Wednesday, August 13, 2008



Florida: Home Invader Dead: Two On The Run: "The resident living on Srant Drive who shot and killed an intruder Saturday afternoon will not be charged, said Glenn Austin, spokesman with the Escambia County Sheriffs Office. At about 4:30 p.m., two men broke in through the side door of the West Pensacola home. At least one of the men was armed, Austin said. The man living in the residence heard the disturbance and shot one of the suspects while the other one ran away. The suspect who was shot, Rodney Allen Williams, 27, staggered out of the house and died, Austin said. "He was an armed intruder who came in with a weapon. The homeowner saw the threat and defended himself," Austin said. "When you're threatened you have the right to defend yourself." According to Florida's "Stand Your Ground Law," homeowners are entitled to shoot a person who unlawfully and forcibly enters their home. Officials are looking for another man connected to the break-in, Austin said, but could not provide a description of the man."


Federal Judge Upholds Gun Ban at Atlanta airport: "A federal judge on Monday upheld a gun ban at the world's busiest airport, dealing a blow to gun rights groups who argued a new Georgia law authorized them to carry weapons in certain parts of the Atlanta airport. U.S. District Judge Marvin Shoob expressed concern that allowing guns at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport could cause significant economic damage and could be a "serious threat to public safety and welfare." His decision rejected a request by GeorgiaCarry.org that would have temporarily allowed gun owners to carry their weapons in the airport until his final ruling on the gun ban - a challenge that could likely last months. The legal showdown erupted when the state law that allows people with a concealed weapons permit to carry guns into restaurants, state parks and on public transportation took effect on July 1. City officials quickly declared the airport a "gun-free zone" and warned that anyone carrying a gun there would be arrested. GeorgiaCarry.org sued the city and the airport, claiming that the airport qualifies as mass transportation under the new state law. Attorney John Monroe told the judge repeatedly that no law makes it a crime for residents with permits to bring their guns into terminals, parking lots and other unsecured areas."


Philly sets $1,900 fine for not reporting lost gun: "A new ordinance taking effect Saturday in Philadelphia is intended to crack down on irresponsible gun owners. Citizens who fail to report a lost or stolen firearm within 24 hours can now be fined up to $1,900. Repeat offenders will face another steep fine or 90 days in jail. The strict penalties are part of the Lost or Stolen Firearm Ordinance, one of the three surviving pieces of gun legislation that Mayor Michael Nutter signed into law in April. A judge blocked two more aggressive laws Nutter signed that would have instituted a one-gun-per-month limit and an assault-weapons ban."


Evanston amends its gun-ban law: "Following on the heels of a Supreme Court decision that held that a blanket ban on handguns violated 2nd Amendment rights, Evanston's City Council voted 7-1 Monday night to amend the North Shore suburb's weapons ordinance to conform to the landmark court ruling. Council members believe the move will allow the city to avoid a potential court challenge. "I find the Supreme Court decision repugnant," said Ald. Steve Bernstein (4th). "But because of it, it's the law. In the short term, we'll be better off getting [the ordinance] off the books." Evanston's handgun law, one of the more progressive in the country, had banned not just handguns but any device that "is designed to expel a projectile," including BB guns and paintball guns with projectiles larger than .18-inches in diameter. Items such as collectors' guns were exempt from the ban."

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