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Americans brush aside gun fears in desire to bear arms
ft.com ^ | October 3 2001 | By Betty Liu in Atlanta, Sheila McNulty in Houston and Christopher Bowe in Chicago

Posted on 10/03/2001 10:17:49 PM PDT by freedomnews

Americans brush aside gun fears in desire to bear arms

By Betty Liu in Atlanta, Sheila McNulty in Houston and Christopher Bowe in Chicago

Published: October 3 2001 One result of the terrorism crisis has been a rush by Americans to the nation's gun stores in a spending spree that promises to complicate the already complex debate on gun control.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) claims last month's attacks on New York and Washington are yielding a whole new group of supporters who in the past had not thought much about gun control.

For those who purport stricter gun laws, it has suddenly become harder to focus Americans on issues such as gun violence in schools - a central point in the debate this past year - when most are immediately interested in protecting themselves from terrorist assaults. Indeed, any gun control legislation in Congress is likely to remain untouched until the end of the year.

"One of the challenges is that most of our educational opportunities are enhanced when we have a bill to promote but that's not going to happen right now," says Desmond Riley, spokesman for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence. "Things have been put on the backburner. It's not the time to debate such things."

If nothing else, the surge in gun sales has helped back those who advocate greater freedom to own firearms. In Texas, gun shops report sales increases of 10 to 25 per cent, with the clientele shifting from traditional hunters to white collar professionals.

"These are oil men and oil ladies, level-headed people in management positions," says one Texan gun shop owner.

At Landry's Guns in Louisiana, Dale Landry says customers are pouring in to buy bullet-proof vests and "ammo sales are through the roof". The purchases are often linked with other survival items such as military gas masks.

People are also crowding into shooting ranges across the US, some taping pictures of Osama bin Laden on to target boards.

The gun purchasing fervour is also boosted by the renewed sense of patriotism Americans are feeling now - helping to strengthen a belief that the right to bear arms is a part of all that is free in the US. In Florida last week, a state lawmaker introduced a bill to create a new licence plate that would celebrate the right to bear arms, featuring a revolutionary war soldier carrying a musket. In Ohio, state legislators are considering a bill that would allow citizens to carry concealed weapons.

Even the Air Line Pilots Association, the largest pilots union in the US, is lobbying for firearms in the cockpit for self- defence.

Not surprisingly, the NRA is finding itself in the spotlight. The association is publicly supporting the pilots' union and has been inundated with phone calls from people seeking firearms training or knowledge about guns, says Wayne LaPierre, chief executive of the association.

"Whenever you see fear or the possibility of a threat, people go back to their Second Amendment freedoms and run to the NRA as a defender of those freedoms," he says. "A ton of folks have called us saying 'I used to be against you but forget that now.' "

But this may also, in the end, benefit advocates of stricter gun control as well. Although the issue of gun violence in schools has been somewhat overshadowed, many are pointing out another contentious issue: lax procedures in purchasing firearms at gun shows.

"People can buy guns at these shows from certain dealers without undergoing background checks. A terrorist could purchase all sorts of weaponry from these shows," says Mr Riley. "For us, it's a great opportunity now to educate Americans about how easy it is to get guns because the ones buying the guns could be terrorists."

Though the gun control debate is likely to stay in the background for the months to come, problems surrounding gun ownership, of course, will continue. In Virginia recently, a three-year-old boy shot and killed himself while playing with a gun his father bought for protection against terrorists.

Such risks, gun control advocates say, outweigh any benefits - which they consider small - of carrying a weapon as a defence against terrorists.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; News/Current Events
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To: Travis McGee
... to try out their new anti-terrorism powers on folks with "too many guns.

How true ... this will likely occur when the Islamic terrorists become too difficult to locate and defeat. Already the first casualties after 9-11 are the few remaining liberties of law-abiding Americans.

41 posted on 10/04/2001 4:25:28 AM PDT by bimbo
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To: Squantos
KMART took all guns and ammo off shelves......KMART on the verge of bankruptcy.....Gun sales would help them.....
42 posted on 10/04/2001 4:28:42 AM PDT by captnorb
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To: freedomnews
A terrorist could purchase all sorts of weaponry from these shows,"

And they can buy box cutters at almost any retailer.

43 posted on 10/04/2001 4:50:02 AM PDT by TroutStalker
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To: VRWC_Member428
Now is a time when many people are buying guns for the first time. But what should they buy?

First, what would be your concealed carry weapon to take with you wherever and whenever.

For a first time gun for concealed carry, I recommend a snubby wheelgun in .357, since it's almost idiot proof, never jams, can shoot the milder .38, and the ammo is available in huge supply.

Second, what weapons (plural - weaponS) would you want for well rounded home defense? Please define what type of home the weapons you list would be best suited for. (apartment, city home, 5-10 acre country lot, wide open spaces)

For the home, a 12 gauge pump. Easy to operate, doesn't overpenetrate walls, instills instant bowel loosening on any burglar upon the mere sound of it's slide being racked. Again, the ammo is in great supply.

For the perimeter (outside lawn/field) any rifle really. A Rugar Mini-14, a Winchester 94 lever action, a nice 30.06 bolt action...unless you live on the prarie, most of your shots from the house to the perimeter will be under 200 yards. The ammo for .223, 30-30 and 30.06 is readily abundant.

In the suburbs we're only talking a matter of only tens of feet, well within shotgun range.

44 posted on 10/04/2001 4:55:29 AM PDT by Wm Bach
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To: freedomnews
At first glance, rushing out and buying a gun for fear of terrorists might seem rash; however, when one stops to consider that we are at war with a foe who's shown himself to be adept at infiltration...
45 posted on 10/04/2001 4:55:41 AM PDT by Redcloak
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To: NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
I just hope that some gun shop owners are not promoting S&W in order to unload dead stock. The word must get out to not purchase a Smith and Wesson firearm.
46 posted on 10/04/2001 5:00:53 AM PDT by Flint
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To: TroutStalker
And they can buy box cutters at almost any retailer.

Yeah, I can't wait for Lowes to run a background check and make me wait 10 days next time I buy a retractable utility knife. With the current hysteria, it's coming.

47 posted on 10/04/2001 5:07:50 AM PDT by Morgan's Raider
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To: captnorb
KMART took all guns and ammo off shelves......KMART on the verge of bankruptcy.....Gun sales would help them.....

In the Greensboro, NC paper this morning is a big K-Mart ad for hunting gear and at the top of the ad is two rifles that are on specal.

48 posted on 10/04/2001 5:08:06 AM PDT by Flint
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To: freedomnews
"Gun Fears"....ahaha. Who thought that one up? The only gun fear I've ever had was the fear that I would have to fight my own government to keep my guns.

Gun fears, my big ol' hairy butt. The three weenies who wrote that piece probably pee the bed every night.

49 posted on 10/04/2001 5:16:48 AM PDT by Twodees
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Comment #50 Removed by Moderator

To: VRWC_Member428
For concealed carry, I suggest a Glock. They won't go off unless you pull the trigger and have very few parts.

For home, a nice Mossberg 500 series. Inexpensive and effective shotgun. I also have an AR-15, but only have 2
acres of land and most of that is wooded so it is unlikely that it would be used for defense.
51 posted on 10/04/2001 5:27:24 AM PDT by zx2dragon
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To: freedomnews
"People can buy guns at these shows from certain dealers without undergoing background checks. A terrorist could purchase all sorts of weaponry from these shows,"

Here we go again. Ok, freepers, here's a challenge: Go to a gun show, and just see if you can buy a gun without a background check. This quote, unsurprisingly, is one that the anti-gunners tout as loud and as often as possible. I go to probably 3-4 gun shows a year. I have yet to see anyone who has a private collection for sale, and who therefore wouldn't have to do a background check. This provision in gun show rules allow for a person to sell their own private collection at a gun show, without having the burden of doing background checks. What's funny is, they know this is the case. It goes to show just how desperate these people are. They are so desperate that they resort to half-truths, and misrepresentations of the truth to advance their agenda. And if these anti-gunners think that gun shows are some endless source of weapons for terrorists, it just goes to show how stupid they really are. But they aren't stupid. They know what they are saying isn't true, so that makes them what everyone here has known for some time: They are liars.

52 posted on 10/04/2001 5:37:05 AM PDT by Space Wrangler
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To: VRWC_Member428
Great choice on the Kimber VWRC. Those are sweet pistols. I have a compact Uzi Eagle in 40 S&W (these are now sold by Magnum Research as the "Baby Eagle") for carry, and a high cap Glock 19 for in home protection. I also have a Mossberg pump shotgun with a riot setup for close in defense. As far as shotguns go, for home defense I would highly reccomend the Mossberg. They are much cheaper than anything else you will be able to find, and there are scads of accessories on the market available for them. As for long range hunting/sniping a standard bolt action Remington .270 should do the trick nicely. There are several diffrent economical versions of this gun, as well as the Remington auto loaders in .270, 30.06, .243, and 30-30. As far as an assault type weapon, an AR-15 is going to cost big money. $950 for a base model. I would look at the Ruger Mini-14. Every bit the firearm, for less than half the price. Models start around $450. Hope this helps.
53 posted on 10/04/2001 5:53:02 AM PDT by Space Wrangler
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To: VRWC_Member428
I do not usually answer these questions but due to the need for someone to expound on these issues I will try.

First, what would be your concealed carry weapon to take with you wherever and whenever.

It depends on the situation and the clothing worn. On a hot summer day when bathing suit is it, I might carry a compact .380 auto suc as the colt Mustang or slightly larger PPK/S.

At other times it might be a firearm such as a short CZ-75 clone or a S&W 6906 or a .45 ACP model 1911 variant. Certainly the Kimber CDP compact model is an exzellent choice. More important than caliber or model is the ability to hit your target. The .38 cal revolver certainly has much in its favor and one is almost always in the pocket of a winter jacket. Mrs. Harpseal is more comfortable with a revolver and her choice is a 4inch barreled Taurus .357 magnum, and/or a .38cal snub nosed revolver. For concealed carry there are as many choices as there are individuals and personal comfort and competence should be paramount.

Second, what weapons (plural - weaponS) would you want for well rounded home defense? Please define what type of home the weapons you list would be best suited for. (apartment, city home, 5-10 acre country lot, wide open spaces)For a small town on the CT shore I favor a large capacity 5.56X45 mm rifle along with a Mossberg 590 12 gauge shotgun. I also heartily endorse the scout rifle as designed by Jeff Cooper. Away from shore aboard a boat I like the above three combined with a good .50 cal Rifle. My personal favorite is the Barret but there are other exellent rifles out there.

Once more we have the issues of choice and personal fit along with budget. Some people are best served by a .30 cal M1 carbine some are better served by a traditional M1. It is possible to get an M1A1 in a scout configuration.

For me, my answers would be thus: For concealed carry, I'm getting a Kimber Compact CDP .45ACP 1911 style pistol. I have one gun right now, but I purchased it a few months back as a compromise between critter protection and home defense. (large frame .357) As such, it doesn't lend itself well to concealed carry, although it can be done. For home defense, I'm in the 5-10 acre country parcel range. I'd like a handgun for close-up protection. I'd also like an assult rifle such as an AR15 with high capacity clips for outside work. Also for outside work, I'd like to have a high capacity short barrel shotgun for sweeping the driveway if need be, along with a good hunting rifle with a well dialed in scope in case I'd need to snipe someone or something on my property.

Of course, I can't imagine any one situation in which I'd need all of these weapons at my disposal. But I can imagine various situation where one of these weapons would be good to perform it's own specialized task.

I know we all like to post pictures of tanks, AAA batteries, and Australian made guns that can fire one million rounds per second. But let's try to stay within the budget of the average American citizen.

You sound like you have what works best for you.

Stay well - stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

54 posted on 10/04/2001 6:13:47 AM PDT by harpseal
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To: Godebert
I wonfer what the liberal gun-grabbers would say if they saw someone with a "box cutter" mounted on the end of an "assault rifle" in place of a bayonet. New legislation would be introduced overnight and it would be good for a few laughs.....
55 posted on 10/04/2001 6:26:23 AM PDT by tracer
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To: SauronOfMordor
Kudos to you for taking the time and effort and spending the money to be trained by the best. The big hole in the armor of us pro-gunners is that we do not stress enough the importance of proper training in the use of the firearms that still are easy to obtain......
56 posted on 10/04/2001 6:34:37 AM PDT by tracer
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To: all
Anybody as offended as I was by the John Lennon/Brady/MMM fundraiser? I wonder how many people gave their hard-earned money, thinking it would go to the widows and orphans. Can't these people be busted for fraud? By the by, any hints for surviving the Winter if we get an embargo or attack on a major pipeline?
57 posted on 10/04/2001 6:40:57 AM PDT by ebug
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To: Godebert tbeatty The KG9 Kid
"Actually, now might be a good time to try and get the Assault Weapons cosmetic prohibition lifted. "

What? Allow Americans to attach bayonets to their post-ban, hi-cap rifles? You can't be serious. Don't you realize how dangerous those sharp knives can be? And forget about folding stocks, flash supressors and pistol grips.....they are to great a threat to our safety and security.

And don't forget about all of those drive-by bayonetings and rifle grenadings. What? You don't remember all the press reports? Weren't you reading the papers? < /sarcasm>

58 posted on 10/04/2001 6:43:13 AM PDT by FreedomPoster
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To: ebug
If you live in a cold climate, you might want to prepare a room central to your house where body heat can be retained and get some thick mummy sleeping bags and foam pads to lay on. Water storage to preclude cut off of water from frozen pipes is also useful. A backup heating system in the form of a stove or fireplace, plus a cord or two of wood. Some of the old crazy Y2K threads were a gold mine of ideas and resources.
59 posted on 10/04/2001 6:47:04 AM PDT by LibTeeth
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To: NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
"I think some jaws are gonna drop when the real retail figures come in and the most profitable sectors are means of self-defense"

I would like to see all the gun manufacturers follow Taurus' lead and give a free NRA membership to each purchaser.

Wouldn't that be nice?

--Boris (NRA Life Member)

60 posted on 10/04/2001 7:03:37 AM PDT by boris
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