Mr. President,
As a student who was shot and wounded during the Columbine massacre, I have a few thoughts on the current gun debate. In regards to your gun control initiatives . . .
Universal Background Checks
First, a universal background check will have many devastating effects. It will arguably have the opposite impact of what you propose. If adopted, criminals will know that they can not pass a background check legally, so they will resort to other avenues. With the conditions being set by this initiative, it will create a large black market for weapons and will support more criminal activity and funnel additional money into the hands of thugs, criminals, and people who will do harm to American citizens.
Second, universal background checks will create a huge bureaucracy that will cost an enormous amount of tax payers dollars and will straddle us with more debt. We cannot afford it now, let alone create another function of government that will have a huge monthly bill attached to it.
Third, is a universal background check system possible without universal gun registration? If so, please define it for us. Universal registration can easily be used for universal confiscation. I am not at all implying that you, sir, would try such a measure, but we do need to think about our actions through the lens of time.
It is not impossible to think that a tyrant, to the likes of Mao, Castro, Che, Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, and others, could possibly rise to power in America. It could be five, ten, twenty, or one hundred years from now — but future generations have the natural right to protect themselves from tyrannical government just as much as we currently do. It is safe to assume that this liberty that our forefathers secured has been a thorn in the side of would-be tyrants ever since the Second Amendment was adopted.
Ban on Military-Style Assault Weapons
The evidence is very clear pertaining to the inadequacies of the assault weapons ban. It had little to no effect when it was in place from 1994 until 2004. It was during this time that I personally witnessed two fellow students murder twelve of my classmates and one teacher. The assault weapons ban did not deter these two murderers, nor did the other thirty-something laws that they broke.
Gun ownership is at an all time high. And although tragedies like Columbine and Newtown are exploited by ideologues and special-interest lobbying groups, crime is at an all time low. The people have spoken. Gun store shelves have been emptied. Gun shows are breaking attendance records. Gun manufacturers are sold out and back ordered. Shortages on ammo and firearms are countrywide. The American people have spoken and are telling you that our Second Amendment shall not be infringed.
10-Round Limit for Magazines
Virginia Tech was the site of the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. Seung-Hui Cho used two of the smallest caliber hand guns manufactured and a handful of ten round magazines. There are no substantial facts that prove that limited magazines would make any difference at all.
Second, this is just another law that endangers law-abiding citizens. I’ve heard you ask, “why does someone need 30 bullets to kill a deer?”
Let me ask you this: Why would you prefer criminals to have the ability to out-gun law-abiding citizens? Under this policy, criminals will still have their 30-round magazines, but the average American will not. Whose side are you on?
Lastly, when did they government get into the business of regulating “needs?” This is yet another example of government overreaching and straying from its intended purpose.
Selling to Criminals
Mr. President, these are your words: “And finally, Congress needs to help, rather than hinder, law enforcement as it does its job. We should get tougher on people who buy guns with the express purpose of turning around and selling them to criminals. And we should severely punish anybody who helps them do this.”
Why don’t we start with Eric Holder and thoroughly investigate the Fast and Furious program?
Furthermore, the vast majority of these mass murderers bought their weapons legally and jumped through all the hoops — because they were determined to murder. Adding more hoops and red tape will not stop these types of people. It doesn’t now — so what makes you think it will in the future? Criminals who cannot buy guns legally just resort to the black market.
Criminals and murderers will always find a way.
Critical Examination
Mr. President, in theory, your initiatives and proposals sound warm and fuzzy — but in reality they are far from what we need. Your initiatives seem to punish law-abiding American citizens and enable the murderers, thugs, and other lowlifes who wish to do harm to others.
Let me be clear: These ideas are the worst possible initiatives if you seriously care about saving lives and also upholding your oath of office. There is no dictate, law, or regulation that will stop bad things from happening — and you know that. Yet you continue to push the rhetoric. Why?
You said, “If we can save just one person it is worth it.” Well here are a few ideas that will save more that one individual:
First, forget all of your current initiatives and 23 purposed executive orders. They will do nothing more than impede law-abiding citizens and breach the intent of the Constitution. Each initiative steals freedom, grants more power to an already-overreaching government, and empowers and enables criminals to run amok.
Second, press Congress to repeal the “Gun Free Zone Act.” Don’t allow America’s teachers and students to be endangered one-day more. These parents and teachers have the natural right to defend themselves and not be looked at as criminals. There is no reason teachers must disarm themselves to perform their jobs. There is also no reason a parent or volunteer should be disarmed when they cross the school line.
This is your chance to correct history and restore liberty. This simple act of restoring freedom will deter would-be murderers and for those who try, they will be met with resistance.
Mr. President, do the right thing, restore freedom, and save lives. Show the American people that you stand with them and not with thugs and criminals.
Respectfully,
Severely Concerned Citizen, Evan M. Todd
I hope it helps, but I’m afraid it will fall on deaf ears.
Excellent letter, but Yes, it will not be heard. Obummer has already made up his mind.
Mostly eye pro will keep ejected brass from conking you in the eye, and also as has been pointed out, splatter back. I don’t have a problem with this dude not being safe. If he wants to get injured or killed that’s his problem. What is really troublesome is the fact that his videos are very popular and some chucklehead is going to emulate him and get messed up.
Sorry, I’m a buzz kill and all but saftey is not optional, a lax attitude towards saftey tells me everything I need to know about someones attitude with firearms.
That was excellently written, and hits all the points it needs to while still feeling passionate.
Mr. Todd, if you’re reading, thank you. I have immense respect for your courage and poise.
Good man. But will they listen? ‘Big Gov’ needs to be bigger, which means control of semiauto firearms now and ALL firearms later. Its just the nature of the beast.
“Leave the gun, take the cannoli “
Well meant but pointless attempt to influance the Communist/Islamist jugernaught that is engulfing mankind’s last best hope. The physical end of the Republic and the very concept of Liberty
This post is so tasteless I don’t even know where to begin.
“put a bullet (or several) in his brain.”
What the hell is that?
We get it, the guy killed himself or was possibly killed. Who do you think you are speaking of someone else in such a manner? And for what, not wearing proper eyewear?
In my opinion FPS Russia has far more class than Robert Farago.
Report the news, keep your vile inner thoughts and opinions to yourself. We will all be better for it.
Christ, dude, would you like some cheese to go with that whine?
Emeril Lagasses parents knew from an early age they couldnt afford to send him to cullinary school. He took matters in to his own hands.
BAM!
Lagasse cooks food that would shame my ex-Ukraine friends. I wouldn’t let that fat ghetto filth make breakfast for my dog. He knows nothing about food.
BAM! Is what hits the water in the toilet when one cooks his white-trash hackneyed recipes. Emeril’s food will cause the same effects of a liter of rail vodka followed by at least a dozen White Castles with extra pickles and onion, then a Steak-N-Shake Chili-3-way to top it off.
My hat goes off to this man. This is the voice of pure reason. It’s really hard to counter such clear and concise fact being delivered.
I love Texas. California super sucks.
Half the people that love FPSRussia: I can’t wait to see what sh*t he’s going to blow up next. The other half that hate FPSRussia: I can’t wait to see what sh*t he’s going to blow up next…
Just one request to all the Californians moving here to Texas. When you step into the voting booth in November, please remember why you left California, and vote like a Texan.
You may all go to hell, and I will go to Texas.
GTT
She seems to be shocked…shocked!…that companies who produce firearms are in it for the money.
Let’s hope she doesn’t investigate book publishers. I can see her headline now:
“You have to wonder if owning books, for those who still do, is a bit like buying cell phones. Once you’re hooked, only the newest popular novel will do, prompting more frequent purchases.” – Mary Sanchez in Book lobby defends not the Constitution but a cynical business model
Gallup would disagree with Manny Sanchez’s statistics…
http://www.gallup.com/poll/150353/self-reported-gun-ownership-highest-1993.aspx
I cant help but notice that had teachers been able to carry there were plenty of times where people were under chairs for a long time cowering when they could have been lining up their shot. Victim zones is what is being created. Wake up lawmakers. Criminals don’t follow laws!!!! Every law put on the books strips punishes the people not the law breakers. No 30 round clips….. Now I am out gunned by a criminal. No guns in schools…. Now my children have teachers that can not save them. I carry everywhere I can in my state now. Going to Lowes… armed…. going to the gas station…. armed. My wife asked me why I carry a gun everywhere now when we are only going to the grocery store. I reminded her that those kids were only going to school…. I am not saying I will win every gunfight but what I ask is only the chance to protect myself and my family. The NRA might be a target for haters but they have it right. We need more good guys with guns!
Vigilance must be high with these anti-Americans.
Looks like there is still hope for Oregon. Ill write my reps again on Monday and mail my letter to the governor. I like that picture in front of the capital in Salem. Too bad I am in occupied territory (MA) clear across the country right now and can’t be there to help.
The event was scheduled for 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
The EXIF data on the photo shows that the picture
http://ttag.zippykidcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Denver-Day-of-Resistance-protest-courtesy-Dan-Baum.jpg
was taken on 2013-02-23 14:23:12 (2:23 pm) with an iPhone 4.
The Denver Day of Resistance was scheduled for 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, so this picture was taken 1 1/2 hours after the scheduled end of of the event.
I was there from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. While it did look sparse at 11:00 am — I estimated about 300 people, and was disappointed — people kept trickling in for the entire two hours. By 1:00 pm I estimated the crowd at about 800. While I’m horrible at estimating these type of things, it was a lot more crowded than the picture above shows.
I’m not even sure who the person in the purple sweat shirt is. I didn’t see him/her speak, so this picture was not taken during the main even.
It’s also noteworthy that there are no “Free Bradley Manning” protesters across the street, as there was during the “Day of Resistance” event.
Oh God, oh please, let the NRA get somebody else to do these!
I think there were some other events in Colorado at the same time so that takes away from the single event impact. It felt to me like there were more people there than the picture indicates … we got there a little late and people kept trickling in over the two hours. Also there are more steps down in the background and a number of people were there and all the way out to the street.
while all you guys have been doing is whining about how stupid people can get, i have a solution:
ignore them. but more than just that, don’t do ANYTHING for them. eventually, all the idiots will die from falling off cliffs, prying toast out of the toaster with a fork, etc, and the really lucky expletives will die from starvation because they don’t understand how to boil water.
what if just one large tobacco company said OK if our product is so bad well just quit selling in us .
WHAT DO YOU THINK THE FEDERAL RESPONSE WOULD BE ?
the federal government makes $Billoins$ off of tobacco .
they would do and immediate 180 on all tobacco policies .
The same would be true with gun and ammo legislation.
GROW UP AND GROW A PAIR !! our founders did , so can you !!