· Ex-Sen Thompson (R-TN) Says NYC's Gun Laws Too Stringent

For a guy who hasn't officially joined the race for the White House, Republican Fred Thompson is sure making us say a lot about him today.

In a column at his I'm With Fred website this morning, the former senator from Tennessee went to considerable lengths to make clear one reason why he's always been glad to leave New York City—which just so happens to be the home of GOP frontrunner Rudy Giuliani.

· ATF Study Finds Virginia is Major Source of Seized Guns

Law enforcement authorities traced more than 10,000 guns recovered in Virginia, Maryland and the District last year—and nearly half came from Virginia, according to federal data released yesterday.

Virginia also was among the top sources of guns recovered by authorities in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and South Carolina, the data show. In New York, more recovered guns came from Virginia than from any other outside state—roughly one of 11 traced.