burglar escaped through the same window he used to enter the home and then died in the back yard. The would-be burglar was later identified as Ross Thomas Wells Mortensen, 26, of San Juan Capistrano.

TX: Intruder discovered and shot: "Lubbock County Sheriff's deputies said 69-year old Fred Melcher entered his home with his friend Edith Ayers when they surprised a burglar. Deputies said the burglar is a man they knew, 49-year-old Robert Holt. Sheriff Kelly Rowe said, "There was an exchange of gun fire between the burglar and the homeowner. The homeowner shot and killed the intruder." Deputies said both victims were able to speak briefly to investigators Friday. Melcher is still in critical condition and Ayers in serious.

Pa: Wife found not guilty in slaying of ex-cop: "A Conneautville-area woman won’t go to jail for the shotgun slaying of her husband, ex-Niagara Falls police officer Anthony Oliver, at their home more than 15 months ago. He was shot once in the chest with a single-barrel 12-gauge shotgun just before 10 a.m. Oct. 5, 2010, following a domestic argument about bills. Mrs. Oliver’s defense team argued the shooting was in self-defense. The defense argued Mrs. Oliver told both the Crawford County 911 Center dispatcher following the shooting and police investigators who interviewed her, that she was frightened as Mr. Oliver became enraged, calling her expletives and coming at her."

GA: Liquor Store Manager Fires at Armed Robber: "A Northlake liquor store manager scared away an armed robber Jan. 20 by grabbing his own handgun and firing at the intruder, DeKalb County police said. The robber walked into Northlake Liquor at 3900 Lavista Rd. and pointed a black handgun at the 60-year-old manager between 9:45 p.m. and 10:40 p.m., the police report said. "This is a holdup," the intruder said. The manager reached under the counter, grabbed a 9mm Beretta and fired at the suspect. The suspect ran out of the store empty-handed, heading west past the Wendy's to an unknown location. The suspect was described as a black male about 5 feet 10 inches tall and 150 pounds, wearing black clothing."

2012-01-27T20:37:00.001+10:00

OK: Intruder (above) shot as he broke in: "The resident at a duplex in the 300 block of N Kendra Drive said he heard his dog growl then heard two hard kicks on his front door about 7:45 a.m. He grabbed a gun from his bedroom and confronted a man who broke in. The intruder was also armed with a handgun, Clabes said. The resident opened fire and hit the intruder once in the chest. The intruder, Reginald Keith Joseph Jr., 27, was taken to Midwest Regional Medical Center, where he died, Clabes said. The name of the resident who shot the intruder has not been released. Clabes said the man is afraid of retribution from those who might have known Joseph. Clabes said it appears the shooting was justifiable."

FL: Woman, 64, holds suspect in yard at gunpoint: "Daytona Beach police were looking for a stolen vehicle about 3 a.m. Tuesday when a Volusia County sheriff's deputy spotted an orange Dodge Charger traveling west on Sixth Street. The deputy tried to stop the vehicle, but a chase quickly ensued, according to a report from the Volusia County Sheriff's Office. A sheriff's helicopter tracked the suspect to Redwood Street, where deputies say Willis ditched the vehicle in the driveway in front of Granville's home. Granville said she was up late because her cat had rousted her. She was watching the Bravo channel when she heard a sheriff's helicopter hovering above her house. Moments later, she said she saw Willis run into her backyard and try to scale her fence. Granville grabbed her .38 Special revolver and followed him. "My adrenaline was just flowing at 100 mph," she said. "I just said, 'Stop right there (expletive), or you're going to be dead where you stand." Granville held the man at gunpoint until police arrived."

Spend a $2 bill at Starbucks on Feb. 14: "As you may know, TTAG commentator Greg responded to a Valentine’s Day Starbucks boycott by the National Gun Victims Action Council by organizing a BUYcott. He’s asking gun owners to reward Starbucks for its letter-of-the-law firearms policy by buying a beverage or food item with a two dollar bill (a suggestion made by NukemJim, the bill representing the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms) on the 14th of Feb. "

Homicide drop while gun ownership rises shows anti-gunners wrong: "This week’s revelation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that homicide is no longer among the leading causes of death in the United States -- at a time when gun ownership is at an all-time high -- shows that the gun ban lobby has been wrong, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today. 'The CDC’s report for 2010 that removes homicide from the top 15 leading causes of death in this country coincides with a period of record high gun ownership,' said CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb."

2012-01-26T19:59:00.001+10:00

Pa.: Man shot attacking teens in self defense: "A 16-year-old boy is dead, another teenager is wounded and another was arrested after a shooting on a popular trail in Cumru Township. Wednesday night the Berks County District Attorney gave police the go ahead to release the man they say shot at the teens. Police say the teens knocked the man off his bicycle and onto the ground. They say two of the teens were assaulting the man when he pulled out a gun and shot them. The coroner says a 16-year-old Reading boy suffered a gun shot wound to the chest. Police say the other teen and the man were taken in for questioning. Afterwards, police say they spoke with District Attorney John Adams and decided to release the man and commit the uninjured teen to the Youth Detention Center."

MO: Woman scares off burglars: "Neighbors said three people forced their way into the woman's home in the 7600 block of Richmond Avenue. Police said the intruders were looking for the basement, where multiple firearms were stashed away in safes. Investigators said that while the intruders were trying to access the safes, the woman crept away to her bedroom and got another gun. Two of the men ran off and the victim held the remaining intruder at gunpoint and told him police were on the way. The woman eventually let the third person go. "What I'm shocked about is that she let him go," Porter said. "One of the guys sat on the couch and begged for his life for her to let him go, but you just broke in and could have killed her." No injuries were reported in the case. Because of Missouri's Castle Doctrine, which allows homeowners to use deadly force to protect themselves, the woman is not expected to face charges."

Do we need a law to make people think?: "The answers are obvious. Who says gun buyers are thoughtless and irresponsible? About 60 million Americans own roughly 270 million firearms, and 99.99 percent of them never hurt anyone. Firearms sales have jumped in the past couple of years, yet violent crime has plunged. Gun crimes in bars and restaurants fell after Virginia allowed permit holders to carry concealed guns into them. Firearm violence, while immensely regrettable, does not obviate the right to bear arms any more than media scandals obviate freedom of the press."

Virginia man acquitted in Philly self-defense shooting in 2010; Now sued by attacker: "One year ago, Gerald Ung was acquitted of attempted murder during a jury trial at Philadelphia Common Pleas Court. After a night out on the town in January 2010, he and a female companion got into an altercation in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood with Eddie DiDonato, Jr. and two of DiDonato’s buddies. The altercation ended with Ung pulling his legal handgun and firing a half-dozen times at DiDonato. The story seemed to be over – until now. On Dec. 30, prominent Philadelphia personal injury lawyer Robert Mongeluzzi filed a lawsuit on behalf of DiDonato. The defendants named in the civil action are Ung and a handful of drinking establishments that served alcohol to Ung on the night the shooting occurred. It’s anyone’s guess how things will turn out, but at this point, it appears the law is on DiDonato’s side. DiDonato is reportedly the son of prominent Philadelphia attorney Edward DiDonato, Sr., of the firm Fox Rothschild."

2012-01-25T15:28:00.001+10:00

IN: Shooting leaves robber dead, one hurt: "One person is dead and another hurt in a shooting Tuesday evening on the city's near northwest side. Police say the shooting happened around 9:15 pm in the 18-hundred block of East Riverside Drive. When officers arrived they found one man suffering from an apparent gunshot wound to his chest and another suffering from a gunshot wound to his foot. Investigators believe the deceased may have been attempting to either rob or carjack the alleged victim. Detectives say a fight broke out between the two and several shots were fired. Both the suspect and the victim were struck by bullets. No word on the identity of the deceased. The robbery victim is being treated for non-life threatening injuries."

NV: Attempted Robber Shot: "One person has been hospitalized with a gunshot wound after a robbery near Gowan Road and Cliff Shadows Parkway. Police say four individuals agreed to meet with a man who was selling sneakers on Craigslist. They agreed to make the transaction at a park near Gowan and Cliff Shadows Monday night. Shortly after arriving, the parties moved to a nearby gas station. When the seller opened the trunk of his car to retrieve the sneakers, one of the suspects grabbed the sneakers. The four suspects jumped into their van and fled. The seller chased them in his car, but the van crashed. The seller grabbed his gun and fired warning shots at the suspects. One of the bullets struck one of the suspects in the arm. The suspect was transported to University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries."

Antigun lobby calls for Starbucks boycott: "An anti-gun group is attempting to organize a nationwide Valentine's Day boycott of Starbucks over the coffee chain's gun policy. Starbucks does not ban guns in its stores; rather, it defers to local laws. The National Gun Victim's Action Council (NGAC) says that amounts to a pro-gun policy that endangers customers."

Fast & Furious: Official pleads 5th Amendment versus congressional testimony: "As Arizona state officials open their own probe into Operation Fast and Furious, the head of the House panel investigating the gunrunning scandal is crying foul over a key player's move Tuesday to assert his Fifth Amendment right to refuse to answer questions. Patrick Cunningham, the chief of the criminal division of the U.S. attorney's office in Arizona, was excused from a deposition after refusing to give more than his name and title, Fox News has learned."

2012-01-24T17:48:00.002+10:00

MO: Homeowner was prepared: "William Whitfield, a 66-year-old retired Navy petty officer, came home one January morning in 2010 to find that burglars had ransacked his small brick bungalow. They took his tools, computer, flat-screen TV. But he figured they'd be back because they left bags stuffed with more of his belongings near a basement stairwell. Whitfield called police but armed himself with a 9mm pistol and slept in a chair in the front room. When three people broke in about 3 a.m., he shot and killed one of them. No charges were filed. "I was worried for my safety," Whitfield said. "I just figured if somebody breaks in, you have a right to defend yourself." Until passage of the castle doctrine, Missouri law didn't necessarily concur."

TX: Neighbor shoots burglar: "A spokesperson for the Converse Police Department says a woman ran to her neighbor's house for help around 4:20 p.m. Saturday after she arrived home and spotted a burglar inside her house on Anderson Court. As the neighbor came out of his house with a gun, the burglary suspect took off. Reportedly, the driver of the getaway car tried to run him over with a vehicle. Police say the neighbor fired shots at the vehicle, hitting one of the suspects in the left arm. Officers said they caught up with 18-year-old Robert Sedberry, Jr and 18-year-old Justin Leal, at Loop 1604 and Old Seguin Road. Leal was taken to a hospital for treatment and is expected to be all right. Police say he faces charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Burglary of a Habitation, while Sedberry, faces Burglary of a Habitation charges. Police are calling the shooting a case of self-defense."

SAF, ANJRPC will appeal New Jersey right-to-carry ruling: "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."

Illinois only state without concealed carry: "In Illinois, the Family and Personal Protection Act that would allow gun owners to carry loaded firearms — either openly or concealed — in a vehicle and into certain public places came up six votes shy in the Illinois House last year. Anti-gun lawmakers from the Chicago area provided most of the opposition. But the debate is not over: State Rep. Brandon Phelps, D-Harrisburg, expects to bring the bill back for another vote this year. “When I start something I fight for it. Right now we’re at the mercy of criminals,” said Phelps, acknowledging he needs support from Cook County for the bill to pass. Under the proposal, applications would be handled by county sheriff’s departments — a process that should make the public feel more confident, said McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery, an avid supporter of concealed carry."

2012-01-23T16:11:00.001+10:00

TN gun laws, or lack thereof, under attack: "Something didn’t seem quite right to Tyler Adams as he talked with the man who wanted to buy a gun from him. The customer admitted he did not have a permit to carry a concealed weapon in Tennessee. When Adams probed a bit more and asked if he could pass a background check, the guy was upfront and said no. Adams did not sell the gun. That’s the way the law is supposed to work for private sellers who, unlike gun dealers, aren’t required to conduct background checks. But critics are skeptical that all private gun sellers would be that responsible, and say, in fact, the government leaves the door wide open for private sellers to sell a gun to anyone who is willing to pay for it and simply look the other way even if they are suspicious about the buyer. Tennessee is among 34 states that don’t require any background checks for private sales of firearms, even if the sale is handled by an online site."

Greenville NC Park Gun Carry Ban Sees Promising Developments: "Crime has decreased in our great state everywhere that concealed carry was made legal 18 years ago. Unfortunately, that predictable improvement did not extend to areas like parks that remained off-limits to lawful self-defense. Former Greenville Mayor Pat Dunn was an active member of NYC Mayor Bloomberg’s anti-gun organization, MAIG. One of her final acts was implementation of an over-reaching, anti-HB 650 gun ban in parks. Dunn’s ban was so over-the-top it twisted the definition of “dog park” into “playground” ensuring that only defenseless dog-owners can run their pets off-leash in Greenville. WITN reports that the Greenville City Council is reconsidering these misguided laws over a weekend retreat. Election of a new Mayor, Allen M. Thomas, as well as new City Council members brings hope that pro-freedom thinking may take hold within Greenville."

2012-01-22T15:18:00.001+10:00

New Yorkers might have to be careful in Tennessee

Tennesseans have circled the wagons to protect one of their own arrested in the Big Apple for gun possession, and now New York motorists may want to keep a closer eye on their speedometers.

In response to the arrest of 39-year old Meredith Graves for unlawful gun possession while visiting the newly opened 9/11 memorial, the Tennessee state legislature has taken action.

According to the New York Post, Tennessee’s state legislature has “declared civil war on New Yorkers“— at least when it comes to speeders in their state. State officials claim they may retaliate for the prosecution of a woman who was carrying an illegal pistol at the 9/11 Memorial.

A Knoxville-based legislator, who is also apparently a farmer by trade, is so upset over the Tennessee tourist’s gun arrest last month that he drew up legislation addressing it.

In response to the arrest of Meredith Graves, the Post says “his resolution condemns it as a grave miscarriage of justice— and reminds New Yorkers to “drive carefully” if we come visit.”

The Tennessee House resolution reads in part: “We remind the citizens of New York, especially those residing in New York City, to drive carefully through the great state of Tennessee, paying extra attention to our speed limits.” The resolution– which does not have the force of law even within the state of Tennessee, also requests the release of Meredith Graves, an outcome it claims common sense and sound judgment demand.

A registered nurse and fourth-year medical student, Graves face 3 1/2 years if convicted even though she was licensed to carry a concealed weapon in her home state of Tennessee. Before her arrest, Graves willingly surrendered her weapon to authorities thinking she was in compliance with the law.

Many who believe in a strong 2nd amendment have been outraged by her arrest, and there are no signs yet that New York City authorities are considering dropping the charges.

The resolution appears largely an attempt to bring attention to the case facing Graves.

But when asked about any impact it would have back in Tennessee, the Tennessee measure’s sponsor, Rep. Frank Niceley, (R-Knoxville) told the Post: ”Well, I don’t know that the Highway Patrol would be any kinder or any harsher. But it’s something to think about.”

Resolution 585 should come up for a vote in Tennessee’s House of Representatives next week. If it passes, it will head to the Senate and then the governor’s desk.

Meanwhile, Graves is due back in court March 19th.

Source

Customer Shoots Robbery Suspect at SC Waffle Shop: "Authorities say a customer at a South Carolina Waffle shop pulled a gun and shot one of two men trying to rob the restaurant. The Greenville News reports that the shooting took place early Saturday morning inside a Waffle Shop off Interstate 85 in Spartanburg County. Coroner Rusty Clevenger identified the dead man as 19-year-old Dante Lamont Williams of Roebuck, who was shot in the head and body. Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright declined to identity the customer, citing concerns for his safety. Authorities said the customer had a concealed weapon permit and tried to hold the two men at gunpoint until officers arrived, but that one suspect began to point his gun at the customer, who then fired shots. The second robber fled and is being sought by authorities."

WV: Delivery driver lauded for shooting would be assailant: "Neighbors who saw a Husson's Pizza delivery driver shoot a would be assailant are praising him as a hero. Delivery driver Morgan Vandergriff pulled a concealed handgun and shot DeSean Saunders in the arm and chest after an alleged robbery attempt. Husson said the delivery business has actually become safer as the popularity of credit cards has grown. Still, there are areas he won't send delivery drivers to. Masi said the delivery driver did the right thing in protecting himself. "Sometimes you give a robber your money and they shoot him anyway," said Masi. "I would have shot him twice." [See also here]

2012-01-21T16:14:00.001+10:00

5 Differences Between Home Burglary and Robbery

The following are 5 distinct and important legal differences between burglary and robbery:

1. Specific legal definitions of burglary vary, but generally speaking it refers to the willful entry into a structure without permission, with the intent to commit a crime. Note that there is no specificity regarding what that intended crime might be. We’ll clarify this in just a bit.

Robbery is defined as theft of money or property against an individual by force or by threat of force.

2. In a burglary, the victim need not be present, and frequently isn’t. Most burglaries, in fact, are committed with the expectation that the burglar will never be confronted by the victim. Further, theft isn’t always the intent of the burglar for entering the premises in the first place.

Conversely, for a crime to be deemed a robbery, by definition the victim must be present. Without a victim present, in the eyes of the law there can be no robbery.

3. Burglary is judged based on intent. So a person who otherwise has permission to be on the premises is guilty of burglary if it can be proven that their intent for being on the premises at the time was to commit an offense. Even though the person was otherwise authorized to be in the building, their intent for being there was to commit a crime, which constitutes burglary.

Robbery, on the other hand, is based not on intent, but on result. In other words, robbery is only robbery if a theft occurs, else it would be deemed attempted robbery. (It should also be noted, that force must be involved to distinguish the crime from simple theft.)

4. Burglary is referred to as an inchoate offense, which means that the offense was committed in preparation for completion of another crime. As above, the other intended crime need not have been accomplished if it can be proven that the burglar did indeed intend to commit it.

Robbery is considered an end unto itself, in that the sole intent of the offender is the actual crime of robbery, the taking possession or ownership of property to which they are not entitled by force or by threat of force.

5. Burglary can be classified as a felony, dependent upon the perpetrator’s intent for entering the premises. If the intent was simply to commit petty theft, however, the offense would likely only be classified as a misdemeanor.

Robbery is always a felony because it always, by definition, involves force or the threat of force.

So next time someone tells you that their house was robbed, you can say, “I hope it didn’t put up a fight and just handed over its wallet.”

Source

US judge backs ATF multiple rifle sales reporting: "A U.S. judge on Friday, in a victory for the Obama administration, upheld new federal rules requiring gun dealers in four states bordering Mexico to report the sales of multiple semi-automatic rifles, despite a challenge by the gun industry."

2012-01-20T18:14:00.001+10:00

Gunwalker: Subpoena Issued for Patrick J. Cunningham, U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona

I just received an email from Congressman Darrel Issa’s office, containing a copy of a letter that was just sent Patrick J. Cunningham, Chief of the Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. The letter announces that Cunningham has just been subpoenaed for “repeated refusals to testify voluntarily” before the House Oversight Committee, concerning accusations that he relayed inaccurate and misleading information to the Justice Department in preparation for its initial response to Congress.

Wrote Issa to the sly pig:

During the course of our investigation, the Committee has learned of the outsized role played by the Arizona U.S. Attorney’s Office – and you specifically – in approving the unacceptable tactics used in Fast and Furious. Senior Justice Department officials have recently told the Committee that you relayed inaccurate and misleading information to the Department in preparation for its initial response to Congress.

These officials told us that even after Congress began investigating Fast and Furious, you continued to insist that no unacceptable tactics were used. In fact, documents obtained confidentially just last week appear to confirm that you remained steadfast in your belief that no unacceptable tactics were used, even after the Department’s initial response to the congressional inquiry. Given that the Attorney General has labeled these tactics as unacceptable and Fast and Furious as “fundamentally flawed,” this position is startling.

The subpoena requires Cunningham to appear on Tuesday, January 24, 2012 for a deposition. And while it’s heartening to see Issa and his committee continuing to pursue those who might be covering up the truth on Fast and Furious, Eric Holder still has his job and has yet to face prosecution for his role in this lawless operation.

The bottom line: the wheels of justice are turning, they’re just moving so slowly that progress is imperceptible.

Source

ME: Man was shot out of self-defense: "With a gunshot wound to his stomach, Rafael Encarnacion, 22, crawled out of a back bedroom of a Vassalboro home early Tuesday. The man identified by police as the trigger-man, Joseph L. Gagnon, 55, of Vassalboro, told his brother that he shot Encarnacion in self-defense with a “homemade gun” because Encarnacion was threatening him and his family, according to a police report filed in Kennebec County Superior Court. Gagnon, who has yet to be charged in connection with the shooting, turned himself in to Hallowell Police following the shooting, which was reported at 12:30 a.m. at Gagnon’s home on Whitehouse Road. According to the Tremblay’s report, James Gagnon, 53, said his brother told him that Encarnacion “was threatening him, his girlfriend and his kids, that the man had beat him in the past, and it wasn’t going to happen again.”

MO: Police arrest KC resident who shot intruder using stolen gun: "An attempted home invasion robbery this morning in Kansas City ended with a suspect shot by one of the residents, and the resident got arrested because he used a stolen gun. It was just before 1 a.m. today when five masked and armed suspects entered the home in the 5200 block of Euclid Avenue and ordered two residents onto the floor as they began looking through the house. Another resident heard the commotion and fired shots at the suspects, who then fled. The only item reported stolen was a marijuana “blunt,” according to police reports. A short time later, a man suffering a gunshot wound showed up at Research Medical Center. Police said they believed he was one of the robbers who had been shot in the incident. Police today said his injury was not life-threatening."

FL: Two nabbed in shooting: "The clerk at Big Star Liquors in Marianna was seriously injured Wednesday night during an attempted armed robbery, The Marianna Police Department wrote in a news release. The incident happened at about 7:20 p.m. According to the news release two men entered the store and one of them, Hakhelius Jaquarious Moore, 18, had a gun. During the attempted robbery Moore and the clerk exchanged gunfire, officials said. The clerk, whose name has not yet been released, recieved several gunshot wounds. He was transported to a medical facility and was listed in stable condition early Thursday morning. During the night officials from Marianna PD, The Jackson County Sheriff's Office, The Florida Highway Patrol and others searched for and found Moore and an alleged accomplice 17-year-old Deontrey Shaquille Granberry."

2012-01-19T17:40:00.001+10:00

A strange event

LEE COUNTY, GA -- An employee at the Lee County Publix found a .40-caliber handgun with 12 rounds inside on a sink in the men’s bathroom.

The employee notified store management who called the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. At this time it’s not known who left the gun, but authorities are running the serial number through the ATF data base to see if they can figure out how the gun got there.

No one was injured by the weapon.

Why doesn't this ever happen to me? I mean, people dump machine guns in creeks in Alabama, but never in one I'm looking at. Even ATF agents like Jody Keeku leave their duty weapons in airport bathrooms, and the sheep who find them just turn them over.

And that last line. "No one was injured by the weapon." What?!? It didn't jump up and shoot somebody all on its own? How could that be? I thought they were intrinsically evil?

Source

SC woman scares off robber: "Deputies say a 68-year-old woman pulled a gun on a man who tried to force his way inside her home. It happened on Cutler Street on Jan.8. The woman and her friend, Diane Gordon, said they had seen the man walking on Cutler Street. The victim says the man borrowed a flashlight from her friend, and later in the day, at about 7:30 p.m., he came back to her house and asked to use her phone. She said she did not let the man inside but allowed him to use her phone from the porch. The incident report says the man pushed open the door, pulled a gun from under his shirt and told her to "Get back in the house." "When he pulled his gun, she pulled her gun and he said for her to get in the house and she said she would kill him first," Gordon said. The man froze, and then ran away. Zach Hinton, with the Greenville County Sheriff's Office, said the man is white, about 40 years old, average height and he was using the name Eric. He had receding, light-brown hair and was wearing a light-colored T-shirt and blue jeans.

MS: Suspect arrested in failed armed robbery: "An attempt at an armed robbery failed when the suspect met with resistance from the business owner. Investigation into the crime led to the arrest of 28-year-old Stephen Joseph Kendrick after review of business surveillance video, said Capt. Chad Dorn with the Picayune Police Department. Kendrick was charged with attempted armed robbery. Witnesses stated that just after 10 p.m. Friday a man, later identified as Kendrick, entered the store and walked around for a short time before heading to the counter. Dorn said when Kendrick approached the counter he pulled a gun and demanded money from the register. However, the owner of the business was on the premises and the clerk declined to comply with Kendrick’s request. Dorn said Kendrick demanded money from the register a second time, but the owner pulled his own gun. On facing the owner’s gun, Kendrick backed down from his robbery attempt, stating his gun was just a BB gun before handing it over to the store owner and fleeing the scene."

AZ: Man released under new law: "Roger Garfield, the former antiques dealer who shot and killed an unarmed homeless man in 2006, has been released from prison and granted a new trial based on a change in self-defense laws. Garfield had been an insurance man for 25 years before achieving his lifelong dream in 2006 of opening his own antique store. The area is well-known for its homeless population, and Garfield had a run-in with transient Bobby Cain just two days after he set up shop. For months afterward, bad blood ran between the two men. Garfield said he was repeatedly threatened by Cain, who'd had a history of mental health problems. To protect himself, Garfield bought a little .32-caliber semi-automatic handgun. On April 9, 2006, Cain came into the store and began yelling at Garfield, who drew his gun. When Cain advanced, Garfield shot him four times. The man collapsed and died. Police and witnesses didn't view the shooting as self defense, despite Garfield's claim that he'd felt in fear of his life."

2012-01-18T18:02:00.000+10:00

MA: Grand Jury Finds Shooter Acted In Self-Defense: "A Grand Jury found on Tuesday that the accused murderer of Nikolas Carnute was acting in self-defense. The Wellington Avenue shooting of the 23-year-old Carnute on December 4, 2011 resulted in the arrest of Kurt Hudson, 25, of Pittsfield. Hudson fled to South Carolina, where he was apprehended a few days later. According to District Attorney David Capeless, after two days of testimony, the Grand Jury found that Carnute drew a gun on Hudson while Hudson sat in the driver's seat of a parked car. Hudson fired two shots out of the car window as he backed out of the Wellington Avenue driveway. One of those shots hit Carnute in the head. Carnute was transported to Berkshire Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Hudson then fled the scene and the gun Carnute used was not recovered because an associate of Carnute took it from the scene, according to Capeless."

GA: Self-defense shooting thwarts burglary, appears legal: "Aside from a 9 mm pistol and 16 years of military experience, Sgt. 1st Class Eddie Waiters was on his own in the wee hours of Tuesday morning when an intruder shattered his window and tried to open the front door of his house. But when Waiters opened fire and shot the would-be burglar in the groin, state law was also on his side, authorities determined after an investigation of the shooting. The suspect in the case, Melvin J. Jones, 47, [above] was believed to be unarmed. Still, Waiters’ reaction seemed to be a textbook example of a justified, self-defense shooting protected by statutes in Georgia and Alabama, according to law enforcement officials and attorneys."

OH: Woman who shot boyfriend acted in self-defense: "Reynoldsburg police reported that a woman who shot her boyfriend Saturday acted in self-defense. Terrance A. Hughes, 28, was fatally shot at about 10:50 a.m. Saturday at 9148 Firstgate Drive, in a house he shared with his girlfriend of three years, Reynoldsburg police Lt. Scott McKinley said. They recently moved to the area, just east of the Licking County line. The woman was able to obtain a gun that Hughes brought to the home and used it to shoot him, McKinley said. “The two got into an argument, she feared for her life and used force,” McKinley said. Hughes was pronounced dead at the scene. His death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy, Licking County Coroner’s Office investigator Mickey Lymon said. The investigation is complete, and no charges will be filed against the woman, McKinley said early Tuesday. Domestic disputes were not common for the couple, but Hughes had a history of altercations, McKinley said."

CA: High court OKs gun ban for misdemeanor criminals: "The U.S. Supreme Court turned down a Napa County man's challenge Tuesday of a California law that imposes a 10-year ban on gun ownership for anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime involving violence or threats of force. Rick Delacy's appeal was argued by a lawyer who also represents the National Rifle Association, and supporting arguments were also filed by the California Rifle and Pistol Association. They contended gun restrictions based on convictions for misdemeanors, punishable by no more than a year in jail, violate the constitutional right to possess firearms for self-defense that the Supreme Court recognized in 2008. They also argued that misdemeanor battery, Delacy's previous crime, is not necessarily violent."

2012-01-17T15:36:00.002+10:00

Deadly Milwaukee shooting was in self-defense: "The Milwaukee County District Attorney says Monday morning that a deadly shooting in Milwaukee earlier this month was self defense. The shooting happened at the corner of North 95th and West Brown Deer Road. The incident started as a meeting in which two men claimed they were planning to sell stereo equipment. Those men actually planned a robbery. The man who was killed had pulled a gun on the others. Prosecutors say the shooter then pulled out his gun in self defense."

NC: Mother shoots, kills son during bedroom assault: "A mother had to shoot and kill her own son in what investigators are calling self defense early Friday morning. When officers arrived they found 21-year-old Justin Barger shot dead in floor. Barger's parents told investigators they had poured out all the alcohol in the house after Barger became drunk. When his parents went to bed, Barger went into their bedroom and started assaulting them by pulling them out of bed and beating them on the ground. His mom reached for a pistol when Barger started beating his father and she ordered him to stop, according to police. When he came at her, she fired, shooting him directly in the chest. No charges have been filed in the case. Police believe Barger had a mental condition. Other family also told police that Barger had a history of threatening people."

NY: “Honest mistake” by Marine busted for handgun carry: "A third-generation Marine arrested in New York City after trying to check his Indiana-registered handgun with security made an "honest mistake" and should not face prison time, his attorney said Monday. Ryan Jerome, a 28-year-old former private first class whose father and grandfather were Marines, faces three and a half years in prison after being arrested Sept. 27 for carrying a .45-caliber Ruger that was legally registered in his home state. Jerome, of West Bend, Ind., had approached security officers at the Empire State Building to check the weapon before he was taken into custody, according to his attorney, who said it was the man's first visit to New York City." [Under common law, there has to be a "mens rea" (intention) for there to be a crime]

2012-01-16T16:18:00.001+10:00

Mike Bloomberg is a Tiny Shit of a Man

One of the most disturbing features of the US justice system is its ever more grotesque loss of proportion, at the federal level and in far too many states and municipalities. On his radio show this week, Derb discusses the case of Meredith Graves, the Tennessee nurse who, upon visiting the 9/11 memorial in New York and seeing the signs forbidding firearms, asked the staff if she could check her pistol (lawful and licensed in her home state). She was handcuffed, arrested, and now faces three and a half years in jail for firearms possession – for the crime of being unaware that the Second Amendment does not apply in New York City.

Asked about the case, New York’s thuggish mayor decided to add insult to injury:

"Let’s assume that she didn’t get arrested for carrying a gun. She probably would have gotten arrested for the cocaine that was in her pocket."

There was no cocaine. The white stuff in her pocket was analyzed by Bloomberg’s cops and found to be, as the nurse had said it was, aspirin powder. So this loathsome slug of a man has slandered an ordinary American citizen on tape in front of the world. Why? Because he can.

As Kevin Williamson wrote:

"You can be confident that Meredith Graves will be locked up, because it is far easier to lock up law-abiding types such as Meredith Graves than it is to police the criminals who actually do the murders and muggings. This isn’t a question of whether the government’s behavior is constitutional or unconstitutional, but of whether the government’s behavior constitutes government, of whether it makes any sense at all, and of whether government can establish elementary priorities and exercise elementary discretion."

Anyone with any knowledge of New York City’s standard operating procedure could have guessed the answer to that. But we might have known that Bloomberg would effortlessly sink to new depths. It is outrageous that his enforcers are obtuse enough to seek jail time for Meredith Graves. But it is entirely unacceptable for the chief executive of a major American jurisdiction to slur innocent private citizens as coke snorters simply because he’s in power and they’re not. Like Derb, I hope Mrs Graves sues the pants off this tinpot toad.

Source

TN: Ex-boyfriend shot by ex-husband: "Around 10:30 p.m. Friday, an angry and aggressive Christopher Franklin showed up at his ex-girlfriend’s East Nashville house and confronted her estranged husband, 37-year-old John Allen, police say. Allen told detectives that he shot 32-year-old Franklin in self-defense at 802 N. Second St. Franklin died. Police say Allen’s wife had a protection order against Franklin because she felt he had been watching her. No charges have been filed, but the investigation continues."

MLK Kept Guns at Home for Self-Defense and Sought Right to Carry: "The late Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. kept guns at home in Alabama for self-defense," gun law expert John M. Snyder recalled here on the eve of the national holiday named for the civil rights leader. "At one time," Snyder continued, "King applied for a permit to carry a concealed handgun, but was denied. He was concerned for his personal safety, just as are a lot of law-abiding American citizens. "This fact underscores the value of a public policy regarding constitutional carry. With constitutional carry, a law-abiding American citizen could exercise his or her constitutional right to carry a concealed firearm without government authorization."

2012-01-15T17:41:00.001+10:00

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."

2012-01-14T19:36:00.002+10:00

White Gun, Another ATF Gun-Smuggling Scheme?

Similar to the Fast and Furious operation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), another operation code-named White Gun is under review.

Now members of Congress who have spent months scrutinizing the Fast and Furious debacle are seeking to determine whether White Gun was another weapons investigation gone wrong.

"Apparently guns got away again," said one source close to the investigation, led by Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista) and Sen. Charles E. Grassley (R-Iowa).

"How many got into Mexico, who knows?"

Officials from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives declined to comment on whether any firearms were lost in White Gun. But unlike Fast and Furious, they vigorously defended the previously unreported White Gun operation as a well-managed investigation that produced three arrests and convictions.

One observing the missteps of the ATF might conclude the agency is being grossly mismanaged.

2012-01-14T16:38:00.001+10:00

Court Agrees To Hear Michael Behenna's Appeal

The family of an Edmond soldier convicted of murdering an Iraqi while fighting overseas received good news Friday morning. The highest military appeals court decided to hear Lieutenant Michael Behenna's case.

His mother said it was a small victory but a lot of work still needs to be done. "We're not out of the woods yet," said Vicki Behenna. "This is just an agreement to hear his case."

Michael Behenna had not even heard the news Friday. He is serving his 15-year sentence in the Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, prison.

This appeal could overturn that conviction and the sentence for killing Ali Mansur in 2008.

Behenna previously testified he shot in self-defense when Ali Mansur reached out for his gun. Prosecutors argued that Behenna killed Mansur by shooting him in the head, execution style.

"Those shots are horizontal and parallel to each other, inconsistent with the fact that I'm standing above you, you're seated on a rock and I'm shooting down to your head," explained Vickie Behenna.

Vicki Behenna said the jury did not hear key testimony from prosecutors' own forensic expert. "When the government's own forensic expert tells them, ‘Your theory is wrong. It's not an execution. I believe that Mansur was standing at the time he was shot, that this was the first shot. It was not a shot to the head. As he fell to the ground, the second shot occurred,'" said Behenna as she recalled. "That evidence didn't get to the jury."

Behenna, a prosecutor herself, explained this omission of testimony was a violation of the Brady Rule which states that all evidence a prosecutor has that may negate the defendant's guilt, must be presented. She said that omission of evidence is enough to overturn the conviction. "The jury didn't hear that both experts, defense and prosecution experts, agreed that the man was coming towards [Michael] when he got shot," she said.

Behenna's mother said the defense team will now focus on the Brady Rule during the appeal Until then, she said Michael would have to wait in his prison cell. "I was so afraid that Michael would become angry and bitter and give up," she said. "But he hasn't."

Michael was not aware of the good news Friday since he can only communicate by letters or face-to-face. Vickie said she would go to Fort Leavenworth on Saturday to deliver the good news.

She said they do not expect a ruling on the appeal until late summer or early fall. They now have 30 to 60 days to file a brief, then the government has 30 to 60 days to respond before the court even hears the case.

Source

NC: Man shot, killed after breaking into home: "A Columbus County man is dead after being shot during an alleged home break-in. Around 1:30 a.m. Thursday morning residents of this home on North Wilkes Street in Chadbourn say two men forced their way in. They kicked in the door, knocking the frame loose. On the other end a frightened resident who was willing to defend himself. A roommate, who does not want to be identified, said his friend shot at the intruders as they burst through the door. The buck shot from the 12-gauge shotgun hit one of the two intruders. The resident tells us the men were startled when they saw the gun and heard the blast, running out the door. The man who was shot, Eddie Best Jr., fell to the ground along the side of the home. The other suspect ran off toward the back. Police confirm Best died at the hospital about an hour later."

WA: Arrogant judge costs the State a lot of money: "The state will pay a Longview man nearly $123,000 almost exactly two years after he was acquitted of assault after waving a gun at employees of a downtown Longview nightclub. Most of the money will go to his lawyers. Barnd-Spjut was on trial in January 2010 for four counts of assault after he pulled the gun in an alley behind the now-defunct Kesler's Bar & Grill. Security video footage played during the trial showed the bar's bouncers forcing Barnd-Spjut, then 29, down a hallway and shoving him out the back door. Barnd-Spjut's attorney, Duane Crandall, said at the time that his client brandished the weapon because the bouncers had a reputation for beating up patrons, and Barnd-Spjut feared he was about to be attacked. A jury found that argument reasonable, acquitted Barnd-Spjut and awarded him his trial-related costs. However, now-retired Cowlitz Superior Court Judge Jim Warme overturned the jury's decision to award Barnd-Spjut's his legal costs. A state appeals court shot down Warme's ruling late last year and declared Barnd-Spjut was entitled to recoup his trial-related costs."

2012-01-13T18:01:00.001+10:00

New E-mail Blows Hole In Obama’s “Fast And Furious” Story

Discovery of a January 2011 e-mail exchange between then Acting ATF Director Ken Melson and the Bureau’s chief council Steve Rubenstein has put the kibosh on Obama administration elites’ latest “we didn’t know about it” defense concerning the regime’s involvement in Operation Fast and Furious.

On December 22, 2010, a contributor identifying himself as “1desertrat” posted the following to the “CLEANUP ATF” website:

"Word is that curious George Gillett the Phoenix ASAC stepped on it again. Allegedly he has approved more than 500 AR-15 type rifles from Tucson and Phoenix cases to be “walked” to Mexico. Appears that ATF may be one of the largest suppliers of assault rifles to the Mexican cartels! One of these rifles is rumored to have been linked to the recent killing of a Border Patrol Officer in Nogales, AZ. Can anyone confirm this information?"

Well, Director Melson read this “CLEANUP ATF” post and didn’t appreciate the fact that ATF business had been so willfully shared with the general public. Especially, this business. So, he contacted ATF Chief Council Steve Rubenstein for advice. And the e-mail reply he received from Rubenstein is a beauty. Rubenstein wrote:

"The disclosure of this information has a potential deleterious effect on ATF’s undercover operations. In that regard, suspects may alter their behavior if they know that law enforcement is allowing certain firearms to “walk” into Mexico. In addition, public knowledge of this type of operation potentially places informants and undercover agents in jeopardy. If “1desertrat” is an ATF employee, then he/she is subject to our Orders and Standards of Conduct…."

Rubenstein goes on to quote the ATF Code of Conduct for employees, making it clear to Melson that the individual responsible for the post could be dealt with rather severely if indeed an ATF agent.

And Melson’s response: “Thanks Steve. I’m going to forward this to IA.” That is, Internal Affairs, which had by this time earned the reputation of being little more than a tool for the intimidation of agents who did not adequately adhere to ATF policy, regardless of how corrupt or nefarious.

The question is, where was Ken Melson’s outrage? Where are the endless questions about the “gunwalking” charge? Where is the anger about not having been informed of the operation? It has been Melson’s defense and testimony to congress for the past year that no one told him of Operation Fast and Furious. He didn’t know about guns being “walked” into Mexico. And of course it stands to reason that if he, the ATF Director didn’t know, no one above his pay grade could have known either, letting Eric Holder and Barack Obama off the hook.

But Melson doesn’t act like an innocent dupe who had been kept deliberately in the dark. He seems interested only in what steps can be taken to silence and punish “1desertrat” should his identity as an ATF employee become known.

But dupe or not, treated like an outsider by ATF old-timers or not, kept in the dark about gunwalking to Mexico or not, Ken Melson had been introduced to the Fast and Furious, gunwalking scheme no later than December 2010. His yearlong performance before congressional investigators as “innocent bystander” will no longer fly.

And neither will the fact that he supposedly kept the deliberate, highly illegal smuggling of guns into Mexico quietly to himself, sparing his superiors in the Department of Justice any of the gory details. As an attorney, Ken Melson knew the consequences, both of such a crime and its cover up. One can wager, if only to protect his own hide, he made sure his Department of Justice and executive branch bosses knew it as well.

More here

Florida senior citizen shoots, kills suspected burglar: "A senior citizen in Florida shot dead a would-be burglar at his home early Thursday morning as the suspect was trying to gain entry into the Daytona Beach home. The 82-year-old homeowner woke up at 6 a.m. after hearing someone at his backdoor, the report said. He armed himself with a .45 automatic and fired a single shot through the door, the report said. The suspected burglar was hit in the abdomen and likely died minutes later. The suspect was described as a white male in a ski mask who was carrying a hammer and screwdriver at the time of the shooting. Police have tentatively identified the suspect as the man wanted for other burglaries in the neighborhood, the report said. “The 82-year-old resident did something that the criminal justice system couldn’t do,” said Mike Chitwood, the chief of Daytona Beach police. “And that’s put this burglar out of business this morning.”

IN: Shooting at burglary suspects justified: "A Johnson County couple were justified when they shot at suspects burglarizing their property last summer, Prosecutor Brad Cooper announced Wednesday. Kevin and Teresa Reckley were acting within their rights when Kevin shot at the suspected burglars at their Trafalgar-area property Aug. 19, Cooper said. One of the suspects, an 18-year-old man, was treated for a gunshot to the abdomen. Two men drove a truck from behind the home; Kevin Reckley pointed his shotgun and ordered them to stop and get out of the vehicle. The suspects got out, but the driver later reached inside the truck, and Reckley fired. Reckley, an optometrist, handed the shotgun to his wife and took a handgun she had been carrying. Suspects in a second truck drove through the driveway directly at Reckley. He fired the .357-caliber handgun, striking the truck several times. The suspects were arrested but have yet to face official charges."

2012-01-12T15:42:00.000+10:00

Another American Imprisoned in People’s Republic of New York City

Once again an American has been thrown in prison for exercising his constitutional rights in Mayor for Life Michael Bloomberg’s authoritarian fiefdom of New York City:

Fred Vankirk, 59, of Columbus, was slapped with handcuffs at about 11 a.m. Saturday after cops found two .357 Magnum pistols and a .45 semiautomatic in his room at the Radisson Hotel on Lexington Avenue near East 48th Street, police sources said.

Vankirk has no criminal history. He has a permit in Ohio, and brought the guns for protection, which anyone who has been to New York City will understand.

The punishment will be as draconian as if it were North Korea or Cuba that he mistook for a place where the US Constitution applies.

He was charged with three counts of second-degree gun possession and [is] being held on $50,000 bond, court papers show. Each count carries a potential sentence of five to 15 years, to be served concurrently if a conviction results.

Other recent victims of NYC’s hyperaggressive war on liberty include former Marine Ryan Jerome, medical student Meredith Graves, and Tea Party Patriots cofounder Mark Meckler. It is doubtful that commonsense prosecutorial discretion will be applied.

Without the Constitution, our disintegration into hard tyranny would be inevitable and probably rapid. The greatest threat to this precious document is not that it will be officially repealed, but that it will be ignored.

The Second Amendment guarantees the right to bear arms. The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees that wherever you go in America, the Second Amendment applies.

Source

OH: No Indictment For Man Claiming Self Defense: "A man who was shot to death after breaking into a car sparked a grand jury hearing. On October 9, 2011, a Blacklick man confronted 28-year-old Sean Stiffler who was breaking into a neighbors car on Bollengen Road on the city's far east side. 911 caller: "He went into his pocket and drew a gun on me. I thought he had a gun and my life was in danger." A Franklin County grand jury looked at the facts from the shooting and decided Wednesday not to indict the neighbor who shot and killed Stiffler."

NC: Store employee fatally wounds man during robbery attempt: "An attempted armed robbery at Waccamaw Outdoor Supply on Wednesday ended with the alleged robber critically injured from a single gunshot, Police Chief Scott Hyatt said. The suspect died hours later. "A masked suspect came in with a weapon - not a gun, a weapon - and there was an exchange between the employee and the suspect," Hyatt said. "There were employees and customers in the store at the time. It was not a customer who did the shooting." Hyatt would only identify the dead man as a 20-year-old. The man was initially treated at Columbus Regional Healthcare in Whiteville, and later transferred to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington where he died. Hyatt said the employee who shot the suspect pulled a gun from under the counter during a similar robbery attempt a week earlier. "In that case, the suspect got one leg in the door, the employee went for the gun, and the suspect ran," Hyatt said. Hyatt said he does not expect to charge anyone in Wednesday's shooting."

2012-01-11T19:21:00.001+10:00

WA: Homeowner shoots, kills suspected burglar: "A suspected burglar was shot dead by a homeowner inside an Everett home Monday. Snohomish County Sheriff's deputies said the burglar broke into a house on the 10500 block of 21st Avenue Southeast at 11:45 a.m., believing no one was home. The suspect was confronted by the homeowner, who was armed, and after a confrontation, deputies said the suspect was shot and killed."

FL: Convenience store owner thwarts robbery: "A convenience store owner thwarted an armed robbery Saturday when he pulled out a gun before a man attempting to rob his store could brandish his own, police said. The incident happened just before noon at Steve's Qwik Mart, 7500 Ulmerton Road. The store's owner, who was not identified, noticed a suspicious person outside his store about 11:45 a.m. The victim of a previous robbery on Dec. 19, 2011, he grabbed a firearm, police said. After pacing outside for a few moments, the man entered the store, lifted his shirt and began to brandish a black firearm, police said. The store owner pulled his own out first and pointed it at the man, who fled without taking anything. Police described the man as black, between 18 and his early 20s."

2012-01-10T15:36:00.001+10:00

IN: Man shoots at suspected police impostor: "An 18-year-old Dyer man shot twice at a man who posed as a police officer Thursday night in the 600 block of 177th Street, police said. The Dyer man pulled his car over about 8:30 p.m. when a man driving a dark Chevy Tahoe or GMC Yukon appeared to be making a traffic stop. ... 'The victim realized it was a hoax,' Hammond Police Chief Brian Miller said. He got out of his car with his handgun and shot twice at the supposed officer, who then got in his car, made a U-turn and fled."

CA: Home Robbery Suspect Shot by Homeowner: "A robbery suspect in custody after he was reportedly shot by a person he was robbing. 21-year-old Zaiven Ridley is accused of breaking into a home off Avenue 352 in Kingsburg but the couple who lives there was home at the time with their four kids. Officers say the suspect apparently tried to come in through a window so the father grabbed a gun and shot the suspect in the thigh. The suspect is expected to be okay. The case is still under investigation.

2012-01-09T16:29:00.001+10:00

National Guardsman thwarts Chicago transit robbery; 3 teens arrested: "Three teens who attempted to rob a judo instructor with a replica gun at a CTA station got more than they bargained for, police say. It wasn’t the judo teacher who taught them a lesson, authorities say, but an Army National Guardsman armed with a real gun. Simpson was on his way to his day job as a security guard around 6:30 p.m. and was wearing his World Security Agency uniform when the 28-year-old victim approached him and described the three attackers who’d just unsuccessfully tried to snatch his iPhone at gunpoint, Simpson and the victim both said. Within seconds, Simpson had chased down and cuffed two 16-year-old boys to each other, he said. Then he squared off against a 17-year-old who pulled out what “looked like a real .22 pistol,” he said. As Simpson grabbed his own gun, the 17-year-old — identified in court Sunday by prosecutors as Donte Jackson — shouted “please don’t shoot, it’s not real!” Simpson said. The 17-year-old pulled the trigger on the fake gun, revealing a flame, he said. “It was a lighter, but I told him, ‘You shouldn’t have done that, I could have shot you.’”

VA: Police ID suspect killed at Roger's Sports Pub: "Police say Raymond Davis, 22, of Norfolk, and two other men tried to rob Rogers Sport's Pub in Chesapeake Friday Night. Witnesses told WAVY.com one of the patrons in the bar shot and killed Davis during the attempted robbery. It's the same story detectives told his grandmother Sheila Davis. "The man went outside and came back in with his gun and shot him down," said Davis. "It's like shooting a dog down. He is a human being." Davis says her grandson got mixed up with the wrong crowd. While she doesn't condone his behavior, she wants the public to respect her family in this time of grief. "I'm not trying to sweet-coat nothing," said Davis. "He went in there to rob the place, but eventually he got killed is the result of it." Witnesses say Davis and two other men entered the bar armed, wearing masks, and demanding money. Police won't say if the person who shot Davis could possibly face charges. They are still looking for the two other suspects who fled" [Another report here]

AL: Intruder shot: "He says a male suspect rang his doorbell and didn't expect anyone to be at home. "I proceeded to my doorbell. Once I got to the door I didn't see anybody. During that time, I looked over through the kitchen area, to my right, and I seen somebody trying to pry my window open. At the time, I seen two suspects with something in their hands trying to pry my window open. I yelled at them and as I yelled at them, they didn't seem to hear me. I proceeded back down the hall. I got my weapon and came back up and they still was prying and that's when I shot," Holloway said. Holloway said the 17-year-old he shot in the back had a gun. He says after the first burglary attempt two years ago he bought a gun to protect his home and family. Police say the suspect who was shot was taken to Baptist South. He suffered non-life threatening injuries. The second robber fled and is not in custody nor has he been identified.

2012-01-08T16:04:00.002+10:00

NC: Man not to be charged in shooting of 80-year-old: "The man accused of shooting an 80-year-old man is no longer facing criminal charges. According to paperwork from the clerk’s office, prosecutors determined the shooting was a case of self-defense. But Edward Lail argues against the prosecutors’ findings. The 80-year-old Korean War Veteran said a man he did not know came into his home and started asking him about a woman. “I come back and he was in the kitchen, and I said, ‘I told you to leave my house. I don’t know you.’ He come out here. I followed him out here and I seen the car and I said, ‘Get out of my driveway,’” Lail said. Lail said he fired a warning shot in the air. Second later, the man returned fire, hitting the 80-year-old in the side. Deputies charged Christopher Hedrick with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. According to the dismissal papers, prosecutors said Lail initiated the use of deadly force by firing the gun twice, including one shot that went over Hedrick’s head. Prosecutors said Hedrick was justified in returning fire because he life was threatened."

OH: Indictment on murder charge rejected: "A Toledo man arrested for the Oct. 23 shooting death of an acquaintance during a memorial vigil will not face murder charges, according to a decision by the Lucas County grand jury. The grand jury declined on Friday to indict Martrece Dobson on two alternate counts of murder for the death of Justin Smith. The grand jury did indict Mr. Dobson, 24, on one count of carrying a concealed weapon. If convicted on the charge, he faces up to 18 months in prison. Jeff Lingo, chief of the criminal division for the prosecutor’s office, noted that testimony given to the grand jury is not public information. Instead he referred to the Toledo police investigation of the October shooting that revealed that Smith was pointing a gun at different people prior to being shot. “Police reports and witness statements would have revealed that the decedent pulled a gun and was brandishing it in a threatening manner at other people and was subsequently shot,” he said. Toledo police Detective Liz Kantura said that although she could not say what information the grand jury contemplated, “it is fair to conclude they considered self defense.”

NY: Clerk with gun foils robbery: "Police say a clerk at a convenience store in Syracuse was able to stop a robbery by pulling a gun on a man who had slashed him with a knife. The confrontation happened at about 12:40 p.m. Friday. Police tell the Post-Standard, of Syracuse, that a man entered the shop wearing a ski mask and began swinging a knife. The worker's arms were bloodied, but he was able to grab a rifle from behind the counter and hold the robber at gunpoint until help arrived. The 21-year-old clerk was treated at a hospital. The 31-year-old man captured by the clerk was charged with attempted robbery and assault."

Serviceman thwarts Chicago transit robbery: "A military serviceman nabbed three robbers at a CTA Red Line station on the Near North Side this evening after the suspects snatched someone else’s iPhone, according to Chicago police. The serviceman, who was waiting for a train at North/Clybourn station about 6:30 p.m., works as a security guard, and was on his way to his job when the robbery victim flagged him down on the platform, police said. When the serviceman chased the suspects up the stairs, one of them pulled out a replica gun, police said. This prompted the security guard to draw his gun, which the officer said he was allowed to carry, and the suspects then surrendered. The three were detained by the serviceman until Chicago police officers arrived to the scene, police said. The iPhone has since been returned to the robbery victim."

2012-01-07T19:35:00.001+10:00

PA: Charges dropped in road rage incident: "Prosecutors on Friday withdrew charges of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment filed after a road rage incident that ended in gunfire in Ligonier Township. In October, Patrick James Pirl, 39, of Ligonier began tailgating Charles P. Gallo, 63, also of Ligonier, on Route 30, according to a police affidavit. Gallo told police that Pirl eventually followed him onto Route 381, where Pirl pulled in front of him, turned around and started heading directly at Gallo's vehicle. Gallo said he pulled out his Glock semi-automatic pistol and fired twice at Pirl, with one bullet grazing his shoulder, police said. The felony charges filed against Pirl were withdrawn because Gallo did not come to Pirl's preliminary hearing on Friday morning to testify before District Judge Denise Snyder-Thiel. Gallo spoke with 911 operators three times during the incident, according to court papers. Charges of attempted homicide were withdrawn against Gallo in December because Pirl refused to testify."

AZ: Guns on college and university campuses could soon be a reality: "Arizona Sen. Ronald Gould plans to reintroduce a gun bill next week that would force public colleges and universities to allow students with gun permits to carry firearms on campus. Gould (R- District 3) introduced a similar bill last legislative session which Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed. "The new bill only pertains to concealed carry permit holders," Gould said. Gould feels allowing students to carry weapons will decrease crime on campus. "To disallow guns on campus, what that really does is create a self defense free zone. So people with evil intents, they know there's no weapons there," Gould said. Gould has contacted the Arizona Board of Regents about his bill and while board members appreciate his intent, they are against guns on campus."

2012-01-06T16:48:00.001+10:00

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."

2012-01-05T17:19:00.000+10:00

Another Innocent Tourist Imprisoned by NYC Anti-Gun Zealots

Last time it was a medical student; now it’s a former Marine:

Ryan Jerome was enjoying his first trip to New York City on business when the former Marine Corps gunner walked up to a security officer at the Empire State Building and asked where he should check his gun.

That was when Jerome’s nightmare began. The security officer called police and Jerome spent the next two days in jail.

The 28-year-old with no criminal history now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of three and a half years in prison. If convicted, his sentence could be as high as fifteen years.

Jerome has a valid concealed carry permit in Indiana and visited New York believing that it was legal to bring his firearm. He was traveling with $15,000 worth of jewelry that he planned to sell.

The online gun-law information Jerome read was inaccurate, however, and his late September arrest initiated what may become a protracted criminal saga.

Another life has been destroyed by the mistaken assumption that New York City is still part of America, subject to the restraints on government tyranny guaranteed in the Constitution.

In a similar case, Tea Party Patriots cofounder Mark Meckler was arrested for attempting to check in a Glock locked in a box while traveling through LaGuardia:

Meckler, 49, declared the weapon, as required, authorities said. He’s licensed to carry the gun in Grass Valley, Calif., where he lives, but that license isn’t valid in New York, which has strict rules on carrying concealed weapons, they said.

“He didn’t have a correct understanding of the law,” said Al Della Fave, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which polices the area’s main airports. “Though he has a permit to carry in California, that did not cover him in the state of New York.”

Meckler spent the day in jail and was arraigned in Queens … on a felony weapons possession charge.

Since Mayor for Life Michael Bloomberg’s fiefdom is no longer part of America in any meaningful sense, the State Department should issue a warning that travelers to this forbidding authoritarian dystopia are subject to inappropriate imprisonment based on unconstitutional local laws.

Source

NC: 14 year old at home with shotgun stops burglar dead: "A 14-year-old Henderson boy calmly described in a 911 call how he shot an intruder in a home invasion last week. "I just shot the man. He came around the corner. I shot him. He broke the whole glass out (of the back door)," the teen told the 911 dispatcher. Authorities said Anthony Henderson Jr. 19, broke into the home at 586 S. Lynnbank Road on Thursday while the teen and his 17-year-old sister were home. The boy told the dispatcher that Henderson pointed a handgun at him, but Vance County Sheriff Peter White said deputies found no weapon on Henderson. Henderson stumbled outside after being shot and was found dead on the lawn. Deputies have charged Andrew Terry, 23, of 113 N. Woods Drive, with felony breaking and entering, conspiracy to commit breaking and entering and injury to real property in the case. They also are searching for two other men – Seneca Henderson, 20, of 907 S. Beckford Drive, No. 134, and Jatwaun Davis, 21, of 199 Belle Russell Road... No charges are expected against the teen for firing on Henderson."

NC: Store clerk fires 1 shot, scares off robbers: "A store clerk fired a gun once at some would-be robbers and sent them running. Police said they went to Andy's Pantry at 1301 Grove St. at 7:23 Wednesday on an attempted robbery call. The store clerk told police that two men entered the store with bandanas covering their faces. One of the men pointed a handgun at the clerk and demanded money. The clerk then pulled out a handgun and shot one round. Police said they did not know if anyone was struck. A full description of the suspects was not available."

NC: Intruder Killed by Homeowner: "Authorities are investigating the death of a man whom a homeowner shot during an alleged home invasion. Investigators said four [black] men entered the residence armed with a weapon while the occupant was home. Police said the homeowner heard the men enter the residence, armed himself and fired, shooting one of them. Police said all four men fled the scene and drove to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where the wounded suspect died. They identified the dead man as Buchkechio Geddie, 16, of 3200 Winesap Road in Hope Mills. The three arrested were Michael Fripp, 22, of 5051 Woodspring Road, Fayetteville; Torrian Knowles, 18, of 506 Pinewood Drive, Hope Mills, and Kwuamae Keaton, 17, of 6536 Foxberry Road, Fayetteville. Police said the homeowner's name is being withheld to protect his safety"

2012-01-04T15:23:00.001+10:00

OK: Young mother shoots and kills intruder: "An 18 year old Blanchard woman says she was forced to shoot and kill a man who was breaking into her home Saturday afternoon. Sarah Dawn McKinley was home alone with her three month old son at the time. She says she heard a knock on her door and looked through the peephole to see two men, one of whom she'd met a couple times before. "I saw that it was the same man. He had been here Thursday night and I had a bad feeling then," said McKinley. McKinley says she moved her couch in front of the door, grabbed her son and her shotgun, called 911 and went in a back room. She says for an agonizing 21 minutes, she listened to the men try to break in. "He was from door to door trying to bust in, just going from door to door," said McKinley. "I waited till he got in the door. They said I couldn't shoot him until he was inside the house. So I waited until he got in the door and then I shot him."

VA: Clerk shoots robber: "A masked man walked into an Oceanfront 7-Eleven early Tuesday morning, flashed a gun and demanded money, according to a police news release. The clerk, who was working with his son, responded by walking to the register and pulling out his own gun. When the would-be robber made an aggressive gesture, the clerk fired, striking the man, who fled from the store at 3908 Atlantic Ave., according to the release.About a half-hour later, around 1:30 a.m., a man suffering from a gunshot wound reported to a local emergency room, and officers linked him to the attempted robbery, police said. Police charged Blake Christian Richardson, 18, of the 1100 block of Bay Colony Drive, with attempted armed robbery, abduction, wearing a mask in public and two counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony."

OH: 84-year-old man kills demented intruder: "An 84-year-old man shot and killed an elderly intruder at his home in the 2700 block of Hilda Avenue Tuesday morning, police said. Officers discovered the body after they were summoned to the residence about 10 a.m. when the homeowner called 911, said Officer Kristy Collins, spokeswoman for Hamilton police. Ed T. Stevens, 75, of Hamilton was found dead in the home’s basement. Police said Stevens forced his way into the house past Charles V. Foster. Once inside, Stevens assaulted Foster. who then shot Stevens to stop the assault, police said. Stevens’ family told police that Stevens has a history of suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s. Sgt. Michael Waldeck said there some of Stevens’ relatives lived on the street and the family thought Stevens might have gotten confused and went to the wrong house. Police said no charges have been filed"

FL: Armed robbery at Jewelry store ends with clerk shooting back: "The Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office says three masked men came into the Osvilda Jewelry store in Belle Glade at 116 SW Avenue B and robbed the store. One robber held the clerk at gunpoint and attempted to shoot, but the gun didn't fire, deputies said. That's when investigators say the clerk grabbed a gun and started shooting back at the robbers. The masked men were able to escape in a stolen getaway van, which was later recovered by deputies a few blocks away on 100 Block NW Avenue C. Nobody inside the jewelry store sustained any injuries and it is not clear at this time what was stolen."

2012-01-03T16:04:00.001+10:00

PA: A viable alternative to a gun? "Somerset County District Attorney Jerry Spangler will not charge a man who fatally shot another man with a bow and arrow, saying today that changes in the state's Castle Doctrine factored into his decision. Mr. Spangler said the unidentified 38-year-old Center City man who confessed to shooting Tony L. Bittinger on Oct. 10 claimed he did so in self-defense. Mr. Bittinger was found shot through the chest with an arrow near the front steps to the man's house. Trooper Joseph Drzal said Mr. Bittinger, who had been romantically involved with the man's wife, made several threatening phone calls to the man before driving up to his home to confront him. There, he threatened the man with a heavy wooden club. The man told him to leave repeatedly. When Mr. Bittinger attempted to come up the stairs, the man shot him in the chest with an arrow. He died before first responders arrived." [Might be useful in NYC]

Loony British gun control: "A taxi driver shot dead three women on New Year’s Day after being allowed to keep six guns – even though he had previously threatened to kill himself. Michael Atherton, 42, was licensed to own the small arsenal despite being investigated three years earlier when officers were tipped off about his mood swings. On Sunday night, he opened fire at will, killing partner Susan McGoldrick and two of her female relatives before turning the gun on himself. Atherton, who is believed to have been recently suffering from depression, also wounded stepdaughter Laura McGoldrick, 19, in the late-night rampage inside the family home. She witnessed the bloodbath and survived only by escaping through a first-floor window and jumping to safety. The bloodsoaked teenager then raised the alarm. Relatives were yesterday devastated by the ‘senseless’ murders and questions were being asked about why Atherton was still a lawful holder of the guns."

In Smith and Wesson We Trust (and It Looks Like Santa Does Too): "It seems that a lot of adults now go to bed on Christmas Eve dreaming of what Santa might bring them as well: especially when the number one thing on their list is a Walther .380 or a Glock model 27 or a Springfield XD subcompact 9mm, all of which are splendid guns for concealed carry permit holders. As a matter of fact, judging from sales receipts and FBI reports regarding sales for December 2011, it seems that Santa delivered at least 1.5 million firearms for Christmas. Not only is this news in light of the fact that it required the FBI to do a record setting number of background checks in a month – 1.5 million in December alone – but also because it continues to highlight what has been a growing trend among people of all walks of life: namely, folks are less and less trustful of government’s ability to keep them safe."

2012-01-02T17:53:00.001+10:00

SC: Robbery suspect shot by barbershop owner: "Richland County deputies say the owner of a barbershop shot a man who tried to rob his business. Investigators said two men planned a robbery when they entered All the Way Cuts and Styles in the northeast suburbs of Columbia around 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The owner of the barbershop was able to get a gun and shoot one of the suspects, while the other ran away. He was arrested a short time later. Deputies say 22-year-old Ronald Capers [above] is charged with seven counts of armed robbery and two counts of attempted murder. He remains in the Richland County jail without bond. Authorities say the man who was shot in the chest remains in the hospital and has not been identified."

Gun sales continue record climb in Ohio: "Firearm background checks performed by the FBI have increased during the past year, a sign that gun sales have increased significantly. From Jan. 1, 2011, to Nov. 30, 2011, the latest information available, more than 406,000 firearm background checks were conducted in Ohio, up from 393,000 in 2010 and 292,000 10 years ago, according to information gathered by the Middletown Journal from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, an FBI agency. These background checks, mandated by the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act of 1993, are used to instantly determine whether a prospective buyer is eligible to buy firearms or explosives from a licensed dealer. Local gun dealers are reaping the benefits of increased sales."

2012-01-01T20:30:00.001+10:00

A candidate a gun-owner could love

Michele Bachmann might be struggling in the polls now but she could well beat all her fellow GOP presidential candidates in another competition.

The Minnesota Representative, 55, packs a punch when she goes hunting and revealed her favourite gun is a semi-automatic AR-15 assault rifle. She is going pheasant hunting with Iowa Rep Steve King on Friday and claims she learned about gun safety before she was even a teenager.

'Hey, I'm a pretty good shot,’ she told WHO-AM. ‘I learned how to hunt here in Iowa from my Dad - I went through gun safety when I was 12.’ ‘My favourite gun is an AR-15, because you can be so accurate with it. And I scored the best in my class - of any of the men too - in that class.

‘It's a rifle. I love that gun. I love it. It's a great gun.’ Mrs Bachmann refused however to be drawn by WHO-AM on the size of her magazine.

The AR-15 is the civilian version of the U.S. military’s M16 automatic or semi-automatic rifle, which was used during the Vietnam War.

The gun can be configured in many sizes to suit the individual with accessories including silencers, grenade launchers or telescopic sights.

More here

New York Lawmakers Reportedly Ask for Mercy for Tourist Arrested With Gun at 9/11 Memorial: "Meredith Graves, 39, had a .32-caliber Kel-Tec handgun in her purse when she went to the National September 11 Memorial, seen here, on Dec. 22 and tried to check it with a cop after she saw a sign reading “No Guns.” New York lawmakers are reportedly asking the Manhattan District Attorney's Office to show mercy to a Tennessee tourist who was arrested for bringing a gun to the 9/11 Memorial. City Councilman Peter Vallone Jr., D-Queens, chairman of the Public Safety Committee, personally asked Cyrus Vance Jr.’s office not to push for the 3 1/2-year minimum sentence for Meredith Graves, 39, the New York Post reports. “By prosecuting this woman and seeking 3 1/2 years of jail, we are shooting our own [gun-control] efforts in the foot and giving the rest of the country ammunition,” Vallone said."

2011-12-31T14:58:00.001+10:00

TX: Man Shot During Attempted Robbery: "A man is recovering in a hospital from a gunshot wound he received during an alleged attempted robbery at an auto salvage yard Thursday night. El Paso Police Department officials told ABC-7 they believe the man was one of several trying to rob a man who works at the A&M Salvage Yard in the 9700 block of Alameda. Police said an employee was within the security gate of the yard when he said he was approached by several men who then tried to rob him about 8:30 p.m. Thursday. The employee pulled out a gun and fired one shot, hitting one of the men. Police did not elaborate on the man's wounds, but said they are not life-threatening. The others fled, prompting police to launch a search. Police spokesman Detective Mike Baranyay said the employee told them he shot the weapon in self-defense. "If you feel threatened, you have a right to defend yourself," Baranyay said. "And obviously, if there's multiple subjects on one individual, that allows you to use a little more force to defend yourself."

Legal costs as a weapon against the anti-gunners: "A federal judge has ordered the City of Washington D.C. to pay more than $1 million in attorney’s fees to the attorneys who fought the Heller case. The Heller case was, of course, the case which overturned the city’s three-decade old gun ban. D.C. changed their laws when the Supreme Court told them to, but Dick Heller has since sued the city again because the laws they passed were so restrictive as to be a defacto ban. I’m not going to argue the idiocy of gun bans here. I’m simply going to note that judgements like this might actually be more effective than supreme court decisions in liberalizing gun laws. Cities are generally notoriously broke. They’re also generally lawyer-averse. What we have here is something which might actually break the dam in some of the major cities which still do their best to restrict self-defense."

2011-12-30T17:53:00.001+10:00

Fancy Thinking NYC Is Part of America! It Isn't

Does this mean the terrorists have won? No; but it means the moonbats are winning:

Meredith Graves, 39, is facing at least three years in prison for thinking New York’s gun laws are anything like those in the Bible Belt.

Graves, a fourth-year medical student, showed up at the [9/11] memorial on Dec. 22 to pay her respects during a trip north for a job interview.

She didn’t realize that the loaded .32-caliber pistol in her purse would be a problem until she saw a sign at the site that read, “No guns allowed,” sources said.

“She remembered she had the gun on her,” a source said. She walked up to a security guard and said, “I have this gun. Where can I check it?”

Instead of checking her gun, authorities dragged her off to a cage in chains like a criminal.

Graves, who has a full legal carry permit in Tennessee, was locked up on a weapons-possession charge and held on $2,000 bond that she posted yesterday. … The Manhattan DA’s Office is pursuing a conviction on felony gun possession — carrying a minimum sentence of 3 1/2 years.

Mayor Bloomberg, with the help of the five district attorneys, has crusaded against the flow of illegal guns, especially from the [hated by Northeastern liberal authoritarians] South.

Explains the victim’s mother-in-law, who lives in New Jersey,

“Everyone down there carries, and she just forgot. She was being honest, and this is the treatment they give innocent people.”

Still worse is the treatment they given the Constitution, which being federal is supposed to apply even in moonbat bastions like New York.

Source

FL: No charges in fatal shooting that took place after attempted motorcycle theft: "A 19-year-old with a criminal history is dead after police say he was shot while trying to steal a motorcycle. The man who pulled the trigger won't be charged by sheriff's deputies. It all started at 4:00 a.m. Thursday morning when police say the owner of the motorcycle heard them, grabbed his rifle, and opened fire. Benjy Young, 19, was killed. Police say Young was one of three men trying to load the man's motorcycle onto a pickup truck they had just stolen. Police say the homeowner acted in self-defense. "They turned to him and pointed something at him in a gesture, like a firearm," said Sheriff's Deputy Eric Davis. Ironically, Suskauer says the people who could pay for Young's death are his own accomplices. Because Young died in what police say was the commission of a separate felony - stealing a motorcycle and a truck - the two accomplices could face murder charges."

GA: Wendy's manager shoots robber dead: "A Wendy’s manager turned his gun on robbers early Thursday morning and shot a man dead, Savannah-Chatham police say. Robert Cody Dasher, 22, was held up at 12:55 a.m. at the Wilmington Island Wendy’s, located on U.S. 80 near Johnny Mercer Boulevard. Dasher was closing the restaurant when the robbery happened, according to a police report. His employee left the door open after taking out the trash. Two men, their faces covered and wearing black, accosted Dasher inside the restaurant, putting a gun to his head, forcing him into an office and robbing him. The robbers made off with an undisclosed amount of cash, running east toward Johnny Mercer Boulevard. Police say Dasher went for his handgun, shooting William Martin Clark [above], 27, in the head in Blue Fin Circle, a commercial drive that runs off U.S. 80 to the Wendy’s. Dasher told police Clark pointed a pistol at him just before he shot him. Clark, who lived in the 800 block of Wexler Street, had two five-dollar bills and a silver revolver in his left hand when he was found dead in the street, police say. A black T-shirt was covering his face."

AZ: Shootout leaves two wounded, three arrested: "Three suspects, including a Page teen, were arrested following an afternoon shootout Dec. 20 at Chapman’s Trailer Park. Two others were wounded. They were treated and released from Page Hospital. The gun battle was the result of an alleged armed robbery at the Lake Powell Mobile Home Village. Joshua Patton, 24, of Phoenix, Michael Calderon, 21, of Phoenix, and Austin Joe, 17, of Page were charged with aggravated robbery, armed robbery and theft, according to Page police."

2011-12-29T17:33:00.001+10:00

NV: One dead after attempted pawn shop robbery: "One man is dead after an attempted robbery at a Cash America SuperPawn in the Centennial Hills area on Wednesday morning. Sources say that a man entered the store, near North Durango Drive and Elkhorn Road, with a gun at about 9:30 a.m. One employee fired a gun in a confrontation with the would-be robber. Police were called to the scene, where they discovered a black adult male dead from multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities have not released the identity of the employee or the suspect who was shot. Police are continuing to investigate the shooting."

OH: Robber shot in Craigslist robbery: "Police say one suspect arrived at the victim’s house around 6 p.m. and wanted to see if the X-box worked. He then called a friend to bring in the money. Within minutes, police say, two other men armed with guns stormed into the home and robbed the victim of $85. The victim also pulled out a gun and began firing as the suspects fled in a white 2001 Buick Regal. Around 7 p.m. Barberton Police were called to Summa Barberton Citizens Hospital to check out a male who had walked into the emergency room with a gunshot wound to his elbow. Officers found a 2001 white Buick Regal parked at the hospital. Shawn A. Davis, 20, of Seward Avenue, in Akron and Jeremy Culver, 18, of Chamberlain Road, in Fairlawn, have been charged with aggravated robbery related to the Triplett Boulevard robbery.

NY Times Hit Piece Targets NC Gun Owners: "Following an extensive interview between GRNC president Paul Valone and New York Times reporter Mike Luo, the Times is now trying to depict North Carolina’s population of concealed handgun permit-holders as rife with felons. To support his claims, Luo relies on flawed methodology, misuse of anecdotal data, and selectively ignored facts he learned during the interview. The current piece is at least the third time Luo has written biased and misleading articles on gun ownership. Although Luo claims to have done data-matching between criminal databases and permit-holders, he admitted confirming only a dozen matches with the NC State Bureau of Investigation. Data matching between large databases is subject to high rates of “false positives” depending on the number and type of parameters matched."

Self-Defense Upgrade to Wisconsin as Castle Doctrine Passes: "Until Dec. 7, Wisconsin was one of just 22 states without some form of “castle doctrine” or “Make-My-Day” law. But passage of Assembly Bill 69 on that date changes everything by improving legal protections for home owners who use deadly force in self-defense. “A person has a right to defend themselves and their family in their dwelling,” said Sen. Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), a lead sponsor of the legislation as reported on jsonline.com. “The fundamental issue is about protecting life, not property.” The bill passed the State Senate 26-7 on November 3, and was sent to Governor Walker for final passage into law on Dec. 7."

2011-12-28T18:53:00.001+10:00

PA: Pistol Packin' Mama Kills Man Trying to Rob Her Son: "A Philadelphia man was shot dead Tuesday night after he made the mistake of trying to rob a man who had a pistol packin’ mama nearby, police say. A 23-year-old man was in the stairwell of his East Oak Lane apartment building with his girlfriend at about 9 p.m. when a 19-year-old man walked up to them, pistol-whipped the man and shot him in the leg while trying to rob him, according to police. The victim’s 46-year-old mother heard the commotion from her upstairs apartment, grabbed her legally registered gun, went into the stairwell and shot the suspect, police say. The 19-year-old robbery suspect died at the scene with one gunshot wound to the chest, according to authorities. The 46-year-old mother has not been arrested, but she is being interviewed, police say."

KY: Robbers chased off by gun-toting neighbor: "Around 11:30 Tuesday morning Steve Dennison's 16-year-old daughter was asleep in her bed, home alone, when two robbers busted through the back door. Dennison and his wife would normally be home during this holiday week but both were out running errands. Their quick thinking teen ran into her parents’ bathroom, locked the door, called 911 and called her parents. Within minutes police were on their way and a nearby family member ran to the house to help. "He walked up to the backdoor on the deck and he had a glock and he was standing at the door and he yelled I'm gonna shoot ya I got a gun, " Dennison said. The robbers then took off through the front door. They left behind a mess in the master bedroom and stole small electronics and jewelry. Dennison feels fortunate that’s all they got away with. He knows how lucky his daughter is that she was not hurt."

AL: Man shot by own father: "Officers on the scene said they were told that the victim apparently made threats toward other family members and was going to arm himself with a gun. It was at that point when officers say another family member took the threat seriously and retrieved his own firearm to defend himself. According to family friends, the victim was shot and killed by his own father. Investigators say the victim was shot with what appears to be a large caliber weapon. The Chief said statements taken from all those on the scene, as well as from collected evidence, make it "entirely possible" that it was self-defense. No arrests have been made, and Chief Johnson says findings will be turned over to the Elmore County Grand Jury for consideration to determine if a crime was committed."

2011-12-27T19:53:00.002+10:00

IN: Kroger employee shoots, kills would-be robber: "According to Metro police, an employee at a northwest side Kroger grocery store shot a would-be robber in the face, Monday evening. The man died a few hours later. Witnesses told police a man in his 20's walked into the store and placed a hard object into the back of a female employee. The suspect then forced the victim to the office area where another employee shot him in the face. The suspect was taken to Wishard Hospital in serious condition, but later died. His identity has not been released pending notification of family. Homicide detectives, working along with the Marion County Prosecutor’s office, advise that an arrest isn't expected in this case."

IL: Disgruntled wife holds off husband with gun: "Wilmette police confiscated a handgun and steroids from a home after a woman allegedly threatened her husband over an alleged affair. The woman was not charged for threatening her husband with the weapon, because her husband declined to sign a criminal complaint and police determined she used the gun in self defense. The man was not charged with possession of the steroids, according to a police report. Officer arrived at the home in the 2500 block of Old Glenview Road at 5:26 p.m. Dec. 20 and recovered the .25-caliber pistol from a toiletry bag in the home’s second floor. The woman told police she and her husband had argued after she confronted him in Chicago earlier in the day with another woman. He denied an affair, but his wife told him to stay at a relative’s home in Northbrook. He used a brick to break a window and unlocked a rear door but was confronted by his wife, who was holding the pistol. He left, and called police 40 minutes later"

2011-12-26T19:26:00.001+10:00

OH: Christmas thieves shot by homeowner: "An eastside homeowner shot two teens after they attempted to rob his E. 114th Street home Sunday afternoon. At 12:09 p.m., police responded to a call for a robbery with suspects still on the scene. Upon arrival, police found two suspects outside of the home, both with gunshot wounds to their legs. The preliminary investigation shows that, after hearing the alarm going off in his home, the homeowner grabbed his gun and walked through his house. That's when he found the two teens attempting to steal property from his house. The homeowner fired off multiple rounds, hitting both suspects. The two suspects were then caught outside of the home. Police later found out that two additional suspects acted as lookouts. They left the scene after hearing the gunfire."

OR: Couple wakes up to man beating them with tiki torch: "An Aloha couple woke up Christmas morning to a man hitting them with a tiki torch. It happened at a home on 209th Street. According to Ray, a man believed to be on drugs broke into the back door of the home while the couple was asleep, grabbed a bamboo tiki torch and took it into the bedroom where he beat the couple with it. The husband, who has not been identified, grabbed a handgun in self-defense and a bullet discharged during a struggle. No one was hurt, Ray said. The bullet went into a wall. Deputies arrived at the home and took the suspect, who has not been identified, into custody. They took the man to a hospital for a mental evaluation and planned to book him into the Washington County Jail."

2011-12-25T18:17:00.000+10:00

Merry Christmas!

A well-equipped family at Christmas

2011-12-24T14:24:00.001+10:00

The Left’s War on the Second Amendment Continues as Gun Sales Skyrocket

Walk into your local gun shop and you’re likely to be greeted by some of the hardest working salesmen and women in America. On Black Friday alone Gun dealers flooded the FBI with background check requests for prospective hand gun and long gun buyers, smashing the previous record by more than 30%. Deputy Assistant FBI Director Jerry Pender said the checks, required by federal law, surged to nearly 130,000 during the day, far surpassing the previous high of 97,848 on Black Friday of 2008. The actual number of firearms sold is likely much higher because multiple firearms can be included in a transaction by a single buyer. The FBI does not track actual gun sales.

Gun buyers are more diverse than ever. This however is not the kind of diversity the anti-gun left is happy about. Young professionals, people starting families and women, in greater numbers than ever, are purchasing guns. Dennis Henigan, acting president of the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said he was “skeptical” of the Black Friday gun surge.

Refusing to accept the reality of the trend, he said “I think there may be no real significance at all.” This of course is the same Brady Center that that in the face of gun violence, has focused it’s efforts on restricting law abiding citizens’ access to guns, rather than campaigning for tougher penalties against criminals who use guns in crimes.

While Brady officials insist their motives are pure, a behind the scenes look at that organization raises serious questions. In May 2005, Florida passed a “Stand Your Ground” law that authorized persons attacked in their own home or automobile to use lethal force in self-defense without a duty to retreat; Brady Campaign workers were dispatched to Florida airports where they passed out fliers warning tourists that, under what they called the “Shoot First” law, tourists could be shot for simply being rude to a Florida resident.

Last year the Brady Campaign gave its “Visionary Award” to AP White House reporter Helen Thomas. Little more than a week later Thomas went on a video taped, anti-semitic rant that resulted in condemnation from the Obama Administration as well as her resignation from AP. The Brady Campaign has remained silent on the entire issue, refusing to condemn Thomas or her hate filled rant.

As the ‘12 Presidential Campaign looms, President Obama himself has been remarkedly silent on the issue of gun rights. He must know that waging an open war against the NRA and America’s 80,000,000 gun owners during this campaign season will only hurt his prospects for re-election. He’s also well aware of the two recent Supreme Court decisions District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago, decisions that make it clear that the right to bear arms is a constitutional right.

In Attorney General Eric Holder’s brief filed with the Supreme Court in Heller he argued that “the Second Amendment did not protect an individual right to keep and bear arms,” that it only protected government militias’ rights to guns. He claimed that the Second Amendment posed no obstacle to implementing gun bans. His argument failed, but his anti-gun agenda continues.

While Obama and Holder have said little lately about gun rights per se, the “Fast and Furious” disaster has exposed the administration’s agenda. E-mails obtained by CBS News from the Department of Justice have spoken for them. On July 14, 2010 after ATF headquarters in Washington D.C. received an update on Fast and Furious, ATF Field Ops Assistant Director Mark Chait emailed Bill Newell, ATF’s Phoenix Special Agent in Charge of Fast and Furious:

“Bill – can you see if these guns were all purchased from the same (licensed gun dealer) and at one time. We are looking at anecdotal cases to support a demand letter on long gun multiple sales. Thanks.”

That demand letter was “Demand Letter 3″, which would have required that gun dealers in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas report all sales of long guns to federal authorities. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, is investigating Fast and Furious, as well as the alleged use of the case to advance gun regulations.

“There’s plenty of evidence showing that this administration planned to use the tragedies of Fast and Furious as rationale to further their goals of a long gun reporting requirement…”

What you can’t accomplish in one fell swoop, you may be able to accomplish by chipping away. Fast and Furious was clearly, at least in part, a covert effort by the administration to make its case against the Second Amendment; to chip away at established constitutional rights they simply don’t like. The 130,000 Americans who sought to buy handguns on Black Friday aren’t naive. Anecdotal evidence points directly to the Obama administration as a primary motivating factor in the skyrocketing numbers of gun sales.

If Mr. Obama is reelected, the battle will rage on.

Source

W.Va.: Homeowner chases off intruder with shots: " Justin Taylor told deputies just after midnight, someone was trying to break into his house with a gun. “But the guy (Taylor) inside the house also had a gun and came out shooting,” Richardson said. Taylor told deputies he grabbed a rifle and started firing several shots. It's unclear whether the man fired back before he got away. Deputies did find a gun they believe belongs to the man accused of trying to break into the house. They are still searching for him."

2011-12-23T16:25:00.001+10:00

VA: One home invader killed; another captured: "Martin said there were four to five people in the house when the home invasion began. “There were four intruders, three actually made it into the house and one stayed outside,” Martin said. “The gentleman who we took into custody, Kayman Northington, was the first one into the house. After, two more forced their way in behind him.” Martin said once inside, shots were fired. The home owner had a gun pulled on him. “From what we are gathering from the witnesses, everybody started scattering and running,” Martin said. “According to witnesses, the bad guys came in and fired a shot. The home owner grabs his gun and fires a shot at one of the bad guys.” The home’s occupants were able to stop Northington, but the other intruders got away, Martin said. The gentleman that did get shot and was killed was wearing body armor,” Martin said. “That is a trend we are starting to see. According to Martin, the robbery was drug related. He said homeowners have a right to protect their home, and the homeowner in this shooting will not be charged."

CA: Intending killer gets shot himself: "Former Oakhurst resident Danny Henley, 53, was shot and killed after attempting to murder Oakhurst resident Derry Burnett shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18. The incident occurred at Burnett's residence on Snowline Court off Highway 41, just north of the closed Snowline Restaurant. Henley reportedly broke into Burnett's shed and took a shotgun. When Burnett returned home, Henley confronted him and tried to shoot him but missed. Burnett retrieved a .45 caliber pistol from a vehicle parked on the property and fired at Henley from a relatively close range, Anderson said, hitting him twice -- once in the head and once in the chest. Henley was transported by Sierra Ambulance to a helicopter and then transported to Community Regional Medical Center in Fresno where he died that night around 10 p.m. After an investigation by the Madera County Sheriff's Department, the sheriff is recommending that the district attorney look at the case as justifiable homicide (self-defense). Henley was under investigation for vehicle and metal theft, and had just been released from jail two days earlier on Friday"

2011-12-22T17:00:00.000+10:00

CA: Man shot to death after forcing way into home: "A 29-year-old Magalia man with a prison record dating back to at least to 2003, was shot and killed Monday night after he allegedly forced his way into a home in the 15100 block of Jack Pine Way. ... Shanks, who was wearing a bandana over his face when he entered the home, originally went to the front door and demanded to be let in. The man then allegedly forced his way through a sliding door. The resident then shot Shanks."

MI: Double shooting at restaurant : "Police are looking at security camera video from a wild double shooting on Detroit's west side Wednesday. It happened at family owned Legends Coney Island at West Davison and Linwood Wednesday morning. A man on his way to work was waiting for his order at 2:30am, when a young man wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt over his head ran in to rob the customer. That robber failed to see the back of the man’s jacket marked "SECURITY." He chose to rob a victim who is an armed security guard. Still, the robber shot the man in his legs. The victim pulled out his gun, firing and hitting the robber. The alleged robber's aunt tells Local 4 that he was hit three times in his stomach and once in his hand. Both men are expected to survive their wounds from the shootout. Three people were behind the counter at the time of the shooting. They’re protected by plexiglass and are thankful they weren't hit."

2011-12-21T19:30:00.001+10:00

Obama Administration Endangered Lives to Justify Gun Control

Chris W. Cox

In all of my years fighting on behalf of the National Rifle Association to defend the Second Amendment, I never thought I would see a White House so vehemently opposed to gun ownership that it would be willing to arm violent criminals and endanger American lives in pursuit of a gun control agenda. Readers will recall that a little over two months ago, in this same space, I wrote:

“I would like to believe that President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder – no matter how much they oppose our Second Amendment rights – would never break the law and endanger human lives in their mission to score political points against gun owners…

“However, to believe all of this, I would have to ignore a lot of facts.”

And now, according to new documents obtained by CBS News, we are faced with the fact that the Obama administration helped transfer illegal guns to drug cartels in Mexico to build a case for gun control – specifically, gun registration – here in America.

“If these reports are true, even by Washington standards this reaches a new level of arrogance and corruption,” remarked Senator John Cornyn (R-TX). Unfortunately, Sen. Cornyn is not exaggerating.

On July 14, 2010, Mark Chait, who served as Assistant Director for Field Operations for the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, Tobacco and Explosives (BATFE) sent an email to Bill Newell, BATFE’s special agent in charge of operation “Fast and Furious.” Chait’s email said:

“Bill, can you see if these guns were all purchased from the same (licensed gun dealer) and at one time? We are looking at anecdotal cases to support a demand letter on long-gun sales. Thanks."

Just six months later, after a press conference to announce arrests made in “Fast and Furious,” Chait emailed Newell again, saying:

“Bill--well done yesterday... (I)n light of our request for Demand letter 3, this case could be a strong supporting factor if we can determine how many multiple sales of long guns occurred during the course of this case.”

“Demand letter 3” is a letter sent to U.S. firearms dealers in the four southwest border states, demanding that they register sales of more than one semi-automatic rifle to the same person within five business days.

Under its “Fast and Furious” operation, Obama’s BATFE had been forcing licensed firearms dealers to sell semi-automatic rifles to shady straw purchasers, who would then supply them to drug cartels in Mexico.

Many of these dealers were extremely apprehensive because BATFE was, in fact, forcing them break the law. In fact, one licensed dealer emailed BATFE numerous times to express his concern, not only could these sales jeopardize his livelihood, but also that the guns he was being forced to sell could end up in the hands of criminals south of the border, where they might be used to harm or kill American Border Patrol agents.

BATFE reassured him that everything was fine and that he should just keep following their orders. As we now know, the dealer’s concerns were more than justified.

In April of this year, the Obama administration unilaterally imposed the “Demand letter 3” registration requirement. The National Rifle Association is currently funding lawsuits to end this unconstitutional edict.

“Very clearly, they’ve [the Obama administration] made a crisis and they’re using this crisis to somehow take away or limit people’s Second Amendment rights,” said Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), who is leading the House investigation into “Fast and Furious.”

“There’s plenty of evidence showing that this administration planned to use the tragedies of ‘Fast and Furious’ as rationale to further their goals of a long gun reporting requirement,” stated Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), who is leading the investigation on the Senate side.

Even Obama’s Attorney General, Eric Holder, recently admitted to Congress that “Fast and Furious” guns would continue to show up at crime scenes in the U.S. and Mexico “for years to come” – just as two of them were found at the murder scene of slain Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry.

Ever since the “Fast and Furious” scandal first broke, Eric Holder and his colleagues in the Obama administration have refused to fully cooperate with congressional investigators. Now we know why. Because the truth is uglier than we ever could have imagined. Our own federal government willingly endangered American lives to build a case for weakening our Second Amendment freedoms.

Source

FL: Woman Protects Home By Shooting at Burglar: "Asleep in bed, the 67-year-old heard a crash in her living room in her home on the Westside. "I just grabbed the gun and started walking out and said who is it. And that's when I saw the guy standing right here in the middle of the living room," said Magnusson. "I'm going, 'you have got some nerve'. And he had this hoodie on." She said the man stood by her Christmas tree, staring at the floor, but there were no presents under the tree. He never said a word, said Magnusson, and neither did she. She didn't really have much to say anyway. "They always told me to cock it first. I didn't cock that thing or nothing. I just pulled the trigger. It was easy as pie," she said. She missed him and hit her window, but the robber took off. Magnusson plans to head to a range to practice her aim"

2011-12-20T17:21:00.001+10:00

PA: "Stand your ground" invoked: "The shooting occurred after a woman contacted her husband to pick her up following an argument with the boyfriend with whom she was living in Upper Frederick. The husband, 34-year-old Joshua Levin, and the couple’s son, 19-year-old Zachary Levin, both of Berks County, arrived at the boyfriend’s residence in the 1700 block of Snyder Road at about 8:15 p.m. Saturday. The boyfriend, whose name was not released, has told authorities both men struck him with baseball bats and the pair refused to back off even when he showed them the .40 caliber semi-automatic handgun he had retrieved from his truck, according to authorities. The boyfriend, who had a license for the handgun, shot and killed Zachary Levin after the teen struck him with the bat. Zachary Levin died from a single gunshot wound to the chest."

KY: Man shoots burglar: "A Richmond man told troopers he shot a burglar in self-defense. Police got a call around 8:30 Saturday morning about a break-in that was happening on Hager drive. Steven Womack later told investigators he was holding the burglar at gunpoint until troopers arrived when the suspect suddenly tried to get out a window. Womack also told troopers when the burglar went to reach for something in his pocket, he shot him three times. The man who was shot, 38-year old Steven Murphy, was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover."

Lawsuit Forces City Of LA to Turn Over Documents on Issuance of Concealed Carry Licenses: "In a victory for self-defense civil right activists, a Los Angeles Superior Court Judge has ordered the City of Los Angeles to produce documents relating to the LAPD’s policies and procedures for processing applications for a carry license. In 1992 and 1994, the City’s unlawful refusal to properly process carry license applications was challenged in two lawsuits. To settle the suits, LAPD agreed to a court ordered application processing procedure. The LAPD has repeatedly failed to honor its legal obligations under the settlements. It has not made carry license applications and a written copy of the carry license policy and appeal process available at all station houses. And it has ignored the recommendations of the Citizens Advisory Review Panel and has instead enacted a de facto policy of again issuing no carry licenses, despite whatever showing of good cause the applicants might make."

2011-12-19T16:58:00.000+10:00

NV: Attempted Burglary Results in Shooting: "According to the Reno Police Department, at 6:35 Saturday morning a resident on Watt Street awoke when he heard someone in his home. He found the suspect hiding in the basement a fired two rounds, hitting the suspect both times. The suspect was still able to get away. That is when the resident called police, saying he had shot a man trying to break into his house. The suspect reached his vehicle and drove off hitting several parked cars and eventually crashed into a tree in a neighbors yard about a block away. Police recieved a second call from that resident, saying a man had crashed into a tree in his front yard, and was bleeding on his porch. The suspect remains in the hospital at this time. Police are not releasing his name at this time."

Get a Medical Marijuana Card, Lose Your Second Amendment Rights: "It isn’t just that the government on both the federal and state level doesn’t want you to be able to legally and conveniently obtain your medicine, if that medicine is pot. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) insists you inherently lose a key constitutional right merely by letting your state know you might want to take pot medicinally. Merely having a state medical marijuana card, BATFE insists, means that you fall afoul of Sect. 922(g) of the federal criminal code (from the 1968 federal Gun Control Act), which says that anyone “who is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance” is basically barred from possessing or receiving guns or ammo (with the bogus assertion that such possession implicates interstate commerce, which courts will pretty much always claim it does)."

Push on for stronger self-defense law in WA: "Washington State armed citizens are being lobbied to push for adoption of a proposed statute that will strengthen the Evergreen State’s lethal force self-defense law, a measure that was introduced in January and now waits for more co-sponsors. Leading the charge is veteran firearms instructor Marty Hayes, founder of the Firearms Academy of Seattle. His primary concern is a 2005 Supreme Court ruling in State v. Brightman, a case involving a man who, during the course of a fistfight over $20, pulled a gun and struck his opponent only to have the pistol discharge, fatally wounding Dexter Villa near Titlow Beach in Tacoma. Hayes suggests that the state high court ruling could make it more difficult for citizens to defend themselves, especially in their homes, from burglars if the homeowner cannot articulate that he or she was in genuine fear of grave bodily harm or death."

2011-12-18T15:24:00.001+10:00

Documents: ATF used "Fast and Furious" to make the case for gun regulations

Documents obtained by CBS News show that the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) discussed using their covert operation "Fast and Furious" to argue for controversial new rules about gun sales.

In Fast and Furious, ATF secretly encouraged gun dealers to sell to suspected traffickers for Mexican drug cartels to go after the "big fish." But ATF whistleblowers told CBS News and Congress it was a dangerous practice called "gunwalking," and it put thousands of weapons on the street. Many were used in violent crimes in Mexico. Two were found at the murder scene of a U.S. Border Patrol agent.

ATF officials didn't intend to publicly disclose their own role in letting Mexican cartels obtain the weapons, but emails show they discussed using the sales, including sales encouraged by ATF, to justify a new gun regulation called "Demand Letter 3". That would require some U.S. gun shops to report the sale of multiple rifles or "long guns." Demand Letter 3 was so named because it would be the third ATF program demanding gun dealers report tracing information.

On July 14, 2010 after ATF headquarters in Washington D.C. received an update on Fast and Furious, ATF Field Ops Assistant Director Mark Chait emailed Bill Newell, ATF's Phoenix Special Agent in Charge of Fast and Furious:

"Bill - can you see if these guns were all purchased from the same (licensed gun dealer) and at one time. We are looking at anecdotal cases to support a demand letter on long gun multiple sales. Thanks."

On Jan. 4, 2011, as ATF prepared a press conference to announce arrests in Fast and Furious, Newell saw it as "(A)nother time to address Multiple Sale on Long Guns issue." And a day after the press conference, Chait emailed Newell: "Bill--well done yesterday... (I)n light of our request for Demand letter 3, this case could be a strong supporting factor if we can determine how many multiple sales of long guns occurred during the course of this case."

This revelation angers gun rights advocates. Larry Keane, a spokesman for National Shooting Sports Foundation, a gun industry trade group, calls the discussion of Fast and Furious to argue for Demand Letter 3 "disappointing and ironic." Keane says it's "deeply troubling" if sales made by gun dealers "voluntarily cooperating with ATF's flawed 'Operation Fast & Furious' were going to be used by some individuals within ATF to justify imposing a multiple sales reporting requirement for rifles."

The Gun Dealers' Quandary

Several gun dealers who cooperated with ATF told CBS News and Congressional investigators they only went through with suspicious sales because ATF asked them to. Sometimes it was against the gun dealer's own best judgment.

In April, 2010 a licensed gun dealer cooperating with ATF was increasingly concerned about selling so many guns. "We just want to make sure we are cooperating with ATF and that we are not viewed as selling to the bad guys," writes the gun dealer to ATF Phoenix officials, "(W)e were hoping to put together something like a letter of understanding to alleviate concerns of some type of recourse against us down the road for selling these items."

ATF's group supervisor on Fast and Furious David Voth assures the gun dealer there's nothing to worry about. "We (ATF) are continually monitoring these suspects using a variety of investigative techniques which I cannot go into detail."

Two months later, the same gun dealer grew more agitated. "I wanted to make sure that none of the firearms that were sold per our conversation with you and various ATF agents could or would ever end up south of the border or in the hands of the bad guys. I guess I am looking for a bit of reassurance that the guns are not getting south or in the wrong hands...I want to help ATF with its investigation but not at the risk of agents (sic) safety because I have some very close friends that are US Border Patrol agents in southern AZ as well as my concern for all the agents (sic) safety that protect our country."

"It's like ATF created or added to the problem so they could be the solution to it and pat themselves on the back," says one law enforcement source familiar with the facts. "It's a circular way of thinking."

The Justice Department and ATF declined to comment. ATF officials mentioned in this report did not respond to requests from CBS News to speak with them.

The "Demand Letter 3" Debate

The two sides in the gun debate have long clashed over whether gun dealers should have to report multiple rifle sales. On one side, ATF officials argue that a large number of semi-automatic, high-caliber rifles from the U.S. are being used by violent cartels in Mexico. They believe more reporting requirements would help ATF crack down. On the other side, gun rights advocates say that's unconstitutional, and would not make a difference in Mexican cartel crimes.

Two earlier Demand Letters were initiated in 2000 and affected a relatively small number of gun shops. Demand Letter 3 was to be much more sweeping, affecting 8,500 firearms dealers in four southwest border states: Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas. ATF chose those states because they "have a significant number of crime guns traced back to them from Mexico." The reporting requirements were to apply if a gun dealer sells two or more long guns to a single person within five business days, and only if the guns are semi-automatic, greater than .22 caliber and can be fitted with a detachable magazine.

On April 25, 2011, ATF announced plans to implement Demand Letter 3. The National Shooting Sports Foundation is suing the ATF to stop the new rules. It calls the regulation an illegal attempt to enforce a law Congress never passed. ATF counters that it has reasonably targeted guns used most often to "commit violent crimes in Mexico, especially by drug gangs."

Reaction

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, is investigating Fast and Furious, as well as the alleged use of the case to advance gun regulations. "There's plenty of evidence showing that this administration planned to use the tragedies of Fast and Furious as rationale to further their goals of a long gun reporting requirement. But, we've learned from our investigation that reporting multiple long gun sales would do nothing to stop the flow of firearms to known straw purchasers because many Federal Firearms Dealers are already voluntarily reporting suspicious transactions. It's pretty clear that the problem isn't lack of burdensome reporting requirements."

On July 12, 2011, Sen. Grassley and Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., wrote Attorney General Eric Holder, whose Justice Department oversees ATF. They asked Holder whether officials in his agency discussed how "Fast and Furious could be used to justify additional regulatory authorities." So far, they have not received a response. CBS News asked the Justice Department for comment and context on ATF emails about Fast and Furious and Demand Letter 3, but officials declined to speak with us.

"In light of the evidence, the Justice Department's refusal to answer questions about the role Operation Fast and Furious was supposed to play in advancing new firearms regulations is simply unacceptable," Rep. Issa told CBS News.

Source

AK: Two robbers killed; two indicted: "An Anchorage grand jury indicted two people in connection with a home invasion robbery that ended in the death of two people. The robbery occurred shortly after midnight on November 10 at the 700 block of Muldoon Road. APD's investigation revealed the criminals burst into a trailer, pistol-whipped a resident in the face, and demanded money and drugs. The victim grabbed a gun and shot two of the three robbers, who died. The third got away, as did the getaway driver. They're identified as Brian Albert Pfister and Ursula Pico, respectively. On Thursday, December 15, the grand jury returned an indictment for manslaughter, roberry, conspiracy to commit robbery and burglary against the two"

2011-12-17T15:32:00.001+10:00

Virgin Islands (USA): Masked intruder brandishing gun is killed: "An armed, masked man who broke into a two-story Estate Frydendal home's rear window Thursday morning died after the homeowner shot the intruder in the living room, according to reports to The Daily News. Five people were in the home, which is up the hill from Smith Bay, when a man broke in brandishing a handgun and went room-to-room, demanding the residents' money and rummaging through their belongings shortly after 8 a.m., according to reports to The Daily News. "If you see someone in your home wearing masks and gloves with a gun, I think that's as extreme as it gets," said St. Thomas Deputy Police Chief Dwayne DeGraff, referring to Thursday's intrusion. "It was somebody who wasn't invited. "The persons who live in the house were defending the property and their lives," he added. Several sections of the V.I. Code allow citizens to defend themselves and their property in extreme circumstances."

AR: No charges filed after father shoots son: "The Sharp County Sheriff's Department and Third Judicial Prosecuting Attorney Henry Boyce have announced there will be no charges filed in the Dec. 4 fatal domestic shooting at Cave City. The decision comes after the Arkansas State Medical Examiner's office performed an autopsy on the body of Bryan Brinkley, 37, who was fatally shot at his father's home near Cave City. In a post shooting interview with Sharp County Chief Deputy David Huffmaster and Detective Sergeant Ken Guidry, Brinkley explained his son had been having issues with drugs and alcohol and had become paranoid. Brinkley explained he had been assaulted by his son a few weeks prior to the incident. He said after the death of his former wife Mattie, in 2009, Bryan had wasted nearly $100,000 of his inheritance on drugs and gambling. He said, earlier in the day, his son had come to his house and cussed and shoved him, finally putting a 30-30 rifle to his head, threatening to kill him."

Some Christmas cheer

2011-12-16T18:56:00.001+10:00

Pa.: Shootout At Delco Dollar Store: "A botched robbery led to a shooting at a dollar store in Wallingford, Pa., on Thursday. The incident happened on Thursday afternoon at a Delaware County strip mall on South Chester Road. The alleged robber entered the store and was confronted by employee, with the robber and victim struggling over a gun. Both people were shot in the incident, with the man who is allegedly the robber seriously wounded."

Law-abiding folks can't win in NYC: "A leader of a tea party group was arrested after he took a gun to LaGuardia Airport. Tea Party Patriots co-founder Mark Meckler was taken into custody Thursday morning after he tried to check in for a Delta flight to Detroit with a locked gun box containing a Glock pistol and 19 cartridges of ammunition, Queens prosecutors said. Meckler, 49, declared the weapon, as required, authorities said. He's licensed to carry the gun in Grass Valley, Calif., where he lives, but that license isn't valid in New York, which has strict rules on carrying concealed weapons, they said. Meckler spent the day in jail and was arraigned in Queens late Friday afternoon on a felony weapons possession charge. He was released pending a Jan. 12 court date. The charge could carry prison time, but travelers who are arrested in such cases and appear to be trying to comply with the law typically pay fines."

2011-12-15T14:41:00.000+10:00

Video: Holiday commercial sparks warm, fuzzy feelings about — not puppies — guns

Listen to this advertisement and you’ll reasonably assume that what’s for sale is something forlorn, lonely, cute and cuddly … a stray puppy, perhaps.

“They’ve been mistreated and misunderstood for generations,” the ad begins. “Abusive owners have done severe damage and given these beautiful creatures a bad reputation.”

That’s how it’s supposed to sound. The owner of PRK Arms in Fresno, Calif., brainstormed this brilliant way to sell guns — and, so far, it’s worked. According to a news report from Fresno’s CBS 47 news, the gun shop has seen more business this holiday season than ever before. Among the many new customers are a surprising number of women, who are buying guns in record numbers, according to gun store owners.

No surprise there, really. What woman could resist this pitch?

“You can make a difference by giving a gun a loving home,” the ad says. “These guns want nothing more than to adore and protect you. So, please, have a heart. … PRK Arms has the kinds of guns that need a loving home more than anything else — like AK-47s, Glocks and the biggest selection of AR-15s in Fresno.”

Not surprisingly, the ad has stirred controversy, with some anti-gun activists objecting to the ad’s supposedly misleading nature. But I’d argue that what the ad states is true: Guns are designed as much for defensive protection as for offensive harm. And I agree, too, with what one woman says in the video: Learn how to use one and the scary factor fades.

Obviously, the potential for mishap exists, and gun safety should always be the first priority of a gun owner. But that doesn’t mean guns have no place on a holiday shopping list. The “peace of mind” that comes from a security system — whether a motion-triggered alarm or a well-stocked gun cabinet — is surely a welcome present.

Source

Crazy Canada: "An attempted home robbery and an exchange of gunfire at a home on 178 Nairn Avenue Tuesday night. Police were called to the home in the Rogers Road and Caledonia Road area. Three suspects are said to have barged into the detached home carrying guns, while the homeowner also had one and there was an exchange of gunfire. Two people including the homeowner were taken into custody when police arrived at the home. One of the suspects was injured and took off before police arrived. He turned up at a nearby hospital a short time later suffering from a gunshot wound but is expected to make full recovery. The homeowner will likely face charges but police won't say what they are."

CO: Homeowner: "Don't Move or I Will Shoot: "Johnny Harbour is being recognized for his quick reaction and restraint after holding a burglar at gunpoint until Sheriff Deputies arrived. “I was asleep and heard a loud noise, it woke me up. Then I continued to hear the noise so I just automatically picked up my gun,” said Harbour. Harbour told 11 News the burglar got into his home around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday night after ripping off a screen from a window. The window was accidentally left unlocked and the burglar squeezed in. “I didn’t know what to expect as I came around the corner,” said Harbour. What he found was a man standing right next to his refrigerator. "I just pointed the gun at him and told him, 'Don't move or I will shoot you,’” Harbour said. He then turned on the lights and told the suspect to raise his hands. “It was next to my kitchen table so there was a chair right there. I told him to pull that chair out, sit down, and don’t move and then I called 911, while standing there holding a gun on him,” said Harbour. Police arrested 22-year-old Jacob Pino."

2011-12-14T18:26:00.001+10:00

NY: Robber shot by woman in home-invasion robbery: "An Erie man who was shot in the hip during a home-invasion robbery on the city's east side on Dec. 7 has been charged with threatening and assaulting two people during the attempted robbery. Michael D. Gunn, 28, of the 600 block of East 12th Street, was in the Erie County Prison on $100,000 bond Tuesday following his arraignment before Erie 4th Ward District Judge Tom Robie Monday on charges of robbery, criminal conspiracy, aggravated assault and carrying a firearm without a license. Erie police accuse Gunn and another man, whom they have not named or charged, of entering a residence in the 1100 block of Wallace Street on Dec. 7. Police said Gunn was carrying a loaded .22-caliber handgun, and he pointed it at two people inside of the residence as he demanded money and jewelry from them, according to the criminal complaint. The gun fell to the ground at some point during the confrontation, and a woman who was in the house picked up the gun and fired two shots. One of the shots hit Gunn, police said."

FL: Robber Shot By Victim Gets 15 Years In Prison: "A man who was shot during a botched robbery in West Palm Beach will spend the next 15 years in prison. Roger Horne pleaded guilty Tuesday to armed robbery and aggravated assault. He was sentenced immediately after entering the plea. Horne robbed a man outside a Longhorn Steakhouse the day after Christmas last year. The man, who was with his family at the time, gave Horne several hundred dollars. The man eventually pulled out his own gun and shot Horne several times, wounding him. The man then called 911 and waited for deputies to arrive."

KY: Police obtain warrant for would-be robber who was shot: "Lexington police have obtained an arrest warrant for a would-be robber who they say was shot by his intended victim last week. Darrell Wayne Strunk, 35, of Lexington is wanted in a Dec. 5 robbery at B&N Towing, 336 Lisle Industrial Dr., according to a news release from Lexington police. A man working at the business told police that he was approached by two people, one of whom was holding a handgun. The man, who was not identified, pulled out his own handgun and shot the man with the gun, who is believed to be Strunk, in the abdomen. The intended victim suffered minor injuries during a struggle with the two, but police said nothing was taken."

2011-12-13T16:16:00.001+10:00

MO: Robber with record shot: "Kansas City police today identified a man killed in a botched robbery attempt Friday at a convenience store as William Rees, 33. Police did not have an address for Rees, but online court records listed an address from Ozark, Mo. Rees was paroled from a Missouri prison on Aug. 16 after serving sentences for stealing, drug trafficking and second-degree assault. Investigators said Rees entered the store about 3 p.m. Friday, announced a robbery and indicated he had a gun, according to clerks at the store at 5712 Independence Ave. As Rees reached over the counter for the money, a clerk shot him, police said. The store’s video surveillance system recorded the incident, police said. Police did not find a gun with Rees."

TX: Mad guy gets himself shot: "A 39-year- old Smith County man is dead allegedly at the hands of his step-father. Investigators say it was self defense. It happened Sunday afternoon at 15578 Dry Creek Road in Smith County. Lt. Dana said the dispute began when Audy Murphy started verbally and physically abusing his mother. "The step father told Audy you need to get off your mother or I'm gonna shoot. At that point Audy stood up and started toward his step father in a very aggressive manner telling him to go ahead and shoot me." In what police describe as an act of self defense, Mr. Kirton fired a fatal blow to Audy's chest with a 9mm handgun. "We believe the stepfather was protecting himself. We believe he was trying to protect his wife," Lt. Dana said. Audy suffered from schizophrenia, Lt. Dana said. According to jail records, Audy has been arrested several times on charges from assault to theft. No arrests have been made in the case."

FL: Man finally acquitted under "stand your ground": "Nour Badi Jarkas, 54, of Plantation, was facing trial for the January 2009 shooting death of his estranged wife's boyfriend, John Concannon. But Broward Circuit Judge Ilona Holmes ordered an acquittal after finding that Jarkas was an invited guest in his wife's home and felt threatened during a confrontation with the victim. Jarkas had already been tried on the murder charge and related accusations early last year. The jury found him not guilty of armed kidnapping and aggravated assault with a firearm, but could not reach a unanimous verdict on the murder count. Months after the jurors deadlocked, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that the Stand Your Ground law, passed in 2005, is intended to keep certain self-defense cases from ever getting to a jury.... In Jarkas' case, "nothing was presented … to rebut the reasonableness of the fear that [Jarkas] testified that he had in being confronted by a 5-foot-11, 280-pound, tattooed man who was angry and who lunged at him"

Only the connected have gun rights in California: "California’s gun laws are considered by some people to be unconstitutional restrictions on self-protection. Its concealed weapons permit law gives government officials power to capriciously mete out civil liberties — and they are. According to the San Jose Mercury News, only 113 of the 1,781,642 residents of Santa Clara County have concealed weapons permits — and 64 of them are government officials: judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers. Their names are not divulged. The 49 civilians were listed by the newspaper. Ordinarily, I would extend privacy to them. That is why you get a concealed weapons permit. But the local newspaper published it and the list of names shows that you have to be connected to get one."

2011-12-12T17:07:00.001+10:00

How serious is the threat of impeachment for Eric Holder?

During a highly-publicized hearing on Thursday of this week, Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, R-Wisconsin, dropped the dreaded 'I' word on Attorney-General Eric Holder. Sensenbrenner told Holder that unless satisfactory answers were provided to 'clean up the mess' left in the wake of the Operation Fast and Furious scandal, then impeachment would be considered as a possible consequence.

The House Judiciary Committee had scheduled testimony from Holder on the scandal, also known as Project Gunwalker, that has the Department of Justice, the ATF, Homeland Security, ICE, the FBI, and the State Department embroiled in a controversy of historic proportions, perhaps bigger than has ever been witnessed in Washington.

At issue are the thousands of U.S. guns the federal government deliberately gave to Mexican drug cartels and the ensuing calls for more firearms control and gun bans in order to 'deal with the problem.' ATF whistleblowers have maintained from the beginning that the end game of the Gunwalker scheme was to give the Obama Administration 'ammunition' with which to call for massive new restrictions on the firearms rights of citizens.

And documents obtained by CBS News this week indicate that this was, indeed, the case.

But despite repeated requests by Congress for Holder and the Department of Justice to provide documents, emails, and other evidence to aid in the investigation into the scandal, Holder and company have instead engaged in stonewalling. Not only that but statements made to Congress by Holder and several other high level Administration officials have been shown to be false.

The fact that falsehoods were told to Congress is only further highlighted by the fact that an official letter to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform by a Justice Department official on February 4 of this year contained false statements. Holder acknowledged that the letter contained falsehoods by his most unusual request to 'withdraw' it.

But Holder himself has told Congress the very same information contained in the letter, that the Justice Department knew of no such operation as Fast and Furious and that no guns were taken to drug cartels, that is, until earlier this year when they were somehow 'informed.'

Official documents, however, show that Holder knew of the operation as far back as mid-2010, not in early 2011 as he claims. Official documents also show that the Justice Department itself was fully aware of the entire operation from the beginning, in 2009.

And then there are the statements to Congress made by Holder, Janet Napolitano, Hillary Clinton, Kenneth Melson, and Lenny Breuer, that '90% of the guns used by Mexican criminals come from the United States.' Even Barack Obama has repeatedly made that statement. But it is patently false and there are no statistics that prove the assertion.

Lying to Congress is a felony. Thus, the Fast and Furious case not only involves a scheme to undermine the rights of citizens to self-defense with firearms, but a breach of international law by failing to inform the Mexican government of the operation, fraud by the use of straw purchasers to buy firearms that were illegally smuggled across the border, aiding and abetting Mexican criminals by supplying them with firearms, accessory to murder in the deaths of Agents Terry and Zapata, and accessory to murder in the deaths of hundreds of Mexican and American citizens with the guns the government gave criminals.

And when Congressman Sensenbrenner used the word 'impeachment' during the hearing on Thursday, this was not a shoot-from-the-hip, wild-eyed, bull-in-a-china-shop threat of a loose cannon in Congress. Sensenbrenner is known for choosing his words most carefully and not overreacting. He is also thorough and meticulous. Sources in Congress say that if Sensenbrenner says 'impeachment,' people sit up and take notice. It means that such a scenario is not only a possibility but a probability unless Holder acts quickly to provide the requested information. And even then he may not escape losing his job and facing criminal charges.

Sensenbrenner also has the 'gravitas' in the House to follow through on his threats, once he gets around to making them, which is rare. He has done so several times in the past with judges and even with Bill Clinton.

Thus, the dropping of the 'I' word during the Holder hearings this week is a bombshell of dramatic proportions, and it is an issue that bears watching very closely.

Source

2011-12-11T16:49:00.000+10:00

MI: Man's worst nightmare becomes reality for home invasion suspect: "The 28-year-old Flint man was trying to force his way into a home after banging on the door and falsely identifying himself as police when he was shot by the homeowner, who told police the suspect was reaching into his pocket for what he thought was a gun. The bullet went through the suspect’s hip and into his most private of parts. When officers arrived and asked the injured suspect what happened, he replied “Figure it out yourself,” according to police reports. “To add insult to injury, we charged him with first-degree home invasion, a 20-year felony,” said Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton. He added the man had a prior home invasion conviction. It’s hard to imagine the suspect ever breaking and entering again. “If taking a bullet down there doesn’t stop you, I don’t know what’s going to,” Leyton said."

OH: Teen, young woman shot during skill games robbery: "The young woman was inside the Lucky Heaven 777 Skill Games at 2123 Columbus Rd. NE in Plain Township when she answered a knock on the rear door at 5:28 a.m. A masked man carrying a gun walked inside. An employee suspecting a robbery was underway pulled out his own gun and fired two shots, Perez said. Both shots struck the young people, who then fled out the back door. A short time later, Mercy Medical Center employees called to report a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound had arrived, Perez said. The young woman, however, had gone to an Akron hospital, where employees notified Akron police that a gunshot victim had arrived, Perez said. Perez said that she told police there that she had been shot while walking down the sidewalk. But Akron police knew about the robbery attempt and told her they didn’t believe her. While they were out of the room, she grabbed her identification and walked out of the hospital... The skill games employee who deputies believe shot the young people may not face charges. “I believe he was protecting himself from bodily harm,” Perez said."

2011-12-10T19:05:00.001+10:00

TX: Man shot after he follows another man home: "An argument at a party south of Downtown led to a shooting at another home. It happened just after midnight on Friday morning, at a home off Yellowstone near Haines. Police say two men got into a argument, and one of them flashed a gun and made some threats. The other man left the party and headed home. The man with the gun followed him but ended up getting shot himself when the man he followed grabbed his own gun from his home and opened fire. Police say the victim refused medical treatment, and no charges will be filed since the shooting was in self defense."

House Homeland Security Committee to investigate DHS role in Fast and Furious: "A Houston-area congressman is launching a new House committee investigation into the Fast and Furious gun trafficking sting operation that was designed to trace the route of U.S. weapons from U.S. gun dealers into the hands of Mexican drug cartels. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, announced that his investigations subcommittee of the House Homeland Security Committee is launching an inquiry. The former federal prosecutor and deputy attorney general of Texas wrote to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief John Morton asking for information showing the role that ICE agents played when the guns were purchased in the United States and transported south of the border."

Alaska – Four Pro-Gun Bills Pending for 2012 Legislative Session: "House Bill 80, sponsored by state Representative Mark Neuman (R-15), is a no-duty-to-retreat bill and would extend the right to use force, including deadly force, for self-defense anywhere a person has a legal right to be. HB 80 passed in the state House by a 33 to 6 vote. This bill is now pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee. House Bill 83, also sponsored by state Representative Neuman, would establish an apprentice hunting program. This bill is pending in the House Resources Committee. Senate Bill 2, sponsored by state Senator Linda Menard (R-G), would create National Rifle Association special-request license plates. SB 2 is currently pending in the Senate Finance Committee. Senate Bill 105, sponsored by state Senator Charlie Huggins (R-H), would designate the Pre-1964 Winchester Model 70 .30-06 as the official state firearm. This bill is pending in the Senate State Affairs Committee."

2011-12-09T18:23:00.001+10:00

Fast & Furious Approaches Full Boil

For the most part the “mainstream” media has attempted to downplay or ignore the Obama Regime’s Mexican gun-running operation. This is fortunate, because it will delay the pot boiling over onto the public until closer to the election. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has been showing much more curiosity than Obama’s media enablers, who already find themselves having to report on it.

CBS, which to its credit took a leading role in lifting the rock on the operation, is even beginning to shine a light on its purpose: to erode our precious Second Amendment liberties.

Documents obtained by CBS News show that the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) discussed using their covert operation “Fast and Furious” to argue for controversial new rules about gun sales. …

On July 14, 2010 after ATF headquarters in Washington D.C. received an update on Fast and Furious, ATF Field Ops Assistant Director Mark Chait emailed Bill Newell, ATF’s Phoenix Special Agent in Charge of Fast and Furious:

“Bill – can you see if these guns were all purchased from the same (licensed gun dealer) and at one time. We are looking at anecdotal cases to support a demand letter on long gun multiple sales. Thanks.”

On Jan. 4, 2011, as ATF prepared a press conference to announce arrests in Fast and Furious, Newell saw it as “(A)nother time to address Multiple Sale on Long Guns issue.” And a day after the press conference, Chait emailed Newell: “Bill–well done yesterday… (I)n light of our request for Demand letter 3, this case could be a strong supporting factor if we can determine how many multiple sales of long guns occurred during the course of this case.”

Gun dealers were strong-armed into providing weapons to Mexican drug cartels against their own judgment so that the government could use the inevitably ensuing bloodshed as a pretext to curtail their right to do business — and our right to defend ourselves from that same rogue government.

The only thing more outrageous than the Obama Regime’s actions in Fast & Furious is its anti-constitutional motive, which can best be described as treasonous.

No informed person worthy to be called American would give these fifth columnists another four years to destroy the USA from within. Fortunately keeping people uninformed may not be as easy as it was in 2008.

The Department of Social Justice continues to stonewall. But:

“In light of the evidence, the Justice Department’s refusal to answer questions about the role Operation Fast and Furious was supposed to play in advancing new firearms regulations is simply unacceptable,” Rep. [Darrell] Issa [R-CA] told CBS News.

Those among the public who haven’t degenerated into mindless sheep won’t accept it either.

Source

CA: Resident shoots and kills suspect during home-invasion robbery: "A resident shot and killed a 19-year-old robbery suspect Wednesday night during a home-invasion robbery attempt on the south side of the city, police said. fficers responding to an emergency call in the 400 block of South 35th Street found the dead man inside a house, along with a second man injured by gunfire, Lt. Bisa French said. hose shot were part of a group that tried to storm the house a little past 6 p.m. during a home-invasion robbery attempt. "These two people, along with some other suspects, attempted to rob the victim," French said. "But the victim fought back." The group, carrying firearms, managed to get through the front door, while several residents were home. Evidence suggests the resident who shot the intruders fought with them before gunfire erupted. None of the residents were seriously hurt. The surviving suspect remains in custody at the hospital, French said. A doctor pronounced Robby Ross Jr. dead at a nearby hospital."

NC: Teen arrested after clerk turns tables during robbery attempt: "For the second time in a month a Wilmington store clerk has turned the tables on a would-be robber. The owner of the store says the man who allegedly tried to rob the store is "lucky to be alive." Police say Martin fumbled as he pulled out a gun giving a store clerk a chance to pull a gun of his own. The clerk did not shoot, unlike a foiled robbery attempt last month at another store. Homid says the clerk should have at least wounded Martin. Martin escaped with his life, but not from police. Officers caught him in woods near the store and charged with attempted armed robbery."

2011-12-08T16:19:00.002+10:00

PA: Employee shoots at suspected robbers: "It was last night when neighboring store owners heard gun shots coming from the parking lot of the Palmyra 'head shop', Bad Boys Toys. Police say a store employee fired the shots. They believe the incident began after the worker saw a woman enter the store and leave with $1600 dollars worth of unpaid merchandise. According to investigators, the employee then followed the woman out and into the parking lot, where witnesses say a male friend of the female assaulted the employee. The two suspects are now in custody, the male receiving treatment for gun shot wounds suffered during the altercation."

MN: Pregnant Woman With Shotgun Thwarts Burglars: "It’s the last thing two burglary suspects expected to hear when they broke into a Coon Rapids home. From within the house came the unmistakable sound of a pump shotgun. At the other end of that gun was a 22-year-old woman who is nine weeks pregnant. The young woman asked not to be identified because the two suspects are still at large. However, she says when the men ignored her barking pit bull and black lab, and broke through a kitchen door, she had no other choice but to chamber a round into the 12-gauge shotgun. There’s perhaps no other sound that commands as much respect and fear. The young woman at the business end of that gun was home alone and prepared to protect herself. With a single pump of her 12-gauge shotgun, the would-be burglars bolted out the door and through the backyard."

WI: Walker signs 'castle doctrine' bill: "Homeowners who shoot intruders will have new legal protections, under a bill signed Wednesday by Gov. Scott Walker. Under the intruders bill, courts in most criminal and civil matters would presume that people using deadly force had acted reasonably against anyone unlawfully inside their residence, business or vehicle, whether the trespasser was armed or not. The proposal is sometimes known as the "castle doctrine," a reference to the saying that one's home is one's castle. The bill passed the Senate and Assembly on bipartisan votes last month. The legislation is one of 21 bills that Walker signed privately Wednesday after they were passed by the Republican Legislature in October and November."

2011-12-07T18:16:00.001+10:00

Gunwalker: Justice Dept. Violated U.S. Laws Beyond Those Being Investigated

I know, because I was the principal drafter of some of the legislation

by JAMES K. STINEBOWER

As we continue to watch the general uproar over the Operation Fast and Furious program, and specifically what Attorney General Holder knew and when he knew it, it needs to be noted that perjury is not the only apparent violation of law to have occurred.

I refer to the apparent violation of at least one (probably two) major U.S. laws by the Holder Justice Department. A few years ago, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701, the follow-on to the Trading with the Enemy Act) was expanded in order to criminalize any transactions between U.S. entities — to include departments and agencies of the U.S. government — and all foreign drug cartels.

I am familiar with these prohibitive statues because several years ago, while serving as the senior drug analyst for the Senate Intelligence Committee, I was tasked to initiate and became the principal drafter of legislation which became known as the Kingpin Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 1901-08). The Kingpin Act is an extension of the highly successful IEEPA sanctioning program specifically targeting Colombian drug cartels. It expands sanctions authority against various drug cartel operations worldwide — including Mexico — which have been determined by the president to be threats to the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.

A violation of any of the IEEPA sanctioning programs or the Kingpin Act carries stiff penalties, both criminal and civil, and potentially totaling decades in prison and tens of millions of dollars in fines. It is not necessary that an individual or governmental entity be shown to have “knowingly” violated any of these programs: it is illegal for any U.S. entity or individual to aid, abet, or materially assist — or in the case of Operation Fast and Furious, to facilitate others to aid, abet, or materially assist — designated drug traffickers. There are no exceptions within IEEPA programs for unlicensed U.S. law enforcement or intelligence agency operations.

Based on the July 5, 2010, memo to Eric Holder, it would appear that Fast and Furious facilitated the delivery of weapons to — at a minimum — the Sinaloa cartel in Mexico. The U.S. Department of the Treasury, which administers both the IEEPA and Kingpin Act programs, has designated numerous members of the Sinaloa cartel under both programs. IEEPA prohibitions apply to the U.S. government as well as to individuals, and as stated there are no exceptions within IEEPA programs for unlicensed U.S. law enforcement or intelligence agency operations.

There is a provision in the Kingpin Act for “authorized” law enforcement and intelligence activities, however the only procedure by which an Operation Fast and Furious program could have been “authorized” under the Kingpin Act was by the U.S. attorney general requesting a waiver (known within the Treasury Department as a Specific License), prior to any such operation being undertaken. To illustrate and emphasize this point: even during the run-up to war in Iraq, the U.S. secretary of Defense had to obtain waivers (specific licenses) from the Treasury Department to allow U.S. Special Forces and their necessary equipment (to include weapons, intelligence gathering, and targeting gear) to go into Iraq, as Iraq at the time was under separate IEEPA sanctions.

As an aside: having spent many hours in discussions and negotiations over the exception in the Kingpin Act for authorized law enforcement and the intelligence community, I can assure the reader that the intent of this provision was not to allow for the transfer of thousands of semi-automatic weapons to cartel members. The intent of this portion of this particular Act is to allow for cash payments by U.S. law enforcement and intelligence agencies to confidential informants and intelligence sources within cartels to aid in their dismantlement, and not to facilitate the transfer of weapons used to murder hundreds of innocent civilians in Mexico and a U.S. Federal Border Agent.

As part of Congress’ ongoing investigation, as well as its constitutionally mandated oversight activities, it should be asked of Attorney General Holder if any such specific licenses were requested or granted by the Treasury Department. Additionally, Treasury Secretary Geithner should explain whether his Department has begun an investigation into these apparent violations of IEEPA and the Kingpin Act.

Interestingly, and of serious note — if Secretary Geithner finds that the laws and programs which his Department administers have been violated, Treasury procedures mandate that the matter be referred to Eric Holder’s Justice Department for enforcement!

Perhaps the appointment of a special prosecutor is necessary after all.

Source

OK: Man acquitted in fatal shooting of neighbor: "A Tulsa County jury on Tuesday night acquitted a man of a murder charge in the fatal shooting of a neighbor in Broken Arrow. Jurors found Joshua James Vaughn, 34, not guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of Tommy James Lovell on Feb. 10, 2009. Police dispatched to the scene observed the body of Lovell, 34, shortly after midnight in Vaughn’s yard in the 400 block of West Miami Street, reports show.Assistant District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said evidence indicated that Vaughn fired six shots from a .40-caliber handgun, resulting in eight bullet holes in Lovell. Vaughn, “a peaceable man," defended himself against Lovell, who had a history of threats and violence and who went to Vaughn’s house to provoke a fight, defense attorney Clark Brewster said. A furious Lovell threatened to kill Vaughn and came at Vaughn, who pulled his gun in self-defense and “shot until the threat was eliminated,” Brewster said. Lovell had a knife that he could have used to hurt somebody"

SC: No charges expected in man's shooting death: "No charges will be filed in the shooting death last month of a 42-year-old man at his Berea home, authorities said. The decision came after Greenville County sheriff’s investigators consulted with the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office on the shooting of Paul Buki, sheriff’s spokesman Zach Hinton said Tuesday. It was determined that Buki’s father, Jerry Geza Buki, was acting in self-defense when he shot, Hinton said. Buki was found with two gunshot wounds at 100 Tucson Drive on Nov. 20, said Greenville County Deputy Coroner Barry Wright. The shooting came after Buki had a fight with another man, Wright said. Buki was shot twice with a handgun, once in the chest and once in the arm, Wright said."

2011-12-06T14:58:00.000+10:00

Fast & Furious Cover-up Grows Bigger

The Fast & Furious scandal pot may be reaching the boiling point. Attorney General Eric Holder has maintained he knew nothing about the “gun walking” operation on the southern border that put thousands of high powered weapons into the hands of the Mexican gun cartel and led to the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry and increased the mayhem on both sides of the border.

He would have us believe that the operation was simply a misguided adventure involving a couple of rouge officers behaving badly way out west. Holder contends that even after Agent Terry’s murder in December, 2010, the subsequent extensive press coverage, and formal inquiries for information to DOJ by Members of Congress that Fast & Furious simply didn’t register high enough on priority meter to merit any attention from the Attorney General himself, and that F&F was a minor subplot at the Department of Justice. (See previous articles here)

However, 1364 pages of documents just released to Congressional investigators tell a very different story. It’s a story of “robust internal deliberations” at the highest levels of the Justice Department to craft denials and falsify the facts of the gun running operation leading up to a formal response sent to Senator Charles Grassley on February 4, 2011. Based on the release of these new documents, the Justice Department has withdrawn the February 2011, and is now going through a tortured effort to cover their considerably messy tracks.

In a letter sent to Congress on Friday, December 2, 2012 Deputy Attorney General James Cole said, “Facts have come to light during the course of this investigation that indicate the February 4 letter contains inaccuracies.” That would be DOJ-speak for “we lied.”

“Department personnel…relied on information provided by supervisors from the components in the best position to know the relevant facts: ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona…Information provided by those supervisors was inaccurate. We understand that, in transcribed interviews with congressional investigators, the supervisors have said that they did not know at the time the letter was drafted that information they provided was inaccurate.”

According to a lengthy expose in Politico.com, “A selection of documents the Justice Department released to reporters on Friday demonstrates that U.S. Attorney for Arizona Dennis Burke, ATF Acting Director Ken Melson and ATF Deputy Director William Hoover vigorously urged the department to issue a forceful and broad denial of the allegations.”

Burke, who was also a former chief-of-staff to Janet Napolitano, resigned in August. Melson was “reassigned.” But, the head-rolling from this scandal is likely far from done. Politico explains that the huge volume of newly released documents “shed little light on precisely where in the federal bureaucracy the erroneous denials originated and whether the misstatements were deliberate or the product of some confusion.” Resolving those questions remains a major focus of the ongoing investigation.

One of Holder’s key deputies, Lanny Breuer, must be particularly nervous over the newly released documents. Breuer, who heads the Criminal Division at DOJ, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Nov. 1 that “I cannot say for sure whether I saw a draft of the letter that was sent to you.” The “letter” referred to was the February 4, 2011 letter that DOJ now admits was “inaccurate.” In written testimony sent to Senator Grassley, Breuer also said he had “no recollection” of seeing the letter before it was sent.

However, as the Friday dump of documents indicates, Breuer forwarded versions of the letter from his official email to his personal gmail account on three occasions: once before it was sent and twice after.

Further, Breuer’s aid Jason Weinstein was deeply involved in the drafting and redrafting of the Feb. 4 letter. On Feb. 2 expressing frustration and how difficult it was to satisfy all concerned, Weinstein sent an email to both Breuer and Burke, “The Magna Carta was easier to get done than this was.” In another email addressed to both Breuer and Weinstein as the final draft was near completion Burke wrote, “Great job by you.” Breuer replied, “Thanks, Jason, as usual great work.”

James Cole, the Deputy AG who drew the short straw and sent the letter to Congress Friday retracting the Feb. 4, 2011 Letter-of-Lies is going to have some explaining to do, as well. The documents show that his chief deputy, Lisa Monaco, expressed serious reservations about the “categorically false” claims in the Feb. 4 letter that F&F guns were used to kill Agent Terry.
“Obviously we want to be 300% sure we can make such ‘categorical’ statement” she warned, but apparently to no avail.

To some degree, these new documents are just further confirmation of what was already known. That the Fast and Furious operation, and most particularly the cover-up following Agent Terry’s assassination, involved some of the most highly placed officials at the Department of Justice. While there has been no disclosure as of yet that the new 1364 pages implicate Eric Holder himself, we reaffirm our earlier conclusion that on May 3, 2011 the Attorney General perjured himself when he testified to Congress that he had only just learned of F&F “over the last few weeks.”

Briefing memos from Holder’s closest aides including Lanny Breuer indicate Holder knew – or had an obligation to have known - of F&F as early as July, 2010, five months before Brian Terry was gunned down. Holder’s top aides have now been implicated in a cover-up plot to deny Congress, the American people, and Agent Terry’s family from knowing the truth of an ill-conceived, shameful operation that extended to the highest levels of government. And, yet, to date all Barack Obama has said of the scandal is, “I have complete confidence in Attorney General Holder.” And, for the record, the “I was not aware” defense invoked by Holder and Breuer is also the defense of choice by the President, too. Time will tell.

Source

KY: Suspect shot during attempted robbery: "Lexington Police say around 2 p.m. Monday, a man walked into the business and acted like he wanted to sell the owner an alternator. After a brief discussion, the owner's wife says a second man, wearing a ski mask, came out from behind a car, threatening to shoot her husband if he didn't cooperate with their demands. "He dropped down behind the board," the owner's wife told us. "Pulled his gun, shot the guy. When he shot the guy, he fell into the shop, next to my husband. That's when they went for a scuffle because they were fighting for his gun." She says the scuffle quickly took another violent turn as her husband continued to struggle with the suspect. "He started beating my husband with a battery, just bashing in the head with it and my husband shot him at least two more times," the owner's wife said. The two suspects involved in the robbery took off. Police are still trying to find them. We're told the owner of the towing company only had minor injuries and should be ok."

NE: Would-Be Robber Uses Fake Gun: "Morley was just about to lock up at the Time Clock Lounge at 90th & L around 1:30 AM Sunday when the robber entered. The robber approached the bar where Mass was standing. "And Scottie just pulled a gun on him and he just freaked out and he ran into the wall and jumped over the railing and got out the door and the next thing you knew they're just chasing him." Mass and two customers quickly tackled the robber and held him for police. Police arrested 35-year-old Robert S. Gallagher, Jr. As for his weapon, it was an air gun. No one in the bar knew that at the time. A check of Gallagher's background shows he was released from prison last July. Incidentally, Mass has all the legal papers to carry a weapon."

IN: Would-be robber stopped, shot by victims: "Around 3:30 in the afternoon on Friday, December 2 Billy Sloan and Sue Drake arrived at their home in the 800 block of East Main Street. 28-year-old Aaron Rhoades of Pierceton was already there with a shotgun and forced Sloan to the ground. Drake came into the home and used a large salt/pepper shaker to beat Rhoades over the head. He and Sloan fought to control the gun. Police say during that fight, the gun discharged twice. Sloan gained control of it and chased Rhoades out of the door. Sloan told police that Rhoades pulled out a handgun as he was running, so Sloan used the shotgun to shoot him in the legs. Police say Rhoades crawled to a pickup truck that arrived, driven by 34-year-old Karen Prater of Claypool. The two tried to flee in the truck, but Sloan shot-out the rear passenger side tire. Police found Rhoades and Prater in the 5000 block of West Corly's Lane, near Diamond Lake. Rhoades was bleeding from a head wound and a gunshot wound to his legs."

2011-12-05T15:22:00.001+10:00

WA: Intruder shot, wounded inside home: "A 47-year-old Port Orchard man was shot and wounded early Saturday when, while fleeing from police, he barged into a Melcher Street home and struggled with a man who lives there. Washington State Patrol troopers believe the resident, who is in his 20s, fired a single shot that hit the 47-year-old in the abdomen. Police had responded to the area of Melcher and Tacoma Avenue about 1:15 a.m. after somone called 911 from an address there and hung up. They found the 47-year-old man in the street and two officers ended up in a struggle with him. A Taser was used to try and subdue the man but it was ineffective, said state patrol spokeswoman Krista Hedstrom. The suspect fled from the officers, went to the home and allegedly forced his way in, leading to the confrontation with the resident. Officers believe the man did not know the occupants of the home, Townsend said. The 47-year-old was taken to St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Tacoma, where he underwent surgery. He remains in the hospital in stable condition. Investigators spoke with the Melcher Street resident but he was not detained"

Supreme Court punts on right to carry: "With very little media notice, what could have been a landmark case on the right to bear arms was quietly turned away on Monday. Without comment, the Supreme Court refused to hear the case of Masciandaro v. US, which asked if the Second Amendment “protect[s]a right to possess and carry a firearm for self-defense outside the home.” It’s a vital question, one we know the answer to, and one we deserve to have the high Court issue a correct ruling on. Attorney Alan Gura of Heller and McDonald fame filed an amicus brief on behalf of the Second Amendment Foundation that presents an inarguable case to any capable of reason."

Extreme gun hatred: "Vanessa Gibbs, 17, claims the Transportation Security Administration stopped her at the security gate because of the design of a gun on her handbag. But her preference for the pistol style didn't sit well with TSA agents at the Norfolk airport. Gibbs said she was headed back home to Jacksonville from a holiday trip when an agent flagged her purse as a security risk. "She was like, 'This is a federal offense because it's in the shape of a gun,'" Gibbs said. "I'm like, 'But it's a design on a purse. How is it a federal offense?'" After agents figured out the gun was a fake, Gibbs said, TSA told her to check the bag or turn it over. By the time security wrapped up the inspection, the pregnant teen missed her flight, and Southwest Airlines sent her to Orlando instead, worrying her mother, who was already waiting for her to arrive at JIA. TSA isn't budging on the handbag, arguing the phony gun could be considered a "replica weapon." The TSA says "replica weapons have prohibited since 2002."

2011-12-05T03:59:00.003+10:00

US Gun Sales Surge on Black Friday

The surge in sales is being attributed to the retail gun industry finally realizing the value of marketing.

The FBI has confirmed that firearms sales reached a record 129,166 during last week’s Black Friday, based on the number of background checks conducted over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

The number represents a 32 percent jump from the previous record of 97,848 weapons sold during Black Friday of 2008.

Frankly, I'd suggest it's more than marketing, possibly apprehension regarding uncertainties in society. Readers can speculate.

2011-12-04T18:50:00.001+10:00

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."

2011-12-03T15:24:00.002+10:00

FL: Store owner displays gun to restrain aggressive customer: "On Sept. 30, Dan and Edith Ferrena, owners of Palm Coast Gold Buyers, had an unhappy encounter with a customer. Joshua Newby, 28, was with his wife, a friend and five children, three of them his. At one point everyone was in the store as Newby was looking at a watch, and the Ferrenas, who had two other customers inside–a small store the size of an average living room–became concerned about the children’s behavior. Edith asked the adults top take the children outside, politely, she says. The request was not taken kindly. When it was all over, Dan found himself in a cop car, on his way to jail, on an aggravated assault charge for having allegedly threatened Newby with a 9mm Walther PPS, allegedly pointing it at him and his children’s direction. Ferrena denied all along that he pointed the gun at Newby or cocked it, though he didn’t deny merely displaying it. On Tuesday, the State Attorney dropped the charge against Ferrena."

OH: Store owner Opens Fire on Intruder: "A frightened owner opened fire on a man who broke into his convenience store on North Monroe Avenue Friday morning. It happened just about 7 a.m. when the owner reported hearing noise when he went to open Nick's Quick Stop Food Mart in northeast Columbus. He says he confronted the suspect, involved in a robbery attempt, and ordered him to "Freeze!" The store owner says the alleged robber responded by throwing something at him and trying to get away. That's when the owner says he fired his gun. The owner shot the intruder several times in his legs, ABC6/Fox28 News has learned. The suspect managed to crawl out of a second-story window. He fell to the ground, where police officers arrested him. The injured man was transported to Grant Medical Center with non life-threatening injuries. Allen reports the man, whose name was not released, is expected to recover and will likely face criminal charges. The owner, however, will not face charges"

TX: Old lady fires at burglars: "Talk about fighting to your last breath. An 81-year-old woman defending her Memorial Village home was brave enough to pull a gun on the bad guys and managed to scare them away. However, the stress took its toll, and the woman lost her life. Two burglars dressed as utility workers convinced the elderly homeowner to let them inside, but it wasn't this gal’s first rodeo. When she started to get suspicious, police say the woman pulled out her gun and shot at the undercover-robbers twice. The schemers escaped. The 81-year-old called 911, but collapsed after help arrived and died of a heart attack on the way to the hospital. The suspects are still on the loose."

TN: Convenience store clerk shoots, kills alleged robber: "Authorities have not charged a convenience market clerk after he fatally shot a convicted carjacker he said tried to rob him Wednesday night. Sm Mazahir Hamadani, 59, was working at the Kwik Tobacco Market at 619 Millwood Drive, when he said 25-year-old William England charged the counter and held scissors to Hamadani’s throat. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, Hamadani said he feared for his life, pulled a pistol that was in his pocket and shot England one time. England died shortly after arriving at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. He was on probation after receiving an eight-year sentence for carjacking in 2009. Hamadani wasn’t detained after being interviewed by authorities."

2011-12-02T17:34:00.001+10:00

KS: Pizza Delivery Driver Fires Shots To Avoid Robbery: "It happened at an apartment in the 6600 block of E. Harry just before 10 p.m. Wednesday. Police said a Dominoes delivery driver arrived at the location to deliver a pizza, but no one answered the door. The driver returned to his car to get a gun, because he said he was concerned for his safety. The driver reported to police a man approached him from behind and tried to rob him, as the driver opened the trunk of his car. The delivery driver said he turned around with a gun in his hand, and pointed it at the suspect. The driver fired two shots, as the suspect ran away. No one was hurt. The driver was interviewed at the scene and released. The suspect is described as a black man in his 20’s, wearing a large blue coat."

FL: Woman held intruder at gunpoint: "A woman who lives alone in a Winter Springs home held an intruder at gunpoint after two men broke into her garage, according to police. According to the homeowner, she said she heard the house alarm beep, so she grabbed her gun and checked the home. She said she found two men inside her garage and one of them ran away with one of her golf clubs. The woman said she told the other man that she would shoot him if he moved. She then called police, who arrived and arrested the man. After a brief search, the other man was also arrested, Winter Springs police said. The homeowner said the two intruders entered through her garage door, which she left slightly open for her cat because it was cold outside."

CT: Camera Captures Clerk Shooting Suspect: "Two masked men walked into Babe's Market at 604 Ferry Street around 10:20 p.m. Tuesday. One man pulled out a gun and tried to rob a customer and then the Clerk, according to police. The clerk, Karar Jawad, pulled out his own pistol and fired at the alleged robber. Jawad has a permit to carry a gun, police said. The two suspects ran from the store after Jawad fired his weapon. A short time later, a man identified by police as Harry Anderson, 18, of New Haven, walked into the hospital with a gunshot wound. Detectives determined Anderson was the suspect in the Babe's Market robbery, according to police. Anderson was placed under arrest, and kept in police guard at the hospital as he recovers from his gunshot wound. He was charged with first-degree robbery, reckless endangerment and carrying a pistol without a permit."

SC: Shooting is apparent self-defense: "Columbia police are investigating whether a man shot to death outside an apartment complex was killed in self-defense. Investigators said 26-year-old Timothy Sligh Jr. was shot more than once in the chest Tuesday night. Police say Sligh came to the apartments to commit a crime and pointed his gun at another man, who grabbed his own gun and shot Sligh. Authorities haven't released the identity of the other man and say the investigation into the shooting continues."

2011-12-01T16:32:00.001+10:00

CO: Home invader shot: "The incident happened the day after Thanksgiving on Indiana Street in Orchard Mesa. According to Mesa County Sheriff Office, two men were in the home when Jesus Ray Sanchez Jr. tried to force his way into their home. Colorado's "Make my Day" law gives citizens the right to use deadly force against an intruder without any criminal consequences. The Coroners Office says the manner of death was homicide but notes that the use of the word homicide does not imply criminal responsibility on the gunman's part but simply refers to the definition of the word."

SF Weekly journalist wants to save us from assault weapons… from Halo, the video game: "I don’t know SF Weekly writer Joe Eskenazi. What I do know is that he is so ignorant in his pathological hatred of firearms that he’s willing to call on a ban of guns that exist only in pixel form. No, I’m not kidding… He wants to ban the fictional guns from Halo. It’s a shame, really. I was really looking forward to picking up that BR55 battle rifle as soon as it comes out in 2525."

2011-11-30T17:59:00.000+10:00

AZ: Man chases down assailants, kills one: "The incident began at approximately 6:40 a.m. on Saturday, when Jaime Somoza Jaimes, 36, was surprised by the pistol-carrying men as he returned home in the Residencial Greco neighborhood. The muggers reportedly threatened Somoza with their guns and hit him in the head, knocking him to the ground. They continued hitting him until his son arrived and fought with one of assailants. At that point, the PEI said, the men ran off with Somoza's wallet and an unspecified amount of money, firing three shots as they fled. Somoza got up, found a .25-caliber firearm and got into his SUV to chase down the perpetrators. When he caught up with them, he reportedly shot 36-year-old Eduardo Rodolfo Crispin Sesma of Nogales, Sonora once in the thorax as he was pulling out a .45-caliber pistol. His accomplice escaped." The PEI said Somoza, his son and brother were questioned but not immediately charged."

AL: Man shot during robbery attempt: "An arrest warrant has been issued for a man shot early Tuesday morning attempting to rob someone in Callaway. Elijah Reddice, 30, of Panama City, checked into a Houston County, Ala., hospital Tuesday noon with a gunshot wound. He told Houston County Sheriff’s deputies that he was shot in a fight with a man he had tried to rob. The victim, 28-year-old John Fagan, told investigators with the BCSO a man approached him around 2 a.m. and tried to hit him with a gun, which caused the gun to fire. Fagan said he fought with the man and the gun fired again and suspect fell to the ground before running away through a neighboring yard. Fagan recovered a gun, a .357-caliber revolver, which had two spent shell casings and a live round when he turned it over to investigators. Reddice will be charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Additional charges are expected."

VA: Murder charge dismissed: "Second-degree murder and other charges against a Martinsville man were dismissed Monday after a judge found that the 21-year-old acted within the law when he shot another man to death in a Henry County mobile home. Rodney “Rod” Lamar Hairston of North Fork Road was charged in connection with the Oct. 18 death of Jermey Lynn Preston, also 21. Preston was shot inside a home at 345 Kent Drive, which is off Mountain Road just outside the city limits. After a preliminary hearing in Henry County General District Court, Judge Morgan Armstrong said he would not be doing his duty if he let the charges advance. “My conclusion is that no jury or judge could draw but one conclusion,” Armstrong said, adding that the conclusion is that Hairston shot Preston “in defense of another.” Arsha Crawford, testified that she and Hairston were playing cards with another friend at her home on Kent Drive the night of Oct. 18 when Preston and Curtis “Duke” Pritchett showed up uninvited. Crawford said she and Preston had a history of altercations."

NC: “Castle Doctrine” revised: "The new law defines a person’s home as any property with a roof where the person lives and also includes 'curtilage,' which is the area immediately around a home. ... It says a home or workplace can be temporary or permanent and specifically says either one can be a tent. Under the new law, the lawful occupant of a home, motor vehicle or workplace isn’t required to retreat prior to using deadly force."

2011-11-29T15:51:00.001+10:00

Wisconsin Republicans protect women

The Chicago Tribune reviewed Wisconsin’s concealed gun permit law, which became law this summer after years of opposition by the Democratic Party. Finally, the state elected Republican majorities in each house of the legislature and a Republican governor, Scott Walker. The biggest beneficiaries of the new law that allows carrying a concealed handgun may be women.

The Chicago Tribune reported: “Roger Wendling, owner of Monsoor’s Sport Shop in La Crosse, estimates he’s seen a 25 percent to 30 percent increase in handgun sales this month. Some of the more popular models have been .38-caliber Sig Sauers and Smith & Wesson .38-caliber revolvers, both small, snub-nosed weapons that are easy to hide. About 70 percent of the concealed carry clientele have been women, he said. They’ve leaned toward revolvers with laser sights and handbags with special compartments for hidden weapons, he said. Jim Clark, manager of Central Wisconsin Firearms in Wausau, estimated his handgun sales have increased at least 20 percent over the last month, with customers going with small models such .38-calibers and 9-millimeters.”

So women in Wisconsin feel they need protection — a protection the Democratic Party fought against for year.

Illinois is the only state left in the concealed carry permit battle. Democrats run the state. My advice to the women of Illinois: Move to Milwaukee, where women can protect themselves.

Source

PA: Man Shot After Trying to Rob Pizza Delivery Man: "An alleged would-be robber is in the hospital after police say a pizza delivery man turned the tables against him. Investigators say the delivery man came to deliver pizza Monday night at a vacant home on the 700 block of Price Street in Germantown. When he arrived, police say a man approached him from a nearby alley and demanded $100 from the delivery man at gunpoint. Investigators say a struggle then ensued resulting in the would-be robber being shot in the neck and buttocks as the pizza spilled to the ground next to them. Police initially reported that the delivery man wrestled the gun out of the would-be robber's hands and shot him with it. They now say however that it's unknown whether it was in fact the delivery man who shot the suspect or if the gun accidentally went off. The suspect was taken to Einstein Hospital where he is currently in critical condition. The delivery man did not suffer any serious injuries."

AZ: Mom kills backyard intruder: "The woman told police that about three hours earlier, around noon, she saw two men enter her backyard. According to police, the woman said she became frightened and called her husband. "Her husband said, 'Hey, get your gun,'" Holmes said. "So she goes, retrieves her weapon, she goes out and these folks are gone." Then, hours later, the woman saw two men again. "One of them, who now is the victim, actually had a gun in his hand," Holmes said. "He saw her, he raised his gun toward her and at that point, she shot him." The other man ran to a white car and fled. The 35-year-old woman and her daughter were not harmed."

TN: Gun rights groups to challenge limitations: "Gun rights advocates in Tennessee are embracing an Arizona law that does away with a requirement that handgun owners get a permit before carrying their weapons in public -- part of a more aggressive push to loosen state gun laws next year. After being shut out last spring, gun rights supporters are planning to step up pressure on the Republican-led legislature to ease at least some of the state’s rules on carrying a handgun before they leave to campaign for re-election next year"

2011-11-28T16:26:00.002+10:00

NC: A store clerk shoots an armed robber twice... and his boss still says he's too SOFT: "Mark Headstrong had never fired a gun before. But, when a robber pointed a pistol at him, the Wilmington, North Carolina, convenience store clerk acted fast and shot his assailant twice. Surveillance video captures the moment Mr Headstrong pulled out his weapon and fired, dropping 30-year-old Joseph Ryan Anderson to the floor with bullet wounds to his leg and his finger. But Mr Headstrong's boss, store owner Musa Agil said his employee should have shot the robber dead: 'He should have killed him and this guy was soft on him.' 'He was trying to give him a second chance. Thugs like those should not ever be given a chance, because if that man shot Mark, he's not going to look at him and give him a chance. That's why Mark made a terrible mistake by letting him go,' Mr Agil told WWAY news in Wilmington."

TN: Officials consider duo shot in self-defense: "Authorities are investigating whether a Columbia man may have shot his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend out of self-defense, Maury County Sheriff’s Lt. Andy Jackson said. Deputies apprehended Laquantez Gilbert soon after the 10 p.m. Wednesday shootings of Masheaka Cathey and Dwayne Locke at Cathey’s 131 Napier Drive residence. Cathey had two bullet wounds while Locke had been shot seven times at close range, officials said. Gilbert was taken into custody at his nearby home on Ashwood Road where he surrendered a handgun. He was questioned by detectives for several hours, but they released him Thursday morning without filing criminal charges. “It appears at this time that the gentleman may have been defending himself,” Jackson said Friday. According to a Sheriff’s Department report, an argument developed between Gilbert and Locke after Gilbert came to the Napier Drive residence. Locke asked him to leave. “It was a domestic-type incident, and it just got out of hand,” Jackson said. “There were threats made.”

DE: Bandit shot after trying to rob man near New Castle: "Police were called about 6:30 p.m. to the first block of Parma Avenue and found a 20-year-old man lying on the sidewalk with a gunshot wound to his lower body. He was treated and released at Christiana Hospital, Weglarz said. Minutes after that shooting, Wilmington Police stopped a car for traffic violations at the entrance of Wilmington Hospital and found Dixon in the passenger seat with a gunshot wound to his stomach. He was transferred to Christiana Hospital in stable condition, police said. The 20-year-old old victim was approached by Dixon at Briarcliff Drive and Parma Avenue, police said. The victim ran when Dixon, who was armed, demanded his property, Weglarz said. Dixon shot him as he ran away but was hit when the man fired back, police said. Stolen property and the gun Dixon used were found in the car he was riding in, police said. Weglarz said the 20-year-year-old attempted robbery victim will not be charged."

TX: Homeowner Shoots Home Invasion Suspect: "Police say a Dallas man prevented a brazen home invasion robbery this morning. He fired off shots at some would-be robbers, hitting one of them. Fox 4's Peter Daut spoke with the homeowner and has more. Mendoza said he and his family were sleeping in the back bedroom around 10 o'clock Sunday morning, when they heard a knock at the door. As Mendoza headed towards the door, he said the knocking turned to banging and then kicking. He immediately knew he needed to protect his family. "I got scared and ran for the gun," he said. "One of two men entered, and I fired at his shoulder. I also fired two more shots, just to frighten them away." Police soon arrived and took the wounded man into custody. The other suspect took off running."

2011-11-27T16:49:00.001+10:00

TN: Man shoots, kills would be home invader: "A North Memphis man is recovering after turning a gun on an attempted robbery suspect who knocked on his door shortly before 5:00 a.m. Saturday. Maggett, who is fighting throat cancer, said chemotherapy and radiation did not leave him too weak to fight off the would be robber. He said the suspect knocked on the door, pushed him over a chair and tried to choke him to death. Maggett then turned the gun on the suspect, shooting and killing him inside. "I guess the good Lord gave me strength to get him up off me so I got away from him," said Maggett. Maggett returned to his home from the hospital Saturday morning. Memphis police said no charges have been filed in this case."

TX: Armed customer defends restaurant against robbers: "An attempted aggravated robbery at a local Denny's restaurant ended in a shootout Saturday when an armed customer pulled a gun on the suspects. It happened at the Denny's in the 11900 block of East Freeway at Federal Rd. A witness told us one or two suspects entered the restaurant, brandishing guns and demanding money. A tow truck driver in the restaurant also happened to have a gun. According to the witness, the tow truck driver pulled his gun on the suspects and a shootout ensued. No one was injured. The suspect or suspects fled, but they left without any money."

NJ Governor Christie Shows his Anti-Gun-Owner Hand: "In a move that did not surprise New Jersey gun owners, Governor Chris Christie made it clear that he is no friend of the “right to keep and Bear Arms” (RKBA) in New Jersey. As revealed in an email from a spokesman for the governor, Christie has not changed his position since his 2009 campaign when he told The Record: “I believe that each state should have the right to make firearms laws as they see fit. I don’t believe it’s right for the federal government to get into the middle of this and decide firearms laws for the people of the state of New Jersey.” This in spite of the fact that the state’s entire NJ Republican delegation in the House voted for a bill that would grant National Reciprocity to any U.S. citizen who has a legitimate license to carry a discreet handgun in their home state for self-defense"

2011-11-26T17:45:00.001+10:00

Man jailed twice for 'offenses,' but cleared, released each time

A civil rights organization that argued for the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark ruling that the Second Amendment grants individuals the right to have weapons has filed a lawsuit against the state of California over a "vague" gun ban under which a man twice was jailed and cleared.

The Second Amendment Foundation says it took the action in federal court to challenge the constitutionality of the state's ban on what it calls "assault weapons."

The statute's definition of weapons, however, is so "vague and ambiguous," the group contends, that one man was arrested on two different occasions for violations but ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing.

"It's an insult to be arrested once for violating a law that is so vague and ambiguous that law enforcement officers cannot tell the difference between what is and what is not a legal firearm under this statute," said Alan Gottlieb, executive vice president of SAF, "but to be arrested and jailed twice for the same offense is an outrage."

Read Wayne LaPierre's detailed explanations on "SAFE: How to Protect Yourself, Your Family and your Home"

Brendan Richards' dilemma, he said, "is a textbook example of why the California statute should be nullified."

Named as defendants in the filing are California Attorney General Kamala Harris, the state Justice Department, the Sonoma County sheriff's office and Deputy Greg Myers.

The Second Amendment Foundation is being joined in the challenge in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by the CalGuns Foundation as well as Richards, a discharged Marine and Iraq War veteran.

Richards was arrested and jailed in May 2010 and again in August 2011. Both times, charges eventually were dismissed when it was found that there was no violation of the law because the firearms in his possession were not "assault weapons" as the state defines those instruments.

Richards lost nonrefundable bail fees both times and suffered other damages, the SAF claim states. "He lost work due to his incarcerations. In both cases, the same Senior Criminalist John Yount issued reports that the firearms in Richards' possession were not assault weapons under California law," the foundation said.

"Mr. Richards now has a reasonable fear that his exercise of his fundamental Second Amendment rights will result in more wrongful arrests," the organization said.

"This nonsense has to stop," Gottlieb stated, "and the only way to ensure that is to show California's assault weapon statutes and regulations are unconstitutionally vague and ambiguous. Brendan Richards is not the only citizen faced with this kind of harassment under color of law."

The Second Amendment Foundation is the nation's oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group focusing on the constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, the foundation has grown to more than 650,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.

In the precedent-setting Otis McDonald case challenging Chicago's gun restrictions, the U.S. Supreme Court declared the Second Amendment right to bear arms applies to individuals.

"The right to keep and bear arms must be regarded as a [substantial] guarantee, not a prohibition that could be ignored so long as the states legislated in an evenhanded manner," Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the majority opinion.

The decision followed the 2008 Heller case in the District of Columbia that declared the Second Amendment to be an individual right. That case, however, pertained only to D.C. The McDonald case established the precedent nationwide.

The foundation already has brought to court a number of other cases over local restrictions that it believes are precluded by the Supreme Court's rulings:

In New York, the organization has asked for a summary judgment that would strike New York City's $340 triennial fee for just owning a handgun. The legal brief explains that under U.S. Supreme Court rulings "the right to keep a handgun in the home for self-defense is a part of the 'core' of the Second Amendment's protections." The case, brought by SAF, the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association and individuals including an electrical contractor, a paramedic, CPA and woodworker, argues, "The city's $340 fee is inherently prohibitive and serves the impermissible purpose of discouraging the exercise of constitutional rights. While the city can charge a nominal fee to defray costs, the $340 fee is not nominal, and has never been calculated to defray costs."

The organization has sued New Jersey and officials and judges over procedures that allowed them to refuse firearms permits for a kidnap victim, a man who carries large amounts of cash for his business and a civilian FBI employee who fears attacks from radical Islamists. The permissions were denied on the grounds people had not shown a "justifiable need." "Law-abiding New Jersey citizens have been arbitrarily deprived of their ability to defend themselves and their families for years under the state's horribly crafted laws," said a SAF spokesman. "The law grants uncontrolled discretion to police chiefs and other public officials to deny license applications even in cases where the applicant has shown a clear and present danger exists."

The SAF filed a case on behalf of an honorably discharged veteran from the Vietnam War and names as defendants Attorney General Eric Holder and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on behalf of Jefferson Wayne Schrader. The question is whether the state of Maryland can deprive an individual of the right to possess a weapon over a misdemeanor. Schrader had been convicted of misdemeanor assault relating to a fight involving a man who previously had assaulted him in Annapolis. But he was denied the opportunity to receive a shotgun as a gift or to purchase a handgun for personal protection.

It filed a claim against Maryland for a man who alleges the state is violating the Second Amendment by refusing to renew his handgun permit. Raymond Woollard originally was issued a carry permit after a man broke into his home during a family event in 2002. Woollard's permit was renewed in 2005 after the defendant in the case was released from prison. But state officials now have refused to renew the permit, even though the intruder now lives some three miles from Woollard.

It sued Westchester County, N.Y., because officials there were requiring that residents have a "good cause" to ask for a handgun permit. The federal lawsuit alleges the requirement conflicts with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the Second Amendment establishes a personal right to "keep and bear arms." Individual plaintiffs in the case are Alan Kachalsky and Christina Nikolov, both Westchester County residents whose permit applications were denied.

The earliest case to result from the McDonald decision challenged a practice in North Carolina of banning guns during "emergencies." The case claimed state statutes forbidding the carrying of firearms or ammunition when officials declare "states of emergency" are unconstitutional. Further, the plaintiffs said a state law allowing the government to prohibit the sale, purchase and possession of firearms and ammunition is unconstitutional. WND reported when residents of King, N.C., were startled by the banishment of firearms during a "declared snow emergency."
The high court's 5-4 ruling in the first Chicago case was forecast to bring on such challenges.

It flipped "the burden onto the government and legislatures to show why they need to restrict what the court has already said is an individual right," John Velleco, director of federal affairs for Gun Owners of America, told WND after the decision.

There is other action on the state level regarding gun rights. Already, eight states have adopted laws that exempt guns made, sold and kept inside the states from any federal gun regulations.

A court case already is being heard over the effort in Montana – the first state to take the step of ordering federal regulators to stay out of the state business of regulating its citizenry's weapons.

In Wyoming, lawmakers even adopted a $2,000 penalty for federal agents trying to enforce federal regulations against an exempted weapon.

Source

2011-11-25T19:15:00.001+10:00

PA: Dog alerts couple to intruder: "The wife told Channel 4 Action News reporter Ashlie Hardway that she had gone to the living room couch because she couldn't sleep, and sometime during the night, she heard an unusual-sounding bark from her dog and saw a man trying to break in. She said she called to her husband, who came downstairs with a gun and fired a warning shot first. Then, she said, he fired another shot that hit the man, who police identified as Elijah J. Malanosky, 30, of Cokeburg. State police in Belle Vernon are handling the case and will consult with the district attorney before deciding if any charges will be filed."

SC: Attempt to rob shoppers: "Myrtle Beach Police Captain Kevin Heins said, three people were assaulted after shopping at the Seaboard Street Walmart. It happened just after 1 a.m. in a parking lot across the street from the big box store in the 700 block of Oak Forest Lane. Captain Hines said two men approached the group. Hines believes one of the men pulled out a gun in the attempted armed robbery. Moments later, a man was hit in the head and a shot was fired, striking a woman in the leg, Hines said. Captain Hines also stated that he's not sure if the shooting was on purpose or if it was accidental. Myrtle Beach first responders rushed the gunshot victim to a local hospital. There's no word on her condition. In the meantime, police are searching for the armed suspects. They ran off after the second woman in the group showed her gun."

Colo: Invader shot: "Trinidad police say a homeowner was awaken Saturday around 2 a.m. by the sound of a knock at the front door and the door being forced open. The homeowner said he believed there were three to four men who had forced their way into the home. The homeowner grabbed his handgun and confronted the intruder, police said. The intruder ran out, yelling “He has a gun!” As the intruder was fleeing, the homeowner fired his weapon through the bedroom door and wall toward the fleeing men. After he believed all the men had fled the home, the victim went to his living room and saw blood. He then looked outside his home and saw a man lying face down on the front lawn. Police identified that man as 24-year-old Rory Davis Rodriguez. He had been fatally shot in the head.

2011-11-24T16:03:00.001+10:00

NY: Home invader shot: "A Johnson City homeowner allegedly shot an intruder this weekend after the man tried to break down his front door. It happened at about 4:30 Sunday morning on Virginia Ave in the Village. JC Police say the burglar did manage to get inside and that's when the owner shot him. Police say the intruder was hit in the arm and is expected to recover. Names are not being released at this time. No charges have yet been filed. Police say the investigation is continuing.'

WA: 10-year-old shoots mom's attacker in face with BB rifle: "About 7 a.m., Paul R. Newman, 45, came home drunk to a room he was renting in the 2800 block of Valencia Street. Newman flew into a rage when he found his room was messy, Young said. Newman then kicked in the door to the victim's bedroom and began choking her. Her son was awakened by the commotion and tried to stop the assault by shouting at the attacker, Young said. When that didn't work, the boy smacked Newman with a wooden board, Young said. Newman ran outside to chase the boy, thinking he had left the house. The mother, 46, managed to lock the door, but Newman tried to get back in through an open window, Young said. He grabbed the mother by the arm as she was trying to shut it and refused to let go. The son then returned with a pump-action BB rifle. When Newman saw the rifle he threatened to kill the boy and the mother, Young said, so the boy shot him in the face as many as four times.The boy and his mother escaped and ran to a neighbor's home to call police, Young said. Newman was arrested"

Australia: Imprisoned for self-defense shooting: "Friedman was ambushed by both Matthews and Doherty in the restaurant's car park, who started punching him through the window. Friedman reached for the 1911 Steyr pistol in the car and fired one shot. The bullet travelled through the tricep muscle of Matthew's left arm and then hit Doherty in the chest and exited his lower back. Doherty died as a result. Matthews survived the shooting, but died last year of a drug overdose. Justice Dick noted that Friedman had been under immediate attack when he fired the shot but concluded his reaction did not amount to self-defence. She sentenced Friedman to eight years in prison, to be eligible for parole after serving two years and three months."

WA: State to pay attorney's fees in nightclub gun case: "An appellate court has ruled that the state must pay the attorney's fees of a Longview man acquitted last year of four counts of assault after he pointed a gun at bouncers and staff outside a downtown Longview nightclub. A Cowlitz County jury ruled last year that Barnd-Spjut was acting in self defense when he pointed his gun at staff outside the now-defunct Kesler's Bar and Grill. The bouncers had just forced him down a hallway and pushed him into an alley. Under state law, people acquitted by self defense are entitled to recoup trial-related expenses, including attorney's fees and lost wages, from the state. Now-retired Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Jim Warme overturned the jury's verdict ordering the state to pay Crandall's fees. Warme ruled that Barnd Spjut was not protecting himself when he waved the gun and was therefore not entitled to recoup attorney's fees. The appeals court ruled late last month that Warme "lacked the authority" to overturn the jury's verdict because the prosecutor didn't object to the fees during the trial."

2011-11-23T19:17:00.001+10:00

TX: Grand jury refuses to indict in self-defense shooting: "A Live Oak County grand jury declined to indict a man related to a fatal shooting of a father and son in April near Lake Corpus Christi. Rick Hadley, 56, and William Everett Hadley, 30, of Corpus Christi were found dead April 22 by authorities in the 100 block of Lakepark Circle in south Live Oak County. Live Oak County Sheriff Larry R. Busby said the man and his son were shot with a handgun about 9:30 p.m. after they confronted and assaulted a 58-year-old man in his front yard. "He fired two warning shots in the ground, still telling them to leave and get out of there," Busby said. He said the men started to leave, but William Hadley decided to go back. The 58-year-old told Busby that he then shot William Hadley in the head as he stood on his front yard. "The father then yelled, 'You killed my son so I'm going to kill you,' and went after him," Busby said. The 58-year-old yelled at him to stop, and when he didn't, he shot him in the head, he said."

KY: Man shot during home invasion is identified: "The coroner's office has identified the man who was shot in the head following a struggle with a homeowner. Police say he was trying to steal items from the woman's home. 25-year-old Christopher Sanford died of that wound Monday. A woman who lives at the house on Blue Ash Drive returned home with her twin boys around 11 a.m. Sunday to find an intruder pointing a shotgun at her. The man said his wife, a Navy veteran and former military officer, lunged at the male suspect, struggling with him and the gun throughout the home before ending up in the front yard where the gun went off striking the suspect in the head, the man and authorities confirmed. Kentucky's Castle Doctrine allows citizens to defend themselves when they feel threatened in their home or car."

LA: Man shoots alleged burglar on property: "A Springfield man says he pulled a gun on an alleged burglar to protect his property, and his life, Tuesday morning. When the 71-year-old man got there, he knew something was wrong. He saw 18-year-old Aaron Church bolt out of the house, but he thought there was a second man inside. “Now it’s two on one, and he’s got something in his hand, so I let one go and down he went,” Casey says. “Turned out, it wasn’t a gun or anything, but I didn’t have time to think about what he was holding.” The bullet hit Church in the left arm. He was the only person involved in the attempted robbery. “I wanted to come home to my family,” Casey explains. “I don’t to be laying in the back of that house trailer with him driving away.”

Omaha can't enforce part of handgun ordinance: "A judge has barred Omaha from enforcing its ordinance that bars noncitizens who are legally in the United States from possessing handguns. U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon on Monday issued a preliminary injunction that orders Omaha not to enforce the ordinance until he can rule on a lawsuit. A Mexican national and two gun-rights organizations sued the city in September. Armando Pliego Gonzalez, the Nebraska Firearms Owners Association and the Second Amendment Foundation filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court. Gonzalez was given permanent resident alien status in 2008. While Gonzalez can legally own a handgun under Nebraska law, the city ordinance bars him from owning a handgun in his home for self-defense."

2011-11-22T16:35:00.001+10:00

OH: Store clerk shoots, kills robbery suspect: "When Lamar Allen and another man entered a North Toledo carryout Monday and allegedly threatened a clerk with firearms and allegedly began emptying the register of cash, the clerk was ready for them. Allen, 25, whose last known address is 1029 Bronson Ave., was killed by the clerk about 9:45 a.m. at the Express Carryout, 1920 Mulberry St., in an exchange of gunfire. Shot more than once, he collapsed by the counter. The man with him fled. The clerk, whose name was not released, was uninjured but shaken, Toledo police said. Police did not say who shot first, citing an ongoing investigation. They are treating the incident as self-defense, Toledo police Sgt. Joe Heffernan said. They have questioned the clerk, and he is not in custody, he added."

CA: Smoke shop owner shoots, kills robbery suspect: "The owner of a South Robertson smoke shop shot and killed a suspect and injured another during an armed robbery. The incident happened shortly before 9 p.m. Sunday on the 1400 block of South La Cienega Boulevard near Alcott Street at Smoke 'N' Gifts. Authorities said two men tried to rob the store, armed with a gun. The store owner had his own gun and fired at the intruders. The owner told police that he feared for his life. According to police, both men were taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where one of them died. The other man was listed in critical condition with a gunshot wound to the head. The owner was taken away by police after the shooting and questioned. He was later released and has not been arrested. He didn't appear to suffer any injuries."

SC: In Bluffton tow truck slaying, a new test of the Castle Doctrine: "The case of Preston Oates, charged with manslaughter in the Bluffton shooting of a man over a booted truck, continues to work its way to trial but a curious legal challenge has emerged. In a nutshell, attorneys for Oates argue that the 'Castle Doctrine,' that oft allows for a permissible killing in defense of one's home, also should extend to Oates' action to shoot and kill Carlos Olivera to defend his property, the truck."

2011-11-21T18:43:00.002+10:00

Did guns "walk" from Texas too?

Otilio Osorio was just 22 in October 2010 when he purchased a Romanian-made Draco AK-47 pistol in Joshua, just outside Fort Worth.

There was nothing remarkable about the sale until the gun, with its serial number obliterated, was identified as one of three weapons used to kill Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agent Jaime Zapata on a Mexico highway four months later.

Documents obtained by the Houston Chronicle show that at different points in 2010, two Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms divisions - Dallas and Phoenix - had evidence implicating Osorio well before drug gangsters gunned down Zapata and his partner Victor Avila, who survived.

But no one put it all together until agents in Dallas arrested Osorio in February, 13 days after Zapata's death and four months after Osorio purchased the deadly Draco.

Now the case of Osorio, as well as his ex-Marine brother Ranferi Osorio, and their next-door neighbor in the Dallas suburb of Lancaster, Kelvin Leon Morrison, is exhibit A in an effort by congressional Republicans to uncover a Texas version of the flawed tactics used in the Phoenix-based Operation Fast and Furious.

More here

Wobbly self-defense law in Vermont: "When Patricia Billings fired a handgun at an intruder reportedly breaking through her bedroom window in Rutland Town last week, the legal ramifications were probably the furthest thing from her mind. In Billings’ case, police say the 49-year-old fired three rounds from a handgun at a man trying to enter her home on Tuesday. The intruder fled the property on Quarterline Road leaving behind no evidence that any of the bullets found the mark. As police continue to search for the home invader, state police Lt. Charles Cacciatore said the Rutland County State’s Attorney’s office has indicated that no charges should be brought against Billings for her actions during the incident. Billings could not be reached for comment. But Cacciatore said it is possible that police may be called on to investigate the attempted use of deadly force if the intruder — once found and arrested — files a complaint."

2011-11-20T18:08:00.000+10:00

IN: Robbers pick tough target: "Police say a trio of armed robbers picked the wrong target, former South Bend Police officer John Collins. Collins, A-K-A "Big John," is a recently-retired 27-year veteran of the force. Big John was on his way home on Woodbine Avenue when police say three suspects tried to rob him with a sawed off shotgun. John told investigators he shot one of those suspects. Police say Collins had a gun in his coat, he fired two shots. The suspect,18-year old Presley Brown was struck by two bullets, in the foot and arm. Two of the three men showed up at Memorial Hospital and were later arrested."

W.Va.: Picketers turn out for right to carry arms "About a dozen gun enthusiasts picketed Friday afternoon in front of Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, but their real target was Berkeley County Prosecutor Pamela Games-Neely. Friday's picketers, all of whom wore guns, openly and concealed, belong to the West Virginia Citizens Defense League, a legislative lobbying group. They contend that the Second Amendment and West Virginia law gives them the right to carry guns on college and university campuses. The issue stemmed from the October arrest of Joshua Lee Beck, 26, a Blue Ridge Community and Technical College student and former Martinsburg correctional officer, who allegedly repeatedly violated the school's rules limiting the possession of firearms on campus. A sign on the school's main entrance reads: "No firearms or weapons allowed on this property." West Virginia law bans guns from elementary, secondary and vocational technical schools, but it's vague on banning them at colleges and universities"

2011-11-19T14:07:00.000+10:00

IN: Suspect shot during armed robbery attempt: "A suspect in an attempted armed robbery of a convenience store in Jeffersonville was in critical condition Thursday morning at University Hospital in Louisville. Clark County Prosecutor Steve Stewart said police have told him a clerk in the Q Mart Convenience Store on Allison Lane near Middle Road shot a man in or right below the neck after the man allegedly pointed a gun at the clerk in a robbery attempt about 4 a.m. Thursday morning. Both the shooting victim and the clerk apparently had handguns, Stewart said. Another suspect fled and police were still looking for him Thursday, Stewart said. Stewart said the man shot during the attempted robbery wasn’t expected to survive. Based on what he has been told at this point, Stewart said, he believes charges won’t be filed against the clerk in what appears to be a case of self-defense"

TN: Attempted early morning robbery fended off with gunfire: "A Chattanooga Public Works employee turned the tables on a pair of suspects, who attempted to rob him Thursday morning. Calvin McGhee told police he was leaving a home on Drummond Drive, when the two armed men approached him. That's when the victim says he pulled out his own gun and fired. Police believe at least one suspect was hit, and say McGhee will not face charges. For years, Chattanooga Public Works employee Calvin McGhee has left for work just after sunrise. There was never a problem until Thursday morning. The two suspects who walked up to Calvin with guns drawn, took off running after he fired a couple rounds. Officers believe one of the suspects was hit. Police say a man who fit the suspects description was dropped off at a local hospital with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the stomach."

AZ: Charges dropped against Scottsdale road rage suspect: "Criminal charges have been dropped against the prime suspect in a Scottsdale road rage case. However, authorities told CBS-5 News that Valley attorney David Appleton, 59, could still be charged with second degree murder at a later date. Appleton's attorney Richard Gierloff said that this is a clear sign prosecutors don't have a strong enough case and his client is telling the truth about acting in self-defense. Appleton told investigators that Pearson followed him into a parking lot, approached his car, then started choking him. That's when Appleton said he grabbed his gun and opened fire in self-defense. Chris Gooch has known Pearson for 12 years. He described his friend as a peaceful, mild mannered kind of guy, not someone who would attack a driver in an act of road rage."

2011-11-18T23:00:00.001+10:00

No posts today due to cable service failure

2011-11-17T17:38:00.001+10:00

Holder's Fast and Furious Coming Undone

November 15 proved another pivotal day in the gunwalking scandal known as Fast and Furious.

*Tim Stellar of the Arizona Daily Star reported "The case against the alleged killers of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry has disappeared from federal court records, apparently sealed by a federal judge." Stellar states after a May indictment against Manuel Osorio-Arellanos, charged with second-degree murder but not believed to be the shooter, records went missing and "nobody's talking."

Asked about the case, Debra Hartman, spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in San Diego, which is prosecuting the case, said via email: "Yes, our office is handling the case and can't comment further."

*A group of House Republicans called a Capitol Hill press conference demanding Attorney General Eric Holder's immediate resignation. Representative Blake Farenthold (R-TX) challenged Holder to "tell us what you knew, tell us who else knew, do the right thing and take responsibility for the actions you authorized." Congressman Raul Labrador (R-ID) insisted Holder needs to go, "As our nation's top enforcer of the principles of law and justice, Mr. Holder has now lost credibility and should step down immediately."

*Eric Holder's old friend Kevin Ohlson who worked as his chief of staff under President Clinton in 1997 and from January 2009 to January, 2011 was nominated by President Barack Obama in September to a key post on the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

In anticipation of Thursday's confirmation hearing, John McCain the ranking Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee sent Ohlsen a November 10 questionnaire regarding his involvement in Fast and Furious.

Media reports have indicated that internal Department of Justice emails showed that Attorney General Holder was provided with information about the Operation as early as July, 2010. As Attorney General Holder's Chief of Staff and Counselor, when did you personally learn of the existence of the Operation and what was the extent of your knowledge in December, 2010? Do you believe your transfer in January,2011 was in any way related to the Operation of the slaying of Agent Brian Terry? If so, why?

Fox News reported on Tuesday Ohlsen denies any knowledge of or involvement in Operation Fast and Furious.

During my tenure as chief of staff and counselor to the attorney general, I took no actions in regard to, had no knowledge of, provided no advice about, and had no involvement in Operation Fast and Furious.

*The Daily Caller's Matthew Boyle reported the Department of Justice strategically withheld documents relating to earlier inquiries from Congressman Darrell Issa's office about Bush era programs like Operation Wide Receiver. The DOJ waited and released the information to hand-picked news outlets the night before Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Breuer neatly lumped together Operation Fast and Furious with Operation Wide Receiver in a PR ploy.

Emails between senior Justice Department officials and investigators in the office of Iowa Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley show that congressional staffers leading the investigation into Operation Fast and Furious requested information about Operation Wide Receiver -- a Bush administration program - and other similar cases, more than a full month before the DOJ leaked information to selected media outlets on October 31.

That Halloween document dump from the DOJ seemed calculated to depict Grassley's investigation as partisan in nature.

Holder is scheduled to testify again in front of Issa's House Judiciary Committee on December 8. Meanwhile, Brian Terry's parents have hired attorneys and are considering filing a wrongful death suit against the U.S. government. The Fast and Furious scandal is not going away. Clearly, the 'see no evil hear no evil' strategy coming from top government officials will only work for so long.

Source

FL: No charges will be filed in Naples fatal shooting: "The case involved Elizabeth Easterly, a clerk at Del’s 24-Hour Food Store on Thomasson Drive. Easterly told investigators she was working alone and had her two small children present the afternoon of Oct. 18 when Daniel Ramont Hernandez, 32, entered the store and began acting erratically. She said she grabbed a gun from underneath the counter and shot him once in the leg and then ran outside and yelled to the crossing guard that she needed help. Easterly then ran back inside the store to protect her children and saw Hernandez grabbing her infant daughter who was in a stroller. Hernandez ran outside the store and was detained by witnesses until deputies and paramedics arrived. He was taken to Naples Community Hospital where he later died."

MN: Man shoots burglar, gets charged? "A Sherburne County grand jury issued an indictment Nov. 3, charging Matthew William Morse with assault in the first degree, assault in the second degree, possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, and possession of a pistol after a crime of violence conviction. Morse, 34, claims he fired his gun in self-defense. The grand jury also issued an indictment charging Michael Travis Bergquist with two counts of burglary in the first degree, felony assault in the fifth degree, and trespass. Bergquist is the man who was shot."

House Overwhelmingly Passes National Right-to-Carry Gun Bill: "The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an important self-defense measure that would enable millions of Right-to-Carry permit holders across the country to carry concealed firearms while traveling outside their home states. H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, passed by a majority bipartisan vote of 272 to 154. All amendments aimed to weaken or damage the integrity of this bill were defeated. This bill does not affect existing state laws. State laws governing where concealed firearms may be carried would apply within each state’s borders. H.R. 822 does not create a federal licensing system or impose federal standards on state permits; rather, it requires the states to recognize each others' carry permits, just as they recognize drivers' licenses and carry permits held by armored car guards."

2011-11-16T21:17:00.001+10:00

MI: Victims business partner broke up robbery with gun: "Police in Kalamazoo have arrested a man after he robbed a former classmate at gunpoint. The robbery happened around 8:30 Tuesday night in the 500 block of east Kalamazoo ave in the city of Kalamazoo. The robbery was broken up when the victim's business partner got a long gun and came to help the victim. The suspect fled the scene on foot and was able to make it away with some of the victims property, which included the victims car keys. When police got on scene the victim was able to tell them that he recognized the robber as a man he had attended high school with. Police used that information to track down the suspect"

CA: Suspect Shot, Killed in Botched Home-Invasion Robbery: "Two brothers, aged 23 and 24-years-old, were inside their home in the 800 block of W. 8th Street about 3:50 a.m. when two men forced their way inside, brandished guns and demanded money. The brothers fought back and struggled with the attempted robbers for control of the guns. During the commotion, shots were fired. Both robbery suspects and one of the brothers were struck by bullets, police officials said. One of the suspects, a 34-year-old San Bernardino man, sustained wounds to his upper body. He died at the hospital. The San Bernardino County Coroner's Office will release the man's name after his family has been notified about his death. The other suspect, Milton Rivera, 50, of San Bernardino, suffered wounds to his torso and leg and is expected to survive. The brother who was shot in the struggle sustained a non-life-threatening wound to the leg, officials said."

UK: two years to get a shotgun permit: "I had moved to London so handed in my certificate application at the local police station in Hampstead. The policeman that dealt with me was very polite but from his reaction it was pretty apparent that requests to keep a shotgun in NW London were few and far between. The first question he asked was “what is the intended use of the gun?” There were plenty of answers I could have given that would have stopped the process right there and then, but I refrained. The Spanish Inquisition began, and it took forever. The final piece of the process happened on a Saturday evening. We were sat watching TV and there was a knock on the door, not expecting anybody, we were a little surprised to be confronted by a policeman. He was visiting to inspect our flat to ensure that I would be able to keep a gun in a safe and secure manner should I be deemed worthy of a shotgun certificate. Remarkably I was issued a certificate but in the couple of years it took to be approved I had practically stopped shooting"

2011-11-15T22:41:00.000+10:00

WA: Man in park shooting won't face charges: "A man involved in a shooting at Fort Walla Walla Park last month will not face criminal charges. Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Nagle said Monday he is declining to file assault charges against Tyler B. Larson, 22, of College Place, "because the prosecution would be unable to prove the absence of self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt." According to Walla Walla Police, Larson shot Terry E. Bickford, 59, of Walla Walla, in the right thigh with a handgun on the evening of Oct. 16 after the two men left the dog park. Nagle said Larson and witnesses clearly indicated Bickford had been acting aggressively toward a woman in the dog park and then acted aggressively toward Larson. Police said in October that witnesses said Bickford was threatening physical harm to others, including Larson. "Despite some minor inconsistent statements, (Larson) could easily establish a defense of self-defense and defense of others and would have no trouble creating a reasonable doubt in the jury's mind," Nagle wrote in a letter to the officer investigating the case."

IL: Threat of firepower wards off robber: "A 61-year old Cameron man was the victim of aggravated robbery late Friday night after a man approached him, implying that he was holding a gun, as the victim was washing the windows on his mail truck, according to the police report. The victim said he was parked near 29 Public Square to wash his truck, as he does every night, when a young black man wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt approached and demanded his money. The victim pulled some change out of his pocket, telling the subject that he did not have any money, and his wallet was in his car across the street. The victim went to his car and opened the door to get his wallet, and the subject pointed his arm at the victim, implying that he was carrying a gun. “This will shoot through glass,” the subject reportedly said. The intended victim then told the subject, “This .357 will shoot through the glass, too,” at which point the subject fled the area. The subject was not located, and there are no suspects."

2011-11-14T21:40:00.000+10:00

Fast and Furious: Brian Terry Will Change the Way America Does Business

The human tragedy caused by the filth at the DOJ

The Scottsdale International Auto Museum is filled with classic cars from Thunderbird convertibles to MGs with Pink Lady and T-Bird jackets hanging next to an Elvis statue near the back, but Saturday night the museum was turned into a place for people to celebrate the life of murdered Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry by supporting his family. Nearly 100 people showed their support by bidding on donated items to raise funds for his mother, Josephine Terry. The funds will be used by Josephine to attend hearings about her son’s death on Capitol Hill as the House Oversight Committee continues to dig into Operation Fast and Furious. If you aren’t familiar by now, Terry was murdered in the Arizona desert by illegal Mexican cartel bandits. Two of the guns used to kill him, were provided through the lethal Obama Justice Department Operation Fast and Furious.

The event was kicked off with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by a beautiful rendition of the famous song “Hallelujah,” which brought tears to eyes of many in the audience.

Kris Jenkins, a friend of Brian’s, drove from Sierra Vista, Ariz. to attend the event. Like many members of the Terry family and close friends that night, she was wearing a navy blue baseball style t-shirt printed with the words “Agent Terry” on the back. Terry’s family flew all the way from Michigan to attend the event. "I'm here to support the family, support the cause," Jenkins said.

Another woman, Joan Ponath, had been in a car accident just minutes before the event started, but refused to the hospital. "I wouldn’t have missed this for the world," Ponath said.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and former Congressman Tom Tancredo were also in attendance.

"The people of Arizona love you and will always remember Brian Terry," Brewer said. "Brian was a brave and faithful warrior."

Jay Dobyns, ATF Special Agent, American hero and best selling author of "No Angel," was the emcee of the night, and made the crowd laugh by changing outfits in between speakers, just like an awards show. Dobyns also toasted to Terry’s memory throughout the night straight from a big bottle of Jack Daniels.

"I personally feel cheated I never got to meet him," Dobyns said. "This man dedicated his entire adult life to doing America's business."

A native of Detroit, Terry was a Marine, a police officer and a special operations BORTAC agent for the U.S. Border Patrol. BORTAC is described by the Department of Homeland Security as a tactical unit that provides immediate response to emergency and high-risk incidents that require skills above average border agent training. BORTAC is similar to specialized police SWAT teams. Terry tried out for and made the BORTAC team at the age of 38, an unheard of accomplishment.

"Nothing was impossible for Brian," Lana Domino, organizer of the event and a close friend to Brian said. "He would give you the last dollar in his pocket and the shirt off his back. He loved his country as much as he loved his own family and friends."

ATF whistleblower Vince Cefalu joked about Brian, saying typical law enforcement work was "too easy for him," so he opted for working around "rattle snakes, scorpions, darkness and bad people," in the Arizona desert instead.

Although the event remained focused on supporting Josephine Terry in her efforts to find out what happened to her son and celebrating Brian's life in a positive way, there is no doubt an elephant was in the room. Bad decisions made by a long list of men responsible for the implementation of Fast and Furious within ATF and the Obama Justice Department, who have yet to be held accountable or face consequences for the lethal program, were in the back of everybody's mind. Those men are former ATF Field Supervisors for the Phoenix Field Division William Newell and David Voth, ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division George Gillett, former ATF Deputy Director of Operations in the West William McMahon, Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer and Attorney General Eric Holder to name a few. McMahon, Voth and Newell have been promoted, despite their heavy involvement in Fast and Furious.

"In America we not only believe in truth, but in justice," Babeu said, adding that as Americans we owe it to Brian and his family to ensure at the end of the day that there is justice. "We will not relent."

ATF whistleblower Vince Cefalu didn't mince words when addressing the audience about what happened to Brian.

"He's [Terry] the guy with the badge that's all scratched up," Cefalu said. "These people who put us through this [Fast and Furious] will never have scuffed up and dirty badges."

And Cefalu is correct. The men behind Fast and Furious have made careers out of wearing suits and sitting at a desk, while field agents who have exposed Fast and Furious, have been out getting dirty and risking it all, just as Brian did. In this case, the men with the shiny badges made decisions to put American law enforcement agents in grave danger by providing Mexican drug cartels with 2,000 high powered semi-automatic weapons. Cefalu gave the men responsible for Fast and Furious a chance to go on stage, issue an apology and hold themselves accountable, but of course, people like William Newell and Lanny Breuer didn't show up.

"And that is exactly why I am here," Cefalu said.

Cefalu keeps a poem Brian wrote during BORTAC training in his wallet. He looked Josephine Terry in the eyes, pulled the poem out of his wallet and said the poem will stay in his wallet until she calls him and says she is satisfied, until then, he will carry it everywhere he goes.

If you seek to do battle with me this day, you will receive the best that I am capable of giving. It may not be enough, but it will be everything that I have to give and it will be impressive for I have constantly prepared myself for this day. I have trained, drilled and rehearsed my actions so that I might have the best chance of defeating you. I have kept myself in peak physical condition, schooled myself in the martial skills and have become proficient in the applications of combat tactics. You may defeat me, but I'm willing to die if necessary. I do not fear death for I have been close enough to it on enough occasions that it no longer concerns me. But, I do fear the loss of my honor and would rather die fighting than to have it said that I was without courage. So I will fight you, no matter how insurmountable it may seem, to the death if need be, in order that it may never be said of me that I was not a warrior." -Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry

"There is a handful of people who made tragic decisions," Dobyns said referring to Operation Fast and Furious. "I'm not going to call them mistakes, because they were tragic decisions."

Although tragic and hard to believe, Brian's death comes with a silver lining. His death, along with the bravery of ATF whistleblowers who have risked their professional careers to expose Fast and Furious, have shined a blaring light on rampant corruption at the highest levels possible within ATF and the Department of Justice. Hopefully, through continuing pressure from Congressman Darrell Issa, Senator Charles Grassley and a handful of media outlets, justice will be served.

"Brian is going to change the way America does business," Dobyns said.

Source

2011-11-13T22:20:00.001+10:00

FL: Seafood shop turns tables on bad guys: "The incident occurred at the Golden Crab House at 2808 Edgewood Ave. N. when two men entered the business and held a pistol to an employee’s face and demanded all the money on the premises, the store manager said on Saturday. According to police, the two men tried to rob the seafood shop about 6:30 p.m., but the business owner began shooting, hitting at least one of them. The men fled in a car and ended up at a home on West 18th Street near Detroit Street. “They fled here, which is the house they reside in. The car is behind the house,” police Lt. Rob Schoonover said Friday evening. “The body was taken from the car and put right in the house at the back door. He is lying right there in the door.” However, the crab shack manager said it wasn’t the owner who was held up or who did the shooting but an employee who had been confronted by the two bandits. That employee had armed himself after another armed robbery at the business three or four weeks ago, the manager said. City fire and rescue crews were called out to a report of someone with a gunshot wound at the home in the Biltmore area at 6:45 p.m., only to find the victim dead, according to a fire department spokesman."

NC: Intruder shot: "New Bern Police say around 12:38 a.m. officers were called to Arlington Circle for an attempted robbery. Once they arrived at the scene, they found 18-year-old Barry Antawne Wright Jr. dead from a gunshot wound. NewsChannel 12 spoke with Debbie, the woman living in the apartment that was broken into. She said "it was crazy" and appeared very shaken up. Neighbors said Debbie was home with another man named Eric and her two disabled sons when the home was broken into by three would-be robbers. The neighbor said Eric was protecting his family when he shot one of the alleged robbers."

OH: Woman Scares Off Sex Offender with Gun: "While stopping at a Wilbeth Road bank in Akron to make a deposit, Bennett says she was approached in the parking lot by a man who, at first, asked for directions. "By the time I was ready to get in my car, he was behind me and started hitting me, and pushed me into my car, and I tried to fight him off the best I could, but I knew he was overpowering me," said Bennett, whose .38 special was in the center console. "I kind of got my right hand behind me, and inside the center console, and got my hand on my gun. I pointed it at the floor originally, he had a hold of my arm, I said, 'I have a gun. Don't make me use it,' " Bennett told Fox 8 News. "He was trying to get himself in the car, and the passenger door was open, and I just reached out the passenger door and shot straight up in the air," she said. The shot chased the man away. A bank security officer then rushed outside and called police -- who took the suspect into custody on Arlington Avenue." The suspect was identified as 23-year-old Billy J. Covington, a registered sex offender"

U.S. Goes Public with Support for Hired Guns Against Piracy : "Somalia Report leaked the internal memo from Hillary Clinton directing all regional embassies to pitch the use of armed contractors on board ships. This is in line with and expands upon the UK’s approval of private security companies on just their ships. What also makes the U.S. stance unusual is that Clinton has reversed her aggressive election-era stance against the use of private security and become a behind-the-scenes supporter. A November news conference in DC confirms that the United States is now officially supporting the use of private security companies aboard commercial vessels. Andrew J. Shapiro, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs was assigned the task of communicating this reversal while addressing the Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG)."

2011-11-12T19:57:00.001+10:00

NYTimes Spikes Fast & Furious Hearing in Print, Omits Eric Holder's Admission Completely

Obama administration Attorney General Eric Holder was grilled by Republicans on Capitol Hill Tuesday about the Justice Department’s botched sting Operation Fast and Furious, which allowed guns to flow untracked into the U.S. and Mexico, putting thousands of illegally purchased firearms on the street, one of which led to the death of Border Patrol agent Brian Terry in the Arizona desert.

Republican questioners even forced Holder to admit his initial statements to Congress about his knowledge of the gun-walking were "inaccurate.” But the New York Times's print edition completely skipped it.

Reporter Charlie Savage’s story, “Holder Urges Lawmakers to Support Efforts to Stop Gun Trafficking,” apparently never even made it into print. And as that headline shows, the Times was in spin mode for the administration, emphasizing Holder’s wish “to move past the political furor” (though one couldn’t detect much furor in the paper’s previous sparse coverage) and completely omitting Holder's admission of "inaccuracy."

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. on Tuesday sought to move past the political furor over Operation Fast and Furious, the disputed Arizona gun trafficking investigation, to the wider problem of the flow of American firearms to Mexican drug cartels -- and what he portrayed as roadblocks members of Congress have thrown up to stemming that flow.

In testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Mr. Holder criticized a recent vote by the House of Representatives to block a new regulation requiring firearms dealers along the Southwest border to report multiple sales of semiautomatic rifles. He also said lawmakers should increase financing for firearms investigation and strengthen “statutory tools” to stop the flow of guns to Mexico.

Savage paraphrased Republican questioning Holder on what he knew and when he knew it, but completely ignored the Attorney General's confession that he regretted being “inaccurate” in his previous statements about Fast and Furious. While Holder had said in a previous hearing that he had only heard about the program’s tactics “in the last few weeks,” on Tuesday he said he had actually learned about the program at the beginning of the year. But the Times ignored Holder’s confession.

Senator Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the ranking Republican on the panel, rejected any need for additional measures. “This tragedy should not be used to call for new gun control,” he said. He also sought to keep the focus on Fast and Furious, grilling Mr. Holder about what and when he and other top officials had known about the tactics used in the program.

Fast and Furious was an investigation into a gun trafficking network, and was run by the Phoenix office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from late 2009 to early 2011. It was internally controversial because some A.T.F. agents believed they were not being allowed to move quickly enough to contact “straw buyers” and interdict guns because supervisors wanted to wait and identify kingpins.

By contrast, the Washington Post played it on page 2 Wednesday, leading with Holder taking back his previous congressional testimony regarding when he learned of the operation: “Holder amends remarks on gun sting – Attorney general heard of ‘Fast and Furious’ earlier than he first said.” More from Wednesday's Washington Post:

Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. told Senate Republicans on Tuesday that the Justice Department provided “inaccurate” information to Congress on the “Fast and Furious” gun-trafficking sting and said that his congressional testimony about when he learned of the controversial operation had been imprecise.

Holder said that a Feb. 4 letter to congressional investigators, in which the department denied allegations that agents had allowed guns to flow illegally onto U.S. streets and into Mexico, was wrong. He said Justice officials learned only some time after they sent the letter that the tactic, known as “gun walking,” had been extensively used in the Phoenix-based Fast and Furious.

“The information in that letter was inaccurate. That letter could have been better crafted,” Holder told the Senate Judiciary Committee. Blaming the mistake on bad information supplied by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. attorney’s office in Phoenix, Holder said: “That’s something I regret.”

Under gentler questioning from Sen. Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.), the committee chairman, Holder also acknowledged the imprecision of his May 3 testimony. At that hearing, he said he “probably heard about Fast and Furious for the first time over the last few weeks.”

On Tuesday, Holder amended his recollection, saying that he had actually learned about the program at the beginning of this year. “I should probably have said a couple of months,” said Holder, who defended his overall handling of the controversy as “responsible” and made it clear that he has no plans to resign, as some Republicans have urged.

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CA: Store owner killed customers in self-defense: "The Kern County district attorney will not charge a store owner with killing two customers. Samrith Vong, 50, shot 41-year-old Efrem Wandick and 24-year-old David Lyons during a fight Oct. 18 at Central-Cali Deli & Grocery on East California Avenue near King Street. Vong was arrested on suspicion of murder last month, but the district attorney declined to file charges... Lyons threatened the clerk, Vong's wife Srey Chhim, by slamming his hand repeatedly on the counter, refusing to leave and by challenging her to a fight, according to Green. Srey Chhim grabbed a gun and held it to her side, pointed toward the floor when she felt threatened, which prompted Lyons to tell the woman that he, too, had a gun, gesturing to his waistband. Lyons repeatedly threatened to kill the Vong family. Lyons "advanced" on Vong, who punched Lyons in the face. Wandick, Lyons' friend, then entered the store and started hitting Vong while Vong was on the floor, Green said. That's when Vong pulled a handgun and pointed it at Wandick, who stopped punching before Vong shot Wandick once in the chest. Lyons had briefly left the store, but he came back and advanced again on Vong, who shot Lyons once in the head from roughly 2 feet away"

NY: Father COULD Be Charged For Firing At Man Who Shot 4-Yr-Old Son: "Late Tuesday night, a four-year-old boy was shot in the chest during a botched robbery attempt outside a halfway house in the Bronx. Yesterday, authorities said that they wouldn't charge father Bobby Baltazar for shooting one of the attackers, 17-year-old Jose Marte, who he had chased down after his son Cincer had been shot. But things might not be that simple for Baltazar: “It’s a very close call. Generally speaking, you’re not allowed to shoot people in the back as they’re running away,” defense attorney Ron Kuby told the Daily News about Baltazar’s legal prospects. The shooting took place outside a halfway house at Grand Avenue and Evelyn Place around 10:30 p.m Tuesday. Baltazar and Cincer were returning from having ice cream when three robbers confronted them at gunpoint in an apparent attempt to steal Baltazar's red coat. The robbers' gun went off during a struggle with Baltazar, hitting Cincer; as the attackers fled, Baltazar picked up the gun and shot Marte in the head."

2011-11-11T22:02:00.001+10:00

House Judiciary to DOJ Assistant A.G. Weich: now, explain to us why you lied under oath in February about Fast and Furious?

On February 4, 2011, [Department of Justice Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs Ronald] Weich stated the following in letter to Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) who had asked if allegations that officials had intentionally allowed criminals to guns had been “walked” in Operation Fast and Furious:

“ATF makes every effort to interdict weapons that have been purchased illegally and prevent their transportation to Mexico.”

...Evidence gathered during the course of the congressional investigation into Operation Fast and Furious has shown that this statement was untrue – ATF, in allowing guns to walk, did not make every [Ed: or any, in many cases] effort to interdict them and prevent their transfer to Mexico['s drug cartels]. Evidence gathered in the investigation has also shown that senior Justice Department officials knew at the time Weich made his statement in February that it was untrue.

“Mr. Weich, as you are well aware, it is a crime to knowingly make false statements to Congress,” Chairman Issa writes in his letter to Weich... "Whether it is the case that you were fed a lie and faithfully repeated it in a letter to Congress, or whether it is the case that you took the initiative to lie to Congress yourself, you are responsible for the contents of letters that bear your signature.”

Issa also issued a demand for documents that describe which officials in the Holder DOJ -- up to and including the A.G. himself -- orchestrated Weich's lies.

Oh, and Mr. Weich, a word of advice: I recommend you negotiate a deal for immunity in exchange for disclosing the truth about Holder's Gunwalker operation

Source

OR: Shooting of 48-year-old Portland man by stepson appears to have been in self defense: "Prosecutors and police do not expect to charge the stepson who shot and killed 48-year-old Michael Earl Ford Tuesday night in their Northeast Portland home. Multnomah County Chief Deputy District Attorney Rod Underhill today said the shooting appeared to be a justifiable use of deadly force, but it remains under grand jury review. Police were called to the 3900 block of Northeast 149th Avenue about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Police said Ford was shot during a fight with his stepson. The stepdad had been beating the stepson with a wooden ax handle, police learned. Other members of the family were home at the time and called 9-1-1. The stepson, described as in his 20s, had fled by then, but later surrendered to police. Ford died at an area hospital. Ford had numerous drug convictions between 2006 and 2008."

Kindergartner Suspended Over Toy Gun: "A kindergartner has been suspended from Cheviot Elementary [in Cincinnati] after it was discovered he brought a toy gun to school. Liam Adams, 5, was sent home Wednesday with a letter stating that he would be suspended for three days for possessing a “dangerous weapon or object.” Dangerous? Gasps Liam’s mom, “[H]e’s a baby … and a little tiny toy gun not even the size of my hand, it’s just ridiculous.” Actually, it makes total sense. Condition people from the age of 5 to regard firearms with horror and shame, and they will be less likely to grow up to understand or even deserve American liberty, much less be willing or able to fight for it."

2011-11-10T17:38:00.001+10:00

Combative Eric Holder Still Evading Responsibilty for Operation Fast and Furious

Reporting from Capitol Hill--Attorney General Eric Holder gave testimony today about topics ranging from terrorism, cyber security, CIA interrogation investigations, GITMO, gay/lesbian bullying and even his baby boomer status, but Holder’s remarks surrounding the Obama Justice Department’s Operation Fast and Furious were highly combative.

In his opening statement, Holder said he wanted to clear up and “correct some of the inaccurate and irresponsible accusations surrounding Fast and Furious.”

The problem is, the only person or department that has been inaccurate and irresponsible surrounding Fast and Furious accusations are officials within the Department of Justice, headed by Attorney General Eric Holder, and ATF management officials. Every lie that the Obama Justice Department has thrown out surrounding Fast and Furious has been proven false by the House Oversight Committee, Senator Charles Grassley’s office and alternative media outlets up to this point.

Considering his past testimony about when he originally knew about Fast and Furious, Holder was today questioned about his testimony timeline surrounding the scandal. He said in May 2011 he had only known about the program for “a few weeks,” yet memos addressed directly to him detailing the program are dated July and August 2010.

“I first learned about the tactics at the beginning of this year,” Holder said to clarify the dates of his knowledge. “In my testimony before the house committee I did say a few weeks, I probably should have said a couple of months.”

“Clearly by the time I testified before the house committee I knew for a couple of months,” Holder said.

Visibly frustrated, Holder said the focus on his conflicting testimony regarding when he knew about Operation Fast and Furious was a “distraction.”

The most pathetic part of Holder’s testimony was when he claimed he was doing everything in his power to bring justice to the families of border violence.

“As someone who has seen the consequences of gun violence firsthand--who has promised far too many grieving families that I would do everything in my power not only to seek justice on behalf of their loved ones, but also to prevent other families from experiencing similar tragedies,” Holder said.

Tell that to the Terry family, who has yet to receive an apology or any information surrounding Brian Terry's murder, a fatal result of Fast and Furious, in the Arizona desert on December 14, 2010. How about telling that to the family of I.C.E. Agent Jamie Zapata, who had to file a Freedom of Information Act form in order to gain information about the murder of their son in Mexico, which is also thought to be linked to the Obama Justice Department’s Fast and Furious operation.

Fast and Furious hasn’t only had bad consequences in Arizona and Mexico, but in Texas as well. According to Texas Senator John Cornyn, 119 guns linked to Operation Fast and Furious have showed up in his state.

Cornyn gave Holder the opportunity to apologize to the Terry family for Fast and Furious, to which Holder refused and admitted he has not spoken with the family at all about his murder. That’s right: Brian Terry’s mother, Josephine Terry, hasn’t received a single phone call from Holder about the murder of her son. Why? Holder said it is “unfair” to hold the Department of Justice accountable for his death. Remember, the Terry family has been denied victim status in this case by the government, which means the Obama Administration can wash its hands clean of Terry’s murder and avoid an unlawful death suit.

Throughout the hearing, Holder was repeatedly asked who he would be holding accountable for Fast and Furious and for Brian Terry’s murder.

“I have ultimate responsibility for what happens in the department,” Holder said, claiming those responsible for and those who thought Operation Fast and Furious was a good idea, would be held accountable but didn’t give specific names.

Holder can start with ATF Assistant to the Assistant Director in Washington D.C. William Newell, who said he would do Operation Fast and Furious all over again during testimony in July. Newell served as the special agent in charge of the ATF Phoenix Field Division throughout Fast and Furious and saw guns from the program showing up at violent crime scenes as a sign of the program “working.” Holder said during testimony he wouldn’t call for the resignation of Assistant Attorney General Lanny Breuer, despite Breuer submitting false information to Sen. Grassley about Fast and Furious and supposedly withholding information about gun walking within the Department. Holder could also look in the mirror, and hold himself accountable for the program, because as he admitted, he has ultimate responsibility for what happens in his department.

On top of evading responsibility and refusing to apologize to the Terry family, Holder predictably called for more gun control to solve the problem of illegal gun trafficking into Mexico while reiterating the lie that the majority of guns in Mexico come from the United States. He claimed Operation Fast and Furious was a “flawed response” to gun trafficking, not the cause of the flow of illegal guns to Mexico from the U.S.

“As you all know, the trafficking of firearms across our Southwest Border has long been a serious problem--one that has contributed to approximately 40,000 deaths in the last five years. As Senator Feinstein noted last week, of the nearly 96,000 guns that have been recovered and traced in Mexico in recent years, over 64,000 were sources to the United States,” Holder said.

Holder also shamelessly pulled the "blame House Republicans"-card and said, “Unfortunately, earlier this year the House of Representatives actually voted to keep law enforcement in the dark when individuals purchase multiple semi-automatic rifles and shotguns in Southwest border gun shops.”

Holder failed to point out it was ATF management and his Justice Department that left Mexican authorities and ATF agents working in Mexico out of the loop during Operation Fast and Furious and that reporting measures are worthless when the federal government is breaking its own laws. Not to mention, throughout Fast and Furious, law abiding gun shop owners and workers were extremely uncomfortable with selling to known straw purchasers under the direction of ATF in the first place.

Despite leaving Mexican authorities in the dark, Holder also claimed his department has been working with Mexican authorities to “develop new procedures for using evidence gathering in Mexico to prosecute gun traffickers in U.S. courts; training thousands of Mexican prosecutors and investigations; by successfully fighting to enhance sentencing guidelines for convicted traffickers and straw purchasers; and by pursuing coordinated, multi-district investigations of gun-trafficking rings.” The fact is there was no coordination to prosecute gun traffickers under Operation Fast and Furious, not to mention, gun trafficking prosecutions under the Obama Administration are nearly non-existent.

Holder’s testimony surrounding Operation Fast and Furious on Capitol Hill can be summed up this way: I knew nothing about this, none of my senior officials authorized this, it was a local project and we need more gun control.

“The straw buyers in Fast and Furious were already breaking the law,” Sen. Grassley said. “The bottom line is that it doesn’t matter how many laws we pass if those responsible for enforcing them refuse to do their duty--as was the case in Fast and Furious.”

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NY: Shoot! “Mob house” thief flees: "He almost got rubbed out. A burglar yesterday broke into the Staten Island mansion that once housed whacked mob boss Paul “Big Paul” Castellano -- and narrowly avoided being shot dead himself after the homeowner pulled a gun and fired off three shots, law-enforcement sources said. Selim “Sal” Rusi pulled the trigger on his Smith & Wesson handgun after chasing the crook from his sprawling home at 177 Benedict Road in tony Todt Hill, the sources said. Rusi, 55, was awakened at around 3:35 a.m. by the sound of someone rifling through the walk-in closet of his third-floor master bedroom, the sources said. Rusi checked on the commotion and discovered a black-clad burglar. The busted bandit sprinted off as Rusi fetched his registered firearm. To ensure that the culprit didn’t return, Rusi blasted three bullets into the air, the sources said."

2011-11-09T20:42:00.000+10:00

KY: Suspected robber shot and killed at Rockcastle County gas station: We are learning more about a fatal shooting during a robbery at a Mount Vernon gas station. Family members of 20-year old James Hensley of Rockcastle County say he was shot and killed outside the Shell station, off exit 59, overnight. Police say Hensley had just robbed the clerk and was on his way out of the gas station when the clerk fired a gun. They say Hensley used a knife to get away with cash and cigarettes before he was killed. Officers are not identifying the clerk. Police say they are still investigating. It happened at the Shell station off exit 59 in Mount Vernon."

Holder: “Fast and Furious” tactics will not be tolerated: "Attorney General Eric Holder said Tuesday that the controversial tactic that allowed illegal guns [sic] to be smuggled to Mexico 'should never have happened, and it must never happen again.' In testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Holder hit hard at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives practice that has tainted his tenure at the Justice Department and led to some Republican calls for him to resign."

2011-11-08T17:52:00.000+10:00

CA: Man shot dead threatened homeowner with knife: "A homeowner who police say interrupted a burglar inside his Antioch home was threatened with a knife before he shot and killed the intruder, investigators said. According to police, Antioch resident Arnie Schmidt III forced his way into a home in the 200 block of West 17th Street on Saturday afternoon and was stripping copper wiring and piping when the homeowner, described as an elderly man, arrived. Acting Capt. Leonard Orman said the homeowner was startled because Schmidt broke through sheet rock between the home and an exterior water heater closet, leaving no signs of a break-in from the front of the home. A confrontation ensued, and when Schmidt wielded a knife, the homeowner opened fire with a small handgun, striking Schmidt more than once, Orman said. At this point, everything indicates that it was a case of self-defense," he said. The man who shot Schmidt has no criminal history."

AZ: Homeowner pistol whips burglary suspect: "A Mesa homeowner subdued a suspected burglar Thursday by hitting him with a handgun in self-defense, according to the Mesa Police Department. The victim’s teenage daughter confronted the burglar shortly before midnight after she heard noise from an upstairs room in the family’s home near Val Vista and University drives. Police said the commotion woke the girl’s father, who grabbed a handgun and told the burglar to get on the ground. The burglar complied at first but then rushed the homeowner, who struck the burglar in the face with the handgun. The burglar had reportedly entered the house through an unlocked back door caused $500 in damage by kicking a wall and tearing stereo equipment from the wall. Police arrested Scott Alan Nagy, 20, on suspicion of second degree burglary and criminal damage. Nagy reportedly admitted being intoxicated, but police weren’t able to interview him because he was yelling incoherently and couldn’t complete sentences, police said."

Poll: Latinos overwhelmingly gun control: "The bipartisan coalition of Mayors Against Illegal [sic] Guns today announced the results of a new public opinion survey showing overwhelming support among Latino voters for strong gun laws designed to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people, tough enforcement practices, and state control over who can carry concealed, loaded guns in public places."

UK: Antique firearms collector is jailed for two years: "An antiques firearms collector was jailed for two years after he was found to have four air rifles and ammunition without the correct licences. When police raided Karl Blennerhassett's luxury flat in Up Holland, West Lancashire, they found more than 140 guns, including racks of rifles and revolvers, a court heard."

2011-11-07T20:22:00.001+10:00

It’s happening: Democratic lawmakers say Fast and Furious proof of need for harsher gun laws

Right on cue, Democratic lawmakers have begun to say the DOJ’s lethal and irresponsible Fast and Furious program underscores the need for stricter gun control laws:

“This hunt for blame doesn’t really speak about the problem,” said Sen. Dianne Feinstein at a recent Senate Judiciary hearing while discussing Fast and Furious.

“And the problem is, anybody can walk in and buy anything, .50-caliber weapons, sniper weapons, buy them in large amounts, and send them down to Mexico. So, the question really becomes, what do we do about this?”

The ranking Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Rep. Elijah Cummings (Md.), and Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) have introduced a dedicated firearms trafficking statute, but it has stalled in the House Judiciary Committee.

Republicans rightly have pushed back against this narrative. Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) put it best when he said simply, “I get it, I’d want to change the subject too if I were them. I’m happy to have a conversation about broader gun laws, but we’re going to do it after Fast and Furious.”

What’s most troubling about Democrats’ predictable call for tightening of regulations is that it does nothing to dispel the theory that Fast and Furious was orchestrated precisely to “prove” the need to clamp down on gun sellers and purchasers. Rather, it lends credence to the idea.

Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) recently explained:

This not only raises serious questions about your ability to serve as the head of the Justice Department, but also begs the question of why an anti-gun Administration would knowingly force licensed firearms dealers to sell guns to violent criminals. I raise this because Operation Fast and Furious — if the facts of this case had not come to light — would have been used by this Administration as another false argument to attack law-abiding American gun owners.

The American people deserve to know if your Department had any intent to link the legal purchase of firearms here in the U.S. to crimes committed near our southern border. Operation Fast and Furious funneled firearms legally purchased at gun shops in the U.S. to known criminal syndicates to prove these syndicates have access to legal purchased weapons. This is a deliberate attempt to vilify and attack the millions of gun owners in America who value our Second Amendment and have never broken the law.

Walsh made the assumption that the administration would not be able to use OF&F as a support for greater gun control because “the facts of this case [have] come to light.” But, unfortunately, the facts have reached only those who’ve consciously followed the case. Fast and Furious has still largely been ignored by the mainstream media — and, when news outlets like CNN do cover it, it’s frequently with an administration-friendly spin.

Reminder: This operation resulted in the deaths of at least 200 Mexicans and at least 11 violent crimes in the U.S. The program intentionally funneled firearms into the hands of straw purchasers, and the operation’s architects made no apparent attempt to track the weapons. Officials still can’t account for more than 1,000 weapons. We don’t need new gun control laws: We need responsible Justice officials who would never allow ideology and political purposes to tempt them to implement a dangerous and disastrous program.

Source

Chicago store shootout left one robber, three staff dead; other robbers captured: "Three men were ordered held without bond Saturday, charged in a Wednesday shootout that left four people dead, including a security guard from Hobart, in a Far South Side Altgeld Gardens store. A law enforcement source said a video camera inside the store captured the several-minute-long gun battle that started when store employees fought back. Four men, including one teen suspect, were killed, and two other people, including a young man considered a second suspect, were injured. The deceased teen was identified as 17-year-old Alex Spikes, who was pronounced dead at 10 p.m. at Roseland Hospital, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office. Besides Banks, two other men who a police source said were affiliated with the store were pronounced dead on the scene. Thab Arafen, 45, of Lansing, Ill., and Weam Salem, 25, of Worth, Ill., were also pronounced dead on the scene"

2011-11-06T18:25:00.001+10:00

More Guns Provided Through Fast and Furious Found in Arizona Raid

Since finding out about Operation Fast and Furious, Arizona Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu has been anything but amused. With no regard for local law enforcement, the Obama Justice Department supplied the most dangerous criminals in North America with high powered weapons, including .50-calibur sniper rifles and AK-47s, leading to the death of Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry and at least 200 innocent Mexican citizens. Now with the Southern border still wide open, Babeu and his deputies will face the barrels of those guns as they do their job to combat Mexican drug cartels illegally operating in Arizona.

Today, Babeu's office confirmed two guns found during a massive drug smuggling bust against the Sinaloa Cartel in Pinal County, were provided through Operation Fast and Furious.

"I am outraged our Federal Government has armed one of the largest and most dangerous of the Mexican drug cartels with as many as 2,000 high powered weapons. This is the same cartel we have been investigating for the past fifteen months for various crimes including a murder in my County. We have arrested 76 suspects and seized 108 weapons. We have now have learned two of the weapons we seized are in fact linked to Operation Fast and Furious. U.S. Border Patrol Agent Brian Terry was only doing his job when he was viciously murdered by Mexican bandits with Fast and Furious weapons. Thankfully none of our members were murdered this time," Babeu tells Townhall.

I sat down with Sheriff Babeu in September when he warned of this very situation, noting that guns will be recovered at violent crime scenes for years to come.

“It’s not going to end, there are at least 1500 guns out there and we have no clue where they are,” Babeu said.

While Sheriff Babeu and his deputies are doing their best to fight these cartels with limited resources, the Obama Justice Department has been arming the enemy with weapons Babeu’s deputies don’t even have.

“Outrage and betrayal. This has never happened before in the history of our country. We may have given armaments and weapons to our allies who may have later become our enemy, but we’ve never given them directly to our enemy,” Babeu said when asked about his initial reaction to Operation Fast and Furious.

“These are the most violent criminals in North America and we facilitated and gave weapons, weapons that my deputies don’t even have, to these cartels,” he said. “It’s more than insane, it is horrific to think that our own government did this.”

Source

2011-11-05T17:39:00.000+10:00

WI: No criminal charges coming in fatal garage shooting: "An Okauchee man will not face criminal charges for fatally shooting an unarmed man who broke into his garage in August, Waukesha County District Attorney Brad Schimel announced Friday. James P. Babe IV, 39, was killed outside Michael Fitzsimmons' home about 2 a.m. Aug. 27. Schimel determined that Fitzsimmons, 47, fired two shots in self-defense. Fitzsimmons said he awoke when he heard noise in his garage, that he approached it from his deck and yelled out asking who was there and stated that he had a gun. He said Babe yelled back that he had a gun, then emerged from the garage onto the deck and lunged at him with what Fitzsimmons believed was a gun. Fitzsimmons fired once, and when Babe did not immediately go down or back away, fired a second shot. There was evidence someone had broken into the garage, and Babe's cell phone case and keys were found there."

AL: Shooting is apparent self-defense "Red Bay Police Chief Jana Jackson says that a Thursday night shooting death will be turned over to a grand jury, and at this time, no charges have been filed. The incident began around 5:30 p.m. when witnesses say 42 year old David Andrasik stopped his car in front of a house near the intersection of 10th Street and Hester Avenue. The witnesses report Andrasik got into a verbal altercation with a homeowner that soon turned physical. Andrasik was shot once with a small caliber handgun, rushed to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead. At this time, Chief Jackson tell us her officers believe the incident was a case of self defense. However, she stresses that the investigation is not finished and the case will be presented to a grand jury."

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2011-11-04T20:39:00.000+10:00

TN: Delivery Driver Shoots Robbery Suspect: "Memphis Police are investigating a shooting involving a pizza delivery driver in Hickory Hill. Around 11:00 Thursday night, police say a Papa Johns Pizza delivery driver was trying to deliver a pizza to a vacant home in the 6900 block of Snyder Road. Police say a 19-year-old man pulled a gun on the driver and tried to rob him. That's when the delivery driver pulled out his own gun and shot the suspect three times. The 19-year-old was taken to the MED in critical condition. The delivery driver is being questioned by police."

NC: Clerk shoots robber at The Bodega Convenience Store: "The store’s clerk said two black males entered the store armed with hand guns and robbed the store. During the robbery, the clerk drew a weapon on the suspects and fired one shot. The clerk said he believed he had hit one of the suspects before they both ran away on foot toward Chandler Avenue. About an hour later, a Chapel Hill police officer conducted a traffic stop on N.C. 54 in Chapel Hill and found one of the occupants in the vehicle was suffering from a gunshot wound. The officer escorted the occupants of the vehicle to UNC Hospitals for treatment. Burlington police detectives were contacted by hospital police. Burlington detectives went to Chapel Hill Hospitals and identified the victim as Marquis Jamar Moore."

Concealed carry in Virginia: "Like many states, Virginia has long had a concealed-carry law, one that permits citizens to carry concealed weapons upon securing a permit from the state. However, for a long time there was a glaring exception to the law: Concealed-carry permit holders were not permitted to carry their weapons into restaurants or bars that served liquor. This meant that people with concealed weapons either had to leave their guns at home or in their car or ignore the law and hope they didn’t get caught"

WA: Seattle gun ban is illegal, appeals court rules: "The state Court of Appeals affirmed Monday that Seattle's gun ban in parks is illegal, more than a year after a King County judge sided with gun-rights advocates and the city appealed. In 2008, then-Mayor Greg Nickels enacted a rule that banned guns and 'dangerous weapons" from city parks, community centers and other city properties. In 2009, the city added another rule that banned guns from parks where kids are 'likely to be present.'"

2011-11-03T18:39:00.001+10:00

W.Va. Man shoots home invading neighbor: "A man who started the day grocery shopping didn't expect to come home and shoot someone, but he told police he didn't have a choice. He had to defend himself and his home. John Chapman, 61, says he returned late Wednesday morning to his home in St. Albans and found his neighbor had broken in. When he returned home, he noticed his back door was open, so he grabbed a gun and started searching the house. He allegedly found his neighbor, 19-year-old Josh Sovine, rummaging through drawers in an upstairs bedroom. “He, of course, challenged the gentleman. He told him not to move, he was gonna call police,” St. Albans Police Captain James Agee said. The two struggled over the gun, and Chapman shot Sovine twice -- once in the leg and once in the hip. Police say Sovine, who is recovering in the hospital, will be charged with daytime burglary.

MD: Armed Liquor Store Owner Wins Showdown With Robber: "Had the robber of AMS Liquor World in Perry Hall known his target better, he may have thought twice about pulling a knife on the store's longtime owner. And for the 20 years since it opened, the owner has always kept a gun in the store. But Saturday afternoon was the first time he ever fired it. "I knew when [the robber] came in, something about him just didn't feel right. I've been doing this 20 years. You get to know people," he said. "When another customer was getting his lotto ticket, I said, 'I need to watch this guy.'" Suddenly, the stranger swung a knife at him, up and down, the owner said. He held onto the sidewall and leaned back—"like Keanu Reeves"—to avoid being stabbed. The owner then reached for his handgun and chased the man. "That's when he bolted out that door like lightning," he said. "He knew when I was reaching, I was reaching for something bigger than he had." Elise Armacost, a Baltimore County police spokeswoman, said no charges had been filed against the owner and investigators believe he acted in self defense."

AZ Jury: Man not guilty in fatal shooting: "Jurors reached a verdict of not guilty on Thursday in Cochise County Superior Court in the case of a man who was charged with fatally shooting his friend in McNeal last year. Dwayne J. Nelson, 21, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of manslaughter and one count of negligent homicide of Alex Alvarado, 19, on Nov. 13, 2010. During his closing argument, defense attorney David Thorn said Nelson was friends with Alvarado and he did not want him to die. He pointed out Nelson was so angry after the shooting that he broke the .22 rifle by smashing it against the wall. Thorn also told the jury Nelson was justified to shoot Alvarado, and therefore not guilty of a crime, because the victim had threatened to shoot him. He also said it was foolish to play with guns while they were drunk, but that is not a crime

New Gallup data shows Americans value their gun rights: "Today’s revelation by Gallup that a record low number of Americans support a legal ban on handgun possession by private citizens demonstrates a positive change in the public attitude about personal protection and the Second Amendment, the Second Amendment Foundation said. According to Gallup, only 26 percent of Americans favor a handgun ban. The annual Gallup Crime poll was conducted Oct. 6-9."

2011-11-02T19:20:00.001+10:00

IL: Barber shoots robber: "A Southwest Side barbershop owner fatally shot one of two fleeing robbers, then rummaged through the teen’s pockets to get back what he stole, police said Monday. The alleged robbery was Friday. The teen suspect died Sunday from his injuries, authorities said. One of the robbers was able to get away, but the owner of the shop fired shots, striking the suspect just outside the shop, police said. Police did not say whether the store owner could face criminal charges. Marcus Nunn, 17, of the 5400 block of South Paulina, suffered multiple gunshot wounds at 3102 W. 63rd St. The teen’s accomplice was not in custody Monday."

OH: Robbery thwarted: "An Akron man faces aggravated robbery charges after police said the victim foiled an attempted heist. Melvin L. Thompson, 41, of Childs Avenue, is accused of attempting to rob a man who was seated in his car at an East Akron gas station. According to police reports, the 62-year-old man was playing some lottery tickets when a man opened the passenger-side door, entered the car and demanded money. He was wearing a mask and carrying a stun gun, police said. When the victim threatened to shoot the would-be robber with his handgun, the robber jumped out of the vehicle and ran. Police said Thompson was located in an apartment on Perkins Street and booked into the Summit County Jail."

PA: Robber with pretend gun gets shot: "Mayo said that when McIntyre, with the last $20 of Mayo's money, got out of the car near the speakeasy, he threw the car in gear and sped off. He told police he was scared to the point of blacking out at times during the entire ordeal. He said waited a half hour before going home. He said he met another drug dealer near the breezeway beside his home and described what had happened to him. He said while he was in the breezeway, he heard the dealer call out, "Is this the guy?' Mayo said when he stepped out of the breezeway, he and McIntyre locked eyes. Mayo said the other man "reached" and he shouted, "'Don't. Don't.' And that's when I started firing." He admitted he never saw McIntyre with a gun, either in the car or on the street. "He was going to shoot me or I was going to shoot him," Mayo told detectives. "What am I supposed to do? Wait and get shot?" Mayo told police that if he had been able to confirm that McIntyre was not armed when they were in the car, he would have ended the encounter then. "If I'd seen both of his hands, I would've kicked his ass," he said."

SC: Sheriff says time for citizens to arm themselves: "Spartanburg County, South Carolina Sheriff Chuck Wright held a news conference on Monday in which he urged citizens to buy and carry guns: 'Our form of justice is not making it. I'm really aggravated. Carry a concealed weapon. That'll fix it.' Sheriff Wright's news conference addressed an incident in which a woman was attacked in a park over the weekend."

2011-11-01T16:39:00.000+10:00

CT: Man gets suspended sentence in defensive shooting: "A former New London resident charged with shooting somebody after firing his revolver out of his Wightman Street apartment during an attempted break-in last April has pleaded guilty to reduced charges and received a suspended sentence. Witnesses told police the shots had come from the area of the second-floor apartment at 21 Wightman St. As police approached the apartment, they found three .45-caliber shell casings and noticed the rear of the house had been struck three times by bullets. Police questioned the nine people in the apartment, including Purdue-Pulido and two other tenants. They said Purdue-Pulido had a .22-caliber revolver and eventually admitted his involvement. Purdue-Pulido told police a couple of men had come up the back stairway and knocked on the door; one tried to force his way in with a large-caliber pistol. Purdue-Pulido said he fired a shot into the air out his bedroom window in an attempt to scare the men away. When somebody fired back two or three times, he said he fired the remaining rounds from his revolver out the window "in an act of self-defense." He said he didn't take aim at anyone "but simply blindly fired the gun out the window," according to the police report. He said after the shooting he saw four or five men flee north on Maple Street.

Idaho: Shooting ban "Kuna City Council is headed down the path of prohibiting shooting within the city limits. Not too long ago, they stretched their city limits miles in every direction to include corn fields, wheat fields, hundreds of acres of farmland, fallow land and much more. What problems are they solving ... and what problems are they creating?"

2011-10-31T18:51:00.001+10:00

CA: Victim fires shots after early morning robbery: "A southwest Bakersfield business owner attempted to shoot a couple of armed robbers early Sunday morning, but the thieves got away. Bakersfield police officers were dispatched to Max Muscle at 8000 McNair Ln. just before 12:30 a.m. Sunday. The owner of the business told investigators that two men armed with handguns got into the business through a back door. The robbers, who were wearing dark-colored hooded sweatshirts, confronted the business owner and his female companion. The business owner was ordered to the ground at gunpoint. When one of the robbers walked to the back of the business, the victim grabbed a gun and attempted to fire at the suspects. The suspects ran and the business owner ran after them and fired three shots. No injuries were reported."

Cleveland Thugs Rejoice: City Buys Back 700 Guns: "The city of Cleveland became a little safer last Thursday—safer for criminals. In what has become an annual spectacle, the city dumped more than 700 firearms into the Number 1 Basic Oxygen Furnace at the Cleveland Arcelor Mittal facility. The formerly useful weapons, collected in “gun buyback” programs in the city and surrounding communities in September, were subjected to temperatures of about 2,400 degrees Fahrenheit and 200 tons of molten iron. It’s not clear how the city could “buy back” something it didn’t own in the first place. According to WTAM 1100 news, “Parma Mayor Dean DePiero says in a small but significant way, the gun buy back program is making our streets safer, and hopes it is expanded to more communities next year.” Presumably he said this with a straight face. But he’s wrong—dead wrong. At best, the destruction of the firearms will have no negative impact. It’s also possible, though, that the lack of a gun will ensure that an innocent victim does not have the means of self-protection in the face of an attack."

2011-10-30T22:04:00.000+10:00

La.: Wife shoots abusive husband: "Police say a man was shot Saturday in the 1700 block of Alston Street in Shreveport's Allendale neighborhood after a domestic dispute. Officers said a fight between Kenneth Robinson, 26, and his wife, Tomeka Nunn, 28, took place just after 5 p.m. Officers said they think Robinson physically struck Nunn during the altercation, prompting Nunn to produce a handgun and fire two shots into Robinson's legs. Robinson was taken to LSU Hospital with what are described as nonlife-threatening injuries. Police say charges will be filed against Robinson for the abuse. They also said Nunn is not being charged at this stage in the investigation, as the shooting appears to be self-defense."

Lawsuit Seeks to Overturn California Open Carry Ban: "On December 15 a Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit will be filed seeking an injunction against a California law that was passed in 1967 which makes it a crime to openly carry a loaded firearm. Ironically, AB 144 recently passed by the California Legislature and signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown making it a crime to openly carry even an unloaded handgun has greatly simplified the lawsuit. Under a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in May of 2011, it would have been necessary to show that the California law, which requires openly carried firearms to be unloaded until one was in grave and immediate danger, was a “substantial burden.” With the passage of AB 144, this will no longer be necessary."

2011-10-29T15:18:00.001+10:00

No charges against man who confronted, shot robbery suspect in Minneapolis: "A man who confronted and fatally shot a suspected robber won't be charged in the killing because he acted in self-defense after a gun was pointed at him, prosecutors said Friday. The criminal complaint against Marberry described the events leading up to the shooting. It said a 53-year-old woman's purse was taken and she was hit in the head with a handgun shortly before 10 p.m. Evanovich, Marberry and another man — all suspects in that robbery — fled. The complaint said the unidentified man followed them in his car and asked for the robbery victim's purse back. Evanovich pointed a gun at the man, who pulled out his own handgun and fired. The man has a valid concealed-carry permit, authorities said."

TX: Homeowner shoots intruder: "Watauga police are investigating an early-morning break-in that sent the alleged 16-year-old intruder to the hospital with a critical gunshot wound to the chest. The homeowner said he shot the intruder in self defense. The homeowner said the sound of someone breaking down a door woke him up just after 2:30 a.m. He then found an intruder inside his son's bedroom holding a gun to his son's head and demanding money, he said. Police said the homeowner went back to his bedroom, got a rifle and told the intruder to drop his gun. Instead, the intruder allegedly turned and pointed the gun at the homeowner, which was when the homeowner shot the intruder in the chest area. he injured intruder was rushed to the hospital by air ambulance in critical condition. Police said he may face charges for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. The homeowner faces no charges at this time."

Clinton confirms DOJ/DHS committed felonies in Operation Fast and Furious: "Sometimes it really does get just this simple. By denying that State played any role at all in Operation Fast and Furious, Hillary Clinton has thrown Eric Holder and Janet Napolitano under the bus at highway speeds. “How?” you may be asking. Simple. According to the Arms Export Control Act, only the State Department can authorize the export of weapons. Every weapon that the multi-agency strike force made up mostly of Department of Justice and Homeland Security personnel sent over the Mexican border should equal a felony, for at least 2,020 felonies in Operation Fast and Furious alone. Eric Holder’s December 8 agreement to appear in front of Congress under oath just got a lot more interesting. Maybe after his trial Holder, can share a cell with Jerome Pendzich until we get him and Napolitano extradited to Mexico for the 200 plus counts of their being accessories to murder."

Loaded Gun in Checked Luggage at LAX: "Media reports are expressing alarm about the fact that a loaded handgun was found by Alaska Airlines baggage workers loading planes on a flight at LAX on Sunday. The Los Angeles Times declared, "Security officials at LAX fail to detect loaded gun in bag," The gun fell out of a duffel bag that had been screened along with the rest of the checked baggage for the flight. Despite all the hand-waving, guns in checked baggage are not illegal (though they are supposed to be disclosed to the airline and packed unloaded). Nor are they a threat to the safety of flights. And the idea that TSA should minutely inspect everything in checked bags would not only add costs and time to the bag-screening process. It would also make an already overly-intrusive TSA into even more of a threat to people’s privacy and liberty. We need to distinguish here between what is being looked for at passenger checkpoints and what is being looked for in checked baggage."

2011-10-28T17:08:00.001+10:00

Don't call me grandma

Poll: US gun ownership at 20-year high: "Nearly half of Americans say they have a gun in their household, the highest percentage since 1993, according to a new Gallup poll. Forty-seven percent of Americans say they have a gun on their property."

2011-10-27T19:54:00.001+10:00

IG Schnedar’s investigation: Gunwalker’s “Little Bighorn?”

A string of damning emails and testimony has laid waste to the Obama Administration’s planned defense in depth over their involvement in Operation Fast and Furious, a multi-agency plot that saw ATF, DEA, and FBI agents within the Department of Justice colluding with ICE agents in Homeland Security and IRS-CID agents within Treasury to assure that at least 2,020 firearms would be transferred from U.S. gun shops to the Sinaloa cartel without the possibility of state or local authorities interdicting smuggled weapons or arresting the straw purchasers or the smugglers themselves.

In recent comments by Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano, and repeated comments from President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder, it has become apparent that the last, perhaps only defensive card the Administration has to play is to invoke the investigation into the gun-walking scheme being run by acting DOJ Inspector General Cynthia A. Schendar. By claiming that they do not want to talk because of the on-going OIG investigation, the President and appointees buy themselves both time and a plausible reason to avoid making comments that may come back to haunt them in the event of impeachment or a criminal trial.

But who is acting Inspector General Schnedar, what role does she have to play in investigating her boss and her boss’s boss? Is there any reason to suspect she can be trusted to provide a fair an impartial accounting of the actions that led to the shooting of three U.S. federal agents, and the deaths of 200 Mexican citizens, or more?

It would be unfair to malign Schnedar’s character or objectivity as the acting Inspector General, so we’ll simply report the facts as they are known.

The Obama Administration has a very bad record of intervening into Inspector General investigations, and in fact had Corporation for National and Community Servic Inspector General Gerald Walpin fired for his investigation into an ally of President Obama that misappropriated an $850,000 AmeriCorps grant.

Eric Holder is well known to be a key ally of the President, in addition to being the head of the Agency that employs Schnedar. It is reasonable for Schnedar to suspect that if she finds the Obama Administration or its high-level appointees responsible for their apparent roles in walking guns, that she would find that she is no longer needed as acting Inspector General, nor would her services as a lawyer be in great demand in the private sector, having turned against a President heavily favored by the legal profession.

This of course, assumes that acting Inspector General Schnedar is both ethically allowed and practically interested in conducting a legitimate investigation.

Why would she want to “rat out” a colleague like her old friend Eric Holder?

It turns out that Ms. Schnedar has long and close ties to Mr. Holder. According to her biography on the Justice Department website, she became assistant U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C. in 1994. Eric Holder had become the U.S. attorney in Washington the previous year, so he in effect was Schnedar’s boss from 1994 until 1997, when he left to become President Clinton’s deputy attorney general. Holder would become a key player in the scandalous pardons of fugitive billionaire Marc Rich and members of the Puerto Rican nationalist terrorist group known as FALN.

But during Ms. Schnedar’s tenure before Holder had departed, it happened that they had ended up working a number of cases together. According to the LexisNexis website, there were at least fourteen of them, usually at the appellate level. For Holder, it was more than just “in name only”; in some of those cases, they apparently co-filed legal briefs.

In one case, they had represented the ATF. In another, they represented both the ATF and DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration), an agency that has now also been linked to Fast and Furious.

The ethical conflict of interest faced my acting IG Schnedar is insurmountable. She is tasked with investigating a former colleague who is currently her employer, and an unfavorable outcome would seem to terminate both her current career as an acting Inspector General and vastly reduce her chances for premium employee opportunities in the private sector as well. For these reasons, an ethical Inspector General would have recused herself from the investigation immediately, something that Schednar has steadfastly refused to do, raising the specter of impropriety and cronyism, undermining the system she is sworn to protect.

Of course, that is making the assumption that Cynthia Schnedar is ethical Inspector General, which evidence seems to suggest she may not be.

Secret tapes recorded by the gun dealer at the heart of the government’s gun-walking operation were turned over to the Congressional investigators working the case. Oversight Committee Chairman Darrell Issa turned over copies of the tapes to Schendar, who immediately turned them over to the very people she is supposed to be investigating, without even first listening to the tapes herself. Schnedar will eventually find that her mandate as acting Inspector General is to investigate “waste fraud or abuse,” which she will not find in Operation Fast and Furious and she slow-walks her investigation to deny documents to Congress while her investigation drags on.

The Obama Administration is heavily, perhaps entirely invested in hiding behind acting Inspector General Schendar’s investigation, and certainly depends upon it as their last rhetorical stand defending themselves in the media. No wonder the President has ignored a growing chorus of calls from law enforcement officers and Congress to take Schnedar off the case and appoint an indepedent special prosecutor.

The fix is in.

Source

KY: Store owner shoots robber who demanded money: "Louisville Metro Police are investigating a shooting in old Louisville. Police say a man walked into a store and tried to rob it and the owner fought back taking aim at the intruder. Police say the robber walked into the business and demanded money. The owner gave it up, but then pulled a gun and shot the robber. The wounded suspect then fled the scene and police say he found a ride to the hospital where he remains at this hour Wednesday night. We're not sure of his condition, but police say the injuries do not appear to be life threatening."

TN: Shop owner, employee beat robber, getaway car with bat: "A robber intending to knock over a liquor store Tuesday night instead had a gun pulled on him, was beaten with a baseball bat and had damage to his car as he tried to get away. At about 10:15 p.m., a man with a crowbar walked into The Wine Cellar, 4 Lealand Drive, at closing time, said he was homeless and demanded money, according to a news release from Clarksville Police spokesman Officer Jim Knoll. When the 67-year-old store owner refused, the robber struck him in the head with the crowbar. The owner pulled out a revolver, and the robber fought him for it, Knoll said. A 66-year-old woman, an employee of the store, heard the commotion, came out, saw the two men fighting, grabbed a baseball bat, and in the heat of the battle, hit the robber and the store owner. The robber was able to pull the gun out of the owner’s hand and run from the store. The owner and employee chased the robber outside and saw him get into a older model, dark colored, Jeep Cherokee. The owner grabbed the baseball bat and struck the Jeep several times, possibly breaking a headlight and a window. The robber then fled from the scene."

Record low support for gun control: "The Second Amendment has rebounded in the last half-century as support doubled since 1959, the Gallup poll reported. Nearly 3 out of every 4 Americans now opposes a ban on handguns — only 1 in four are for banning possession of a handgun. In 1959, 60% of Americans favored banning handguns — and only 36% opposed such an affront to the Second Amendment. The jump in support for handguns shows what an utter failure the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence has been. Handgun use is up, yet gun homicides are down, contrary to what the Brady Campaign has preached for a quarter-century."

2011-10-26T21:37:00.001+10:00

CA: Man who shot another acted in self-defense, DA's office says: "Criminal charges will be dismissed against a 46-year-old man arrested in August for shooting another man in the Montgomery Creek area in an apparent dispute over a marijuana grow, the Shasta County district attorney’s office announced today. Senior Deputy District Attorney Kelly Kafel said in a news release that the charges will be dropped against Terence Seed, who she said acted in self defense when he shot Todd Finch, 25, in the shoulder on Aug. 28. Hexum told the investigator that he tried to pull Seed away from Finch as they fought, and that he and Finch fell to the ground and that Seed was let go. Hexum said he saw Seed fire one shot at Finch from about 7 feet away, hitting him in the chest-shoulder area, the sheriff’s report said. In Kafel’s news release, she noted that the cell phones of the two witnesses were examined and that text messages on Finch’s cell phone contained information that Seed was going to be attacked."

Canadians finally scrap long-gun registry: "Federal Public Safety Minister Vic Toews tabled a bill to scrap long-run registry in the House of Commons on Tuesday. The federal government is making good on a promise to rural Canadians and law-abiding firearms owners to scrap the long-gun registry and destroy all evidence of its existence so future governments and other jurisdictions can't easily resurrect it. A controversial subject that has long pitted urban dwellers against their rural neighbours, the 20-page piece of legislation drew reaction from stakeholders almost immediately after Public Safety Minister Vic Toews tabled the bill Tuesday in the Commons. New Democrats and Liberals argued the move seemed counterintuitive for a government hell bent on law and order, while hunting enthusiasts and members of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation applauded the long-awaited bill. [A billion dollar boondoggle that accomplished nothing]

2011-10-25T18:29:00.001+10:00

Congress Moves Closer to Restoring a Key Second Amendment Freedom

Thanks to the good work of millions of American gun owners and NRA members, Congress is moving closer to restoring one of our fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Second Amendment.

Last week, the House Judiciary Committee considered amendments to the “National Right-to-Carry-Reciprocity Act” (H.R. 822), which would allow any person with a valid, state-issued concealed firearm permit to exercise the right to carry a firearm in any state that permits concealed carry.

Some members of the Committee tried to weaken the bill with anti-gun amendments, and I’m happy to report that every one of them failed. The committee is expected to pass the bill soon, after which it will go before the full House for a vote.

As of today, 49 states have laws in place that permit their citizens to carry a concealed firearm in some form or another. Only Illinois completely denies its residents the right to carry a concealed firearm outside their homes or businesses for self-defense, an injustice for which President Obama fought hard when he was an Illinois state senator.

In 41 of these 49 states, law-abiding citizens can carry a firearm without having to navigate an overly restrictive bureaucratic process.

The problem is that some states allow visiting permit holders from other states to exercise their right to carry, and some states do not. As you can imagine, this presents a nightmare for interstate travel, as many Americans are forced to check their Second Amendment rights, and their fundamental right to self-defense, at the state line.

The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act would solve this problem by simply requiring states that allow concealed carry to recognize each other’s permits. Nothing more.

Predictably, gun-ban organizations like the Brady Campaign and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s deceptively named “Mayors Against Illegal Guns” are doing everything they can to demonize H.R. 822, as are their allies in the anti-gun media.

First, they tried to scare Americans into thinking that H.R. 822 would unleash a new “wild west” atmosphere in the United States. This tactic fell flat because nearly every state in the nation already allows concealed carry and none of these outlandish predictions have materialized. In fact, quite the opposite has occurred.

On average, the 41 states that have the most tolerant right-to-carry laws have 22 percent lower total violent crime rates, 30 percent lower murder rates, 46 percent lower robbery rates and 12 percent lower aggravated assault rates, compared to the rest of the country. This is likely due to the fact that, as a group, citizens with permits to carry a firearm are more law-abiding than the general public.

Having failed at scaring Americans, the gun banners are now falling back on the Tenth Amendment as their main argument against H.R. 822. It’s a poorly conceived argument, as you might expect from groups that spend the majority of their time trying to trample the same “states’ rights” that they now want to hold up as sacrosanct.

The fact is the Tenth Amendment is most certainly sacrosanct – that’s why, in the 1990s, the NRA supported a successful constitutional challenge to provisions of the Brady Act that violated it. But the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act doesn’t violate the Tenth Amendment. Rather, the Act recognizes that the Second Amendment guarantees the fundamental, individual right of every law-abiding citizen to bear arms for safety when traveling.

This is an inalienable right that neither the federal government, nor any state government, may infringe upon. In addition, the 14th Amendment gives Congress the power to protect us from states that infringe on our inalienable, constitutional rights.

By the way, these are the same gun-ban groups that don’t give any consideration to states’ rights when they lobby for sweeping federal gun bans, ammunition bans, and magazine bans.

NRA has made the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act a top priority because it restores a fundamental, inalienable right guaranteed to all law-abiding Americans by the Second Amendment. All Second Amendment advocates, gun owners and pro-gun groups should be campaigning for the passage of this bill.

Also, as a general rule, no one should ever take seriously any lessons on constitutional law from groups whose sole mission is to destroy our most basic civil right guaranteed in the Constitution: The right to bear arms and defend ourselves and our loved ones…no matter which state we’re in.

Source

CA: Woman shot and killed persistent intruder (above): "A 66-year-old woman who shot and killed an intruder early Friday morning in south Redding after he tried to break into her home appears to have been justified, prosecutors say. The intruder was identified Friday by the Shasta County coroner's office as Jesse Edward Theis, 37, of Redding. Donna Hopper had first fired warning shots at the man after she was awakened by the sound of him trying to break into her Branstetter Lane bedroom window just before 4 a.m., Shasta County Chief Deputy District Attorney Josh Lowery said. She shot him when he came back and tried to climb inside the window a second time, Lowery said. Theis had been released from the Shasta County jail the morning before the shooting. Theis was on her front lawn when officers arrived. They tried to give him emergency medical care, but he died before being taken to the hospital, Poletski said."

2011-10-24T20:26:00.001+10:00

Off-Duty Officer Fends Off Attack: "Three men who allegedly attempted to rob an off-duty New York police detective, two of whom were injured when the detective fired his service weapon during a scuffle, were charged on Sunday, police said. The detective, whose name was not released, was walking his dog in an empty lot on Beach 27th Street in Far Rockaway at around 7 p.m. Saturday when three men from the street gang GOA—or Gang of Apes—approached him with a toy gun and tried to rob him, police said. A law-enforcement official said the detective identified himself as a police officer and pulled out his gun. The men then tried to wrestle the gun away. During the scuffle the detective fired several shots before the men fled, the official said. Responding officers found Davon Torres, 19, and Tylique Samuels, 15, a few blocks away at Beach 22nd Street and Seagirt Avenue. Mr. Torres had suffered gunshot wounds to the arm, chin and torso, and was transferred to Jamaica Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. Mr. Samuels was not injured. A short while later, David Caraballo, 21, walked into Jamaica Hospital with a gunshot wound to the foot, police said. Police said they determined he was the third person in connection the shooting."

A young Australian sharpshooter: "Alethea Sedgman has a lot riding on her ability to focus. For this champion shooter, training and competing means holding still - apart from pulling the trigger of her 6kg rifle - for sometimes hours on end. "You have to be really focused," said Sedgman, who won Commonwealth Games gold at just 16 last year. "It takes a lot of energy. A lot of people think you're 'just out there shooting', but it does drain you. "If you think the wrong thing (when aiming), you'll make mistakes." Even from 50m, the difference between success and failure is "probably less than a millimetre". Now 17, Sedgman is aiming for a spot at the London Olympics next year." ["Alethea" is Greek for "liberty"]

CA: Open carry activists to tote long guns in public: "Now that a new California law banning the open carry of pistols is loaded for action, the big guns are coming out.Rifles, that is. And shotguns.Gun owners who are upset that the anti-carry state law will go into effect Jan. 1 intend to start packing their biggest heat in open as often and as visibly as they can, beginning with a gathering Saturday in San Leandro"

2011-10-23T21:57:00.000+10:00

CA: Bully finally gets shot: "The shooting in Monrovia, Calif., appeared to be self-defense after Blair threatened his business partner, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Det. Dan McElderry. But he said the case still is under investigation and will be submitted to the District Attorney's Office for a decision whether to file charges. The violent death was the end of a life visited by violence from an early age. "Sometime in his teenage years he began exhibiting the behavior that followed him through his life," said Brett Blair, a half-brother who said he is "a member of the United Methodist clergy." Brett Blair said he lives in Memphis and Florida, but had cut off relations with his brother about 1975.

British man on trial for shooting black (above) who was breaking into his apartment: "An unarmed burglar was shot in broad daylight by a man whose ground floor flat he had broken in to. Raymond Andes, fired a single round which hit 21-year-old Isaiah Bovell in the head in the garden of his south London home, the Old Bailey heard. Andes, 39, accepts firing the weapon, but denies murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life on the grounds that he acted 'in reasonable self defence trying to scare off someone he believed to be attempting to break-in'. Mr Bovell had gone to Mr Andes flat in Clapham with two others who were waiting outside the front of the property, the court heard on Friday. He was shot shortly before 11.15am on April 14, as he tried to force entry into the property via the ground floor bedroom window. The burglar was pronounced dead at the scene." [It's a jury trial so he could well get off]