With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Gun Control Summit
The mayors of several U.S. cities have gotten together to discuss gun control. I feel safer already. Forgive my incredulity, but have you noticed the municipalities with the worst gun violence have the strictest gun control laws? By definition those who break the law are hardly constrained by any new law. It's like plugging a leak in the bottom of your boat with a band aid, and when that leaks, you apply still more bandages because you have to do something. Here's a tip, it's better to do nothing than to do harm. The Second Amendment to our Constitution says "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Period. One can argue what a well regulated militia consists of, but I think it's evident the founding fathers thought it important that the people, i.e. you and me, be allowed to be armed.
Believe me when I say I'm no gun nut, I like them and enjoy shooting them but if I could wave a magic wand and get rid of every gun in the world I probably would. Then, of course, the squirrels would take over. I like the way Switzerland does it, every one of legal age is required to serve in the national defense force and required to keep arms in their home. Any weapon that army can have, any citizen can have. Would that work here? Probably not. We seem to have more than our share of crazy bastards, so I have no problem with background checks and gun safety education. When I went to get my permit I already had a gun that my brother traded to me and I just wanted a permit so that when I went to the range, I didn't have to worry about breaking the law. Getting my permit from the town was a colossal pain in the ass, they delayed and delayed and requested additional paper work and generally dragged their feet. I thought it odd that I had just been released from active duty in Air Force where I was obliged to maintain weapons proficiency and held a security clearance, but now the town of Willimantic thought it would be better if I was unarmed. Finally I demanded a meeting with the Chief of Police, who always seemed to be out, and demanded my permit. He asked me why I wanted it and I said something to the effect of I was planning on going to church on Sunday and voting next November too and did he want to know why I wanted to engage in these Constitutionally protected activities as well? Clearly presented with a wise ass, he informed me that permits were issued at his his discretion. I said I understood, but that if he denied my permit, he would have to show cause in front of the state board of appeals- usually mental illness or past felony convictions are considered cause to deny a permit, and since I was a decorated veteran with a security clearance he would be S.O.L.. I think he just wanted to see if was serious, I was, so he gave in and signed my permit. This was 16 years ago and it still pisses me off. In that time I have carried a concealed weapon maybe two dozen times. Once it even saved my bacon, but that's an entry for another day.
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2 comments:
I'm fairly liberal, but it seems to me gun control won't stop a frickin' criminal from shooting me. He's not going to jump through the hoops you did to get a permit! They outlawed handguns in the UK, so now only criminals have guns. And if they can't get a gun, they make one! Or they use a stun-gun, or a machete.
I'm actually planning on purchasing my first firearm this autumn. My dad used to take me out for target practice, but that's been years and I'm a little rusty. Any advice on where/how to begin?
Take a good gun safety course and make sure you understand the laws where you plan to carry and practice enough so that you're comfortable with any gun you plan to own. I'm a big fan of Glocks, for the money they can't be beat. Be sure to tell all your liberal friends that you own a gun, their reactions will be priceless.
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