Heller Decision This Week?: The Supreme Court begins what almost certainly is its final week of work before its summer break with 10 cases left to decide. Among the big issues are gun rights and the death penalty for rape of a child. The court is meeting Monday morning to issue opinions and announce whether it has accepted any new cases to argue during the next term. The justices still have not handed down decisions in a landmark Second Amendment case on the meaning of the right to keep and bear arms. Also awaiting a decision is a challenge to a Louisiana law that allows people convicted of raping children to be given the death penalty. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080623/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus --- CCW Overview: ...Thirty years after Florida passed their CCW law there are now almost four million citizens legally carrying handguns in 40 plus states. My state of Indiana has allowed CCW for 70 years, and over 350,000 Hoosiers currently have CCW permits. Indiana has many urban areas such as Gary, as well as more rural areas. In some counties about 10 percent of residents own a carry license. In my town almost 1 out of every 5 adults has a CCW. As a side note, it is exceptionally easy for a woman to obtain her CCW here. My wife has had hers for many years, and since she often works to midnight it is quite an aid to feeling safe at times... http://hubpages.com/hub/An-Open-Letter-to-Those-Who-Wonder-Why-Citizens-Would-Want-to-Carry-Gun-in-Public --- National-Park Carry Still Pending: The constant clash over the Second Amendment has moved into America's national parks. The Bush Administra-tion is considering a rule change that would allow people to carry loaded, concealed weapons in some national parks, monuments and wildlife refuges. The Department of Interior could decide next month whether to adopt the change. The new rule would only apply to states that allow concealed weapons in state parks or wildlife refuges. Colorado is one of those states... http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008806210341 --- Georgia County Sees Rise in Handgun Sales, Permits: Fears over home invasions and other personal-security factors are fueling an increase in handgun sales in Surry County, according to local firearms dealers. The number of citizens obtaining handgun and concealed-weapon permits has been growing in recent years, based on figures from the Surry County Sheriff's Office, which issues those permits... http://www.mtairynews.com/articles/2008/06/22/news/local_news/local01.txt --- One-Gun-a-Month Bill in New Jersey: Legislation that would make it illegal for holders of a New Jersey handgun-purchaser permit to buy more than one firearm during any calendar month is going before the state assembly on Monday, June 23..."Current laws allow one-stop shopping for gangs to outfit their membership with weapons," Stack noted. "Prohibiting individual handgun purchases to one a month will help curb the number of guns that end up on the street and in the hands of criminals." (No mention is made of how cumbersome it already is to purchase a handgun legally in New Jersey.) http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200806/NAT20080623a.html --- Oops, Wrong House: Fulton County police said they will consult with the district attorneys office before deciding on whether to charge a homeowner who shot and wounded a teenager charged with breaking into his townhouse Saturday evening..."The guy hears the front doorbell ring" just before 6 p.m., McBride said. "When he goes down to answer it, a 16-year-old kicks in his back door." The man got a gun and fired twice at the teen, hitting him once in the arm, McBride said. The youth ran, and the man chased him into a nearby wooded area and lost him. Lindsey told police it was the second time this month his home had been broken into. The teen was arrested after calling 911 to report he'd been shot, McBride said. He is charged with burglary and criminal trespass, McBride said. The teen underwent surgery at Southern Regional Medical Center on Saturday to remove a bullet from his arm. http://www.ajc.com/gwinnett/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2008/06/22/invasion_0623.html --- Rule One, Rule Three Reminder: A Papua New Guinea court saw more evidence than it wanted when a handgun exhibit was accidentally fired, leaving a bullet hole in a courtroom wall. Police are now under investigation after the confiscated gun went off in Port Moresby District Court, in PNG's capital, on Thursday...District Court magistrate Thomas Vogasong, who was not in the court at the time, has called for the arresting officer to explain and lodged a formal complaint with police calling for an internal investigation. Police said they were "double checking" the gun in the courtroom when it went off in this "unfortunate incident". (Rule One: All firearms are always loaded. Rule Three: Keep your finger out of the trigger guard, up on the frame, until your sights are on the target and you're prepared to fire.) http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/425822/1860455 -- Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY Firearm safety - It's a matter for education, not legislation. http://www.spw-duf.info .