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By Steve Davis

The people who steadfastly believe in gun control live in a fantasy world. A place no more real than Skittle-crapping unicorns, winged fairies and dope-smoking caterpillars. Pretending Alice in Wonderland is true doesn’t make it reality.

Let us examine some of the most common gun control fables.

The world would be a better place without firearms.

I just read a guest editorial on this theme in my local paper. The writer came from the 1960’s counter-culture. You know, the dope-smoking, peace, love and harmony generation. I could almost hear the Youngbloods singing, “Get Together” in the background as I read his simple-minded missive.

In fact, there was a time without firearms. We call it the Dark Ages. In those times, strong young men freely ran roughshod over the weak, the young and the elderly. Back then, men took what they wanted from women. And the lone person lived at the mercy of the gang. It was a time of superstitions trumping science; barbarism over civility.

Few intelligent people today would want to return to the Dark Ages, and for good reason.

The police will protect you.

Tell that to the parents of the dead kids at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Yes, our law enforcement officers generally try hard to protect and serve. But the simple fact is they can’t be everywhere all the time. While cops are still minutes away, protection can be in the palm of your hand in the form of Sam Colt’s great equalizer.

Once again, even if the police are present, they may not protect you from evil. Sometimes they might wait outside. Recall the Pulse nightclub fiasco, where police waited outside for hours before storming the club. And Columbine. And now the Parkland school massacre. Each of these dramatically proves my point.

I am safer in a “gun free” zone.

Nowhere is the odor of burning marijuana stronger than on those who repeat this fantasy. Never mind that literally 94 percent of massacres have occurred in gun free zones.

Magic spells and wishful thinking can be hazardous to your health.

Spree killers who survived have admitted seeking out gun-free zones to avoid armed resistance. These losers want to victimize the helpless.

If you believe a paper sign will protect you from someone willing to kill, then you might be high as a kite.

Concealed carry equals blood in the streets.

Gun-hating leftists love to repeat this hackneyed cliche. Maybe it’s true in a world where leprechauns guard pots of gold at the feet of rainbows. In the real world though, it never comes to pass.

What’s more, CCW holders represent the most law-abiding in society. In the State of Florida, concealed carry holders are six seven times less likely to be involved in an illegal violent act than police officers.

Furthermore, in states where teachers and armed staff have been allowed in schools, there have been few injuries and zero deaths from accidents.  More importantly, those states have not suffered any school shootings.

It’s true: everywhere concealed carry is allowed experiences a drop in crime.  Whether Alice the Snowflake wants to believe it or not, the facts are the facts.

Good guys carrying guns does not result in blood in the streets, schools or anywhere else.

The Second Amendment is outdated.

The framers of our Constitution were afraid of tyranny and excesses of central government. They recognized that citizens had the right to bear arms to resist tyranny.

Has mankind and the central governments improved since 1791 such that the Founders fears are unjustified? Well, Stalin, Hitler, Mao ZeDong, and Pol Pot killed approximately 100 million of their own citizens in the last century.

More recently, the Rwandan government watched as savages butchered a million of its citizens with machetes. As Matt Bracken has succinctly pointed out, it’s a lot easier to load us into boxcars when we’ve been disarmed.

Conclusion

Denying reality has no survival value, nor will it make anyone safer. Instead of living in a child’s world of make-believe, prudent and thoughtful people will consider the facts while sober. From there, intelligent people make sensible decisions based on facts, not fiction.

 

The author is a retired attorney, firearms instructor and immediate past president of Guns Save Life.

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136 COMMENTS

  1. The Demokkkommies: “The Police are a racist transphobic/homophobic/islamophobic hate group that runs concentration camps and kills gays/trannies/blacks/mexicans for no reason.”

    Also the Demokkkommies: “You don’t need a gun because the Police will protect you.”

  2. Balkanization. Two completely different cultures are splitting away from each other in America. Disagreement between communities is one thing, but as this becomes hardened at the institutional level (e.g., CA vs midwestern states), we’re begging for trouble.

    For any Californians who remember, Newsom’s gubernatorial campaign last year centered around his tagline #RESIST. Dianne Feinstein’s page in the official election booklet stated her opposition to Trump six times!

    • Should be all kinds of fun when Dr. Drew Pinsky’s prediction of a bubonic plague outbreak in LA comes true and potentially infected city residents start to flee into the countryside full of people they’ve spent the past 2 decades demeaning and punishing through constitutionally illegal legislation.

      • As someone who lives in SoCal suburbia about half an hour outside actual L.A. City limits, I can confirm my belief that such chaos would actually occur. But I’ve spent the last decade getting ready, and anyone would have to be really desperate to try to make their way up the miles-long canyon leading to my neighborhood. Just too many juicier targets elsewhere for them to want to come my way.

        But if they do, I – and some of my neighbors – will be ready for them. Because the LEOs will be too busy protecting the wealthier parts of SoCal to be of any service here.

        • A lot of the Liberal rich and elite are not as well protected as they think. The pockets of rich neighborhoods are plenty in LA Co, OC and east Ven Co. After the recent quakes, makes me wonder if folks, new to guns, are now buying their first since people have been buying up a lot of the emergency supplies (mostly freeze dried foods) the past few weeks.

        • Glad you mentioned the foods. On my last two trips to Wally World (yes, I still go there sometimes, though I’ve slowly redirected about 50% of my former purchasing to other businesses that treat their customers better), I noticed that the sporting goods section was completely out of all MRE and freeze-dried foods. Everything. I’ll buy another 7-day bucket every other month as I slowly add to my existing stash, plus some smaller packets for my vehicle BOB, but there’s been nothing recently.

          Not sure what other brick-and-mortar stores in my area might have any, and I don’t have a Costco membership (the nearest store is almost 30 miles away from me, anyhow).

        • “The LEOs will be making sure you don’t stop the poor refugees.”

          Now *that’s* hilarious.

          You know those LE that you speak of? They will be far to busy taking care of their own families to do much of anything LE related.

          The ‘refugees’ will learn quickly not to go down roads with signs that state “If You Go Any Further You Will Be Shot”. The point will be driven home by the number of burned-out BMWs and the pile of bodies dressed in trendy clothes at the base of the sign…

        • Depends on how badly the excrement has hit the rotary impeller. If things go far enough sideways the police will be looking out for number one like everyone else.

        • The recent Holocaust in California has proven that the rich, the well-connected, those with really nice houses in really nice neighborhoods, are not prepared for disaster.

          If anyone is confused in my use of the word “holocaust? I suggest you find a dictionary that was printed prior to World War II and you will find your answer.

        • Lets see now …It’s estimated approx 7 trillion rounds of ammo in the hands of private American Patriots. Millions of small & medium arms in the hands of millions of American Patriots. American Patriots have been spending time at private, club, & commercial gun ranges for the past 12 years. Now a certain Party has been pissing on the Vets, Military, Police, & disrespecting the Constitution, & Flag. That Party (located in utopia land) now says were going to remove all arms from American Patriots? …..Good One….

  3. Don’t forget the two LVMPD officers (and three armed security guards) who cowered and froze a floor below while Paddock finished his massacre.

  4. Once again for you hillbillies. Gun control is not fantasy. Every civilized country in the world practices it to some degree. Some more stringent than others. Take Japan for example. You cannot own a handgun in Japan. A hunting license could take over a year to get and that is if your locale allows it. Thus, zero guns = very low crime rate = a prosperous and non-violent country at peace with itself. Now if you want an example in our country of superior gun control look to Hawaii. In Hawaii purchasing a gun requires not only a thorough background check and mental stability check but also a 3 WEEK waiting period. Basically you apply for the purchase of a gun at your local shop then go directly to the HPD to get cleared. If you are cleared, you wait to get that gun at the shop. As for a CCW. It takes an act of God or a corrupt politician to get one.

    It is not at all hard to envision the same stringent gun laws here as in Japan. But first, the public must be educated as to what a peaceful, harmonious society entails. No fear of violence from anyone. The curbing of aggressive behavior, and the opportunity for all POC to succeed in America. It is worth remembering that white people succeed because of their color whereas POC succeed in spite of their color.

    What stands in the way of proper gun control is the attitude of gun owners. It is not your right to own a gun. It is the government’s right to allow you to have one.

      • Son, or over eighty in New York City. Largest mass murder in the United States carried out with a little gas and a Bic lighter. But, don’t confuse Vlad with facts. It makes his little pin head hurt.

        • The largest mass killing this century that was not a terrorist attack was done with an airplane, with a German pilot.

    • Oh this one is too easy. Japan has a low crime rate because:

      1: Japanese culture is one of obedience and family honor.

      2. It’s an island.

      3. It’s homogenous.

      4. The police have much broader power. (No pesky bill of rights)

      Hate America all you want. In fact, if you hate it so much here, you’re not forced to stay. Leave. Go to one of your fantasty gun control lands.

        • And they wish they had a dark blue passport to escape their crowded, expensive, stuck up little country.

          The best part about visiting some places is going home.

      • “Oh this one is too easy. Japan has a low crime rate because:

        1: Japanese culture is one of obedience and family honor.

        2. It’s an island.

        3. It’s homogenous.

        4. The police have much broader power. (No pesky bill of rights)

        Hate America all you want. In fact, if you hate it so much here, you’re not forced to stay. Leave. Go to one of your fantasty gun control lands.”

        I am the original Vlad Tepes not the fake one posting above. But the fake vlad is right in some of his post about the need for mental background checks.

        On the the other hand Hank your reference to Japan being a homogeneous country is a bit outdated , its obvious like most Conservatives you have a mortal dread of watching foreign news programs. Japan actually has a labor shortage and has been importing large amounts people to work there and become citizens. They come from Vietnam, Thailand , the Philippine Islands, China as well as every other country in the world including the U.S. and Germany, Australia and Britain.

        I might add Japans gun laws are not unique either as many European Countries also have gun laws very similar to Japans although usually not quite as strict as Japan that banned handguns over 300 years ago.

        And your posting that it is an island has little to do with anything. If one has enough money and wants to take the risk of going up against Japans harsh gun laws then you could buy one but few people do. Gun laws work with the majority of people even the bad ones but again no law is full proof. I might add even Japan’s Mafia who do own guns very rarely use them because of the harsh penalties.

        I might add trying to claim people are greatly different because of their culture or race is where people like Herr Drumpf often make fools of themselves when they push such dribble at hate rallies. When the real facts are known they look foolish indeed. As a matter of fact your post about Japan actually was a compliment to the Japanese because it claims they have a superior culture although I am sure you did not mean it that way or where aware of what you implied.

        When nations are more Socialistic the crime rates and violence are usually actually lower because of the Socialistic safety nets that do not force people to steal to survive as it is in the U.S. When drug addition is treated as a disease and not a crime law enforcement saves millions in money with less incarceration in prisons and less money going after drug gangs because with free drugs from the government the market for them from drug gangs is much less. Businesses are not broken into by drug addicts seeking money to buy drugs because they can get drugs for free from the government with of course treatment to get them off of drugs. Its unknown to uneducated Conservatives but most people on drugs want to get off of them.

        As one can see the problems with guns in the U.S. is far more complicated that one would imagine. Low paying jobs for the majority of the population , High divorce rates, drug addition being a crime, few government programs that help people on drugs, unaffordable mental health care, guns available to anyone who wants them with no vetting for second hand guns and no mental tests to weed out nut cases.

        I might add Japan also has safe storage laws as well and yes they can and do inspect you to see that you are complying with the law. Europeans have such laws as well This cuts way down on stolen guns and children getting shot and killed accidentally with weapons laying around loaded. This is how civilized societies work. They have a reason these laws are passed even though its way over the heads of the average U.S. gun owner who is still living with 18th century mentality.

        • Ahh, so here’s a lengthy and coherent comment from Vlad (the “real” Vlad?). I don’t agree with much of what you said, but it’s worth reading nonetheless and a welcome part of the conversation.

          So you’re saying that someone’s been imitating you? Anyone else noticed that Pg2 has been almost entirely absent since the scandal earlier this week, and suddenly the “fake” Vlad comments have proliferated?

          Knute(ken), where are you?

        • All of that is simply incorrect, like the time you claimed .45 bounces off of window shades, and 9mm pierces 1/4 inch steel at 125 yards.

        • I am the other, different real Vlad Tepes. I do agree with one point made by this poor imitation Vlad Tepes.
          “When nations are more Socialistic the crime rates and violence are usually actually lower because of the Socialistic safety nets that do not force people to steal to survive as it is in the U.S. ”
          Venezuela is all the proof we need that socialist utopias are the only, the one true solution to crimes and violence. It is only a matter of time before the entire country is depopulated and hey presto, no more crime and no more violence. And, most importantly….no more guns!

        • “””””””””””””””””””””””””””””All of that is simply incorrect, like the time you claimed .45 bounces off of window shades, and 9mm pierces 1/4 inch steel at 125 yards.”””””””””””””””””””””””””””””

          To Hank who is never correct on anything.

          I never stated any of what you just posted.

          But if one is interested in the poor performance of the .45 acp it can be found in the book “The Inglis Diamond” by Clive Law one of the most learned scholars on Browning/FN firearms. Of course as you sit in your outhouse cutting rectum gas you would have us believe you know more than Clive does. You never cease to make a complete fool of yourself Hank.

          What Clive did state was that in 1945 the U.S. Military ran tests on the Inlis High Power v/s the 1911 .45 acp. The .45acp bounced off a military helmet at a scant 35 yards while the 9×19 penetrated it at an astonishing 125 yards and might have been able to do it even further away than that but none succeeded in hitting the helmet beyond 125 yards.

          Try again Hank. If you keep trying someday you might post something that is correct.

        • So there 2 Vlad the idiots running free of the asylum?
          Not sure the world can handle that much stupidity in one comment section.

      • No, he’s a Mad Hatter who knows exactly what he’s doing. Look at all the responses he just got from a single comment?

        THAT’S the goal of any troll. Lure the suckers in.

    • Yet millions of persecuted people world-wide want to come to the United States. Obviously, they all have a death wish.

    • http://jpfo.org/

      And you are 100% wrong in posting, “what stands in the way of proper gun control is the attitude of gun owners. It is not your right to own a gun. It is the government’s right to allow you to have one.” Nothing could be further from the truth! The site I posted above refutes everything you stand for which obviously is the almighty socialist nanny state, collectivism, and people control! In other words “the state is God, the individual be damned!”

      • I get your comment but the state is not God but they will stand and give an account just before he condems them to eternal fire and eternal damnation thru the Son Jesus Christ

    • I repeat myself, “It is not at all hard to envision the same stringent gun laws here as in Japan.” All that is required is 1) lots and lots of really good, really powerful drugs and 2) an iron-willed determination to deny reality.
      I fixed it for me again and I still want to wear my damn BGPs and I still hate my mommy.

    • Spoken like a true subject, Vlad…
      and I bet you live in a gated community with armed guards..

    • “But first, the public must be educated as to what a peaceful, harmonious society entails. No fear of violence from anyone.” I’m pleased that Vlad included the qualifier, “but first”. Until then, those of us who don’t rob, rape and murder need guns to protect ourselves from those who have yet to learn better. Of course, at that point, gun control will be irrelevant because no one will be using them to do harm.

      • When this anti gun debate goes hot we will kill so many anti gunners we’ll get drunk on their blood btw vlad hope you have the guts to lead your group now that’s funny

    • Japan has a higher intentional death rate (homicides + suicides) than the USA. Their culture is such that they tend to kill themselves rather than the person who offends them, as opposed to Americans, who tend to kill the offender much more often.

    • Fine, let’s try this.

      No. Just, no.

      I don’t care what you say. I don’t care what you think. I don’t care what examples you put up. I’m not going to try to debate you, or reason with you, or bother to read anything you post. Keep stamping your feet and shaking your fists.

      You just don’t matter to me.

    • Thanks Vlad this is how stupid you really are you actually think most on this blog read your rants idiots come and go your just too stupid to realize your already gone

      • Please believe me, I am nowhere near intelligent enough to “actually think” anything, anything at all. Mostly I just sit and stare at the floor and drool.

    • You got it right about my “attitude” and that what keeps my “right to own a gun”. You do as you please and I highly encourage you not “to own a gun “.

    • “Every civilized country in the world practices it to some degree.”

      Incorrect statement.

      Any Nation/State that disarms it’s citizens is not civilized.

    • And because the last hunting license in Japan was issued about 20 years ago, feral animals including pigs are getting to plague proportions. And this is affecting local agriculture.

      Same thing in Australia. In tightening the requirements for hunting, feral pigs, goats, foxes, rabbit, and cats are decimating the local wildlife and costing farmers billions in losses and lost revenue every year.

      Be careful of what you wish for because it often has unintended consequences.

      • “”””””””””””””””””””And because the last hunting license in Japan was issued about 20 years ago, feral animals including pigs are getting to plague proportions. And this is affecting local agriculture.””””””””””””

        Posted by “the original Vlad Tepes” not the fake one.

        Complete bullshit.

        Japan does indeed issue hunting licenses. Since you are a Conservative naturally you have a paranoia about watching foreign news programs but if you did you would see that you just made a complete fool of yourself. The Japanese can own and do own both shotguns and rifles. In some places only shotguns are used and yes from time to time just as in all countries when game populations are low bag limits or bans on certain animals are put in place. I have seen news reports on the Japanese hunting both deer and bear. As a matter of fact they had a big row over the hunting of bears there recently because of the over abundance of them.

        How does one get a hunting license in Japan?

        The first step is to pass the test for hunting licenses administered by the governor of the prefecture where one resides. Hunting licenses, which are good for three years, basically fall into three categories: nets, traps and firearms.

        The firearm licenses cover two categories: “explosive charge guns” (rifles and shotguns) and guns that use air pressure to fire projectiles.

        Someone seeking a rifle or shotgun license must be at least 20 years old. Those who want to use air guns must be at least 18.

        Applicants in either category must provide medical proof that they are sound of mind and not addicted to stimulants or other drugs. They must also demonstrate good judgment and physical ability.

        Those with serious criminal records or a history of treatment for mental illness cannot qualify.

        Any hunting law violator who has been penalized by more than a fine must wait three years from the day of their suspension to retake the licensing test.

        The test covers hunting laws, the handling of traps, nets and firearms, and knowledge of different kinds of game. A score of 70 percent or above passes.

        Applicants are also tested on their seeing and hearing abilities and physical fitness.

        What can be hunted in Japan?

        The Environment Ministry lists 29 species of birds and 20 species of other animals that can be hunted nationwide.

        But in reality, what you can hunt depends on the rules of the prefecture. Some species in certain prefectures are not allowed to be hunted or can only be taken in small numbers. Hunters must check with the prefecture upon registering.

        In principle, hunting season runs from mid-November until mid-February, while in Hokkaido it runs from October until the end of January.

        But once again, different prefectures may have shorter or longer hunting periods, and all hunters need to get confirmation on the dates.

        Species often hunted include wild boar, deer and bear, as well as birds ranging from pheasants to turtle doves and quail.

    • Yet when you combine homicide and suicide (which you lefties are always wont to do) you find that Japan is a more violent country than the USA, so maybe you should work on another example of a gun free paradise.

    • “…white people succeed because of their color whereas POC succeed in spite of their color.”

      So those unfortunate POC will never succeed unless enlightened socialist “liberals” like our Comrade Vlad stoop down to help them overcome their colored-folk limitations? Got it.

      Vlad Tepes is a racist.

      Also, quite possibly not even a real troll, but a parody of one.

      • I am not a “parody” of a troll, I am a travesty of a travesty of a troll! And yes, I am a racist, all “enlightened socialist “liberals”” are racists. Haven’t you been paying attention?

    • It absolutely is My right to own a gun and as many as i want. The 2nd amendment was written to protect that right.

    • Uh, what would you hunt in Japan? They import everything they eat. The people are piled on top of each other. After WW2 the country got stripped of all weapons, then again, what good is a pistol against a nuke?

        • Huge radioactive lizards. Immense flying turtles. Shape-shifting robots. Very tall schoolgirls. Very small monsters.

          The list is virtually endless.

      • “Uh, what would you hunt in Japan?”

        They are overrun with deer and wild boar.

        “…then again, what good is a pistol against a nuke?”

        *Sigh*. This tripe again?

        You don’t use the pistol against the nuke, the pistol is for whoever controls the nuke…

    • Vlad Tepes,

      The state of Vermont obliterates all of your arguments. Vermont’s overall violent crime rate is on par with any “civilized” society, including the safest countries in Europe and Asia. And the rate at which violent criminals use firearms in Vermont is astonishingly low.

      And yet anyone can legally carry openly or concealed firearms at the age of 16 and above without any government vetting, background checks, mental health checks, or licensing. There is no required government vetting (e.g. criminal history checks) for private face-to-face firearm purchases. And a simple government criminal history check (background check) is all that anyone needs to pass to purchase a firearm from a federally licensed firearm dealer.

      And I have yet another simple example which obliterates your arguments. Even if you could somehow magically implement your entire cherished gun-control regime, are you going to claim that all the violent criminals and gang-bangers in our urban Hellholes would suddenly turn into saints and stop almost all of their violent attacks? Or would those violent criminals and gang-bangers in our urban Hellholes simple migrate to knives and bludgeons and continue to attack people?

      • Please do not obliterate any more of my arguments. If you keep this up, I will not have anything to do.

        • All of my arguments are meant to be self-obliterating anyway. It is just that sometimes they fail to self-destruct.

    • Try looking at the violent crime rate of Asian-Americans then subtract from that low number because Japanese-Americans are even less likely to commit a crime than Asian-Americans. You will see that despite less gun control in America, the Japanese-Americans still don’t commit many violent crimes. Indicating that Japanese don’t commit a lot of violent crimes because of the strict gun control, but because their culture is very different.

    • “It is worth remembering that white people succeed because of their color whereas POC succeed in spite of their color.”

      Okay, Drac, you want to talk race, let’s do it your way.

      Your exemple of non violent heaven – Japan: virtually zero blacks.

      USA, where highest income per capita don’t have whites, but Asians btw – wast majority of solved (and even higher percentage of unsolved) violent crime is committed by blacks. Mostly on black victims. Even though they comprise only 13 percent of the population.
      Try to listen to some black rap lyrics, if you can take it, and then come tell me it’s the color of the skin and not violent culture that holds them back from success.

      Rwanda, where they used mainly big knives in genocide and mass mutilations: virtually 100% blacks.

      Looks like what we need is not gun control.

    • Perhaps you are unfamiliar with the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights. And the Supreme Court has affirmed an individual right to own and bear arms. So before you embarrass yourself with ignorance you should read the aforementioned document.

    • Take a good look. This is our enemy. If it ever comes to civil war pray that he is lined up across the field.

    • I completely agree with Vlad.

      Guns owners are disrespectful of authority. A failure to rely on authorities is an invariable sign of improper and overly independent attitudes. The mere fact that they gather together to talk about guns at gun shops, gun shows, shooting ranges, and on the internet means that they have some plot going against us normal people. A gun owner has no right to associate with another gun owner.

      Therefore, to help ensure our right to happiness and safety we must ban and seize all guns from private hands, and forbid NRA-based criticism towards people who are only trying to help. Searching the homes of all NRA members for any guns and pro-gun literature will go a long way towards reducing crime.

      Common sense requires only uniformed soldiers, police, and other agents of the state have access to firearms, and think of all the money we can save by just taking away the guns from private owners and giving them to the military and police. No person should be able to challenge this by writing to Congress or the President. If they do they should be forced in court to admit to it and then fined a hundred million dollars for each time. Subjecting them to torture will probably change their minds.

      Making it mandatory that church ministers preach against guns or else they can’t get licensed will certainly encourage the church folk to have the correct belief about guns.

      We should hold a nation-wide vote against guns but gun-owners cannot be allowed to participate. They are too biased.

      People who don’t like all this prove they are on the side of the killers with the guns and should be put in jail along side all the gangbangers and other gun nuts. Letting them sit in jail for a few years before they are charged will give the government plenty of time to find something wrong in their lives. Anything they say, write, or express should be held against them to prove their guilt.

      We should bring all of them here to Chicago to be tried by Mayor Rahmfather as judge, and we should allow only mothers who have lost children to gunfire to be on the juries. Any attorney who tries to defend them should be arrested also. If we don’t get the right verdict the first time we can just keep trying them until we do.

      No woman needs to protect herself from rape, assault or murder and should just leave crime prevention to the Police who are properly equipped to investigate following the crime’s completion. Women using a gun in self-defense interferes with and makes the attempted crime a “non-event,” which unnecessarily complicates the Police investigation. Any woman who does this should be put in jail for interfering with an investigation.

      If someone still really, really thinks they have a need for a gun in their home for protection then the Army should just force them to host and feed some armed soldiers.

      Those who claim that the 2nd amendment was given to us because we might someday need guns to use against an oppressive government forget that our Constitution has strong internal safeguards to protect our freedoms. So there!

      Long live our Constitution!

    • You are absolutely mistaken. The second amendment was intended to prevent the government from restricting access to Arms. The right to arm yourself existed prior to the second amendment being written and the entire Bill of Rights was written specifically to handcuff the government’s ability to interfere in individuals rights. The government has never had the ability to restrict access to Arms in the United States until activist courts allowed the Bill of Rights to be whittled down starting in the early 1920s. It’s commonly known as the Progressive Movement where they progressively remove rights and impose government dictates.

    • Why choose Japan as your model state? Perhaps you have forgotten what it took Japan to do in order to get where they are today? They were prevented from (and voluntarily agreed to ) never having a military to protect them. That means NO DETERRENT against foreign aggression. NO DETERRENT against any aggression, other than fire, knives and fists. Who provides their State security? The United States. They were bombed into submission with ATOMIC BOMBS!! Perhaps you think such a scenario should be repeated in order to achieve the kind of “peace” you envision for us? There is NO comparison between Japan’s situation and that of any other country, certainly not the US. Oh, by the way, Japan is not the peace loving country free of violence you would have us believe it the case. In fact, just the other day they suffered the worst mass murder case in their modern history. “A 41-year-old man shouting “you die!” ran into an anime studio in Kyoto and set it ablaze Thursday morning, killing 33 people and injuring 36 others.
      Police said the man sprayed sprayed an unidentified liquid accelerant before starting the fire, according to the Associated Press.” https://time.com/5630227/japan-history-mass-violence/

      • Japan has a military force, the JDF. They have been buying equipment and aircraft from us for decades, and operate joint US/JDF bases. And they are now expanding their military power in response to the threat of China and NK, with out tacit approval.

  5. “Nowhere is the odor of burning marijuana stronger than on those who repeat this fantasy.”

    Nothing makes your argument stronger than gross overgeneralizations that insult the very people you’re trying to win over.

    You don’t have to like or use pot but you don’t have to demonize those who do. Lots of gun owners prefer the whacky tobacy to booze. Lots of pot smokers are actually 95% of the way to our position on guns too, they just need to take the final step. Insulting them doesn’t help make that happen.

    Que the people accusing me of being a druggie.

    • As a blatant conservative I think you’re right. I see weeds benefit as a way to counter the opioid epidemic. Legalizing weed won’t end crime, prisons, or the cartels, like many people claim, but it is a far better alternative for pain then what is essentially heroin.

      • Spot on.

        ..and the liver damage caused by Big Phama’s multitudes of pills could be reduced with weed. Having witnessed up close what end stage cancer does and the treatments like rad and chemo, I’m 100% for taking it off schedule 1 if not removing it entirely.

    • Nah, it’s the same as a “go home, you’re drunk” joke. If you’re a stoner then whatever, embrace it. Don’t be so damn sensitive.

      • Sensitive? Nah, just sick of the assumptions everyone makes these days because they have no useful education.

        I don’t drink or use any narcotics, in fact I even quit smoking again (just so JWM has nmsomethi g less to rag on me about). But here you are assuming that just because I don’t think it should be demonized or illegal, I must not only support using it but also must be a user myself.

        I can support the right of people to do things I don’t approve of, and I do. Because I support actual freedom, not some bullshit “conservative” vision of freedom.

        • If I didn’t care I wouldn’t lecture. I fully support legal weed. I just don’t partake. But like you said. Freedom is messy. And fun.

        • @jwm,

          I support the medicinal CBD kind, but not the recreational THC kind. Seen too many friends, coworkers, and even relatives get into that crap and lose jobs, marriages, and even their lives. One lost control of an 8000-lb forklift while stoned at work and did some considerable damage. Two of my relatives (on separate branches of the family tree) got heavily into pot to get stoned, which in both cases led to harder drugs and eventually death.

          It may be legal in some states (such as here in CA now), but you can be fired for showing up to work stoned. I know…I’ve fired my fair share of people over the years, and it’s becoming a problem now in 2019. So no…I don’t support “legal weed”.

        • Like I said, if you want to blaze it up then do you and own it. If you’re ashamed don’t cry about it, nobody made you hit the pipe.

    • Personally, while I have no problem with legalizing weed or the people who use it (with the exception of a couple former employees), I still reserve the right to remind them of why they call it ‘dope’.

      • Because the word is a corruption of the Dutch word “doop” which refers to a thick sauce. It became a slang term for injectable drugs in the late 1800’s since they were made into a “sauce” before injection. The word became generally applied to all drugs over time as well as a shorter way of calling someone “thickheaded”.

        The term was popularized for marijuana by those who demonized it (eventually leading to prohibition). The same people who said that it caused black men to become violent and rape white women, essentially they were saying, in a slightly more polite way, that using marijuana made you as smart and violent as black people which was viewed as being… uh, shall we say, “undesirable”.

        Considering the racist implication of the term I’d question it’s ties to reality right off the bat. Considering the number of highly successful people who talk about using marijuana all the time I’d entirely discount the perception the term is meant to imply.

        • Yeah, it still shaves 20 points off your IQ, even if you are still bright. Unfortunately a large number of users really can’t afford the loss.

          Just an observation.

    • Thank you for this. This is someone preaching to the choir about gun control but seems to be staunchly anti-marijuana. People are much more likely to do something stupid while drunk than stoned. You can tell the writer is an angry old man because he calls marijuana “dope”

      • ” People are much more likely to do something stupid while drunk than stoned ”

        Gotta disagree with that one. I know a lot of people– some of them friends for 50 years– that have gone down the stupid hole from chronic (and heavy) pot use. With booze you eventually sober up. With pot, over time, the stupid just hangs around and adds up. I’ve nothing scientific to back this up— just my own observations.

        Having said that– if you can grow it, dry it, and light it up– have at it, if you wish.

        • You’re absolutely right. As is often the case the afflicted individuals are the ones least able to see that they’re disabled by their own addiction.

  6. What you described as “The Dark Ages” – if you meant what is commonly thought of as the Middle Ages, weren’t considered dark because of an increase in barbarism, it’s the lack of reliable historical records that defines that period of Western history. Though the reality was actually worse than the perception you portrayed – the young men with weapons were duly sworn and sanctioned by the rulers to do as they wished to the yeomanry and peasantry. That’s what common ownership of firearms did, it started the dominoes falling that, eventually, led to the toppling of the idea you can kill me legally and take my stuff because your daddy is related to the king.

    • There were also called Dark because of the loss of the Roman civilizing influence such as developed roads, medicine, science, literature, and so forth and so on. That’s why the end of the Dark Ages is called the Renaissance. And yes, it was a brutal era.

  7. I’m currently getting towards the end of a couple of months in New Zealand.

    Local news made a big deal on Wednesday and Thursday about the first “gun stealing / buyback “ event being held on the North Island which is 77% of the population. A very small, hard to find article on Friday mentioned they got 68 firearms. Population of the island about 3.8 million.

    Back in January a man was caught with 110 banned firearms in rural NSW, Australia, 22 years after the gun grab.

    If they can’t control firearms on two island countries like NZ and Australia I can’t imagine how they could control in USA.

  8. If police could protect you from criminals, there would be very few prosecutions for completed crimes. The overwhelming majority would be for attempts that were interrupted by police.

    • What about in Prison? It should be the safest place in the world- controlled environment with high security, no guns…..free housing, food and medical care, yep sounds like a socialist utopia alright.

    • Correct. Police don’t protect us. They show up and chase/catch baddies after a crime has been committed.

  9. Many that are anti-gun are just fine with 600,000+ a year eliminated via abortion…trying to justify it by calling a fetus a “mass of cells”…a “parasite”…
    But if found anywhere but on Earth…even the most lib/dem scientist would still call it LIFE…
    the upside is that many of those aborted would go on to be libs/dems themselves…so I am torn on the subject

    • I continue to wonder as to WHY some continue to mix Apples and Oranges, Firearms Ownership and Abortion, in their comments. If the individual is opposed to abortion, and or the availability thereof, so be it. They are entitled to their opinion, an opinion with which I disagree. There is however, in so far as I can see, absolutely no connection between the two. By the way, in The Constitution, there is the quite specific Right to Keep and Bear Arms. I have yet to notice the same for the “right” of a woman to have an abortion, a right with which I agree.

      • Well, kinda. There’s actually only a mandate from We The People to the Federal Government to not infringe on our natural right to own and bear arms. The conversation within the text is from us to the government saying what is and is not allowed, not the other way around.

      • One of the fundamental responsibilities of government is to defend and protect its own, and our unborn are the most innocent and defenseless among us. How can a people attempt to reason for their own right to self-protection, but advocate for the removal of that right from others who cannot defend themselves and rely on us for their protection?

        The Right of Natural Defense (2A) and the Right to Life are inextricably linked.

        • Because the unborn ain’t got no gunz?

          All you folks do realize that under the Orthodox Jewish tradition–i.e., the entire Old Testament, an embryo or fetus (and yes there is a big difference) was not considered a “person”(aka a “human”) until born alive and after it had drawn a breath?The soul was received with the first breath. Until then, well, it wasn’t anything and was entitled to no rights and no recognition as a human. I don’t seem to recall that the New Testament had anything much to say about unborn children either (but about that I could easily be wrong).

          But these discussions are tiresome and have no place on a gun blog. Go elsewhere to debate issues such issues.

        • A baby becomes a living soul upon conception if people can’t except that take it up with God but I really pity those who will stand before a wrathful Jesus Christ

      • ‘There is however, in so far as I can see, absolutely no connection between the two.’

        Here’s what you’re missing – most of the people who advocate for gun control (for the children) also support the wholesale slaughter of children by Planned Parenthood, making them hypocrites of the highest order. Pointing out that hypocrisy is absolutely connected to the subject.

  10. The Second Amendment is outdated? I have a small favor to ask of those peddling this particular line of “thinking”. What else among the basic civil and constitutional rights enjoyed by the law abiding citizens of this country might be so characterized. I patiently await a sentient response. As to the rest of the anti gun, anti gun rights drivel appearing above, what might be the source of the “funny cigarettes” the pushers of such foolishness utilize?

    • Well, there are a few, now that you ask—like the First Amendment right of free speech. They will get to the rest after they eliminate the Electoral College, or until Google engages its master plan to ensure Democratic Party domination. Either way, your rights will be toast.

    • Actually, there are quite a few people, in and out of government, who would consolidate the Bill of Rights into one sentence: You have the right to shut up and do as you are told.

  11. This author hates marijuana and thinks that if you smoke weed you’re a gun control nut. Lol clearly biased. Probably thinks alcohol is is a healthier alternative lol!

    • All things are fine in moderation.

      But I don’t smoke and I’m voluntarily doing “Dry-July”. And absolutely NO recreational drugs EVER!

    • Well, smoke dope and lose your right to buy guns. The Fed says so. Or lie under oath on your 4473 if you are buying from an FFL. Your choice. This state has a UBC law, and lying on a 4473 not only could get me sent to prison, but would result in the loss of my professional license. Personally, I can live without pot.

      • I understand where you’re coming from, but that’s not how it actually plays out in reality (atleast here in legal mj states)

        “Are you an UNLAWFUL user and/or addicted to…” that’s what is says on the 4473. If it’s legal in your state then no prob.

        That’s what every ffl I’ve been to in my legal state says. “The fed” doesnt know and can’t prove you smoked a doobie last weekend when you go to buy a gun. It’s only a big deal if you make it one.

        • “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?
          Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or
          decriminalized for medicinal or recreational purposes in the state where you reside.”

          There are still ways it can get on your record in a cannabis-legal state, a DUI/DWI conviction, for example. Maybe even the arrest.

  12. Youngbloods. That’s one of those songs I can never remember who did it. That and the ‘stop, now, what’s that sound, everybody look what’s going down (or whatever)’ song. I can never remember that one either.

    I’m so glad I missed the whole hippy counter-culture thing, although Kurt Cobain & Co weren’t much better.

    • He was good for a kickban on IRC. I made a script for one of the mods of one of the channels back in the 80’s. It played part of one of his songs and ended with a shotgun blast as it kicked the user off.
      Never really got into why it was fun to chat on them but did enjoy the challenge of figuring out their scripts to make a complex kickban.

    • I keep hoping the idiots will wake up but what does that say about me wish in one hand and shittt in the other see which one fills up first

  13. I think dope-smoking caterpillars exist or at least have. Look up the experiments NASA has done giving spiders various drugs.

  14. “I am the original Vlad Tepes not the fake one posting above.”

    This from a guy writing about mental health background checks. You can’t make this stuff up.

  15. One fun reason why gun control is stupid is guns last a very long time, if cared for. I am currently sitting next to a few 150+ year old guns. One is a three band Snider-Enfield in .577 Snider. While it is obsolete as it’s a single shot breech loader, it still functions. I also have my great-grandfather’s Smith and Wesson Model 1 2nd issue in .22 Short, black powder. I won’t fire the Smith as it’s too fragile and the barrel wobbles too much to be safe.

    My modern guns can probably go a few hundred years without problems as they have more modern coatings that should last way beyond my life span and 2-3 generations after that. Ban guns tomorrow, and it will be hundreds of years before they “dissapear”. Even so, there will be large amounts still in existence, hidden away by families that make the choice that being armed is more important than following an illegal “law”.

  16. While I fully agree with the body of your article. I feel the disparaging generalizations in the first couple of paragraphs could be eliminated. Addressing the no-gunners in this way will put them off. We need to make our arguments without the name calling if we are to be taken seriously. We also need to provide sources for the facts, this way they can not be disputed. Otherwise, excellent article.

  17. Potheads and those who support them have always lived in a fantasy world. A world where you can fire a gun while intoxicated. Drive an automobile while intoxicated or operate Machinery while intoxicated.

    The problem with this type of person is they have never believed in personal responsibility and personal accountability. That is why they hate the cops and the justice system so much.

  18. Violence stats depend on what’s counted.

    Eliminate forcibly disarming people, and the coercions that happen because victims can’t resist, n you get a low number.

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