Hannah Kelley, 20, had been clinging to life after her injury in a freak accident last Sunday at Grace Connection Church in Lealman, which is led by her father, Tim Kelley.

"FREAK ACCIDENT," is that what they're calling it? 

A freak accident is when the hubcap of a passing car comes off and hits your gun like a frisbee, causing a discharge. That's a freak accident. In this case Old Moises forget there was a round in the chamber, violating one of the 4 Rules and then another Rule was violated when someone touched the trigger.

But, in Florida they call that a "freak accident."

What's your opinion? Mine is that Moises should go to jail for a little while and lose his right to own and use guns for life.  That's what the One-strike-you're-out rule is all about.  

MikeB

Hannah Kelley, 20, had been clinging to life after her injury in a freak accident last Sunday at Grace Connection Church in Lealman, which is led by her father, Tim Kelley.

"FREAK ACCIDENT," is that what they're calling it? 

A freak accident is when the hubcap of a passing car comes off and hits your gun like a frisbee, causing a discharge. That's a freak accident. In this case Old Moises forget there was a round in the chamber, violating one of the 4 Rules and then another Rule was violated when someone touched the trigger.

But, in Florida they call that a "freak accident."

What's your opinion? Mine is that Moises should go to jail for a little while and lose his right to own and use guns for life.  That's what the One-strike-you're-out rule is all about.  

MikeB

Sudden shotgun blasts recently shattered the quiet of the homes that line West Crooked Lake in Eustis.

Boom! Boom! Madelaine Lock was visiting with her neighbor, and together they ran toward the lake. Boom! Doors flew open, and residents streamed outside. Five of them dialed 911 to summon police.

They needn't have bothered.

Out on West Crooked Lake, three happy hunters displayed the carcasses of five dead ducks. Eustis officers snagged the hunters and began to remonstrate with them. They needn't have bothered, either.

Remember the ordinances cities typically enacted that prevented people living close to one another from pulling out their weapons and firing willy-nilly?

Gone, thanks to the Legislature. That's what happens when big boys with guns want more room to play and the very powerful National Rifle Association pushes relentlessly.

"It is OK to hunt ducks on a lake surrounded by residential homes, but it is against the law for these same residents to use fireworks?" asked Eustis police Chief Fred Cobb, whose officers were powerless to restore peace to the West Crooked Lake neighborhood. "If the Legislature is concerned about public safety, I don't understand their logic."

What's your opinion? Don't you think they've gone way too far in Florida? Did you see the NRA person's justification, that it's about "the constitutional right to keep and bear arms for the protection of yourself and your family." Do these people think before they speak? Are they repeating the same old nonsense so often that it's lost all meaning and context?

MikeB

Sudden shotgun blasts recently shattered the quiet of the homes that line West Crooked Lake in Eustis.

Boom! Boom! Madelaine Lock was visiting with her neighbor, and together they ran toward the lake. Boom! Doors flew open, and residents streamed outside. Five of them dialed 911 to summon police.

They needn't have bothered.

Out on West Crooked Lake, three happy hunters displayed the carcasses of five dead ducks. Eustis officers snagged the hunters and began to remonstrate with them. They needn't have bothered, either.

Remember the ordinances cities typically enacted that prevented people living close to one another from pulling out their weapons and firing willy-nilly?

Gone, thanks to the Legislature. That's what happens when big boys with guns want more room to play and the very powerful National Rifle Association pushes relentlessly.

"It is OK to hunt ducks on a lake surrounded by residential homes, but it is against the law for these same residents to use fireworks?" asked Eustis police Chief Fred Cobb, whose officers were powerless to restore peace to the West Crooked Lake neighborhood. "If the Legislature is concerned about public safety, I don't understand their logic."

What's your opinion? Don't you think they've gone way too far in Florida? Did you see the NRA person's justification, that it's about "the constitutional right to keep and bear arms for the protection of yourself and your family." Do these people think before they speak? Are they repeating the same old nonsense so often that it's lost all meaning and context?

MikeB

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent is dead after gunfire at the agency's offices in a California federal building.

In the incident at the Glenn M. Anderson Federal Building in Long Beach, Calif., an ICE agent allegedly opened fire on two colleagues, leaving one wounded with multiple gunshots, another unharmed, and the initial shooter dead, ICE told ABC News.

Earlier, multiple published reports citing the Long Beach Police described a second agent dead and the third wounded, but those reports were mistaken, ICE said.

The incident began as an unspecified dispute between a supervisor and a subordinate.

This story is a perfect illustration of the problem which exists among lawful gun owners. Some of them are hidden time-bombs. It would be very difficult to identify them before something happens, but that is exactly what gun control is all about.

Through better screening and qualifying, many of the worst cases can be disarmed before they cause damage.  This applies to cops and civilians alike. 

MikeB

A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent is dead after gunfire at the agency's offices in a California federal building.

In the incident at the Glenn M. Anderson Federal Building in Long Beach, Calif., an ICE agent allegedly opened fire on two colleagues, leaving one wounded with multiple gunshots, another unharmed, and the initial shooter dead, ICE told ABC News.

Earlier, multiple published reports citing the Long Beach Police described a second agent dead and the third wounded, but those reports were mistaken, ICE said.

The incident began as an unspecified dispute between a supervisor and a subordinate.

This story is a perfect illustration of the problem which exists among lawful gun owners. Some of them are hidden time-bombs. It would be very difficult to identify them before something happens, but that is exactly what gun control is all about.

Through better screening and qualifying, many of the worst cases can be disarmed before they cause damage.  This applies to cops and civilians alike. 

MikeB

The New Hampshire state Senate rejected several controversial gun bills Wednesday. All of the proposals originally passed the House.

The move suggests that the Senate’s patience for 2nd Amendment legislation may be about up.

The Senate made brisk work of the so-called gun bills in front of them. “We spent a grand total of 6 minutes on 5 bills because we want to focus on the issues that are important to the New Hampshire people,” Senate President Peter Bragdon said.

The bills the Senate down include a measure allowing people to carry loaded weapons – including crossbows – in their vehicles and one that permits weapons in public places like college campuses, the Verizon Center and the state psychiatric hospital.

This is wonderful news. I love the way gun-rights folks keep talking like these gun bills are part of their 2A rights and therefore inevitable. It's heartening to see not everyone agrees with that.

MikeB

The New Hampshire state Senate rejected several controversial gun bills Wednesday. All of the proposals originally passed the House.

The move suggests that the Senate’s patience for 2nd Amendment legislation may be about up.

The Senate made brisk work of the so-called gun bills in front of them. “We spent a grand total of 6 minutes on 5 bills because we want to focus on the issues that are important to the New Hampshire people,” Senate President Peter Bragdon said.

The bills the Senate down include a measure allowing people to carry loaded weapons – including crossbows – in their vehicles and one that permits weapons in public places like college campuses, the Verizon Center and the state psychiatric hospital.

This is wonderful news. I love the way gun-rights folks keep talking like these gun bills are part of their 2A rights and therefore inevitable. It's heartening to see not everyone agrees with that.

MikeB

MARK FIORINO was legally carrying his .40-caliber Glock on his hip as he walked along Frankford Avenue on Feb. 13, 2011, when he was stopped by Philadelphia police, who pointed a gun at him, harassed him and handcuffed him.

Today, he plans to file a civil suit against the department for the incident.

Fiorino, who recorded his 45-minute confrontation with police and posted it on YouTube, is suing for "violation of his constitutional rights to be free from unlawful searches, excessive force and malicious prosecution," according to the complaint filed on his behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union.

"Since I was detained and searched and cuffed and embarrassed in front of everybody, I decided to file a suit," Fiorino said yesterday. "I'd like to see that other citizens who are abiding by the law and want to defend themselves by carrying a firearm and exercising their rights don't get continually mistreated."

Just like the exaggerated claims that "more women are buying guns," the open carry movement attempts to normalize guns. They've said as much, that if people could only get used to seeing guns they wouldn't mind them so much.

The problem remains the same regardless of how acceptable gun carrying becomes. Some of the gun owners are not the law-abiding and responsible individuals they pretend to be. They are dangerous and to be around them makes you less safe not safer.

MikeB

MARK FIORINO was legally carrying his .40-caliber Glock on his hip as he walked along Frankford Avenue on Feb. 13, 2011, when he was stopped by Philadelphia police, who pointed a gun at him, harassed him and handcuffed him.

Today, he plans to file a civil suit against the department for the incident.

Fiorino, who recorded his 45-minute confrontation with police and posted it on YouTube, is suing for "violation of his constitutional rights to be free from unlawful searches, excessive force and malicious prosecution," according to the complaint filed on his behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union.

"Since I was detained and searched and cuffed and embarrassed in front of everybody, I decided to file a suit," Fiorino said yesterday. "I'd like to see that other citizens who are abiding by the law and want to defend themselves by carrying a firearm and exercising their rights don't get continually mistreated."

Just like the exaggerated claims that "more women are buying guns," the open carry movement attempts to normalize guns. They've said as much, that if people could only get used to seeing guns they wouldn't mind them so much.

The problem remains the same regardless of how acceptable gun carrying becomes. Some of the gun owners are not the law-abiding and responsible individuals they pretend to be. They are dangerous and to be around them makes you less safe not safer.

MikeB

The men took precautions. They walked away from the crowd in a recreation room at Grace Connection Church and into a closet. Zambrana removed the Ruger's magazine, the Sheriff's Office said, and started to explain the gun's safety features.

But he forgot about the round in the chamber.

Around 12:30 p.m., the gun accidentally went off, according to the Sheriff's Office, sending a bullet through the wall and into the head of Hannah Kelley, 20, — Bueller's girlfriend and daughter of the church's pastor, Tim Kelley. "It does appear this was a tragic accident," said Cecilia Barreda, a sheriff's spokeswoman.

Zambrana, of Pinellas Park, has a concealed weapons permit. Records show he also is a licensed security officer. He did not return a call for comment.

No charges were filed.

What am I referring to as "the best part?" Well, I guess there are two. One, he was trained and had the CCW permit, nevertheless was careless and negligent enough to forget about the one in the chamber. And two, no charges were filed."

Florida continues to amaze.

MikeB

The men took precautions. They walked away from the crowd in a recreation room at Grace Connection Church and into a closet. Zambrana removed the Ruger's magazine, the Sheriff's Office said, and started to explain the gun's safety features.

But he forgot about the round in the chamber.

Around 12:30 p.m., the gun accidentally went off, according to the Sheriff's Office, sending a bullet through the wall and into the head of Hannah Kelley, 20, — Bueller's girlfriend and daughter of the church's pastor, Tim Kelley. "It does appear this was a tragic accident," said Cecilia Barreda, a sheriff's spokeswoman.

Zambrana, of Pinellas Park, has a concealed weapons permit. Records show he also is a licensed security officer. He did not return a call for comment.

No charges were filed.

What am I referring to as "the best part?" Well, I guess there are two. One, he was trained and had the CCW permit, nevertheless was careless and negligent enough to forget about the one in the chamber. And two, no charges were filed."

Florida continues to amaze.

MikeB

A suicide at a South Florida gun range led to the discovery of a second dead body in a Tamarac home as BSO investigators discovered it wasn’t just a suicide but a murder-suicide.

According to BSO investigators, a 52-year-old man walked into the Arizona Shooting Range, located at 4317 North State Road 7 around 10:40 a.m. where he rented a gun and shot himself in the head. No one else was hurt.

He was taken to Broward General Medical Center where he died.

When investigators went to his home to notify his 45-year-old wife, they found her body inside the house. Investigators have not said how she was killed or how long ago the murder took place.

This incident combines the best of our favorite stories. Guns are bad news for women, once again. Shooting ranges, especially in Florida, are anything by safe places. Of course the gun-rights crowd will defend a person's right to kill himself rather than admit that gun availability plays a part.

Another humorous aspect of this story is that although Florida is the number one most baneful state around, this particular gun range was named for the second place contender.

MikeB

A suicide at a South Florida gun range led to the discovery of a second dead body in a Tamarac home as BSO investigators discovered it wasn’t just a suicide but a murder-suicide.

According to BSO investigators, a 52-year-old man walked into the Arizona Shooting Range, located at 4317 North State Road 7 around 10:40 a.m. where he rented a gun and shot himself in the head. No one else was hurt.

He was taken to Broward General Medical Center where he died.

When investigators went to his home to notify his 45-year-old wife, they found her body inside the house. Investigators have not said how she was killed or how long ago the murder took place.

This incident combines the best of our favorite stories. Guns are bad news for women, once again. Shooting ranges, especially in Florida, are anything by safe places. Of course the gun-rights crowd will defend a person's right to kill himself rather than admit that gun availability plays a part.

Another humorous aspect of this story is that although Florida is the number one most baneful state around, this particular gun range was named for the second place contender.

MikeB

Citizens of Virginia could legally use deadly force in self defense against a home intruder under a proposed law approved on Thursday by the state House of Delegates.

The Republican-majority House voted 70-28 in favor of a state law that any physical force, including deadly force, is justified self-defense against an intruder.

The intruder must commit an "overt act" toward the occupant or other person in the dwelling which makes the occupant reasonably believe that they or the other person is in imminent danger of bodily injury.

Some states, such as Delaware, permit deadly force in the defense of property even when an occupant is not at risk of being harmed.

What's your opinion? Do you think these little steps towards greater gun rights in Virginia are going to add to the already significant problems? 

MikeB

Citizens of Virginia could legally use deadly force in self defense against a home intruder under a proposed law approved on Thursday by the state House of Delegates.

The Republican-majority House voted 70-28 in favor of a state law that any physical force, including deadly force, is justified self-defense against an intruder.

The intruder must commit an "overt act" toward the occupant or other person in the dwelling which makes the occupant reasonably believe that they or the other person is in imminent danger of bodily injury.

Some states, such as Delaware, permit deadly force in the defense of property even when an occupant is not at risk of being harmed.

What's your opinion? Do you think these little steps towards greater gun rights in Virginia are going to add to the already significant problems? 

MikeB

Roughly 2,000 firearms were melted down in a blazing furnace Tuesday as part of an effort designed to combat gun trafficking and corruption in Jamaica while reducing violent crime.

Police, government and U.N. officials destroyed pistols and revolvers by pitching them into a kiln glowing bright orange at a cement factory in the capital of Kingston. Most of the guns were decommissioned or seized in police operations over the years.

National Security Minister Peter Bunting, who has been in office for just over a month, said the destruction of the weapons is an important first step toward managing the sizable stockpiles of guns in Jamaica and reducing the risk of theft.

"The removal will help to reduce the risks of these weapons being possibly diverted back into the illicit trade," Bunting said at the Jamaica Constabulary Force armory.

It seems to me like this is attacking the problem for the wrong direction. If we want to make fewer guns available to criminals we need to focus on the gun manufacturers.  They are the ones flooding the marketplace with guns. This effort to confiscate and destroy guns is like blowing up an inflatable raft in the summertime that has a hole in it. The more air you pump in, the more leaks out.

I had the same objection to the police departments who wanted to sell off their confiscated guns. Although they make pains to sell the guns to qualified people, some of them are sure to end up back in the wrong hands, just like they did the first time around.

The gun manufacturers are the problem. The gun lobby that protects them and the gun-rights activists who support them are the problem.

MikeB

Roughly 2,000 firearms were melted down in a blazing furnace Tuesday as part of an effort designed to combat gun trafficking and corruption in Jamaica while reducing violent crime.

Police, government and U.N. officials destroyed pistols and revolvers by pitching them into a kiln glowing bright orange at a cement factory in the capital of Kingston. Most of the guns were decommissioned or seized in police operations over the years.

National Security Minister Peter Bunting, who has been in office for just over a month, said the destruction of the weapons is an important first step toward managing the sizable stockpiles of guns in Jamaica and reducing the risk of theft.

"The removal will help to reduce the risks of these weapons being possibly diverted back into the illicit trade," Bunting said at the Jamaica Constabulary Force armory.

It seems to me like this is attacking the problem for the wrong direction. If we want to make fewer guns available to criminals we need to focus on the gun manufacturers.  They are the ones flooding the marketplace with guns. This effort to confiscate and destroy guns is like blowing up an inflatable raft in the summertime that has a hole in it. The more air you pump in, the more leaks out.

I had the same objection to the police departments who wanted to sell off their confiscated guns. Although they make pains to sell the guns to qualified people, some of them are sure to end up back in the wrong hands, just like they did the first time around.

The gun manufacturers are the problem. The gun lobby that protects them and the gun-rights activists who support them are the problem.

MikeB

At 4 inches long and a half-inch in diameter, the bullet directs itself like a tiny guided missile and can hit a target more than a mile away.

It's designed to twist and turn, making up to 30 corrections per second.

Defense department researchers and contractors are already developing flying nano-bots that can stream live video, contact lenses that would allow soldiers to focus simultaneously on virtual digital images and their surroundings, and smartphone apps that help with tactical operations.

What's your opinion? Does a report like this help explain why military spending for development is so high? Or does it highlight the absurdity of its excess?

MikeB

At 4 inches long and a half-inch in diameter, the bullet directs itself like a tiny guided missile and can hit a target more than a mile away.

It's designed to twist and turn, making up to 30 corrections per second.

Defense department researchers and contractors are already developing flying nano-bots that can stream live video, contact lenses that would allow soldiers to focus simultaneously on virtual digital images and their surroundings, and smartphone apps that help with tactical operations.

What's your opinion? Does a report like this help explain why military spending for development is so high? Or does it highlight the absurdity of its excess?

MikeB