Guns & Terrorism in the U.S.

Liberty Belles ^ | July 2004 | Jennifer Freeman

[45Auto]

International terrorists who have experienced a measured degree of success in Spain, Germany, and France, are in for a rude awakening when it comes to the United States.

Unlike many European countries, whose culture and people are on the brink of extinction as a result of passive intellectualism, Americans are more than willing to stand up to terrorists in order to preserve our individualism and our liberties. We are a nation born of rebels who have fought and won wars not only to preserve our own liberties, but to preserve the liberties of other nations as well. One might even argue that, for some Americans, such a battle invigorates the spirit.

And while terrorists continue to attack private, non-military citizens around the globe, the United States is made up of private, non-military citizens who are legally armed and able to defend themselves and others in the immediate area. And while terrorists may be made up of students, businessmen, and women, armed Americans come from every walk of life. You never know who, in our society, is alert and able to take action at a moment's notice. It could be a banker, a florist, a ballerina, a football player, a soccer mom, drama coach, businessperson, gas station attendant, bus driver, airline pilot, hairstylist, or radio talk show host. Americans, armed or unarmed, will not stand down in the face of terrorism. And we will not instruct our military to stand down, either.

Sophisticated Europeans may turn up their collective noses in disgust at the barbaric Americans. But it is the Americans who will lead the charge that will likely save the day for Europe. Again.

There are some who do not fully understand how firearm ownership could possibly protect us against mustard gas, bombs, or suitcase nukes. After all, it's not like anyone is going to shoot a bomb or a virus. An alert citizen, on the other hand, could neutralize a terrorist prior to his committing the act.

We know that homicide bombers strap bombs to their bodies prior to setting them off. If an armed citizen were to neutralize a homicide bomber prior to an attack, many lives could be saved. Potential homicide bombers may reconsider such an action if the only death involved in the attack would be their own. Certainly, if anyone on the airplanes of September 11th had been armed, thousands of lives could have been saved.

There is another, indirect, benefit to firearm ownership, however. That benefit is the self-defense mindset. Armed or unarmed, Americans have a culture of intolerance when it comes to anyone who would try to infringe upon our liberties. Even the pacifists, who choose not to fight back with weapons, will use their voice to decry any injustice upon our people. Of course, the pacifists reap the benefits of an armed citizenry as well.

So, to the terrorists who think they can impose their way of life on Americans through violence and fear - Let's Roll.

Jennifer Freeman is Executive Director and co-founder of Liberty Belles, a grass-roots organization dedicated to restoring and preserving the Second Amendment

[mil-vet]

... Americans have a culture of intolerance when it comes to anyone who would try to infringe upon our liberties.

... unless they are LIBERAL americans (small "a" on purpose), a la micky moore.

This is a nice piece - in general, I think it's true; the 9/11 aircraft which crashed in PA is an excellent bit o' proof that the American spirit still lives.

"Let's roll", indeed!!

[ZULU]

Its still true for the most part.

Which is why the leftists in Washington want to take our guns.

They WANT us to rely on Mommy Government for everything.

[AngryJawa]

We know that homicide bombers strap bombs to their bodies prior to setting them off. If an armed citizen were to neutralize a homicide bomber prior to an attack, many lives could be saved.

This scenario has actually occurred several times in Isreal. In one instance, it was a woman who pulled a CCW from her purse and put a shot right between the terrorist's running lights before he could jihadulate.

[dd5339]

Happiness is a 5" 1911 on my belt!

Semper Fi

[Spok]

I have a CCW, and right after 9/11, I started carrying regularly, mostly just because it made me feel better. I can't say where they're going to hit us, but I do know where it's not going to be easy for them.

[Spottys Spurs]

Good post! Well said. I couldn't agree more.

[bad company]

What we were just talking about ping.

[230FMJ]

Similar thoughts here. After a career as a Deputy Sheriff where I had to carry, I took a certain pleasure in not carrying. Since 9/11/01 I feel that NOT carrying is a luxury I can ill afford.

[George from New England]

Ditto here.

[freeeee]

Americans have a culture of intolerance when it comes to anyone who would try to infringe upon our liberties.

[Kozak]

Yeah. Any Jihadi on a flight now is gonna get a warm welcome.

[Robert357]

I am reminded about the discussion among Japanese Army officers about the time of WW-II. During a discussion of invading the US, one of them was horified and told the other, that they actually had state marksmanship competitons among ordinary citizens using military rifles that were owned by the citizens. To invade the US would be a disaster.

There is also the story about the Swiss General giving the radio broadcast prior to a potential invasion of Switzerland by Germany, telling his fellow Swiss Countrymen that if they heard any messages of surrender or ceasefire, they were not to be believed as they would surly be propaganda. The Swiss General urged his countrymen to fight to the death or the last bullet. The order to invade did not come about.

Those who sacraficed their lives by trying to overtake the 9/11 flight that crashed in PA showed the courage and commitment to freedom of the people of this country when they are called upon.

While some suicide terrorists might succeed, others will be stopped and they will spend their lives for nothing.

I doubt that Americans will allow another plan to by highjacked and used as a weapon. I see AlQuada knows this and is now looking at fabricating mid-air bombs to blow plans up as they know no one will allow them to take control of them. What the future holds will be different, but just as the fellow passengers subdued the stupid shoe bomber, passengers will step forward and stop future terrorists.

[Capriole]

Some of you can carry legally (she says self-pityingly). Some of us will get ourselves thrown in jail if we get caught doing it.

~Capriole, resident of the Soviet Socialist Republic Maryland, the original Nanny State

[Gritty]

It is not necessarily a question of defending ourselves against bombs or gas. It may be against terrorists armed with firearms.

There have been numerous cases where terrorists have run amuck with firearms and killed numerous people, the most recent coming to mind being the slaughter of over 50 German tourists in Egypt, where they were leisurely hunted down by gun-toting Jihadists when the cops ran away. Without guns to protect themselves, the tourists were slaughtered.

How many such targets are available in the USA for several heavily armed terrorists to systematically murder hundreds if they are unopposed, except by nightstick armed elderly mall guards?