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We can limit gun violence by empowering responsible citizens to defend themselves
The Seattle Times ^ | August 24, 2006 | James J. Na

Posted on 08/25/2006 6:22:03 PM PDT by neverdem

As Seattleites emerge from their state of shock over the July 28 shooting spree at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, there no doubt will be discussions on how to prevent a repeat of this kind of monstrous evil, whether perpetrated as a form of decentralized terrorism inspired by anti-Semitism, or as an act of a deranged individual.

Predictably, there will be cries to restrict the instruments of Naveed Afzal Haq's actions — firearms — as a means to control violence of this sort in the future. Coming on the heels of another shooting spree in March of this year on Capitol Hill, there will be much political temptation to be seen to be "doing something."

And legislating more restrictions on the right to keep and bear firearms is often viewed as an emotionally satisfying and politically convenient way to meet that psychological need to do something — anything — in the aftermath of a tragedy like this.

But that inclination is misguided on two points, one based on principle and the other on practicality. First, as a matter of principle, a free, open society like ours does not, and ought not, preemptively restrict freedom of the general population out of fear that a small criminal minority would misuse that freedom.

Just as the fact that a few pedophiles use the Internet to trade child porn should not move the society to restrict access to the Internet for the public at large, neither should the right of the vast majority of responsible, law-abiding citizens to own and carry guns be sacrificed in the false hope that criminals would then be constrained.

Second, as a matter of practicality, such a restriction on guns does nothing to curb violence. Even if legal firearm ownership were completely banned today, no serious person would...

(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: District of Columbia; US: Mississippi; US: North Carolina; US: Washington; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: banglist
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1 posted on 08/25/2006 6:22:03 PM PDT by neverdem
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To: neverdem

"...shall not be infringed."


2 posted on 08/25/2006 6:29:22 PM PDT by Jack Hammer
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To: neverdem

Things havn't changed since Dr. John Lott published the results of his exhaustive research in his book "More Guns, Less Crime".

When law-abiding citizens possess firearms ALL forms of violent crime decrease. Will some people ever face reality?


3 posted on 08/25/2006 6:29:50 PM PDT by T.L.Sink
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To: Joe Brower

How did this get printed? ping!


4 posted on 08/25/2006 6:31:44 PM PDT by FreedomPoster (Guns themselves are fairly robust; their chief enemies are rust and politicians) (NRA)
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To: neverdem

July 28 shooting spree at the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle

Never reported by broadcast media in my area.
Fortunately, I'm a Freeper.


5 posted on 08/25/2006 6:33:06 PM PDT by Westlander (Unleash the Neutron Bomb)
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To: FreedomPoster

I was wondering how it got printed, too--especially in Seattle, of all places!


6 posted on 08/25/2006 6:33:22 PM PDT by basil (Exercise your Second Amendment Rights--buy another gun today!)
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To: neverdem
Just as the fact that a few pedophiles use the Internet to trade child porn should not move the society to restrict access to the Internet for the public at large, neither should the right of the vast majority of responsible, law-abiding citizens to own and carry guns be sacrificed in the false hope that criminals would then be constrained.

Very concise! I love it!

7 posted on 08/25/2006 6:35:00 PM PDT by beltfed308 (Nanny Statists are Ameba's.)
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To: doc1019

So who is to determine who is “responsible” … the second amendment doesn’t concerned itself with “responsible”, just that all citizens have a right to own and bear arms.


8 posted on 08/25/2006 6:48:52 PM PDT by doc1019
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To: doc1019

You are responsible until you prove otherwise.


9 posted on 08/25/2006 6:53:40 PM PDT by Disambiguator (Don't mess with Israel.)
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To: neverdem

Actually, we can limit ALL forms of violence in the following manner:

1. Respect and ENFORCE the 2nd amendment. If I have a rocket (firearm) in my pocket, it's no one's business unless I commit a crime. And that includes if I carry it on government property or on YOUR property. My right to breathe does not end at your property limits. My right to life does not end at your property limits. If you don't want me to carry a weapon on your property, then do not let ANYONE on your property. That is your right. If you invite me on your property in any sense of the word 'invite' INCLUDING hiring me for pay in any way, you invite my INALIEANABLE RIGHTS with me.

IN OTHER WORDS, IF YOU LET ME ON YOUR PROPERTY FOR ANY REASON, COMMERCIAL OR OTHERWISE, MY GUN RIGHTS COME WITH ME, JUST AS MY RIGHT TO BREATHE COMES WITH ME.

If you don't want my right to live, my right to defend myself, my GUN RIGHTS on your property, then don't let ANYONE on your property.

Do not think you can exclude me, for I happen to have a racial minority component in my blood. I can do the "they are racists!" thing if you try to deny my gun rights. And I will definately take it to the media, the new media and the local media.

Even better, my skin is 'white'. You can't see me coming you liberal-limousine racists! Hehe. Go ahead, anti-gun-rights folk. Make my retirement RICH.

Take special note, DU trolls.

For those of my FR FRiends who disagree with me:

I bet msst of you are cops or old ladies.

I can't do or say anything to change the mind of an old lady.

As far as cops go:

The bad guys already have machine guns.

If you are stuck in some place and backup is tied up in some more "high priorty" departmental thing.

Would you not welcome a citizen with a pistol coming to your aid? Have the words "Officer, I am with you!" lost all meaning?

Or is only the politically correct, unarmed grandmothers whou are acceptible to the FR WOD stormtroopers?


10 posted on 08/25/2006 7:06:38 PM PDT by LibKill (Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. - Benjamin Franklin)
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To: neverdem

Wow, this guy really seems to get it.


11 posted on 08/25/2006 7:07:06 PM PDT by indiana_gop
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To: neverdem
"We can limit gun violence by empowering responsible citizens to defend themselves"

Okay, as a responsible Citizen I hereby authorize every other responsible Citizen to defend themselves using a force superior to that being used against them The field of self-defense is always tilted in favor of the innocent.

Government can't give you the right to defend yourselves. I'm only reminding you of the right you were born with.

12 posted on 08/25/2006 7:12:12 PM PDT by Eastbound
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To: Disambiguator

That is why I have a problem with the Sullivan Law (in NY), so unconstitutional it should be consider treason, but it is a law nonetheless.


13 posted on 08/25/2006 7:17:01 PM PDT by doc1019
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To: neverdem
Excellent guest editorial!!!
Thanks for the thread.
14 posted on 08/25/2006 7:48:36 PM PDT by vox_freedom (Matthew 5:37 But let your speech be yea, yea: no, no)
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To: T.L.Sink

... speaking of. Just got my shiny new Para Ordinance Slim Hog. Sweet!
Maybe doesn't fit this thread, but I had to tell someone. I can't tell my wife where the 800 bucks went!


15 posted on 08/25/2006 7:54:25 PM PDT by FunkyZero
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To: doc1019

Your local tyrant. The National Reasonable-regulation Asses will be happy to substitute until you appoint one.

See http://www.nrawol.com links to keepandbeararms.com archive of NRA loving-gun control abuses that are as evil as Sarah Brady's and less honest. NRA recta osculate my fundament!


16 posted on 08/25/2006 7:56:17 PM PDT by dhuffman@awod.com (The conspiracy of ignorance masquerades as common sense.)
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To: Admin Moderator; nralife; proud_yank; EdReform

Troll alert! Someone call in the kitties.


17 posted on 08/25/2006 8:16:36 PM PDT by Shooter 2.5 (Vote a Straight Republican Ballot. Rid the country of dems. NRA)
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To: dhuffman@awod.com
NRA recta osculate my fundament!

Damn near killed 'em!

;^)

18 posted on 08/25/2006 9:12:59 PM PDT by Disambiguator (Don't mess with Israel.)
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To: FunkyZero

Congratulations on your purchase! My firearm is the very old and reliable "standby" of the police of years gone by -- a .38 Special revolver.

I'll tell you a personal story. My condo was ravaged by two of the recent Florida hurricanes. There was no power, roads were impassable, phones were gone. The police were completely inaccessible -- even if one could have reached them they couldn't have responded. It was everyone for himself.

I loaded my gun and prepared to defend life and property. Except for my battery-powered lamps I was completely alone and isolated for more than a week.

And nothing happened. It wasn't like New Orleanss which turned into the looting and ransaking capital of world crime.

I'll tell you why we fared well in that respect all over Florida. Because so many law-abiding citizens are armed -- we even have concealed carry and the law CLEARLY allows one to use a firearm in such self-defence without worrying about any frivolous law suits.

And, any would-be looters or invaders KNOW this! So my personal experience verifies what Lott's research demonstrated --- "more guns, less crime".

If my babbling doesn't bore you, and you're interested, I can tell you about my real-life experience in a state that has VERY strict gun control. RSVP and happy shooting! Regards,



19 posted on 08/25/2006 9:22:32 PM PDT by T.L.Sink
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To: Jack Hammer; All

We all know how judicial activists have tried to (mis)interpret the Second Amendment to serve their anti-gun agenda.

I'd be interested in hearing your reaction to one of my "pet" illustrations of why they've in fact often made such wrong interpretations.

We can't speak to the founders but let's take a real-life historical event. In 1804 a Vice President of the United States and a Treasury Secretary fought that now famous duel in which Alexander Hamilton was killed. He and Aaron Burr rowed across the Hudson to the "heights of Weehauken" New Jersey where it occured.

What this primarily illustrates to us is not the idiocy of dueling. No. It clearly proves that these two famous Americans POSSESSED HAND GUNS! This duel took place 13 years after the Second Amendmet (and Bill of Rights) was ratrified.

Unlike many moderns they knew that the phrase "well regulated militia" did NOT in any way prevent ordinary citizens from individually owning firearms. Can there be a clearer meaning of how the Founders understood the Second Amendment than PERSONAL CONDUCT?


20 posted on 08/25/2006 10:04:45 PM PDT by T.L.Sink
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