NRA News Ginny Simone Reporting | Safe at Home: Delaware Court Overturns Gun Ban – Video

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NRA News Ginny Simone Reporting | Safe at Home: Delaware Court Overturns Gun Ban
In a landmark victory earlier this year, the Delaware Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the Wilmington Housing Authority #39;s policy of denying its residents their fundamental Second Amendment...

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NRA News Ginny Simone Reporting | Safe at Home: Delaware Court Overturns Gun Ban - Video

In Disappointing Election, Gun Rights Activists Find Glimmer Of Hope

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Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's re-election victory last week marked a defeat for Second Amendment rights activists who enraged by the sweeping gun control legislation enacted last year had hoped to punish the governor in the first statewide vote since the Dec. 2012 Newtown massacre.

But softening the blow was a handful of wins in the General Assembly by candidates who support deregulating gun ownership and who were endorsed this year by the 15,000-member Connecticut Citizens Defense League. Malloy has promised to veto any legislation to roll back S.B. 1160 - the post-Newtown gun bill that included an assaults weapon ban, a 10-round limit on ammunition magazine size, and a universal background check requirement. But gun rights activists are hopeful that the pickups this year will help pave the road to a legislature more sympathetic to their cause.

"We would have been a lot more pleased if more pro-2A candidates were elected, but we are happy that we made some gains," said CCDL President Scott Wilson, using the group's colloquial name for what they describe as "pro-Second Amendment" candidates. Wilson added that in next year's session, "The odds of anything that would be beneficial to gun owners are remote at best."

The group instead plans to play defense, using their allies in the legislature to block any measures to further regulate guns. The first fight could be over a bill Malloy says he will introduce next year to ban anyone with a temporary restraining order from possessing a gun. CCDL has raised concerns about seizing a weapon without due process, and says that the proposal infringes on individual rights.

None of the state Senate challenger candidates who were endorsed by the CCDL won their races, but "we're at least happy that there were some inroads made with the state house," Wilson said, mentioning "newly elected pro-2a legislators that hopefuly will be able to have their voices heard in Hartford."

Connecticut Republicans won 10 additional seats in the state House of Representatives Tuesday, riding a national Republican wave that allowed the party to take control of the U.S. Senate and pick up several gubernatorial seats in traditionally blue states.

In three districts, CCDL-endorsed challenger candidates won races against incumbents who had voted for the post-Newtown gun bill.

Republican Charles Ferraro of West Haven defeated incumbent Democratic state rep. Paul Davis of Orange in the state House's 117th District, Cara Pavalock - a Republican who had included in her campaign platform a promise to promote "common sense laws that protect our right to bear arms" - won her race against state Rep. Christopher Wright of Bristol, a Democrat, and Republican Pam Staneski won against Milford Democratic state Rep. James Maroney.

Wilson said their goal this year is "to make sure that nothing gets passed that will harm gun owners."

He does not expect any of the CCDL candidates who won to try to push through pro-gun measures next year.

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In Disappointing Election, Gun Rights Activists Find Glimmer Of Hope

The Law Scores a Victory Against Dark Net Denizens

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Europol on Friday announced that a team of agents from United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation and Eurojust have taken down more than 400 cybercrime services accessible via the Tor browser.

They include the dark market Silk Road 2.0. Its operator, San Francisco resident Blake Benthall, was arrested, along with six Britons.

Europol coordinated the action, which was dubbed "Operation Onymous."

"Almost all crime now has an international nexus -- and especially within HSI, we have significant dependency on other partners in law enforcement here and in other countries," Gary Hartwig, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Chicago, told the E-Commerce Times.

In all, the cops arrested 17 vendors and administrators running the cybercrime sites. Officials seized about US$1 million worth of bitcoins, along with an estimated $225,000 worth of cash, gold, silver and drugs.

Forty law enforcement agents reportedly collaborated for six months on the investigation before the crackdown. Among the sites taken down: Cloud Nine, Hydra, BlueSky, Outlaw Market and Alpaca.

More arrests are expected.

"While I would like to think our enforcement actions this week shut down [the bad guys], Dark Net or Silk Road are such significantly complex criminal structures that we're going to have to continue to monitor things," Hartwig said.

Onymous "is a great example of how 20th century law enforcement tactics and undercover operations are still viable in the 21st century, despite drastic changes to the criminal landscape," Craig Young, a security researcher at Tripwire, told the E-Commerce Times.

Cloud9 already is looking for a new host, according to a post by "missy76," who seems to be one of the site's admins.

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The Law Scores a Victory Against Dark Net Denizens

Official Bitcoin Billionaire (by Noodlecake Studios Inc) Trailer (iOS / Android) – Video

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Official Bitcoin Billionaire (by Noodlecake Studios Inc) Trailer (iOS / Android)
Bitcoin Billionaire by Noodlecake Studios Inc Quick! Sit down and start tapping! Bitcoin Billionaire is an idle clicker that #39;s all about raking in bitcoins and building up a massive fortune!...

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Official Bitcoin Billionaire (by Noodlecake Studios Inc) Trailer (iOS / Android) - Video

Bitcoin Ponzi Schemer Charged With Criminal Securities Fraud

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Trendon Shavers, a Texas man who ran a scam investment scheme called Bitcoin Savings and Trust, has been arrested in his home state.

The charges filed against Shavers today are one count of securities fraud and oneof wire fraud, with each havinga maximum penalty of 20 years andpotential fines totaling upwards of $5m.

Shavers, 32, has already been fined $40m by a federal judge in north Texasin a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) -related case.This arrest is forcriminal charges of fraud brought by the US Attorney in Manhattan.

By using the online monikers'Pirate' and 'pirateat40', Shavers allegedly sold bitcoin investment opportunities on various online forums.

Calling his schemeBitcoin Savings and Trust (BTCST), Shavers promised a 7% return per week to potential investors.

Shavers was able to amass over 700,000 BTC over a period of time stretching fromSeptember 2011 to September 2012, working on the scam from his home in McKinney, TX. The value of the bitcoin at the time of Shavers' initial SEC chargeswas approximately $64m.

The US Attorney's Office in Manhattan claims 48 of the 100 investors in the BTCSTscam lost some or all of their money.

Shavers' previous SEC case in North Texas created precedent when his attorney claimed bitcoin was not subject to US securities laws that prohibit Ponzi schemes. The judge in that case, however, ruled that the scam had indeed violated thoselaws, which are designed to protect investors from fraud.

Earlier this year, officials in Texas issued a warning in regards to virtual currencies. Joseph Rotunda, director of enforcement at the Texas State Securities Board, indicated that bitcoin has huge trust issues because of little regulatory clarity.

At today's bitcoin prices, the roughly 700,000 BTC Shavers apparently scammed from investors would be worth $243m.

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Bitcoin Ponzi Schemer Charged With Criminal Securities Fraud

Feds Announce 1st Bitcoin Securities Fraud Case – ABC News

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The federal government on Thursday announced its first bitcoin securities fraud case, accusing a Texas man of engineering a Ponzi scheme by getting people to turn over their bitcoins in return for promises of high interest rates and the ability to recoup their investment at any time.

Trendon Shavers, of McKinney, appeared in federal court in Texas on securities fraud and wire fraud charges that were outlined in a criminal complaint unsealed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan.

"This case, the first of its kind, should serve as a warning to those looking to make a quick buck with unsecured currency," U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said in a news release.

Bharara said the 32-year-old Shavers combined financial fraud and cyberfraud into a bitcoin Ponzi scheme offering "absurdly high interest payments, and ultimately cheated his investors out of their bitcoin investments."

At the peak of the scheme, Shavers possessed about 7 percent of all bitcoin in public circulation, prosecutors said.

George Venizelos, head of the FBI's New York office, said Shavers "used a new currency, but the same old reprehensible tricks."

"He claimed to offer a bitcoin market-arbitrage strategy. In reality, it was nothing more than an insidious scheme motivated by greed. Today, Shavers' jig is up," Venizelos said.

Bharara said Shavers caused about half of 100 investors to lose all or part of their bitcoin investment from at least September 2011 through September 2012 as he promised them up to 7 percent weekly interest and assured them they could withdraw their investment at any time if they turned over bitcoins.

Authorities say Shavers has already been ordered by a federal court in Texas to give up more than $40 million and pay a $150,000 penalty in a related civil case.

Shavers was released on bail Thursday. He didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

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Feds Announce 1st Bitcoin Securities Fraud Case - ABC News

Bitcoin: Man Accused of Running Ponzi Scheme

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TIME U.S. Crime Man Accused of Running the First Ever Bitcoin Ponzi Scheme He allegedly raised the digital equivalent of $4.5 million by offering insanely high interest rates

A Texas man was charged with fraud in New York on Thursday, in what federal authorities claim is the first-ever Ponzi scheme involving the unregulated digital currency Bitcoin.

Trendon Shavers, 32, who runs a company called Bitcoin Savings and Trust, allegedly raised the equivalent of $4.5 million by offering investors weekly interest rates of 7%, Reuters reports. That translates to a 3,641% annual rate of return.

Shavers is suspected of embezzling about 146,000 of the 764,000 bitcoins he raised between Sept. 2011 and Sept. 2012 and allegedly using the proceeds to buy a BMW sedan, spa treatments and a $1,000 steak dinner, among other things.

If convicted, Shavers could serve up to 20 years in prison.

This case, the first of its kind, should serve as a warning to those looking to make a quick buck with unsecured currency, said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in a statement.

[Reuters]

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Bitcoin: Man Accused of Running Ponzi Scheme

Bitcoin: New York State Continues Its Path To Regulating Virtual Currency

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New York is moving forward with its plan to regulate bitcoin, which it says will protect consumers and prevent illegal activity. But businesses and startups that have formed around the cryptocurrency are worried about how much that regulation will impact their bottom line.

New York calls its plan to deal with cryptocurrencies like bitcoin "BitLicense," and the head of the states Department of Financial Services (NYSDFS) says that it has attempted to address the concerns brought up in the first phase of public comments, which often concerned the compliance costs of regulation on new or fledgling virtual currency enterprises.

There has to be a way for startups to start up and play by the rules without getting crushed by huge compliance costs, Benjamin Lawsky, head of the states Department of Financial Services, said Sunday at a conference in Las Vegas.

Members of the existing bitcoin industry argue that the NYSDFS has not explained the problems that many of the new rules are meant to address. Other rules, they say, are impossible to comply with.

The current proposal includes a stipulation that people must be able to identify the exact source of any funds they receive. Anonymous transfers would then need to be rejected by the recipient, according to the suggested rules.

Which is kind of fascinating, because the way bitcoin works, you cant stop someone from sending funds to you, said David Ripley, chief executive of Glidera, a bitcoin marketplace and digital wallet service. And you cant always identify them.

If the state was willing to more clearly explain to businesses the goals of each proposed regulation, companies would then be able to better comply, Ripley said. To that end, Lawsky said the state would consider a transitional BitLicense that allowed small businesses and start-ups more flexibility. The NYSDFS would then weigh potential consumer risks as well as the companys size and scope.

We are also considering designating a small group of specialized examiners... to deal with startups and their license applications, Lawsky said, to help them better understand the challenges startups face, and help the state tailor its rules to their situations.

The Federal governments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, has already provided guidance on how bitcoin operators should operate while complying with U.S. law. Some critics of the plan argue that additional regulations at the state level are unnecessary.

The NYSDFS is now taking comments from interested parties as it enters the second 45-day phase of its plan to regulate bitcoin, with new rules it has said should be in effect by January of 2015.

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Bitcoin: New York State Continues Its Path To Regulating Virtual Currency

Comets solve Spartans

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Published: Friday, November 7, 2014 at 12:30 a.m. Last Modified: Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 12:58 a.m.

ASHEBORO When a defense runs into a team with an unconventional offense, it may take a while for that defense to figure out what needs to be done in order to be successful.

Central Davidson brought its very-tight double-wing offense into Lee J. Stone Stadium Friday night to meet Asheboro High School in the final Mid-Piedmont Conference contest of the regular season and it took some time for the Blue Comets to figure out the Spartans' unusual offensive set. But once they did, the Blue Comets dominated.

After allowing a 16-play scoring drive to the Spartans in the game's opening drive, the Asheboro defense stiffened, forced a couple of key fumbles and the Blue Comets went on to record a 28-15 victory.

The win boosts the Comets to 5-1 in league play and 8-3 overall, more than likely earning the Blue Comets a home playoff game for the first time since 2008. Central Davidson finishes 1-5 in league play and 3-8 overall.

"It's been a different week of practice in terms of preparation," second-year Asheboro head coach Owen George said after leading his team to the most wins in a regular season since 2008. "There were new things to learn and new reads to an entirely new system we were preparing for. It takes time to get acclimated to an offense like that. It can get frustrating. It was an unconventional offense that threw us for a loop. But once we got used to seeing what they were doing, we played much better. I was very pleased with how our defense played from really the second quarter on."

Central Davidson dominated time of possession in running a total of 54 plays from scrimmage 50 running plays and four passing plays. The Blue Comets ran just 38.

The Blue Comets trailed 9-7 at halftime before taking the lead for good midway through the third quarter and they then added a couple of more scores in the final period for a 28-9 lead. Central Davidson added a late score for the final tally.

"That is a very unconventional team and they are going to fight," George said. "We knew they would. They still had a chance to make the playoffs, so you can just throw the record out the door."

Central took the opening kickoff and behind the running of Perry Roach, Jerod Walls and Joe Beeson, drove 74 yards in 16 plays. When Roach scored on a 5-yard run, the Spartans had a 6-0 lead. The drive took 8:46 off the clock.

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Comets solve Spartans

Eriksson Backstops Comets to 4-1 Victory

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November 7, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets The Utica Comets extended their win streak to 7-0-1-0 tonight after a 4-1 win over the Lake Erie Monsters at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

Alex Biega (0-2-2) and Alexandre Grenier (0-2-2) led the way with two points apiece. Joacim Eriksson put in another solid performance recording 29 saves on 30 shots.

New Hartford native and first-year rookie, Mike Zalewski opened up the scoring in the opening period just 1:54 into the game, for his first goal of his professional career. With assists from Grenier and Biega, Zalewski guided the puck down the right wing to eventually overpower veteran defensemen, Maxim Noreau. As Noreau's stick got tangled up on the play, Zalewski took advantage of the distraction and slipped it in on Carter Pickard's left side to give the Comets the one goal lead.

Utica decided a one goal lead wasn't enough as they headed in to the second period. After receiving a pass from Grenier, Dustin Jeffrey dished it to the front of the net at 4:39 only to have the puck meet Shinkaruk's stick just above Pickard's right pad. This was Shinkaruk's second goal of the season and Jeffrey's sixth assist, which made it a 2-0 game.

The Comets found the back of the net again less than four minutes later after Brandon DeFazio fed the puck across the Monsters' zone to set-up a one-timer slapshot from Frank Corrado. This caught Pickard looking bewildered as the puck was buried high to his left side to make it a 3-0 game. The goal was Corrado's second goal of the season. Kellan Lain received the secondary assist on the goal.

After displaying some fancy puck handling skills at 3:19 in to the third period, Monster's forward Borna Rendulic split the Comets defenders to bring it in on Eriksson's right side. Rendulic lifted it over Eriksson's far side leg pad for Lake Erie's lone goal of the night.

For the final goal of the night, Alex Biega dished a cross-ice pass to Darren Archibald. This gave Archibald a break away look at the Monsters' empty net. Archibald's first goal of the year extended the Comets lead to 4-1.

The Comets are now leading the entire league with 20 points on the season out of a possible 24 points.

They are back in action tomorrow night as they head back to Upstate New York for their first meeting with the Rochester Americans at 7 p.m

Roster Move: Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced today that the Canucks have recalled right wing Nicklas Jensen from the AHL Utica Comets.

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Eriksson Backstops Comets to 4-1 Victory