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More Self-Defense Gun Stories Submitted by: Robert Morse Website: http://www.selfdefensegunstories.com/	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Firearms Instructor Amanda Suffecool brings us four news stories of armed defense. These honest gun owners faced a lethal threat. They saved lives without seconds to spare. 17 minute audio podcast. Text and sources at the podcast webpage.

U.S. 'Stand Your Ground' laws do not cut crime but risk public health and safety
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Stand Your Ground laws, designed to protect individuals who actively defend themselves from crime, have not improved public safety across the United States, according to a new study in the American Journal of Public Health. In some states, notably Florida, such laws have led to increases in violent crime and homicides�and evidence suggests the application of legal protections under these laws may intensify racial inequities in criminal justice.

OR: Gun sales in Oregon shoot up during COVID-19 pandemic, �all the riots�
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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While Guntraders in Redmond sells mostly collectible guns, owner Jerry Koch said that isn�t stopping customers from flocking to his shop in search of a firearm. They�re coming out of fear, Koch said. Customers are fearful of the protests they�ve seen on television, in Portland and across the country.

�I pray for America,� Koch said. �At the start of the pandemic, they came in and we were busy. They were scared then, too. But once the riots started, they started climbing again.�

NY: 8 Common Self Defense Weapons That Are Illegal in New York
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Some common items used for self-defense are actually illegal to own in New York State.

Being able to protect yourself in a dangerous situation is something that's smart to prepare for, but be careful if you live in New York State. Last summer we discovered that an item called a "monkey fist" is actually considered a deadly weapon and is illegal to own in the Empire State.

It turns out that there are several self-defense items that are banned by the state. While some of them make perfect sense, others may leave you scratching your head.

WI: Jury acquits Kuula; rules fatal stabbing was in self defense
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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A woman held in jail for more than a year after her arrest, was found not guilty on a charge of second-degree reckless homicide Friday, Feb. 19, after a five-day trial in Barron County Circuit Court.

A 12-member jury deliberated for about four hours Friday afternoon before returning a not-guilty verdict in the trial of Melanie Kuula, 45, who had been charged in connection with the stabbing death of her 50-year-old boyfriend, Brett M. Bents, on Aug. 10, 2019, at an apartment building on Soo Avenue in Almena.

AR: Arkansas lawmakers give final OK to 'Stand Your Ground' bill Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Arkansas lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to legislation loosening the state's restrictions on using lethal force in self defense, sending the measure to Republican Gov. Asa Hutchinson. The House voted 72-23 for the bill, which removes the state's duty to retreat before using deadly force. The Senate approved the bill last month.

AR: Arkansas Legislature Passes "Stand Your Ground" Bill, Now Goes To Governor Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
The Arkansas House of Representatives voted Wednesday to pass Senate Bill 24, which establishes a "Stand Your Ground" statute in the state. The House voted 72-23, with one representative voting present, to pass the legislation. No Democrat voted for the bill, while three Republicans joined Democrats in voting against it.

AR: Stand Your Ground Legislation Sent to the Governor�s Desk for Signature Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Today, the Arkansas House marked the final vote on Stand Your ground Legislation, Senate Bill 24. This important self-defense measure now heads to the desk of Governor Asa Hutchinson for his signature. Please contact Governor Hutchinson and ask him to sign Senate Bill 24 into law.

MO: McCloskeys speak at second amendment rally at Missouri capitol
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The St. Louis couple accused of confronting protestors with their guns this summer took center stage at a Second Amendment rally at the state capitol Wednesday morning.

Patricia and Mark McCloskey spoke for about 10 minutes in the Capitol rotunda.

�Be free to live your life without being afraid of the government,� Mark McCloskey said. �Maybe we should make the government a little afraid of us because that�s where it�s supposed to be.�

ME: Caribou considers becoming state�s third Second Amendment Sanctuary city Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Caribou City Council will consider declaring the city a Second Amendment Sanctuary during its next regular meeting March 8. The designation would mean the city would only follow the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects people�s rights to keep and bear arms among other things, and not acknowledge state or federal gun laws.

TX: Legislation Protecting Second Amendment Rights During Disasters Introduced By Texas Lawmakers
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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"On Wednesday, Rep. Cole Hefner (R-Mount Pleasant), and Sen. Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe), filed House Bill 2249 and Senate Bill 18, NRA-backed bills which establish that firearms and ammunition manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, suppliers and retailers are essential businesses that shall not be prohibited by state or local officials from operating during a declared disaster or emergency," said NRA-ILA Executive Director Jason Ouimet. "We appreciate Lt. Governor Dan Patrick prioritizing this issue by assigning it a low bill number in the Senate. We thank Sen. Creighton and Rep. Hefner for introducing this critical legislation to ensure that law-abiding Texans' Second Amendment rights are protected when they need them most.�

FL: Senate bill aims to repeal Stand Your Grand law
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The Florida Senate has introduced a bill, SB 1052, which is titled the Self Defense Restoration Act. This will delete provisions in the controversial Stand Your Ground law relating to people using or threatening to use force if they feel threatened or in defense of people or their property.

The bill was first filed on Feb. 4 and was referred to the Judiciary Committee on Feb. 10.

�These laws just were passed sort of methodically, particularly in red states, state by state by state, over the course of about 10 years,� said Democrat Rep. Robyn Thomas.

KS: Jury Finds Henry Not Guilty In Shooting Death Of Ark City Man Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
A Cowley County jury Wednesday found Christopher Henry not guilty of second degree murder in the shooting death of 28-year-old Jonathan Martinez last April in Ark City. Henry was also found not guilty of unlawful discharge of a firearm. Jurors deliberated at the county courthouse in Winfield for about two hours before delivering a verdict. Judge Christopher Smith presided in the case.

How To Use Verbal And Non-Verbal Communication For Self Defense
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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When considering a personal-defense plan, people rarely consider the need to communicate with others who may be on your side. Waiting until the bullets start flying to try to come up with signals that can be understood is probably not a very good idea. When dealing with a violent criminal attack, we need to be able to communicate with our partner, both verbally and with hand gestures, in order to present and utilize a united defense.

ND: Concealed Carry Legislation Heads to the Senate Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Today, the North Dakota House unanimously approved concealed permit enhancement legislation, House Bill 1450. Having passed out of the House, the measure now heads to the Senate for further consideration. Please contact your State Senator and ask them to SUPPORT House Bill 1450.

New for 2021: Springfield Armory Hellcat RDP Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
When Springfield Armory introduced its Hellcat pistol, it immediately took a lead spot in the micro-compact pistol market. The gun, with its 11-round flush-fit magazine capacity and 13-round extended magazine, offered capacity in a small package that made it perfect for personal defense. Now, Springfield is upping the capability of this capacious compact with its Hellcat Rapid Defense Package.

AL: Brooks supports Sorrell�s permitless carry bill Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Congressman Mo Brooks, R-Alabama, on Tuesday expressed his support for Alabama state Rep. Andrew Sorrell�s House Bill 405, which would allow Alabamians to carry a concealed pistol without needing to obtain a concealed carry permit. This type of legislation is often referred to as permitless carry or constitutional carry by gun rights advocates.

Complex Lies and Simple Truths � Covid and Crime
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Life is complex. Sure, in the time of Covid you can tell everyone to stay home and starve, but they won�t do it. They won�t do it even though you�re emperor Cuomo of New York. Even with all your wealth and political influence, you can�t make people lay down and obey. They act for themselves, and soon they think for themselves.

Ordinary people are frightened by what they see around them. Of course, you can order gun stores to close by saying they are non-essential businesses, but criminals already have their guns. The thugs can always get more guns off the street.

Crime goes on, and crime goes up.

'Ghost Gun' Bans Are Doomed from the Start
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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The problem with imposing legal restrictions intended to stop a practice that is designed to evade legal restrictions is that you were outflanked before you even started. That's the challenge for President Joe Biden and lawmakers around the country as they consider limits on "ghost guns"�homemade guns that are created, owned, and used off the government's radar. Do-it-yourself manufacturing has always hobbled authorities' ability to control things they don't like, and the modern ghost gun movement specifically evolved to put personal armaments beyond the reach of the state.

Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act announced Wednesday
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
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A bill was announced Wednesday that would prevent the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from transmitting certain information to the Department of Justice for use by the national instant criminal background check system.

The Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act prohibits the VA from sending certain information on veterans or beneficiaries assisted by a fiduciary to NICS without a judicial ruling that they are a danger to themselves or others according to a release from Congresswoman Liz Cheney.

"Second Amendment, First Responder" Ads Continue to Gain Steam
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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In recent weeks, cable news networks have seen a noticeable rise in ads defending the Second Amendment and urging viewers to take action. We can thank Alan Gottlieb and the Second Amendment Foundation's grassroots fundraising and 2A support efforts for these ads. These 60-second ads, aptly titled �Second Amendment, First Responder,� pull no punches in getting their message across. The Second Amendment is under siege, and Gottlieb intends to do everything in his power to let people know what they can do about it.

These ads aren�t going away anytime soon either. In fact, last week Gottlieb announced that they had bought an additional 89 spots to air through the rest of this week.

Addressing Financial De-Platforming A Must
Submitted by: Mark A. Taff
Website: http://www.marktaff.com

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Second Amendment supporters need to understand why many anti-Second Amendment extremists are targeting banks and financial service companies � because our Achilles heel is not so much government action, it�s the money. Sound crazy? Not really. Throughout history, exercising our right to keep and bear arms has always involved money.

Think about the guns you own. In many cases you bought the firearms, either new or used. But at some point, somebody needed to acquire them from the FFL, who acquired them from the business that manufactured them or the business who imported them from a foreign country, where somebody manufactured them.

GA: Congresswoman Greene Introduces Gun Owner Privacy Act Submitted by: Mark A. Taff Website: http://www.marktaff.com	There are no comments on this story Post Comments \| Read Comments
Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (GA-14) delivered again for Americans and the Second Amendment by introducing the Gun Owner Privacy Act (GOPA). This pro-gun legislation ensures that gun ownership is not monitored and logged by the federal government, and provides legal recourse by allowing damages to be collected by citizens whose rights have been violated.