Region No. 1 for packing heat

Region No. 1 for packing heat Western Pennsylvania residents are going to local sheriffs' offices in record numbers to fill out paperwork that allows them to legally carry concealed weapons. A Tribune-Review analysis found that more residents in the Pittsburgh region are permitted to walk around with concealed weapons than in any other part of the state. Through March, Allegheny County issued almost 49,000 permits, the most in the state, report the Pennsylvania State Police. Westmoreland County ranks second with nearly 34,000 permits issued. Philadelphia ranks third with 28,000. Statistics show that 92 out of every 1,000 people carry a gun in Westmoreland County -- a higher rate than any place east of the Mississippi River, according to Westmoreland County Sheriff Chris Sherer. .

American Red Cross Clarifies Background Check Policy

American Red Cross Clarifies Background Check Policy NEWINGTON, CT, Nov 10, 2006 -- The American Red Cross (ARC) has attempted to clarify its policy to require background checks of its employees and volunteers, at least as far as the policy applies to possible credit checks. After the ARC announced the policy in July through regional and local chapters, Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) members who support Red Cross disaster relief and recovery efforts began expressing concerns to ARRL. In some past incidents -- most notably the 2001 World Trade Center terror attacks and the 2005 Hurricane Katrina response -- ARES volunteers have had to badge in as Red Cross volunteers. In a statement to the ARRL November 9, Laura Howe, the ARC's director of response communication and marketing, stressed that, while background check applicants must give permission to conduct a credit check, the ARC has no intention of conducting them across the board.