Felons are learning “hard lessons†from armed citizens, according to the News Tribune of Jefferson City, Missouri. During a home invasion in early October, one of the intruders was shot and killed by one of the occupants of a mobile home. About a week later, an armed assailant was recovering from wounds after he was shot by one of the people he was attempting to herd into a building. In the first case, the firearm was kept in the home for traditional defense of people and property. In the second incident, the assailant was shot by someone who qualifies under the concealed carry law, enacted in 2003. It requires people to obtain a standard of proficiency with firearms before they are permitted to carry a concealed gun. The paper, which had been harboring some reservations about the concealed carry law, now admits its fears were unfounded. “The message being sent to felons is don’t bring a weapon to a crime unless you’re prepared to accept the risk,†the paper now states. In Washington, D.C., the House of Representatives approved a conference report for Department of Homeland Security appropriations including language preventing the Department from classifying springassisted knives as switchblades. Reps. Walt Minnick of Idaho and Bob Latta of Ohio were two of the chief congressional sponsors of the legislative language. “Like most Idahoans, I carry a pocketknife,†said Minnick. “That shouldn’t make me a criminal. Passage of this bill means that the kinds of knives we use while rafting Idaho rivers or fishing its streams or hunting its mountains – or even just to open a stubborn package at the office – will remain legal and free of regulation.†CCRKBA joined with the NRA, Second Amendment Foundation, Washington Arms Collectors and five Seattle residents in filing a lawsuit challenging a new Seattle parks regulation that bans firearms, arguing that the ban violates Washington State’s long-standing preemption statute. The lawsuit filed in King County Superior Court names the City of Seattle, Mayor Greg Nickels and Timothy Gallagher, Superintendent of Parks and Recreation, as defendants. Seattle attorney Steve Fogg with the Seattle law firm of Corr, Cronin, Michelson, Baumgardner & Preece, LLC represents the plaintiffs. “This ban violates Washington State’s 26-year-old model preemption statute,†noted CCRKBA Chairman Alan M. Gottlieb. In New York State, the Venison Donation Coalition called upon hunters, farmers and citizens generally to help feed the hungry by helping to pay for the processing of venison. The Food Banks of New York offered to assist in funding the processing fees. The Food Banks also pick up the processed venison and distribute it to soup kitchens and food pantries throughout the Empire State. Since 1999, the Venison Donation Coalition has processed 337.51 tons of highly nutritious venison or the equivalent of 2,700,800 meals served. Interested Point Blank readers could call 866- 862-DEER for information. In Grove City, Ohio, police said that a robbery victim acted in selfdefense when he shot a man who was trying to rob him late one Monday morning in October behind a Wendy’s restaurant. Investigators told 10TV’s Glenn McEntyre that a man was walking his dog when another man approached him with a gun and demanded his wallet. The victim complied and then pulled out his own gun, shooting the robber, police said. The accused robber ran to a nearby neighborhood where he collapsed. He underwent surgery at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, McEntyre reported. In Washington, D.C., CCRKBA announced its support for H.R. 3749/S. 1770, the proposed Recreational Fishing and Hunting Heritage and Opportunities Act. Proposed in the House by Rep. Dan Boren of Oklahoma and cosponsors and in the Senate by Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and cosponsors, the bill would provide federal land managers with the authority to designate specific areas for recreational shooting.
