Abusing the Privilege: Crimes Committed by CCW's

What Do We Do Tonight, Brain? Same Thing We Do Every Night, Pinky...

2010-06-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

May 2010 - Crime: Carrying firearms across state lines with the intent to start a riot
Madisonville, Tennessee - What do you do when you feel that your country has been taken over by a Democrat not born in the United States?

Well, if you are Darren Wesley Huff, conceal carry permit holder, you attempt to take over Madisonville, Tennessee, population 3,939.

The problem started for Darren when he heard that a fellow 'birther', Walter Fitzpatrick, had been arrested for inciting a riot when he attempted to make citizen's arrests against those individuals who had refused in a grand jury to consider the case against President Obama for treason. Fitzpatrick's previous legal history included being court-martialed from the Navy.

Darren was so outraged that his fellow Oath Keeper had been arrested that he decided that he and some friends would start out from his Dalton, Georgia home armed with three handguns and an AK-47 rifle and take over the Monroe County courthouse in Madisonville. He not only made the decision to go through with the plan, he told everyone about his plan, his bank manager and a local radio talk show. He even told the police officer that pulled him over for a traffic stop. Darren went to far as to tell the officer he was willing to "die for his rights".

When Darren and his friends showed up at the courthouse they were shocked, shocked I tell you, to discover that they were seriously outnumbered by local state and federal officials.

If You Don't Set Him Off, He's A Real Nice Guy

2010-06-04T13:54:00.000-07:00

May 2010 - Crime: Aggravated Assault
New York Mills, New York - Abraham Dickan was a citizen on patrol, who kept an eye on everything going on in the community. But he was also known for having anger issues and a recent history of depression.

His neighbor described him thus, "If you don't set him off, he's a real nice guy."

Not a comforting description given the fact that Mr. Dickan was a CCW permit holder.

Mr. Dickan had been banned from a local AT&T store because he yelled racial slurs at employees, brandished his firearm at them and threatened their lives. This behavior lead to his being banned from the store and his permit being revoked. Instead of seeing his own behavior as being the issue, Mr. Dickan felt that the six employees at the store were the cause of the problem and so decided to seek revenge by going to the store and killing them.

He was able to seriously wound employee Seth Turk in the abdomen before being shot and killed himself by an off-duty police officer from a nearby township, Donald Moore.

Setting An Example

2010-05-19T11:00:00.000-07:00

May 2010 - Crime: Felonious Assault
Fruitport Township, Michigan - It all began over a soccer game. A soccer game for 8, 9 & 10 year olds. James Ian Sherrill, a CCW permit holder and parent of one of the children, decided he would "assist" the coach given the fact that the score was 14-0. Other parents became upset when his "assistance" included using profanity around the kids and Mr. Sherrill was told to "chill out". After the game, Sherrill became involved in an argument with one of the other parents in front of his family and several witnesses. He then pulled out his gun and threatened to shoot him. Sherrill, with his family, then got in his car and drove away.

Sherrill later turned himself into police.

Another case of road rage

2010-04-29T08:56:00.000-07:00

April, 2010 - Crime: Assault
Farmington Hills, Michigan: In an all too familiar scenario, two men get annoyed during rush hour and both behave badly. After the customary rude gestures and during a stop light, Mr. Faith Said, made the mistake of getting out of his car in order to discuss his opinions on driving with CCW permit holder Mr. Carl Mintz. Mr. Said, after having his say, was walking back to his car when he was shot in the elbow by Mr. Mintz.

Mr. Mintz told witnesses at the scene that he thought that Mr. Said was going to spit in his face and so he felt it necessary to pull out a gun and shoot him. Mr. Mintz must have been told between the time of the incident and the preliminary hearing that, in order for someone to spit in your face they have to (a) be near you and (b) be facing you, because at the preliminary hearing, his defense had changed to him being frightened because Mr. Said had his hands in his pockets. Problem with that defense was the witnesses testified that while Mr. Said was angry, they could tell how angry he was because he gestured with both hands.

Mr. Mintz never explained why, if he felt threatened by Mr. Said, he didn't simply drive away since the light had turned green.

Farmington Hills Police Chief Chuck Nebus summed it up best: "They were probably both wrong. The issue is the use of excessive force. You can't shoot someone just because you're involved in a traffic altercation with them. Don't make gestures, don't make comments, don't stare, don't chase, don't blink lights,just ignore it. If you can't, if it's serious enough, call 911 and ask the police to respond.

Another Day, Another Domestic Terrorist

2010-04-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

April, 2010 - Crime: Making threats against the life of a president, felon in possession of a gun

Palm Harbor, Florida - Through some interstate records snafu, even though he has a criminal history including forgery and assault in New York, Mark Ratteni was able to finagle himself a CCW permit in Florida.

Well, instead of showing that he had gone straight and prove that he deserved a second chance, he decided to move from forgery and assault to making threats against the life of the president.

Breaking News - Another CCW permit holder threatens a member of Congress

2010-04-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

April, 2010 - Crime: Threatening a federal official

Selah, Washington - CCW permit holder, Charles Alan Wilson, angered by the passage of the health care reform bill, called the office of U.S. Senator Patty Murray several time between March 22 and April 4 and threatened her life.

Authorities were able to track his calls and he will be in court in Yakima today.

Crime of the Day: Possession

2010-04-04T12:38:00.000-07:00

March, 2010 - Crime: Criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of hollow-point bullets, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

Weewaken, New Jersey - Donald Martin West, a Tennessean with a CCW, and a companion were stopped at the mouth of the Lincoln Tunnel for a traffic violation. Police discovered during the stop that the individuals had loaded firearms with hollow-point bullets, handcuffs, cigars filled with marijuana, and pot pipes.

March, 2010 - Crime: Trafficking cocaine, possession with intent to sell

Wilmington, North Carolina - Due to a report of a suspicious vehicle, police were called to the Travelodge at 1:00 AM to investigate. The car belonged to Calvin Coolidge Underdue, a CCW permit holder. If police thought Calvin was nervous when they got there, they knew something was up when they called in the K-9 squad. Why? Because Calvin fainted.

Police found 300 grams of cocaine, $1,680 dollars and a .22 Magnum.

Crime: Four counts of felony possession of drugs

Franklin, New Hampshire - David Alan Johnson, a CCW permit holder, pulled into the wrong driveway at the wrong time. The owner of the driveway was speaking to the police chief when he pulled up and informed police that he didn't want David on his property and that he was probably carrying drugs on him. When the police went to his car to tell him that the property owner didn't want him there, he smelled pot.

Further investigation found that he was carrying multiple prescription drugs and $30,000 worth of cocaine. More coke was discovered when they searched his home, as well as pot.

Oh, and he was out on bail for drug charges in a nearby town.

Individual Who Threatened Cantor Has CCW and A History of Mental Illness

2010-03-30T12:58:00.000-07:00

News is travelling quickly about the man arrested for threatening the life of Major Whip Eric Cantor.

First the good news, he's in custody so he can't hurt anyone and can get the mental health assistance he obviously needs. Norman Leboon lives in Pennsylvania. Also, it appears that while he references the bullet fired in the air that hit the window in the Reagan Bldg, it doesn't appear he was involved.

Here's the bad news, this man is a CCW permit holder who has been showing increasing signs of mental illness for a number of years. His family went so far as to contact the FBI and yet the authorities did not see fit to take away his permit and his access to firearms.

Come on, folks, this is not rocket science - once a threat again someone's life has been made, any sane human being investigating the threat would see if the individual has the ability to carry out the threat. If the authorities find the person is armed and has a permit, you take the threat seriously. And if they are dumb enough to videotape the threat, you have proof of the crime and after a trip to the judge for a signature, you go collect him and his firearms.

When the family called saying that they had every reason to believe that this man was a danger to others, the permit should have been pulled and the guns confiscated until a hearing could determine if this man was sane enough to be carrying. FBI dropped the ball on this part and we're all lucky that it didn't cost someone their life.

And the word for the day is FLORIDA!

2010-03-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

I hope the weather is pleasant where you are this Saturday. We have a plethora of things to share with you today.

Before we go through the day's entries, I present to you these articles to consider concerning issues with state databases, namely missing data and differences in permit approval. It's disturbing that continuing cuts in state budgets and irregular handling of background checks could once again allow those with criminal histories or mental illnesses to slip through the cracks and purchase firearms.

I appreciate Sheriff Bob Fletcher's attitude "I think in Ramsey we set the bar really high... With good reason; it's a huge responsibility, carrying a handgun in public."

And now, back to your regularly scheduled crimes.

March, 2010 - Crime: Impersonating a police officer

Orange County, Florida: Rickey Heath appears to be the type of person who like to hold onto the past. It seems that he was a police officer who then went on to have a security company and a CCW. Problem is, all that's in the past as he hasn't worked as a police officer for ten years, his security company's license was revoked in 1998 and his CCW permit was revoked in 2002.

But that didn't stop good old Rickey. He went right on running the business without the license, carrying his .40 handgun and telling people he was a police officer. (He attempted to use the 'I'm a police officer' to get a restaurant owner to cut his bill in half.)

And he didn't just claim to be any police officer. No, Rickey told other police officers that he was the chief of police first of Orange Co. and then of Orlando. Problem is, Rickey is 60 years old while the police chiefs of both Orange Co. and Orlando are much younger. And Rickey is Caucasian while both the police chiefs are black. And Rickey is male, while the police chief of Orlando is female.

This is the second time in a month Rickey's been arrested.

I'll continue with the others as soon as I stop laughing.

March, 2010 - Crime: Aggravated assault, extortion, money laundering, drug trafficking and attempted murder

Miami, Florida - Roberto Settineri's story should have been the quintessential American success story right out of the movies. Man comes to America from Italy, becomes a naturalized American citizen and starts a successful wine wholesaling business.

Roberto, a CCW permit holder, was arrested for getting into an altercation with a private security officer, telling him, 'I will put this gun in your f___ing mouth. I know where you live. I'll go to your house and kill you and your family.'

And if that wasn't enough, Roberto, who was reported to have ties to the reported Ponzi schemer Scott Rothstein, has been arrested by the FBI on obstruction of justice and money laundering. He is also accused of being connected to the Mafia's Colombo and Gambino crime families.

I guess it was an American story, except instead of being Frank Capra, it was Francis Ford Coppola.

March, 2010 - Crime: Possessing a firearm on school property

Boca Raton, Florida - FAU student and New Hampshire CCW permit holder, Ryan Beauchamp, didn't understand why police came to see him while he was at work. It seems that he had ordered ammo to be delivered to his on-campus apartment. They asked him if he owned a gun and had ordered ammo for the gun. He said yes to both and that the gun was stored in his apartment.

Problem is, he lives on campus and it's against state law to possess a firearm on school property, so police took him in.

Now I have no reason to think this young man is anything but a hardworking student working to keep up his grades and support himself working as a valet. That said, if you plan to move to a new state or new situation you have to be responsible as a gun owner to check out the laws where you are going to live to see where they differ.

Ryan considered lying to the police, but didn't which is a definite point in his favor. He recognizes that he made a mistake, another point.

Times will tell as to whether this lapse in judgement will have a negative effect on his criminal record.

Now this story doesn't have much Florida in it:

March, 2010 - Crime: Possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, misconduct involving weapons and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Yuma, Arizona - Florida CCW permit holder, Dwayne Carter, has a bench warrant for his arrest for failing to appear on charges of possession of a narcotic drug for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, misconduct involving weapons and one count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

But he has a very legitimate reason for missing his court date, he's locked up in New York for a year on a weapons charge.

Carter's occupation is entertainer. His stage name is Lil' Wayne.

And this one has absolutely no Florida in it. But it does have a real laugh.

March, 2010 - Crime: Failure to notify police of concealed weapon

Fairbanks, Alaska - Local gun-rights advocate, business owner and CCW permit holder, Schaeffer Cox, belongs to a 'Liberty Bell' network that sends out a distress call whenever a member feels that their 2nd Amendment rights are being violated. And when a fellow member called, Cox came a running wearing a bullet-proof vest and brought his .38 with him.

Now there were several problems with this situation:

It would seem that the Liberty Bell member who called shouldn't have worried as much about the gun they had in the home, they should have been more concerned with the marijuana being grown in the home that the police found after searching the home after receiving a hang-up 911 call.

Cox, by law, has to tell the police upon encountering them notify them immediately that he is carrying a concealed weapon for the police's protection. He didn't.

And should a man who was charged only weeks ago with choking his wife and plead guilty of a lesser charge of reckless endangerment be allowed to continue to have the permit.

Conceal carry laws are supposed to allow lawful citizens to carry firearms in order to protect themselves from drug dealers and violent individuals not the other way around.

Alcohol and CCW's shouldn't mix

2010-03-15T18:26:00.000-07:00

New Year's Eve, 2009/2010 carried into March, 2010 - Crime: DWI

Columbia, Missouri - Gregory Nauser, a CCW permit holder, chose to take his wife, Laura, out for New Year's Eve for dinner and a movie, which is an excellent thing to do. He also chose to take his 9 mm with 10 rounds of ammo. Not a choice I'd make, but still, no problem.

The problem came when, knowing that he was armed and had the love of his life in the car, he chose to drink, a lot. They were lucky, they lived to only have to deal with a DWI.

The story has come back into the press because Gregory's wife, a Columbia councilwoman, lied to reporters about the fact that she was with him when he was arrested. When she was caught in the lie, through the police report, she recanted claiming she misspoke.

Folks, if you're going to carry, don't drink. If you drink, don't carry. If you are with someone who's drinking and is armed, do everyone a favor, take the keys and the gun, or at very least the ammo, away from them for everyone's protection. Actually, if it's your spouse and you know they plan on drinking, suggest they not take the gun in the first place.

It's a matter of responsibility.

March, 2010 - Crime: Battery while armed and intimidation with a deadly weapon

Bloomington, Indiana - IU college student, Alexander Brill, age 21, states that he obtained his CCW because he had gotten into fights in Bloomington in the past and he was afraid. It's possible that he might have been better served if he had spent that money on anger management classes.

Brill's side of the story stated that he was verbally harrassed by five men as he was speaking to a female acquaintance. According to police reports and witness statements, Brill arrived at the Kilroy Sport's Bar carrying his loaded Smith & Wesson .45 and a knife and threatened a female bar employee with the gun. When an individual attempted to defuse the situation, Brill struck the man with the firearm. Bar patrons subdued Brill and called the police.

Prayers for the Death of Children

2010-03-13T11:04:00.000-08:00

March, 2010 - Crime: Road rage, murder

Houston, Texas - Richard Calderon, a CCW permit holder, was involved in a car accident where he hit a vehicle and kept going. When the driver of the car followed him in an attempt to get the license number in order to report him to police, Calderon shot at her. Instead of hitting the driver, he hit the driver's 13 year old daughter who died of her wounds.

Our prayers go out the family.

March, 2010 - Crime: Murder, Felonious Assault of a newborn

Cincinnati, Ohio - Shamon Davis, a CCW permit holder, should still be in the process of celebrating the birth of his daughter, Kloe, who was born three weeks ago.

Instead, he's in jail under a 3 million dollar bond.

It seems on a visit to his girlfriend, Kelli Walton's home to visit the baby, they argued over child support (Little Kloe being their fourth child, the others being ages 9, 6, and 3.) and Davis pulled out a gun and, while she held the newborn in her arms, shot her. The bullet grazed little Kloe's head, fracturing her skull and entered her mother, killing her.

Once again, our prayers go out to the motherless children and to Kelli's mother who has lost her precious daughter.

Aren't these the ones who aren't supposed to have CCW?

2010-03-10T09:20:00.000-08:00

March, 2010 - Crime: Trafficking in marijuana, following too closely, failure to affix tax stamp and possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony

Durant, Oklahoma - When pulled over for a traffic violation, Deon Perry produced both his driver's license and his concealed weapon's card, telling the officer that he just showed it "out of habit". Unfortunately out of habit the officer checked the car when he got a whiff of raw pot.

He found 58 lbs. of pot and a loaded 9mm Glock.

March, 2010 - Crime: Two counts of assault with intent to murder, discharging a weapon in a building and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony

Albion, Michigan - It's unclear how Alvin Wigley obtained or kept a concealed carry weapon permit considering his history of mental illness, but one way or another he had one. And, as usual, the combination of guns and mental illness was harrowing.

Wigley was arrested after firing between 15 - 20 rounds in a motel where he was staying, including shots fired at police through a door after police had announced themselves. After his arrest, police discovered he had cooked his alarm clock in the microwave and written a note stating that "God delivered me and placed me in Albion". Wigley also informed police that he was hearing voices.

We pray that Mr. Wigley receives the assistance he needs but loses both the permit and the firearms.

How can you forget where your gun is?

2010-03-06T20:59:00.000-08:00

March, 2010 - Crime: Death being reviewed

Deerfield Beach, Florida - Randy Reddick Jr., a concealed carry permit holder, remembered to leave his firearm in his truck when he went into the post office. Unfortunately, he forgot that he left a firearm in the truck when he sent his two young sons out to the truck to get his coat and hat. 11 year old Randy Roddick III died at the scene from a gunshot to the face.

Our prayers go out to the family.

March, 2010 - Crime: Possession of a firearm at the airport

Little River, South Carolina - Once again a CCW permit holder, this time Mr. Melvin Winfred Slaughter, attempted to take a gun into his local airport. No surprise, Melvin set off the alarms when he went through the detectors.

And as though his day wasn't bad enough, police informed him that his permit expired in January.

Oh, I forgot to mention...

2010-02-28T20:39:00.000-08:00

An interesting tidbit in a story about Mitchell Johnson, one of the Jonesboro shooters - it casually mentions that the other shooter, Andrew Golden, had attempted to obtain a concealed carry permit in 2008 using a false name and a bad address. Luckily, the police denied the application.

Senator Matt Rector of Guam, apparently had the same memory problems in 2008 as he forgot to mention his burglary conviction in the 1980's. The oops cost Sen. Rector his freedom and his position.

How to ruin a perfect party

2010-02-26T19:37:00.000-08:00

February 2010 - Crime: Possession of a firearm in a liquor permit premises

Butler, Ohio - An unidentified concealed carry permit holder, after an evening out with his girlfriend and some friends, was getting ready to leave. Somehow, as he was putting on his coat, his .32 discharged, passing through his coat and hitting his girlfriend. Luckily, she was carrying a Blackberry Curve which stopped the slug and saved her life.

A Flash of Anger, A Wave of Regret

2010-02-10T08:59:00.000-08:00

February, 2010 - Crime: Domestic violence, Murder

Westford, Massachusetts - There was no reporting of why Brian Marchand felt the need to obtain a CCW permit for his firearms. What we do know is after a period of having marital and financial problems, he chose to use his firearms to kill his only child, a 17 year old daughter named Olivia, attempt to kill his wife, Jody, and then turn the gun on himself.

Our condolences to the family.

February, 2010 - Crime: Malicious Assault, brandishing a firearm, using a firearm in a felony, resisting arrest

Fairfax, Virginia - Jose Avila, a CCW permit holder, was annoyed because he didn't like where Floriano Whitwell and Matthew Dumas had parked their vehicles. He honked his horn at them and drove off, only to return a few minutes later. Only this time he pointed a gun at the two men. Avila fled the scene but was quickly apprehended by police who found a 9mm Astra A-90 loaded with 14 hollow point bullets.

Avila was caught so quickly because the men he aimed the gun at were federal marshalls with their badges hanging around their neck.

And who was Avila that he would be aiming a firearm loaded with hollow point bullets at police? A former priest and anger management counselor used by the Domestic Relations Court in Fairfax Co., VA.

Anger, Stupidity, Insanity and Something to Consider

2010-01-30T10:42:00.000-08:00

January, 2010 - Crime: Posession of a firearm while intoxicated and reckless use of a firearm
Novi, Michigan - At 4:45 PM a CCW permit holder whose name was withheld reportedly had been having a few with some friends when he decided to show his gun to his drinking buddy. No surprise that the gun was unintentionally discharged. The bullet travelled through the siding of the man's home to another nearby street, crashed through a family's sliding glass window and lodged in the wall near where the unsuspecting family had just sitting down for dinner. Luckily, no one was injured.

January, 2010 - Crime: Brandishing
Chico, California - Firefighter and CCW permit holder, Zachery Plottel, argued with a couple who were sitting in a car, apparently over the use of a laser pointer. The argument escalated to the point that Plottel took out his firearm and pointed it at the couple. The incident caused three nearby schools to go into lockdown. When apprehended Plottel pled the Fifth as to where he had place the firearm.

Plottel has been placed on administrative leave and if it's determined that the incident occurred within 1,000 feet of the nearest school, Neal Dow Elementary School, he may face additional charges which could negatively effect his 10 year career with the fire department.

January, 2010 - Crime: As yet unfiled
McDermitt, Ohio - A once again, unnamed CCW permit holder apparently needed to pay more attention when he was in school as he failed to read the large sign on his grandson's school which read 'No Concealed Guns on School Premises'. He went in with the gun unsecured in his pocket and decided to play basketball with his grandson in the school gym. The gun fell out of his pocket, discharged and shot him in the leg. Luckily the grandson was the only child in the gym at the time and he was uninjured.

Police are still determining appropriate charges.

January, 2010 - Crime: Murder
South Salt Lake City, Utah - Mary Nance Hanson, a CCW permit holder, went to the Salt Lake Community Action Program Head Start and firing at least five shots, killed Tetyana Nikitina, a head start teacher and mother of two as she left school for the day. Police stated that they had found evidence that Hanson had reloaded the firearm after firing several times.

When asked why she had killed the woman she stated that she didn't know and that that was all she was going to say.

Nikitina's two children, age 7 and 9 are in the custody of their father.

And a little bonus for you - for those who think that owning weapons are the be all and end all of security, I present you with this story:

January, 2010 - Crime: Theft, Complicity to Kidnapping, Complicity to Aggrevated Robbery
Fairfield Township, Ohio - Troy Purdin and his wife, both CCW permit owners, had a collection of firearms which they kept in a gun safe. They also had a cousin who had recently come into town named Timothy "TJ" Stone. They had not spent time with TJ since he was 10, but apparently one visit was enough to let TJ know that his relatives were gun owners.

The next time that TJ came over, he brought friends. Friends with their own firearms. TJ and his accomplises held a gun to Purdin's head and held him and his three year old son hostage while they stole the gun safe and 16 firearms.

Editorial comment - Texas Shell Game

2010-01-22T10:17:00.000-08:00

January, 2010 - Crime: Felony Deadly Conduct

Austin, Texas - Texas has a bit of a problem. (OK, depending on your outlook, they may have several problems.) They have a law set up that makes it illegal to disclose the names of individuals who have CCW permits, so what do they when there's a shooting by someone carrying a concealed weapon with a permit?

Well, yesterday, a young man named Fausto Cardenas decided that the best way to impress a girl and convince her to go out with him was to discharge a gun on the Texas State Capital steps. After a young woman refused to speak with him privately, Fausto went out and started shooting. He was taken down immediately by police. Luckily, the five shots he was able to take did not wound anyone visiting or working at the Capital.

Now journalists wishing to report on the incident aren't allowed to ascertain whether this individual was carrying this firearm legally or illegally because the gun lobby got the hush law passed.

But here's the loophole - if the individual isn't charged with carrying a concealed firearm illegally, doesn't that suggest that the individual did have a CCW permit? And if you can figure out who has and who hasn't got one by what they are charged with, isn't the law just attempting to keep the fact that these people had been given permits out of the media, which could make one question how this law effects freedom of the press? Isn't it one thing to protect law abiding citizens who don't want the criminal element, i.e., everyone else, to know they have a firearm and another to document that a law put in place by the gun lobby was being misused by the criminal element? Shouldn't those who abuse the privilege be pointed out so that legislators can determine if laws need to be refined?

Texas state legislators after the shooting said that they need to beef up security. Might I suggest that they take a real good look at their gun laws and hush laws and determine who those laws are really protecting.

Once again, the mass murderer had a CCW

2010-01-20T19:55:00.000-08:00

January, 2010 - Crime: Murder

Appamattox, Virginia - Christopher Bryan Speight turned himself in to police after eight people were murdered and a police helicopter was shot down by gunfire. Shot were Speight's sister, brother-in-law, Speight's 15 year old nephew, 4 year old niece and four family friends, including a 16 year old boy.

When he turned himself in, Mr. Speight was wearing camouflage pants and a bulletproof vest.

Christopher Speight was a CCW permit holder.

January, 2010 - Crime: Third-degree murder

Erie, Pennsylvania - All Jayson Sack did, according to witnesses, was yell to a driver to slow down in a picnic area. That was all it took for Joel Atkin to get out of his car, take out his .357 Magnum and kill the father of three in front of his family. Mr. Atkin felt being reprimanded for speeding was enough of a reason to take a man's life.

Another issue with location, location, location

2010-01-12T18:59:00.000-08:00

January, 2010 - Crime: Felony Assault

Santa Ana, California: A couple were gathering cardboard to recycle from behind a Sears store when CCW permit holder, Robert Bruce Rieck, saw them from across the street and shined a flashlight on them. When they attempted to explain they were merely collecting recyclables, Rieck pulled a gun on them, reportedly aiming it at the males' head. When the couple attempted to escape, Rieck shot at them.

No explanation was given as to why Rieck didn't just call and report the two to the police instead of taking matters into his own hands.

January, 2010 - Crime: Attempting to bring concealed weapons onto a Naval shipyard

Kittery, Maine: This is a two-fer. Jesus Acosta-Pileta and Juan Guevara-Pompa, CCW permit holders and truck drivers in Pennsylvania were delivering welding supplies to the Portsmouth Naval shipyard. It seems they forgot a couple of things. First thing they forgot was that the driver, Mr. Acosta-Pileta, no longer had a commercial driver's license. Second thing they forgot was that, just because you are allowed to carry in Pennsylvania doesn't mean you are allowed to carry in Maine, especially on to a military facility.

Law Abiding CCW Permit Holder??!?

2010-01-07T12:37:00.000-08:00

Christmas Day, 2009 - Crime: Felonious Assault

Dayton, Ohio - Shamar Davis is a familiar face to law enforcement in Dayton. As a reputed 'Money Go Getter' gang member, he's had several run ins with police. And he had another on Christmas Day when he was involved in a fight at a local club that erupted into gunfire.

Did I mention that this gang member with a criminal history has a CCW permit? Yep. Real law abiding citizen using the 2nd Amendment to protect himself and his rights.

A new year, another round of 'What were they thinking?'

2010-01-05T09:50:00.000-08:00

January, 2010 - Crime: Possession under the influence and aiming a firearm

Las Vegas, Nevada - Permit holder and body guard, Steve Sanson Jr., was running for public office but after the New Year's celebration, one wonders if he'll have a campaign, a job or a permit. It seems that after work on New Year's he decided to go out and party.

No harm in that.

Problem was, he forgot to take off his .45's, one carried on his ankle and the other on his hip, before he started drinking. Other revelers reported that he'd brandished the firearm while seemingly intoxicated and contacted authorities.

January, 2010 - Crime: Bringing firearm into a courthouse

Tampa, Florida - Permit holder, Donald Koranek, was in line to pass through the metal detectors in order to enter the courthouse when he was told that he couldn't come in with a pocket knife. He chose to leave the line. When he returned to the line a little later, he was carrying a loaded KelTec .32. Now, if he knew he couldn't get in with a pocket knife, what made him think it was appropriate to go through with a semi-automatic?

Hold the pickle, hold the lettuce, and secure your firearm

2009-12-18T09:19:00.000-08:00

December, 2009 - Crime: Possible Deadly Conduct Investigation
Sherman, Texas - After finishing lunch at Carino's Grill, a patron with a CCW permit stood up and started donning his coat to leave. His firearm, which was in his coat pocket, fell to the floor and fired. Luckily, no one was injured. According to another patron, the permit holder's response to situation was to say 'We gotta get out of here and he got up and left". (So much for responsible behavior by a permit holder.)

The police are have forwarded the case to the DA's office for possible prosecution.

Occupations that should know better

2009-12-04T18:31:00.000-08:00

November, 2009 - Crime: Trafficking in cocaine
Crestview, Florida - Reginald Jackson, a CCW permit holder and a Department of Juvenile Justice employee, was pulled over for swerving and having illegal window tinting. During a search of the car, it was discovered that Mr. Jackson had a bag of cocaine weighing 43 grams and valued at $1,700 and a .40 Smith and Wesson.

November, 2009 - Crime: Assault with a deadly weapon and injury to property
Las Vegas, Nevada - Michael Amador, a CCW permit holder and attorney, got into an argument in a bar with two men during a billiard game. After the two men left, Amador is reported to have followed them and shattered one man's rear window with his semi-automatic firearm. Amador was tackled and held until the police arrived.

Lapses in Memory

2009-11-28T17:18:00.000-08:00

November, 2009 - Crime: Gun Smuggling, Lying to Canadian Border, Possessing 85 Rounds
Tacoma, Washington/Peace Arch, Canada - Gerald Burke, CCW permit holder, claimed that he had no idea that the laws in Canada were different than in America and that he totally forgot that he was carrying a loaded semi-automatic and 85 rounds, even when he was directly asked. Problem is, his nervous manner, alerted police that something was up and they searched his vehicle.

He's now looking at spending three years in a Canadian prison.

November, 2009 - Crime: Lying on a CCW application
Guam - Democratic Senator Matt Rector applied for a CCW permit but when it came to the portion where it asks if you have ever been convicted of a crime, his mind apparently went blank and he forgot that he had once been convicted of burglary! Now, while I understand that it had been 26 years before, I tend to think that most human beings would remember something as life changing as being arrested and convicted of burglary.

One wonders if he remembered to tell the voters before the election.

Lots to share

2009-11-21T05:58:00.000-08:00

Sorry I've gotten a little behind on the documentation, folks. I've been quite busy at work this week.

First thing before the news posts - the gang at Violence Policy Center have done it again. They have a wonderful but disturbing piece discussing murders committed by CCW permit holders. Please, check it out.

And now the news:

November, 2009 - Crime: First Degree Murder
Vail, Colorado - CCW permit holder, Richard "Rossi" Moreau, has a criminal record report involving violence and the threat of violence that's over 200 pages long but according to Mr. Moreau, it's constitutional right to have a firearm" and that he "was a 100 disabled veteran and because of that, he had every right to carry a weapon and fire it whenever he wanted to".

Well, on November 7, he walked into the Sandbar Restaurant and started shooting, killing Dr. Gary Bruce Kitching, a local physician and wounding three other patrons of the restaurant. This tragedy eerily mirrored a less tragic incident Mr. Moreau had in 2002 when he entered a La Cantina restaurant and threatened to kill four middle aged white patrons because he believed them to be terrorists.

November, 2009 - Crime: First Degree Murder
Arlington, Washington - Keira Earhart, CCW permit holder, was alerted by a cell phone alarm that his home was being burglarized. He rushed home and almost caught the man as he was leaving, but lost him. He notified police and checked to see what had been stolen. Had everything stopped then, this story wouldn't be on this site.

Hours later, Mr. Earhart saw the individual in the neighborhood and this time, he had his gun with him. He chased Ryan Rzechula and according to witnesses, they heard a gun being fired two or three times. Mr. Rzechula's body was found two days later. He had been shot in the back.

In this case, just knowledge wasn't power enough

2009-11-13T05:04:00.000-08:00

November, 2009 - Crime: OVI, having a weapon while intoxicated
Brecksville, Ohio - An unidentified CCW permit holder was stopped for weaving and driving on the wrong side of the road. He was found carrying a Glock 19 semi-automatic. He admitted that he had had alcoholic beverages and was aware that it was illegal to carry a firearm while intoxicated. He refused to take any sobriety tests.

Location, Location, Location

2009-11-12T07:03:00.000-08:00

November, 2009 - Crime: Carrying a weapon into a prohibited space
Denton, Texas - An unidentified CCW permit holder had been brought into a mental health facility for evaluation because he had become unusually aggressive and had abused the family dog. Unfortunately, once at the facility, it was discovered that he had his .40 semiautomatic pistol tucked into his pants when he announced that he was going to shoot his way out. He surrendered after police threatened to taser him.

Hopefully he will get the assistance he obviously needs.

November, 2009 - Crime: Disorderly intoxication and improperly displaying firearm
Macclenny, Florida - We may never know what the real reason was that Patricia Perry thought she needed to buy ammo. Heck, given her state of intoxication, it's possible that Patricia doesn't know. That said, the CCW permit holder gave several stories as to why she felt she needed to bring her loaded handgun and a liquor bottle into the local Walmart, including saying the gun was a gift for her son and that she needed to go into the woods to hunt snakes utilizing her .38.

Whatever her reason, the store was evacuated and the police were able to quickly place her into custody.

Fort Hood Gunman Had CCW

2009-11-11T09:41:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my friend, Donna, for bringing this to my attention.

Nidal Malik Hasan, the Ft. Hood gunman who slaughtered 13 people and wounded 29 at the Army Readiness Building, had a CCW permit.

You have to wonder if there were any oaths he DIDN'T betray.

Our prayer and best wishes are with the families of the victims and the survivors.

You're Supposed to Show Your Insurance Card After A Crash, Not Your Gun

2009-11-11T08:56:00.000-08:00

October, 2009 - Crime: Aggravated Assault and Unlawful Concealed Carry
Manhattan, Kansas - Joseph Morrison, a CCW permit holder, used the fact that he carried a gun to settle an argument after a fender bender in a university parking lot. When the police got there they discovered that Morrison had made a second mistake by entering a university building with the said weapon.

You Have To Love The Irony

2009-11-04T06:09:00.000-08:00

November, 2009 - Crime: Receiving stolen property and alcohol intoxication
Bowling Green, Kentucky - After police were called to a bar fight, they found Christopher Sawdey, a CCW permit holder, sitting in the passenger seat of a car in the parking lot. As he got out of the car to speak to the police, he responsibly informed them that there was a gun in the car that was his and that he had a CCW permit to have it.

Problem was, the .45 wasn't his. It had been reported stolen from North Carolina.

Complicating Simple Situations

2009-11-02T06:32:00.000-08:00

October, 2009 - Crime: Possession of a gun on school grounds
Marietta, Ohio - Robert Ball, a CCW permit holder, was waiting to pick up his kid brother after a band competition. Unfortunately, he and a friend decided to bring some "refreshments" and two loaded firearms, none of which is allowed on school property. Luckily, a police officer noticed Ball's passenger chugging the beer and investigated.

Let's see, being intoxicated and having a loaded gun around a crowded school grounds, being intoxicated and driving, being intoxicated and driving with a friend and your little brother in the car.

Call it luck, call it karma, call it a swarm of guardian angels - whatever you call it, the folks in Marietta dodged one last Friday.

October, 2009 - Crime: Resisting a police officer with a weapon
Las Vegas, Nevada - Libertarian Congressional candidate, former Nevada Libertarian Party chairman and CCW candidate, Raymond James Duensing, was pulled over by the police for driving through an intersection in a right turn only lane. As is standard procedure, the officer ran Duensing's information through his computer and when he did, he discovered that Duensing had a warrant for his arrest.

Apparently, not taking the idea of being arrested well, he attempted to flee while reaching for his .45. He was shot in the arm, tased and arrested.

There's no mention as to why Duensing thought running for the police and reaching for a firearm would have been more helpful to the situation than alerting the officer that you had a CCW permit and were carrying and going in, in a mature fashion, to clear up whatever legal difficulties there were. Whatever he was thinking, he's lucky it didn't get him killed.

In case I missed any, here's another resourse for you

2009-10-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

The Brady Campaign has a listing of CCW abuses on their site, many that I have covered but some that I hadn't seen. Thanks to my friend, Doug, for pointing it out.

Maybe one of these days when I have time not covered by job and family (stop laughing, it has to happen sometime), I'll work on an excel spreadsheet so we can bring all the info together.

Another case of CCW road rage

2009-10-21T12:48:00.000-07:00

October, 2009 - Crime: Felonious Assault
Beaver, Michigan - Christopher Horosko, a CCW permit holder, was a passenger in a car traveling south on I-75. While traveling south on I-75, the car hit the brakes forcing the car behind them driven by Thomas D'Arcangelo to slam on the brakes. After Horosko and D'Arcangelo exchanged some rude gestures, the unnamed driver in the Horoko car saw fit to pull alongside the D'Arcangelo car on the driver's side at which time Horosko brandished a gun from the passenger side. Upon arrest, Horosko claim that he held it up because he feared road rage and was protecting himself and his driver.

Horosko failed to explain why, if he and his driver were fearful, they slowed down to pull alongside D'Arcangelo's car.

Innocents Paying For CCW Gun Mishandling

2009-10-20T16:11:00.000-07:00

October, 2009 - Crime: As yet to be stated
Jacksonville, Florida - A unidentified woman at a Jacksonville entertainment center was shot and killed because another patron, a CCW permit holder, was as the police describe it, mishandling his firearm. What charges will be filed has yet to be determined.

Great piece by the IndyStar

2009-10-17T06:44:00.000-07:00

Read this attached article and remember it when you hear the NRA or any of their paid pundits claim that all those who get CCW permits are law abiding citizens merely wishing to protect themselves from the big bads of the world. According to an investigation done by the IndyStar, those with fully blown criminal histories have been obtaining CCW permits. And surprise, surprise, they went on to commit further crimes.

Wonder whether you'd find the same thing in your state?

Poor Decisions and Poorer Explanations

2009-10-13T13:19:00.000-07:00

October, 2009 - Crime: Trespassing while armed
Fort Myers, Florida - CCW permit holder, Matthew James McMicken learned something very important about carrying a firearm - location, location, location. Matthew decided to go fishing in an off-limits canal adjacent to the Southwest Florida International Airport. First mistake, trespassing on airport property. Second mistake, trespassing while armed. Given that those areas are clearly marked, you have to wonder about the thought process of someone willing to bring a firearm with him onto airport property post 9/11. All I can say is they must have been really good fish in that canal to risk going to jail.

October, 2009 - Crime: Aggrevated Assault
Salt Lake City, Utah - A 41 year old unnamed CCW permit holder drove up to a gas pump at the same time as another driver did. After some heated words, the other man walked into the convenient store. The CCW permit holder followed him into the store and when the 19 year old victim attempted to leave the store the CCW permit holder pulled out a gun, held it to the 19 year old's head and said, "One word and you're dead, [expletive]. You're a smart [expletive] and your life is about to end." All this because a teenager got to a gas pump first.

But it doesn't end there. The CCW permit holder later returned to the store and questioned the clerks concerning whether or not they had called the police about the incident. They had.

When the police questioned the VVW permit holder about the incident he admitted he pulled the gun but claimed to not remember anything else as he was in a blackout.

If he was prone to blackouts, didn't the governing body that gave him the permit have the right to know he was either an alcoholic or prone to being mentally incapable? That said, I doubt he'll have to worry about it from now on.

Another sad outcome

2009-10-08T11:01:00.000-07:00

October, 2009 - Crime: Murder, Suicide
Lebanon, Pennsylvania - Meleanie Hain was a CCW permit holder who made the mistake of showing up at her 5 year old's soccer practice with a handgun holstered to her hip. Her permit was temporarily revoked. Meleanie complained that because her permit was revoked that her babysitting business had suffered and she had been ostracized in her community. The judge in the case, while giving her bad her permit, made it clear he questioned her judgement.

This morning Meleanie and her husband were found dead in what looks to be a murder/suicide. Meleanie and her husband had been having marital difficulties. The couple's three children were at home at the time of the murder but were physically uninjured.

October, 2009 - Crime: Attempted murder, Failure to secure a high powered weapon, Discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling
Randolph, Massachusetts - Christopher Leonard, a CCW permit holder, got into an argument with his next door neighbor, John Rota, about the leaves falling in their yards. Leonard felt so strongly about the argument that he shot his neighbor in the stomach.

Leonard was released on $20,000 cash bail with the conditions that he not reside at his home, not have any contact with the victim, not take any alcohol or drugs and take regular drug tests.

October, 2009 - Crime: Making terroristic threats
Minneapolis, Minnesota - Raymond Kenneth Kmetz was at the Hennepin County courthouse because he was a defendant in a criminal case. Prior to arriving at the courthouse he informed someone that he planned to bring a gun with him and shoot individuals involved in the case. Police investigating the threat discovered that Kmetz had applied for a CCW permit.

Celebrity Abuses

2009-10-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

January, 2008 - Crime: Possession of narcotic for sale, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and misconduct involving weapons.
Yuma, Arizona - A trial date has been set for rapper and concealed carry permit holder, Lil Wayne, who was arrested at a border stop in Yuma after police found 41 grams of ecstasy, an ounce of cocaine, four ounces of pot and his handgun.

His hearing will be March, 2010.

August, 2009 - Aggrevated menacing, discharging firearms in the city and improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle
Cleveland, Ohio - Nathaniel Summers, a CCW permit holder, became upset when two women who were fighting in the parking lot where he was dropping off a friend bumped his car. The argument escalated and Summers pulled two firearms out of his car and began firing into the air. Summers has been placed on probation, his guns will be destroyed and he will be taking anger management courses.

Just in time for the pre-Christmas sales

2009-10-02T10:28:00.000-07:00

September, 2009 - Crime: Aggrevated menacing
Cincinnati, Ohio - Donald Goodrich, a CCW permit holder, was angry because his cell phone wasn't working properly. When he took it to the Apple store, he told the employee that he was so angry that he could "pop a 9mm at it" and then stated that he was going to shoot the phone as he showed the employee that he indeed HAD a 9mm.

The employee, with remarkable calm, assured Mr. Goodrich that she would fix the phone, took it to the manager and alerted him to the situation. Police were called and Mr. Goodrich was arrested.

North Carolina Concealed Carry Permit-Holder In Custody As Terror Suspect

2009-10-01T12:03:00.000-07:00

September, 2009 - Crime: Conspiring to provide resources to terrorists, conspiring to murder, kidnap and injure persons abroad.
Holly Springs, North Carolina - Anes Subasic, a CCW permit holder, was arrested by the FBI and indicted with six other men for conspiring to provide resources to terrorists and conspiring to murder, kidnap and injure persons abroad. When authorities searched his home they seized couterterrorism literature, ammunition, weapons and electronics.

Subasic, according to the FBI, had attended a sniper training camp in Las Vegas which also trained individuals how to escape captivity. This was not Subasic's first run in with the law as he had a 2002 arrest for assault which was dismissed and two pending larceny charges which had yet to come to trial.

The ring leader of the group, Daniel Boyd, is also charged with conspiring to murder military personnel. Boyd had obtained armor-piercing bullets and a map of the marine base at Quantico, Virginia.

Here's a copy of the indictment.

Just an editorial note here: We can be thankful that this group was caught before any lives were lost but it is extremely worrisome that we could, in the NRA's rush to arm everyone, actually provide support to the terrorists who plan to do use harm.

A Story That Will Break Your Heart

2009-09-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

September, 2009 - Crime: Impersonating a police officer
San Rafael, Florida - Back in 2002, police officer named Timothy McGinley was involved in a car crash which caused a serious brain injury. The injury, unfortunately, cost Officer McGinley his career in law enforcement.

[Those who work with individuals will tell you that people who suffer from TBI (Traumatic brain injuries) will tell you it can effect not only cognitive processes but also emotional processes and personality. While the article does not state directly the impairments Officer McGinley suffered, I wanted to make note that the behavior discussed in the article could very well have been the result of his disability. That said, this is solely this blogger's opinion and not gospel. ed]

Four years later, Mr. McGinley was arrested for walking into a church with a concealed weapon and three controlled substances. After posting bond, he made the poor choice of returning to the church and confronting the minister. The police were once again called and this time Mr. McGinley showed them a police badge and a card which stated "Sworn CCW for life". When the police verified that Mr. McGinley was no longer a police officer, he was arrested again.

This month, after a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend, Mr. McGinley was arrested for violating his parole. While in police custody, Tim McGinley hung himself in his jail cell.

While there are multitudes of tragedies connected to this story, this blog is dedicated to CCW. It is unfathomable that an individual with a disabling brain injury would be permitted to get a permit since the mental and emotional disablity is permanent.

Our prayers are with Tim McGinley's family.

If At First You Don't Succeed...

2009-09-28T20:40:00.000-07:00

September, 2009 - Crime: Violating a protective order
Rye, New Hampshire - Sean Tichy, a CCW permit holder, was arrested after breaking into a woman's home with a gun while drunk. His victim then next day filed for an emergency protective order. You'd think that getting the notification of the restraining order would shock him back to some level of sense.

Unfortunately, not.

The very next day, he did it again. And he was arrested, again.

In a statement the police stated that what worried them is his state of mind given the fact that he had been hospitalized for alcoholism in 2006. One has to wonder why this wasn't an issue when he was issued his CCW permit.

A Little Irony For Your Day

2009-09-28T13:18:00.001-07:00

September, 2009 - Crime: Reckless use of a firearm
Kalamazoo, Michigan - Jonathan Wayne Sager was attending a picnic hosted by Michigan Open Carry, a gun rights group at South Haven's South Beach. While attempting to unload the semi-automatic after the festivities, the gun accidentally discharged. Luckily, no one was injured. Police were called to the scene after reports of shots fired and found Sager in the back of his friend's pickup truck on the 800 block of LaGrange, some 10 blocks away. Sager stated that they went in search of a police station. His gun was checked and given back to him and when the warrent was issued for the misdemeanor, he turned himself in.

Now, I have to say that this appears to be a case of someone trying to be responsible. Not very bright to attempt attempt to unload a gun in an open area, but, points for being responsible. Also, not very bright to leave the scene of an incident "in search of a police station". (Better to put the firearm down, call the police and let them come to you. Just saying.)

It just goes to prove that even if your heart is in the right place, it's where your trigger finger is that counts when dealing with loaded handguns. One can only wonder if those there to promote the carrying of firearms in public places with their wives and their children recognized that they had just given incontrovertible proof of why it's not the good idea they think it is better than any counter protest might have. We are exceedingly grateful that this lesson wasn't learned through blood. We just hope the lesson such in and sticks.

Split-Second Decisions While Carrying = Consequences

2009-09-26T02:19:00.000-07:00

September 2009 - Crime: Aggrevated Assault
Kennebunkport, Maine - CCW permit holder, Paul Moshimer, had everything going for him. He had just gotten a promotion in October and was engaged to be married. As a fire fighter of long standing he should have known that split second decisions have consequences.

Moshimer decided to take his loaded gun with him when he went riding on his motorcycle. This was a bad decision because his permit had expired. Then he decided to stop at a house where he saw his fiance's car parked. This was a bad decision because Moshimer got into an altercation with the homeowner where he used his helmet to beat the man about the face causing serious enough damage that the man will need reconstructive surgery.

Moshimer's fiance has taken out a restraining order against him.

His split second decisions cost his victim serious medical consequences and Paul Moshimer his job, his future marriage and his freedom.

Another day, another road rage case

2009-09-25T13:13:00.000-07:00

September 2009 - Crime: Harassment and displaying a firearm
Kelso, Washington - John Francis Damazio, a CCW permit holder, got cut off on I-5 by a driver from out of state. Mr. Damazio, according to police reports, felt that the appropriate response was to tailgate the other man, brandishing his firearm. When the other driver attempted to get away from Mr. Damazio and his gun, Mr. Damazio chased him at speeds of 90 MPH. When police arrested Mr. Damazio he denied pointing the gun at anybody.

Update September 24, 2009

2009-09-24T13:48:00.000-07:00

November 2007 - Crime: Improperly displaying a firearm
Miramar, Florida - Fitzroy Salesman, city commissioner and CCW permit holder, gets into an argument with a 19 year old fellow shopper at Winn Dixie and several employees at the grocery store and decides that the best way to settle the argument is to threaten them with a gun. Mr. Salesman went on to clain that he feared for his life.

This situation cost Mr. Salesman the election. One must question the rationale behind issuing Mr. Salesman a CCW since in 2005 he was charged with DUI and having a Breathalizer 2x the legal limit (That said, he was aquitted of the drunk driving charge.) and he was forced by the court to take anger management courses after an altercation outside a restaurant in 1998.

Mr. Salesman has most recently been arrested for public corruption.

Update September 19, 2009

2009-09-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

September, 2009 - Crime: Murdering a police officer
Twinsburg, Ohio - Ashford Thompson, a CCW permit holder, is charged with murdering police officer, Joshua Miktarian.

September, 2009 - Crime: Prohibited use of a firearm, disorderly conduct
Arapahoe Co., Colorado - Timothy Guinn, a CCW permit holder, and two of his friends, Brian Laro and an unnamed individual were in the wrong place at the wrong time. When the FBI spotted them walking in the parking lot of Laro's apartment complex, they were carrying an AR-15 and a .45. Unfortunately, they also were well over the legal drinking limit. Timothy had a .20 and Brian had a .123. Why were the FBI watching the complex? Because they were investigating a suspected terrorist who also lived in the complex.

Update September 14, 2009

2009-09-14T16:01:00.000-07:00

September, 2009 - Crime: Aggravated Assault, Road Rage
Knoxville, Tennessee - Luann Keller, CCW permit holder, was having a bad day. Now we don't know what originally got on her last nerve but as she was driving she came upon Dusty Lane she wasn't happy. Dusty Lane, by the way, is a person, not a road. Ms. Keller became irate and began banging her horn and pointing her gun at Mr. Lane.

Did I mention that Mr. Lane was an off duy police officer? Yeah, it kinda came as a shock to Ms. Keller as well. It's bad enough that you realize that because of your temper you almost shot another human being. It's another when you realize that that person is a police office.

The choices you make, dear ones, can change a bad day into a better one or a worse one.

Your choice.

Slightly Off Topic, But In The Ball Park

2009-09-14T15:33:00.000-07:00

While this blog is specifically for documenting individuals with CCW who abuse the privilege by committing crimes, this situation is extremely similiar and is a major story here in Kentucky. I vacillated on whether to place it here and decided that I would but mention that while I cannot verify that Steve Nunn had a CCW, I have had it confirmed that he had a standard gun license which was revoked when the original order of protection was issued.

Once again I want to make this very clear - My issue is not with responsible, law abiding citizens owning firearms. My issue is with individuals who break their end of the bargain and use those guns illegally or irresponsibly. And law abiding means actually abiding by the law, not you haven't been caught before.

That said, here's the piece:

Tragedy In The Blue Grass

She was an intelligent, accomplished woman, he was the son of a famous governor.

Once they were fiances, now apparently they are victim and murderer.

Amanda Ross had taken all the steps you should take if you find yourself in an abusive relationship. She separated from the abuser and got an order of protection. The order even included the extension that Steven Nunn was not to "possess, purchase or attempt to possess, purchase or obtain a firearm during the duration of the order."

So the question is begged - how did Steve Nunn get a gun?

When these orders are issued, who handles the follow through?

Did police go to his home and confiscate his firearms to make sure he had none in his possession?

Was his name placed on the NCIC?

Without follow through, this is an empty demand as someone willing to commit domestic violence, physically committing assault on a loved one, is not obviously not the law abiding citizen willing to play by the rules. And without the information open to the business community, even the most scrupulous gun store owner can be placed in the situation of realizing that he has inadvertantly sold a gun to a murderer.

Kentucky legislators need to re-evaluate the means by which we protect crime victims from the criminals, how we can make sure that when we demand as a society that a criminal have his guns taken away that no matter how well connected he may be, that he not be able to obtain another firearm without alerting police.

We owe it to Amanda.

Update September 6, 2009

2009-09-05T22:13:00.000-07:00

September, 2009 Crime: Road Rage

Maumelle, Arkansas - Family Festival promoter and concealed carry permit holder, Norman Millard "Butch" Stone Jr. was driving slowly in the outside lane. This annoyed Kenton Byrd who acted incorrectly by tailgating Butch in an effort to get him to move into the slow lane. Butch waved the other driver around but then, as they did attempt to pass him, he pulled his gun and aimed at them. They quickly pulled into the Wal-Mart parking lot to get away from the situation but was followed by Butch. Butch and both of the passengers in his car got out of their vehicle and moved to Kenton's vehicle, where again Butch pulled his weapon out and pointed it at Kenton. Butch then pushed Kenton into his car and left the scene. When police caught up with Butch he attempted to claim that he pointed his gun at a moving vehicle, followed it into a parking lot and then pulled a gun on them again because he thought his life was in danger because he thought maybe the other guy had a gun. (Ed. note - If you thought your life was in danger, wouldn't you move away from someone, not follow them?)

September, 2009 Crime: Reckless endangerment and discharging a firearm

Tonawanda, New York - Restaurant co-owner and concealed carry permit owner, Michael Parker chose to fire his gun in his restaurant for a reason as yet unknown to the public. Whether it was an accident as he claims or otherwise, as the numerous witnesses claim, the bullet went through a refrigerator, through the exterior wall of the kitchen and across the street. Luckily, no one was injured.

Update August 30, 2009

2009-08-30T14:25:00.000-07:00

August 2009 - Crime: Misdemeanor Assault

Hendersonville, North Carolina - Scott Sheffron, an attorney and CCW holder, made choices which, put all together, lead to him being charged with misdemeanor assault. He chose to pay more attention to his cell phone than his driving. He chose to engage another driver in an argument while driving. He chose to follow the driver into a parking lot. He chose to reengage the other driver in an argument and then he chose to pull his gun on the other driver.

More than two weeks and only after discovering that charges had been filed against him, Mr. Sheffron decided that he should file charges against the other driver...for flicking his cigarette, which landed on his car.

Update August 22, 2009

2009-08-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

August 2009 - Crime: Criminal Trespass

Louisville, Kentucky - Thomas Irwin, a concealed carry permit holder, had been banned from the University of Louisville library for harassing an employee last year. This month he returned to the library carrying two firearms and ammunition. Employees recognized him and called police. He was arrested without incident.

Update August 21, 2009

2009-08-21T08:49:00.000-07:00

Before we give our updates, a friend of the blog, Cathie, sent us a fascinating article concerning the loophole in Tennessee law that apparently allows criminals to obtain concealed carry permits. So much for the idea of all carriers in the "Volunteer State" being law abiding.

And now for the current crimes:

August, 2009 - No crime listed as individual was taken in for psychiatric observation

Conway, Arkansas - Tennessee CCW permit holder, Lyle Kenneth Blair, informed police that he was on a "mission from the Lord" to stop evildoers by "shooting them in the face". The police had been called because Mr. Blair had attempted to start a fight at a gas station with a serviceman on leave from the Navy who was on his way back to report for duty.

August, 2009 - Crime: Impersonating an officer

Boise, Idaho - CCW permit holder, Paul Brookhouse tried to do the right thing. When a man stole property from a local rescue mission, he ran after him. The problem came when he pulled his gun and told the name he was a police officer.

Update August 15, 2009

2009-08-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

August, 2009 - Crime: Murder
http://www.wreg.com/wreg-davisparttwo-story,0,2446637.story

Bartlett, Tennessee - Austin Agee, a 22 year old CCW permit holder, committed suicide in front of his mother and sister. He was apparently distraught because the police were planning on questioning in more detail over the disappearance of aspiring actress, Lisa Davis. Agee left several suicide notes informing the police where he dumped Davis' body. She had been shot in the back of the head. Agee wrote that 'things just got out of hand'.

Update August 11, 2009

2009-08-11T18:21:00.000-07:00

August 2009 - Crimes: Domestic Violence - Murder

http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20090809/NEWS01/908090310

Heath, Ohio - Robert Channel and his wife, Vicki had been in a domestic violence cycle for some time. This cycle had involved the criminal justice system. And yet he was able to get a concealed carry permit. He was also able to then murder his wife and then commit suicide.

August 2009 - Crimes: Criminal recklessness, intimidation with a weapon, pointing a loaded weapon, resisting law enforcement

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2009/aug/09/man-accused-pointing-gun-threatening-party-goers/

Mount Vernon, Indiana - Benjamin Bredemeier, a CCW permit holder, showed up at a party uninvited because he had heard that his ex-girl friend and her new boyfriend would be attending. He attempted to provoke a fight with the new boyfriend and when asked to leave the home he pointed the gun in the person's face. He later told investigators that he wanted to confront his girlfriend, get his property back and that he was upset about the end of their relationship.

August 2009 - Crimes: Production of marijuana and possession of an explosive devices

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/orl-bk-guns-drugs-nudity-081009,0,7118287.story

Kissimee, Florida - William Scott Clark, a CCW permit holder was arrested for cultivating approximately 40 pot plants. When his trailer was searched, his girlfriend admitted to the cultivation but stated that Clark had moved the plants. The plants were discovered at a friends house with Clark's Mac-11 submachine gun, a .50 caliber sniper rifle, Browning semi-automatics mounted on tripods, live mortar rounds, launching tubes and several home made bombs.

August 2009 - Crimes: Possession of a firearm on school grounds, trespassing on school property with a weapon and resisting officers without violence.

http://www.sunjournal.com/node/103159

Miami, Florida - Jeffrey Weinsier, a reporter at a local television station, had obtained a CCW permit after receiving death threats due to a prior new story. When he was scheduled to do a report at a local high school, he was asked by the safety office not to bring his firearm onto school property due to state laws. He had two choices, he could lock his firearm in the news van or he could do the story next to schol property. Jeff decided to take the road less travelled and take the third option and had to pay an $11,000 bond for the privileges.

New Report Update From the Violence Policy Center

2009-08-09T23:09:00.000-07:00

The VPC has a new report out on crimes committed by individuals with CCW's.

And according to their documentation, from May 2007 to April 2009 seven police officers (Including an FBI agent) have been killed by individuals with concealed carry permits, three have been wounded; 43 civilians have been murdered and six were injured. In six of the incidents, the individuals later killed themselves, which increases the body count.

Read the reports on the incidents, they will amaze and outrage you.

I know, normally, I write up the reports but since VPC did the work, they should get the counts going to their site.

An interesting addition to the blog

2009-08-09T21:45:00.000-07:00

While this is slightly outside the purveyance of this blog, I felt it should be mentioned.

In Tennesse, Representative Steve Cohen had a town meeting to discuss health care reform. Reports are coming in that individuals with concealed carry permits attempted to bring their firearms into the meeting.

Now I ask you, who did these men fear were a threat to their physical lives in that meeting?

While the piece assumes that these people were "teabaggers", there's nothing in the piece that solidifies that assumption into fact. I'll look into getting more info into these individuals' identities and agendas.

Needless to say, attempting to promote your idealogy with the use of a firearm is called domestic terrorism and a civil rights violation. That's not what the permit is for.

Some statistics to this point

2009-08-07T03:00:00.000-07:00

I thought for the sake of information that I'd look at what we've found in about a month of digging.

From Oct. 2004 to early August 2009, these states have had crimes committed by individuals who had been documented by the press as having previously obtained concealed carry permits:

Ohio (9)
Pennsylvania (5)
Florida (4)
North Carolina (3)
New York (3)
Michigan (3)
Washington (2)
Utah (2)
South Carolina (1)
Kansas (1)
Montana (1)
Oklahoma (1)
Idaho (1)
Kentucky (1)
Alabama (1)
California (1)
Colorado (1)
West Virginia (1)

And the list of actual crimes:

Murder, Attempted Murder, Manslaughter, Assault, Kidnapping, Attempted Kidnapping, Domestic Violence, Child Sodomy, Domestic Terrorism, Assaulting a Police Officer, Stalking, Aggrevated Menacing, Promoting Illegal Gambling, Organ Trafficking, Impersonating a Police Officer, Felony Road Rage, Reckless Endangerment, Resisting Arrest, DUI/DWI, Using a Firearm While Intoxicated, Hit and Run, Drug Possession, Drug Paraphenalia, Possession of a Firearm in a Courthouse, Possession of a Firearm on School Property, Possession of a Firearm in an Airport, Falsifying Legal Documents, Giving a Firearm to a Prohibited Person, Animal Cruelty, Criminal Mischief, oh yeah, and Speeding.

Now once again, as I said in my very first post, this isn't about lambasting those individuals who utilize firearms legally and responsibly. This is about refuting the myth that the NRA espouses that all the folks who get CCW's are law abiding citizens and that there's no need for regulation. If we are going to have a reasonable, rational discussion, we have to have the facts on the table and the myths dispelled.

Update August 7, 2009

2009-08-07T02:21:00.000-07:00

August, 2009 - Crime: Drug possession

Columbus, Ohio - Former OSU football player and CCW permit holder, Timothy (T. J.) Downing was found guilty of possession of marijuana, cocaine and prescription drugs after a routine car stop due to no front plate. T. J. was also in possession of a loaded .40 caliber weapon which was improperly stored.

Pittsburgh Gym Shooter had CCW permit

2009-08-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

August 2009 - Crime: Premeditated Murder and Attempted Murder

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - George Sodini, CCW permit holder, hadn't had a date in decades so he joined a gym. Unfortunately, instead of forging new relationships and possibly inviting someone out, he went in with four guns (two .9 mm, a .45 and a .32 semi-automatic) and began shooting women -- women he had never met, because he couldn't get a date. Twelve women paid for George Sodini's lack of social skills and mental illness. Four women paid with their lives.

Men Arrested For Selling Fradulent CCW Certificates

2009-08-04T01:52:00.000-07:00

Aug. 2009 - In Ohio you are expected to take a 12 hour handgun instruction seminar before being given your permit. Well, it would appear that some entrepreneurial souls discovered that there were lots of folks in their neck of the woods who had little patience but a lot of money and were willing to give it up to get around the rules.

Jason Hernadez and Michael Davenport sold 132 fraudulent certificates, some for as much as $300.

I do hope that those individuals enjoyed having their CCW's because since they obtained them in a criminal manner, they will, of course, lose the privilege and possibly, since it's a felony, they may lose their right to have guns at all.

I bet sitting through a 12 hour class doesn't sound so bad to those gentlemen now.

Law Abiding CCW...with a fake badge and handcuffs?

2009-08-03T02:27:00.000-07:00

August 2009 - Crime: Aggrevated Assault with a firearm and criminal mischief

St. Petersburg, Florida - Dale Arthur Single, a CCW permit holder, was riding a bike and according to police, was weaving in and out of traffic. When a driver honked at Mr. Single, he slapped at the windshield and broke it. The victims called 911 and followed Mr. Single until police arrived. Mr. Single then pulled out a pistol and began pointing it at the occupants of the car. The victims also saw that he had a badge, which he waved at them, and a pair of handcuffs.

Police quickly arived and Mr. Single was arrested. No explaination was given for why a citizen who is not on the force would be waving around a badge and carry a pair of handcuffs.

Update Aug 2, 2009

2009-08-02T00:39:00.000-07:00

July 2009 - Crime: Aggravated assault, giving a weapon to a prohibited person.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania - Edwin "Snookie" Rivera, age 22, had a concealed carry permit and a problem. He and a man named Maurice Fokas Jr. had a disagreement concerning drugs and drug related money. Mr. Rivera decided he wanted to be prepared in case the discussion became heated so he went to his home and retrieved two pistols so that he could arm his friends, Monte and Jose. (Edwin already was armed.) Problem number one was that Jose had a previous drug conviction, so he was prohibited from carrying a firearm. When the incident did erupt in violence, Maurice was able to wrestle the gun away from Jose and when Edwin took a shot at Maurice, he accidentally hit Jose. (Face it, this just wasn't Jose's day.)

After the shooting, Edwin fled to a third man, Scott's, house. When police searched for Edwin, they also found drugs and drug paraphernalia at Scott's house, so Scott got a trip downtown as well.

July 2009 - Voluntary manslaughter

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - Matthew Miller, a vet and concealed carry weapons permit holder, who obtained the permit after being viciously attacked in 2006. In July, he got into a disagreement with Ross Vigeant, a father of three who was on a two day vacation, at a McDonald's because he felt Mr. Vigeant was taking too long in the drive through. The disagreement became physical with Mr. Vigeant punching Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller had not been convicted of any previous crimes but was facing a charge of harassment due to an incident in February. It's unknown at this time if Mr. Miller had ever been assessed for PTSD either from his attack or from his war time experiences.

Previous Listings:

2009 - 26

July - 21
June - 1
May - 0
April - 1
March - 2
February - 1
January - 0
2008 - 4
2007 - 2
2006 - 0
2005 - 1
2004 - 2
2003 - 0
2002 - 0
1994 - 2001 - 584

Latest CCW in the News - August 1, 2009

2009-08-01T19:16:00.000-07:00

Sorry that it's taken so long to update - we had a computer glitch thanks to Vista. But this update, you will find worth it.

I was able to verify through that great reporter, Yonat Shimron, that Daniel Boyd, the man arrested for potential domestic terrorism had a current concealed carry weapons permit until Wednesday of this last week.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1624103.html

Yes, we're arming the folks who want to hurt our citizens.

The theme today is kids Update - July 27, 2009

2009-07-27T13:47:00.000-07:00

This just in: I was sent this by a reader, Nick, and had to contact the reporter to get verification. Thanks to Josh Boatwright at the Asheville Citizen-Times for the assist.

July 2009 - Crime: Attempted first degree murder
http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090727/NEWS01/907270323

Charles Alexander Diez, a firefighter and CCW permit holder since 2007, got out of his car and stopped Alan Ray Simons and his wife to complain because he didn't agree with the idea of people riding bicycles with children on back. When Simons attempted to walk away from him, Diez attempted to shoot him in the back of the head. Luckily, while the bullet went through the helmet, it missed Simon's head. Diez fled the scene but witnesses took down his number. Police found him at home. Ironically, he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

New Listings:

July 2009 - Crime: Animal cruelty and reckless endangerment
http://www.columbian.com/article/20090724/NEWS02/707249958/Bail+reduced+in+Doberman-shooting+case

Vanover, Washington - Dennis McLean, a CCW permit holder, was walking his dog when he came upon three girls aged 12, 8 and 5 who were with their two dogs. The dogs got into a fight and McLean shot both dogs, killing one and wounding the other. Witnesses conflict as to which animal started the fight.

July 2009 - Crime: Attempted murder, voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, aggrevated assault and reckless endangerment.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20090725_Patrols_to_guard_the_trail.html

Plymouth, Pennsylvania - Joseph James DePaul, a concealed carry weapons permit carrier, crossed paths with a 15 year old and a 17 year old on a bike path. DePaul fired at the boys from a distance of 200 to 250 feet. According to Depaul, one of the boys had, while on his bike, kicked him in the ribs, thus forcing off the path and into a fence.

July 2009 - Crime: Attempted Murder
http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_12890747

Bluffdale, Utah - Two decent men who were known for being neighborhood protectors met. It should have been a good thing. It wasn't. Now one man is in jail and the other is likely to be paralyzed for life.

Previous Listings:
2009 - 21
July - 16
June - 1
May - 0
April - 1
March - 2
February - 1
January - 0

2008 - 4
2007 - 2
2006 - 0
2005 - 1
2004 - 2
2003 - 0
2002 - 0
1994 - 2001 - 584

Breaking News: Brooklyn Organ Trafficker is CCW holder

2009-07-24T01:57:00.000-07:00

The man who the FBI alleges was trafficking in organs, Levy-Izhak Rosenbaum, was a concealed carry permit holder who, according to sources, utilized that privilege to threaten poor individuals who had been brought to the country from countries like Moldavia for surgery if they attempted to back out of the deal. In other words, if reports are accurate these poor people had their organs removed under threat of never returning home and/or death.

Something tells me that's not what they people of New York had in mind when the CCW was issued.

The theme is screw-ups Update - July 24, 2009

2009-07-24T00:56:00.000-07:00

The apparent theme for today's update appears to be screw-ups.

Conceal Carry Crimes

July 2009 - Crime: Murder

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/article/20090723/NEWS01/907230332/B.C.+police++No+trend+in+killings

Battle Creek, Michigan - Kevin Hoover had obtained a CCW permit but lost the permit due to a misdemeanor crime. Unfortunately, when they took the permit, they didn't confiscate the firearms. If they had, they might have prevented Hoover from shooting and killing his own father-in-law, Andre Settler, during Mr. Hoover's birthday party in front of numous family members, including children.

July 2009 - Crime: Assault and carrying a concealed weapon

http://www.kctv5.com/news/20161287/detail.html

Excelsior Springs, Kansas - Bounty hunter and CCW permit holder, Michael Knight, decided to help a friend repossess a black Pontiac Bonneville. As the teen driving the car stopped the car, Mr. Knight reportedly drew a taser on him, grabbed him by the neck and drug him out of the vehicle in front of witnesses. Couple of small problems - you don't drag people out of their car, especially when IT'S THE WRONG CAR! It was even worse when the police found Mr. Knight's Glock holstered on his hip and his concealed carry permit which expired two years ago.

July 2009 - Crime: Aggrevated menacing, DWI, having drug paraphenalia, and violating concealed carry laws http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090719/NEWS0107/907200326/Soldier+charged+with++road+rage++
Cincinnati, Ohio - Kyle Adam Rogers, a CCW holder and member of the US Army was charged after brandishing a gun during a road rage incident. He was arrested a few blocks from where the incident took place.

July 2009 - Crime: Unlawful display, aiming or discharging a dangerous weapon http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2009/07/18/news/doc4a6169739cd9e079166508.txt
Ellenburg, Washington - Dustin Sims, a CCW permit holder, became angry at a truck driving down the street, took out his semi-automatic and pointed at the vehicle. He then walked several blocks while waving the gun around. He was spotted by police and arrested.

July 2009 - Crime: Attempted kidnapping, carrying a concealed weapon while intoxicated, and resisting arrest

http://missoulian.com/articles/2009/07/21/news/local/news05.txt
Wye, Montana - David William Larsen, a concealed carry permit holder, attempted to carjack by gunpoint a vehicle which contained three small children. As the mother and aunt fought the man, he attempted to pull his firearm from his ankle holster. Passersby contained the man until police came but when police arrived, he once again attempted to utilize his gun. Luckily, no one was injured.

July 2009 - Crime: Bringing a gun into an airport http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1149653.html
St. Petersburg, Florida - Frances Fuller, a CCW permit holder, attempted to bring a handgun through a security checkpoint in the St. Petersburg airport. Ms. Fuller stated she forgot she was carrying and was cooperative with police.

July 2009 – Crime: Felony Road Ragehttp://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-edmond-road-rage-story,0,5845809.story
Edmond, Oklahoma – An angry driver pulls a gun on an Oklahoma couple during a road rage incident. Concealed weapons permit holder, 43-year-old Darryl Inman, charged with felony. Inman is currently a pilot for JetBlue.

July 2009 – Crime: Impersonating a police officer

http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1709-citizen_arrest.4e0b1fd0.html
Boise, Idaho – After witnessing a petty theft, Concealed weapons permit holder, Paul Brookhouse attempted to make a citizen’s arrest. Unfortunately, he chose to pull his gun and identify himself as a police office. Now, both the thief and Mr. Brookhouse are facing charges. Police appreciated the help but stated that in a situation like this, there was no reason to pull a firearm.

July 2009 – Crime: Domestic violence and assaulting a police officer

http://www.galioninquirer.com/local.asp?ID=1687&Story=2
Galion, Ohio – Police responding to a domestic violence call shoot and kill William Kitzmiller. Concealed weapons permit holder Kitzmiller told his wife if she called the police he “would not be taken easily.” When police tried to disarm him an officer was shot in the hand, a second officer returned fire and struck and killed Kitzmiller.

July 2009 – Crime: Speeding and concealing a weapon

http://www.reviewonline.com/page/content.detail/id/516353.html?nav=5188
Lisbon, Ohio – Concealed weapons permit holder, 50-year-old William Lewis, was stopped for speeding, forgot to tell police officers he had a loaded .40-caliber pistol in his car and reached for the gun when he opened his glove compartment to get his car registration. Lewis has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon.

July 2009 – Crime: Child Sodomy

http://www.msadvocate.com/morestory.aspx?storiesID=772
Jeffersonville, Kentucky – Concealed weapons permit holder, 39-year-old Michael Dunn, is being held on seven counts of first-degree child sodomy in a case involving a 14-year-old boy. In a separate case, Dunn is being charged with filing incomplete firearms training records while servicing as a concealed weapons instructor. In February 2008 a grand jury found Dunn acted in self-defense when he shot and killed a man during a dispute at his home.

July 2009 – Crime: Murder

http://northeast2.tbo.com/content/2009/jul/13/131316/man-shot-killed-tampa-apartment-complex/
Tampa, Florida – Marcos Antonio Truillio, a concealed weapons permit holder, shot Carlos Aris, a graphics artist working for the Seventh Day Adventist Church, because he thought the man was breaking into his house. Family members say he had been going door to door evangelizing.

July 2009 - Crime: DWI, Using weapons while intoxicated and possession of marijuana

http://blog.cleveland.com/parmasunpost/2009/07/driver_facing_long_list_of_wea.html
Seven Hills, Ohio - Concealed weapons permit holder, 43-year-old Russell Larson, was pulled over for going 50 mph in a 25 mph zone. Larson, who had eight prior operating a vehicle while intoxicated arrests, had a loaded .45-caliber pistol in his car, as well as a large folding knife, brass knuckles, and a bag of marijuana. He was charged with operated a vehicle while intoxicated , felony improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, using weapons while intoxicated, and possession of marijuana.

July 2009 - Crime: Felony hit and run, DWI

http://www.facebook.com/n/?profile.php&id=775044091&v=feed&story_fbid=120369648216&mid=cdeb05G1e0710ceG2eb14c0G37

Corunna, Michigan – Shiawassee Co. prosecutor and CCW permit holder Randy Colbry was responsible for an afternoon hit and run accident and found guilty of DWI. He voluntarily surrendered his CCW permit.

July 2009 – Crime: Promoting illegal gamblinghttp://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=820976
Rotterdam, New York – Gary DiCocco, CCW permit holder, was found guilty of promoting illegal gambling in a sport –betting operation which netted $250,000 in two months.

June 2009 - Crime: Firing a gun in publichttp://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2009/06/ann_arbor_police_arrest_man_wi.html
Ann Arbor, Michigan - A CCW permit holder was arrested after shots were fired during a fight in front of a restaurant. According to reports the fight was concerning damage to a car.

April 2009 - Crime: Three counts of homicide, aggrevated assault, and a weapons violation

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512560,00.html
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Richard Poplawski, a CCW permit holder, ambushed four police officers, killing three and wounding one.

March 2009 – Crime: Eleven counts of murder and arsonhttp://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/news/crime_courts/article/mclendon_planned_killing_spree_that_left_11_dead/69328/Kinston, Alabama - CCW permit holder, Michael McClendon killed 11 people including the wife of a deputy sheriff.

March 2009 - Crime: Stalking

http://crazy-celebraties.blogspot.com/2009/03/robert-oryan-was-arrested-by-los.html
Los Angeles, California - Concealed carry weapon permit holder, Robert O'Ryan was arrested after jumping the fence at CBS Studios and attempting to meet Shawn Johnson. A search of his car at the time of the arrest found a loaded handgun, a loaded shotgun, duct tape and love letters to Johnson. The 17 year old's parents are filing for a restraining order against O'Ryan.

February 2009 – Crime: Three counts of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, one count of second degree murder, second degree kidnapping

http://rocnow.com/article/local-news/2009906120346
Brockport, New York - CCW holder Frank Garcia killed three people and wounded one in upstate New York. Reports are that the killings occurred because the women had reported Garcia for sexual harassment.

October 2008 - Aggrevated Assault

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=9208805&nav=CcXHe7rB
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -Tye Burke, CCW holder, put a gun to a man's head at a children's soccer game because he took issue with a coach's call. The victim was the coach's husband.

October 2008 - Crime: Unlawful carrying of a weapon, having a weapon on school groundsand prohibited use of a weapon

http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/coloradoan/access/1695803011.html?dids=1695803011:1695803011&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+2%2C+2008&author=Ashley+Keesis-Wood&pub=Fort+Collins+Coloradoan&edition=&startpage=n%2Fa&desc=Armed+man+on+school+grounds+arrested
Windsor, Cororado -CCW Holder, Thomas Krueger was arrested on school grounds carrying a loaded Glock and drinking alcohol.

September 2008 - Crime: DWI

http://www2.hernandotoday.com/content/2008/sep/20/202015/armed-man-charged-drunken-driving-90-mph-street-ra/
Spring Hill, Florida - Gerald Deaguiar, a CCW permit holder was stopped after racing at 90 MPH. He had a blood alcohol four times the legal limit and a gun on each hip.

June 2008 – Crime: Aggravated Murderhttp://www.deseretnews.com/article/700231347/Ragsdale-to-be-tried-in-wifes-slaying.html
Provo, Utah – CCW holder David Ragsdale pulled up to his church parking lot and shot his wife 12 times.

November 2007 – Crime: Having firearm on school property

http://www.whiotv.com/news/14602646/detail.html
Huber Heights, Ohio – CCW holder was found passed out in her car carrying a firearm on a Wednesday morning at the St. Peter Catholic School

October 2007 - Crime: Assault, obstruction of Justice, resisting arrest
http://www.wvrecord.com/news/220122-71-year-old-man-says-weirton-officer-threw-him-to-ground
Wheeling, West Virginia - Gary Clyde Borham, a CCW permit holder, got into a shouting match with an individual indentified as Eric Popish, concerning how fast Mr. Borham he was driving in a grocery store parking lot. Mr. Borham decided to up the ante by informing Mr. Popish that he should "back off because he had one" and that he had a concealed carry permit. Mr. Borham, a short time later discovered that it's not a good idea to threaten was an off duty police officer. The case was later dismissed with prejudice and Mr. Borham has filed suit. [ed. From the sound of the wording of the complaint, these individuals know and actively dislike each other.]

December 2005 – Crime: Aggravated assault and felonious assault

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DDNB&p_theme=ddnb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10F10428E2A994B8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
Beavercreek, Ohio – CCW holder Jason Todd Waple placed his 9 mm handgun up to a man’s neck after a New Year’s Eve traffic dispute.

October 2004 – Crime: Murder

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=FV&p_theme=fv&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10627761C08B545F&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
Sanford, NC – CCW holder Horace Greeley Dawson arrested for shooting his neighbor, Richard Raab after a long standing feud. Dawson was later acquitted of first degree murder.

June 2004 – Crime: Illegal possession of a firearm in a courthouse

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=10364B55EC57AD29&p_docnum=1
Dayton, Ohio – CCW holder Douglas Lyons attempted to enter the Montgomery County courthouse to see an inmate while carrying a firearm.

2002 – According to Salt Lake City Tribune, 584 CCW’s were revoked because of crimes committed between 1994 - 2001.
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=100E42BB37256322&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM

Update - July 22, 2009

2009-07-21T23:17:00.000-07:00

Well, here's today's round-up. The crimes for today include road rage, aggrevated menacing, DWI, attempted kidnapping, attempting to bring a firearm into an airport, etc. Remember, the latest additions are in red.

Conceal Carry Crimes

Cincinnati, Ohio - Kyle Adam Rogers, a CCW holder and member of the US Army was charged after brandishing a gun during a road rage incident. He was arrested a few blocks from where the incident took place.

July 2009 - Crime: Unlawful display, aiming or discharging a dangerous weapon http://www.kvnews.com/articles/2009/07/18/news/doc4a6169739cd9e079166508.txt

Ellenburg, Washington - Dustin Sims, a CCW permit holder, became angry at a truck driving down the street, took out his semi-automatic and pointed at the vehicle. He then walked several blocks while waving the gun around. He was spotted by police and arrested.

July 2009 - Crime: Attempted kidnapping, carrying a concealed weapon while intoxicated, and resisting arrest http://missoulian.com/articles/2009/07/21/news/local/news05.txt

Wye, Montana - David William Larsen, a concealed carry permit holder, attempted to carjack by gunpoint a vehicle which contained three small children. As the mother and aunt fought the man, he attempted to pull his firearm from his ankle holster. Passersby contained the man until police came but when police arrived, he once again attempted to utilize his gun. Luckily, no one was injured.

July 2009 - Crime: Bringing a gun into an airport http://www.miamiherald.com/news/florida/AP/story/1149653.html

St. Petersburg, Florida - Frances Fuller, a CCW permit holder, attempted to bring a handgun through a security checkpoint in the St. Petersburg airport. Ms. Fuller stated she forgot she was carrying and was cooperative with police.

July 2009 – Crime: Felony Road Rage
http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-edmond-road-rage-story,0,5845809.story

July 2009 – Crime: Impersonating a police officer
http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1709-citizen_arrest.4e0b1fd0.html

Boise, Idaho – After witnessing a petty theft, Concealed weapons permit holder, Paul Brookhouse attempted to make a citizen’s arrest. Unfortunately, he chose to pull his gun and identify himself as a police office. Now, both the thief and Mr. Brookhouse are facing charges. Police appreciated the help but stated that in a situation like this, there was no reason to pull a firearm.

July 2009 – Crime: Domestic violence and assaulting a police officer
http://www.galioninquirer.com/local.asp?ID=1687&Story=2

Galion, Ohio – Police responding to a domestic violence call shoot and kill William Kitzmiller. Concealed weapons permit holder Kitzmiller told his wife if she called the police he “would not be taken easily.” When police tried to disarm him an officer was shot in the hand, a second officer returned fire and struck and killed Kitzmiller.

July 2009 – Crime: Speeding and concealing a weapon
http://www.reviewonline.com/page/content.detail/id/516353.html?nav=5188

Lisbon, Ohio – Concealed weapons permit holder, 50-year-old William Lewis, was stopped for speeding, forgot to tell police officers he had a loaded .40-caliber pistol in his car and reached for the gun when he opened his glove compartment to get his car registration. Lewis has been charged with carrying a concealed weapon.

July 2009 – Crime: Child Sodomy
http://www.msadvocate.com/morestory.aspx?storiesID=772

Jeffersonville, Kentucky – Concealed weapons permit holder, 39-year-old Michael Dunn, is being held on seven counts of first-degree child sodomy in a case involving a 14-year-old boy. In a separate case, Dunn is being charged with filing incomplete firearms training records while servicing as a concealed weapons instructor. In February 2008 a grand jury found Dunn acted in self-defense when he shot and killed a man during a dispute at his home.

July 2009 – Crime: Murder
http://northeast2.tbo.com/content/2009/jul/13/131316/man-shot-killed-tampa-apartment-complex/

July 2009 - Crime: DWI, Using weapons while intoxicated and possession of marijuana
http://blog.cleveland.com/parmasunpost/2009/07/driver_facing_long_list_of_wea.html

Seven Hills, Ohio - Concealed weapons permit holder, 43-year-old Russell Larson, was pulled over for going 50 mph in a 25 mph zone. Larson, who had eight prior operating a vehicle while intoxicated arrests, had a loaded .45-caliber pistol in his car, as well as a large folding knife, brass knuckles, and a bag of marijuana. He was charged with operated a vehicle while intoxicated , felony improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, using weapons while intoxicated, and possession of marijuana.

July 2009 - Crime: Felony hit and run, DWI
http://www.facebook.com/n/?profile.php&id=775044091&v=feed&story_fbid=120369648216&mid=cdeb05G1e0710ceG2eb14c0G37
Corunna, Michigan – Shiawassee Co. prosecutor and CCW permit holder Randy Colbry was responsible for an afternoon hit and run accident and found guilty of DWI. He voluntarily surrendered his CCW permit.

July 2009 – Crime: Promoting illegal gambling
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=820976

Rotterdam, New York – Gary DiCocco, CCW permit holder, was found guilty of promoting illegal gambling in a sport –betting operation which netted $250,000 in two months.

June 2009 - Crime: Firing a gun in public
http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2009/06/ann_arbor_police_arrest_man_wi.html

Ann Arbor, Michigan - A CCW permit holder was arrested after shots were fired during a fight in front of a restaurant. According to reports the fight was concerning damage to a car.

April 2009 - Crime: Three counts of homicide, aggrevated assault, and a weapons violation
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512560,00.html

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Richard Poplawski, a CCW permit holder, ambushed four police officers, killing three and wounding one.

March 2009 – Crime: Eleven counts of murder and arson
http://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/news/crime_courts/article/mclendon_planned_killing_spree_that_left_11_dead/69328/
Kinston, Alabama - CCW permit holder, Michael McClendon killed 11 people including the wife of a deputy sheriff.

March 2009 - Crime: Stalking
http://crazy-celebraties.blogspot.com/2009/03/robert-oryan-was-arrested-by-los.html

Los Angeles, California - Concealed carry weapon permit holder, Robert O'Ryan was arrested after jumping the fence at CBS Studios and attempting to meet Shawn Johnson. A search of his car at the time of the arrest found a loaded handgun, a loaded shotgun, duct tape and love letters to Johnson. The 17 year old's parents are filing for a restraining order against O'Ryan.

February 2009 – Crime: Three counts of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, one count of second degree murder, second degree kidnapping
http://rocnow.com/article/local-news/2009906120346

Brockport, New York - CCW holder Frank Garcia killed three people and wounded one in upstate New York. Reports are that the killings occurred because the women had reported Garcia for sexual harassment.

October 2008 - Aggrevated Assaulthttp://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=9208805&nav=CcXHe7rB

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -Tye Burke, CCW holder, put a gun to a man's head at a children's soccer game because he took issue with a coach's call. The victim was the coach's husband.

October 2008 - Crime: Unlawful carrying of a weapon, having a weapon on school groundsand prohibited use of a weapon
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/coloradoan/access/1695803011.html?dids=1695803011:1695803011&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+2%2C+2008&author=Ashley+Keesis-Wood&pub=Fort+Collins+Coloradoan&edition=&startpage=n%2Fa&desc=Armed+man+on+school+grounds+arrested

Windsor, Cororado -CCW Holder, Thomas Krueger was arrested on school grounds carrying a loaded Glock and drinking alcohol.

September 2008 - Crime: DWI
http://www2.hernandotoday.com/content/2008/sep/20/202015/armed-man-charged-drunken-driving-90-mph-street-ra/

Spring Hill, Florida - Gerald Deaguiar, a CCW permit holder was stopped after racing at 90 MPH. He had a blood alcohol four times the legal limit and a gun on each hip.

June 2008 – Crime: Aggravated Murder
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700231347/Ragsdale-to-be-tried-in-wifes-slaying.html

Provo, Utah – CCW holder David Ragsdale pulled up to his church parking lot and shot his wife 12 times.

November 2007 – Crime: Having firearm on school property
http://www.whiotv.com/news/14602646/detail.html

Huber Heights, Ohio – CCW holder was found passed out in her car carrying a firearm on a Wednesday morning at the St. Peter Catholic School

October 2007 - Crime: Assault, obstruction of Justice, resisting arrest

http://www.wvrecord.com/news/220122-71-year-old-man-says-weirton-officer-threw-him-to-ground

Wheeling, West Virginia - Gary Clyde Borham, a CCW permit holder, got into a shouting match with an individual indentified as Eric Popish, concerning how fast Mr. Borham he was driving in a grocery store parking lot. Mr. Borham decided to up the ante by informing Mr. Popish that he should "back off because he had one" and that he had a concealed carry permit. Mr. Borham, a short time later discovered that it's not a good idea to threaten was an off duty police officer. The case was later dismissed with prejudice and Mr. Borham has filed suit. [ed. From the sound of the wording of the complaint, these individuals know and actively dislike each other.]

December 2005 – Crime: Aggravated assault and felonious assault
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DDNB&p_theme=ddnb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10F10428E2A994B8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM

Beavercreek, Ohio – CCW holder Jason Todd Waple placed his 9 mm handgun up to a man’s neck after a New Year’s Eve traffic dispute.

October 2004 – Crime: Murder
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=FV&p_theme=fv&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10627761C08B545F&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM

Sanford, NC – CCW holder Horace Greeley Dawson arrested for shooting his neighbor, Richard Raab after a long standing feud. Dawson was later acquitted of first degree murder.

June 2004 – Crime: Illegal possession of a firearm in a courthouse
http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=10364B55EC57AD29&p_docnum=1

Dayton, Ohio – CCW holder Douglas Lyons attempted to enter the Montgomery County courthouse to see an inmate while carrying a firearm.

2002 – According to Salt Lake City Tribune, 584 CCW’s were revoked because of crimes committed between 1994 - 2001.

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=100E42BB37256322&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM

A Short Piece Concerning Excellent Prior Research

2009-07-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

Thought I would send you to some wonderful pieces of research that was done by the Violence Policy Center.

The first is called, "Where'd They Get The Gun" which documents high profile shootings between 1963 and 2001. Now, this piece doesn't discuss CCW as it documents periods before such laws were in effect, but that said, it analyses incidents where the firearm used in the commission of a crime was purchased legally.

Next, is their study on Texas CCW permit holders, called "License To Kill" which deals with crimes committed between 1996 and 2000.

And finally, in case you thought these guys at VPC had been taking a break, they have the record, "Law Enforcement and Private Citizens Killed By Concealed Handgun Permit Holders" which covers the US between the dates of May 2007 and April 2009.

Read, enjoy and educate. And then send a donation to VPC - they do good work.

First Update

2009-07-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

In less than 24 hours, more examples have come in. New data will be entered into the chronology and highlighted in red but especially heinous examples will be highlighted in articles. There appears to be a theme running in the crimes I found this afternoon - obsession, one with a celebrity and the others, with alcohol.

Conceal Carry Crimes

July 2009 – Crime: Felony Road Rage

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-edmond-road-rage-story,0,5845809.story

July 2009 – Crime: Impersonating a police officer

http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1709-citizen_arrest.4e0b1fd0.html

July 2009 – Crime: Domestic violence and assaulting a police officer

http://www.galioninquirer.com/local.asp?ID=1687&Story=2

July 2009 – Crime: Speeding and concealing a weapon

http://www.reviewonline.com/page/content.detail/id/516353.html?nav=5188

July 2009 – Crime: Child Sodomy

http://www.msadvocate.com/morestory.aspx?storiesID=772

July 2009 – Crime: Murder

http://northeast2.tbo.com/content/2009/jul/13/131316/man-shot-killed-tampa-apartment-complex/

July 2009 - Crime: DWI, Using weapons while intoxicated and possession of marijuana

http://blog.cleveland.com/parmasunpost/2009/07/driver_facing_long_list_of_wea.html

July 2009 - Crime: Felony hit and run, DWI

http://www.facebook.com/n/?profile.php&id=775044091&v=feed&story_fbid=120369648216&mid=cdeb05G1e0710ceG2eb14c0G37

July 2009 – Crime: Promoting illegal gambling

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=820976

Rotterdam, New York – Gary DiCocco, CCW permit holder, was found guilty of promoting illegal gambling in a sport –betting operation which netted $250,000 in two months.

April 2009 - Crime: Three counts of homicide, aggrevated assault, and a weapons violation

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512560,00.html

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Richard Poplawski, a CCW permit holder, ambushed four police officers, killing three and wounding one.

March 2009 – Crime: Eleven counts of murder and arson

http://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/news/crime_courts/article/mclendon_planned_killing_spree_that_left_11_dead/69328/

Kinston, Alabama - CCW permit holder, Michael McClendon killed 11 people including the wife of a deputy sheriff.

March 2009 - Crime: Stalking

http://crazy-celebraties.blogspot.com/2009/03/robert-oryan-was-arrested-by-los.html

February 2009 – Crime: Three counts of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, one count of second degree murder, second degree kidnapping

http://rocnow.com/article/local-news/2009906120346

October 2008 - Aggrevated Assault
http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=9208805&nav=CcXHe7rB

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania -Tye Burke, CCW holder, put a gun to a man's head at a children's soccer game because he took issue with a coach's call. The victim was the coach's husband.

October 2008 - Crime: Unlawful carrying of a weapon, having a weapon on school grounds
and prohibited use of a weapon

Windsor, Cororado -CCW Holder, Thomas Krueger was arrested on school grounds carrying a loaded Glock and drinking alcohol.

September 2008 - Crime: DWI

http://www2.hernandotoday.com/content/2008/sep/20/202015/armed-man-charged-drunken-driving-90-mph-street-ra/

Spring Hill, Florida - Gerald Deaguiar, a CCW permit holder was stopped after racing at 90 MPH. He had a blood alcohol four times the legal limit and a gun on each hip.

June 2008 – Crime: Aggravated Murder

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700231347/Ragsdale-to-be-tried-in-wifes-slaying.html

Provo, Utah – CCW holder David Ragsdale pulled up to his church parking lot and shot his wife 12 times.

November 2007 – Crime: Having firearm on school property

http://www.whiotv.com/news/14602646/detail.html

Huber Heights, Ohio – CCW holder was found passed out in her car carrying a firearm on a Wednesday morning at the St. Peter Catholic School

December 2005 – Crime: Aggravated assault and felonious assault

Beavercreek, Ohio – CCW holder Jason Todd Waple placed his 9 mm handgun up to a man’s neck after a New Year’s Eve traffic dispute.

October 2004 – Crime: Murder

Sanford, NC – CCW holder Horace Greeley Dawson arrested for shooting his neighbor, Richard Raab after a long standing feud. Dawson was later acquitted of first degree murder.

June 2004 – Crime: Illegal possession of a firearm in a courthouse

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=10364B55EC57AD29&p_docnum=1

Dayton, Ohio – CCW holder Douglas Lyons attempted to enter the Montgomery County courthouse to see an inmate while carrying a firearm.

2002 – According to Salt Lake City Tribune, 584 CCW’s were revoked because of crimes committed between 1994 - 2001.http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=100E42BB37256322&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM

The New CCW bill in Congress: Who Are They Protecting?

2009-07-20T01:16:00.000-07:00

It's not unusual to question what Congress is thinking when they write or pass something, in fact, it's quite common.

But this takes the cake.

Imagine that your state worked very diligently to pass a CCW law which prevented individuals with criminal backgrounds, a history of mental illness or current restraining orders from obtaining a CCW. Now imagine Congress coming in and telling you that an individual living in your state, who has been barred from getting a CCW due to one or more of these issues, can shop for a state with a laxer regulation, and get a CCW from them. (Keep in mind that currently Alaska's CCW allows adult residents to carry a concealed weapon without having gone through a background check or training even if they have committed many violent misdemeanors or have committed misdemeanor sex offenses against minors.

Does that sound like a bill which protects citizens, law abiding gun owners or police? Nope. But that's what is attempting to get through the Congress of the United States even as you read. Ironically, this bill is being snuck through attached as an amendment to a Defense Authorization Bill. Those who would profit from this bill/amendment are those who because of previous criminal behavior, prior chemical dependency, or known mental illness have prevented them from obtain a concealed carry permit in the past.

Why are some in Congress attempting to assist in arming such people? Ask them yourselves. The amendment is Senator Thune's Amendment No. 1618 to the Defense Authorization Bill (S. 1390).

No CCW crimes? Look what I found in three hours time

2009-07-20T01:00:00.000-07:00

In several letters to the editor all across the nation I saw comments stating firmly that the writer had never seen a single report of crimes committed by a CCW permit holder.

Now either these individuals didn't know how to search, or they didn't want to find because it most definitely can be found. (I must at this time thank two friends Abby and Cathie for getting the ball rolling.)

Conceal Carry Crimes

July 2009 – Crime: Felony Road Rage

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-news-edmond-road-rage-story,0,5845809.story

Edmond, Oklahoma – An angry driver pulls a gun on an Oklahoma couple during a road rage incident. Concealed weapons permit holder, 43-year-old Darryl Inman, charged with felony. Inman is currently a pilot for JetBlue.

July 2009 – Crime: Impersonating a police officer

http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-jul1709-citizen_arrest.4e0b1fd0.html

Tampa, Florida – Marcos Antonio Truillio, a concealed weapons permit holder, shot Carlos Aris, a graphics artist working for the Seventh Day Adventist Church, because he thought the man was breaking into his house. Family members say he had been going door to door evangelizing.

July 2009 - Crime: DWI, Using weapons while intoxicated and possession of marijuana

http://blog.cleveland.com/parmasunpost/2009/07/driver_facing_long_list_of_wea.html Seven Hills, Ohio - Concealed weapons permit holder, 43-year-old Russell Larson, was pulled over for going 50 mph in a 25 mph zone. Larson, who had eight prior operating a vehicle while intoxicated arrests, had a loaded .45-caliber pistol in his car, as well as a large folding knife, brass knuckles, and a bag of marijuana. He was charged with operated a vehicle while intoxicated , felony improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, using weapons while intoxicated, and possession of marijuana.

July 2009 - Crime: Felony hit and run, DWI

http://www.facebook.com/n/?profile.php&id=775044091&v=feed&story_fbid=120369648216&mid=cdeb05G1e0710ceG2eb14c0G37 Corunna, Michigan – Shiawassee Co. prosecutor and CCW permit holder Randy Colbry was responsible for an afternoon hit and run accident and found guilty of DWI. He voluntarily surrendered his CCW permit.

July 2009 – Crime: Promoting illegal gambling

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=820976

Rotterdam, New York – Gary DiCocco, CCW permit holder, was found guilty of promoting illegal gambling in a sport –betting operation which netted $250,000 in two months.

April 2009 - Crime: Three counts of homicide, aggrevated assault, and a weapons violation

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512560,00.html

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – Richard Poplawski, a CCW permit holder, ambushed four police officers, killing three and wounding one.

March 2009 – Crime: Eleven counts of murder and arson

http://www.dothaneagle.com/dea/news/crime_courts/article/mclendon_planned_killing_spree_that_left_11_dead/69328/ Kinston, Alabama - CCW permit holder, Michael McClendon killed 11 people including the wife of a deputy sheriff.

February 2009 – Crime: Three counts of first degree murder, attempted first degree murder, one count of second degree murder, second degree kidnapping

http://rocnow.com/article/local-news/2009906120346

October 2008 - Aggrevated Assault

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=9208805&nav=CcXHe7rB

Tye Burke, CCW holder, put a gun to a man's head at a children's soccer game because he took issue with a coach's call. The victim was the coach's husband.

June 2008 – Crime: Aggravated Murder

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700231347/Ragsdale-to-be-tried-in-wifes-slaying.html

Provo, Utah – CCW holder David Ragsdale pulled up to his church parking lot and shot his wife 12 times.

November 2007 – Crime: Having firearm on school property

http://www.whiotv.com/news/14602646/detail.html

Huber Heights, Ohio – CCW holder was found passed out in her car carrying a firearm on a Wednesday morning at the St. Peter Catholic School

December 2005 – Crime: Aggravated assault and felonious assault

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DDNB&p_theme=ddnb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10F10428E2A994B8&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM

Beavercreek, Ohio – CCW holder Jason Todd Waple placed his 9 mm handgun up to a man’s neck after a New Year’s Eve traffic dispute.

October 2004 – Crime: Murder

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=FV&p_theme=fv&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10627761C08B545F&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM

Sanford, NC – CCW holder Horace Greeley Dawson arrested for shooting his neighbor, Richard Raab after a long standing feud. Dawson was later acquitted of first degree murder.

June 2004 – Crime: Illegal possession of a firearm in a courthouse

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_action=doc&p_docid=10364B55EC57AD29&p_docnum=1

Dayton, Ohio – CCW holder Douglas Lyons attempted to enter the Montgomery County courthouse to see an inmate while carrying a firearm.

2002 – According to Salt Lake City Tribune, 584 CCW’s were revoked because of crimes committed between 1994 - 2001.

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=100E42BB37256322&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM

Why I'm blogging

2009-07-20T00:31:00.000-07:00

Greetings to the first post in this blog. Before I say anything else, let me make this perfectly clear - this is not a "all gun owners are bad" blog. Nothing in this world is all black or all white.

I believe that ownership of firearms comes with a remarkable responsibility to the society at large. Since this is a weapon which, depending on it's size and scope, can kill many people very quickly and at varying distances, the individuals who carry such firearms are held to a high standard.

The right to carry a gun does not supercede the right to live. Those in our society who have had placed on their shoulders the responsibility to protect ie., police and the military, have been trained on when, where and how such decisions are made when forced to take a life, and even then, the weight of that responsibility has been painful for those who have had to make that decision.

Many states have voted to allow individuals to obtain concealed carry permits. Some states regulations are quite strict. Some are, frankly would be laughable if they weren't dangerous in their laxity. While most individuals who obtain a CCW are respectable, responsible gun owners, the laxity of some laws have permitted less, respectable, less responsible and less law abiding individuals to be able to get conceal carry permits.

The gun running lobby swears up and down that ALL the CCW permit holders are law abiding citizens who would not use their firearms to commit crimes or utilize them for terrorist acts.

Well, in the span of just three hours I was able to document a host of news articles concerning crimes committed by CCW permit holders.

And while doing this research, I found several listings of the NRA pushing bills in multiple states to prevent normal tax payers from finding out that crimes had been committed by CCW permit holders. Now why would they want to hide that type of information from the public?

Once again, this is not a site to belittle honest, hard working individuals who responsibly and legally own, store and utilize firearms.

This is a site to document the fact that there are those who utilize poorly written laws and abuse the privilege.