The public face of the National Rifle Association is imploring members to never surrender their weapons in the wake of recent gun control efforts in Congress that he said will "destroy us and every ounce of our freedom."

Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre spoke in Houston during the organization's annual member meeting, which is part of the yearly convention.

LaPierre told several thousand people that the "political and media elites" have tried to use December's shooting at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school and other recent mass shootings "to blame us, to shame us, to compromise our freedom for their agenda."

He also implored lawmakers to instead enforce current federal gun laws and rebuild the nation's mental health system.

He says they were so amateurish and incompetent that they don't merit being enemy combatants.

Perique gets its distinctive flavor from barrel fermentation, a technique Louisiana settlers are thought to have picked up in the 18th or 19th century from the local Choctaws.    

An unwanted modern addition has flown into the arms of a Lady Justice statue that sits atop a county courthouse in north-central Ohio.

A 9-inch, remote-control helicopter flew into Lady Justice on the Marion County Courthouse on April 27 and has been there since — resting on the hilt of her sword more than 100 feet high.

Video producer Terry Cline tells the Marion Star (http://ohne.ws/YdwsPA) that he was using the $1,500 camera-equipped helicopter to shoot a promotional video for the city when it was caught by an unexpected breeze.

Since then, Cline has been trying figure out how to get the helicopter back.

County officials say they won't pay to remove it or risk anyone's life for it.

For now, Lady Justice gets to keep her new toy.

Reese Witherspoon's legal trouble over a spat with a Georgia state trooper has been settled with a fine, though a newly released video of the arrest -- with lines such as "you better not arrest me; are you kidding me?" -- is giving it fresh attention.

The death of Slayer founder and Grammy-winning heavy metal guitarist Jeff Hanneman launched speculation Friday that focused on a spider bite.

Though her mother has suddenly reappeared after 11 years, don't expect a family reunion any time soon, Morgan Heist says.