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America's Handguns are Controversial, but Constitutional
Voice of America ^ | 12-3-04 | Jeffrey Young

Posted on 12/03/2004 7:40:44 PM PST by RKBA Democrat

Dunblane, Scotland. March 13, 1996. A man walks into a school with a number of handguns and opens fire. Sixteen kindergarten children and a teacher are slaughtered. Britain reacts with such revulsion that Parliament enacts a nationwide ban on privately owned handguns.

Littleton, Colorado. April 20, 1999. Two students at Columbine High School enter with a number of weapons including a modified semi-automatic handgun. The pair opens fire, killing twelve fellow students and a teacher. In the aftermath, the most significant change enacted is the placement of metal detectors at many U.S. schools. Private handguns remain plentiful in America.

The United States permits private gun ownership through its constitution. Handgun owners say the U.S. Constitution’s second amendment clearly protects them and their weapons. It states "A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Attorney Stephen Halbrook, who has defended gun ownership rights before the U.S. Supreme Court, says the constitution’s second amendment was drafted in reaction to events just before the War of Independence. "With the growing dissention of the colonists against British rule, the British seized firearms of all kinds – handguns and long guns – particularly in 1774 to 1775. And that was one of the reasons leading to the American Revolution," he says.

Contentious arguments have ensued over the years regarding the second amendment, with gun opponents asserting that the framers of the constitution meant the right to collective self-protection, not the right of an individual to amass an arsenal of weapons. Yale University law professor Daniel Kahan says the arguments both for and against handguns reflect fervently held beliefs. "The people who support more gun control believe that when people can have more ready access to handguns, there is going to be more violent crime and there are going to be more gun accidents." Mr. Kahan adds "The opposing position is that when ordinary citizens have ready access to guns, they are able to more effectively defend themselves. They’re less likely to be threatened in the first place."

In the U.S. state of Virginia, a group called the Virginia Citizens Defense League is aggressively pushing for greater rights to carry handguns openly. Its president, Philip Van Cleave, insists they are the best means for keeping crime at bay. "The handgun is a portable means of defense, much more portable than a rifle or a shotgun. And therefore, it can go with you virtually everywhere discreetly or not discreetly."

But statistics from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation show that handguns overwhelmingly are an instrument of murder, not a tool of self defense. In 2003 the FBI recorded 7,700 handgun murders nationwide, but only 163 are considered "justifiable homicide" or self-defense. These killings compare to less than 850 murders attributed to rifles and shotguns in 2003.

Underpinning the pro-handgun movement are a huge U.S. firearms industry and many gun rights groups. Mary Leigh Bleck, with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, says Capitol Hill and statehouses nationwide are their focus. "We have a very strong and powerful gun lobby," she says, adding "And they were very effective to kill any legislation that is brought before a state or our Congress."

In 2002, Fortune magazine named the National Rifle Association the most powerful lobby group in Washington. The Washington-based Center for Responsive Politics says the NRA and similar groups have spent at least $75 million over the past 15 years promoting their positions. By comparison, anti-gun forces spent only $4.1 million in the same period. The lobbying also spills over into presidential politics. The NRA strongly backed President Bush’s recent re-election campaign after his administration showed considerable support for the second amendment and opposition to tighter gun controls.

Then there is the impact of mass culture. First, Wild West books and movies portrayed handguns as equalizers or tools of justice. Then came spy movies showing James Bond types in tuxedos brandishing guns. Most recent are the "rap" music videos equating handguns with power and status. Author Richard Slotkin says this media saturation has had a notable effect. "It prepared us to accept guns in some sense as a normal part of life. So that if even in principle people are opposed to handguns, we at least understand the mystique in the handgun."

Observers say many Americans’ support for handguns and other firearms reflects the U.S. tradition of strong individual rights over those of the state, while other countries’ banning of such weapons indicates the opposite.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: bang; banglist; vcdl
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Your Tax Dollars at Work. In this case, they're being spent to write anti-gun screeds.

Our home team, the Virginia Citizen's Defense League is prominently mentioned in the article. Go VCDL!

1 posted on 12/03/2004 7:40:44 PM PST by RKBA Democrat
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To: RKBA Democrat

It's my constitutional right to have a handgun....that's why I own twelve.


2 posted on 12/03/2004 7:45:41 PM PST by USNBandit (Florida military absentee voter number 537.)
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To: USNBandit
Handguns existed at the time of the writing of our Constitution, and since the Second Amendment doesn't discern between Hand and Long guns....it's a No brainer.
3 posted on 12/03/2004 7:48:09 PM PST by BOOTSTICK (MEET ME IN KANSAS CITY)
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To: USNBandit

Twelve. That's a good start.


4 posted on 12/03/2004 7:49:54 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo
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To: RKBA Democrat
Attorney Stephen Halbrook, who has defended gun ownership rights before the U.S. Supreme Court, says the constitution’s second amendment was drafted in reaction to events just before the War of Independence. "With the growing dissention of the colonists against British rule, the British seized firearms of all kinds – handguns and long guns – particularly in 1774 to 1775. And that was one of the reasons leading to the American Revolution," he says.

In fact it was it was the "trigger" for the start... The British march on Lexington and Concord was to confiscate guns

5 posted on 12/03/2004 7:52:13 PM PST by tophat9000 (We didn’t rise they sunk look at the blue, water filled, sink holes map (Mike Moore Fatass divots ?)
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To: ButThreeLeftsDo

When I was growing up my dad owned a cannon and an anti-tank rifle. When he passed away we part with them. My brother and I were both in the military which makes transporting large weapons kinda tough. We found a loving home for them, the guy had his own Sherman tank.


6 posted on 12/03/2004 7:53:17 PM PST by USNBandit (Florida military absentee voter number 537.)
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To: RKBA Democrat

The "statistics" do not indicate how may times the presence of a handgun PREVENTED its having to be used.

Manipulative garbage, dressed up to look true.


7 posted on 12/03/2004 7:57:01 PM PST by PoorMuttly ("The right of the People to be Muttly shall not be infringed,")
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To: RKBA Democrat
"But statistics from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation show that handguns overwhelmingly are an instrument of murder, not a tool of self defense. In 2003 the FBI recorded 7,700 handgun murders nationwide, but only 163 are considered "justifiable homicide" or self-defense."

Lets think for a minute. When a gun is used to prevent a crime it is rarely fired at all as when a would-be assailant sees that the would-be victim is armed he likely backs off with no shots fired. Most handgun wounds, in case the assailant doesn't back off, do not result in death (a 1/3 mortality rate from police shootings from memory--could be wrong, but close I imagine). One intent on murder, on the other hand, will fire repeatedly until, well, the victim is dead. The ratio of actual criminal homicide to murder attempts is much, much, much higher than the ratio of justified homicides to handgun defenses. Not apples to apples. Following the article's attempt at logic, I doubt that very many police forces could justify arming themselves.

"By comparison, anti-gun forces spent only $4.1 million in the same period."

Yeah right, if you don't count HUNDREDS of hours of free air time courtesy of the nightly news on NBC, CBS, ABC, and CNN every year pandering to the gun grabbers. I'd add up the $ amount of free advertising that translates into, but my calculator won't go up that high. The MSM's yearly hand wringing over guns is as persistent and as predictable as the constant coverage of the "homeless problem" was during the Reagan years.

On a side note, any one notice that there was not an explosion of violence after the rush to buy guns before Y2K, nor was their an explosion of violence after the rush to buy guns after 9/11? Nor has there been an explosion of violence after state after state enacted CCW laws. Nor has there been an explosion of violence after the 1994 crime bill expired. But, hey, the gun-grabbers have a perfect record, a perfect zero, but a perfect record none the less and that has to count for something.
8 posted on 12/03/2004 8:12:01 PM PST by WmDonovan (http://www.geocities.com/thelawndaletimes)
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To: PoorMuttly
The last thing a person who is anticipating a criminal act would want is a legally acquired, registered hand gun. Illegal weapons will always be available to those who want them whether we pass 4 gazillion gun acts or confiscate every legal weapon in America. What in the world do these ninnies need to get it into their heads that people commit crimes, not weapons. In America you cannot legally manufacture narcotics such as heroin, crack, etc. However, there is no shortage of them around for those who want them.
9 posted on 12/03/2004 8:19:31 PM PST by elephantlips
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To: RKBA Democrat
But statistics from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation show that handguns overwhelmingly are an instrument of murder, not a tool of self defense. In 2003 the FBI recorded 7,700 handgun murders nationwide, but only 163 are considered "justifiable homicide" or self-defense. These killings compare to less than 850 murders attributed to rifles and shotguns in 2003.

This is a perfect example of how to lie with statistics. The author is trying to use these numbers to prove that handguns are "murder weapons". But that conclusion cannot be drawn from these statistics because these numbers only mention handgun related deaths and do not include non-fatal handgun incidents. What about the vast majority of incidents where handguns are used in self defence without shots even being fired?

I personaly have had to resort to using a handgun in self defense on three seperate occasions, in each of which I was threatened with imminent physical harm. Merely displaying the gun was sufficient on two of those unfortunate occasions, and I only had to draw it once. Not once did I pull the trigger. I called the police and reported each incident, and since they interviewed me each time, I can only assume these incidents are recorded somewhere. Where are the authors statistics that include my self defense experiences?

10 posted on 12/03/2004 8:50:01 PM PST by pillbox_girl
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To: RKBA Democrat
First, Wild West books and movies portrayed handguns as equalizers or tools of justice. Then came spy movies showing James Bond types in tuxedos brandishing guns. Most recent are the "rap" music videos equating handguns with power and status.

Yep, that's why I carry. All those Rap music videos. Man, those guys look so cool.

11 posted on 12/03/2004 9:05:24 PM PST by semaj ("....by their fruit you will know them.")
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To: WmDonovan
Lets think for a minute.

That is the very last thing that the liberals want anyone to do and that is why they are dumbing down students as hard as they can, to produce sheep that can be easily lead and manipulated.

12 posted on 12/03/2004 9:07:36 PM PST by Blood of Tyrants (God is not a Republican. But Satan is definitely a Democrat.)
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To: RKBA Democrat
In 2003 the FBI recorded 7,700 handgun murders nationwide, but only 163 are considered "justifiable homicide" or self-defense.

Their favorite tactic, allowing you only part of the information and pretending that's the whole story. Here they only compare dead numbers. the thing they won't tell you is that handguns are used more than 2 million times a year to prevent crime. I have "drawn down" on badguys three times but have never had to fire a shot. These three incidents that I will never forget are just the ones they want to ferget the most.

13 posted on 12/03/2004 9:15:18 PM PST by bad company (I'm a new Grandpa.)
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To: PoorMuttly
Exactly...this is the biggest lie

But statistics from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation show that handguns overwhelmingly are an instrument of murder, not a tool of self defense...

It is estimated that citizens with guns use their firearms for self-defense about a million or so times a year...most without firing a shot!

14 posted on 12/03/2004 9:17:11 PM PST by lawdog
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To: RKBA Democrat
Observers say many Americans’ support for handguns and other firearms reflects the U.S. tradition of strong individual rights over those of the state, while other countries’ banning of such weapons indicates the opposite.

A Man With a Gun is a Citizen.
A Man Without a Gun is a Subject.

15 posted on 12/03/2004 9:23:29 PM PST by Ladysmith (Wisconsin Hunter Shootings: If you want on/off the WI Hunters ping list, please let me know.)
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To: RKBA Democrat
Dunblane, Scotland. March 13, 1996. A man walks into a school with a number of handguns and opens fire. Sixteen kindergarten children and a teacher are slaughtered.

Littleton, Colorado. April 20, 1999. Two students at Columbine High School enter with a number of weapons including a modified semi-automatic handgun. The pair opens fire, killing twelve fellow students and a teacher.

Two things to note: One, There were no armed teachers present who could have responded immediately and lessened the atrocities. Two, the police while armed stood by while the killers slowly executed students in the second case; hence the police often will not save you even if they could.

"A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

The collective defense argument means collective ownership by the state is bogus on the face of the argument by the statists. A militia is a citizen army, not a professional army. Well regulated means the militia is not a rampaging mob, but a disciplined association of citizens who have a moral basis for their purpose. These are citizens who have control and access to arms capable of fighting a foreign attacker of a despot within. That means they have access to the best arms to meet the task, assault weapons.

But statistics from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation show that handguns overwhelmingly are an instrument of murder, not a tool of self defense. In 2003 the FBI recorded 7,700 handgun murders nationwide, but only 163 are considered "justifiable homicide" or self-defense.

Interesting that murder can be equated with self defense in the same breath. It’s also interesting that no measure of how many of the 7,700 who are murdered had access to a handgun to defend themselves. I suspect very few.

16 posted on 12/03/2004 9:43:38 PM PST by LoneRangerMassachusetts (Some say what's good for others, the others make the goods; it's the meddlers against the peddlers)
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To: pillbox_girl

John Lott (Univ. of Chicago) published a book "More Guns, Less Crime" where he does a careful analysis, which led to the astonishing conclusion that is reflected in the title of his book.

He wasn't Pro-Gun (at first), and was, in the beginning, slightly pro-gun control. But the statistics that he carefully researched shows that guns essentially prevent perhaps 2 million crimes each year.

And over time, more evidence gets compiled to bolster his research.

And other countries have actions that further prove his assertion - the latest is in Great Britian. With total gun control, and homeowners not allowed to protect themselves, breakins and other crimes are significantly higher than in the U.S. Since criminals know that the government has de-fanged and de-clawed the population, the criminals can break and enter without much fear of being met by that great equalizer - Mr. Smith and Wesson (or his equivalent.)

But the author of this article chooses to ignore facts which run contrary to his beliefs ...

Mike


17 posted on 12/03/2004 9:48:20 PM PST by Vineyard
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To: PoorMuttly
"But statistics from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation show that handguns overwhelmingly are an instrument of murder, not a tool of self defense. In 2003 the FBI recorded 7,700 handgun murders nationwide, but only 163 are considered "justifiable homicide" or self-defense. These killings compare to less than 850 murders attributed to rifles and shotguns in 2003. " This is Garbage, they dont mention the Prevention Effect.
18 posted on 12/03/2004 9:53:33 PM PST by Haro_546 (US out of UN)
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To: RKBA Democrat

BTTT


19 posted on 12/03/2004 9:56:14 PM PST by Fiddlstix (This Tagline for sale. (Presented by TagLines R US))
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To: elephantlips

The LA shootout illustrates your point succinctly. Many liberals were shocked at the TV footage of two Kevlar armored bank robbers hosing the police with automatic firing MAK weapons. Weapons that were banned by the 1994 AWB. Those guns were not suppose to exist, the liberals cried.


20 posted on 12/03/2004 9:58:04 PM PST by Fee (Great powers never let minor allies dictate who, where and when they must fight.)
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