4/21/07

Gun Control

With the recent violence that has tragically plagued public institutions recently, I think it's about time I chime in with my stance on gun control...


I'm against it.


Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not advocating everyone should go out, buy an Uzi & have a good ol' time shooting the neighborhood up for target practice. I AM of the mind that people have every right to defend themselves against a criminal attack. With that in mind I can't fathom why individuals think a simple piece of paper (read: gun control law) is going to prevent someone from "going postal" & murdering innocents with their weapon of choice.


That carries all the severity of the UN levying a sanction against someone.


The fact is no law will have teeth unless there is a means to enforce it. You restrict guns from a public institution? Accept the fact that law-abiding citizens will be the ones to leave their guns at home. Criminals, not-surprisingly, don't care so much for laws.


Obviously, there's something to be said for guns being out in the open or just letting any person legally pack a weapon, which brings me to concealed carry permits. I think the guidelines should make it reasonably difficult to qualify (sorry, convicted felons, you're out) but any adult who does qualify for a concealed weapon permit should be able to carry it anywhere (with notable exceptions: airport, White House, Congress, Supreme Court all come to mind).


Why do I feel this way?


Well, other than the obvious argument that the 2nd Amendment (just as valid as the 1st, progressives) guarantees us the right to bear arms, it's the fact the police, military, etc. cannot always be there at a moment's notice to help. The difference between a hostage/victim & diffuser of a disastrous situation is on a razor's edge.


Furthermore, even if there isn't a person with a concealed weapon capable of coming to the defense of others, the fact a perpetrator believes there could be may be enough to prevent a tragedy. This would explain why convenience stores are robbed more than police stations. As silly as that comparison seems, think about it - why, other than fear of getting arrested, wouldn't you try to hold up a police station? Guns, maybe?


I know the gun control element argues that making guns illegal/harder to get somehow makes sense. These people take a side as credible as the UN calling for stricter sanctions: Neither has the backbone to back up the so-called "resolution" they propose. It's easy to say "less guns" & have people believe its a feel-good measure to protect them. If that were the case, any weapons-free zone would be the safest place on Earth. Horribly, in massacres such as Columbine & Virginia Tech, that's been proven to have the opposite effect.


Bottom line: if a criminal is all but guaranteed to meet no resistance in the course of an attack, they're more likely to carry it out.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree with most of what you write, but I have a different take on the convicted felons.

In my opinion, for those felonies that were not violent, the person should regain all of their rights after their sentence and probation have been served. I think that if one serves their time, they are "repaying their debt to society". When that debt is repaid, they should get their rights back.

Obviously there would be exceptions and repeat offenders should be on probation a lot longer - possibly forever. But the idea that a non-violent young man would lose his rights because of a stupid choice for the rest of his life - in blanket form - is a bad law.

Hapkido said...

Jon,
That's a good point you make. I can see where a clause for non-violent felons to obtain a permit wouldn't be a bad thing.
In that hypothetical situation, I'd say violent offenders & drug felonies are excluded without exception & non-violent offenses are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Thanks for the voice of moderation! :-)

Anonymous said...

Yeah, that guy getting ready to rob a bank at gun point is gonna think twice if there are stricter gun laws. I guess it would help put someone away for a longer time if they were caught carrying the gun they shouldn't have but I can't see it being a deterrent.
As far as repaying your debt to society. Just because you did your time doesn't make you a good person again.

Anonymous said...

_Jon - fix your damn blog or get on Blogspot already. Don't make me start chasing you out of the comment-womb AGAIN!

Hapkido said...

_Jon,
I've gotta side with Harvey on this one. You're leaving good comments & it's a shame you don't have your own active blog.
I'd say you can do a 2-4-1 deal & start up with HKD AND blogging again!

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