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Time to Compromise on Gun Control
Townhall.com ^ | April 28, 2008 | Mike S. Adams

Posted on 04/28/2008 11:08:20 AM PDT by neverdem

There is little doubt that this will be the most controversial column I’ve written to date. But sometimes when working in a university environment one is exposed to ideas that one simply cannot repudiate. And this requires a modification of views – even if those views are deeply held - or very fun, or both.

Such an occasion happened last week on Empty Holster Day – an event sponsored by the College Republicans at UNC-Wilmington. It began as an event designed to convince campus leftists that our laws should be modified to allow those above 21 years of age (with valid concealed carry permits) to carry on campus. But the event actually backfired, so to speak.

First (and Second) Amendment hero Tyler Millage – a junior at UNCW - organized the event. Beforehand, he invited Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo to attend. After the always accessible Chancellor ignored both of his emails he posted an open letter to DePaolo on Face Book – and even brought a hard copy to her office. That got her attention and she responded ninety minutes later saying it would be inappropriate for her to attend and thus interject herself into the debate.

Then, after the local news showed up, UNCW released a written statement opposing our position on the gun issue. The statement was released by UNCW Marketing and Communications. That’s the office in charge of disseminating DePaolo’s political views to the tax-paying public at taxpayer expense. They always keep her name out so she won’t have to actually defend her views. DePaolo is also an English Professor – a position perfect for people who have strong feelings but lack the courage to defend them.

This was reminiscent of the time two female students were murdered at UNCW – both by male students with prior criminal records. I argued for background checks to protect the students. The university (DePaolo) disagreed. ABC’s 20/20 invited both me and DePaolo to express our views on national television. I accepted. She declined. This was after DePaolo publicly expressed the need for open communication on the issue – thus revealing her lack of courage and integrity.

But the same thing cannot be said of the UNCW political science professor who ultimately changed my views on gun control. He had really strong feelings and a willingness to face people who disagreed with his views. That’s why he came to visit our “Empty Holster Day” table last Tuesday.

But, unfortunately, the political science professor let his feelings get the better of him, which led directly to my change of heart on gun control. He began hurling epithets like “stupid, ignorant, and crazy” to the nineteen year old Millage. He so badly disrupted the event that the College Republican President called me in my office asking that I come over to try and calm him down.

I gladly complied with her request – largely because I know that these events generate intelligent debate until the first professor shows up.

When I got to the table, I was told that the political science professor said I am “unqualified” to discuss the issue because I am a “right wing nut job.” I ask if it was true that he said that about me. The professor admitted the quote was accurate.

Next, I calmly let him know that 60% of the refereed studies indicate that CCW laws reduce homicide rates while 40% show they have no effect. And none provide evidence that they actually increase homicide rates. I owe the professor an apology because I actually misquoted the number of studies indicating CCW laws reduce homicide rates. The number is actually 15, not nine as I had claimed. Thus, he was right to predict I would present a biased argument. But it was biased in his favor.

After he admitted he had read none of the literature on the topic, I made two requests: First, I asked that he familiarize himself with the literature so he can offer “qualified” commentary. Second, I asked that he stop yelling and hurling epithets at the students.

Surprisingly, the professor responded well to the rebuke. He apologized to me and then he apologized to the students. Then, with the professor under control, the students were able to resume with an informed debate on an important topic. I went back to my office and read the Book of Joshua.

As I was reading the Bible in my office, I reflected on all the childish name-calling by the professor. It was then I realized that a partial gun ban is necessary. Specifically, I concluded that liberals cannot be allowed to own guns, much less carry them on our college campuses. If they cannot control their emotions enough to engage in rational debate, they cannot be expected to handle a firearm responsibly. Handguns were not made for people with shaking hands and raised voices. They were made for those with self-control.

Maybe some will object to the notion that a constitutional right can only belong to one segment of the population. Or maybe their objections will be drowned out by campus feminists shouting “my body, my choice.”


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: banglist; concealedcarrycampus; democrats; emptyholsterday; liberals; mikeadams; rosemarydepaolo; uncwilmington
Dr. Adams will speak at Elon University on Thursday, May 1st at 7:30 p.m. He’ll buy a gun the next day.

Mike Adams is a criminology professor at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and author of Feminists Say the Darndest Things: A Politically Incorrect Professor Confronts "Womyn" On Campus.

1 posted on 04/28/2008 11:08:20 AM PDT by neverdem
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To: neverdem
No compromise for our rights. Not today, not ever. Molon Labe.
2 posted on 04/28/2008 11:09:01 AM PDT by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Democrats spent that time trying to destroy it.)
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To: neverdem

The liberals I know that are almost honest, actually admit they want guns banned because they can’t control themselves.

So, as usual, we must pay for the flaws of others.(idiot liberals)


3 posted on 04/28/2008 11:13:30 AM PDT by the gillman@blacklagoon.com (The republic is over kids!)
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To: AlaskaErik
No compromise for our rights. Not today, not ever. Molon Labe.

I'm guessing that you didn't get as far as the next-to-last paragraph. :=)

4 posted on 04/28/2008 11:15:05 AM PDT by Bob
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To: neverdem

LOL awesome


5 posted on 04/28/2008 11:15:11 AM PDT by wastedyears (The US Military is what goes Bump in the night.)
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To: harpseal; TexasCowboy; nunya bidness; AAABEST; Travis McGee; Squantos; Shooter 2.5; wku man; SLB; ..
"Specifically, I concluded that liberals cannot be allowed to own guns, much less carry them on our college campuses. If they cannot control their emotions enough to engage in rational debate, they cannot be expected to handle a firearm responsibly."

Yes, this is correct. Unfortunately, since these sheep don't trust themselves to control themselves, they mistakenly think that everyone else is the same way.

Click the Gadsden flag for pro-gun resources!

6 posted on 04/28/2008 11:15:47 AM PDT by Joe Brower (Sheep have three speeds: "graze", "stampede" and "cower".)
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To: neverdem

I’ll accept the surrender of the gun control freaks but will not compromise with them in any way, shape or form.


7 posted on 04/28/2008 11:15:57 AM PDT by mgc1122
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To: neverdem

Outstanding.

The Professor was PROJECTING. People who reflexively fear guns oftentimes do that.


8 posted on 04/28/2008 11:21:00 AM PDT by dashing doofus (Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber)
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To: mgc1122

Its a joke article. The “compromise” is agreeing to limit gun carrying by “ENRAGED LIBERALS”. lol


9 posted on 04/28/2008 11:22:04 AM PDT by icwhatudo
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To: Joe Brower

Actually liberals should be allowed to own guns, let natural selection take it’s place.
Any way once a gun owning liberal uses it in self defense
he has destroyed his own argument.

What to do with your tax rebate?
Buy a gun and help a gun dealer stay in business.


10 posted on 04/28/2008 11:23:28 AM PDT by tet68 ( " We would not die in that man's company, that fears his fellowship to die with us...." Henry V.)
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To: icwhatudo

“Enraged Liberals”

Isn’t that redundant? ;-)


11 posted on 04/28/2008 11:23:29 AM PDT by dashing doofus (Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber)
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To: neverdem

“Handguns were not made for people with shaking hands and raised voices. They were made for those with self-control.”

POLITENESS RULES WHEN EVERYBODY CARRIES A GUN.


12 posted on 04/28/2008 11:26:38 AM PDT by PetroniusMaximus
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To: the gillman@blacklagoon.com
The liberals I know that are almost honest, actually admit they want guns banned because they can’t control themselves.

I, too, have heard this argument. We can take it as an admission that most of their accusations are merely projections of their own failings.

13 posted on 04/28/2008 11:27:18 AM PDT by MrB (You can't reason people out of a position that they didn't use reason to get into in the first place)
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To: the gillman@blacklagoon.com; Bob

Agreed with Bob

Read the whole thing. You’ll like it

=)


14 posted on 04/28/2008 11:29:41 AM PDT by wastedyears (The US Military is what goes Bump in the night.)
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To: the gillman@blacklagoon.com

Their argument is based on a emotion called “projection”. They feel they may not be able to control themselves therefore NOBODY should own a gun because they may not be able to control themselves.


15 posted on 04/28/2008 11:32:19 AM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (G-d is not a Republican. But Satan is definitely a Democrat.)
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To: the gillman@blacklagoon.com

No gelded linguine-spined liberal would ever pack heat in the first place, so this is a moot issue, hehehe.


16 posted on 04/28/2008 11:32:51 AM PDT by Emperor Palpatine ("There is no civility, only politics.")
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To: wastedyears

I did read it.


17 posted on 04/28/2008 11:37:06 AM PDT by the gillman@blacklagoon.com (The republic is over kids!)
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To: neverdem
But sometimes when working in a university environment one is exposed to ideas that one simply cannot repudiate.

I think he means "refute." Townhall again showcases its complete lack of copy editing.

18 posted on 04/28/2008 11:57:29 AM PDT by xjcsa (Has anyone seen my cornballer?)
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To: Bob
I'm guessing that you didn't get as far as the next-to-last paragraph. :=)

Not until after I posted! My blood was boiling and I posted in haste.

19 posted on 04/28/2008 12:04:34 PM PDT by AlaskaErik (I served and protected my country for 31 years. Democrats spent that time trying to destroy it.)
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To: neverdem
As I was reading the Bible in my office, I reflected on all the childish name-calling by the professor. It was then I realized that a partial gun ban is necessary. Specifically, I concluded that liberals cannot be allowed to own guns, much less carry them on our college campuses. If they cannot control their emotions enough to engage in rational debate, they cannot be expected to handle a firearm responsibly. Handguns were not made for people with shaking hands and raised voices. They were made for those with self-control.

I came to that conclusion many years ago.

Never leave small children, incompetents or UNRELIABLE ADULTS unsupervised around loaded (or unloaded) weapons of any type.

Best regards,

20 posted on 04/28/2008 12:16:58 PM PDT by Copernicus (California Grandmother view on Gun Control http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7CCB40F421ED4819)
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To: neverdem

Time to compromise with the Constitution and Bill of Rights.

NEVER!!!


21 posted on 04/28/2008 12:23:02 PM PDT by mountainlion (Concerned Conservative.)
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To: dashing doofus
“Enraged Liberals” Isn’t that redundant? ;-)

No ... some of them are cringing whiners, utterly incapable of rage.

22 posted on 04/28/2008 12:25:44 PM PDT by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilization is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: neverdem

As if we haven’t already compromised our right to keep and bear arms. What a crock of crap.


23 posted on 04/28/2008 12:27:45 PM PDT by calex59
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To: xjcsa

No, I think Adams means repudiate. But you can ask him yourself. His Email address is at the top of the Townhall page.


24 posted on 04/28/2008 12:32:13 PM PDT by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: neverdem
Excellent article. Dr. Adams truly "gets it", which is a rare and remarkable for a college professor today... actually, sanity is a rare and remarkable thing for a college professor today, so all the more credit is due him. He's right about liberals being so deeply angry about everything (the whole "life is not fair" thing seems to bug them to no end) that one wonders whether they could ever be trusted with firearms. On the other hand, the experience of training with, using, and carrying a firearm has made many people, including me, much more cautious and reserved in dealing with others. One's responsibility needs to be far higher when possessed of a deadly weapon, as opposed to a big mouth.
25 posted on 04/28/2008 12:38:07 PM PDT by andy58-in-nh (Kill the terrorists, secure the borders, and give me back my freedom.)
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To: neverdem

LOL. It’s sure easy to see who has actually read the article by their response.


26 posted on 04/28/2008 12:41:16 PM PDT by glock rocks ( Woof.)
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To: neverdem
It was then I realized that a partial gun ban is necessary. Specifically, I concluded that liberals cannot be allowed to own guns, much less carry them on our college campuses. If they cannot control their emotions enough to engage in rational debate, they cannot be expected to handle a firearm responsibly.

Nonsense. We already have laws restricting the possession and use of firearms by demonstrably mentally deficient people. No need for redundant laws.

27 posted on 04/28/2008 12:50:21 PM PDT by TigersEye (Berlin 1936. Olympics for murdering regimes. Beijing 2008.)
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To: ArrogantBustard

True. I guess I was thinking more of the pro-Hillary crowd, rather than the Obamanites who are more like you described.


28 posted on 04/28/2008 12:50:57 PM PDT by dashing doofus (Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber)
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To: neverdem
I should be able to own and carry all the guns I want. If I have more guns than I can carry, I should be able to hire a trusted assistant to help me carry them, thereby providing a job for one or more people.
29 posted on 04/28/2008 12:57:03 PM PDT by Graybeard58
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To: neverdem
I gladly complied with her request – largely because I know that these events generate intelligent debate until the first professor shows up.

There's your problem! Just require that liberal professors get a shot of lithium before attending public events. And frisk them.

30 posted on 04/28/2008 1:01:17 PM PDT by TigersEye (Berlin 1936. Olympics for murdering regimes. Beijing 2008.)
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To: neverdem; Joe Brower

On the way back from Washington State last weekend, I had a blond fellow sit next to my wife & I at the bar (late plane). He had on a shirt printed with tiny peace signs and doves... Ahhh, a target... /evil grin

Within minutes the wife was kicking my shin... I followed her gaze down to his now shaking hands. He had spilled his beer and was scattering nachos all over the bar...

Some simply cannot withstand even a small challange to their world view... lol


31 posted on 04/28/2008 1:01:27 PM PDT by El Laton Caliente (NRA Member & www.Gunsnet.net Moderator)
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To: El Laton Caliente

I like your style.


32 posted on 04/28/2008 1:03:31 PM PDT by xmission (Democrats have killed our Soldiers by rewarding the enemy for brutality)
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To: neverdem

Perhaps we should have a National Smack a Liberal in the face with a rolled up newspaper day. They can’t understand rational argument. Perhaps behavior modification would work.


33 posted on 04/28/2008 1:18:22 PM PDT by Old Mountain man (Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice!)
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To: neverdem

GREAT column!

I believe in gun control, liberals shouldn’t be allowed to own guns...

FUNNY!

Ed


34 posted on 04/28/2008 1:30:49 PM PDT by Sir_Ed
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To: neverdem

... But, unfortunately, the political science professor let his feelings get the better of him, which led directly to my change of heart on gun control. He began hurling epithets like “stupid, ignorant, and crazy” to the nineteen year old Millage...

Specifically, I concluded that liberals cannot be allowed to own guns, much less carry them on our college campuses. If they cannot control their emotions enough to engage in rational debate, they cannot be expected to handle a firearm responsibly. Handguns were not made for people with shaking hands and raised voices. They were made for those with self-control...


Raging Against Self Defense: A Psychiatrist Examines The Anti-Gun Mentality

35 posted on 04/28/2008 1:56:15 PM PDT by EdReform (The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed *NRA*JPFO*SAF*GOA*SAS*RWVA)
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To: Joe Brower
Yes, this is correct. Unfortunately, since these sheep don't trust themselves to control themselves, they mistakenly think that everyone else is the same way.

Just so. As always, thanks for your "bang list" and for including me in it.

36 posted on 04/28/2008 2:06:05 PM PDT by MileHi ( "It's coming down to patriots vs the politicians." - ovrtaxt)
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To: tet68
What to do with your tax rebate? Buy a gun and help a gun dealer stay in business.

BUMP for a repeat. We (because my wife agrees) are going to add another sport utility rifle and the required magazines/ammo thanks to Uncle Sugars duplicity.

37 posted on 04/28/2008 2:11:31 PM PDT by MileHi ( "It's coming down to patriots vs the politicians." - ovrtaxt)
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To: EdReform

Thanks for the link.


38 posted on 04/28/2008 2:22:47 PM PDT by neverdem (I'm praying for a Divine Intervention.)
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To: neverdem

I stopped taking libs to the gunrange. They don’t get it and the only progress they might make is they would want everyone ELSE’S GUN BANNED except their’s.

No reason to help arm the enemy.


39 posted on 04/28/2008 2:57:02 PM PDT by Shooter 2.5 (NRA - Vote against the dem party)
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To: neverdem

btt


40 posted on 04/28/2008 4:45:27 PM PDT by Cacique (quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat ( Islamia Delenda Est ))
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To: Blood of Tyrants
Their argument is based on a emotion called projection. They feel they may not be able to control themselves therefore NOBODY should own a gun because they may not be able to control themselves.

I have read some editorials by leftists who really, um, project their paranoid projections about others. I recently read one editorial about a law that allows people with concealed carry licences to keep a gun in their car. The editorial screamed about paranoid CCW holders pulling out AK-47's and fighting over parking places. I almost thought that the editorial was a parody but I found out it was written by a real leftist. The author seemed to be projecting his own paranoia and immaturity.

41 posted on 04/29/2008 12:53:52 AM PDT by Wilhelm Tell (True or False? This is not a tag line.)
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To: neverdem

Excellent!


42 posted on 04/29/2008 12:58:57 AM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: Wilhelm Tell

And the thing about is that they REALLY believe that people would be having gun fights over parking spaces and fender benders, even though, to my knowledge, it has NEVER happened in any of the 40 states that have shall issue laws!


43 posted on 04/29/2008 5:07:11 AM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (G-d is not a Republican. But Satan is definitely a Democrat.)
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