Posted on 10/06/2017 7:09:59 PM PDT by John Semmens
Like clockwork, the murderous rampage in which a sniper shot more than 500 people, killing 58 of them, from a Las Vegas high-rise hotel last Sunday has inspired renewed calls for gun control legislation. Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) called for "Republicans to join Democrats in order to pass legislation that will once-and-for-all disarm those who have no need for guns."
From what we know about the alleged shooter it seems unlikely that any gun legislation would be effective in deterring this type of crime. After all, murder is already illegal and carries the most severe penalties under existing laws. A person willing to violate the law against murder does not seem likely to be deterred by adding a weapons violation, especially when mass killers usually are killed in shootouts with law enforcement officers or commit suicide. Another inconvenient fact is that some of the places in the US with the strictest gun control laws and very low rates of National Rifle Association (NRA) membership have disproportionately high rates of gun violence.
Facts and logic did not dissuade Schumer from accusing the NRA with complicity in gun-related deaths. "The NRA has bought the votes of congressmen who oppose reining-in this evil organization," he argued. The Senator rebuffed "the right to bear arms" as "an obsolete concept. When the Second Amendment was adopted ordinary citizens needed firearms to hunt for food or to defend themselves when help was hours or days away. Well, everyone I know buys their food at a grocery store or restaurant. And with 911, help is only minutes away. The need for individuals to have personal arms just isn't there anymore."
Schumer hailed late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel as an example of how civilized people should behave. "He didn't go out and buy himself a bunch of guns," the Senator pointed out. "He just beefed up his armed security detail. Not only are the guns protecting Mr. Kimmel in the hands of trained professionals, he is also providing jobs for ex-military and retired police. I call that a win-win solution for America."
While Schumer expressed outrage that the NRA would provide campaign contributions to legislators who oppose gun control he seemed unperturbed by Planned Parenthood donating to legislators who oppose abortion. Since 1973—the year the US Supreme Court created a universal right to abortion—there have been 1.5 million gun-related deaths vs. 55 million abortion-related deaths. Some of the gun-related deaths were accidental. Some were suicide. But all of the children killed by abortion were intentional homicide. Statistically, the votes "bought" to oppose abortion have taken a far greater toll on human lives than any votes "bought" by the NRA.
if you missed any of this week's other semi-news/semi-satire posts you can find them at...
https://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Opinion/226842-2017-10-06-semi-news-semi-satire-october-8-2017-edition.htm
ping
What if about 500 of the party goers had a weapon on them? If several of them had a Siaga 308 over their shoulders they could have shot back.
Minor quibble: It’s looking like many, if not most, of the nonfatal injuries were from trampling and the like. No hard numbers yet.
Ya don’t have a NEED for a gun..............UNTIL suddenly, YOU DOOO!
Then it’s a bit late to fill out the paperwork, get the ‘certificates’, buy the gunsafe, wait out the ‘waiting period’, get ammo........................
This army vet says it’s not that simple shooting at a target 400 yards away and 32 stories up behind cover with a 308 auto or semi . You need a snipers setup to be effective believe it or not .
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