Gun Control in America in 2008
We’ve seen several school shootings over the past few years. We’ve seen several murderers walk into restaurants, colleges, high schools, US Postal Offices and businesses — including CNN a couple of weeks back, who used guns to kill one, two, ten, twenty or thirty-something people.
We have watched as several countries around the world have suffered from similar incidents, including Australia (Port Arthur, 1996, 35 lives, 37 wounded), Scotland (Dunblane, 1986, 16 children, 1 adult including the attacker) and Canada (Montréal Massacre of December 6, 1989, 14 women killed and another13 students wounded) ; we have seen places like Somilia, where literally millions have been hacked to death with machetes — because the murderers lacked guns.
In South Africa, guns have been banned.
In Canada, guns have been banned.
In the UK in general, guns have been banned.
In Australia guns have been banned.
In Germany, in 1934, guns were banned — at least to most people who weren’t German. Mostly Jews.
In Japan, guns were banned long ago.
Now, we have this upheaval in the “force”. We, Americans are standing by to criticism outside of the United States about our own gun laws. We have our own Leftist faction in America, Democrats in a Democratically controlled Congress, and many states which are so full of liberals you can’t get one more in the state, calling for “tougher gun controls”.
In fact, I submit that “gun control” people are after one thing. CONTROL. They want to take your guns for one thing, so they can be more powerful than you.
Folks… let me say this. If they want to take your guns in America, they want to be able to control YOU. Don’t give in like these other countries have done. Guns aren’t the evil here. There is evil in PEOPLE. People like Cho at V-Tech. People like McVey. People like Saddam. People like Ahamadinajad. Those people want America to give up their guns.
I will say right now, I will not, I will never give mine up. Nor will millions of other Americans. The Second Amendment to our Constitution was put in place for one thing. To prevent this very thing, to prevent people from taking our Freedom of speech, the Founding Fathers placed into our Constitution the one thing to prevent a tyrannical government from remaining in charge.
you are sick!
Comment by joe — Thu, 19 April 2007 / 0051 @ Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:51:49 +0100
Well… no, Joe, I’m actually not “sick”. What is sick is that you have been brainwashed to believe that guns are evil.
Guns aren’t evil. They can be used for good, for evil, for getting food, for defending oneself or they can be not used at all. The saying “Guns don’t kill people, People kill people” is very correct. Being the owner of several weapons, I can tell you for a fact that not one of my weapons has killed anyone. I’ve been a gun owner since I was 7 years old. I’m nearly 50. So, you know, Ted Kennedy’s car has killed more people than all of my guns put together.
No, Joe, what is sick is that you have a misunderstanding of the US Constitution. Joe, what is sick is that you and some other who’ve posted here want to use the incident at Va-Tech to perhaps ban guns.
But, you know Joe, that isn’t going to happen. Do you know why? Because there are 300 million people in this country. A large majority of them own weapons. They aren’t going to let you, and people like you force gun bans on the rest of us.
People who want to take our guns want to control us, I’m not going to stand here and let it happen.
No, Joe, I’m not sick. I’m right.
I’d urge you to read the following link:
http://www.gunowners.org/fs9901.htm
Guns are not the problem. On the contrary, lax criminal penalties and laws that disarm the law-abiding are responsible for giving criminals a safer working environment.
Comment by RickD — Thu, 19 April 2007 / 0741 @ Thu, 19 Apr 2007 07:41:37 +0100
Mr. Donaldson, I am one of those Americans who fully agree with you. History tells all!! What I learned from history is that people can (and will) be evil S.O.B’s, and do anything in their power to control the masses. People like Joe will start to understand this when the government he trusts so much betrays him. When that happens it will be too late for Joe. I’m glad to see that theirs still true “Americans” out there, like you Mr. Donaldson and RickD. Thanks for the insight!
Comment by LmNoP — Tue, 11 September 2007 / 0322 @ Tue, 11 Sep 2007 03:22:07 +0100
LmNoP - Sorry I didn’t see this comment sooner, I’ve been pretty busy. However, I have to point out that while you might agree with me specifically on the Gun Control issue, I have to say you aren’t going to like what I have to say next.
The US Government isn’t going to “betray” him or you or me. Certainly there are some shady characters in Congress, and they certainly DO try to “betray” us on and off. But, by and large, the facts remain that we are a Republic, with a Representative Government, meaning we sent those “characters” to Washington.
You, me and Joe can all write letters. It’s HOPED that more of us, than the Joes our there write letters and convince the government to act OUR way.
But, the fact is, the government isn’t going to “betray” us. What they might do is attempt to erode our Rights. But, it is UP TO US to do something about that, every day of our lives.
Freedom, LmNoP isn’t FREE. It costs, and it has cost this country dearly in the past. American men, and women have fought in wars, many of them to maintain our way of life. I’ve fought for that freedom since the first day I swore and oath to this country, and said out loud as a child, the “Pledge of Allegiance” to our flag in this greatest country on Earth, the United States of America.
I would urge us all to remember the above words… freedom is not free. We fight for it, every minute of every day. And the second amendment is there to ENSURE we have the means by which to do so.
Comment by RickD — Wed, 3 October 2007 / 1616 @ Wed, 03 Oct 2007 16:16:33 +0100
well after today’s shootings in Northern Illinois Univeristy do you still stand by your argument that ordinary citizens should have access to guns. i know its people and not the guns that are evil. but come on don’t u see its because of adamant, stubborn people like you that we had to see the death of 6 students. ..and keep preaching guns are our civilian rights . asshole
Comment by cite — Thu, 14 February 2008 / 2301 @ Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:01:30 +0000
“well after today’s shootings in Northern Illinois Univeristy do you still stand by your argument that ordinary citizens should have access to guns. i know its people and not the guns that are evil. but come on don’t u see its because of adamant, stubborn people like you that we had to see the death of 6 students. ..and keep preaching guns are our civilian rights . asshole”
Good morning “Cite”. Since you’re throwing around insults like “asshole”, I’ll try to be civil with you even though you don’t deserve it. First of all, you can’t spell, you don’t know how to correctly put together a sentence, nor do you understand sentence structure. Further, you don’t understand the ideal of “capitalism” — not the economic version, the version where you actually capitalize the first letter in your sentences.
Now, let me actually address your “concerns”.
1) Do I stand by my argument that ‘ordinary citizens’ should have access to guns? Yes, absolutely. Why? Because MORON it’s a RIGHT for us ‘ordinary citizens’ to have guns.
2) You know it is people and not guns that are evil? Really? DO you REALLY understand that? Because if you DID understand that you would realize that the simple fact of the matter is had there been other “ordinary citizens” armed at that college the other day, then someone would have shot and killed that EVIL asshole that killed those students.
3) “but come on don’t u see its because of adamant, stubborn people like you that we had to see the death of 6 students” No- asshole, it’s people like YOU that caused this. People who prevent LAW ABIDING citizens from having guns, so that the BAD GUYS have guns ONLY. No, to be fair, it wasn’t your fault, any more than it was my fault. The man that killed those people was at fault.
But, I will say that those who believe that banning guns will solve the problem have a mental problem, like you. You believe that merely banning guns will prevent bad guys from walking in, WITH GUNS to kill people.
Sorry, but, you’ve got a mental problem if you believe that, and I think you should seek the assistance of a doctor, and for the record, I don’t think YOU should be allowed to have a gun.
4) “..and keep preaching guns are our civilian rights . asshole”. Thank you, dickhead… I WILL keep preaching it.
Last but not least, let me point something out to you regarding Illinois law.
The following information is about that state:
What is Unlawful Use of Weapons?
Section 24-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961:
“(a) a person commits the offense of unlawful use of weapons when he knowingly:
*** (4) Carries or possesses in any vehicle or concealed on or about his person except when on his land or in his abode or fixed place of business any pistol, revolver, stun gun, taser or other firearm.” 720 ILCS 5/24-1(a)(4)(West 1994).
Guess WHAT!? The guy that killed those people was ILLEGALLY CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS. He didn’t follow the law, imagine that. He didn’t have a “Firearms Owners Identification Card” which is required in that state to have and carry a weapon legally.
My point is, dumbass, is that it didn’t MATTER to him because he was a criminal, going to commit a crime and kill people, and had NO REASON TO FOLLOW THE LAW.
Law ABIDING citizens are the ONLY PEOPLE who would NOT HAVE WEAPONS in ANY CRIMINAL SITUATION if guns were BANNED.
Are you a complete, God Damned, Idiot? Yes, you are.
Comment by RickD — Wed, 20 February 2008 / 0955 @ Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:55:26 +0000
“Guess WHAT!? The guy that killed those people was ILLEGALLY CARRYING CONCEALED WEAPONS. He didn’t follow the law, imagine that. He didn’t have a “Firearms Owners Identification Card” which is required in that state to have and carry a weapon legally.”
RickD,
Actually he did indeed have an FOID card. The firearms were purchased legally online. Ironically enough, purchased from the same individual who sold the firearms to the young man who committed the Virginia Tech shootings/murders last year. I am of course not defending the MORON “cite”. But just making a point that the firearms were purchased legally.
I live in Plainfield, Illinois (about 35 miles west of Chicago) and believe me, I would really appreciate conceal carry laws. Especially when I am out and about with my family. One never knows when something like the NIU could take place. Whether that be in a mall, grocery store, etc.
This world we live in seems to get worse by the day. And I believe that a law abiding citizen (as I am) should be able to protect my family “if” the time comes up. Now I am not saying that every “Tom, Dick and Harry” should be able to run around the state and conceal carry. There should be a strict structure in place. Fees, training courses, etc. But once a citizen completes the requirements, concealed carry should be allowed for that individual. I am a firearms owner and a frequent indoor range visitor. I have done so for the last 15 years. I have never had anything like an “AD” (accidental discharge) nor ever practiced “unsafe” handling procedures. So a carrying citizen like me would be a major benefit to public safety IMHO. But of course I sure I will be bashed by some anti-gun babies out there. Honestly I could care less of what those types of people think of my stance on concealed carry in Illinois. It’s my family I am concerned about protecting. And who knows, maybe even one of theirs if the time came up.
I always wondered, if CCW laws were passed in Illinois, and some anti-gun’s son, daughter or even spouse was saved by a legal CCW permit holder, would their stance of anti-gun change to pro-gun? I am almost willing to bet the answer would be a solid “YES”.
Anyways, just my $ .02. What are your thoughts RickD?
Thanks,
The Guinea
Comment by Guinea — Sun, 24 February 2008 / 1215 @ Sun, 24 Feb 2008 12:15:12 +0000
Actually he did indeed have an FOID card. The firearms were purchased legally online. Ironically enough, purchased from the same individual who sold the firearms to the young man who committed the Virginia Tech shootings/murders last year. I am of course not defending the MORON “cite”. But just making a point that the firearms were purchased legally.
Yes, I know he had a valid card, in fact, I DID go in and put in an update on another post somewhere. Sorry, I don’t recall but you’re correct, and I was incorrect on that particular aspect.
However, he was still illegally carrying the weapons in a concealed manner. He carried them into the University, and I believe it is ILLEGAL for him to have done so.
The place is a “gun free zone”, which in turn, says “Y’all can’t bring even your legal weapons here”…
This still begs the point… since LAW ABIDING citizens can’t bring their guns to a University because they will become criminals - how is it that banning guns makes the criminals obey the law?
Comment by RickD — Mon, 25 February 2008 / 1538 @ Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:38:37 +0000
I’ll respond to the rest of your remarks now.
Yes, every “Tom, Dick and Harry” should INDEED be able to walk around with a weapon. Period. IF any of those three have had felonies, they can’t LEGALLY carry a weapon. If any of those three have been adjudicated to be mentally unfit, they can’t LEGALLY carry a weapon (in MOST places). If ANY of those three have been arrested for a violent crime before being found “Not Guilty”, then they should NOT have a weapon until such time as they are found “Not Guilty”.
IF anyone has been arrested and jailed after being convicted of a crime, they should NOT legally be able to have a gun, UNTIL they have served their full time, parole and/or probation. AFTER that time, they have done their “time” they should not be prevented from having a weapon. (I will caveat this by saying, if the crimes they committed were violent or capital crimes, then they should never be allowed again to have a weapon).
All of that said, I will disagree with you - and say all citizens of this country should be allowed to carry a weapon, period. Anyone who falls into the violent, criminal or mental categories ALREADY IN ALMOST EVER jurisdiction in this country ALREADY can not get/carry legally a weapon.
Therefore…I may not like a certain neighbor and consider him incompetent… however *I* am not the final judge of whether he can carry a weapon or not. And I for one would prefer to have that incompetent neighbor with a gun assisting me to defend my home or another neighbor then to NOT have guns in my neighborhood at all, and be overrun by gang members who care nothing at all for the law ANYWAY.
Comment by RickD — Mon, 25 February 2008 / 1545 @ Mon, 25 Feb 2008 15:45:25 +0000