Gun issue details
Why Americans must ensure our right to own
guns is preserved
About
gun owners |
Safety, reasonable gun control
A Refresher course for free citizens (short statements which really clarify
the issue, passed along to me)
Background
It is important to know that I have had experiences on both sides
of the issue. I did not start out as favoring guns.
Over time, I could see both arguments, but was for a long time
uncommitted.
At this time, I have committed myself to being primarily in favor
of letting Americans own firearms, as is their Constitutional
Right.
Why
gun control?
There are many good reasons for gun control. Some reasons to me
come from my personal experiences.
A death in my family was caused
by a gun. It was the classic story of the person looking at the
gun, thinking it was unloaded, it went off. It was an accidental
death.
I have seen the violence of youth - with and without guns.
As I teacher, I have worked in the inner cities. I have seen the
violence that these kids have. I've seen them use anything:
knives, sticks, cafeteria trays. At least with all these other
items, the damage is local and not fatal. A gun can easily be
fatal.
The truth is that many of these kids will be violent regardless,
so it is much better to keep the most dangerous weapons out of
their hands.
During the time I was teaching inner city was the Columbine
tragedy, followed by a few other school shootings.
I was pretty scared during this time. I have faced a lot of
crises and tragedy, but trying to go to work each day with the
possibility of a student killing you was hard to deal with. This
definitely pushed me toward gun control.
Some people scoff at the shooting rates cited, often saying
"why aren't these reported then?"
Well, lots of things don't get reported. This is one of them.
I can attest to this because I know first hand. The brother of
one of my students was shot in a gang related incident. I knew
because I was his teacher. But the news never reported it.
The main thing about gun control as I see it is this: Keep the
guns away from the youth.
This is a noble and worthwhile goal.
And, I now believe, that this goal in no way conflicts with
promoting our right to bear arms.
Why Americans must ensure our right to own
guns is preserved
The most important reasons for making sure Americans can own guns are:
1) To make sure that America is free. This is not just from foreign threats, but more importantly from those here in this country who try to create a dictatorship.
2) To protect your home, your property, your money, and your safety when criminals strike.
Details:
1) Owning guns to keep America Free.
This is the main reason for guns.
Why do you think the Founders thought this important enough to put as a Right in the Bill of Rights?
And why was it important enough to be number 2?
Those questions alone should make you think about the seriousness of what they were doing.
The government comes from the people. If leaders of the government ever try to control the people too much, then we must stop them.
Normally this will happen through checks and balances, through free press, and through voting.
However, should a few people ever get really serious, and start turning this country into a dictatorship, the people will stop them - with force.
Think upon history: Hitler, Caesar, many Central American Presidents. Elected leaders and popular men often become dictators.
The leaders would love us not to own weapons. They would have guns. We wouldn't. We wouldn't be able to fight back. Our free America would fall into a dictator's empire.
The need for guns was most evident during the election of 2000.
Al Gore tried to steal the
election.
There are many books and articles and studies out - even some
done by those who wanted Al Gore to win. Any method you use to
count the votes, the facts say that Al Gore lost the election. (A
few illegal voting methods have been uncovered too, a false count
in favor of Gore)
But we saw how he fought, using questionable counting methods,
and even using the US Supreme court.
This man wanted to be President, and no law would get in his way.
That is the sign of a dictator. That is a dangerous sign. This
man should never be an elected leader again.
Had Al Gore stolen the election, and become President, I would
have taken up arms and gone into the street.
I don't even own a gun. I've never fired a gun. But I love
America and I love Freedom so much, that I would buy lots of
guns, and join the millions of Americans who love America too.
We would go into the street, march to Washington, and force
(using guns) Al Gore to be removed from the White House.
This brings a similar point. Overthrowing the government is
difficult, and it should be. However, if the people want it (as
they would if Gore stole the Presidency), then the people will
rule. The government can hold back a few radicals, but it could
never stop 200 million Americans, each armed and ready to fight
for our beloved country.
That is the primary reason why owning guns is a right, why it is
#2 in the Bill of Rights, and why we must protect it. Thanks, Al,
for proving the point so well.
2) To protect your home, your property, your money, and your safety when criminals strike.
Wherever there is something of value, there will be a criminal trying to take it.
We have a right to protect our property, and ourselves, at all times.
Often, these criminals have guns. So then should we.
Knowing a few gun owners personally has also shaped my views that safety and protection can co-exist.
I know one police officer, whom I
consider to be a good man. He carries a gun for his job, and
keeps it at home when he is there. He made it very clear that no
one was to touch that gun. And no one ever did.
(This is another selling point for corporal punishment. Threats
worked, and kept everyone from harm.)
I know of another person who hunts frequently. He also has young
children, whom he takes hunting. Yet he is very serious about
safety. One child (under ten years old) can tell you all about
guns, and gun safety. This gun owner - hunter has taught his
children well, and all will be safe.
I've learned more about NRA members. Many of these members are
gun collectors, and there is a perspective here not shown in the
media.
Many of these gun owners see history. The think of the history of
the gun, the history of America. They look at the technology
(like a car lover might). That's what its about for them.
Safety, reasonable gun control
This is not my expertise. There are far more people out there who
have studied the specifics more than I have.
However, at this point in my knowledge and views, here are a few
items.
Also, some of these things may exist, I'm not saying they don't.
Its just what I believe is right.
1. Gun ownership should be viewed as Car ownership.
A car is dangerous. It is complicated. It can kill. That is why
there is an age requirement to driving. That is why there are
driving courses, and you must be tested to get a license.
I believe the same should exist for guns. Gun owners should be
trained and licensed before they can own one.
2. I also believe age requirements should exist.
The only guns allowed for minors might be certain hunting guns.
All others would be off limits until age 18.
3. Guns should be locked up when not in use.
This applies also to handguns by the bed.
To get a perspective on this: most people I know have a routine
they do at night: turning off lights, getting undressed, maybe
feeding a pet. So why should it be any different for a gun?
Before you go to bed, unlock the drawer. When you get up, re-lock
it. Simple enough.
4. Background checks are okay.
This prevents violent criminals from getting a gun.
Also note that everyone goes through background checks. For a
job, all companies check your criminal background. For loans on
cars and homes, your financial background is checked. This stuff
always takes several days. Therefore I don't see anything for law
abiding citizens to complain about.
There are probably ways to make the checks easier. Perhaps a card
you renew every year. Perhaps putting the guns on hold, then
getting them at the end of the day.
I don't know anyone who buys a house in one day. I don't know
anyone who drives a car off the lot in one day. Buying a few good
guns are worth the wait, right?
A Refresher course for free citizens.
(short statements which really clarify the issue.) These were passed along to me.
a. Free men do not
ask permission to bear arms.
b. The Second Amendment is in place in case they ignore the
others.
c. 64,999,987 firearms owners killed no one yesterday
d. The United States Constitution (c) 1791. All Rights reserved.
e. What part of "shall not be infringed" do you not
understand?
f. If guns are outlawed, can we use swords?
g. If guns cause crime, then pencils cause misspelled words.
h. You don't shoot to kill; you shoot to stay alive.
i. Criminals love gun control - it makes their jobs safer.
i. Assault is a behavior, not a device.
j. If guns cause crime, then matches cause arson.
k. If you don't know your rights you don't have any.
l. Those who trade liberty for security have neither.
m. You only have the rights you are willing to fight for.
n. Enforce the "gun control laws" we have, don't make
more.
o. Gun control is not about guns; it's about control.
p. Only a government that is afraid of its citizens, tries to
control them.
q. When you remove the people's right to bear arms, you create
slaves.
r. The American Revolution would never have happened with gun
control.
s . "...a government of the people, by the people, for the
people...