Second Amendment Stuff

USA Today Editorial - Gun Laws Take a Radical Turn

Is anyone surprised that USA Today would take a stand against the rights of the individual?

In their recent editorial, they say that gun  laws are taking a radical turn.

"Gun rights activists have taken their national victories not as a reason to pat themselves on the back, but as reason to push forward with an agenda that ranges from radical to idiotic."

"Just this month, North Dakota joined more than a dozen other states that have said an employer cannot ban an employee from bringing a weapon to work, so long as it is kept in the worker's vehicle."

When will they learn? Ever since the drive for 'shall issue' concealed carry laws began decades ago, the anti-gunners have insisted it will lead to shoot-outs in the street. The facts tell a very different story. For USA Today and others, those facts just aren't convenient.

After you read their point of view, be sure you check out the Opposing View, penned by Erich Pratt of Gun Owners of America.

"Several states are passing Stand Your Ground laws and loosening their concealed carry laws, making it easier for people to defend themselves … and that’s a good thing."

A good thing indeed!

What do you think?

 

University of Iowa Student Group Backs Carrying Guns on Campus

Across the country, numerous states are considering legislation to allow students with Concealed Carry licenses to carry their weapons on campus.

As you might imagine, there are many exhibiting signs of Chicken Little syndrome. There are others who understand the need:

The new group, Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, is a UI chapter of a national group that has about 43,000 members. Iowa State University also has a chapter. They advocate that people who are licensed to carry firearms should be allowed the same protection on campus that they have in most other places under Iowa law, August Meyer, UI senior in psychology and a UI chapter founder, said. “A person who is licensed to carry a firearm off campus isn’t going to be any more dangerous on campus,” Meyer, 26, said. “Public safety is our No. 1 priority and concern.” 

Read move at www.kcrg.com

I regularly hear the naysayers claim that the local or campus police are more than prepared to handle any situation that might come along and that students don't need to be armed.  You know ... I expect the 32 people who died at Viginia Tech would take issue with that.

What do you think?

Massachusetts Sued Over Gun Rights of Legal Immigrants

At issue here is the basic right of self-defense. It's a core concept for many of us in the gun-rights movement. 

What we have before us is the fact that the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts (#3 for the strictest gun laws in the U.S. per the Brady Campaign) has a law on the books that denies legal non-U.S. citizens the right to possess a handgun in their own homes.

Under the current law in Massachusetts, legal permanent residents -- who carry what is commonly referred to as a "green card" -- are not allowed to hold a firearm identification card or license to carry of any kind. Instead, they must apply for a resident alien permit, which allows a person to possess only a “low capacity” rifle or shotgun.

Therein lies the case. The SAF, a non-profit group dedicated to the right to keep and bear arms, and the plaintiffs, believe that under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution -- which gives Americans the right to bear arms -- there is no language that restricts firearms rights and privileges for lawfully admitted residents based on citizenship.

Read more at FoxNews

What do you think? 

God & Guns

I was reading an article in the Washington Post today that reminded me of an old joke. It goes like this:

A flood is expected to wipe out a small town and evacuation is begun. A jeep is driving through town and comes across a guy standing on his front porch. “Hop in,” they said, “The flood will be coming in any minute.” “Don’t worry about me,” the man replied, “I have faith that God will save me.” Unable to change his mind, they drove on without him.

Soon the flood waters began to roll in, and a rescue team drifted by this man’s house in a boat. “Hop in,” they requested, “We’ll get you out of here.” “Don’t worry about me,” was the man’s reply, “I have faith that God will save me.” Unable to change his mind, the rescue team continued on without him.

Not long after that, the flood waters had completely covered this man’s house, and he was hanging from the chimney. A rescue crew in a helicopter spotted him and dropped him a ladder. The man refused the ladder insisting that God would save him. Unable to change his mind, the helicopter went on without him.

The water continued to rise and the man drowned. On his way through the pearly gates, he met up with God and exclaimed, “You really let me down! I had faith that you would save me and look what happened!” “Well let’s see,” was God’s reply, “I sent you a jeep, a boat and a helicopter.”

So where's the connection?

It seems that Virginia's Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli II, recently rendered an opinion that has ruffled a few feathers. In his opinion, he stated that Virginia's Concealed Carry laws allowed for those with a Concealed Carry license to carry their weapon (concealed of course) into a church service. I say HALLELUJAH! However, there are some that oppose this opinion on religious grounds with comments like “A house of worship is for celebration of life, and to carry a concealed weapon into that space is to violate that sacred space.” or “God is our protector. He is our savior.”

As a devout Christian, I put my faith in God every single day. Unlike the man in the joke above however, I don't expect God to send winged angels to lift me from harm's way. He protects me by sending others who are equipped to help, or by giving me the gifts or abilities to protect myself.

Is church a place for a "celebration of life"? Absolutely ... and there is no better way to do that than by being prepared to defend it.

Be sure to check out "At some Virginia churches, guns are an invisible part of the routine" from the Washington Post.

Cab Driver Kills Robber

Just in case you didn't know ... research by criminologist Gary Kleck found as many as 2.5 million defensive or protective uses of guns each year in the U.S. “[T]he best available evidence indicates that guns were used about three to five times as often for defensive purposes as for criminal purposes,” Kleck concluded.  His research also indicates that most of those incidents end without a single shot being fired.  In fact, in only 1% of instances are criminals wounded, and in only 0.1% are criminals killed.

Well ... we can file this one under the 0.1% column:

A veteran cab driver shot and killed a 20-year-old man who pointed a shotgun at him during an early morning robbery Wednesday, according to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police.

The cab driver was lucky to be armed.  His attacker had been previously convicted on numerous occasions.  It's safe to say that he won't be again.

Check out the full story in the Charlotte Observer.

North of the border ...

While this site is dedicated to the protection of the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, we acknowledge that this is not the only country where the anti-gun community has reared its ugly head.

In an article written by Clive Edwards, and posted on enterstageright.com:

It is worth noting that over the course of the gun control debate in Canada the emphasis has shifted from "sporting use" and "hunting" as valid reasons for owning firearms to "personal protection". The logic of this shift is unavoidable; sports, even hunting are not protected by either the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or the UN Declaration of Human Rights. Personal protection is protected by both.

Clive makes some very sound and cogent points in his piece.  Be sure to check it out in full by clicking here.

Commissioner stands up to gunman's robbery attempt

A Knox County, TN commissioner did not let a gunman rob his business. Instead he pulled out his own gun. Check out the full details in the linked article below.

Knox Co. commissioner stands up to gunman's robbery attempt