Penny Dean and Your Rights

City officials in Worcester, Massachusetts have a steal of a deal for gun owners. The city is enticing them to turn in their weapons with their “Goods for Guns” buyback program. In exchange for dropping off their unloaded firearms to the Worcester Police Department, these residents will get not only a Wegmans gift certificate, but also a free flu shot. “Absolutely, positively, come one, come all,” said Deputy Police Chief Edward J. McGinn. “We’re not asking any names or questions.”

Gentlemen: I see that you have chosen to use the horrific crime of the murder of Kasandra Perkins to express your belief that guns are the problem, not the men who wield them. I am utterly certain that you believe that you have the moral high ground on this matter. I am equally certain that such a belief is appallingly wrong, not to mention terribly misogynistic. Why do I say this? Because had your desires on gun control been in place, I would not be alive to be writing this now.

<img src="http://asset2.cbsistatic.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2012/11/05/FBIBackDoors_300x2... align="right">The FBI has tried to bolster its case for expanded Internet surveillance powers by gathering finger-pointing examples of how communications companies have stymied government agencies, CNET has learned.

An internal Homeland Security report shows that a working group convened by an FBI office in Chantilly, Va. requested details about "investigations have been negatively impacted" by companies' delays, partial compliance, or inability to comply with police surveillance requests.

The city of San Bernardino is feeling the effects of California’s restrictive gun laws. The 50% increase in crime compared to last year is being blamed on a dwindling police force that’s being subjected to cuts because of the city’s bankruptcy. That may be part of it because people have perhaps grown dependent on the police to provide protection. But California’s gun control laws are some of the worst in the nation.

<img src="http://www.legislature.state.al.us/graphics/senatepics/bedford_r.jpeg" align="right">An Alabama lawmaker is again pushing legislation that would let employees take handguns to work.

The Montgomery Advertiser reported Friday that state Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, said the bill is aimed at increasing personal safety.

“I think it’s necessary so people will have peace of mind when they’re traveling to and from work,” he said.

The Business Council of Alabama opposes the measure, said President Bill Canary.

<img src="http://static.news-gazette.com/sites/all/files/imagecache/300x300_width_... align="right">Kathy Saathoff is most anxious to find out why a Champaign police officer felt the need to break up a dog fight Saturday with a gun.

Police Chief Anthony Cobb said members of his department are working to find out the same thing.

Most notably from SNL, and now involved in conservative politics and advocacy, here is Victoria Jackson with video of her friend's first time at the range... and her second!

This video starts out a little corny, we will admit, but since she is a comedian, we should expect some of that. But please stick with it -- it gets interesting really fast (including all the bullet holes around the bulls eye), and the interview with the shop owner -- an attorney, no less -- is worth waiting for.

You’re a mom on an evening walk with your 6-year-old son and you are suddenly approached “aggressively” by a man who exposes himself and then suggests that you stand there and watch what’s next, so what do you do?

In Longview, a Clark County community near Vancouver along the I-5 corridor, you reach into your pocket, pull out your Ruger .380 ACP semiautomatic, and tell the fellow rather bluntly, “You need to leave or I’ll shoot you. I’m going to blow your brains out.”

<img src="http://rt.com/files/usa/news/police-internet-home-evansville-237/officer... width="200" align="left">Evansville, Illinois police are backtracking after learning that a recent botched raid that ended with the home of an innocent grandmother being ransacked by the SWAT team could have been prevented if the authorities had actually done their homework.

<img src="http://images.wjla.com/communities/fbishooting_296.jpg" align="right">An early morning FBI raid has a District Heights family in fear. The agents came into the house and drew their guns at the family’s daughter, but she wasn’t armed.

“They almost hit my daughter, man,” says Emory Hughley. “If I hadn’t told her to go back in her room they probably would have shot her.”