Jul 27 2009
Gun Control vs State’s Rights
It has been decided that the “fundamental right” to bear arms is on the federal level and that individual states have the authority to determine what is “right” for their states in regards to gun control.
However, in an attempt to weaken states rights, an amendment to this bill was placed before Congress to incorporate the “Respecting State’s Rights, Concealment and Carry Reciprocity Act” which would have allowed persons with a permit to carry a concealed weapon in their home state to venture into a state, other than their own, with stricter laws against “concealed weapons,” and carry their concealed weapon with them.
Luckily, this amendment was just rejected. Passing of the amendment would have compromised the safety and security of all Americans, to some degree, but more importantly it would have stripped away “a state’s right” in regards to their choices, previously made, to inhibit its own citizen’s safety laws as it relates to guns.
While the saying that “guns don’t kill, people kill” is to a point valid, the reality is that people are choosing to kill more and more often and not just wild game, people are killing people, with the aid of guns.
The truth is, I have mixed emotions about gun control. If gun people demonstrated a sincere responsibility regarding gun ownership, I would have no problems with that ownership however time and lives lost have proven that this is not the case. With the availability of guns at an all time high with virtually anyone capable of purchasing a gun and using that gun for hunting people, both grown-ups and children, I believe the time has come to curtail gun ownership.
When I think of the possibilities of an invasion occurring, on United States soil, be it from inside or outside of the United States, I feel the more people that are armed, the better the chances of survival becomes. There is so much hate floating around in America, as well as in the world against America, that to totally take away the right to bear arms is just as frightening as creating laws to enhance the rights of gun owners.
The truth of the matter is that the availability of guns in America is out of control and laws will not prevent those who are determined to “carry” from purchasing guns. New Jersey Governor, Jon S. Corzine made a statement regarding the amendment that was recently defeated. He said, “We believe it is unconstitutional, unenforceable, and what’s more we believe it is a threat to our citizen’s safety and well-being. We will never compromise, not even one inch, where public safety is concerned.”
Corzine also had encouraged every lawmaker, every citizen in favor of local control for our safety and security to make their voices heard in opposing this amendment or any other proposal of this nature.
I say, realistically, can legislation alone stop the individual from exercising their belief in their “fundamental right” to bear arms or are more drastic measures needed. Has the lack of gun control taken us to a level of gun ownership being out of control?
And that’s the way I see it!!!!
FTD Bleeding Heart Spray
Gun control only affects law-abiding citizens. Do you believe criminals give two cents about laws? Why do states that allow Concealed Carry have lower crime rates than those who have stricter gun laws?
Look at Chicago, Illinois and Washington, DC. Crime rates are through the roof…why? Both cities have some of the strictest gun laws…yet the crime rates are higher. Is it the law abiding gun owner or the criminals commiting crimes with guns?
What you fail to realize is that when you obtain a concealed carry permit, you have to go through a training course which includes 8 hours of classroom instruction and range time. You learn about the laws of self defense and when it is lawful to use it.
Once that is done, you have to go down to the sheriff’s department and fill out a form for your concealed carry permit. Everything is documented and you go through an F.B.I. background check and have to wait until it comes back clean.
A criminal doesn’t have to wait. They continue to break the 20,000 gun laws that are currently on the books and will steal, rob, rape and murder…because they are CRIMINALS. They don’t purchase guns, they steal them…give me a break.
You speak of those who wish to “carry” as if they are the ones who are criminals. In one paragraph you say that the time has come to curtail gun ownership but in the very next you speak of needing to have guns in the case of an invasion….what???
So, we need to protect ourselves from foreign invaders but we should not be allow to protect ourselves from criminals??? Those same criminals who roam the streets comitting crimes with illegal guns. CRIMINAL DO NOT FOLLOW LAWS
The man you speak of in your article…Jon Corzine has armed bodyguards…just like Obama…so they are all for gun control. They have their hired guns to protect them. I have mine to protect me, my family and any other innocent citizen who has the unfortunate chance of running into a criminal.
Here is a little saying I tell my students when I teach concealed carry classes: “Id rather be judged by 12, than carried by 6.”
Here are a few more favorite quotes of mine:
“Quemadmoeum gladuis neminem occidit, occidentis telum est.”
A sword is never a killer, it is a tool in the killer’s hands ~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca ~ 45 AD
“A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined, but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government.” George Washington
“Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the American people’s liberty teeth and the keystone under independence.” George Washington
“Today, we need a nation of Minutemen, citizens who are not only prepared to take arms, but citizens who regard the preservation of freedom as the basic purpose of their daily life.” John F. Kennedy
“When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.” Thomas Jefferson
“You won’t get gun control by disarming law-abiding citizens. There’s only one way to get real gun control: Disarm the thugs and the criminals, lock them up, and if you don’t actually throw away the key, at least lose it for a long time… It’s a nasty truth, but those who seek to inflict harm are not fazed by gun controllers. I happen to know this from personal experience.” Ronald Reagan