In Michigan, the decision to grant, suspend or revoke a concealed weapon permit rests with the county gun board. These boards are filled with unelected representatives from the police or Sheriff’s department and the County Prosecutors Office. While a permit may be denied for legitimate reasons, including past conviction of a felony or a history of mental illness, many individuals are denied rights because of gun board bias. Here at www.personaldefenseservice.com, we will discuss the Gun Boards in our classroom and put to rest any stigma that may be attached to going in front of the Gun Board for the first time.
Routine traffic stop in Montana turns ugly. Listen for the first "click" as the driver pulls and points the gun at the officer....41 Magnum Revolver...the "click" is the hammer dropping on an already fired round in the cylinder...the second one was live. Lucky officer! Suspect was > hit in back while driving away and died on scene after crashing into a building.
I recently took a Concealed Pistol License (CPL) course, conducted by Rick Bobinac and Brett Selby of Personal Defense Service, LLC. This was a step out of my comfort zone. My only experience with handguns was when my cousins and I played with toy cap guns during visits with my dads family in southern Illinois back in the early 70s. Things sure have changed. For the full newspaper story on us copy and paste the link below into your browser: http://www.tctimes.com/articles/2010/05/16/living/features/doc4bedb27eea543644608862.txt
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Friday, August 6, 2010 12:26 PM EDT FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Police in Michigan are looking for a man believed to be responsible for the stabbing deaths of five men and the wounding of eight others since May. All but one of the victims has been black, but authorities arent ready to call the attacks racially motivated, according to The Detroit News and Detroit Free Press on Friday. Ten attacks occurred in Flint, which is a predominantly black city about 50 miles northwest of Detroit and three others were in nearby communities."We dont know if hes targeting male blacks or thats who hes coming across walking late at night," Flint Police Sgt. J. Leigh Golden told the Free Press. Officials said all the victims were stabbed and one person is thought to be behind them. Survivors have said they were attacked by a muscular-built white man with light-colored hair. In some cases they were asked for directions or told of truck troubles before being attacked. The most recent victim, 49-year-old Arnold Minor, was found dead Monday in Flint. He had been walking home after dinner at his brothers home and a visit with his mother, his sister Stephanie Ward told The Detroit News. Buses had stopped running for the night and Minor decided to walk the 10 miles home."When they found him, he wasnt far from home," Ward said. "He bled to death on the street. You dont know what goes through somebodys mind to do something like that."
More Military Personnel Obtaining Licenses Or Permits To Carry Weapons When Returning From War Some States have made it easier for active and discharged military personnel to obtain a license or permit to carry weapons. Tennessee has reduced the mandatory time spent in the permit course by 1/2, for active or discharged individuals who can show proof of pistol training completed while in military service. Florida will issue a resident or non-resident license to carry weapons, to active or discharged military individuals who send in a copy of their DD-214 with their application and fee. Other states are considering similar measures that will make it easier for active soldiers and veterans to obtain a weapons license or permit. Firearm Instructors See A Increase In Military Personnel Wanting To Be Legally Armed. Richard Binkley is a gunsmith and a Tennessee Handgun Permit Instructor. His business is not far from where the headquarters of 101st Airborne is located at Fort Campbell Kentucky. " I have seen a increase in returning troops taking the Tennessee Handgun Course." Although most of Fort Campbell is located in Kentucky, some of the base is on Tennessee soil. Because of this, if a soldier lives on the base, he or she must obtain a Kentucky Carrying Concealed Deadly Weapons License if they live on the Kentucky side of the base or, a Tennessee Handgun Permit if they live on the Tennessee side of the base. The same holds true if the soldier lives off base. At first, the state of Tennessee would not issue any Handgun permits to a soldier who did not have a Tennessee drivers license. This changed when it was brought up to the attention of the Tennessee Department of Safety by a retired soldier, Ed Lowery who also is a Tennessee Handgun Permit Instructor, that soldiers fall under the Soldiers and Sailors Act. This federal law says that a soldier can be stationed at a base outside of his or her resident home state, and the solder becomes a resident of the state where the base is located while they are stationed at that base. As a result, if a soldiers home state is New Jersey but this soldier is stationed at Fort Campbell and lives on the Tennessee side of the base, they do not have to obtain a Tennessee drivers license while stationed in Tennessee. However, if they want to obtain a Tennessee Handgun Permit, they can since they are a resident of Tennessee while stationed at Fort Campbell. Military And Civilian Rules Of Engagement Different. The majority of states that issue a license or permit to carry weapons, require some form of instruction before a person can obtain the license or permit to carry weapons.. Some states will waive a portion or all the training if the person can show proof of similar training in the military. This allows the soldier or veteran to get the license or permit at a reduced cost since they do not have to pay for the training. Although most people think this is good, there are others who believe that these individuals are being short changed since they are not being exposed to the laws of lethal force, and the dos and donts that most instructors go over during a license or permit course about state laws and carrying concealed weapons. In the military, most weapons are in plain view, not concealed. Also in the military, the rules of engagement are different. Not getting the exposure to these areas could be detrimental to these individuals. Not far from the main entrance to Fort Bragg in Spring Lake, North Carolina, is a gun store that has an indoor gun range. Guns Plus also conducts the North Carolina Concealed Handgun Course that is required before a person can obtain a North Carolina permit. Martin Mancuso, Manager of Guns Plus: "Our fee for the NC permit course is $90.00. Soldiers dont mind taking the course and they enjoy the shooting portion of the course. They also feel more confident because they receive information regarding the laws in North Carolina during the course. We also offer them the Legally Armed North Carolina Travel Guide ( http://legallyarmed.com/catalog ) that is a great source of information regarding the states that honor the North Carolina license, and the restrictions in these states. This is the main reason why we get new applicants each month, because other states now honor the North Carolina Concealed Handgun License." WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, And Iraq, Show Similar Traits When Soldiers Return Home. Soldiers who return from a war zone, and law enforcement officers who retire after many years, share one same feeling in civilian life. They feel uneasy not carrying some type of firearm after doing it for so long. After WWII Tennessee had so many vets that wanted to carry their military .45 [ these vets must have borrowed their guns from the military ], they enacted an "open carry" law that allowed anyone who wanted to carry a pistol to be allowed to do it but, the pistol had to be a military style and must be worn in the open on the hip [ the same way most soldiers carried their .45 when in uniform ]. When the Tennessee Handgun Permit Law took affect in 1994, the old "open carry" law was repealed. Tennessee is the only state where a person who carries a loaded pistol in the open or concealed, must have a Tennessee Handgun Permit or a license or a permit from any other state. Concealment is not a requirement in the Tennessee Law but, open carry is only allowed with some type of authorization to carry a loaded pistol. This is different than other states like Kentucky. Their state law allows for "open carry" of a loaded pistol by anyone who is legal to own a pistol but, only if a person has a Kentucky CCDW License to carry a concealed weapon or authorization from another state to carry concealed weapons. Is America Safer With More Guns In The Hands Of Legally Armed Citizens? There are some who believe the longer the war on terrorism goes on, the more America is exposed to acts of violence on American soil. Some fear the traditional method that terrorists have been using around the world for years...small arms and bombs, will occur here in America. Not every terrorist or terrorist sympathizer, has been trained in biological or chemical agents but, almost all have had some form of small arms training. How hard is it to become a suicide bomber? All you need is an empty head, one or two legs, and at least one hand to pull the cord. The job doesnt require any training [ they tried training suicide bombers at terrorist training camps but at the end of the training, there was no one left to graduate ]. If small arms and bombs were considered being used in the U.S.A. by a terrorist, the more legally armed civilians in a region, the harder it will be to plan and carry out these attacks. The majority of terrorists want to fulfill their missions. Being killed before they can complete their act of terror is not something they want to happen. The more legally armed citizens in a location, the more difficult it might be to complete a mission. Looking at this issue from the side of a terrorists, New York City, New Jersey, and states that do not allow or make it very difficult to legally carry weapons by the civilian population, would be a higher target on the terrorist hit list if small arms or bombs are used versus a location like Birmingham, Alabama [ Jefferson County ], where there are 60,000+ legally armed civilians that could disrupt the plans of any terrorist. One thing is for sure, the more soldiers returning from active duty who elect to become legally armed citizens, the better the wisdom of our Founding Fathers is seen because; even though the Second Amendment is dead in every state except Alaska and Vermont, a "standing militia" sure sounds like these returning veterans who as legally armed civilians, might be able to thwart the efforts of any terrorist attempting to use small arms as their means of terror! http://legallyarmed.com/military.htm
CPL Holders to handle higher concentrations of pepper spray with training if bill is signed by Governor. PEPPER SPRAYSAND FOAMS House Bill 6053 (Proposed Floor Substitute H-2) Sponsor: Rep. Hugh Crawford 1st Committee: Judiciary 2nd Committee: Tourism, Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources Revised First Analysis (7-1-10) BRIEF SUMMARY: Currently, members of the general public inMichigan may only use a "self-defense spray or foam device" that contains no more than two percent oleoresin capsicum or OC. As introduced, the bill would have allowed concealed pistol license (CPL) holders to use devices containing up to 10 percent OC, provided they had received training in the use of this type of device and carried proof of their training with them. The H-1 Substitute reported from committee, however, inadvertently would make it a misdemeanor for members of the general public (and for certain non-MCOLES-certified sheriff and police department employees) to use any type of "self-defense spray or foam device." An H-2 Floor Substitute has been offered to allow any member of the general public, whether licensed to carry a concealed pistol or not, to use a self-defense spray or foam device containing not more than 10 percent OC, and to specify the penalty for selling a self-defense spray or foam device to a minor. FISCAL IMPACT: The bill would have no significant fiscal impact to the state or local units of government. THE APPARENT PROBLEM: In recent years, a variety of pepper spray devices have been marketed to the general public as a method of self-defense that is less deadly than a firearm. Reportedly,Michigans laws concerning pepper sprays and foams allowed for civilian (as opposed to law enforcement) use are stricter than the laws of many other states. Here, members of the general public may only use a pepper spray or foam device that contains no more than two percent oleoresin capsicum (sometimes called OC, a derivative of hot peppers). Because additional products are available in other states, some people think thatMichigans pepper spray laws are too restrictive. The main proponent of the bill at the committee hearing was Theron E. Hughes ofYpsilanti,Michigan, who goes by the name "Thayrone" in his work as a radio disc jockey and talk show host. Hughes testified that after being given a pepper spray product called the "Kimber Guardian Angel"─which the manufacturer says has been renamed "PepperBlaster" for marketing purposes─he found out that it was unlawful for him to use it inMichigan. According to Hughes, this product is an elegant, non-lethal self-defense tool that should be available toMichigan residents. Women in general, and female college students in particular, he says, could benefit from being able to carry and use this particular device. He implied that he could start walking his dogs again, despite a mean dog in the area that has attacked his dogs in the past, if this product were made available. To make this and similar products lawful in Michigan, it has been suggested that the Michigan Penal Code be amended to allow any member of the general public to use pepper sprays or foams containing not more than 10 percent OC, rather than just products with not more than two percent OC. THE CONTENT OF THE BILL: As introduced, the bill would have amended the Michigan Penal Code (MCL 750.224d) to do the following things: · Allow a concealed pistol licensee to use a self-defense spray or foam containing not more than 10 percent OC if the person has been trained in the devices use, risks, and effects, and possesses evidence of that training while carrying the device. (Currently, members of the general public, whether concealed pistol licensees or not, are limited to using pepper sprays or foams with not more than two percent oleoresin capsicum.) Persons who hold concealed pistol licenses as of the bills effective date would not need to receive training until they renewed their licenses.) · Legalize the carrying of a self-defense spray or foam device, openly or concealed, including in a motor vehicle. The term "self-defense spray or foam" has a specific meaning described below (generally speaking, it refers to one form of tear gas in a container of 35 grams or less or a pepper spray or foam in a solution of not more than 10 percent oleoresin capsicum or OC). · Specify that the penalty for selling a self-defense spray or foam to a minor, currently classified as a misdemeanor, is imprisonment for not more than 90 days, a fine of not more than $500, or both. This would not change current law. The penalty that the bill would add is the penalty that currently applies to misdemeanors for which no penalty is specified (MCL 750.504). At a House Tourism committee meeting held on June 1, 2010, it appeared that the committee decided that the bill should allow anyone, not just concealed pistol license holders, to use OC sprays and foams not containing more than 10 percent OC. However, the Substitute H-1 drafted at the committee hearing inadvertently removed all authorized uses of self defense sprays and foams inMichigan by persons other than certain law enforcement and corrections officers and a few others. An H-2 Substitute has been offered on the House Floor that would allow any member of the general public to use a self-defense spray or foam device that contains no more than 10 percent OC. No training would be required. Specifically, the bill permits "the reasonable use of a self-defense spray or foam device containing not more than 10 percent oleoresin capsicum by a person in the protection of a person or property under circumstances that would justify the persons use of physical force." The H-2 substitute would also specify that the penalty for selling a self-defense spray or foam to a minor, currently classified as a misdemeanor, is imprisonment for not more than 90 days, a fine of not more than $500, or both. As described above, this would not change the current penalty for selling this type of device to a minor, because this is the penalty that currently applies to misdemeanors for which no penalty has been specified (MCL 750.504). ARGUMENTS: For: Some people say that Michigans law on the use of self-defense sprays and foams is inappropriately strict and argue that it should be relaxed so that a greater variety of less-lethal self-defense products are available for purchase and use by members of the general public. Further, some of the 10 percent OC products on the market shoot with such force that the person using it is less likely to suffer the ill-effects of the product from "blow back" as can happen with certain products currently available. In testimony before the House committee, as noted earlier, a proponent of the bill argued that women in general, and female college students in particular, could benefit from being able to carry and use this device to protect their persons and property. Against: Is this bill really necessary? Some people say that it is not, because the OC percentage of a pepper spray or foam product is not a particularly effective way of measuring its potency. Pepper spray products, even those with the same OC percentage, are not all created equal. An OC percentage says how much of the overall product is made up of OC, but does necessarily indicate how "hot" the product is. Some people say a products heat is best measured by Scoville Heat Units, which reflect its capsaicin content; this content may vary even among two products with the same OC percentage. A two percent OC product could be hotter than a 10 percent OC product if the OC in the 10 percent product was low in capsaicin. At least one product the bill would legalize for general use may present safety risks beyond the general safety issues posed by all peppers sprays (such as the risk to persons with asthma, the risk that a sprayed product may hit unintended victims, or that the product will be used inappropriately; for example, sometimes a spray used inside a building is spread to other people via the buildings heating and cooling system.) One pepper spray device that would be legalized by the bill is designed to look like a handgun and shoots a concentrated stream of OC solution at 270 miles per hour, according to its manufacturer. Is it a good idea to legalize products that shoot a concentrated solution at such a high speed and that are intended be aimed at a persons face? Could the use of such products lead to accidental blindings? POSITIONS: Theron E. and Linda H. Hughes ofYpsilanti,Michigan indicated support for the bill. (6-1-10) The Department of State Police indicated a neutral position on the bill. (6-1-10) http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28smdose55crdctl45glfcjzek%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=getobject&objectname=2010-HB-6053
