Posted on 12/18/2004 10:42:36 AM PST by forest
One result of the terrorist threats is a steady business in the gun shops. Many thousands of Americans have been purchasing their first weapon, then wondering about all the little associated problems -- like, what to do with it.
That handgun is designed to kill people. That's about it. Other than acting as a paperweight in the "in box," there's not much else it can do effectively.
On the other hand, handguns have a lot in common with other tools, such as a chain saw or automobiles. All can kill people when used improperly. All require some specific knowledge to operate properly. And, we should never allow little kids access to any of them unless under strict supervision.
Some people teach kids to drive at a very young age -- I learned when I was twelve. Even more Americans teach their children to shoot at a young age. Personally, I helped teach some Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts a few decades ago. The fact is, in many areas of the country, it is common to see young boys, not yet old enough to drive, carrying guns around. We did, as kids.
Shooting should be a family affair. Children need not learn to shoot with dad's 357 magnum, or even a 9mm. The trusty 22 is available for that and I still own the original Ruger 22 semiautomatic handgun that was evidently designed with young kids in mind. Still today, neighbor men borrow that Ruger to teach their sons and daughters to shoot safely. My only requirement is that they also make care and cleaning of the pistol a part of that training.
It is not just our right to protect home and family, it is also our duty. Police are spread thin in most communities and usually stay busy. We are our own first line of defense.
Writing for the Wall Street Journal in "Only Guns Can Stop Terrorists," Professor John R. Lott, Jr. reported: "States that pass concealed handgun laws experience drops in violent crimes, especially in multiple victim shootings -- the type of attack most associated with terrorism. Bill Landes and I found that deaths and injuries from multiple-victim public shootings fell by 80% after states passed right-to-carry laws."[1]
In some areas of the country, some men sometimes openly carry handguns. For many reasons, I prefer concealed carry, but that is my personal preference. Nonetheless, those who carry openly make a very good point. They want potential terrorists and other types of misbehaving cretins to know that any type of threatened violence will be met with immediate force.
The liberals, of course, get all bent out of shape about either open or concealed carry. However, both are allowed in many areas of the country, so there is nothing the liberal gun grabbers can do about it -- other than whine.
John Lott reports a self-evident fact: "It's harder to victimize armed citizens." Now that more than 30 states issue concealed carry permits for almost anyone who wants one and takes the training, there are millions of good Americans who are often both armed and well trained. Which means, there is also likely to be a number of good armed Americans able to respond in an emergency. This could be a rather significant surprise, and deterrent, for a would-be terrorist.
The average citizen cannot do much of anything to stop the use of aircraft as bombs, of course. Still, there are a number of other things we all can and should do -- such as pay attention to what is happening around us. If something happens that is too unusual and out of place, call it in and let the armed men who also have badges investigate the situation.
Because, even though millions of good citizens may be armed today, they are also trained to understand that there are very few instances when they may actually legally use their weapons. The protection of self, family and others nearby from instant harm is one instance. But, that's about it.
Everything else is police work. And to initiate that, the legal weapon of choice is still the telephone.
So why are we walking around armed? Because, as Professor John R. Lott, Jr. reported: "States that pass concealed handgun laws experience drops in violent crimes, especially in multiple victim shootings." As many studies show, when honest citizens, competent with weapons, are walking about armed, all of society benefits. It is as simple as that.
1. <http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=95001226>
Nice article
Baloney.
It can also scare the bejezzus out of a bad guy intending you harm, without even being fired.
It's used that way thousands of times every day.
Colt 38 Special. Fits nicely in my CC holster.
Brings a smile to my face on this clear sunny morning.
Bump!
Excellent point. I like to draw the analogy between an armed citizenry, where everyone feels involved in the safety of the community, and the economic dynamics of a free market. Just as the market (as opposed to the planned economy) works--and brings out the best in everyone, because by its nature, everyone is involved; so a community where everyone is involved in protecting that community, is a much safer community than one depending upon a few "experts." Put another way, as the ratio of the armed and law-abiding rises as against the lawless with criminal intent, we begin to win the war against the latter.
For more, see The Right & Duty To Keep & Bear Arms.
William Flax
Funny how that works.
One of the acquaintances I have made since 9/11 was a nice guy that I always assumed was very liberal. He once told me that on 9/11 his uptown building was evacuated and he walked down the street to a sporting goods store and bought 1,000 rounds of ammunition. He already had guns.
Just goes to show you that "there is a gun behind every blade of grass" in this country.
I read someplace that there is approximately 3k a day events of a armed citizen defending their person in the USA. If its just saying. "Back off I have a gun" or actually in justifiable homicide.
Could be wrong but I don’t think so. I do know that armed folks far out way LEO’s in protecting their person.
So I wonder what the math is on 3k by the amount of people in the US and what would the % be that someone would have to defend there person.
I have been in three so far. Over a period of 14 years. Two of them I wasn’t armed and in state where it was outlawed. The third one the drug addict criminal ran so fast it was amazing. He never saw a pistol but he heard the slide slam and he was gone like lighting. Left his girl behind as well. She was so stoned she didn’t know what was happening.
fools
BTTT
Actually Gary Fleck's number was two million times a year which is over 5,000 times a day.
3 Million times a year according to the latest FBI report.
Just about right. Gary Kleck of the University of Florida has placed the number at about 2.5 million per year.
I also haave three guns, a .22 Browning, a S&W .38 with a 6" barrel, and a S&W .357 Model 19 with a 6" barrel that are all great fun on a target range. Larger caliber semi-autos and short barrel revolvers work a little better for self defense, IMHO. This HAS to start an argument.
I wish NJ was a little more lax about CC permits. I hope to move somewhere eventually where I can get myself one. I don't live in an area where I'm worried about getting a gun pulled on me too often, but I would have loved to have my S&W 686 on my hip when some illegal tried to shank me in my own town.
see there ya go. I was only wrong by 2k :o)
I dont leave home with out one of my 45's. Even if Im only going out to get a coffee or Im traveling on the road. Its all the same to me.
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