CCW news from the States

D.C.: Senate to pursue gun ownership law for city
Some Senate Republicans are preparing to launch an assault on the District's gun laws. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cronyn of Texas and George Allen of Virginia are signing on as sponsors of the District of Columbia Personal Protection Act of 2005. The measure would repeal the District's prohibition against most private handgun ownership. It's similar to a measure with 123 co-sponsors in the House. Supporters of the measure say the legislation will restore the Second Amendment rights of District residents guaranteed by the Constitution. District business leaders joined the city's elected officials last May to help turn back similar legislation. They cited D-C's high homicide rate and problems with youth violence in opposing the measure.

MI: Improvements to CCW law proposed; opponents singing same old song
One by one, they brought their opinions to the microphone. There was the Ionia County woman who wants the right to carry a concealed pistol on school grounds. And the Detroit woman who believes allowing guns around children could lead to tragedy.
In the end, strong feelings were the only common thread among nearly 50 people who testified Friday during a Senate hearing on the state's concealed weapons laws, held at the Caledonia Sportsman's Club.

MN: Handgun Bill Goes To The Governor
A bill allowing more law-abiding Minnesotans to legally carry a handgun easily passed the House on Wednesday and now goes to Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who said he will sign it. The Republican-controlled House voted 86-47 to reinstate the so-called conceal-carry law, which has been overturned by the courts. The 2003 law allowed adults with a clean record, no mental illness and proper training to get a permit to carry a gun. After the courts struck down the law, citing the procedure by which it was passed, the state reverted to a more restrictive system where sheriffs and police chiefs had more authority to refuse a permit application. Last week, the DFL-controlled Senate voted 44-21 for identical legislation reinstating the law. That means the House and Senate versions won't have to be reconciled and the bill goes straight to Pawlenty's desk.

PA: Intruder shot at North Side food bank
A food bank supervisor on the North Side shot and wounded an intruder who apparently brandished a screwdriver when confronted in the freezer area. Kenneth Mathews, 45, of Sedgwick Street in Manchester was arraigned at Allegheny General Hospital on charges of burglary, robbery, possession of instruments of crime and fictitious reports to law enforcement. Police said Mathews lied to police by telling an officer he was shot during a drive-by. In fact, police said, Mathews had broken into the Love Food Bank, a subsidiary of Bethel Assembly of Pittsburgh, in the 2400 block of California Avenue. In an affidavit, police said William Zapf encountered Mathews about 10 p.m. Mathews was armed with the screwdriver he had used to break into the food bank. Mathews shoved Zapf "nearly to the ground," police said. "Zapf was in fear for his safety. Zapf shot Mathews in apparent self-defense," the affidavit said. The Rev. Gregory Hammond of the Bethel Assembly of God church said Zapf was a hunter and sportsman and carried a registered handgun.