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The United States Supreme Court has decided to hear the McDonald v. Chicago case, which will decide whether the 2nd Amendment right to keep and bear arms applies against state and local government, the same way it applies against the Federal government.  An NRA press release which provides more information is quoted below: Read the rest of this article »

A truly terrible case from England shows both the futility of gun control, and the terrible things that can happen to unarmed victims: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, Wetumpka, Alabama police say that at around 2:15 AM, a burglar broke in to a homeowner’s utility shed and tried to steal a trimmer and a chain saw.  The 64 year old homeowner, whose name has not been released, is said to have heard noises from the burglary attempt and gone out to investigate.  A struggle ensued, and the alleged burglar fled to his vehicle, which would not start.  At this point, police say that the burglar got out of his vehicle and threatened to shoot the homeowner.  The homeowner is then said to have grabbed his 20 gauge shotgun, and shot the burglar in the chest.  The suspected burglar, 36 year old Michael Dale Roberts II, was taken to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.  He has been charged with three counts of theft, two counts of breaking and entering, and one count of burglary.  The homeowner was unharmed, and is not expected to face charges for his self defense action. Read the rest of this article »

In a Valley Independent article entitled “Homicide charge shocker,” writer Jeff Pikulsky provides what I find to be a shockingly sensationalist, biased, and legally deficient report about a self defense shooting case. A summary of the facts, some background on the basic principles of law at issue, and my responses to that anti self defense article are below: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, two masked robbers entered the man’s Indianola, Illinois home, choked him, and held him and his wife at gunpoint.  The man’s wife told the robbers that she said she had expensive jewelry upstairs, and the robbers let down their guard while focusing on that jewelry box.  The homeowner used that opportunity to grab his handgun and fatally shoot the two robbers in self defense, saving himself and his wife.  A third suspected accomplice, who police say was in a getaway vehicle outside, was arrested shortly after the home invasion robbery attempt. Read the rest of this article »

Below is my review of the Browning BT-99, a break open single shot trapshooting shotgun. Read the rest of this article »

Illinois State Representative Patricia Bellock has posed an online survey.  One of the questions asks whether you support concealed carry.  I would encourage IL residents to take this survey, and also contact their representatives to voice support for concealed carry.  As it stands, IL is the only state besides Wisconsin that has no concealed carry provision, and the ONLY state that bans both concealed carry and open carry.  Not surprisingly, criminals ignore the ban on carrying a gun, and prey on unarmed victims.  This situation is simply unjust, and needs to change.

As reported, Dayton, OH police say that a 72 year old man was driving down the road at 6 PM on Saturday, when 24 year old Phillip Anderson cut him off.  Anderson is alleged to have then jumped out of his car and pointed an AK-47 at the elderly man, saying “give me all you got.”  The 72 year old robber victim, who had a concealed carry permit, is said to have pulled out his own handgun and shot Anderson in self defense.  Anderson, who survived, faces aggravated robbery charges.  The 72 year old concealed carry permit holder was unharmed, and will not face charges for defending himself. Read the rest of this article »

Amazon Kindle users can now subscribe to LearnAboutGuns.com through the Kindle store. Read the rest of this article »

As reported, Ormond Beach, FL Police say that 38 year old Christopher Young and 31 year old William Bell broke in to Dane Rollin’s house early in the morning, armed with handguns.  After breaking in, the two alleged robbers are said to have stolen money from Rollin, while threatening his life.  During the robbery, Rollin reportedly grabbed his self defense shotgun, and shot the two alleged home invaders in self defense.  Police reportedly found Young and Bell nearby, with multiple gunshot wounds, while Rollin was unharmed. Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a home invader in his 20’s knocked on an apartment door on the 1400 block of Broadway, in San Diego, CA.  When an occupant opened the door, the home invader forced his way inside and used his handgun to threaten the occupants’ lives.  One of those occupants grabbed a shotgun, and shot the home invader in self defense.  The home invader was pronounced dead at Sharp Memorial Hospital about an hour later.  None of the apartment occupants were harmed. Read the rest of this article »

Saturday night, my fiancé and I decided to go see a movie.  There wasn’t anything playing that we really wanted to see, but I noticed that The Final Destination was being shown in 3D. Since neither of us had yet seen a modern 3D movie in theaters, we settled on The Final Destination.  The movie wasn’t that great, as we sort of expected.  The 3D system wasn’t that great either, and left us both with mild headaches and eye strain.  But what we really found annoying was the way that The Final Destination’s creators decided to perpetuate the myth that NRA members are racists: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a pregnant Mobile, Alabama woman held an armed home invader at shotgun point until the police arrived to arrest him. Randi Fairley, who is six and a half months pregnant, awoke at 4 AM when her unborn daughter began to kick.  Randi then heard a noise downstairs.  Investigating the sound, she found an intruder, and yelled at him.  Randi then grabbed a shotgun, and chased the intruder into the street.  The home invader allegedly pulled a handgun on the pregnant woman, at which point she said “you know, you need to put that away before I shoot you because mine’s bigger,” prompting the home invader to put his pistol back into his pocket.  With some help from her mother and husband, Randi then held the alleged home invader at shotgun point until the police arrived to arrest him.  Neither Randi, her unborn child, her 4 year old son, her husband, or her mother were harmed.  Upon arresting the alleged home invader, police reportedly searched his home and found cash, marijuana, and stolen items.  The alleged home invader is now a suspect in at least 13 burglaries, and had previously been arrested on similar charges earlier in the year. Read the rest of this article »

I’m curious how the pro gun rights readers of this website feel about openly supporting gun rights. Read the rest of this article »

As reported, 38 year old Gary Bowers of Port Orchard, WA was camping with his wife and two young children along a remote bank of Wynooche Lake when a drunk man named Westin Wolff stumbled into their campsite, and began knocking over and throwing their camping gear.  Bowers thought a wild animal was in the campsite,a and fired a shot into the air to scare it off.  Emerging to find that it was in fact a drunk person, Bowers asked Wolff and a friend of Wolff to leave their campsite.  Wolff refused and became aggressive, at which point Bowers fired a pair of warning shots, which finally prompted Wolff to leave the Bowers’ alone and return to his own campsite.  For unknown reasons, Wolff later stripped off everything but his shorts and t-shirt, picked up a machete, left his own campsite, and went back to the Bowers’ campsite.  Bowers saw Wolff emerging from the forest with the machete, and warned Wolff to stop his attack.  Wolff refused, and tried to slash and stab Bowers several times.  Fearing for his safety and the safety of his family, Bowers fired one shot in self defense, stopping Wolff’s attack.  Bowers then sent his family to a pay phone to call the police and paramedics, while he remained behind to provide first aid to the injured attacker.  Wolff died, Bowers and his family were unharmed, and Bowers has been cleared of any wrongdoing. Read the rest of this article »

A tragic murder from January 2008 teaches powerful lessons about self defense.  While researching and writing about this case was heartbreaking, I offer the following article in the hope that we as a country can learn from Meredith Emerson’s murder, so that this same fate doesn’t befall another innocent person. Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a Wellington, FL home owner shot a violent home invader in self defense. Just before 11PM on Thursday, a home owner was in his house on the 1400 block of 12th Fairway when two men broke in.  The home owner told police that the home invaders attacked him, and that a struggle ensued.  The home owner was able to shoot one of the criminals in the chest, at which point both criminals fled.  A suspect with a gunshot wound to the chest was found at a nearby hospital, and is expected to live. Police continue to search for the second suspect.  The home owner was unharmed. Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a 15 year old Brooklyn, NY boy had a handgun tucked in his waistband while walking home at 1:30AM, police say.  The pistol began to slide out from his waistband, and he tried to catch it, but  instead of catching the pistol, the boy managed to squeeze the trigger, shooting himself in the penis, according to police.  The boy managed to make it home and told his mother, at which point she rushed him to the hospital for treatment, police say.  The boy was reportedly treated for his injury and then arrested for reckless endangerment and criminal possession of a weapon.  My thoughts are below: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, two robbers walked in to the Jewelry Exchange last Wednesday afternoon. One of the robbers pointed a gun at the store owner, threatening his life. The owner quickly grabbed his own defense gun from under a desk, and shot the robber in self defense. The wounded robber and his unwounded co-conspirator then fled, leaving the store owner unharmed. Police found a wounded suspect laying in the grass about a block away, and expect that suspect to live. Police are searching for the other robber. Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a 74 year old Lewes, Delaware home owner, whose name has not been released, returned to his home on the 19000 block of Bee Jay Ln to find an unexpected vehicle near his driveway.  The home owner also noticed that the front door to his home had been kicked in, and that the side door was open. Two home invaders approached the home owner at the side door to his house, and tried to explain their presence on his property by saying they were “looking to purchase a dump truck.”  The home owner then asked the two home invaders to leave his property, but they refused and advanced on him.  One of the home invaders grabbed a landscaping tool, and threatened the home owner’s life.  At this point the 74 year old home owner grabbed a machete that was next to the door and cut the home invader several times in the arm and hand.  Undeterred, both home invaders continued to advance on the home owner, at which point he drew his .25 caliber pistol and shot the other home invader in the abdomen.  Both home invaders then fled.  One suspect, Gregory B. Stewart, was found at a local hospital suffering from a gunshot wound to the stomach.  The other suspect, Paul L. Spencer, was found at his nearby home.  Spencer was arrested and charged with 2nd degree burglary, 2nd degree conspiracy, menacing, and criminal mischief.  A warrant for Stewart’s arrest on the same charges has been issued as well, and Stewart is expected to be arrested upon release from the hospital.  The 74 year old home owner was unharmed. Read the rest of this article »

In the ongoing fight for gun rights, it is important to remember that one person really can make a difference.  Here is an example: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a cab driver in Mecklenburg, NC shot an armed robber who posed as a passenger then pulled a gun on him.  Police say that 17 year old Renaldo Smith called a cab to an apartment complex, intending to rob the driver.  Seconds after getting in to the cab, Smith pulled out a gun and pointed it at the driver, threatening his life.  The cab driver grabbed his own gun, and shot smith in self defense.  By the time police arrived, Smith was dead, and the cab driver was unharmed.  Police records show that Smith had previously been arrested and charged with felony breaking and entering last September. Read the rest of this article »

Although criminals can attack at any time of day, they often commit robberies and home invasions under cover of darkness.  However, many gun owners are unaccustomed to shooting in the dark, since ranges tend to be well lit and/or open during the daytime hours.  Training in daylight, while helpful, does not fully prepare a person for the realities of shooting in self defense at night.  The solution to this problem is Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a 65 year old Hillsborough, NC homeowner opened fire in self defense, after finding 4 intruders in his living room. Police say that the homeowner, whose name has not been released, was at home when he heard his door being forced open. The homeowner grabbed his pistol and saw three intruders in his living room just after 11:30 PM. Fearing for his safety, the homeowner shot one of the home invaders in self defense, and all of the intruders fled, according to police. 19 year old Jerome Williams, who was shot in the chest but is expected to survive, has been charged with first degree burglary. Also charged are three alleged accomplice, who police arrested nearby. The homeowner was unharmed, and police do not expect that he will face charges for his self defense actions. Read the rest of this article »

As reported, three 16 year olds and one 17 year old broke in to a house on Chestnut street in San Marcos, TX at 2AM, armed with a handgun and two pellet guns.  The homeowner heard the commotion from the break in, and grabbed his .40 S&W Glock handgun.  When the home owner opened his bedroom door to investigate, one of the criminals pointed a gun at him, police say.  Fearing for his safety, the home owner opened fire on the intruders.  Two of the 16 year old home invaders were killed, and the third alleged 16 year old intruder was wounded.  The unharmed 17 year old alleged intruder has been charged with aggravated robbery, and the surviving 16 year old is expected to face charges as well.  The home owner was unharmed, and no charges are expected. Read the rest of this article »

The focus of this website is gun and other closely related matters.  I intentionally try to keep other issues away from this website, since I don’t want to detract from the gun-related message.  However a recent article in Newsweek, which relates to nuclear arms control and President Obama, seemed both interesting and somewhat related to the gun rights issue: Read the rest of this article »

United States District Court Judge Joan Humphrey Lefkow was assigned a medical malpractice case filed by Bart Ross, an electrician.  Lefkow, acting as judge, dismissed Ross’ lawsuit, which apparently enraged him.  On February 28, 2005, Judge Lefkow returned to her home and found her husband and mother fatally shot in the basement.  Ross committed suicide a couple weeks later, and confessed to the murders in his suicide note.  DNA evidence also indicated that Ross was the killer.  However, it turns out that white supremacist Mathew Hale was also trying to get a hitman to kill Judge Lefkow, after she ruled against him in a trademark lawsuit.  Hale is now serving 40 years in prison for soliciting her murder.  About a month ago, Judge Lefkow spoke out about the killings of her family members, and her previous home security arrangements.  Her comments, and my thoughts, are below: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, 41 year old Loucinda Carroll and a friend went to the Sunfresh store to shoplift meat, and that the manager caught them in the act.  The manager is said to have followed the shoplifters to the parking lot to get their license plate, while yelling at them to stop and for someone to call the police.  Police say that Carroll drove the vehicle into the manager, striking her in the legs and pinning her to the hood of the car.  Fortunately for the manager, William Miller was nearby, and had a concealed carry permit.  Miller used his truck to block the parking lot exit, drew his handgun, and repeatedly told Carroll to get out of the car, according to police.  Fearing for his own life and the life of the manager who had been attacked with the car, Miller fired at Carroll, striking her in the shoulder, and putting an end to the violent attack, police say.  The local prosecutor has indicated that Carroll will be charged once she is released from the hospital, and that Miller will face no charges for his lawful and heroic actions. Read the rest of this article »

Below is my review of the Magpul PMAG polymer AR-15 magazine: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a 26 year old man was outside his apartment when three attackers confronted him.  The man retreated to his apartment, however the criminals broke in to his home and continued to attack him.  Fearing for his safety, the man used his handgun to shoot the home invaders, killing two and injuring one.  The surviving suspect is expected to live, and face charges for this attack. Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a pair of armed robbers entered the Central Pawn West pawn shop in Phoenix, AZ at about 11AM on Sunday, intending to rob it.  One of the robbers entered the store and pointed a gun at the throat of a 15 year old employee, threatening his life.  The owner of the store saw the robbery unfolding, and grabbed his own gun.  The owner then opened fire on the robbers, hitting one of them in the face and leaving him in “extremely critical” condition.  The other robber fled, and is being sought by police, who know his license plate number.  Neither the store owner nor the 15 year old employee were harmed. Read the rest of this article »

Last month, I wrote about an unpleasant gun store experience, and my decision to boycott that gun store.  That story now has a happy ending, thanks to a local FFL who has really impressed me: Read the rest of this article »

Chicago is a city of double standards when it comes to gun rights.  While ordinary citizens are deprived of the right to own a handgun for self defense, influential politicians exempt themselves from that ban.  Other politicians are also provided around the clock bodyguards at taxpayer expense, even when there is no threat to that politician’s safety.  Chicago cops are also allowed to carry a gun for self defense while off duty, but ordinary Chicago residents are denied the same concealed carry rights that citizens of 48 states are granted.  This injustice really becomes apparent when one examines the outcomes of cases where unarmed citizens are attacked by criminals, and where cops are attacked by criminals: Read the rest of this article »

As reported, a Nashville, TN man used his gun to fend off two robbers who broke into his home Saturday night.  Police say that two robbers broke in to the man’s home on Lindy Murff Ct.  The homeowner grabbed his self defense gun and shot one of the home invaders in the chest.  Both criminals then fled to a nearby gas station, and tried to claim that they were themselves the victims of a robbery.  The wounded criminal was taken to a local hospital, and is expected to survive and face charges.  The unwounded criminal has been arrested.  The homeowner was unharmed. Read the rest of this article »

Legally (and morally) speaking, there is (generally) a proportionality limit when it comes to self defense.  Simply put, Read the rest of this article »