Cincinnati Violates State Law: ...In not removing or revising the signs, the City is trying to have it both ways, claiming to be in compliance with the law, yet retaining the language necessary to entrap innocent law-abiding citizens if the City chooses to enforce the now defunct law. The mere presence of the word firearms on the sign leaves the impression that City can author its own laws to regulate the carry of firearms, *which they cannot*, under the current law. It has the chilling effect in that law-abiding citizens who are unsure as to the legality of carry in City Parks, will not do so, rendering them defenseless and subject to predatory criminals. It also seeks to deprive them a civil right guaranteed by both State law and the State of Ohio Constitution. It will also cause confusion and waste valuable Police resources and time in responding to calls for "Man with a gun" in City Parks... http://www.buckeyefirearms.org/node/5733 --- Why Does the State Ban CCW at Church?: ...A church is a 501(c)3 charity, the same as thousands of other charities. These range from the local animal shelter to the "Ladies of the Green Hat Society." There's nothing special about being a 501(c)3, it's just a way to notify the Federal government that one is a tax-exempt organization. Yet, of the thousands of 501(c)3 types in many states, the legislation specifically singled out only one type, churches, as being off limits to CCW holders. Many of these states also ban CCW holders from schools, bars, and other places but these almost always have some connection with the state... they are regulated in some fashion or another, and answer to the state for certain aspects of their business. This nexus simply does not hold true for churches... http://hubpages.com/hub/CCW-and-Churches-Does-the-state-have-a-role-to-play --- Effectiveness of M855 Ammo Questioned: As Sgt. Joe Higgins patrolled the streets of Saba al-Bor, a tough town north of Baghdad, he was armed with bullets that had a lot more firepower than those of his 4th Infantry Division buddies. As an Army sniper, Sgt. Higgins was one of the select few toting an M14. The long-barreled rifle, an imposing weapon built for wars long past, spits out bullets larger and more deadly than the rounds that fit into the M4 carbines and M16 rifles most soldiers carry. "Having a heavy cartridge in an urban environment like that was definitely a good choice," says Sgt. Higgins, who did two tours in Iraq and left the service last year. "It just has more stopping power." http://www.washtimes.com/news/2008/jun/05/us-bullets-too-small-to-inflict-quick-damage/ --- Was This Because the NFL Bans Guns?: Green Bay Packers running back Noah Herron thwarted a would-be burglar by hitting him with a bed post during a break-in at his home. Brown County Sheriff Dennis Kocken said Tuesday that the break-in happened late last Friday and the injured the intruder remained hospitalized but is expected to recover. "Noah Herron used necessary, reasonable and justifiable force in protecting his life and property," Kocken said in a statement. "Herron, the victim in this random home invasion, is cooperating with law enforcement." http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,362849,00.html --- A History Lesson: The little town of Boerne, nestled in the Texas hill country between Austin and San Antonio, is famous for antiques, sauerkraut, and reverence for its German heritage. Driving into town on Highway 87, you immediately see German names everywhere. The streets, the shops, the local directory. And one name that pops up with great regularity is Toepperwein. If that name rings a bell, it should: Adolph Toepperwein was America's most famous exhibition shooter from 1900 until the early 1950s. He was also Boerne's most famous son. And today, the shooting club where Ad Toepperwein got his start still occupies its old range just north of town, hanging on in the face of encroaching housing developments... http://grayssportingjournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=866&Itemid=78 --- Oh Canada!: As a doctoral student in social and political thought, Marnina Norys has often pondered the pitfalls of favouring rules over judgment, though the topic was far from her mind as she stood in the security line at the Kelowna, B.C., airport on Monday. That all changed when a security officer spied Ms. Norys's necklace and piped up. "That's a replica," the officer said with a look of disapproval, referring to the four-centimetre-long, sterling silver pendant, shaped like an antique Colt .45 Peacemaker revolver, dangling from Ms. Norys's neck. With that, the 39-year-old Toronto academic with a self-confessed flair for sassy Wild West accessories was told she would have to stow the offending item before boarding her homeward flight. She put it into her carry-on bag, but was then told it would have to travel in her checked luggage instead... http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080530.wpendant30/BNStory/National/home http://marnina.livejournal.com/55817.html --- Toronto Mayor Makes Concession to Ranges: Mayor David Miller reluctantly accepted a compromise yesterday to allow two Toronto shooting ranges in city facilities to continue to exist - but only if they move to private clubs. The Mayor had earlier supported a call for the Scarborough Rifle Club, housed at the Don Montgomery Community Centre for three decades, and the Canadian National Rifle Association Gun Club, located in the rafters of Union Station since the 1920s, to be evicted from city premises. Had a concession not been offered, the clubs' survival would have been threatened since the executive committee also voted yesterday to ban the establishment of new private gun ranges in Toronto... http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2008/06/03/miller-makes-concession-for-shooting-ranges.aspx --- From AzCDL: SB 1070, the AzCDL-requested bill that makes it easier for lawful gun owners who have satisfactorily completed training to obtain a permit, or renew an expired one, passed out of the House Final Read on June 4, 2008 by a vote of 26-1 with 3 Senators not voting, and was sent to the Governor. It is VERY important to contact the Governor, and urge her to sign SB 1070 into law. You can use your own message, or you can use the sample message below. Her email address is azgov@az.gov. You can also fax a letter to her at 602-542-1381. Or you can mail it to her at the following address: The Honorable Janet Napolitano Governor of Arizona 1700 West Washington Phoenix, Arizona 85007 You can also call her office, toll free, at 1-800-253-0883. Following the sample letter are instructions on how to post your comments on the Governor's website. Subject: Please sign SB 1070 Governor Napolitano: The Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL) has informed me that important legislation, SB 1070, is awaiting your signature. I urge you to sign SB 1070 into law. SB 1070 would make changes to ARS 13-3112 regarding the process for obtaining a concealed weapons permit. It provides that if an applicant has ever satisfactorily completed the required firearms safety training, they have met the training requirement for a permit. Current law (ARS 13-3112.E.6) does not place any time limit on when a person must complete training. However, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) has established arbitrary dates for training validation. In 2007 DPS stated that training must occur within 12 months of an application (Administrative Rule R13-9-202.2.a). Prior to 2007, DPS set this period to be only 6 months. Once a person has obtained a permit, the initial training is good as long as a permit holder submits timely renewals (ARS 13-3112.L). The proposed language recognizes that the training has no expiration date, and aligns the initial permit requirements with the permit renewal requirements. SB 1070 also codifies DPS Administrative Rule R13-9-307 that National Rifle Association (NRA) certified instructors meet the eligibility requirements for DPS certification. It allows that training can be conducted by NRA certified pistol and personal protection instructors, as well as DPS certified instructors (ARS 13-3112.O.4). Again, I urge you to support sound public policy, and sign SB 1070 into law. Sincerely, Your Name Street Address City, AZ zip-code telephone number You can go to the Governor's website, http://azgovernor.gov/Contact.asp, where you will find a fill-in-the-blanks form to register your opinion. For "subject", scroll down and select "Legislation." For "topic", fill in "SB 1070." You can add your own polite message urging her to sign SB 1070 in the "message/comment" area, or you can use the sample message above. HB 2634, the AzCDL-requested bill that clarifies that a person with an expunged or set-aside felony conviction, or one who has had their rights restored, may obtain a concealed weapons permit, was scheduled to be voted on in the House Final Read on June 4, 2008 but they adjourned early. It will most likely be rescheduled for a vote next week. Stay tuned! Information on these and other bills can be found at the AzCDL website: http://www.azcdl.org/html/legislation.html These alerts are a project of the Arizona Citizens Defense League (AzCDL), an all volunteer, non-profit, non-partisan grassroots organization. Join today! AzCDL - Protecting Your Freedom http://www.azcdl.org/html/join_us_.html Copyright © 2008 Arizona Citizens Defense League, Inc., all rights reserved. -- Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .