Pennsylvania: Man shot in shoulder as he robs Allentown gas station: "A Center Valley man held up the Valero gas station in Allentown this morning, but fled in his station wagon as “someone involved with the gas station” shot him in the shoulder, police said. Robert Leroy Landis, 40, drove off from the 917 N. Fourth St. station at about 10:30, and his windshield was shattered as bullets flew, according to police radio reports. A half hour later, police captured him in the woods along the Lehigh River after he ditched the car on S. Armour Street, police Capt. Stephen Mould said. Mould said police were not yet revealing who shot Landis, except to say “someone involved with the gas station” fired a handgun, and more than two people were inside the station when Landis arrived. No one other than Landis was hurt."


GA: Robber shot by stepfather: "Antonio Searcy, 23, of Warner Robins, died at The Medical Center of Central Georgia on April 1 after he was shot by the stepfather of the man he was attempting to rob outside a home in the 200 block of Sewell Circle, police said. According to police, Searcy was attempting to rob Andrew Grane, 27, in his front yard. Anthony Bell, 43, saw the men struggling, retrieved a gun from the home and shot Searcy once in the head. No charges were filed"


IN: Store owner shoots robber: "On Saturday, a man posing as a customer attacked Masters in the back of the narrow store with a pair of scissors, part of a failed robbery attempt. Masters shot the man, but not before suffering a number of minor injuries, including a shallow stab wound to the chest. The suspect, identified as 52-year-old Tommie Bowling of South Bend, remained hospitalized Monday. He is expected to survive. Having served in the U.S. Army in the 1960s, including as a member of the Military Police, Masters said he knew how to respond in such a situation. Masters said he backed off and offered to hand over the cash, located in the cash drawer behind the counter. However, instead of handing the cash to Bowling, he took the drawer and shoved it into Bowling's chest, causing him to stumble backward. As Bowling recovered, Masters said he reached for his gun, a .44 caliber pistol located behind where the cash drawer had been. Masters said he raised the gun and fired from the hip, striking Bowling in the stomach."

SD: Pizza delivery man shoots at his attackers: "A pizza delivery man was attacked and injured Sunday night by two assailants, but he fought back, firing a pistol at them, according to a news release by the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to a call of shots fired at 1980 Country Road about 10 p.m., where they found Scott Parsons, 28, who reported he had been attacked while making a pizza delivery in the area. Scott’s injuries were not life-threatening, and he was taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital.”


FL: Bank customer stops knife-wielding robber: "An armed robbery at a Titusville bank Friday night was thwarted by a customer, police said. It was the second incident in as many days in the area that a Good Samaritan had taken down a bank robber. ‘I should have blown him away,’ said David, who asked not to have his last name released. He was a customer at Riverside Bank when a man held up the place with a knife. When the robber ran out, David said he chased him through the mud in his socks and caught him. … David had his .357-caliber Magnum on him. He said his concealed weapons permit and right to carry a gun are very important to him. ‘Everybody get a gun,’ David said. Another concealed weapons permit holder, Ruben Torres, foiled a bank robber in Palm Bay 24 hours earlier. In that case, the guy gave up easily. This was different, David said. ‘He was trying to use his knife,’ he said. ‘I pistol-whipped him and split his head open and got blood all over me.’”


“Bring Your Pieces to Church” Sunday: "Imagine the following scenario: At church this Sunday, while reviewing the list of announcements and upcoming events for your church, your pastor added, ‘Oh, and don’t forget: on Sundays we have our regular target practice. Make sure to bring your rifles. …’ Absurd, right? Not so. It used to be the American way. For example, a 1631 law in Virginia required citizens to own firearms, to engage in practice with them, and to do so publicly on holy days. It demanded that the people ‘bring their pieces to the church.’ Somewhere along the line we have lost this mindset. Today the ideas of church and arms are assumed to be at odds, as if loving your neighbor has nothing to do with the preservation and defense of life and property.”


OK: Lawmakers prepare veto overrides: "This week, attempts are likely to override two gubernatorial vetoes. Sen. Randy Brogdon said he will attempt an override of the veto of Senate Bill 1685, which would exempt guns or ammunition made in Oklahoma from federal regulations. The governor said the measure would present safety concerns to residents and law enforcement officers alike. The Legislature easily passed the measure. The Senate passed it 39-3. The House approved it 81-14. Because it had a clause that makes the measure take effect immediately upon becoming law, it will take a three-fourths vote of members in each chamber to override the veto, or 76 votes in the House and 36 votes in the Senate.”

MI: Store owner shoots robber: "Shortly before the River Park store was set to close for the day at 5 p.m., a man walked in and gathered up several items as if he was shopping, police said. He then brought them to the counter and ordered the store owner to give him all of his money, police said. The suspect had a carpet knife inside his pocket and was pretending it was a handgun. When the owner refused to give up his money, the two began to fight. The suspect went behind the counter and picked up a pair of scissors that are used to remove price tags. The owner struggled to get it away from him, receiving minor cuts in the chest, arm and hand. He then grabbed the gun he kept behind the counter and fired a shot, hitting the suspect in the abdomen. The store owner later went to police headquarters and gave a clear statement of what happened, said Lt. Mike Suth. "He was protecting what was his," said Sgt. Charles Stokes. "You have a right to protect yourself. In this case, he did what he had to do." Suth said the suspect underwent surgery Saturday night and was expected to survive the shooting."


The 2nd Amendment is my concealed carry permit: "While the Obama-led federal government appears indifferent, if not averse, to the Constitution, various state governments across the country are embracing the founding document anew. We’ve seen this via the 10th Amendment movement and the state-led opposition to Obamacare. And recently, Arizona’s Republican Governor Jan Brewer has shown another way back to the Constitution by signing a law which views the 2nd Amendment’s constitutional right to keep and bear arms as a concealed-carry permit within the borders of her state. … Arizona has just passed a law based on the premise Ted Nugent once expressed when he said: ‘The 2nd Amendment is my conceal-carry permit.’”


Burglar has been lucky so far: "An Albuquerque man keeps getting caught after burglarizing houses, yet since he has been found ‘incompetent’ he can’t be imprisoned for long, and since his thefts have so far been non-violent he can’t be committed to a mental facility. There is an obvious, very inexpensive, solution. And, if the man keeps doing what he’s been doing, according to ‘the authorities,’ he will eventually solve the problem himself when he surprises a responsible property owner in a supposedly empty house. The odds are not with him."


Why won’t media, cops say “get a gun?”: "Why is there a thoughtless, mindless, lockstep agreement amongst government officials and mass media to utterly ignore the right of self-defense? This is Texas. Texas has a concealed carry law. Texas has strong self-defense laws that allow people to shoot attackers who attempt unlawful entry into their homes, places of business, and vehicles. It’s the law! So why didn’t the cops advise her to buy a gun and learn how to use it? Why didn’t the Channel 5 Talking Head perform a public service and inform everyone that there is no need to cower in fear in a women’s shelter? The guy broke into her home with a shotgun. That’s the clearest case for shooting in self-defense that there is.”

OR: Eugene police: Shooting at fleeing intruder is illegal: "An Eugene resident learned a lesson in self-defense after shooting at a man who had tried to crawl through his kitchen window early Friday. The Eugene Register-Guard newspaper reports that police told 51-year-old Pat Montoya that shooting at an intruder after the man had already began running away is illegal. Montoya says the cops were sympathetic, but told him they could have cited him. Montoya says firing the gun was a reaction to the intruder moving. He says it scared him to see a man crawling through the window."


Texas: Governor Shoots Coyote: "Pistol-packing Texas Gov. Rick Perry has a message for wily coyotes out there: Don’t mess with my dog. Perry told The Associated Press on Tuesday he needed just one shot from the laser-sighted pistol he sometimes carries while jogging to take down a coyote that menaced his puppy during a February run near Austin. Perry said he will carry his .380 Ruger – loaded with hollow-point bullets – when jogging on trails because he is afraid of snakes. He’d also seen coyotes in the undeveloped area. When one came out of the brush toward his daughter’s Labrador retriever, Perry charged. Perry, a Republican running for a third full term against Democrat Bill White, is living in a private house in a hilly area southwest of downtown Austin while the Governor’s Mansion is being repaired after a 2008 fire. A concealed handgun permit holder, Perry carries the pistol in a belt."


Gun laws aren’t the answer, they’re the problem: "Crime is out of control in Chicago, far worse than most cities of a similar size, and 2010 has seen over 100 homicides already in the city. In the wake of all of this, [two] Illinois State Reps. … have called for Governor Pat Quinn to call in the National Guard to help restore the peace. Other suggestions have poured in as well. Hiring more police, though budgetary restraints make that a difficult option, is always at the forefront. Social programs, drug law reforms, improved school funding … Mayor Richard Daley feels the answer is tougher gun laws, though fails to adequately explain how more gun laws will help in a city with laws already so strict they’re the subject of a Supreme Court case.”


WI: Shopping with guns: "In the heart of the suburb of a suburb of Milwaukee, it caters to shoppers exercising their right to be openly armed while buying Coke and all American hotdogs. Just as Starbucks officially welcomes the well armed, in a move that’s dragged the java giant into a civil war between first amendment rights defenders and gun control activists. Across the U.S., shopping with a displayed weapon — called ‘open carry’ — has become the new Gettysburg of gun debates. So far, 35 states allow their people to roam openly with guns — few if any strings attached to the triggers — while another 12 allow it through permits. Backed by whispers of sympathy from the U.S. Supreme Court, gun owners feel it’s time to flex. There are ‘open carry picnics,’ as well as mass gatherings to test the nation’s mood.”

Delaware: Neighbor shoots out alleged burglar’s tire: "A 30-year-old Maryland man had his tire shot out as he was fleeing from a Millsboro area home he had allegedly broken into. State police charged Brad Donaway, of the 8700 block of Gumboro Road, with second-degree burglary and possession of burglary tools, agency spokesman Sgt. Walter Newton said. A neighbor saw activity at his next-door neighbor’s home and called the neighbor at work to make sure no one was supposed to be there, Newton said. When the victim told his neighbor that no one was supposed to be in his home, the neighbor retrieved his shotgun and went over to the house and confronted the burglar. Donaway ran out of the house and got into his car and was trying to drive off when the neighbor fired a round into his left tire, Newton said. Donaway continued driving and headed back to Maryland. Troopers contacted him and he returned to Delaware and surrendered, Newton said."


Nebraska: Dad fires at son’s assailant: "After a man was shot and critically injured in front of a west Omaha house early Friday, his father fired back at the assailant. Bullets flew, blasting through the walls of a house across the street and narrowly missing a woman’s head. Bryan J. Hall, 30, was shot at least twice in his abdomen while talking with a man on the porch of the house where Hall lives with his father and grandmother. Hall was rushed to Creighton University Medical Center with critical injuries, though it appeared he would survive, Omaha Police Sgt. Pam Volk said. He had at least two wounds to his abdomen. After Hall was shot, his father, Richard Hall, then fired off some .22 caliber rounds from a rifle at the assailant as he ran off, Volk said, but there were “no indications that he hit the suspect.” Hall’s father, Richard Hall, had retrieved his .22 rifle earlier because he was suspicious of what the man truly wanted. When Richard saw the suspect pull a gun, he fired the rifle at the suspect. It is unknown if the suspect was hit."


Michigan: Would-be robber shot and killed by merchant: "A 20-year-old gunman went into a southwest-side antiques shop Thursday intending to rob the place, only to be allegedly shot and killed by the owner, a man more than three times his age, police said. The alleged robber entered the Antiques Bought and Sold on Michigan Avenue near Parkinson late Thursday afternoon brandishing a pistol — but the store owner, 63, allegedly pulled out his own gun and fired several shots, killing the would-be thief, Detroit Police 2nd Deputy Chief John Roach said. “The perpetrator managed to stumble out to the street,” Roach said, adding that the store owner had a valid concealed weapons permit."


Florida: Off-duty security guard halts Palm Bay bank robbery: "A 62-year-old off-duty security guard is being credited with thwarting an attempted bank robbery in Palm Bay this afternoon. The attempted robbery occurred just before 2 p.m. at the Space Coast Credit Union at 150 Malabar Rd., not far from the Palm Bay Police Department headquarters. “The robber was apprehended by a customer with a concealed weapons permit,” said Yvonne Martinez, spokeswoman for the Palm Bay Police Department. The suspect, Floyd Francis, 23, was taken into custody after the off-duty security guard, identified as Rueben Torres, stepped out of the branch office and walked to the parking lot. “I went to the car and got my weapon,” said Torres, who stopped off at the bank before heading to work. Torres then pulled his 9mm on the robber before he left the branch building."

Alabama man charged with murder after robbery accomplice killed: "A Northport man was charged with murder Wednesday after his friend was shot and killed by a would-be victim. Investigators say that the actions of Rashad Drakkar Hayward, 20, led to death of Christopher Antonio Collins, 18. Police said that Hayward and Collins tried to rob and shoot a man who ended up shooting Collins with his own gun on Tuesday night. Criminal charges will likely not be filed against Gerald Bertrand, 23, because he acted in self-defense, Northport’s police chief said Wednesday. Police say that Gerald Bertrand, 23, shot Christopher Antonio Collins after Collins, 18, robbed and threatened to kill him. Bertrand arrived at his home at 3405 18th Street at 9:35 p.m., Green said. He was walking inside with a pizza when two masked men ran toward him from across the street, he said.... Bertrand’s mother opened the door to their house and distracted the gunman, giving Bertrand a chance to grab the gun and shoot Collins in the chest, he said."


ME: Gun advocates open carry in park: "About 75 gun rights supporters — most of them wearing side arms — gathered in a public park to exercise their Second Amendment rights Sunday, enjoying hamburgers and hot dogs as joggers trotted by and a small group of demonstrators gathered nearby. Shane Belanger, a University of Southern Maine student who organized the display of guns, which included a machine gun mounted on a jeep, said the aim wasn’t to frighten anyone. Instead, he said, the goal was simply to show that people have a constitutional right to bear arms. ‘A right unexercised is a right lost,’ Belanger said as the gas grill warmed up on a sunny afternoon. ‘We’re law-abiding citizens, just having a barbecue.’”


Federal bills would repeal DC gun laws: "Federal lawmakers Tuesday introduced bills into the House and Senate that would repeal most of the local gun laws in Washington, D.C. The bills come less than a week after Democratic leaders withdrew landmark legislation that would have given the District a vote in the House of Representatives because of Republican plans to introduce an amendment similarly aimed at loosening city gun restrictions.”


VA: Gun lobby believes it can gain more ground for owners: "Philip Van Cleave wants every Virginian who has a permit to carry a concealed handgun into a bar to be able to have a drink — or he wants no gun carrier to be able to drink. That’s the choice that Van Cleave, the leader of the pro-gun Virginia Citizens Defense League, wants to offer state lawmakers next year when the General Assembly reconvenes. He said he is going to find a legislator to submit two bills to the body representing both positions. His aim is to force lawmakers to expand the rights of concealed-handgun owners in bars or rescind the current exception that allows law-enforcement officers and commonwealth’s attorneys to carry concealed weapons and consume alcohol.”

WV: Man shot after attempting to break into homes: "One man shot another man at an Atenville home in Lincoln County Tuesday afternoon because he tried to break into his home, according to State Police. Thomas Perry, 44, tried to break into several homes along West Virginia 10 Tuesday afternoon, said State Police Senior Trooper L.T. Goldie Jr. He approached the residence of Jeffrey Lambert, who was home with four children. Lambert warned Perry to leave the property, but he would not, Goldie said. At about 5:30 p.m., Lambert fired one shot, and Perry was later flown by helicopter to Cabell-Huntington Hospital, Goldie said. ‘Mr. Lambert is not facing any charges,’ he said. ‘It was a defensive shot.’”


AK: Gun advocates, cameras descend on UAA: "A highly-anticipated protest by Anchorage gun advocates on the campus of the University of Alaska Anchorage Wednesday turned out to be more of a media circus than anything else. On Wednesday four armed men walked onto UAA's main quad, where journalists outnumbered guns by about five to one. A swarm of reporters and photographers documented the University of Alaska Police Department filling out Notices of Violation to the four men and politely asking them to step off campus. (The usual detail of three on-duty UAPD officers had been upped to seven for the occasion.) The armed men agreeably moved their protest a few hundred feet south to stand on Providence Drive, where they and about 20 supporters waved to honking drivers and held up signs reading "Patriots protect our Constitution" and "Don't tread on me."


Georgia recognizes gun carry rights in parts of airports: "Georgia’s registered gun owners would be allowed [sic] to carry their firearms into parts of the world’s busiest airport, as lawmakers shot back Tuesday at a court ruling that had long frustrated Second Amendment activists. The House voted 120-37 to allow gun owners to carry their weapons into parts of airports throughout the state not controlled by the federal government, such as terminals and parking lots. The proposal has already been adopted by the Senate and now goes to Gov. Sonny Perdue.”


OK: Henry vetoes gun legislation: "Gov. Brad Henry today vetoed a bill that would have exempted guns or ammunition made in the state from federal regulations. The Democratic governor said Senate Bill 1685 would have presented safety concerns to citizens and law enforcement officers. Henry said the … bill would have made it easier for criminals to obtain a wide array of weapons in Oklahoma and endanger residents and law enforcement officers in the process.’ … ‘I’m a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and have earned an A rating from the NRA (National Rifle Association), but this legislation does nothing to protect an individual’s right to bear arms,’ Henry said.”

Virginia: Householder kills intruder with shotgun: "Armed with a double-barreled, 12-gauge shotgun, the resident of a Botetourt County home fatally shot an intruder Friday night, authorities said. A family living in the home heard someone yelling, cursing and pounding on their house about 10:40 p.m., according to a release Saturday from Botetourt County Sheriff Ronnie Sprinkle. A man living there called 911 and secured his family members in a locked bedroom, then loaded the shotgun. The intruder used a wrought iron patio chair to break a glass sliding door and come into the house, and the male resident shot him. “From what I’m told, he showed some restraint,” Botetourt County Commonwealth’s Attorney Joel Branscom said about the shooter. “But it got to the point where he didn’t have much of a choice.”. Deputies arrived as the shots were fired, Sprinkle said. The wounded man was taken to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. His identity has not been clearly established, Sprinkle said."


North Carolina: Resident pulls gun on intruder: Suspect flees: "A Broad Street man aimed up on a burglary suspect still inside his home Thursday morning. Armed with a revolver, according to a Shelby Police report, 63-year-old Roger Dale Ramsey told the thief to “freeze” before the suspect fled outdoors. The report states Ramsey returned home around midnight Thursday and heard noises for several minutes before investigating. “Roger advised he checked his rear bathroom window then the window on the west side of the house, then turned around in his dining room to see a suspect step out of his bedroom into the dining room,” read the report by Officer J.V. Patrick. Ramsey then pointed his gun, but the suspect didn’t halt as requested. “The suspect turned and leapt out the bedroom window on the east side and ran,”


Connecticut: Would-be robber shot in New Haven’s Wooster Square: "A 40-year-old man apparently picked the wrong person to try to rob at knife point Monday and ended up at the hospital with two gunshot wounds to the chest, police said. As the alleged would-be robber lay wounded, his intended victim called 911. The shooting victim, tentatively identified by a source as Hector Santiago, 40, is expected to recover, and was speaking to police. The shooter, who police said is 65 and from out of town, waited at the scene for officers to arrive and was brought to police headquarters to be interviewed. He was later released, police said. Police recovered a small knife at the scene, not far from the shooter’s discarded umbrella." ... Police spokesman Joe Avery added that the man brandished a knife, and that’s when his intended victim pulled out a gun. The shooter is licensed to carry the weapon, police said, and there was no information on any charges."


California: Man fires gun to scare off gang-banger burglars: "A man who heard banging outside his apartment confronted three suspected burglars and scared them off by firing a pistol, police said today. Officers arrested two of them a short while later. Police said the incident happened just before 10 p.m. Sunday near West Washington Street and Key Avenue. The resident told police he confronted three men outside his apartment building and as they advanced on him, he retreated and fired a semi-automatic pistol into the ground. The men backed off but stayed in the area. Police responding to the possible burglary report captured two of the men about two blocks away: Lamberto Godina, 18, of Ripon and Jose Mendoza, 19, of Salida. They were booked into the San Joaquin County Jail on charges of assault, trespassing, and creating a disturbance." The police department will ask the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office to review the case for possible charges against the victim for discharging a firearm within city limits" [!!!]

Omaha: Customer shoots robber: "It happened around 8:55 Monday night at the Walgreens near 61st and NW Radial Highway. That's just blocks from Benson High school. Witnesses say two men were trying to rob the store, when a customer noticed their gun. They say that customer shot one of the would-be robbers. He was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Homicide detectives were on scene. No arrests have been made.


NM: Resident Fires Handgun, Scares Burglars Away: "Two 18-year-old Las Cruces men were arrested after police said they broke into an apartment Wednesday evening and were confronted by the resident, who was armed with a handgun. Police said Ryan Galaz, Shannon Robert Vasquez and a third man kicked in the front door of a man's apartment at 999 Telshor Blvd., but were confronted with a .357-caliber handgun. The homeowner told police he fired three shots after he saw what appeared to be a knife. Las Cruces police caught up with Galaz and Vasquez a short time later, but the third man remained on the run. No charges were expected to be filed against the victim because he fired his handgun in self-defense, police said.


MO: Truck owner shoots thief: "Police said the vehicle's owner, Fred Murphy, was inside his home when he heard something outside. He went to look and saw a burglar breaking into his 2004 Dodge pickup. Murphy went out into the parking lot and confronted the suspect. The owner said the burglar got out of the truck and pointed a gun at him. Murphy was also armed, opened fire, and a gunfight ensued. The suspect was struck in the leg. Police are calling the injury to the would-be thief minor, identified as 17-year-old Shaquille Kirkendoll. Investigators said Kirkendoll remains hospitalized with a gunshot wound to the leg. The suspect's gun was recovered from the scene. Police said charges are not likely against Murphy since the suspect was armed. However, the St. Louis Circuit Attorney's Office issued charges of theft/stealing, armed criminal action and stealing of a motor vehicle, against Kirkendoll."


Treaties may enforce gun control: "Right now, Washington is scheming and scamming to erode and then erase the Second Amendment from our Constitution. And it will accomplish it through the signing of international treaties on gun control, bypassing the normal legislative process in Congress, tightening regulations upon firearm and ammunition manufacturers, using the anti-gun financing of tycoons and ultimately confiscating all firearms under the guise of terrorism patrol and enforcement. Without public debate and cloaked in secrecy, gun control covertly will come upon us like a thief in the night. One day, we will wake up to discover that the U.S. has signed a global treaty that will prohibit any transfer of firearm ownership, force reductions in the number of firearms privately owned and eventually eradicate the planet of guns for law-abiding citizens. Of course, the criminals still will have their guns illegally. And on that day, if you do not comply with that global treaty, you will be fined and face imprisonment."

GA: Man Killed Near Nightclub, Shooter Claims Self-Defense: "Atlanta police said after an initial investigation, a man may have killed another man in self-defense. It happened at 1790 Cheshire Bridge Road NE just after 3 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of the Dirty Laundry Boutique business near Club Life Nightclub. Police said they were investigating the possibility that the dead man tried to rob the man who shot him. Police said the deceased man was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at a local hospital.


Montana’s states’ rights showdown: "State lawmakers have done a lot since President Obama’s election to shake off Uncle Sam, passing ’sovereignty’ resolutions and a record number of laws that specifically defy Congress on issues such as legalized marijuana and health-care reform. Most make the same claim: that the U.S. Constitution gives the federal government power to regulate commerce between states but doesn’t permit interference in purely local affairs. Later this year, the Montana Firearms Freedom Act, which proclaims that guns manufactured in Montana and sold in state are not subject to federal rules such as background checks, is slated to become the first of these Obama-era commerce challenges tested in court."


Book Review: From Luby’s to the Legislature — One woman’s fight against gun control: "Suzanna Gratia Hupp’s new book, From Luby’s to the Legislature — One Woman’s Fight Against Gun Control, is much more than the story of the Luby’s massacre that occurred in October of 1991. It is a story about a girl and the lessons her loving parents taught her. It is about her family and events that made her the women she is today, the importance of being able to protect yourself, and the ability to change the world to make it possible (and legal) to protect your family in all the places you live.”


Are gun rights advocates seditious? "Many Americans are upset at our government. Approval of the job performance of Congress is about 20% … Gun owners tend to be among the political right, and Second Amendment support is a common thread among Tea Party demonstrators. All of us who bitterly cling to our guns are painted by the mass media as a violent bomb, just waiting to go off. From ex-president Clinton on down, there have been comments to the effect that the political right is urging any crazies who might be willing to … commit violent acts against the government. We have been called seditious. We are told that sedition is rising up against the authority of the state, and as practitioners we probably ought be muzzled or incarcerated to calm down the country.”

Florida: Man shoots burglar: "The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a home invasion and a burglary attempt at a Hazen Avenue home in Thonotosassa. Investigators say a man was sleeping in a back bedroom when he heard two suspects in a different bedroom. He armed himself with a semi-automatic weapon and confronted the suspects. He says a physical confrontation started when one of the suspects waved a clothes iron at him. The man felt threatened and shot that suspect several times. The other suspect took off and is still on the loose. Deputies have not released the name of the injured suspect. But they do say he has a warrant out for his arrest. He was taken to Tampa General Hospital where he is listed in critical condition. Sgt. Scott Bell of the Hillborough County Sheriff’s office, says they are still investigating the incident. But it’s unlikely that the man living in the home will face any charges."


OH: Habitual criminal waves gun, gets shot: "An 18-year-old man was charged Friday in the fatal shooting of a man who died after an argument outside a South Toledo apartment. Jonathan G. Jackson, 18, of 2142 Dana St. was charged with murder after turning himself in through an attorney, police said. Donald Corrigan, 20, of Toledo was pronounced dead at 2:20 a.m., just 10 minutes after he was shot in the street outside an apartment building at 2010 Arlington Ave. According to police reports, Corrigan and two others had crashed a party at an Arlington Avenue apartment and gotten into a fight with at least one other person. As they were leaving, Corrigan reportedly waved a gun in the air. Police said about that time, another individual with a gun appeared in the door of the apartment building, and the two reportedly exchanged gunfire. [I doubt that the murder charge will get far in the circumstances]


Virginia to Teach Gun Safety in Elementary Schools: "A new law will require Virginia's education department to come up with a gun-safety curriculum for public elementary schools that incorporates guidelines from the NRA. The law allows local school divisions to offer gun-safety education to pupils in kindergarten through fifth grade. While each school board can decide whether to offer it, those that do must use the state curriculum -- which will include rules used by the NRA's Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program. NRA's Eddie Eagle website says that the program's goal "isn't to teach whether guns are good or bad, but rather to promote the protection and safety of children."

FL: Shop owner shoots robbery suspects: "A store owner had to turn into a real crime fighter when he was confronted by a trio of suspected robbers. Miami Police said, Omar Rangel was forced to defend himself and shoot at the robbery suspects Friday morning, hitting two of them. The third fled the scene on foot. One robber dropped a gun as he fled the scene. The men attempted to rob the Okay Auto Tire Service along Northwest 46th Street and Second Avenue in Miami... According to investigators, Rangel was inside his business with other employees and a visitor when three men barged into the shop. "[They] forced four of the employees to the ground at gunpoint," said Miami Police Officer Jeff Giordano. As subjects began to search all of the victims' pants pockets, Mr. Rangel drew his own firearm and shot at the subjects."


NY: Pistol packin' 61-year-old fends off thieves: "There was another shooting in the city overnight but this one had a twist on recent violence. Police say two men jumped another man with a knife on Tubman Street and tried to rob him. It turns out that the victim was carrying a legally registered handgun. He pulled it out and fired one shot. Police say the robbers ran away, knowing the man meant business. The victim told police he didn't think he hit anyone. Police are not identifying him because the robbers are still at large."


Spain: Businessman found not guilty of murder after shooting dead two thieves: "A Valencia businessman, Francisco Ramirez, who killed two burglars who broke into his villa in January 2006, has been found not guilty after the court accepted his plea of self-defence. The case against him had been brought by the widows of the two deceased. He told the court he fired his gun fearing for his own life, and the court noted that he had a licence for the pistol he used."

MS: Shooting ruled self defense: "According to investigators, 41-year-old Wilford Seymour was at home asleep when 37-year-old Paul Mahaffuy showed up at this home "in a jealous rage." Police say, Seymour went to the door and the Mahaffuy struck Seymour in the face with a hammer. Seymour then tried to close the door, and Mahaffuy followed him inside his home. Seymour then picked up a gun, fired one round and killed Mahaffuy. Police say alcohol did play a role in this altercation. At this time, no charges will be filed against Seymour; however, evidence is being sent to the state crime lab."


Oklahoma on verge of passing pro-gun law : "A bill exempting guns and ammunition made in Oklahoma from federal regulation passed the state Legislature and is on its way to the governor, lawmakers say. Proponents of the bill in Oklahoma City say the Constitution’s interstate commerce clause stipulates the federal government can only regulate gun sales involving commerce across state lines, The Oklahoman reported Wednesday. Weapons manufactured and sold within a single state do not come under federal oversight, they say.”


Gun rights freak DC Democrats: "Democrats withdrew a bill on Tuesday to give the District the voting rights it has long sought in the House of Representatives, saying the "price was too high" after learning of Republican plans to introduce an amendment that would eviscerate the city's gun laws.... Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, the District's nonvoting representative, said House Democratic leaders over the weekend received an updated Republican amendment that would have gone much further than the one attached to the Senate bill. She said the new amendment would have barred city officials in the nation's capital from enacting laws that would restrict concealed or open carry of guns, diminished the authority of the city's police chief to deny concealed-carry licenses, and prohibited city leaders from preventing guns from being taken into city buildings."


California: Open Carry Ban on the Horizon? "Democratic assembly-woman Lori Saldana of San Diego has authored a bill which would effectively eliminate the open carry of firearms. A shocking twist in the debate over California gun rights, such measures would ultimately remove the ability of Californians to defend themselves from like threats. As many residents and non-residents are aware California is already a “May-Issue” State with regards to concealed carry licensing and now their only means of lawfully carrying a firearm is under attack. While open carry advocates have urged their legislators to make concealed carry and other laws to put those who are scared by the sight of an openly-toted, unloaded firearm at ease, responses from the Assembly have been more reactionary than pro-gun advocates expected."

Iowa: Elderly Des Moines woman puts .22-caliber stop to break-in: "An intruder bashed in the front door of Turner’s east-side Des Moines house about 5:30 a.m. Turner said she yelled at the man, telling him he had the wrong house and warned him she would shoot if he came inside. “He was a big, burly guy,” Turner said. “He was pulling at his shorts and talking crazy. If they stay outside, OK. But I always said if they come inside, it’s me or them. Turner fired one shot – and missed. “I squeezed it again but it didn’t go off,” she said. “By then he was pounding on the coffee table.” A neighbor who heard the gunshot called police. When officers arrived at Turner’s house, located north of Hiatt Middle School, they found Nelson McAlpine, 37, standing in the front yard. McAlpine, who has an extensive police record, was being held in the Polk County Jail on Tuesday on a charge of second-degree burglary. Bond was set at $10,000."


Texas: Citizen shoots man attempting to hijack Metro bus: "A wild crime spree ended in gunfire Tuesday when a citizen shot a suspect who was trying to hijack a Metro bus, Houston police said. Torres said the suspect entered the bus and began assaulting the driver, in an apparent attempt to hijack the bus, until the driver of a car idling behind the bus noticed what was happening. “This person is a licensed concealed handgun carrier. He got out of the vehicle [and] went to the bus to try to intervene in the assault that was taking place,” he said. “He did pull the suspect away from the driver and engaged in a physical confrontation with the suspect.” As the two men struggled, the gun discharged and struck the suspect in the upper abdomen, Torres said. Police said Hankston faces several charges, including aggravated robbery, failure to stop and render aid and aggravated assault."


The Obama Administration Year One: The flight from gun control: "Much to the surprise of many, President Obama’s first year in office has not featured a push for new gun control legislation. In fact, not only has he not pushed for new legislation, he has actively resisted calls by gun control groups while signing legislation allowing open and concealed carry in National Parks and Wildlife Refuges as well as allowing firearms on Amtrak trains. … President Obama’s gun rights transformation is proof, not of a change in his core beliefs, but of a change in America itself as gun rights escapes the historical bounds of hunting and becomes mainstream. In order to maintain the momentum of this trend, it is incumbent upon those of us who believe … in gun rights, to continue to reach out.”

Indiana: Robber killed in self-defense: "The fatal shooting of a robbery suspect at a Near-Northside apartment appeared to be self-defense, police said Monday. Christopher Hampton, 38, Indianapolis, was shot and killed at 6 p.m. Sunday in the apartment in the 1500 block of North Pennsylvania Street. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Sgt. Matthew Mount said Brian Blevins, 24, Indianapolis, told investigators Hampton tried to rob him. Blevins, who had a permit to carry a handgun, and two witnesses were questioned by detectives and released. The Marion County prosecutor's office will review the evidence. Hampton was wearing an ankle bracelet for an unrelated invasion of privacy and violation of a protective order arrest on April 5."


Bloomberg on the march: "[New York City] Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s national anti-gun group is using the anniversary of the Columbine shooting to launch a campaign to close the gun show loophole. Mayors Against Illegal [sic] Guns began running television ads today on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News and in local markets in five states.”


Gun owners come armed with message: "Gun owners came out in force on both sides of the Potomac on Monday to proclaim their Second Amendment rights, but only those on the Northern Virginia side of the river came bearing their handguns and rifles. Hundreds of pro-gun activists rallied near the base of the Washington Monument on the National Mall and at Gravelly Point Park in Arlington, Va. Those in the District protested city laws that prohibit them from displaying their guns in public. The daylong event in the District attracted gun-rights advocates from across the country."


Crime and constitutionality: "I’m a strong proponent of the Second Amendment. One reason for that (there are others) is that I believe that you have an absolute right to self defense. A firearm is, for many, the best and most effective method of self defense. You’ll often hear me lamenting the fact that one person at a crime scene — a passenger, a customer, a teacher, a student, a security guard, a clerk — could have saved many more if only they’d had a gun to use against the bad guy. And it’s not bragging to tell you that I’m right in 100% of those cases because it’s a plain and simple fact.”

Hawaii: Woman shoots robbers: "Police said that at 10:30 p.m. two men armed with handguns and plastic zip ties ordered two women and a man to go into a house on the 100 block of Kilea Street. A fourth person, a 28-year-old man, was told to stay out of the house. When he tried to disarm his two assailants -- a 23-year-old man and a 38-year-old man -- one of the guns went off and he was hit. Then one of the women, 26, opened fire on the two men, who returned fire before they ran to their car and fled. Police stopped the car at California and Kamehameha avenues and arrested the driver, a 31-year-old man, for attempted murder in the first degree. The two other men in the car were taken to a hospital with multiple gunshot wounds"


Mass.: Gunman shot with own gun: "A 25-year-old Chicopee man was shot in the leg by his own weapon Monday morning on Belmont Avenue during an attempted robbery when his intended victim grabbed the gun and began to wrestle him for it, police said. Ibrahim Abdullah, 23, of 128 East St., Chicopee, suffered a gunshot wound to his calf, said Sgt. John M. Delaney. He was struck by a round from his own weapon, a .22-caliber semiautomatic handgun, Delaney said. The target of the robbery, 25-year-old Jamie Luis Cruz, 25, of Avon Place, Springfield, suffered an injury to his hand. He had his hands on the gun when it discharged, and the weapon’s slide caught his finger as it recoiled. The shooting happened in a second-floor hallway at 49 Belmont Ave. just before noon, Delaney said. He said the shooting was drug related."


CO: Starbucks under attack over pro-gun policy: "Starbucks, best known for its coffee, is gaining kudos from gun rights activists for allowing guns in its shops and drawing the ire of gun control advocates. Today about 20 protesters gathered outside the Starbucks at 6th and Grant Street urging the company to ban guns inside the coffee shops. ‘I used to hold a lot of meetings at Starbucks, but the idea that I might be at risk worries me, I will choose a gun-free place,’ said Mary Kershner a registered nurse who advocates for gun safety. In Colorado, one of many states that allows the ‘open carry’ of fire arms, companies still have the right to ban the practice within their properties.”


The NRA sits on sidelines of gun fight with feds: "The nation’s most influential gun-rights group is conspicuously absent — and nearly silent — in a growing battle between states and the federal government over gun control. The National Rifle Association has been taking a low profile when it comes to the firearms freedom acts that have been passed by seven state legislatures and spawned a growing legal fight between those states, some gun advocates and the U.S. Justice Department.”

Alleged robber killed in Indianapolis shooting: "Metro police officers responded to a report of a person shot at an apartment building at 1503 N. Pennsylvania Street around 4 p.m. Sunday. When they arrived, they found an unidentified male lying in the third floor hallway with multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics pronounced the man dead at the scene. The 24-year-old shooter told police he and his girlfriend were helping another friend move into an apartment when they were approached by the shooting victim, who was asking for change for a five dollar bill. One of the men said they had change in the apartment. As they walked into the building, the shooting victim pulled out a gun and ordered everyone into the back room. The shooter said he feared for their lives, so while walking to the back area of the apartment, he pulled out a gun he was carrying, turned and fired at the would be robber. It is unknown if the shooting victim fired any shots. No arrests have been made at this time".


VA: Shooter exonerated: "A man who was injured during a shooting in March is now charged in connection with the same incident, police said. Michael Jerome Parker, 29, of Hampton, was found by police March 12 in the first block of Emeraude Plage near Big Bethel Road, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Johnathan C. Long, 26, of Hampton, was initially charged with aggravated malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection with the shooting. The charges against Long have been dismissed, said police spokeswoman Cpl. Paula Scheck." [More detail here]


Why not try a “pro-gun” self-defense TV show?: "As long as advocacy programming is part of the mix, there’s no shortage of truthful stories to be told about armed defense. … Reality programming is comparatively cheap to make, which is why there’s so much of it, and based on the fact that there is so much of it, people evidently watch it. I think it’s past time such a program was attempted. I bet it could even be a hit if it were done right, like, say, per my outline. I bet it would even draw a lot more viewers than the sob-sister hoplophobes could ever hope to bring in.”


NRA too soft? "Some gun owners, saying that the National Rifle Association isn't battling hard enough for their rights, are taking the fight into their own hands. They are coming together in smaller, loosely organized groups that recruit on the Internet and find inspiration from the tea party movement. On Monday, several thousand gun owners plan to mount two protests—a march in Washington and an "open-carry" rally in Mount Vernon, Va. "More and more the gun-rights movement is moving toward a stand-up-and-shout approach," said Jeff Knox, director of the Firearms Coalition, a for-profit, loose-knit coalition of activists. "There's a lot of general frustration with NRA not taking a hard enough line."

NY: Old folks with gun stop thief : "68 year old Kathleen Smith and her husband Charles were armed and ready when they allegedly found a stranger named Michael Smith in their barn on Wednesday. Sgt. Kevin Streety answered the 9-1-1 call. "I could hear the yelling in the background, and I knew that someone had a gun.I knew that someone was trying to cause harm to them. At that point, the person (Kathleen) did advise me that there was a person on the property, and they were going to shoot them." Police say Michael Smith was there to steal metal to sell for scrap. The barn was broken into on Monday, and the homeowners were checking to see if the thief was coming back for more. Sgt Streety dispatched a crew, and coached Kathleen on what to do next. "I told them to tell the person to get on the ground. She obeyed all the commands."


RI: Drug dealer shoots intruder: "Mathew A. Salvato, 22, who lived in Apt. 2 at 902 Chalkstone, was arraigned on one count of possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, one count of manufacturing marijuana and two counts of possession of a firearm while committing a crime of violence. Officers were initially called to the scene following the report of an armed intruder. Delasnueces, who was pronounced dead of a gunshot wound at Rhode Island Hospital, was found lying inside the first-floor front door of Apt. 2. As part of their investigation, officials found a large quantity of marijuana being grown in the basement and on the third floor of the Chalkstone Avenue building. Court records show that Delasnueces, who also went by the last name Delasueces, had been in trouble with the law before... Salvato does not have a criminal record, according to the attorney general’s office. “We’re dealing with some potential self-defense issues,” said Oates, who explained that it is legal in Rhode Island to possess a handgun on your own property."


"Arizona to allow concealed weapons without permit: "Favoring the constitutional right to bear arms over others' concerns about gun safety, Gov. Jan Brewer on Friday signed into law a bill making Arizona the third state allowing people to carry a concealed weapon without requiring a permit. The measure takes effect 90 days after the current legislative session ends, which likely puts the effective date in July or August. "I believe this legislation not only protects the Second Amendment rights of Arizona citizens, but restores those rights as well," Brewer, a Republican, said in a statement. Alaska and Vermont now do not require permits to carry concealed weapons. By eliminating the permit requirement, the Arizona legislation will allow people 21 or older to forego background checks and classes that are now required."


Colorado State University gun ban isn't settled yet: "The CU Board of Regents suffered a setback in their plans to ignore the wishes of the majority of students and ban all guns from the campus. Their ban has been struck down by the Colorado Court of Appeals for being in conflict with the Concealed Carry Act of 2003. That act included verbiage to harmonize the laws from the state level down, so that lower governing bodies like cities could not restrict weapons beyond what the state law allowed.... And the clincher: "The statute’s plain language applies to “all areas of the state” and does not specify public universities in its list of exceptions. § 18-12-214. Had the legislature intended to exempt universities, it knew how to do so."

MS: Home invader shot: "But the crime that has occurred seemingly unabated elsewhere in the city this year arrived - expected or not - Friday when a resident shot an alleged burglar. The resident, whom police would not identify, likely will not face charges because of Mississippi's "castle doctrine." Johnny Washington, 42, allegedly broke into an apartment complex at Jefferson and Gillespie streets Friday and tried to steal a bow and arrow and a vehicle jump kit, Holmes said. The resident woke about 5 a.m. and noticed the silhouette of a man standing in his bedroom. The homeowner picked up a gun and followed the man as he fled. When the intruder allegedly made a threatening gesture, the homeowner shot the suspect in the leg, police say. Washington's wound was treated, and he was released to police. He was booked into the Hinds County Detention Center on house burglary charges.


VA: Man found not guilty in deadly shooting: "A Danville Circuit Court jury found Lantron Nakia Womack, 32, not guilty Wednesday of the five charges he faced in connection with a double shooting that took place on Aug. 14, 2009 that left Jermay Antonio Smith dead. At about 11:15 p.m. on Aug. 14, police responded to the 200 block of First Street after receiving a 911 call reporting shots fired. When they arrived, they found Smith and Ramon Guy lying in the street with gunshot wounds. The victims were taken to Danville Regional Medical Center where Smith died and Guy was treated and released. Womack, of Sutherlin, turned himself in to Lynchburg authorities two weeks later accompanied by his attorney.... Smith told Womack to stop, grabbed him and tried to rob him, telling Womack to “give it up,” Sanzone said. A struggle ensued between Womack, who was in the car, and Smith, who was outside the vehicle and bent over Womack. Womack, who testified in court that Smith was reaching into Womack’s pocket with one hand and grabbing his own gun with another, shot Smith and testified Wednesday that he next heard a “click” and turned and saw Guy approaching the passenger side with a gun. Womack then shot Guy and left, according to the defense."


MS: Off-duty officer, ex-con exchange gunfire: "Fabian Chapman allegedly was burglarizing his sixth vehicle when an off-duty police officer spotted him around 1 p.m. Thursday. Moments later, gunfire rang out. Chapman had pulled a gun on the officer and started firing, police said. The officer, whose identity was not released, and a passenger inside his white SUV reached for handguns inside their vehicle and returned fire. Chapman was struck at least twice, including once in the upper torso. Chapman, 24, of Jackson, was transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he was listed critical condition. The officer received a minor laceration to the hand from a window that shattered in his vehicle. The passenger was unharmed. Because the officer and his passenger acted in self-defense, they are not expected to be charged, police said."


WI: Bill would increase home self-defense rights: "A bill slowly moving through the state Legislature would make it legal for Wisconsin residents to use deadly force if necessary to protect their homes. Under current law, someone could break into a house, and if the intruder was injured in the act, he or she could sue the homeowner, said state Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink, D-Milladore, whose district includes central Wood County. People should have the right to defend themselves in their homes, but even if the bill goes into effect, law enforcement should continue to be the first line of defense if an intruder threatens the safety of a family, Wisconsin Rapids Police Chief Kurt Heuer said. A bill to allow what is commonly called a Castle Doctrine has been introduced numerous times but failed to become law."

AZ: “Million Gun March” on Phoenix April 19: "It looks like Arizona will have its own ‘Second Amendment March’ on Monday, April 19, to coordinate with the massive gun-rights rally expected in Washington D.C. … What I hear is that a lot of people are planning to take their safely holstered sidearms out for a walk to the state capital from High Noon to 2 p.m. No one is organizing this thing, it’s pure grass roots, no speechifying, no sound stage, just brown bag lunches on the lawn.”


Vitriol approaching fever pitch as gun rights march looms: "If one believed all of the vitriol that has been, and is being generated against the upcoming Second Amendment March in Washington, D.C. next Monday, April 19, one might expect a parade of gun-toting Klansmen marching down Pennsylvania Avenue. It appears to be an unfortunate aspect of life in America that one cannot simply engage in a rational conversation on a hot political topic. Civility has been replaced by the politics of destruction, and nowhere is this more evident than in the mounting criticism of the upcoming rally.”


If 2nd Amendment rallies are “threat to the rule of law,” then “rule of law” needs threatening: "Yesterday, National Gun Rights Examiner David Codrea reported that Josh Horwitz, of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) has described him as a ‘threat to the rule of law.’ You really need to read David’s article — I promise it will be well worth the time, and I’ll be waiting here, when you get back. … OK — so now you know what what makes David so ‘dangerous,’ according to Horwitz. It’s that he reminded enthusiastically statist journalist Ted Rall that sending American citizens — who have broken no laws — to be tortured, is likely to provoke a forceful reaction from the citizenry.”


Don’t deprive the vulnerable of their right to own firearms: "A group of state lawmakers recently authored a letter supporting three Delaware public housing authorities in banning gun possession on their premises. Regulations to prevent public housing residents from legally possessing firearms in their own homes have been struck down in federal courts elsewhere, largely on the grounds that law-abiding citizens should not be denied their Second Amendment rights based on their address or their socio-economic status. In their letter, the legislators noted that seniors and those with disabilities often live in public housing. We believe these vulnerable citizens should not be deprived of a means of self-defense.”