NRA Urges Arizona to Pass Three Self-Defense Bills Opposing Views, July 3, 2009 -- FAIRFAX, Va. – The Arizona Senate passed three important self-defense bills in a session that lasted into the early morning hours Wednesday.
Federal agents hunt for guns, one house at a time Houston Chronicle, June 30, 2009 -- In front of a run-down shack in north Houston, federal agents step from a government sedan into 102-degree heat and face a critical question: How can the woman living here buy four high-end handguns in one day?
NRA Applauds Kansas Recognition of Non-Resident Carry Permits Opposing Views, July 1, 2009 -- Fairfax, Va. --- Kansas Attorney General Steve Six today concluded that the State of Kansas will now recognize ‘non-resident’ right-to-carry permits issued by any of the 22 states already recognized.
One-gun-a-month bill passes in N.J. Legislature The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 27, 2009 -- TRENTON - The New Jersey Legislature tackled more than 100 bills Thursday along with the state budget, in advance of lawmakers' summer recess.
D.C. Expands List Of Allowed Guns To Avert Lawsuit The Washington Post, June 20, 2009 -- The D.C. government released emergency regulations yesterday that greatly expand the models of handguns that District residents can own, a shift designed to stave off another lawsuit over its compliance with the Second Amendment.
Gun Rulings Open Way to Supreme Court Review The New York Times, June 16, 2009 -- A year ago, the United States Supreme Court issued a landmark decision establishing the constitutional right of Americans to own guns. But the justices did not explain what the practical effect of that ruling would be on city and state gun laws.
Mont. gun law challenges federal powers The Washington Times, June 15, 2009 -- A new Montana gun law puts the state at the forefront of a national bid to restore states' rights by attacking up to a century of federal court decisions on Washington's power.
Senator: Sotomayor accepts gun rights ruling Associated Press, June 11, 2009 -- WASHINGTON (AP) — A Democratic senator says that Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor sees a 2008 ruling affirming Americans' right to own guns for self-defense as settled law.
Tenth Amendment Movement Aims to Give Power Back to the States Fox News, May 26, 2009 -- Fed up with Washington's involvement in everything from land use to gun control to education spending, states across the country are fighting back against what they say is the federal government's growing intrusion on their rights.
Sonia conservative on guns Arkansas News, June 4, 2009 -- Only because of guns might Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court give heartburn to the two Democratic senators from Arkansas.
Sotomayor May Have Some Unlikely Allies on Gun Issue(Update3) Bloomberg.com, June 2, 2009 -- Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s best defense against firearms owners mobilizing to oppose her U.S. Supreme Court nomination may come from an unlikely source: two top conservatives on the federal bench.
Off-Duty Officer Is Fatally Shot by Police in Harlem The New York Times, May 29, 2009 -- A New York City police officer who had just gotten off duty was fatally shot late Thursday in East Harlem by a fellow officer who mistook him for an armed criminal, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly said.
To right's dismay, NRA stays out of Sotomayor fight The Hill, May 28, 2009 -- The National Rifle Association (NRA) is staying on the sidelines in the battle over Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor, to the dismay of conservative activists who hoped that the gun-rights group would pressure conservative Democratic senators to oppose her.
KEN BLACKWELL: Obama Declares War on America’s Gun Owners With Supreme Court Pick Fox News, May 26, 2009 -- President Obama’s nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor is a declaration of war against America’s gun owners and the Second Amendment to our Constitution. If gun owners mobilize and unite, it’s possible (though unlikely) to stop this radical nominee.
Liberals ask how they lost gun, Guantanamo votes Google News, May 24, 2009 -- WASHINGTON (AP) — Frustrated liberals are asking why a Democratic-controlled Congress and White House can't manage to close the Guantanamo prison or keep new gun-rights laws from passing.
Legislators praise gun smuggling bill Houston Chronicle, May 21, 2009 -- AUSTIN, Texas — Legislation waiting to be approved by Gov. Rick Perry creates new state punishments for smuggling weapons illegally across the Texas-Mexico border.
San Francisco slapped with gun lawsuit San Francisco Examiner, May 18, 2009 -- SAN FRANCISCO — The City is being sued by gun owners and gun-advocacy groups because of a local law that says firearms have to be locked up or kept disabled.
Democrats and Guns
Party liberals have lost the debate. The Wall Street Journal, May 18, 2009 --
Amid so much other news, a Senate vote last week to allow loaded guns in national parks slipped under the media radar. The vote shows how the political cause of gun control is as dead as a mounted moose.
Federal appeals court: Gun maker, dealer can't be sued in attack on LA Jewish center
Los Angeles Times, May 12, 2009 -- PASADENA, Calif. (AP) — A federal appeals court rejected a lawsuit against gun maker Glock Inc. and a Seattle gun dealer stemming from a white supremacist's 1999 shooting rampage at a Los Angeles-area Jewish center and the murder of a postal carrier.
Senate Backs Allowing Loaded Guns in National Parks, Jeopardizing Credit Card Reform
Republican Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma sponsored the amendment, which would restore a Bush administration policy allowing loaded guns in national parks. Fox News, May 12, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- The Senate on Tuesday voted in favor of a measure, 67-29, that would allow Americans to carry firearms in national parks, if their state laws permit them to possess a gun, with 27 Democrats voting in support.
Enzi, Barrasso - Gun Equality for All
Support bill to stop gun carry inconsistencies in national parks American Chronicle, May 11, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, both R-Wyo., are pushing to protect second amendment rights in every corner of the nation, including a corner of Wyoming – Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.
Support waning for new gun laws Houston Chronicle, May 5, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — Amid a wave of publicity about drug-related gun violence along the Mexican border and police killings in U.S. cities, more Americans than ever oppose new government efforts to regulate guns.
Proposed gun law couched states' rights language The Salt Lake Tribune, May 3, 2009 -- Some Utah legislators are eyeing a bill aimed at preventing the federal government from regulating guns in the state.
Obama puts gun-control issue on back burner
Advocates say they are still looking to him for leadership Chicago Tribune, April 27, 2009 --
In July 2007, when the presidency was still a long-shot proposition, Barack Obama stopped at Vernon Park Church of God in Chicago to deliver a fiery sermon challenging the government, the gun lobby and the public to do more to stop gun violence.
Texas campuses may allow students to carry concealed weapons
Bill's sponsors are determined not to allow a repeat of the Virginia Tech massacre to occur in Texas Chicago Tribune, April 27, 2009 -- HOUSTON -- Across the rest of America, packing for college usually means gathering up books, clothes and maybe an iPod.
Here in gun-loving Texas, it could soon mean packing heat.
Fear triggers sales of guns and ammo
FBI doing more background checks; more seem Texas permits Houston Chronicle, April 22, 2009 -- Medie Elliott bought her first handgun this month, a 9mm semiautomatic that fits into her purse.
Citizens can challenge state, local gun laws San Francisco Chronicle, April 21, 2009 -- San Francisco -- A federal appeals court ruled Monday that private citizens can challenge state and local gun laws by invoking the constitutional right to bear arms - the first such ruling in the nation - but upheld a ban on firearms at gun shows at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.
Gun rights proponents hold rally in Pa. Capitol Philly.com, April 21, 2009 -- HARRISBURG, Pa. - Hundreds of gun rights supporters held a noisy rally in the state Capitol on Tuesday, the fourth consecutive year they came to Harrisburg to remind legislators that constitutional gun-ownership protections are broadly supported in much of the state.
Citizens can challenge state, local gun laws San Francisco Chronicle, April 21, 2009 -- San Francisco - A federal appeals court ruled Monday that private citizens can challenge state and local gun laws by invoking the constitutional right to bear arms - the first such ruling in the nation - but upheld a ban on firearms at gun shows at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton.
U.S. "home invasions" up as thugs seek drug cash Yahoo! News, April 21, 2009 -- TUCSON, Ariz (Reuters) – When the heavy battering started to buckle the front door of her new home in Tucson, Maria remained frozen to the spot with fear.
Gillibrand, Schumer Want Repeal Of Gun Records Policy North Country Gazette, April 20, 2009 -- WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand are criticizing the federal policy requiring that the records from federal gun purchase background checks be destroyed after 24-hours because it severely ties the hands of law enforcement.
Rendell, NRA official spar over gun ban The Philadelphia Inquirer, April 20, 2009 -- Taking his campaign for stronger gun-control measures to the national stage, Gov. Rendell squared off with a top National Rifle Association official on national television yesterday over the federal ban on assault weapons.
Editorial: Obama's gun lies The Washington Times, April 20, 2009 -- The "liar, liar pants on fire" argument usually isn't the most effective. But when it comes to guns, President Obama is lying through his teeth.
NRA official rips weapons-ban bid
Calls linkage to Mexican gangs 'phony' The Washington Times, April 20, 2009 -- A top National Rifle Association official said the Obama administration is using the increasingly violent drug cartels in Mexico as an excuse to push for reinstating the ban on assault weapons.
Barack Obama way wrong on U.S. guns in Mexico -- FactCheck.org Los Angeles Times, April 17, 2009 --
On his recently concluded first visit to Mexico as president, a week after telling Europeans that his country had been at times arrogant, President Barack Obama blamed his own country for providing 90% of Mexico's recovered crime guns.
President Obama to Face Opposition from Gun Lobby, Possibly Democrats, to Ratify Treaty on Firearms Trafficking ABC News, April 17, 2009 -- ABC News' Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller report: While President Obama has indicated he's not willing to expend any political capital to try to re-new the ban on semi-automatic assault weapons that expired in 2004 -- despite pleading from Mexican President Calderón that he do so -- he did announce a step this week that is meeting with opposition from the powerful National Rifle Association -- an international gun treaty that the Senate refused to ratify under former President Bill Clinton.
Houston man sentenced for smuggling guns to Mexico Houston Chronicle, April 17, 2009 -- HOUSTON — A Houston man was sentenced Friday to just over eight years in prison for helping buy more than 100 military-style firearms, some of which ended up in the hands of Mexico's violent drug cartels.
Stock Up On Guns
Shares of Smith and Wesson can shoot even higher as pistol-packing Americans load up on handguns. Forbes, April 16, 2009 --
Thankfully, we as Americans take it almost for granted that we live in a stable and law-abiding society where everyday citizens can assume that their homes and property are secure. There are, however, daily reminders on local newscasts and in the metro sections of daily newspapers that this is not always the case.
Fear and Greed Have Sales of Guns and Ammo Shooting Up
Buyers Foresee Anti-Weapon Legislation; Collectors Hope to Get Bang for Their Bucks The Wall Street Journal, April 16, 2009 -- FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. -- The way Jay Chambers sees it, the semiautomatic weapons in his firearm collection might be the most promising investment in his financial portfolio.
The Guns of Spring The New York Times, April 8, 2009 -- Outposts: Timothy Egan -- Bam, bam, bam. Three dead in Pittsburgh, cops, all of them, murdered by a man with an AK-47 who thought President Obama was going to take away his guns.
Montana poised to buck federal gun control Billings Gazette, April 6, 2009 -- HELENA - Montana-made guns may form the basis for a court showdown over states' rights if the governor signs a bill to release some firearms in the state from federal regulation.
Guns from U.S. to Mexico: Thorny issues crop up at the border
Mexico must tack corruption as U.S. faces gun-rights debate Chicago Tribune, April 5, 209 -- NOGALES, Mexico — A steady flow of Americans used to come down Interstate 19 to this city on the Arizona border: those looking for cheap prescription drugs, kitschy souvenirs or less wholesome pursuits.
Gun shops seeing sharp increase in demand for ammunition KSL.com, April 3, 2009 -- SALT LAKE CITY -- Gun owners in Utah have noticed a recent shortage for certain types of ammunition, specifically for handguns and semiautomatic weapons. However, it isn't clear why gun owners feel such an urgency to stock up.
Gun Sales Up in Binghampton and U.S.
In the City That's Home to Today's Tragic Shooting, and Across the U.S., Gun Sales Are Up ABC News, April 3, 2009 -- In Binghamton, N.Y., and across the country, firearms sales have been among the few bright spots within the recession-battered economy.
Mexico trying harder to catch smuggled US guns Associated Press, April 1, 2009 -- MEXICO CITY (AP) — Try to bring a refrigerator into Mexico in the back of your pickup, and you are almost certain to get stopped by Mexican customs officials. Stick a couple of AK-47 rifles in your trunk, and chances are you'll whiz right through.
Texas on front line in feds' battle against gun trade
As Obama aides prepare to visit the state and Mexico, sheriffs seek more funds to protect border Houston Chronicle, March 31, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — Just a week after Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton proclaimed Americans partly responsible for Mexico’s drug-fueled violence, Homeland Security Chief Janet Napolitano and Attorney General Eric Holder will head to Cuernavaca on Thursday to forge support for improved gun screenings at southwest border crossings.
Fear of new regs drives gun, ammo shortage The Washington Post, March 29, 2009 -- CHEYENNE, Wyo. -- Concern that the Obama administration could impose a new ban on some semiautomatic weapons is driving worried gun owners to stockpile ammunition and cartridge reloading components at such a rate that manufacturers can't meet demand.
Kansans to vote on gun ownership amendment The Wichita Eagle, March 29, 2009 -- TOPEKA - Next year, Kansans will vote whether to change the state constitution to guarantee individual gun rights.
A Gun Ban Gets Shot Down Newsweek, March 28, 2009 -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is now the second member of President Obama's cabinet to get shot down by the White House over the politically sensitive issue of assault weapons.
Gun program for pilots set for expansion, officials insist
Backers take exception to inaccurate editorial The Washington Times, March 27, 2009 -- The Obama administration has no plans to end a program that trains commercial airline pilots to carry guns and thwart terrorist attacks, and in fact is seeking to expand resources for oversight and training, government officials and pilots organizations say.
Some Democrats and the NRA Agree on Assault Weapons Ban US News & World Report, March 27, 2009 -- Indications from Attorney General Eric Holder that the 1994 ban on assault weapons was making a comeback have won the attention of the National Rifle Association and many Democrats who oppose the ban.
A bulletproof bottom line Boston.com, March 26, 2009 -- GUN MAKERS are biting no bullets in the current recession. Firearm sales rose 26 percent at Springfield-based Smith & Wesson from Election Day through January.
Republican Enlists 65 Pro-Gun Dems to Oppose Assault Weapon Ban Opposing Views, March 24, 2009 -- WASHINGTON --- U.S. Representative Mike Ross (AR-04) led a group of 65 pro-gun Democrats in denouncing recent comments made by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s on February 25 that the Obama administration intended to reinstate the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004.
House Republicans to push for guns amendment to public lands catchall The New York Times, March 24, 2009 -- Two House Republicans today will push to add an amendment to the public lands omnibus that would codify the right to carry concealed weapons in national parks, less than a week after a federal judge blocked a similar proposal.
Judge Blocks Rule Permitting Concealed Guns In U.S. Parks The Washington Post, March 20, 2009 -- A federal judge yesterday blocked a last-minute rule enacted by President George W. Bush allowing visitors to national parks to carry concealed weapons.
ATF takes aim at deep 'Iron river of guns' USA Today, March 18, 2009 -- Guns recovered in some of the largest recent weapons seizures in Mexico are being traced deep into the United States — miles from the volatile border — revealing an expanding trafficking network that feeds Mexico's violent drug cartels, according to government documents and U.S. investigators.
Law would allow concealed guns without permit Great Falls Tribune, March 18, 2009 -- HELENA — Members of Montana's law enforcement community came out in force Tuesday against a controversial bill that would allow citizens to carry concealed firearms without a permit.
Editorial: Guns on a plane
Obama secretly ends program that let pilots carry guns The Washington Times, March 17, 2009 -- After the September 11 attacks, commercial airline pilots were allowed to carry guns if they completed a federal-safety program. No longer would unarmed pilots be defenseless as remorseless hijackers seized control of aircraft and rammed them into buildings.
Editorial: Global gun control The Washington Times, March 16, 2009 --
There may good reasons for deploying the National Guard along the U.S.-Mexican border, but illegal firearms isn't one of them.
Local views clash on carrying guns in public The San Bernardino Sun, March 14, 2009 -- The guns hooked on their hips are a symbol of freedom and constitutional rights for some. To others, they represent a conundrum cloaked in fear and the unknown.
Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammo The Washington Post, March 12, 2009 -- Sunday's fatal shooting at an Illinois church has revived an effort to pass a bill allowing concealed weapons in Arkansas churches, as well as a broader discussion about whether guns in houses of worship are legally or spiritually appropriate.
Gun Rights on The Line The Washington Post, March 13, 2009 -- The recent Senate vote to ensure that D.C. residents can purchase and own firearms without unreasonable restrictions and the House's subsequent delay of legislation to give the District a voting representative -- the result of pressure from centrist Democrats to include this amendment -- were crucial victories for all Americans.
Portrait of German Gunman Emerges The New York Times, March 13, 2009 -- FRANKFURT, Germany — A portrait of a troubled, depressed teenager with easy access to an unsecured pistol has begun to emerge in the days after the youth went on a rampage, killing 15 people before taking his own life.
D.C.'s Best Chance For A Vote: Give Way On Guns The Washington Post, March 13, 2009 -- (Scroll down the page to the headline) Just a few days ago, history was about to happen. After decades of dithering, Congress was going to give the District a vote in the House. But now it looks like raw politics on the Hill and pigheadedness among D.C. politicians may prevail.
Sales of guns, ammo still high One shop says the "hoarding" of ammunition since Obama's election has created a shortage. Tulsa World, March 13, 2009 -- Four months after the election of President Barack Obama, firearms and ammunition sales in Tulsa remain at a fever pitch.
Illinois gun-owners rally in Springfield, but misfire in committees St. Louis Post-Dispatch, March 11, 2009 -- SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - Hundreds of Illinois gun-owners descended on the state Capitol today, lobbying for the right to carry concealed handguns. They wore yellow caps and t-shirts with the emblem IGOLD (Illinois Gun Owners Lobby Day), many with the Second Amendment printed on the back.
Strict German gun laws fail to prevent school shooting
Teenager gained access to gun despite living in country with some of the world's toughest firearm controls Guardian.co.uk, March 11, 2009 -- Germany will face pressure to re-evaluate its already tough gun laws in the wake of today's school shooting near Stuttgart, in which at least 16 people have died, including the teenage gunman.
Democrats offer NRA gun vote to move D.C. Voting Rights Act The Hill, March 11, 2009 -- House Democratic leaders are offering the National Rifle Association (NRA) a separate vote on legislation that would weaken the District of Columbia’s gun laws, trying to wriggle out of a conundrum created by their centrist members.
HIGH COURT ROUNDUP: New York Fails To Revive Gun Lawsuit CNN Money.com, March 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- New York City on Monday failed before the U.S. Supreme Court to revive a lawsuit it filed against the gun industry.
SAF FILES LAWSUIT CHALLENGING CHICAGO’S HANDGUN BAN Second Amendment Foundation, March 9, 2009 -- BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation and three Washington, D.C. residents today filed a lawsuit challenging a regulation by District of Columbia city government that arbitrarily bans handguns based on a roster of “acceptable” handguns approved by the State of California.
Gun Makers and Retailers Post Strong Sales Increases
Sour Economy, Potential for Tightened Regulations Drive Buyers to Firearms Advertising Age, March 9, 2009 -- NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- The economy might be tanking, but firearm sales are going great guns.
Bill Would Enact Gun Return Procedure
No Current Process For People Served With Protection Orders
MSNBC, March 6, 2009 --
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - If you own a gun or work for law enforcement, then legislation sparked by a Channel 4 I-Team investigation could impact you.
Democrats show little appetite for gun control Seattle PI,. March 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- The National Rifle Association warned in a campaign ad that if Barack Obama were elected president he would try to take away hunters' guns and ammo. But with pro-gun Democrats a powerful force in Congress, it's already pretty clear there will be no messing with Americans' right to bear arms.
Concealed handgun ban faces shootout in Illinois USA Today, March 2, 2009 -- The Illinois Legislature is nearing a vote on whether the state will become the nation's 49th to allow residents to carry concealed handguns, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports today.
U.S. Is Arms Bazaar for Mexican Cartels The New York Times, Feb. 25, 2009 -- PHOENIX — The Mexican agents who moved in on a safe house full of drug dealers last May were not prepared for the fire power that greeted them.
Boren will lead congressional gun-rights group An NRA board member, he will be co-chairman of the Second Amendment Task Force. Tulsa World, Feb. 26, 2009 -- WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, a board member of the National Rifle Association, announced Wednesday that he will be co-chairman of a new task force on gun rights.
Obama administration guns for assault-weapons ban The Hill, Feb. 27, 2009 -- The Obama administration’s announcement that it will push to reinstate the assault -weapons ban has stunned Capitol Hill and revived a debate that has been dormant for years.
OBAMA LIED TO GUN OWNERS, SAYS CCRKBA; ATTACK PLAN REVEALED BY HOLDER CCRKBA, Feb. 26, 2009 -- BELLEVUE, WA – As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama deliberately and repeatedly lied to America’s 90 million gun owners across the country when he insisted that he would not try to take away anyone’s firearms, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today.
Legislature Debating Proposed Gun Law Changes NewsChannel5.com, Feb. 25, 2009 -- NASHVILLE, Tenn. - What lawmakers decide about gun rights could have a major impact on you - and the 200,000 gun permit owners in Tennessee.
Obama to Seek New Assault Weapons Ban
The Ban Expired in 2004 During the Bush Administration ABC News, Feb. 25, 2009 -- The Obama administration will seek to reinstate the assault weapons ban that expired in 2004 during the Bush administration, Attorney General Eric Holder said today.
Justices Uphold Ban On Guns for Abusers
Law's Intent Called Clear, if Language Isn't The Washington Post, Feb. 25, 2009 --
The Supreme Court yesterday affirmed federal efforts to bar those convicted of crimes involving domestic violence from owning guns.
Daley Wants Gun Laws, Blasts Feds' "Lack of Focus" MSNBC, Feb. 25, 2009 -- Mayor Richard M. Daley is proposing new anti-gun legislation, while at the same time blasting the federal government for what he says is a lack of focus in combating violence in America.
'License bingo' a popular pursuit for gun owners Dayton Daily News, Feb. 23, 2009 -- COLUMBUS — Gun rights advocates call it "license bingo" — the game they play to get exactly the right combo of states' concealed weapons permits that will allow them to legally take their hidden guns all the way to Florida or Pennsylvania or other states.
Gun registration under federal control bill Examiner.com, Feb. 21, 2009 -- Gun owners continue to be anxious about their right to bear arms which they feel was given to them in the Constitution.
NEWS: NRA Wins Fight to Let Workers Keep Guns in Cars Opposing Views, Feb. 19, 2009 -- FAIRFAX, Va. – Today, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled unanimously in support of allowing employees to store legally owned firearms in locked, private motor vehicles while parked in employer parking lots. This decision upholds NRA-backed legislation passed in 2004.
Area gun sales and permit applications jump Herald Tribune, Feb. 19, 2009 -- Floridians have requested 187,162 concealed-weapon permit applications over the last six months -- an 82 percent increase compared with a year earlier.
Gun Law Narrowly Passes KXMCTV Minot, Feb. 18, 2009 --
A bill to allow guns in public places was approved - but is more restrictive than what was first proposed.
Justice Dept. Defends Bush Rule on Guns
But Interior Is Reviewing Measure, Which Allows Concealed Firearms in Parks
The Washingon Post, Feb. 17, 2009 -- The Obama administration is legally defending a last-minute rule enacted by President George W. Bush that allows concealed firearms in national parks, even as it is internally reviewing whether the measure meets environmental muster.
More People Protecting Homes With Guns
Firearm Sales Increase Across Valley Fox 5 News Las Vegas, Feb. 16, 2009 -- LAS VEGAS -- The growing recession has people concerned about the safety of their property, and Valley firearm retailers are seeing a spike in sales because of it.
House aims to shoot down federal gun controls Great Falls Tribue, Feb. 14, 2009 -- HELENA — Montana lawmakers fired another shot in battles for states' rights as they supported letting some Montana gun owners and dealers skip reporting their transactions to the federal government.
Students Aim for Gun Rights on Campus
Group Advocates for Concealed Weapons to Protect Against College Shootings The Washington Post, Feb. 14, 2009 -- Kyle Smith agreed to play the bad guy. In a scenario eerily designed to imitate the Virginia Tech massacre, when a lone gunman shot and killed 32 people in the nine minutes it took for campus police to respond, Smith burst into a classroom here Saturday, his right index finger pointed as if it were a gun drawn, and immediately "shot" the teacher between the eyes.
Fears of tighter gun laws drive up local demand The Courier News, Feb. 14, 2009 -- Since the election of President Barack Obama, local businesses have struggled to meet consumer demand for guns and ammunition due to what some dealers say is a fear of more stringent gun laws.
New L.A. gun control law proposed
Two council members want to expand on a state law to make it more difficult for people convicted of certain misdemeanors to own weapons. Los Angeles Times, Feb. 12, 2009 -- Just a few weeks after the Los Angeles City Council approved a batch of new gun and ammunition ordinances tightening restrictions on ammunition vendors, council members Jack Weiss and Janice Hahn are proposing a new law that would make it more difficult for individuals convicted of certain misdemeanors to own guns.
KERLIKOWSKE PICK MORE PROOF OF OBAMA’S ANTI-GUN AGENDA, SAYS CCRKBA CCRKBA, I Feb. 11, 2009 -- BELLEVUE, WA – Reports that Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske has been tapped to become the nation’s next “drug czar” offer more proof of the anti-gun intentions of the Obama administration, the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms said today.
Gun dealers experiencing shortages of bullets Orlando Sentinel, Feb. 10, 2009 -- Selling bullets may be the most secure job in Florida as long as supplies last.
After months of heavy buying, gun dealers across the state are experiencing shortages.
Obama is stimulating gun sales The Detroit News, Feb. 8, 2009 -- If gun owners are like wooly worms -- they instinctively fatten up ahead of a harsh winter -- then the Second Amendment is in for a rough spell.
Obama, Ginsburg and Guns
Townhall.com, Feb. 9, 2009 -- Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is being treated for pancreatic cancer. While Americans pray for her recovery, this sad news is a sobering reminder that President Obama is likely to appoint several justices to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Committee recommends Wyo. gun rights resolution The Billings Gazette, Feb. 6, 2009 -- CHEYENNE - A state legislative committee backed a resolution Friday that seeks to reinforce Wyoming's right to bear arms.
Corzine signs harsher gun law The Star-Ledger, Feb. 6, 2009 -- People caught with machine guns or other illegal assault weapons will face harsher penalties under a bill signed into law today by Gov. Jon Corzine, who used the occasion to push for another bill that would restrict handgun purchases in New Jersey to one per month.
Self-defense law faces hurdle The Daily Times, Feb. 5, 2009 -- FARMINGTON — A bill that would make people who kill or hurt a criminal while defending their property immune from lawsuits faces a hurdle, the bill's sponsor says.
Looking down the barrel of an argument over guns Los Angeles Times, Feb. 3, 2009 -- Just because I don't want a Glock in my pocket doesn't mean I don't understand law-abiding people who do. I just think of them as having a more hyper-developed sense of "kill or be killed" than the rest of us.
Gun Law Update: Gun-Ban List Proposed Tactical-Life.com (Scroll down page), Jan. 5, 2009 -- Slipping below the radar (or under the short-term memory cap), the Democrats have already leaked a gun-ban list, even under the Bush administration when they knew full well it had no chance of passage (HR 1022, 110th Congress). It serves as a framework for the new list the Brady’s plan to introduce shortly.
Obama supports some gun control The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Feb. 1, 2009 -- The Obama administration, cited by many Georgia gun owners as the reason they applied for concealed-carry permits last year, supports restrictions on certain kinds of guns and certain kinds of gun sales.
Town withdraws effort to ban guns Pahrump Valley Times, Jan. 31, 2009 -- There was definitely a hot time in the old town Tuesday night, due in part to an item placed on the town board meeting agenda by Pahrump Town Manager Bill Kohbarger that would have barred firearms on town-owned property, in town-owned buildings and at town-sponsored events.
Gun dealer stole $55K from clients, police say Monterey County Herald, Jan. 31, 2009 -- A former Salinas gun shop owner remained in custody Friday, charged with 24 counts of embezzlement for allegedly keeping most of the sales money from consignment guns he sold.
Proposals would let licensed owners tote guns more easily Houston Chronicle, Jan. 30, 2009 -- AUSTIN — Michael Guzman, a 25-year-old Texas State University senior and Marine veteran, takes his Kimber Ultra Carry II handgun just about everywhere he goes. Except to school.
SAF Court Action Prompts Resumption of WA Alien Firearms License Program PRNewswire-USNewswire, Jan. 27, 2009 -- BELLEVUE, Wash.- The Second Amendment Foundation and National Rifle Association this week have won a preliminary injunction against the Washington State Department of Licensing that requires the state to resume processing applications by legal resident aliens for alien firearms licenses.
LAWMAKERS SEEK NEW GUN LEGISLATION: AMMO CONTROL LAWS NewsWithViews.com, Jan. 26, 2009 -- "Gun control fanatics, frustrated in their attempts to impose severely restrictive regulations on the gun rights of law-abiding American citizens, apparently think that if they push severe restrictions on ammunition acquisition and possession, they'll come closer to their objective of restricting if not eliminating the individual Second Amendment civil right to keep and bear arms," says John M. Snyder, named Washington's senior gun rights activist.
Concealed Carry Permits are Life Savers Human Events.com, Jan. 26, 2009 -- The right to bear arms is more than a Constitutional right: every human being has the natural unalienable right to self-defense.
Gillibrand Defends Stance On Gun Rights LoHud.com, Jan. 24, 2009 -- Newly appointed Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand defended her position on gun rights when she talked to reporters today, saying she and her family come from a long line of hunters. She said she wants to rid the streets of illegal guns, but that hunters should have rights too.
Dave Picks Gillibrand As Liberal Dems Howl New York Post, Jan. 23, 2009 -- ALBANY - Gov. Paterson, defying the liberal wing of his Democratic Party, has chosen little-known, NRA-backed, upstate Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to succeed Hillary Rodham Clinton as New York's junior senator, it was learned last night
Gillinbrand says she's 'still in the running' CNN Politics.com, Jan. 22, 2009 --
(CNN) — Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand — considered one of the top candidates to replace Hillary Clinton in the Senate — said Thursday she was "still in the running."
With Kennedy Out, N.R.A. Becomes Issue The New York Times, Jan. 22, 2009 -- ALBANY — Representative Carolyn McCarthy of Long Island, a staunch supporter of gun-control laws, said in an interview Thursday that she would challenge a fellow Democrat, Representative Kirsten E. Gillibrand, if Gov. David A. Paterson names Ms. Gillibrand to the Senate.
Committee approves gun rights bill Casper Star Tribune, Jan. 20, 2009 --
CHEYENNE -- A bill that would require Wyoming judges to warn defendants that they would lose their federal gun rights by pleading guilty to misdemeanor domestic violence charges received preliminary approval in the state Senate on Monday.
Bill would pull plug on reloading Standard Journal, Jan. 14, 2009 -- Reloading ammunition in Pennsylvania may become a thing of the past if a bill currently in state legislature is passed.
Vin Suprynowicz: 'The weapons ban has worked well all these years' Las Vegas Review-Journal, Jan. 11, 2009 -- On Dec. 31, the daily Miami Herald editorialized: "The Bush administration last month gave the National Rifle Association a parting gift by lifting a decades-long ban on concealed weapons in national parks. ...
Loaded, concealed guns become legal in national parks Arizona Daily Star, Jan. 9, 2009 -- A new federal rule takes effect today, allowing people to carry loaded, concealed firearms in national parks in certain cases.
DNR to hunters: Hand over your guns on demand
Ex-hunter ed instructor says directive unconstitutional The Lakeland Times, Jan. 9, 2009 -- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has a simple, blunt message for hunters in Wisconsin: When a DNR warden asks you to give up your legal firearm, do so, plain and simple, no matter what.
NATION IN BRIEF: Anti-gun group sues White House The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Dec. 31, 2008 -- The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence sued the Bush administration Tuesday in hopes of stopping a new policy that would allow people to carry concealed, loaded guns in most national parks and wildlife refuges. An Interior Department spokeswoman refused to comment on the lawsuit, saying the department does not discuss pending litigation.
New rule prompts fears of guns at inauguration The Hill, Dec. 28, 2008 -- Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and gun control groups are concerned that some visitors attending President-elect Obama’s inauguration may try to pack heat because of a rule allowing concealed weapons in national parks.
Reports: Weapons, ammo seized at Burress' home NFL, Dec. 24, 2008 -- A small cache of weapons and ammunition, plus the pants and sneakers that Plaxico Burress wore when he accidentally shot himself last month, have been seized from the home of the New York Giants receiver, police said Wednesday.
Reward offered after machine guns stolen from dealer Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Dec. 23, 2008 -- Federal investigators are offering a $10,000 reward for help in finding thieves who took more than 20 firearms, including machine guns, from a Pittsburgh-area based gun dealer near King of Prussia in Eastern Pennsylvania last night.
David Spade helps Phoenix police buy rifles Billings Gazette, Dec. 22, 2008 -- LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Phoenix Police Department has gotten some high-powered goodies courtesy of actor David Spade.
Gun Dealer Wins His Case; Bloomberg's Goin' to Georgia The Village Voice, Dec. 20, 2008 -- This summer, we wrote a story about Jay Wallace, the irascible Georgia gun dealer from Georgia who was sued by Mayor Bloomberg -- who argued that too many guns from his store made their way to New York and were used in violent crimes.
Some gun retailers say shortages political Clovis News Journal, Dec. 20, 2008 -- Guns and ammo are getting hard to find in eastern New Mexico. And the folks who sell them say it is largely political.
City wins 1st round in handgun ban challenge Breaking News, Dec. 18, 2008 -- Chicago won round one in its defense of the city's handgun ban, but Mayor Richard Daley said today he's looking at less sweeping gun control measures in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court decision against such laws this year.
DC tightens gun rules after landmark court ruling Associated Press, Dec. 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (AP) — The District of Columbia Council passed more regulations for gun owners Tuesday, months after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the city's 32-year-old handgun ban.
Pittsburgh anticipates challenge to new gun law Philly.com, Dec. 16, 2008 -- PITTSBURGH - The city has a new law that would fine or jail gun owners who do not report stolen or missing guns within 24 hours.
State Gun Sales Reach Record Levels
More Sold on Black Friday Than Any Day In Tenn. History WSMV TV, Dec. 11, 2008 -- NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- People may be strapped for cash right now, but one thing they're not willing to scrimp on is their personal protection.
Gun-toting woman divides community Philly.com, Dec. 12, 2008 -- LEBANON, Pa. - Before heading out the door to go to Wal-Mart, Meleanie Hain fussed over her children, grabbed her coat and keys, then ran upstairs to get one more item: her loaded Glock 26, which she strapped to her hip.
Untold Story of Election 2008: The Death of the NRA Alternet.org, Dec. 4, 2008 -- Among the big losers in November were the NRA and the myth of the once-feared "NRA Voter." Reform of our gun laws is on the way.
L.A. council panel approves gun control measures Los Angeles Times, Dec. 9, 2008 -- The proposals would make it easier for landlords to evict tenants who illegally use guns. Ammunition vendors would have to get permits. Sales of .50-caliber ammunition would also be banned.
Can there be gun control in sports?
The Plaxico Burress incident was the latest involving a high-profile athlete, many of whom feel they need firearms for their own protection Houston Chronicle, Dec. 7, 2008 -- From a distance, be it one created by geography, lifestyle, fame or finances, it’s easy to consider the plight of Plaxico Burress, the wideout who couldn’t shoot straight, and pass it off as slapstick.
Obama: Don't stock up on guns Chicago Sun-Times, Dec. 8, 2008 -- As gun sales shoot up around the country, President-elect Barack Obama said Sunday that gun-owning Americans do not need to rush out and stock up before he is sworn in next month.
Eric Holder Was a Gun Control Nightmare Newsmax.com, Nov. 21, 2008 -- Barack Obama’s nomination of Eric Holder for attorney general will not sit well with advocates of Second Amendment rights — Holder has consistently championed stronger gun-control measures.
New rule eases ban on firearms in national parks Associated Press, Dec. 5, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (AP) — People will now be able to carry concealed firearms in some national parks and wildlife refuges.
Report Links State Gun Laws To Rates of Slayings, Trafficking The Washington Post, Dec. 5, 2008 -- States with lax gun laws had higher rates of handgun killings, fatal shootings of police officers, and sales of weapons that were used in crimes in other states, according to a study underwritten by a group of more than 300 U.S. mayors.
Truth In Politics: Gun Sales Boom After Election CBS2Chicago, Dec. 3, 2008 -- CHICAGO (CBS) ― Gun sellers say the election of Barack Obama is helping them avoid the recession. Sales of new guns are booming - up an estimated 50 percent in the suburbs.
Report: Pilots' holsters make guns vulnerable to accidental discharge CNN.com, Dec. 2, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Government-issued holsters used by thousands of armed airline pilots increase the chance that guns will be accidentally discharged in the cockpit, according to federal investigators.
The Gun Lobby’s Loss The New York Times, Dec. 1, 2008 -- The gun lobby has long intimidated politicians with its war chest and its trumpeted ability to deliver single-issue voters, especially in tight races. After this year’s election, those politicians should be far less afraid and far more willing to vote for sensible gun-control laws.
Gun bargains this weekend
S.C. firearm purchases are tax-free today, Saturday in recognition of Second Amendment The State, Nov. 28, 2008 -- Hunters and collectors can save some money on gun purchases today and Saturday as the state waives sales taxes on firearms.
Don't Take Your Guns to Town
Will Attorney General Eric Holder respect the Second Amendment? Reason Online, Nov. 26, 2008 -- "As President, I will uphold the constitutional rights of law-abiding gun-owners, hunters, and sportsmen. I know that what works in Chicago may not work in Cheyenne."
South Carolina Special: Tax-Free Guns on Black Friday Fox News.com, Nov. 26, 2008 -- COLUMBIA, S.C. — TVs and laptops won't be the only hot items in South Carolina this Black Friday. The state is offering an unusual perk to shoppers: no sales tax on handguns, rifles and shotguns.
Record Sales at Dulles Gun Show
Fear of gun control under Obama drives firearms purchases. Great Falls Connection, Nov. 25, 2008 --
Ever since Barack Obama won the presidential election, Dusty Medor’s phone has been ringing off the hook.
On a Rare '08 Conservative Victory Townhall.com, Nov. 23, 2008 --WASHINGTON -- Of conservatives' few victories this year, the most cherished came when the Supreme Court, in District of Columbia v. Heller, held for the first time that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to bear arms.
Would-be Obama appointees quizzed on guns KDBC4News (El Paso, Las Cruces), Nov. 21, 2008 -- President-elect Barack Obama's transition team is asking potential appointees detailed questions about gun ownership, and firearms advocates aren't happy about it.
Literary Marksmanship AMERICAN RIFLE, A Biography by Alexander Rose The Washington Post, Nov. 20, 2008 -- The title of Alexander Rose's marvelous book says it all: Although "American Rifle" is ostensibly about the history of a piece of machinery, a tool, a killing instrument, it is only in America that the rifle has become an ineradicable part of the culture and can be written about as if it were a living person.
Court Rules Cops Can Carry Guns ... Nationwide! The Wall Street Journal, Market Watch, Nov. 18, 2008 -- SPRINGFIELD, Va., Nov 18, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Good Guys Can Fight Back - Criminals Beware! A ruling on a case from South Dakota -- where off-duty law enforcement officers were criminally charged for carrying guns despite the authority to do so under the federal 'Law Enforcement Officer's Safety Act of 2004' (LEOSA) -- has confirmed that all qualified off-duty and retired law enforcement are allowed, by federal law, to carry a concealed gun for personal self-defense irrespective of state law.
Archery hunting takes off The Mercury News, Nov. 17, 2008 -- HELENA, Mont. — Crouching in a forest as the sun rose on the Continental Divide west of Helena, hunter Russell Ferebee listened to elk bugling and hoped one would draw near enough for him to shoot it — not with a gun, but with a bow and arrow.
Gun sales surge in Idaho amid fears about Obama KTVB.com, Nov. 12, 2008 -- BOISE -- Since election night more people are buying guns and ammunition in fear the Obama administration will try to take them away.
Pa. court hears challenge to Philadelphia gun laws Phillly.com, Nov. 12, 2008 -- PHILADELPHIA - A lawyer for the National Rifle Association told a state appeals court Wednesday that the city has no authority to implement an assault weapons ban because such a measure deals with constitutional rights.
Gun sales up since election Los Angeles Times, Nov. 12, 2008 --
Reporting from Houston -- A week after the election of the nation's first black president, gun buyers across the country are flocking to gun stores to stock up on assault rifles, handguns and ammunition.
Post-election gun sales soar over fears of more control The Buffalo News, Nov. 9, 2008 -- Harry McLain Jr. saw the spike the day after the election, when his sales doubled over the previous year then shot even higher Thursday.
Obama win triggers run on guns in many stores Reuters, Nov. 8, 2008 -- PHOENIX (Reuters) - Sales of rifles, pistols and ammo are surging in parts of the United States, as many gun owners fear President-elect Barack Obama's administration may seek to tighten ownership of certain weapons.
Firearms sales boosted by fear of new laws Billings Gazette, Nov. 8, 2008 -- Gun sales are booming in Montana, driven by a strong belief that President-elect Barack Obama and congressional Democrats will tax and restrict everything from ammunition to pistols, according to gun buyers and sellers.
Sticking to his guns on controls
Former Bull's Eye owner wants license back SeattlePI.com, Nov. 7, 2008 -- Considering his history, Brian Borgelt could be forgiven if he didn't give gun control advocates -- "anti-gun activists," in his words -- the time of day.
Gun-Ban Concerns Set Off Rush On Semi-Automatic
KTVU.com, Nov. 7, 2008 -- SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Days after the nation voted in Barack Obama as the next U.S. president, many gun store owners say business is booming. Store owners say people are buying up weapons they think might be banned under Obama’s new administration.
El Pasoans Stocking Up On Guns KFOX14, Nov. 7, 2008 -- EL PASO, Texas -- An unexpected side effect of Tuesday's presidential election is that gun sales are way up.
On Concerns Over Gun Control, Gun Sales Are Up The New York Times, Nov. 6, 2008 -- DENVER — Sales of handguns, rifles and ammunition have surged in the last week, according to gun store owners around the nation who describe a wave of buyers concerned that an Obama administration will curtail their right to bear arms.
Election triggers upsurge in military-like firearms sales
Obama backs renewing the federal Assault Weapons Ban
The Salt Lake Tribune, Nov. 6, 2008 -- As polls and pundits in recent weeks increasingly pointed to the election of Barack Obama as the next president, scores of Utahns flocked to gun stores.
Washington sued over firearm license law
Permit is required; state won't issue it Seattlpi.com, Nov. 4, 2008 -- A local gun rights organization and the National Rifle Association filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against the state Department of Licensing accusing it of perpetrating a Catch-22 by requiring resident aliens to obtain a specific license to buy a firearm, then refusing to issue it.
Obama and McCain: Stark contrast on gun rights Denver Post, Nov. 11, 2008 -- On the Second Amendment, the presidential election presents a stark choice. John McCain has a very good, although not perfect, record on the Second Amendment. Barack Obama has a nearly perfect anti-gun record, and he is, appropriately, endorsed by the Brady Campaign. Yet the Obama campaign has the audacity to hope that it can deceive voters about Obama's record.
Rifle maker bounces boss who supports Obama USA Today, Oct. 31, 2008 -- WASHINGTON — Montana gunsmith Dan Cooper has been ousted as chief executive of the rifle company that bears his name after pressure from gun owners who are angry that he is supporting Democrat Barack Obama.
COX: Obama and guns
Words matter and the record doesn't match The Washington Times, Oct. 30,2008 -- In speech after speech, Barack Obama has claimed he would "uphold the Second Amendment."
On guns, McCain misses the mark Politico, Oct. 29, 2008 -- When campaigns are over, the winners always look like geniuses and the losers always look like fools.
Gun Sales Up in Texas News Channel 5, KRGV, Oct. 29, 2008 -- DALLAS - This morning, gun sales in Texas are on the rise. Sales for some assault rifles have tripled. Gun shop owners say the reason is the presidential election.
The NRA vs. Obama Human Events, Oct. 28, 2008 -- With the 2008 presidential election upon us, the National Rifle Association is making their case against Barack Obama.
Law to reinstate gun rights neutered by ruling Billings Gazette, Oct. 28, 2008 -- CHEYENNE - State officials say a recent court ruling has rendered meaningless a Wyoming law intended to allow people convicted of domestic violence to regain their federal firearms rights.
Gun Sales Thriving In Uncertain Times The Washington Post, Oct. 27, 2008 -- Americans have cut back on buying cars, furniture and clothes in a tough economy, but there's one consumer item that's still enjoying healthy sales: guns. Purchases of firearms and ammunition have risen 8 to 10 percent this year, according to state and federal data.
Lead concerns cloud hunting season
N. Dakota, CDC plan to release report on venison eaters Billings Gazette, Oct. 24, 2008 -- Questions raised about the quality of hunter-harvested venison won't change Charlie Peterson's plans for Montana's big-game rifle season, which opens Sunday.
Ruling on Guns Elicits Rebuke From the Right The New York Times, Oct. 20, 2008 -- WASHINGTON -- Four months after the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to possess guns, its decision is under assault — from the right.
FBI: Justifiable homicides at highest in more than a decade USA Today, Oct. 15, 2008 -- The number of justifiable homicides committed by police and private citizens has been rising in the past two years to their highest levels in more than a decade, reflecting a shoot-first philosophy in dealing with crime, say law enforcement analysts.
Gun control a gray area between McCain, Obama The Billings Gazette, Oct. 14, 2008 -- BOSTON (AP) -- John McCain supports background checks for buyers at gun shows and has his name on a law restricting special-interest group advertising, two positions strongly opposed by the National Rifle Association.
Taking aim at Obama's stance on gun control
The candidate says he supports the right to bear arms. The record says otherwise. The Philadelphia Inquirer, Oct. 14, 2008 -- Barack Obama claims he is a friend of gun owners. He certainly has convinced the media.
Will Guns Sink Obama in Va.? The Washington Post, Oct. 13, 2008 -- The Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence announced today it is endorsing Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill) presidential campaign.
3 area counties to weigh in on concealed guns PJStar, Oct. 12, 2008 -- Voters in three central Illinois counties will have the chance Nov. 4 to let Springfield know what they think about the rights of citizens to carry concealed firearms.
City right to pursue gun ban
Existing law on where concealed guns may be carried is inconsistent
News-Leader, Oct. 12, 2008 --
The Springfield City Council again repeated its annual call for the state legislature's help in keeping guns out of city parks.
Informant Might Have Stood Among Gun Safety Activists Washington Post, Sept. 28, 2008 -- The day the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the D.C. gun ban, leading gun control advocates dialed into a nationwide conference call to coordinate how the movement should frame its reaction to the media.
Court again blocks Phila.'s try for gun-control law The Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept. 27, 2008 -- A Commonwealth Court ruled yesterday against the city's right to pass its own gun-control ordinances, prompting an angry Mayor Nutter to demand state lawmakers take action with the funeral of another slain police officer looming Tuesday.
Lakota Industries Introduces "Sarah-Cuda" Bow The Outdoor Wire, Sept. 26, 2008 -- Xenia, Ohio - Vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her lifelong passion for the sport of hunting is the inspiration for a new custom-designed bow announced today by Lakota Industries, Inc.
Obama seeks to take down NRA ad Politico, Sept. 25, 2008 -- The Obama campaign has written radio stations in Pennsylvania and Ohio, pressing them to refuse to air an ad from the National Rifle Association.
Analysis: Fact-Checkers Fall Short in Criticizing NRA's Anti-Obama Ads Fox News, Sept. 24, 2008 -- Guns have become an important issue for Barack Obama’s campaign. Starting around the Pennsylvania primary, Obama and his campaign surrogates began strenuously assuring gun owners that he supports gun ownership, and it appears to be paying off.
NRA Begins Push To Tarnish Obama On Guns
CBSNews.com Reports: As Pro-Gun Group Tries To Make Gun Control Into Wedge Issue, Some Gun Advocates Remain Wary Of McCain CBS News, Sept. 23, 2008 -- The defining moment in the National Rifle Association's eight-figure advertising offensive against Barack Obama takes place about 15 seconds into a new spot featuring Karl Rusch, a white, middle aged Virginian clad in hunting gear.
New York City settles with last gun dealer in suit Reuters, Sept. 23, 2008 -- New York City has reached a settlement with the last gun dealer among 27 it sued in a bid to impose tougher rules on out-of-state gun stores, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said on Tuesday.
Pandering on Guns
Mark Warner, who should know better, puts politics ahead of D.C. home rule. Washington Post, Sept. 22, 2008 -- DISTRICT RESIDENTS are accustomed to politicians with no stake in their city playing games with their rights
A Workable Gun Law for the City Washington Post, Sept. 21, 2008 -- In District of Columbia v. Heller, the Supreme Court ruled that individuals have a Second Amendment right to possess handguns and struck down the District's total ban.
LAMBRO: Gun control target practice The Washington Times, Sept. 18, 2008 -- COMMENTARY: Gun control has suddenly emerged as the toxic issue of the 2008 presidential campaign, endangering Barack Obama's appeal among Democratic blue-collar and labor union households.
Mayors pledge to enact tough gun laws The Philadelphia Inquirer, Sept. 17, 2008 -- READING - A regional coalition of mayors yesterday announced a joint effort to enact local gun legislation, following the lead of Philadelphia officials.
House debates bill to kill D.C. gun restrictions Associated Press, Sept. 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (AP) — The House took up NRA-backed legislation Tuesday to eliminate most of the gun restrictions in the nation's capital, including a ban on semiautomatic weapons.
FBI: Violent crime decreasing USA Today, Sept. 15, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (A) -- The FBI says violent crime is on the downswing.
High court ruling triggers gun ban repeals, NRA suits USA Today, Sept. 11, 2008 -- CHICAGO — Some communities have moved quickly to repeal handgun bans since the U.S. Supreme Court in June established an individual right to gun ownership, while others plan to defend their bans in court battles with the National Rifle Association.
Obama on Palin: She’s better with guns Politico, Sept. 7, 2008 -- Either one would be the shoot-off of the century. Barack Obama is offering to go one-on-one with Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin on the basketball court, but says he’ll leave the other kind of shooting — with an actual gun — to her.
Conceal- carry laws simplified
State eases restrictions on where guns can be taken Cincinnati.com, Sept. 7, 2008 -- Changes take effect Monday that will make it easier for people to carry concealed firearms and clear confusion over parts of the four-year-old law.
Barack Obama, in Pennsylvania, tries to explain gun control stance Los Angeles Times, Sept. 7, 2008 -- Barack Obama wanted to talk about the economy Friday as he campaigned in Pennsylvania, especially in light of that morning's government report showing unemployment increasing to 6.1% in August.
Obama: "We're Not Going To Mess With" Americans' Guns CBS News, Sept. 5, 2008 -- From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:
(DURYEA, PA.) It’s been almost 6 months since Obama suggested that people cling to guns because they are bitter, a.k.a. “bitter-gate,” but he is still plagued by questions about his position on gun control. At a town hall meeting today, a voter told Obama that there are rumors that he is going to take away guns. “People love hunting,” the man told Obama.
Washington Gun Ownership to Go Through One Man The New York Times, Aug. 31, 2008 --WASHINGTON -- Residents here who buy a gun to keep legally at home, now that the Supreme Court has overturned the city’s ban on handguns, will find that a bureaucratic maze leads them to an unmarked door on Good Hope Road Southeast where Charles W. Sykes Jr. does business.
'We Sell Guns! Criminals and Terrorists Welcome'
New Anti-Gun Billboard Sparks Outrage Among Gun Rights Groups ABC News, Aug. 29, 2008 -- "We Sell Guns! No ID Required. No Background Checks. Criminals and Terrorists Welcome!" That's the slogan on a new 250-foot billboard that a gun control group unveiled on the Massachusetts Turnpike last week, sparking outrage among some gun rights activists.
Calgary crime fuels jump in women buying guns CBC News, Aug. 29, 2008 -- The number of women buying guns and taking target practice at a Calgary business has jumped six-fold partly as a response to rising crime in the city, says the owner.
Wyoming's appeal in gun rights case rejected
Salzburg not likely to ask for appeal to U.S. Supreme Court Billings Gazette, Aug. 28, 2008 -- CHEYENNE - A federal appeals court in Denver has ruled against Wyoming in a lawsuit over a state law that seeks to allow people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence to regain their gun rights.
Judge to decide whether gun shops remain open The Fayetteville Observer, Aug. 20, 2008 -- GREENVILLE — Jim Faircloth of Jim’s Gun Jobbery should learn in two weeks whether the U.S. government will force his stores in Fayetteville and Wilmington to quit selling guns.
Gun Control Lobby Claims McCain Insider Had Ties to NRA Spy Op
NRA Allegedly Hired Spy to Pose as Gun Control Activist ABC News, Aug. 19, 2008 --
A Republican political operative considered part of the McCain campaign's "kitchen cabinet" oversaw a National Rifle Association lobbying campaign that allegedly hired a spy to infiltrate gun control groups, according to Paul Helmke, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence.
Is It A Real Gun, Or Is It Airsoft? NPR, July 17, 2008 -- On a hot afternoon, the last day of school, two police officers on patrol in Newman, Calif., got a report from a frantic older woman about a teenager in a car, armed and seemingly brazen. They located the boy in minutes.
Readin', writin', 'rithmetic — and now maybe revolvers
North Texas school's teachers can carry guns Houston Chronicle, Aug. 16, 2008 -- There's one item Houston-area school officials say teachers can leave at home when classes resume later this month: Their handguns.
Disney Modifies Policy Banning Employees From Bringing Guns On Property WFTV.com, Aug. 15, 2008 -- ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. -- Starting August 16, Disney World is modifying a policy that bans employees from bringing guns on property. The theme park giant has received informal backing Friday from the State Attorney General's Office.
NRA to Montana: Obama a threat to gun owners WBOC 16, Aug. 14, 2008 -- HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The National Rifle Association says Barack Obama's campaign is misleading voters about his views on gun control.
Evanston follows with handgun ban Wilmette Life, Aug. 14, 2008 -- Neighboring Evanston has become the latest community to change its handgun ordinance in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn a Washington, D.C. ban.
TSA weighs airport gun ban in unsecured areas USA Today, Aug. 9, 2008 -- WASHINGTON — The Transportation Security Administration may allow airports to ban firearms from terminals, parking lots, roads and other airport areas where many states currently allow passengers to carry lethal weapons.
Bloomberg-led group ushes McCain, Obama on Guns Reuters, Aug. 6, 2008 -- NEW YORK CITY - A bipartisan group of 325 U.S. mayors on Wednesday sent a questionnaire to the U.S. presidential candidates, challenging them to take “common sense steps” to tighten the background check system for gun buyers.
House Democrats Seek Less-Rigid D.C. Gun Laws
Proposal Set for Vote Would Allow Semiautomatics and Change Storage, Registration Rules The Washington Post, Aug. 5, 2008 -- Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives have agreed to allow a vote next month on a bill that would end local handgun control in the District, making it easier for D.C. residents to acquire pistols, including semiautomatics, while eliminating the strict handgun-storage requirements imposed by the city.
'Guns at Work' law ruled constitutional by federal judge LehighAcresCitizen.com, July 29, 2008 -- A federal judge handed down a decisive victory for gun owners in Florida yesterday. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled that state law allowing employees with Right-to-Carry permits to keep a firearm in their private vehicles while at work is constitutional.
Plaintiff in gun ban case sues D.C. over new laws Examiner.com, July 29, 2008 -- WASHINGTON - The man whose lawsuit successfully overturned the District’s ban on handguns filed a new suit Monday charging the city with violating the spirit of the Supreme Court’s historic decision.
Morton Grove repeals 27-year-old gun ban Chicago Tribune, July 28, 2008 -- Morton Grove's landmark handgun ban, imposed 27 years ago, died quietly Monday night, as the suburb's Village Board bowed to a new legal reality and repealed the ordinance.
Chicago's gun turn-in program brings in weapons
Police had hoped for nearly 14,000 turn-ins Chicago Tribune, July 27, 2008 --
Chicago police received about 6,000 weapons Saturday during the city's gun turn-in program.
Daley pushing new gun ban measure
Despite pressure, city holds on to handgun ban Chicago Sun-times, July 26, 2008 -- Chicago is fighting tooth and nail to keep its 1982 handgun freeze, in part to protect first-responders, even as suburbs such as Wilmette and Morton Grove are throwing in the towel, Mayor Daley said today.
Daley fighting to keep gun ban Chicago Sun-Times, July 26, 2008 -- Chicago is fighting tooth and nail to keep its 1982 handgun freeze, in part to protect first-responders, even as suburbs such as Wilmette and Morton Grove are throwing in the towel, Mayor Daley said today.
Chicago suburb repeals handgun ban Chicago Tribune, July 25, 2008 -- WILMETTE, Ill. - Leaders in the northern Chicago suburb of Wilmette have repealed the village's handgun ban.
Hard to find good reason to buy back guns Chicago Tribune, July 25, 2008 -- Here are six reasons I'm wary of gun buybacks, such as the one scheduled for Saturday in Chicago in which those who turn in firearms at any of 25 locations get a $100 prepaid credit card per gun, no questions asked.
Hill Aides to Test M4 Alternatives Military.com, July 11, 2008 -- In a move that could ruffle the feathers of an Army command that views the Colt Defense-built M4 as the best carbine in the world, a select group of top senate staffers is gathering today to look at what could be the future of the military's standard assault rifle.
Opponents promise challenge of new D.C. gun law USA Today, July 17, 2008 -- WASHINGTON — The doors opened Thursday to post-handgun ban era here, with gun rights advocates vowing another legal challenge to the city's newly approved gun control law.
A New Chance to Curb Gun Violence The Washington Post, July 17, 2008 -- The Supreme Court decision last month overturning the District's handgun ban, though controversial, may have ended a long-standing political logjam.
Blagojevich Says Chicago Is 'Out Of Control'
Mayor Unaware of Plan; Welcomes Partnership WMAQ TV Chicago, July 17, 2008 --
CHICAGO -- As Gov. Rod Blagojevich on Wednesday signed a new law that will put in place tougher penalties for selling guns to minors, he also announced he's got a new idea to help combat the violence that Chicago is experiencing: he's talking to the Illinois State Police and the National Guard to see if they could help.
D.C. Gun Ban Is Out, But Regulations Stay The Washington Post, July 16, 2008 --
The D.C. Council unanimously approved emergency legislation last night that ends the strictest handgun ban in the country and voted 12 to 1 to approve the transfer of almost $125 million to renovate schools by fall -- two major issues that showed the council's complex relationship with Mayor Adrian M. Fenty.
Gun Registration The Washington Post, July 16, 2008 -- D.C. police will start the gun registration process at 7 a.m. tomorrow, when the department opens an office at police headquarters at 300 Indiana Ave. NW.
A New Gun Law
The District's proposed substitute for a statute struck down by the Supreme Court is reasonable -- and necessary. The Washington Post, July 15, 2008 -- THERE WAS BOTH a triumphal and defeatist cast to the news conference that D.C. officials held yesterday to unveil new firearms legislation.
District Gun Bill Goes to Council
Officials Anticipate More Legal Action On Weapon Types The Washington Post, July 15, 2008 -- Within weeks, District residents could legally keep handguns in their homes under emergency legislation that goes to the D.C. Council today, as officials try to comply with the Supreme Court ruling rejecting the city's handgun ban.
D.C. still feeling a little gun-shy WTOPNews.com, July 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON - The question isn't whether you'll be able to get a District permit to own a handgun. The question is: Will you be able to get a gun?
D.C. unveils emergency gun legislation WTOPNews.com, July 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON - District officials will begin accepting applications for hand gun permits in a few days, but the nation's capital will still have the most restrictive gun laws in the nation.
Gunfight at the ACLU corral
Nevada faction aligns with GOP on D.C. decision The Washington Times, July 14, 2008 -- Gun rights are so popular in Nevada that they are backed by even the state chapter of a liberal group that conservatives usually love to hate. And Republicans are in clover.
The trophy hunter Denver Post, July 12, 20008 -- CRAWFORD "N — o Hunting." The faux rustic sign that decorates the front porch at Kirt Darner's ranch house is an obvious joke, placed under an antler porch light and within sight of an outbuilding jammed with hunting gear and legions of glassy-eyed mounted animal heads.
Only in Nevada: ACLU opposes gun control
State affiliate bucks national stance, supporting the right to bear arms Las Vegas Sun, July 11, 2008 -- CARSON CITY — Everyone loves guns in Nevada. Ducks Unlimited, the National Rifle Association, Republicans, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ... Wait. The ACLU?
Repeated thefts confound Robinson Township gun-shop owner, feds MLive.com, Everything Michigan, July 8, 2008 -- ROBINSON TOWNSHIP -- With a break-in each of the past three years and the tally of stolen guns rising to 170 after last weekend's theft, the repeat robberies at Felix's Marina and Gun Store have the government perplexed.
Chicago Gun Ban May Test Ruling
Callenges Follow Decision on D.C. Law The Washington Post, July 6, 2008 --
CHICAGO -- One small reflection of Chicago's bloody year is a sign outside a South Side school that says, "Congratulations Class of 2008. Stop the Violence." The school is not a college or a high school, but Carnegie Elementary in Woodlawn.
After D.C. gun ban overturned, city seeks new rules USA Today, July 5, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (AP) -- Dale Metta, who manages a gun shop just outside the District of Columbia limits in Maryland, has had to turn away dozens of city residents wanting to buy handguns in recent days. Never mind that the U.S. Supreme Court just struck down Washington's 32-year-old ban on possessing handguns.
Hope for the unarmed Arkansas Times, July 3, 2008 -- Pleased by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in favor of guns, the president of the Arkansas Rifle and Pistol Association told newspaper reporters that the ruling would make it harder for legislators to introduce limits on gun ownership. This, we thought, is the height of redundancy.
Cop guns falling apart Seattle PI.com, July 3, 2008 -- Seattle cops are being urged by their union to pack some extra heat.More than 500 department-issued Glock semi-automatic handguns are getting so old, they need to be replaced, said Sgt. Rich O'Neill, president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild.
Obama Watch: Shooting From Both Sides of His Mouth Human Events, July 2, 2008 -- Reaction to last week’s historic Supreme Court decision overturning the D.C. ban on guns illustrates how far the American people have come in embracing and understanding the Second Amendment.
Obama's Toothless Second Amendment
The senator defends the right to whatever arms the government decides to allow. Reason Online, July 2, 2008 -- "What works in Chicago may not work in Cheyenne," Barack Obama said after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Washington, D.C., gun ban.
Shoot to Stun The New York Times, July 2, 2008 --
A NARROWLY divided Supreme Court ruled last week that the Second Amendment gives Americans the right to keep a loaded gun at home for their personal use. Presumably, citizens can use these weapons to defend themselves from intruders.
Bloomberg Sees Positive Side to Gun Ruling The New York Times, July 1, 2008 -- Mayors Michael R. Bloomberg of New York and Thomas M. Menino of Boston — the co-founders of the Mayors Against Illegal Guns coalition — wrote an opinion essay in The Wall Street Journal today arguing that last week’s Supreme Court decision is not bad news for gun-control advocates. (The court found that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual right to own a gun for self-defense.)
NRA Eyes More Targets After D.C. Gun-Ban Win NPR, June 29, 2008 -- Five cities and suburbs are facing lawsuits challenging their bans on handguns. When the U.S. Supreme Court issued its landmark June 26 decision, rejecting Washington, D.C.'s ban on handguns, gun-rights lawyers swung into action.
Some Gun Rules We Can All Agree On The Wall Street Journal, June 30, 2008 -- Finally. After decades of ideological debates over the meaning of every word and comma contained in the U.S. Constitution's one-sentence Second Amendment, the Supreme Court has issued a ruling that should largely settle the matter.
In Chicago, Some Want More Guns, Not Less
In City Torn by Gun Violence, Some Residents Challenge Gun Ban ABC News, June 28, 2008 -- In too many Chicago neighborhoods, gun violence rules the block. And some say the time has come to fight fire power with fire power.
Repeal the 2nd Amendment Chicago Tribune, June 27, 2008 -- No, we don't suppose that's going to happen any time soon. But it should.
Jury still out on city gun ban
Chicago law's effect remains debatable Chicago Tribune, June 27, 2008 -- In early 1981, a spate of shootings at the Cabrini-Green public housing complex left 10 people dead and more than 37 people injured. The violence prompted then-Mayor Jane Byrne to promise residents a plan for protection.
Obama: Riding Tall In The Straddle Investor's Business Daily Editorials, June 27, 2008 -- Gun Rights: Obama claims he believes the Second Amendment says you can own a gun but that local communities can still opt out of the Constitution. What will he say as his political hometown is sued by the NRA?
THE POLITICS OF GUNS MSNBC, June 27, 2008 -- The Washington Post's Balz and Richburg write: "With yesterday's decision, the Supreme Court pushed the gun issue back to the forefront of the nation's agenda, opening a new chapter in what has been one of the most contentious and divisive debates in American politics for the past four decades.
What politicians can't take from you - your right to carry a gun SF Gate, June 27, 2008 -- There is a problem over where there is no "there." Homicides in Oakland are up 27 percent so far this year. In preparation for a mayoral run, a state senator and FBI suspect is resurrecting his worn arguments favoring gun control. California and the Bay Area have tinkered with gun control for decades, and yet Oakland falls further into chaos. Despite politicians' efforts to eliminate private firearm ownership, homicide is nearly a daily event in Oaktown.
Coming Next, Court Fights on Guns in Cities The New York Times, June 27, 2008 -- WASHINGTON -- The individual right to bear arms identified by the Supreme Court on Thursday will have little practical impact in most of the country, legal experts said, though Washington’s comprehensive ban on handguns used for self-defense in the home will have to be revised, and similar laws in several cities are also vulnerable.
McCain backs gun decision, Obama straddles issue Billings Gazette, June 27, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (AP) -- John McCain welcomed a Supreme Court decision invalidating a District of Columbia handgun ban. Barack Obama sought to straddle the subject by saying he favors an individual's right to bear firearms as well as a government's right to regulate them.
Silver Bullet The Wall Street Journal, June 27, 2008 -- The 2008 Supreme Court term ended with a bang yesterday as the Justices issued their most important ruling ever in upholding an individual right to bear arms. The dismaying surprise is that the Second Amendment came within a single vote of becoming a dead Constitutional letter.
Guns, yes and no
Individuals have a right to own firearms, the Supreme Court rules. But there can still be limits. Los Angeles Times, June 27, 2008 -- Presented with two historically plausible arguments about whether the 2nd Amendment secures an individual right to keep and bear arms, the Supreme Court on Thursday opted for the interpretation less suited to a 21st century America bedeviled by gun crime.
New England Gun Makers Hail Supreme Court Ruling Courant.com, June 26, 2008 -- New England's prominent gun makers said Thursday's landmark Supreme Court ruling that affirms the right to keep guns at home for self-defense is a moral victory for their beleaguered industry and law-abiding gun owners.
Gun ruling unlikely to change Minn. laws Star Tribune, June 26, 2008 -- It's doubtful Minnesotans will see much change as a result of Thursday's Supreme Court ruling that individuals can own guns.
Mayors: Gun ruling won't stop prevention efforts Associated Press, June 26, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington's blanket ban on handguns will fall and tight gun laws in places like Chicago and San Francisco are sure to come under attack.
Gun Lobby Quickly Sues To Overturn Chicago Ban
U.S. Supreme Court: Americans May Own Guns For Protection, Hunting; Ruling Casts Doubt On City's Decades Old Law CBS2Chicago.com, June 26, 2008 -- CHICAGO (CBS) ― A U.S. Supreme Court decision has been the talk of the nation on Thursday. A handgun ban in Washington, D.C. has been struck down by the high court.
McCain: Chicago Gun Ban Infringes On Rights
Obama: 'What Works In Chicago May Not Work In Cheyenne' CBS2Chicago.com, June 26, 2008 -- ARLINGTON, Va. (CBS) ― U.S. Sen. John McCain said Thursday that the Supreme Court ruling in favor of gun ownership showed that the Chicago handgun ban has "infringed on the constitutional rights of Americans."
Supreme Court strikes down D.C. handgun ban The Dallas Morning News, June 26, 2008 --
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court tossed out a handgun ban in the nation's capital on Thursday, holding for the first time that the Second Amendment does protect an individual right to self-defense and gun ownership.
Supreme Court Shoots Down D.C. Gun Ban
Justices Find an Individual Has a Right to Own Guns ABC News, June 26, 2008 -- The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that the District of Columbia cannot ban a citizen from keeping a handgun at home, throwing out one of the nation's strictest gun control laws.
Gun Legislation in the U.S. By State The Washington Post, June 26, 2008 -- Use the navigation on the left to learn more about the requirements and laws concerning gun purchase and ownership in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
High noon: Out-of-state gun permit battle begins The Salt Lake Tribune, June 23, 2008 -- There's a gunfight shaping up in the Utah Legislature. Gun advocates who want Utah to continue to arm the nation versus government bureaucrats and gun-control advocates who see the dangers in Utah's permissive concealed-carry permitting system.
Gunmaker's U.S. business looks good
Belgian firm's S.C. plant thrives on military work but serves civilians too Baltimore Sun, June 22, 2008 -- COLUMBIA, S.C. - Tucked behind the Village at Sandhill shopping center, a factory pumps out hundreds of machine guns and rifles every day for U.S. forces fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan
Man gets 100 days for shooting doe antelope Billings Gazette, June 21, 2008 -- CHEYENNE - A magistrate in Sweetwater County has sentenced a Tennessee man to serve 100 days in jail and pay $6,000 in fines and restitution for shooting a doe antelope several times with a semiautomatic rifle last weekend.
Windsor area a 'conduit for illegal guns,' police say
38 arrested in connection to weapons with ties to Canada The Windsor Star (Canada), June 20, 2008 -- A former Chicago-area gun dealer looking to divest himself of his firearms stock crossed the Ambassador Bridge in a minivan in 2006 carrying 220 guns that he loaded in a Windsor storage locker before they found their way to the hands of criminals elsewhere in the province.
Paterson: NRA should train gun owners Daily News, June 20, 2008 -- ALBANY - Gov. Paterson wants to give the National Rifle Association - of all people - a state-sanctioned role in training would-be gun owners in New York.
Gun Maker Aims for a Comeback The Wall Street Journal, June 18, 2008 -- 'Lean forward, hold your head upright, keep both eyes on the target," Jimmy Ljutic told me.
The bane of lead bullets
Restrictions on traditional ammo should help condors, but enforcement can be difficult. Los Angeles Times, June 14, 2008 -- Hunters and California condors have a paradoxical relationship.
The Science of Gun Control
Local background checks are more effective at reducing suicides and homicides than federal checks. Newsweek, June 23, 2008 issue (June 16) --
There's nothing simple about gun control, a tangle of legal, political and public-health issues complicated by cultural preferences and regional biases.
NRA's political clout is waning
With 2nd Amendment rights expanded and Democrats reluctant to tackle the issue, gun control isn't the GOP weapon it used to be. The rifle group, in essence, is a victim of its own success. Los Angeles Times, June 14, 2008 -- WASHINGTON -- Eight years after a national debate over gun control helped keep Democrat Al Gore out of the White House, the National Rifle Assn. and its Republican allies are launching a new campaign to defeat Barack Obama.
Gun free — proud of it The Seattle Times, June 13, 2008 -- SEATTLE Mayor Greg Nickels's executive order banning guns from Seattle Center, parks, community centers and city-run buildings is safe and sane public policy.
More churchgoers are carrying guns
Trend since shootings is risky, church leaders told The Denver Post, June 13, 2008 --
Matthew Murray's assault on New Life Church in Colorado Springs and the Youth With a Mission campus in Arvada in December has made worshipers more likely to carry guns, speakers at a church security workshop said.
Pyramyd Air donates $7,000 check to the NRA Round-Up program PR Urgent, June 11, 2008 -- Bedford Heights, OH, June 9, 2008 - Pyramyd Air, the largest airgun dealer in the world, has donated a $7,000 check to the National Rifle Association's Round-Up program.
Gov. Strickland Signs SB 184 Ohioans for Concealed Carry, June 10, 2008 -- NRA-ILA Press Release -- Fairfax, VA-Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed the National Rifle Association (NRA)-backed "Castle Doctrine" legislation into law to expand the self-defense rights of law-abiding citizens.
Mayor's concealed-weapons ban may land city in court
'We do have the authority,' Nickels says; critics disagree, Seattle PI, June 9, 2008 --
It will start with warning signs and bureaucratic policy reviews. But will Mayor Greg Nickels' new gun ban lead to metal detectors at Seattle Center, neighborhood libraries and City Hall?
Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting (C.A.S.H.) AnimalConcerns.org, June 8, 2008 -- The mission of C.A.S.H. - Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting - is to accomplish what its name says in the shortest possible time.
Packing in public: Owners not gun-shy The Seattle Times, June 8, 2008 -- PROVO, Utah — For years, Kevin Jensen carried a pistol everywhere he went, tucked in a shoulder holster beneath his clothes.
Ruling near on carrying guns in national parks
NRA says it's a matter of self-defense, but critics say current rules are enough The Houston Chronicle, June 7, 2008 -- YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WYO. — The federal government is considering a proposal to allow visitors to carry loaded concealed weapons in some national parks, wildlife refuges and monuments.
Ban On City Gun Laws Partially Lifted CBS3.com, June 4, 2008 -- PHILADELPHIA (AP) ― A Philadelphia judge has blocked the city's attempt to ban assault weapons and limit handgun purchases to one a month, while upholding three lesser gun laws challenged by the National Rifle Association.
Judge blocks Philadelphia ban on assault weapons Reuters, June 3, 2008 -- PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - A Philadelphia judge struck down city ordinances banning assault weapons and limiting handgun purchases on Tuesday, in a blow to the city's attempts to make gun laws separately from the state.
Point and Shoot: Mr. Gatling's Terrible Machine, and AK-47 The Wall Street Journal, June 3, 2008 -- Book Reviews - A bullet is a terrible thing. It can travel the length of three football fields and explode a man's spleen. What could be more terrible?
Georgia gun dealer backs out of NYC trial over gun sales Newsday, June 2, 2008 -- NEW YORK - A Georgia gun dealer accused in a federal lawsuit of selling weapons that ended up in the hands of New York City criminals has opted not to go to trial this week.
Clinton changes handgun position
Registry not appropriate for all states, senator says Billings Gazette, May 31, 2008 -- HELENA - Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton told Montana reporters Friday that she no longer favors national handgun registration and licensing, even as she supports such measures in her adopted state of New York.
Villaraigosa wants to use gun restrictions, databases to take on gangs
The mayor's proposals also include seizing cars used in gang activity and helping landlords evict people who illegally possess guns and ammunition. Los Angeles Times, May 30, 2008 -- Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Thursday unveiled plans to target gangs and guns -- including confiscating cars used in gang-related crimes -- with a series of new city ordinances.
Law enforcement groups oppose bill on self-defense killings Ohio.com, May 27, 2008 -- Major law enforcement groups said Tuesday that they oppose Gov. Ted Strickland's support of a bill that would allow a new protection against prosecution for people who kill an attacker in self defense.
It's costing big bucks to buy bullets USA Today, On Deadline, May 21, 2008 -- Hunters and gun enthusiasts are learning a tough fact these days: Bullets don't need to be made of silver any more to cost a lot of money.
Phila. judge likely to grant NRA request The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 20, 2008 -- A Philadelphia judge appeared poised yesterday to grant the National Rifle Association's request to block enforcement of recently enacted city gun laws, with a final decision almost certainly headed for the state's high court.
NRA proposals to ease Ohio gun laws draw fire from police, prosecutors The Columbus Dispatch, May 20, 2008 -- A push by the National Rifle Association to loosen a number of state gun laws is drawing heavy criticism from prosecutors and a variety of law-enforcement groups who argue it will make them and the public less safe.
Nutter: New laws will stop illegal flow of guns Philly.com, May 20, 2008 -- New city laws to control the number of guns sold in Philadelphia are meant to stop the illegal flow of guns to criminals and not meant to stop legal sales, Mayor Nutter emphasized in a morning news conference.
18-year-olds granted gun rights
State Supreme Court rules the age for possession should be lowered The State (South Carolina), May 20, 2008 -- Youths ages 18 through 20 can possess handguns legally under a state Supreme Court ruling issued Monday.
NRA fears disaster if Democrat wins in fall Herald-Leader, May 9, 2008 -- LOUISVILLE -- Using Kentucky as a stage, a string of high-profile speakers at the National Rifle Association's 137th annual meeting painted the 2008 presidential race as a showdown over the right to bear arms.
US gun lobby weighs in on White House race
AFP, May 18, 2008 -- LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (AFP) — The powerful US gun lobby has painted the 2008 presidential race as a showdown over the right to bear arms, but the election could also prove to be a key test of its political firepower.
Calvin College to let some safety personnel carry guns Chicago Tribune, May 18, 2008 -- GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Calvin College this fall will allow safety personnel with a police background to carry handguns on campus.
McCain Shows NRA Strong Pro-Gun Side
In Speech, Candidate Tries to Mend Fences The Washington Post, May 17, 2008 --
LOUISVILLE, May 16 -- Sen. John McCain, once derided as one of the "premier flag-carriers for the enemies of the Second Amendment" by the National Rifle Association, enthusiastically embraced the group's pro-gun agenda at its annual convention here Friday.
NRA chief stresses common ground with McCain Herald-Dispatch (Huntington, W.VA.), May 14, 2008 -- LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Notwithstanding occasional spats between John McCain and the National Rifle Association, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has shown himself to be a reliable ally to gun owners on a number of issues, a top NRA executive said Tuesday.
Secret Service: No guns allowed at NRA event with John McCain WHAS11.com, May 14, 2008 -- Louisville, Ky. (WHAS11) - It's expected to bring some 60,000 people to Louisville and some prominent political figures, including presidential candidate John McCain.
Perdue signs law allowing guns in restaurants
Concealed weaons now allowed in parks, on public transportation, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 14, 2008 -- Georgians with carry licenses can tote their concealed guns on public transportation, in restaurants that serve alcohol and in state parks under legislation signed by Gov. Sonny Perdue Wednesday.
Guns in restaurants draw stares but little outcry The News and Advance, May 9, 2008 -- RESTON, Va. (AP) — The patrons at Champps, an upscale restaurant and bar chain, were eating ribs and drinking beer on a recent Saturday when customer Bruce Jackson stood up and made an announcement: He was armed, and so were dozens of other patrons.
Guns now allowed in Atlanta's public parks The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, May 9, 2008 -- It's alright to pack in Atlanta public parks now. Superior Court Judge Doris Downs Friday struck down an Atlanta law prohibiting carrying guns in public parks.
Texas caught off guard as more seek handgun permits
Some point to anti-gun politics as applications rise 39 percent and swamp the state Houston Chronicle, May 8, 2008 -- AUSTIN — Demand for concealed handgun licenses has risen nearly 40 percent in Texas in a year, an increase being attributed to many factors, even presidential politics.
McCain slated to address May 16 NRA convention Courier-Journal, May 7, 2008 -- Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, will address the National Rifle Association's annual convention at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville on May 16.
Student Arrested for having guns on campus New Mexico Daily Lobo , May 6, 2008 -- The UNM Police Department arrested student Kevin Boyar, 19, on charges of unlawfully carrying guns on campus Tuesday.
Officials: Phoenix gun dealer sold to Mexican drug cartels Associated Press, May 6, 2008 -- PHOENIX (AP) — The arrest of a gun shop owner on Tuesday broke up a suspected firearms trafficking operation that supplied violent Mexican drug cartels, authorities said.
Guns: Concealed controversy
As permits soar, the surprisingly quiet battle over under-wraps weapons continues. The Denver Post, May 4, 2008 -- They squeezed behind classroom desks and dutifully laid out their notebooks, seeking permits to carry a concealed handgun.
Bills seek punishment for use, display of fake weapons USA Today, May 4, 2008 -- NASHVILLE (AP) — Concerns that realistic-looking toy weapons are confusing police and threatening safety have led 15 states to try going beyond gun control and cracking down on fake firearms.
Appeals court tosses out NYC lawsuit against gun industry Tampa Bay Online, April 30, 2008 --
NEW YORK (AP) -- A federal appeals court has thrown out New York City's lawsuit claiming the gun industry sells firearms with the knowledge that they can be diverted into illegal markets.
States act to shield gun holders USA Today, April 25, 2008 -- South Carolina last week became the latest in a growing number of states to make the names of people who have a license to carry a concealed weapon a state secret.
Dealer of gun used in Va. Tech shootings visits campus Last Vegas Sun, Apr. 24, 2008 -- The online weapons dealer who sold one of the guns used in the Virginia Tech shootings visited the campus Thursday, a decision the school's spokesman called "terribly offensive."
City misfires on gun violence Chicago Tribune, April 24, 2008 --
When a rash of gun murders takes place, it makes sense for the police to do one of two things: renew tactics that have been effective in the past at curbing homicides, or embrace ideas that have not been tried before. But those options don't appeal to Chicago Police Supt. Jody Weis. What he proposes instead is a crackdown on assault weapons.
UW students push for right to concealed guns on campus
Movement sprang up in wake of shootings at Virginia Tech SeattlePi.com, April 24, 2008 -- At first glance, the little black box clipped to Brian Yip's belt looks like a beeper. It's not.
Judge blocks Philadelphia from enforcing new gun laws Associated Press, April 17, 20008 -- PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A judge on Thursday temporarily blocked the city from enforcing five gun-control ordinances pending a challenge from the National Rifle Association.
D.A. says she cannot enforce Philadelphia's new gun laws Philly.com, April 16, 2008 -- Just four days after Mayor Nutter and City Council celebrated enactment of a package of five gun-control laws, reality arrived in the form of District Attorney Lynne M. Abraham.
Closed store is source of guns
Firearms bought years ago still being used in city crimes Baltimore Sun, April 15, 2008 -- A Parkville gun store that was closed by federal agents in 2006 remains the biggest single source of guns used in Baltimore crimes, according to a draft of testimony that Mayor Sheila Dixon plans to give before a congressional task force in Washington today.
'Bittergate' sparks new look at candidates and guns CNN Politics.com, April 15, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (CNN)
-- The battle over the word "bitter" between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton has sparked a new look at the candidates and their stance on the Second Amendment.
Mayor Gets Wal-Mart To Sign On to Anti-Illegal Guns Push The New York Sun, April 15, 2008 -- WASHINGOTN -- Mayor Bloomberg, having had little success drawing federal lawmakers to his fight against illegal guns, is turning his attention to the nation's largest firearms seller.
At State Level, More Attempts to Limit Guns The New York Times, April 15, 2008 -- State lawmakers across the country are ramping up efforts to pass new restrictions on guns, following nearly a decade in which state legislative efforts have been dominated by gun advocates.
Gun rights, gun deaths divide Pennsylvania voters Billings Gazette, April 15, 2008 -- HARRISBURG, Pa (AP) -- Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton are gingerly threading their way between two of the most politically charged numbers in Pennsylvania: the state's almost 1 million licensed hunters and Philadelphia's nearly one-a-day rate of gun murders.
Bang, bang ... ban
Another shooting prompts misguided calls to outlaw handguns Toronto Sun, April 12, 2008 -- It's become as regular and predictable as a half-witted Canadian poet applying for a public grant. Assorted leftist politicians, misnamed peace activists and fellow travelling dunderheads calling for a total ban on handguns. It happens every time someone is killed on Canada's streets by an evil punk with a pistol.
Va. Grants 60% More Permits For Guns The Washington Post, April 12, 2008 -- The number of Virginians who obtained a permit to carry a concealed weapon jumped 60 percent last year over 2006, an increase that many gun experts say was a reaction to the fatal shootings of 32 students and professors at Virginia Tech.
Nutter defiantly signs five gun laws
Council's measures appear to fly in the face of state law and legal precedent. The NRA says it will sue. Philly.com, April 11, 2008 -- Mayor Nutter likened himself and City Council members yesterday to the band of rebels who formed this country as he signed five new gun-control laws that defy the state legislature and legal precedent.
One year after tragedy, debate rages over solutions USA Today, April 11, 2008 -- NARROWS, Va. (AP) — Allen Neely eases his Chrysler Pacifica onto the bridge named in honor of Jarrett Lane, who grew up in this tiny town near the West Virginia border.
Group wants to carry guns at UCCS The Gazette, Colorado Springs, April 11, 2008 -- If a gunman were to burst into a classroom at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with murder on his mind, one group of students wants a chance to shoot back.
State high court shoots down S.F. handgun ban San Francisco Chronicle, April 10, 2008 -- The state Supreme Court dealt a final blow Wednesday to San Francisco's voter-approved ban on handguns, rejecting the city's appeal of a lower-court ruling that sharply limited the ability of localities to regulate firearms.
Senate passes controversial guns-to-work bill South Florida Sun-Sentinel, April 10, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE - The Republican-led state Senate handed a major election-year victory Wednesday to the National Rifle Association by approving a measure allowing about 500,000 Floridians with concealed-weapons permits to carry their guns to work.
As Prices Rise, Farmers Spurn Conservation Program The New York Times, April 9, 2008 -- Out on the farm, the ducks and pheasants are losing ground. Thousands of farmers are taking their fields out of the government’s biggest conservation program, which pays them not to cultivate.
Obama's Gun Dance Real Clear Politics, April 7, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Barack Obama, who informs campaign audiences that he taught constitutional law for 10 years, might be expected to weigh in on the historic Second Amendment case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Guns and Moses Politico, April 5, 2008 -- Last December, Bob Dylan literally stopped the music on his "Theme Time Radio Hour" show to honor Charlton Heston.
Obama aims for pro-gun vote Politico, April 5, 2008 -- Barack Obama did not hunt or fish as a child. He lives in a big city. And as an Illinois state legislator and a U.S. senator, he consistently backed gun control legislation.
NY Rifle Company Ships Loaded Guns Associated Press, April 5, 2008 -- NEW YORK (AP) — A rifle manufacturer asked arms dealers nationwide to make extra safety inspections after discovering it had accidentally shipped four guns loaded with live ammunition.
GOP requests gun records after push to make them confidential The City Paper (Nashville), April 4, 2008 -- The same day it criticized Democratic House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh for killing a bill making handgun carry permit holders’ records confidential, the Tennessee Republican Party requested those same records.
Statement from U.S. attorney's office
Entertainer Clifford Harris, a/ka/ "T.I.," Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms Charges
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mar. 27, 2008 -- Sentencing Deferred One Year to Allow Harris to Perform Unique and Extensive Community Service, After Which He Will Serve Prison Sentence.
Supplier Under Scrutiny on Aging Arms for Afghans The New York Times, Mar. 27, 2008 -- Since 2006, when the insurgency in Afghanistan sharply intensified, the Afghan government has been dependent on American logistics and military support in the war against Al Qaeda and the Taliban.
Gun-Permit Data Ban Shoots Down First Amendment TriCities.com, Mar. 26, 2008 -- Last month, an investigative television reporter in Nashville reported that the state of Tennessee had issued gun-carry permits to convicted felons, including a child rapist.
Florida House agrees to let some gun owners bring weapons to work Palm Beach Post, Mar. 26, 20008 -- TALLAHASSEE — Gun rights advocates and the National Rifle Association won a victory today with the Florida House's passage of a contentious bill that would allow employees to bring their guns to work.
Police limit searches for guns
Opposition from residents is strong; Invited into homes without warrants The Boston Globe, Mar. 25, 2008 --
Boston police officials, surprised by intense opposition from residents, have significantly scaled back and delayed the start of a program that would allow officers to go into people's homes and search for guns without a warrant.
Pilot's gun discharges on US Airways flight WCNC, Mar. 24, 2008 -- CHARLOTTE, N.C.-- A US Airways pilot’s gun accidentally discharged during a flight from Denver to Charlotte Saturday, according to a statement released by the airline.
SC poised to close public access to concealed carry permits Greenville Online, Mar. 23, 2008 -- COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina is poised to become the 28th state to keep secret the list of residents allowed to carry concealed weapons, a move favored by gun owners but opposed by advocates of open government.
India offers firearms permits for vasectomies Times Online, Mar. 21, 2008 -- A scheme that trades one male status symbol for another has achieved a large rise in the number of men undergoing vasectomies in a bandit-ridden region of central India.
SAN FRANCISCO -
Gun club in crosshairs
PUC plans for Lake Merced that could close facility have set off hot debate between members, neighbors San Francisco Chronicle, Mar. 20, 2008 -- Every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, the shots start ringing out at 11 a.m. from the 80-year-old Pacific Rod and Gun Club on the shores of San Francisco's Lake Merced, sending loud booms across the western half of the city.
Loopholes Allow High-Powered Guns Into California CBS5.com, Mar. 19, 2008 -- OAKLAND (CBS 5) ― Assault weapons are banned in California, but police say they are confiscating more and more high-powered guns on the streets these days, due to several legal loopholes.
High court likely to favor gun rights USA Today, Mar. 19, 2008 -- WASHINGTON — A Supreme Court majority appears ready to rule for the first time in the nation's history that the Second Amendment gives people an individual right to own guns.
Justices Appear Skeptical Of D.C.'s Handgun Ban The Washington Post, Mar. 19, 2008 -- A majority of the Supreme Court indicated a readiness yesterday to settle decades of constitutional debate over the meaning of the Second Amendment by declaring that it provides an individual right to own a gun for self-defense.
An Old Hand At Court Gears Up for Battle The Washington Post, Mar. 18, 2008 -- Here's how veteran Supreme Court advocate Walter E. Dellinger gets ready for a big case:
Gun-Rights Showdown The Wall Street Journal, Mar. 18, 2008 -- Today, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case of Heller v. District of Columbia, a suit brought by several D.C. citizens contending that the ban on the possession of operable firearms inside one's home violates the Second Amendment.
Fighting Gun Traffickers Involves Lots of Legwork, a Little Luck The Washington Post, Mar. 17, 2008 -- For police and federal agents trying to keep guns out of the hands of criminals in the District, building a case against a firearms trafficker can mean months of work. Or it can come together quickly -- as fast as a speeding motorcycle.
The District of Columbia: No guns, still deadly
The city's ridiculous ban comes before the U.S. Supreme Court this week.
Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St.Paul), Mar. 16, 2008 -- As anyone who knows anything about Washington, D.C., can tell you, the city's gun ban has been a total failure.
WITNESS-Following a hit man's rifle to Mexico Reuters, Mar. 16, 2008 -- PHOENIX, March 16 (Reuters) - The agent raised the machine gun to his shoulder and let rip a deafening hail of shots that smacked through a bullet proof vest, punched holes in a car door and spat up a plume of sand in the levee behind.
Concealed-weapon bill diluted
Only veterans and people with police training could be armed on campus. Tulsa World, Mar. 14, 2008 -- OKLAHOMA CITY -- The state House on Thursday easily passed a weakened bill that would allow vet erans and people trained in law enforcement to carry concealed guns onto college campuses.
OSU faculty oppose guns on campus KTEN.com, Mar. 14, 2008 -- STILLWATER, Okla. (AP) - The Oklahoma State Faculty Council has voted to oppose a bill that would allow concealed weapons on college campuses.
Okla. House Approves Guns On Campus 4029TV.com, Mar. 14, 2008 -- OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma lawmakers are considering two bills that would change who could own a gun and where they can take it. The state House voted Thursday to allow guns on college campuses as well as vote to lower the age limit for getting a gun permit, from 21 to 18 years old.
D.C. Gun Ban's Effectiveness Questioned Associated Press, Mar. 12, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (AP) — On Sept. 24, 1976, one of the toughest gun laws in the nation took effect in the District of Columbia, essentially outlawing the private ownership of new handguns in a city struggling with violence.
Governor signs 'castle doctrine' self-defense bill Billings Gazette, Mar. 14, 2008 -- CHEYENNE - Wyoming Gov. Dave Freudenthal on Thursday signed into law the contentious "castle doctrine" bill, although he expressed concern that it could limit the legal defenses for Wyoming residents who kill others in self-defense.
D.C. offers amnesty to people who let police search their homes for guns, drugs USA Today, Mar. 13, 2008 -- Knock knock. Who's there? It's the police. We want you to let us search your residence. In return for signing a consent form, we'll give you amnesty for any guns or drugs that we find among your personal belongings.
Gun Battle at the White House? The Washington Post, Mar. 13, 2008 -- In preparation for oral arguments Tuesday on the extent of gun rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment, the U.S. Supreme Court has before it a brief signed by Vice President Cheney opposing the Bush administration's stance. Even more remarkably, Cheney is faithfully reflecting the views of President Bush.
More in Colorado aim to carry guns
Concealed-carry requests escalate Denver Post, Mar. 12, 2008 -- COLORADO SPRINGS — Applications for concealed-weapon permits have skyrocketed in Colorado, with the increase fueled by everything from heavily publicized mass shootings to routine renewals, according to the state's sheriffs.
To Revive Hunting, States Turn to the Classroom The New York Times, Mar. 8, 2008 -- MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — When David Helms was in seventh grade, he would take his .22-caliber rifle to school, put a box of ammunition in his locker and, like virtually all the other boys, lean his rifle against a wall in the principal’s office so he could start hunting squirrels and groundhogs as soon as classes let out.
In election 2008, don’t forget Angry White Man Aspen Times, Mar. 10, 2008 -- There is a great amount of interest in this year’s presidential elections, as everybody seems to recognize that our next president has to be a lot better than George Bush.
Armed and ready
Wardens gain the right to carry handguns Edmonton Sun, Mar. 9, 2008 -- Wardens in Canada’s national parks are welcoming news that they will soon be armed with handguns, enabling them to resume the law enforcement duties they were stripped of last May.
Governor signs gun confiscation bill Billings Gazette, Mar. 7, 2008 -- CHEYENNE - Gov. Dave Freudenthal on Friday signed into law a bill that prohibits government officials from confiscating guns from law-abiding citizens.
Study Pans Proposed Firearm Database Associated Press, Mar. 5, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (AP) — Collecting ballistic "fingerprints" from millions of new guns would create a database that would be too unreliable to be useful in solving gun crimes, a team of scientists said Wednesday.
District of Columbia Makes Last Pitch Before Supreme Court Appearance in Gun Ban Case Fox News, Mar. 5, 2008 -- WASHINGTON — The District of Columbia made a final defense of its strict ban on handguns Wednesday, the last legal filing to the U.S. Supreme Court before the justices hear arguments on whether the city's three-decades old law is unconstitutional.
Manchin intends to sign ‘castle doctrine’ The Register Herald, Mar. 5, 2008 -- CHARLESTON — When the National Rifle Association comes calling at the West Virginia Capitol with legislation in mind, it helps that the nation’s leading hunting and Second Amendment advocate has an ally in the Governor’s Mansion.
Gun dealer wants weapons on campus Los Angeles Times, Mar. 5, 2008 --
GREEN BAY, WIS. -- Online gun dealer Eric Thompson can't recall exactly what he was doing when he learned that one of his customers had just killed five students in a college geology class.
Justices to Release Audio in Guns Case Newsday, March 4, 2008 -- WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will quickly release audio tapes after the March 18 argument over gun rights.
Give gun owners uniformity Yahoo! News, Mar. 3, 2008 -- By Wayne LaPierre -- Why does USA TODAY object to uniform laws?
Gun Rules May Be Eased in U.S. Parks The Washington Post, Feb. 28, 2008 -- Visitors to some national parks would be able to start packing heat along with their tents and picnic baskets under a proposal being considered by the Interior Department that would ease restrictions on loaded firearms in the parks.
Unarmed is Dangerous
Let the kids have guns The Daily Standard, Feb. 27, 2008 -- THE VALENTINE'S DAY SHOOTING at Northern Illinois University, following last year's Virginia Tech Massacre, makes college shootings seem like an emerging fad among suicidal lunatics. There were no such shootings in the 2005-2006 academic year, one last academic year, and three this academic year--so far.
Court to address: Do you have a legal right to own a gun? USA Today, Feb. 27, 2008 -- WASHINGTON — Guns, and questions about how much power the government has to keep people from owning them, are at the core of one of the most divisive topics in American politics.
Montanans insist on gun rights The Washington Times, Feb. 25, 2008 -- Montana officials are warning that if the Supreme Court rules in the D.C. gun ban case that the right to keep and bear arms protects only state-run militias like the National Guard, then the federal government will have breached Montana's statehood contract.
'More Guns, Less Crime'
Why a convention center in Wilmington was Ohio's safest place last weekend The Enquirer, Feb. 24, 2008 --
As I waited in the parking lot for the doors to open at 9 a.m., two guys pulled up next to me in a black Chevy pickup. They wore camo ball caps, jeans and sweat shirts. Nothing unusual there - until one slung a rifle over his shoulder as they headed for the door.
Police concerned about order to stop weapons screening at Obama rally Star-Telegram, Feb. 22, 2008 -- DALLAS -- Security details at Barack Obama's rally Wednesday stopped screening people for weapons at the front gates more than an hour before the Democratic presidential candidate took the stage at Reunion Arena.
States consider gun-access laws USA Today, Feb. 21, 2008 -- Somecompanies in several states could be barred from telling their employees to keep their guns at home if lawmakers prevail in a battle that pits gun rights advocates against private businesses.
Bill would allow concealed-weapons permit holders to carry firearms openly The Salt Lake Tribune, Feb. 20, 2008 -- A bill quietly endorsed by a legislative committee would codify licensed concealed-weapons holders' ability to openly carry loaded guns in almost any publicly owned space in Utah, including university campuses, public schools, sports arenas and hospitals.
Had enough gun violence?
We can't let the NRA block sensible gun-control laws The Christian Science Monitor, Feb. 20, 2008 --
Boston - Let's get this out of the way. I am a gun owner and a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment. What I do not support is extending the rights embedded in the Second Amendment to terrorists, criminals, and children.
Why Was The Illinois Shooter Allowed To Buy A Gun? The Carpetbagger Report, Feb. 18, 2008 -- Last year, Congress passed a law that was hailed as “the first major gun control legislation in a decade” in response to the Virginia Tech shootings. The legislation was supposed to close the loophole that allowed Seung-Hui Cho, who had been ordered by a judge to undergo outpatient mental health treatment, to buy a gun. The press slipped into a bipartisan rapture over the involvement of the NRA in crafting the legislation:
Should Students Carry Concealed Guns
Sel-Defenders vs. Law Enforcement: Who'll Do A Better Job of Protecting Campuses? ABC News, Feb. 18, 2008 -- Thursday's massacre on the campus of Northern Illinois University was the seventh mass shooting in the U.S. in the past month.
Dispute Over Guns Threatens Senate Vote Associated Press, Feb. 16, 2008 -- WASHINGTON (AP) — An election-year dispute over whether to allow loaded guns in national parks is holding up a vote on a massive bill affecting public lands from coast to coast.
Gun dealer used by Va. Tech shooter sold supplies, holster to NIU killer Chicago Sun-Times, Feb. 16, 2008 -- The Green Bay, Wis., gun dealer who sold Northern Illinois University killer Stephen Kazmierczak empty magazines and a holster for a semi-automatic pistol also sold a gun to the killer in the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
Push to permit guns on campus USA Today, Feb. 15, 2008 -- Even before a gunman killed six people and injured more than a dozen others in a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University, a small but growing movement had been underway at universities and state legislatures to allow students, faculty and staff to carry guns on campus.
Bloomberg on Illegal Guns and Rampages The New York Times, Feb. 15, 2008 -- The morning after the shootings at Northern Illinois University, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg rattled off a grim list of gun rampages across the country that have left at least 18 people dead in February alone, not counting the gunmen who in some cases killed themselves or were killed by police. Mr. Bloomberg’s comments on his weekly radio call-in were part of his crusade to get illegal guns off the streets.
Northern Illinois University Shooter Had Become 'Erratic' After Stopping Meds, But Raised 'No Red Flags' MTV, Feb. 15, 2008 -- A day after 27-year-old gunman Steven Kazmierczak opened fire inside a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois — shooting 21 people and killing six, including himself — officials said that he had become "erratic" in recent weeks after he stopped taking medication and fired more than 50 shots, and perhaps more, before taking his own life.
Shooter buys 4 guns in Champaign Rockford Register Star, Feb. 15, 2008 -- NIU gunman Stephen Kazmierczak bought all four weapons he had on him during his deadly rampage — a 12-gauge shotgun, a Glock 9 mm handgun, a Sig Sauer 9 mm handgun and a Hi-Point 380-caliber handgun — from the same gun dealer in Champaign, according to police.
S.C. gun dealer suing New York mayor charged with illegal sale Newsday, Feb. 15, 2008 -- COLUMBIA, S.C. - A South Carolina pawnshop owner who is suing New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg for slander has been charged with making an illegal gun sale, according to federal court documents.
Obama and Guns ABC News, Feb. 15, 2008 -- A day after the tragic shootings at NIU, Barack Obama has revealed that he thinks the 2nd Amendment protects an individual’s right to own a gun.
Push to permit guns on campus USA Today, Feb. 15, 2008 -- Even before a gunman killed six people and injured more than a dozen others in a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University, a small but growing movement had been underway at universities and state legislatures to allow students, faculty and staff to carry guns on campus.
A String of Campus Gun Rampages
A sixth victim of the shooting has died, officials say. The New York Times, Feb. 15, 2008 -- If the news from DeKalb, Ill. — a gunman bursting into a college lecture hall, killing 5 students and wounding 16 more people in a fusillade of gunfire, then killing himself — gives you a sickening feeling of familiarity, you’ve been paying attention.
6 Dead In N. Illinois University Massacre
Gunman Killed Six, Then Himself On Stage In Front Of Panicked Students CBS2Chicago.com, Feb. 14, 2008 -- DE KALB, Ill (CBS) ― A gunman opened fire on a geology class at Northern Illinois University Thursday afternoon, killing five people before taking his own life on stage as panicked students ran and ducked for cover.
Bill seeks to protect homeowners who kill criminals Montana's News Station.com, Feb. 14, 2008 -- CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - Some Wyoming legislators want to change state law to specify that homeowners couldn't be prosecuted or sued in civil court if they kill anyone who enters their home illegally.
Will we have guns on campus? Arbiter Online (Boise State University), Feb. 14, 2008 --
On Feb. 6 a new piece of state legislation was introduced which would further our Second Amendment right. Senate bill 1381 would allow individuals with a concealed weapons permit to carry a gun on campus.
Legislative briefs: Senate approves guns in vehicles if they're in locked containers The Virginian-Pilot, Feb. 12, 2008 -- RICHMOND - The Senate voted 31-9 on Monday to pass SB436, which would allow Virginians who don't have concealed-weapon permits to keep handguns in locked containers or compartments in their motor vehicles or boats.
Reps Flores-Thatcher Add Names to National Gun Rights Lawsuit
The lawmakers believe problems related to a gun regulation law in Washington, D.C. could find their way to Oregon. Salem-News.com, Feb. 11, 2008 -- (SALEM, Ore.) - State Representative Linda Flores (R-Clackamas) and State Representative Kim Thatcher (R-Keizer, Newberg, St. Paul) added their names to a new effort to overturn the ban on handguns in the nation’s capitol.
Former Military Brass Join Fight to Give D.C. Its Guns U.S. News & World Report, Feb. 11, 2008 -- Here's a new argument against the D.C. gun ban, now before the Supreme Court: If people can't own guns, then how are they supposed to train for the militia or military provided for in the Second Amendment?
Should guns be permitted at colleges and universities? Seattlepi.com, Feb. 7, 2008 -- State Sen. Pam Roach is up to her shoot-from-the-hip ways again with a new measure The Associated Press says would prevent universities in the state from banning concealed weapons on campus.
Cheney Joins Congress In Opposing D.C. Gun Ban
Vice President Breaks With Administration Washington Post, Feb. 9, 2008 -- Vice President Cheney signed on to a brief filed by a majority of Congress yesterday that urged the Supreme Court to uphold a ruling that the District of Columbia's handgun ban is unconstitutional, breaking with his own administration's official position.
Lawmakers Consider New Gun Bill My Fox Colorado, Feb. 4, 2008 -- DENVER - After the 1999 Columbine shootings, state lawmakers rejected a proposal requiring gun owners to lock up their weapons to keep them out of the hands of children. Eight years later, they're considering a scaled-down version.
Senate bill: Guns on premises up to each restaurant The Arizona Daily Star, Jan. 22, 2008 -- PHOENIX — A state lawmaker may have crafted the most politically acceptable plan yet to let diners at restaurants that serve alcohol carry their guns.
Group plans to protest gun show loophole in Richmond WDBJ78.com, Jan. 21, 20008 --
Buying a gun at a gun show may take a little longer if a new bill in the General Assembly gets passed. A Virginia senate committee will consider a bill Monday that would close the so-called "gun show loophole."
Senate Approves Modified Gun Bill 11Alive.com, Jan. 17, 2008 -- ATLANTA (AP) -- A bill that would expand the rights of Georgians to carry concealed weapons sailed through the state Senate on Thursday, over the objections of some law enforcement groups.
Key district attorneys urge Supreme Court to uphold handgun ban San Francisco Chronicle, Jan. 14, 2008 -- Prosecutors led by the district attorneys of San Francisco and New York are urging the U.S. Supreme Court not to recognize a broad individual right to gun ownership that could endanger state and local firearms laws.
If Looks Could Kill New York Post, Jan. 13, 2008 -- The ultimate accessory for New York's Femme Fatales
Bloomberg Is Deposed in Guns Case The New York Sun, Jan. 11, 2008 -- Mayor Bloomberg has been asked many times whether he harbors presidential aspirations. Yesterday may be the first time he was asked the question under oath.
Let national park visitors keep closer to their guns, Isakson and Chambliss say The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Jan. 10, 2008 -- Johnny Isakson and Saxby Chambliss are two of 47 U.S. senators who have put their names to a letter calling for the Bush administration to let gun owners carry handguns and other firearms into national parks and wildlife refuges, the Associated Press is reporting.
NBA, NFL Go Anti-Gun Reason Online, Jan. 8, 2008 -- But are they protecting their athletes, or protecting an image?
Bush signs bill to tighten gun-buyer screening Los Angeles Times, I Jan. 9, 2008 -- Law seeking to weed out felons and the mentally ill divided pro-control groups and won the NRA's backing. The federal measure grew out of Virginia Tech shootings.
Gun Law Prevents Harm, D.C. Argues
Strict Controls Are Warranted to Quell Violence, Says Brief to Supreme Court The Washington Post, Jan. 5, 2008 --
The District told the Supreme Court yesterday that even if the Second Amendment affords an individual right to possess firearms, the city's ban on handguns is a reasonable restriction to prevent the "tragic harms" brought by gun violence in an urban setting.
Customer pulls gun, stops robbery Eyewitness News 13, Jan. 2, 2008 -- Indianapolis - It was a busy night Monday at Buck's IGA on the 3000 block of South Meridian Street. "Charlie," who didn't want his image or name used with this story, was in line to check out.
Region's Homicide Total Steady For 2007
Declines Elsewhere Offset Rising Toll in D.C., Pr. George's The Washington Post, Jan. 1, 2008 -- The number of homicides in the Washington area remained about the same last year, with reductions in nearly every jurisdiction in Northern Virginia offsetting increases in the District and Prince George's County.
Killings In D.C. Up After Long Dip
Jump in Gun Crime Accompanies 2007 Death Toll of 181 The Washington Post, Jan. 1, 2008 -- Gun violence rose sharply in the District in 2007, with the number of homicides jumping 7 percent after several years of decline.
