Back by popular demand – gun control! I think our society would be more safe if fewer people had automatic weapons and handguns. I haven’t yet heard a legitimate argument in favor of average citizens having these types of weapons. Gun control is needed in the United States!
–Tom Bullington, National Affairs Correspondent
Tom Bullington
Political analysis–from a car! Campaign in a Car is a discussion of current events, the 2012 presidential election–and analysis of the Republicans, Democrats, and Independent candidates. We feature other issues and fun videos as they arise.
Interested in politics and current events since childhood, Tom Bullington enjoys sharing his political insights and discussing topics of the day. Having supported Republicans, Democrats and third-party candidates alike, his non-partisan perspective allows him to freely discuss issues without being labeled. A Twin Cities resident and St. Olaf College graduate, Tom has produced “Campaign in a Car” since November 2011. Email Tom at tombullington@secretlaboratory.org
There are all kinds of good reasons why the average citizen should be armed. The “Miami Zombie” attack is just one good example. The attack lasted 18 minutes before the first police officer arrived and shot the suspect. If any one of those people who called 911 had been armed, Ronald Poppo would still have his face. Also, there are the massacre-style shootings at schools and other public places to consider. All of those victims were unarmed and therefore helpless–and they were all following the laws that told them that they couldn’t carry weapons. What about the shooters? Those laws didn’t do much to stop them, did they?
Felons and mentally-ill people are already banned from owning firearms … yet it’s the gangbangers who are wantonly shooting one another and firing stray bullets into neighboring homes and it’s the psychopaths who are blazing away in our schools. Muggers don’t care that it’s illegal for them to carry guns, yet their victims, who are law-abiding citizens, are unable to defend themselves. If they’re lucky, they survive their ordeals and are able to make a police report after the fact.
I have worked in law enforcement for 14 years, carrying a gun the entire time, and I can tell you that the police are really only there to pick up the pieces and attempt to bring the perpetrators to justice. People must defend themselves, and firearms are a good way to do that. I don’t worry about coming in contact with a citizen who is legally carrying a firearm–he or she is not a threat to me. While I carry my weapon regardless, the people of Minnesota are lucky to live in a state where they can get a permit to carry a firearm.
Firearms are not dangerous when they’re in the hands of responsible people who have learned how to use them. And let’s not forget that the most important reason for people to have the right to keep and bear arms: the Second Amendment, which was specifically designed to give people the ability not to fight crime, but to defend themselves against their own government, should it ever become necessary. When the police and the military are the only entities allowed to keep arms (and not just guns, mind you), then this nation is no longer free and we are at risk of finding ourselves helpless and living in a police state.
We need more responsible people carrying guns, not fewer.
–Ed.
Aye Aye, Chief! Very well said.
Mentally Ill persons not allowed to own firearms is one thing but what about felons that have served their time, probation or parole and have otherwise paid their debts to society (isn’t that what rehabilitation is?) and are “now” law abiding citizens, shouldn’t they too be once more be permitted to own firearms or should we as a free nation continue to persecute them in perpetuity? YDO thinks not, there’s more gang bangers out there than felons with guns that shoot each other on the streets EVERYDAY that think nothing of it!
I agree. I don’t think felons should never be allowed to own firearms again.
I believe in the right to bear arms. I don’t own a handgun, but I am very competent with my shotgun. We have a couple of large dogs as well, but dogs can easily be overcome by the bad guy. Besides, our dogs (pit bull included) are serious pussies. I also don’t have a problem with felons owning guns either once they have done their time. Perhaps an extended waiting period of x amount of years could be put in place. That would take care of the gangbangers who just get out and will probably be back in prison within a year. I have also never understood felons not being allowed to vote. They have the right here in Kansas, but many states outlaw it based on the fact that a felon made bad choice and is incapable of making a good voting decision. Good God, wouldn’t the bad choice scenario include most of Congress?