Introduction
Those of you who have followed my blog over the last few years and know me personally, know I rarely take a stand on political issues one way or another.
However, the subjects of the article that follows, is something that a vast majority of Americans have in theirs lives in one form or another, guns.
Where I grew up in Western New York, It was not unusual for a farmer to have a old .22 and a couple of old shotguns sitting in the closest as many of my family did, But, the time I came around, they were never used. I sure in their day they saw plenty of use.
When I lived in Texas, the gun culture was far more prevalent.
Many of the pick-up trucks one would see would gun racks mounted to the insides of the back windows, and at least a shotgun, or a rifle of some kind would live there. And no one paid any attention.
I have had a .22 rifle most of my adult life and started with BB guns and the like as teenagers.
I don't claim to be a expert or marksman of any kind, However, I do enjoy shooting and seeing and handling fine guns. A fine gun is in many respects a work of art, and a display of craftsmanship, which alone can be appreciated .
I said all of this as a introduction to the real article I am publishing today. I wanted people to understand where I come from, and , possibly go back and rethink the roles guns have played in their lives. But Now On to the article.
Today, I find my myself writing about a subject that is near and dear to my heart.
In a Word Gun Control. The news s been almost nothing but the tragedy at the Batman screening last week . The repercussions will be felt far and wide both for the good and bad.
As near as I can tell The gunman had all off the-shelf gear that anyone who passed a basic background check can get. I don’t begrudge any person the right to purchase whatever firepower that they feel the need to defend their life and loved one. including him.
As much as a tragedy this is, This is a isolated incident and should be treated as such. The fact that they have him alive will in the long run help answers a lot of question.
The Second Amendment in the Constitution give all free able bodied citizens the right to bear arms. I just went over the requirements for getting a concealed carry permit here in Virginia
.http://www.vsp.state.va.us/Firearms_ResidentConcealed.shtm
The point is its very easy only cost about 50.00, with the background check, and only takes about 45 day. and the permit is good for 5 years. So as long as you keep your nose clean, and send in the renewal papers every 5 years your good.
This bring us to a bigger question . Different states have much tighter processes for getting a ccp, an tighter rules about where you can actually carry it when you finally get it. That not even counting the fact the many states will not honor a ccp from another state while the reverse state will honor it.
Here is a list of all of the states and a simplified of each state's rules about ccp rules;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_the_United_States_(by_state)
.
There have been several instances of people getting it into their head that doing some kind of mass killing spree will make them famous in the last several years. While I understand the initial impact is horrific and terrifying to those involved.
My, feeling that keeping it in the news and giving out every little detail only feeds their need to be famous. If they are captured alive in particular, their names and personal details should be buried, as much for the public's sake, who knows all of this has happened, but does not need to be constantly reminded of it every time they turn on a tv. But it also takes the glamour out of committing the crime and having their names in the public face. The factual detail details are all a matter of record to a very large extent. But there's no reason to open it any more then needed.
On to possible outcomes had there been armed citizens in the theater :
Its entirely possible if he knew there was the possibility that he might be met with armed resistance he would have thought twice about it, but I doubt it from the reports put out so far.
So he goes in with a AR-15 semi auto rifle and starts shooting at whoever presents themselves.What if, Suddenly he is is being fired back at from the audience, whom he is trying to kill. Now, at that time no one knows he’s wearing all the body armor, But getting hit multiple times with a large caliber round is going to hurt and possibly give some else a chance to help subdue and minimize the damage and thus change the outcome of the whole situation.
I’m not in way suggesting that we go back to the days of the wild west as portrayed on tv on the 1950’s westerns, where everyone wore a gun on the hip for all to see. Sociality wouldn’t tolerate it. However, making it easy for law abiding citizens and responsible people who are trained in how to handle their gun, and the repercussions would go a long way to helping to shop violent crimes in general. Its my contention that if one knows there at least a 50/50 chance he’s going to ment with a gun on the other side of the door he‘s thinking of breaking into, maybe he’ll think twice, is it worth it.
The flip side of all of this is the anti-gun camp. They believe that guns are evil and should be banished from everyone but a very select few. Their argument is very simple; Guns Kill, So get rid of the guns. A knife can kill, a piece of rope can kill, hell, even a laptop bashed over someone’s head can conceivably kill. Do We ban all of the above mentioned, just because they have been, or can possibly be used to kill. NO A gun is a tool., Just like a knife, piece of rope, and a laptop. Its all in how their used.
What is needed is education starting from a young age, in boy scouts,, which I know have shooting programs, and fathers and grandfathers educating the young people in their lives about the responsibilities of having guns around both in safety aspects, no one wants someone shot accidentally because they didn't know what they’re doing, but in how to handle the firearm, how it works loading running the action, shooting it and being comfortable enough that should the unthinkable happen and they need to defend their lives or their family's life they know how to use the gun.Alway be aware that this is a perishable skill. Meaning, that if one does not practice on a regular basis one will lose what proficiently they ever had, instead of building new skills.
I could go on, However, I think that I have stated my case that I am very much pro gun, and pro concealed carry policies that could help changed the ending of incidents like the Batman shooting. and Maintain the freedom of all Americans to own and use whatever firearm they deem necessary for their situation. Its in the Constitution, and It should not be watered down by states passing arcane laws that restrict the carrying of the gun, or the purchase the gun they need for their particular situation.
It seems that as the years have gone by, places that were once considered safe and family friendly are becoming more and targets of people like the batman shooter, so carrying a gun where one might not of thought to suddenly becomes a good idea.
Kenneth Lawson
No comments:
Post a Comment