Day by Day Cartoon by Chris Muir

Monday, September 27, 2010

Well, since everyone else has done it...

I'll take a shot, too.

This babe (?) asks 20 questions about "gun control".

1. Do you believe that criminals and domestic abusers should be able to buy guns without background checks?

Well, in a word, yes. You see, there's this little piece of paper - the US Constitution - that states, in no uncertain terms, that "the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed". What part of that don't you understand?

Criminals and domestic abusers do not magically lose their Constitutional rights until convicted in a court of law and sentenced to prison. When they are released, they are assumed to have "paid their debt to society" and are allowed to rejoin the rest of America as free citizens again.

You may not like this, but that's just too bad.

2. What is your proposal for keeping guns away from criminals, domestic abusers, terrorists and dangerously mentally ill people?

Simple - we don't try. The bad guys will always find a way to get what they want. Every attempt at governmental banning of substances or objects or writings has failed miserably - our latest effort - the "war on drugs" only costs us billions of dollars every year and keeps no one from getting high. Why should we waste money on bans that don't work?

Better we allow everyone who wishes to own and carry a weapon the freedom to do so - see answer #1 - and trust the good will overwhelm the bad. Every private firearm held by a good person out there is a potential to stop the actions of a criminal or terrorist.

3. Do you believe that a background check infringes on your constitutional right to "keep and bear arms"?

Definitely.

4. Do you believe that I and people with whom I work intend to ban your guns?

Definitely. Some of your people have baldy stated this a number of times.

5. If yes to #4, how do you think that could happen ( I mean the physical action)?

1934 National Firearms Act
1968 Gun Control Act
1986 Firearm Owner's Protection Act
Clinton assault weapons ban
Katrina gun confiscation

And so on..

6. What do you think are the "second amendment remedies" that the tea party GOP candidate for Senate in Nevada( Sharron Angle) has proposed?

If the government does not respond to the legitimate grievances of the People, they may become necessary. Remember the American Revolution? The Declaration of Independence?

Those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

7. Do you believe in the notion that if you don't like what someone is doing or saying, second amendment remedies should be applied?

If their actions directly offer harm to me and mine, certainly. Their speech is protected under that same pesky Constitution, unless they offer slander or libel, and that's why we have courts of law.

8. Do you believe it is O.K. to call people with whom you disagree liars and demeaning names?

Liars, yes, if that's what they are. Names, no. This just makes things worse, and makes thinking people imagine the person so responding is of lesser intelligence or maturity.

9. If yes to #8, would you do it in a public place to the person's face?

If it came to that, I certainly would. I'm not a coward, as many who hold opinions counter to mine have demonstrated.

10. Do you believe that any gun law will take away your constitutional rights?

No, I don't THINK so. The Constitution overrides all un-Constitutional laws.

11. Do you believe in current gun laws? Do you think they are being enforced? If not, explain.

Two part question. Trouble counting there?
First, what has belief got to do with whether there are laws currently on the books? If you mean do I believe they are useful or legal, no, I do not THINK they are either.
Second, yes, I know of several places where such illegal laws are being enforced against the wrong people.

12. Do you believe that all law-abiding citizens are careful with their guns and would never shoot anybody?

Another double question.
First, "all law-abiding citizens" includes a subset of idiots, imbeciles, and plain stupid people, not to mention the accident-prone and clumsy. These people need to take responsibility for their actions or omissions.
Second, if you would never shoot anybody, what's the use of having a gun for self-defense? If you want to protect yourself from an attack, you have to be willing to apply suitable force to prevent the attacker from succeeding.

13. Do you believe that people who commit suicide with a gun should be included in the gun statistics?

"Figures lie and liars figure". I do not see how suicides are anyone's business outside the family, if any, of the person committing same, until they involve innocent bystanders.

Statistics have been bandied about by both sides. I can cite several studies that show more guns equates to less crime - look up John Lott some time.

14. Do you believe that accidental gun deaths should "count" in the total numbers?

See #13.

15. Do you believe that sometimes guns, in careless use or an accident, can shoot a bullet without the owner or holder of the gun pulling the trigger?

In some extremely rare circumstances, usually coupled with a careless or foolhardy act or omission on the part of the owner or holder, yes. Does this have any bearing on MY right to self defense? No.

16. Do you believe that 30,000 gun deaths a year is too many?

Another question of statistics and faith. If you lump all deaths involving even peripherally, a firearm, you get that number. If you look at true accidents, you get a much lower number.

Once you get a realistic number of accidental shootings, you need to compare them to other accidental causes of death. The numbers put "gun deaths" way down on the list.

Risk of death during life is unavoidable. Perfect safety is a mirage. People who believe in perfect safety also tend to believe in the Tooth Fairy and that we can spend our way out of national bankruptcy.

17. How will you help to prevent more shootings in this country?

I won't try to prevent "more". Truly justifiable shootings - I have no interest in decreasing these - in fact, I would like to see this number rise. It would be an indicator that the general public is at last fed up with crime and is taking back their right to do something about it.

Accidental shootings - I advocate gun safety education be mandatory in grade school - something like the NRA's "Eddie Eagle" at first, moving up to marksmanship and practical shooting in higher grades, with Olympic-style shooting sports offered in schools for those who desire to participate.

18. Do you believe the articles that I have posted about actual shootings or do you think I am making them up or that human interest stories about events that have happened should not count when I blog about gun injuries and deaths?

I have no idea - I don't frequent your blog. As for the mainstream media, I firmly believe that they tend to cherry-pick stories that support their agenda - and that stories of successful self-defense do not do so.

Do I know that some of your compatriots lie and misquote? Yes.

19. There has been some discussion of the role of the ATF here. Do you believe the ATF wants your guns and wants to harass you personally? If so, provide examples ( some have written a few that need to be further examined).

No. The small interactions I have had with the ATF have been good.
Do I think the ATF needs more oversight and should be investigated? Definitely yes.

20. Will you continue a reasonable discussion towards an end that might lead somewhere or is this an exercise in futility?

I will continue to work towards the repeal of all un-Constitutional laws, whatever their subject. Will I compromise with your people? Never.

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