Gun Skills Along With Gun Rights: Editorial in a Montana paper supports a bill that would expand a citizen's right to draw a firearm in a threatening situation. It goes on to point out the benefit of training for such situations, stating, "Such training shouldn't be mandatory. You shouldn't have to take a class to exercise a fundamental right. But it ought to be readily available." http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/02/20/opinion/opinion3.txt --- Brady Bunch Misfires On Castle Doctrine: Howard Nemerov dissects the Brady Bunch's attack on castle-doctrine legislation pending in Texas. (This quotation pretty much sums up the Brady position on the RKBA: "The law only changes things for the bad guy," Mr. Ragbourn said. "The good guys already had the law on their side.") http://mensnewsdaily.com/2007/02/20/gun-control-brady-misfires-on-castle-doctrine/ --- Stand-Your-Ground Bill Advances In Missouri: Missourians would be allowed to use deadly force to defend themselves from intruders in their cars as well as their homes under a measure passed by the House on Monday. The bill, called the "Castle Doctrine" after a concept in English common law, also would protect home and car owners from civil lawsuits if an intruder is killed or wounded. http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/missouristatenews/story/690B814E9F3D8AD68625728800185BC7?OpenDocument --- However, In Virginia...: A Senate committee rejected legislation providing civil immunity to residents who kill intruders after a prosecutor argued the measure could have the unintended consequence of protecting the bad guy...Last year, the same committee rejected legislation that would have barred prosecution of residents who use deadly force against anyone who breaks in and physically threatens them. http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/virginia/dp-va--xgr-deadlyforce0219feb19,0,2719404.story?coll=dp-headlines-virginia --- Illinois Man Struggles To Maintain Firearm Ownership: Gun owners in Illinois are required to possess a Firearm Owner's Identification card, commonly called a FOID...Each time Jenkins applies for a FOID card, he receives a form letter from the Illinois State Police alerting him to a 1975 arrest by Decatur police for aggravated battery...He is instructed by the state police to send a certified statement from the circuit clerk to prove there was no criminal conviction... http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2007/02/20/news/local_news/1021283.txt --- Angle Of Shots: This brief article is of interest because it points out how a forensic evaluation of the angles of entry of gunshots may figure into the investigation and litigation of a shooting incident. This is why it's important not to tamper with a crime scene - physical findings are likely to contradict the fabrication. http://www.koin.com/Global/story.asp?S=6116637 --- Oops, Wrong House: A gunman who burst through the back door of a South Carolina house ended up getting shot with his own weapon when the homeowner wrestled it away from him, authorities said. http://www.charleston.net/assets/webPages/departmental/news/Stories.aspx?section=localnews&tableId=131305&pubDate=2/20/2007 --- From AzCDL: On Tuesday, February 20, 2007, the Senate convened the Committee of the Whole (COW) followed by Third Read on four pro-rights bills. Information on these and other bills can be found at the AzCDL website: http://www.azcdl.org/html/legislation.html . The following is the status of these Bills: SB 1251 - Passed in the COW then was approved on Third Read by a vote of 19-9 with 2 not voting. Strengthens the "public establishment or event" storage requirements. SB 1258 - Passed in the COW. Would prohibit the Governor or Adjutant General from confiscating lawfully held firearms or ammunition during a state of emergency. SB 1301 - Passed in the COW. Rewrites 13-3102.F to clarify that if any portion of a weapon or holster is visible, the weapon is openly carried. SB 1302 - Approved in Third Read by a vote of 29-0 with one not voting. Clarifies that the intent of the Castle Doctrine bill that restored "innocent until proven guilty" applied to all court cases pending on April 24, 2006 when the bill was signed. SB 1251 and SB 1302 will now cross-over to the House. SB 1258 and SB 1301 will be scheduled for Third Read. We will keep you informed of the status of these and other bills as they progress in the legislature. 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