Daily update August 6

Oregon: Jury acquits man in 2 deaths
The Oregonian

"A Clark County jury on Thursday decided Benito Gamino-Valdovinos was defending himself -- a justifiable homicide -- when he fatally shot two men in February. Gamino-Valdovinos' face relaxed as a Spanish interpreter relayed the jury's not-guilty verdicts for first-degree murder, second-degree murder and manslaughter. .... As Chavez stood by, Camacho began slapping Gamino-Valdovinos. Then, he opened the door and punched him before Gamino-Valdovinos is believed to have fired the pistol, hitting Camacho three times and Chavez once. The two men died at the scene. Chavez is thought to have been hit by an errant bullet. ..... The panel decided after four hours of deliberations that Gamino-Valdovinos, 41, had acted in self-defense. His freedom was tempered, however. Custody officers handcuffed Gamino-Valdovinos and returned him to the Clark County Jail on a federal immigration hold. He is an illegal immigrant and probably will be transported back to Mexico." (08/05/05)

http://tinyurl.com/72mor

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The NRA vs. the Constitution
Reason
by Jacob Sullum

"The most commonly heard complaint about the National Rifle Association is that it's run by extremists who are militantly opposed to all forms of gun control and do not represent the views of the average gun owner. The second most common complaint is that the NRA is a namby-pamby, inside-the-Beltway lobby that readily compromises principle for political advantage. There is some truth to both of these seemingly contradictory portraits. The NRA's single-minded determination to defend its own understanding of the right to keep and bear arms can lead it to chip away at other pillars of a free society." (08/05/05)

http://www.reason.com/sullum/080505.shtml

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Gun Control: Rebuttal to Michael Barnes, Brady Campaign
ChronWatch
by Howard Nemerov

“This is a day in America when the little guy lost out to powerful special interests.” – Michael Barnes, President, Brady Campaign to Prevent Handgun Violence[1] This doleful lament is in response to the Senate’s passing of the tort reform bill outlawing frivolous lawsuits filed to hold firearms manufacturers accountable for the illegal actions of violent criminals.[2]" (08/05/05)

http://www.chronwatch.com/content/contentDisplay.asp?aid=16066&catcode=13

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Second Amendment is the People's life insurance
Berkeley Daily
by Alec Dawson

"Let me be clear. The price of freedom is eternal vigilance. We must keep a close eye and tight reign on our legislatures (both state and federal). For it is they who wield considerable clout to either preserve or harm our constitutional republic. Those who would usurp our freedom and liberty will walk amongst us as wolves disguised as sheep. Necessarily, they will attempt to persuade us to relinquish our arms in the name of greater security and safety. Our Founding Fathers’ message is clear. The Second Amendment is a doomsday provision. It is the People’s ultimate life insurance policy. To do away with it, is to invite oppression and genocide." (08/05/05)

http://www.berkeleydaily.org/text/article.cfm?issue=08-05-05&storyID=22024