Thursday, June 26, 2008
High Court Strikes Down D.C. Gun Ban
So, whaddya think? As I understand it, this doesn't much affect Wisconsin because we're already allowed to own handguns. We just can't carry them around. Or use them much.
In case you're wondering, I don't own a handgun. But I know quite a few people who do. I grew up around hunters who owned guns, knives, bows and arrows. I've never felt uncomfortable in the presence of a firearm and a responsible owner. Although I'm not conversant with all of the facts and figures in this debate, I nonetheless have an opinion which has the unmistakable ring of "truthiness:" I believe that the vast majority of gun related crimes are not committed by people who have legally purchased handguns for self-protection, nor do they involve the weapons that those people bought.
I AM very uncomfortable with thugs and criminals having E-Z access to guns. And with guns ending up in the hands of fools like the one who recently shot himself at the lakefront. Banning handguns hasn't seemed to stop those kinds of things from happening in other communities, though. Passing laws and changing behaviors are two different things.
The bad guys are armed - we should have the same option.
Ask any law enforcement agent where the thugs get these guns. Many are originally stolen from legal, responsible gun owners homes. Now maybe I get that information as a bias? I don't know.
ReplyDeleteI believe the only reason to own a gun is to have the mentality to someday shoot it. p.s. I grew up around guns too, and I still don't like them.
I won't tell you that you can't own them. I just don't like it. The more guns, the more bullets fired; just like the more sewing machines owned, the more stitches sewn.
KK, I understand your reluctance, but this right is at the core of all of our rights.
ReplyDeleteIf I choose to own and carry a firearm, I should be able to do so. I see no difference between this and owning and driving a car.
Should there be regulation surrounding gun ownership? Absolutely. In the same way we regulate car ownership and use, we should regulate firearm ownership and use.
If I'm found drunk and carrying a firearm, harsh penaly should be exacted.
If I am speeding up and down a street in my car, running over my neighbor's lawn, I should pay the consequence. If I am running up and down the street, waving a hangun around, the same applies.
Bottom line: I feel I have the right to carry a firearm if I wish. I believe municipalities, local or state, do not have the right to tell me I can't.
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
ReplyDeleteWatching the video, I don’t understand why the justice dept has to “interpret” the 2nd amendment. What’s to interpret? It clearly states, “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”.
Legally carrying a concealed weapon, I am not a big fan of that. I believe too many people without proper training would/could do something stupid “at the heat of moment” and regret it later and some innocent victim is now being laid to rest. A good example of “heat of moment” is road rage, or maybe that little old lady the keeps yak’in away with the cashier while your ice melts on the conveyor belt...who knows.
England past a law banning hand guns. Since, crime has increased 40%. People of England are telling the people of the United States, don’t let this happen to you.
This video is 9 minutes long, but very interesting. I would recommend watching it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGVAQOUi6ec
KK, I'm sure that stolen guns make it out to the streets. I just find it difficult to believe that burglars are supplying all, or even the majority, of the illegal guns out there. I tried to find some information on where illegal guns come from. A lot of sites claim that "straw buyers," who purchase weapons for others or to resell on the black market, are the main source of them. I'm also told that it's not that hard to go to Total 24, see a certain fellow, and take your pick from a car trunk full of weapons - in broad daylight. That was told to me by a gun dealer who said he received the information from some of his customers.
ReplyDeleteMore shootings last night. I heard them. I'm not naive enough to believe that the police can protect me from this. Nor will any artists.
The video has disappeared so I will comment on the NPR analysis this morning (I know, liberal media, but I'm a liberal, what cha gonna do?)
ReplyDeleteFrom what I can tell, they said you have a right to own a gun, but said very little about what regulations are constitutional and which are not. Even Scalia (who wrote the majority opinion I believe) said he expects lots of lawsuits over individual regulations.
So in the end it sound like they struck down the DC law and gave very little guidance on what regulations could permissibly replace it.
Ser,
ReplyDeleteThe "heat of the moment" issue has been around a long time, but the simple fact is that it just doesn't occur with any more frequency in States that allow concealed carry as compared to States that do not.
I'm not sitting here feeling safe, knowing the police are "on it." Not by a long "shot."
ReplyDeleteI own a couple of guns,the thing is,they are up north at my folk's place.I feel that is no purpose to have them in Racine for two reasons. One-I have an 11 year old living with me and I don't want an accident.Two-There is no place to hunt around here.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend at work who's house got broken into and his handguns stolen. The police caught the guy. A 17 year old punk. When asked why-the reply was gang initiation.