Senate OKs Passenger Guns on Amtrak

Move allows 'toxic mix' of guns and booze, opponents complain

(NEWSER) - Concealed-carry permit holders in Ohio will be allowed to bring their guns into bars, restaurants, and open-air arenas serving alcohol—so long as they don't drink—under legislation passed by the state House. Three Republicans joined the chamber's Democratic minority in voting against the controversial bill, the Columbus Dispatch reports. The state Senate has already passed a similar measure, which bans armed Ohioans from drinking alcohol in bars or entering them if they are already under the influence. More»

(NEWSER) - Some 200 pistol-packing parishioners filled a church in Louisville, Ky., yesterday to celebrate the somewhat unlikely combination of freedom of religion and the right to bear arms, reports the Courier-Journal. Church members checked to ensure the weapons were unloaded and holstered before pastor Ken Pagano led the congregation in patriotic songs and prayers. More»

Handgun permit system unconstitutional, judge decides

(NEWSER) - Maryland has no right to demand that residents explain why they need to carry a gun outside the home, a federal judge ruled yesterday, declaring the state's handgun permit system unconstitutional. The law required residents to provide a "good and substantial reason” to carry a gun, but "the right to bear arms is not limited to the home," the judge decided, saying that Maryland had created a rationing system by trying to limit the number of firearms outside homes. More»

Scottsdale Gun Club offers unusual St. Nick pics

(NEWSER) - Colt peacemaker on Earth, good ammo to men. That's apparently the holiday wish for all at Arizona's Scottsdale Gun Club, which is giving members and their kids a chance to pose with a "nervous-looking Santa" and the weapon of their choice, reports the Telegraph . "Get your holiday picture with Santa and his machine guns!" gushes the club's website ... because nothing says Christmas quite like an AK-47. The photo backdrop includes a Garwood Minigun, which can fire 6,000 rounds a minute. Fill up that toy bag, Santa . N ow. More»

Poll finds record low support for gun control

(NEWSER) - In a record high, 43% of American women say there is a gun in their household. That number was 36% last year, the Los Angeles Times reports. Even more men—52%—reported a gun in their home or on their property; in 2010, 45% did so. But, the Times notes, the gender gap rears its head when it comes to who is the owner: Of the Gallup poll respondents, 46% of men say they own a gun, compared to 23% of women. More»