If you are anti-guns, or afraid of guns, or just don't like them and don't want them in your house, then this blog is for you.
(It might just change your mind)

Thursday, March 31, 2011

UPDATE: Current Pending Gun Legislation

http://whyguncontrol.blogspot.com/2011/03/current-pending-gun-legislation.html

The Unconcealed Truth About Carrying Guns

By Steve Chapman

Gun control advocates [are] alarmed that the Illinois legislature may vote to let licensed individuals carry concealed handguns. The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence calls the measure "dangerous." Kristen Rand of the Violence Policy Center says that it would lead to Tucson-style mass shootings as well as the killing of police.

But concealed-carry, as it is known, is not a radical notion in most of the country. Thirty-seven "shall-issue" states grant permits to carry to anyone meeting certain requirements, and 48 allow citizens to carry guns under some circumstances.

What the gun control groups don't tabulate is how many homicides have been averted by a licensed, concealed handgun. Kleck, who has done extensive research on the topic, says it is "quite reasonable to expect that thousands of lives are saved by defensive gun use by persons who carried guns in public places."

A generation ago, few states allowed concealed-carry. Instead of an epidemic of violence, the nation saw a drop [in violence]. Since 1991, the murder rate has been cut nearly in half. You don't have to believe that "shall-issue" laws caused the decline to grasp that they certainly didn't get in the way.

The record of the past two decades demonstrates that you can strengthen the right of law-abiding adults to protect themselves against crime without making the world more dangerous. That knowledge is helpful in Illinois, to those willing to learn from experience.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2011/03/31/the_unconcealed_truth_about_carrying_guns_109401.html

Monday, March 28, 2011

Now Florida has it, is Texas next?

On one side in the Florida House were sheriffs, state attorneys, large retailers like Publix and Associated Industries of Florida. On the other side: Marion Hammer, long-time lobbyist for the National Rifle Association. Guess who won?

The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday easily approved the so-called "open carry" bill for concealed weapons permit holders. The vote was 14-4 with Democrats John Julien of Miami and Darren Soto of Orlando joining all Republicans in voting for the bill (HB 517), which is sponsored by Rep. Chris Dorworth, R-Lake Mary. He says the bill is needed to prevent lawful permit holders from inadvertently violating Florida law.

43 states already have an open carry law, but Hernandez countered that three of the four most populous states (Florida, New York and Texas) do not.

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/hammer-wins-easy-vote-open-carry-gun-law

More guns = less crime?

The knee-jerk reaction of some people to stop crime with guns is to ban guns. However, the reality is that gun bans simply stop law-abiding people from owning them.

A criminal out to do a robbery with a gun isn't going to be deterred by a no-gun sign on the door. Gun bans leave the law-abiding citizen vulnerable. Criminals know this.

While law-enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe, it's impossible to protect all 18 million Floridians at all times.

Fortunately, Floridians have a right to own and keep a gun in their homes and to have a concealed-weapons license. With a permit, Florida residents can carry concealed guns in 35 other states. As of Feb. 28, Florida has issued 793,309 carry permits, 85,129 of which are issued to out-of-state residents who visit Florida.

This is the main reason crime is down in Florida.

Friday, March 25, 2011

"I Have A Gun!" - Things Not To Say To A Cop

by Richard Johnson

Prior to riding a desk and writing about guns, I was a cop. I worked for more than a decade in uniform patrol as a beat cop, supervisor and trainer. In that time, I saw and heard just about anything you can imagine.

One of the nicest groups of citizens I got to meet were armed citizens. Generally, people that carry guns are polite and friendly. Sometimes, however, a few of these friendly folks were a bit too eager to share their state of being armed with me.

Tip: If you have a firearm in your car and you get stopped by a police officer, think about what you will say before you say it. If you do tell an officer that you are armed, take a deep breath, and do so in a calm manner. Excited people tend not to say things very clearly. If an officer approaches you, and you are excited, blurting out something about having a gun, could create a dangerous misunderstanding.

Keep in mind that cops are people from your own town and neighborhood. Most cops are very pro-Second Amendment. But all cops have a keen desire to not get shot. So think before you speak. Please, don’t blurt out “I’ve got a gun!” if you are pulled over.

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=42167

Exaggerating US Border Violence?

by Chuck Norris

On Jan. 31, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano asked public officials to stop exaggerating claims of violence on the U.S. side of the border and "be honest with the people we serve." She added: "Let's stick with the facts. We need to be upfront and clear about what's really happening along our borders."

The only ones exaggerating are the feds -- under-exaggerating the threat and severity of border violence and over-exaggerating their success of securing the United States' southwestern border.

Ms. Napolitano, the truth is it's you who is misleading the public. Playing down border violence and trumping up Washington's successes may be effective for campaign rhetoric, but it's killing our citizens -- literally

"try telling the people who deal with these realities every day that the violence along the border has subsided." - Ben Quayle, R-Ariz


Because of the feds' ineptness and passivity, it's no wonder that half the states in our union are taking matters into their own hands regarding border enforcement and immigration. Arizona-style laws have been proposed in approximately 24 other states. A total of 346 laws and resolutions related to immigration were approved by state lawmakers in 2010, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. More than 100 immigration-related bills are pending in Texas.


http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=42444

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

This could have been you. Would you still be alive?

Armed Beauty Queen Fatally Shoots Intruder in Florida Home Invasion
By Cristina Corbin

When a burly ex-convict forced his way into a posh Florida home last week, he had no idea what awaited him -- a 25-year-old beauty queen with a pink .38-caliber handgun.

Meghan Brown, a former Florida pageant queen, shot and killed 42-year-old Albert Franklin Hill during a home invasion March 12 at the 2,732-square-foot house she shares with her fiance in Tierra Verde, Fla.

Hill barged into the home at around 3 a.m. after Brown responded to a knock at the front door, according to a police report. He allegedly grabbed the 110-pound Brown around her nose and mouth and dragged her to an upstairs bedroom.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Current Pending Gun Legislation

by Zee

The following chart is a cheat-sheet of current pending legislation regarding firearms at both the state & federal level. I'll try and keep this list updated as time allows. Feel free to suggest other bills to watch (ie: from other states, etc).

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Gun Free Paradise?

A "Gun Free Zone" sounds nice - idealistic, peaceful, magical. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as magic. Gun free zones are regulated by law.

Monday, March 14, 2011

What is the best gun for a Woman?

By Kathy Jackson

I'll confess right up front: this question makes me cranky. It makes all sorts of assumptions I'm not willing to stipulate. It assumes that all women are alike, for one thing. There is no one best anything for all women! Anyone who tells you otherwise has no idea what he is talking about, so don't listen to him. He might know something about guns, but he knows nothing about women.

Read more (great information!) here: http://www.corneredcat.com/Men/gunforwoman.aspx

Guns for Girls - Packing Pink: Guns aren't so scary anymore

By Zee

Guns aren't just for guys. Women need to defend themselves - arguably more often than men. And a good handgun is a popular option. Women are increasingly arming themselves. Go to any indoor gun range near my house and you'll see that 1 in every 4 people there are women. And they aren't just looking at the magazines & warming the benches. They're on the firing line (and sometimes outshouting the guys!)

Manufacturers are starting to cater more to the feminine shooter. What once was a choice of black or chrome now includes various shades of pink. Hot pink, shocking pink, lavender pink, yup, they're out there. Who says women can accessories with REAL hardware?



Should Bans Against Carrying Concealed Weapons Be Lifted On College Campuses?

By John Lott

Right now once someone qualifies for a permit they can carry a concealed handgun with them virtually anywhere in a state except for a few designated gun-free zones. Prominent among those "protected" areas are universities and schools. Yet, twelve states, including two large ones, Texas and Florida, are currently engaged in the debate over whether to end these bans.

Fortunately, we don't need to speculate about what might happen. We actually already have a lot of evidence and experience from numerous campuses.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

And oldie but a goodie: "Sheep, Sheepdogs & Wolves"

The following are excerpts from and comments on the book, On Combat, by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman, U.S. Army (Ret.)




This was originally directed at Police officers and the Military, but is relevant to citizens in defending themselves, their loved ones, and property - the police cant be everywhere, and though they will try, they wont be there in time to save you.


“Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident.” This is true. Remember, the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to hurt one another.

“Then there are the wolves,” the old war veteran said, “and the wolves feed on the sheep without mercy.” Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds. The moment you forget that or pretend it is not so, you become a sheep. There is no safety in denial.

“Then there are sheepdogs,” he went on, “and I’m a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf.” Or, as a sign in one California law enforcement agency put it, “We intimidate those who intimidate others.”

We fear the gun.

By Zee

Guns are scary. They are loud and dangerous. They are tools that can kill. Who wouldn't be afraid of a stranger approaching you with a loaded gun? We fear the gun.

Out of sight is out of mind, but not for long

By Zee

Out of sight is out of mind, but not for those of us who are concerned about carrying guns. Those of us who are Anti-gunners are fearful of what this means to our safety. Those of us who are pro-gunners are also fearful of what this means to our safety - but for different reasons. Anti-gunners believe that more guns is not the answer. Pro-Gunners say that criminals will always have guns & cite the need to defend themselves.

I suppose that its true that criminals will always have guns. Realistically, completely removing that threat is not possible. But does that really mean that more guns AREN'T dangerous? They must be ... because we just don't see that many people carrying guns around every day... so there must not be that many of them right?

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

SAD BUT TRUE

QUOTE

There has never been an occasion where a people gave up their weapons in the interest of peace that didn’t end in their massacre. (Louis L’Amour)

Thursday, March 3, 2011

You'd be supprised who is packin' heat at your local church or even your local school.

By Zee

Since 1966, there have at least been 109 shootings at schools, claiming 228 victims; and at least 19 shootings at churches claiming at least 57 victims. [1] Given this trend of violence, many preachers and principals have started packing more than just books in their briefcases. Many are now also armed.


Watch out for “Those Other People!”

Watch out for “Those Other People!”
by Jeff Knox

Gun control is all about fear of “those other people.” Responsible, law-abiding voters who know gun owners − and even some gun owners themselves − have allowed the dismantling of liberty all based on what “those other people” might do. The conversation typically begins with a statement of support for gun rights and gun owners, followed as inevitably as night follows day with the “but.” “But,” the speaker opines as to how they believe that some “reasonable” restrictions are needed because, while “you and I” are responsible, law-abiding citizens, there are “those others” who need closer scrutiny and control.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Consider (gasp) getting a gun

By Zee

That's right.  Yes you.  You've never owned a gun.  You're even scared of guns.  You're not sure you'd feel safe with a gun in the house.  They are dangerous.  You have kids.  They are expensive.  You can't shoot.  There are many reasons that you don't have a gun.  We understand.  We feel the same way.  But none of them will be important on the day that you NEED a gun.


If you are anti-gun, this may be the scariest thing that you ever do to protect your family  But there are many scary things you would do for your family aren't there?  Switch jobs?  Move to a better community?  Even give your life to save your children.  So why cant you face your fear?  If you REALLY want to save the life of your children, you may need the right tools to do so.  Just like a doctor needs the right tools to save a life, so do you.  And in the event of a violent attack, the "right tool" is a weapon.

You may be a strong gun-control advocate, or even anti-gun. Both common and valid opinions.  But consider this.  When it comes to the protection of your family against a home intruder, anything other than a gun may not be enough.

Hoplophobia - We are better than that.

By Zee

True Hoplophobia, or the fear of guns, is a mental illness which, like other true phobias, incapacitates its victims with anxiety, shortness of breath, inability to think clearly and rationally.  Obviously, we who are fearful of guns and their destructive power don't have true Hoplophobia.  But we are still afraid.  Why?

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Staying Safe without a gun

By Zee

You didn't worry about home invasions, robberies, and rapists when you were a kid.  Your parents probably left the house doors unlocked.  As far as crime goes, you probably didn't have a care in the world.  But times have changed.  In all likelihood, statics show that either you or someone close to you have been a victim of crime, possibly even violent crime.  This is not the world that you grew up in.  Crime is everywhere.  The world just isn't safe anymore.

Why Guns? Why Gun Control?

By Zee

I hope that  whether you are pro-gun to anti-gun, you can read this with an open mind, and see the truth about the reality and dangers of ownership and use of firearms in America.  So, the questions become Why guns?   And why Gun control?