California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law three important bills to prevent gun violence.  The new laws will retain copies of sales records of long guns, ban the open carrying of guns in public, and use gun sales fees to fund programs to disarm convicted criminals and the mentally ill.  In another victory, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the District of Columbia can ban assault weapons and require residents to register their handguns without violating the Second Amendment. 

PA police officer Derek Kotecki was shot and killed while attempting to apprehend a fugitive.  Kotecki leaves behind a wife and two sons, ages 9 and 13.

A new study found the rate of non-fatal pediatric firearm injuries was 30 percent higher than previously reported.  "This is a significant finding," said study author Dr. Saranya Srinivasan. "Perhaps we are underestimating the true scope of this problem."

North Dakota revokes licenses of three concealed weapons permit instructors for allegedly offering classes for N.D. permits in Minnesota.  PermitToCarry had previously been warned about the way it advertised and conducted training classes. 

Two weeks after Ohio law allowing guns in bars took effect man with concealed weapons permit arrested for pulling Glock handgun in bar and threatening to kill another bar patron. 

Reality tv star Omarosa Manigualt's, "The Apprentice", brother was shot and killed in a domestic violence dispute. 

Ammunition smuggled from the U.S. into Mexico fueling drug-cartel wars.  Hundreds of thousands of rounds smuggled across border each year. Few restrictions exist for buying ammunition in U.S., only 4 states require background check to purchase ammunition. 

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder responds to charges by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-CA, that law enforcement officials are "accessories to murder" as part of Operation Fast and Furious. 

The Sacramento Bee, House Focuses on Gun Bill; Jobs Can Wait Awhile, points out that instead of working to create jobs, the House Judiciary Committee spent half of last week working on a bill, H.R. 822, that would eviscerate state gun laws.  The Bee also tells CA Rep. Dan Lungren that he has a decision to make, whether to support the NRA or support states' rights. 

October 19, 2011 is this year's Day of Concern about Young People and Gun Violence.  Schools across the country will be participating in the Student Pledge Against Gun Violence.  October 16-22, is also  National Safe Schools Week. 

Responding to the NRA calling "Fast & Furious" "the biggest cover-up since Watergate", Jay Bookman, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, writesA Sane Person's Guide to 'Fast and Furious'.  David Safier, A Blog for Arizona, points out that the ATF ran a similar program under President Bush, Operation Wide Receiver. 

NY Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, cautions against H.R. 822, Protect Your State from Nationwide Concealed Handgun Policy. 

Latina Lisa, Lax TX Gun Laws and Promises of Easy Money Doom One Latina Mother, tells the story of a young mother arrested for gun trafficking assault rifles from TX to Mexico for Zetas drug cartel.

Mother Jones, Rand Paul Backs Fringe UN Gun Conspiracy, The Kentucky senator claims the United Nations is coming for your handguns.  That's news to the UN. The senator is broadcasting unfounded propaganda being disseminated by an extreme gun group.

Dallas, Texas -Eight shot and injured in early Saturday morning shooting at nightclub.  Victims ranged from fair to critical condition in the local hospital.

Seal Beach, California - A custody battle sparked a deadly shooting that left eight people dead and another critically injured.  Suspected killer Scott Dekraai is a member of the local Tea Party and Divorced Dads Rights Group. 

Columbus, Ohio - Four people were shot during a fight between neighbors.  Victims ranged in age from 14 to 31.

Liberty, South Carolina -Four people shot and killed at adjacent homes were all family members.  A man, his two sons ages 20 and 23, and their step-grandmother died.

Akron, Ohio -Six people shot at a fraternity party near the University of Akron.  The victims were shot in lower extremities from the buttocks, legs, and shins.  Six people have been arrested in connection with the shootings.

The Virginia Citizens Defense League is planning a protest at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA to protest rules that make it more difficult to carry a loaded, hidden gun on campus.  The Florida chapter of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus are also planning empty holster protests on campuses in Florida and are asking supporters to mail them their old, unwanted holsters. 

Random Musings blog, Stalking State Laws: the NRA and Its Lobbyists Work Slowly But Inexorably, shows how in Arizona persistence is almost as important as money when it comes to successfully lobbying state legislatures.

A hearing has begun in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, Georgia on a lawsuit filed by GeorgiaCarry.org, a gun rights group that wants to overturn a Georgia law that bans guns in places of worship.