Penny Dean and Your Rights

<img src="http://libertycrier.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/guns-and-bullets.jpg" align="right">As the nation debates whether more guns or fewer can prevent tragedies like the Virginia Tech Massacre, a notable anniversary passed last month in a Georgia town that witnessed a dramatic plunge in crime and violence after mandating residents to own firearms.

Bob Stewart’s experiences with the ATF bear an eerie resemblance to another outrageous case of gun owner abuse.

Al Woodbridge, of Sumner Washington, was a gun dealer, a licensed firearms manufacturer and, unfortunately for him, a very successful pro-gun lobbyist in Olympia.

Woodbridge, known to most as "Big Al," counted among his friends and customers countless members of law enforcement and state legislators. He’d never been convicted of a crime, but none of this would help when the ATF set their sights on him.

At a community meeting in Bedford Thursday, a resident asked the police chief under what circumstances a resident could use lethal force against a burglar.

"Say you're asleep, you hear a noise, glass breaks, you hear somebody in there, you know they don't belong," said the resident, who didn't provide his name. "Are you expected to ascertain whether they're armed if you have the ability to take them out legally?"

Joking that he's not a lawyer but has been accused of being one, Chief John Bryfonski sidestepped the question, saying it's inappropriate for him to provide a legal opinion.

Remember the murderer in Seattle back in May who came in a coffee shop and started shooting people? He killed 4 and critically injured another. He was thwarted by a customer who threw barstools at him. But imagine if only someone had a gun with which to shoot the man back. Maybe he’d be the only dead person.

Drugs are evil, but the fact that they can be so easily flushed down the toilet, moved, or placed in unexpected places without being noticed means that criminalizing them has created other problems. One problem: it is too easy to get rid of evidence, which puts pressure on law enforcement to erode Fourth Amendment protections. Another problem is it is so easy to plant evidence.

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.