Spring Break
Strict gun control laws only hurt the defenseless
Colleen Kopp
Issue date: 12/1/08 Section: Commentary
For the first time last week, I heard an advertisement on the radio for pistol permit classes. The message was clear: Hurry, protect your rights. Enroll in a pistol class before Jan. 20.
People are getting concerned after hearing President-elect Barack Obama's statements about gun rights at the Democratic primary debate in Pennsylvania last April.
Obama said, "As a general principle, I believe that the Constitution confers an individual right to bear arms. But just because you have an individual right does not mean that the state or local government can't constrain the exercise of that right, in the same way that we have a right to private property but local governments can establish zoning ordinances that determine how you can use it."
"I think we can provide common-sense approaches to the issue of illegal guns that are ending up on the streets. We can make sure that criminals don't have guns in their hands."
However, bans, restrictions and gun taxes will not make our society safer. Taking firearms out of responsible, licensed hands actually puts our society in danger and will give criminals the upper hand.
Criminals would love for citizens to be robbed of their gun rights. That's exactly when they would thrive. As soon as guns are banned, crime will skyrocket.
Obama thinks that stricter gun laws will make crime decrease and lower the number of deaths of innocent people.
If he had common sense, he would not make such a statement. He should know that bad guys don't play by the rules. Stricter laws just hamper the responsible people who could help in an armed conflict.
When making decisions about gun control, people need to not criminalize guns. A gun is a tool criminals use to hurt people. The gun itself is not a criminal.
We need to be a society that is educated about guns. Weapons deserve respect, and we should not fear them out of ignorance.
Often public shootings are followed by copycats across the country. For some perverse reason, armed criminals must get excited by the attention similar criminals receive. This could have happened in 2007, when an 18-year-old opened fire in a crowded mall in Salt Lake City. But a man in the mall was a concealed carrier, someone licensed to carry a concealed weapon and as soon as he returned fire, the shooter stopped firing and ran. The number of mall shootings plummeted after that.
People are getting concerned after hearing President-elect Barack Obama's statements about gun rights at the Democratic primary debate in Pennsylvania last April.
Obama said, "As a general principle, I believe that the Constitution confers an individual right to bear arms. But just because you have an individual right does not mean that the state or local government can't constrain the exercise of that right, in the same way that we have a right to private property but local governments can establish zoning ordinances that determine how you can use it."
"I think we can provide common-sense approaches to the issue of illegal guns that are ending up on the streets. We can make sure that criminals don't have guns in their hands."
However, bans, restrictions and gun taxes will not make our society safer. Taking firearms out of responsible, licensed hands actually puts our society in danger and will give criminals the upper hand.
Criminals would love for citizens to be robbed of their gun rights. That's exactly when they would thrive. As soon as guns are banned, crime will skyrocket.
Obama thinks that stricter gun laws will make crime decrease and lower the number of deaths of innocent people.
If he had common sense, he would not make such a statement. He should know that bad guys don't play by the rules. Stricter laws just hamper the responsible people who could help in an armed conflict.
When making decisions about gun control, people need to not criminalize guns. A gun is a tool criminals use to hurt people. The gun itself is not a criminal.
We need to be a society that is educated about guns. Weapons deserve respect, and we should not fear them out of ignorance.
Often public shootings are followed by copycats across the country. For some perverse reason, armed criminals must get excited by the attention similar criminals receive. This could have happened in 2007, when an 18-year-old opened fire in a crowded mall in Salt Lake City. But a man in the mall was a concealed carrier, someone licensed to carry a concealed weapon and as soon as he returned fire, the shooter stopped firing and ran. The number of mall shootings plummeted after that.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 26
Conservative
posted 12/01/08 @ 8:51 AM EST
Check out the statistics for Maine in 2003:
The state is given a "D" on its "gun safety scorecard" by the Brady Campaign for having such loose gun laws. (Continued…)
Webby
posted 12/01/08 @ 8:55 AM EST
I'm not attempting to deny anyone their right to keep and bear arms, but honestly, our country needs A LOT of work when it comes to firearms. Our gun murder/suicide rate is MILES beyond other countries, whether they be third world, first world, or anywhere in between. (Continued…)
Tom2
posted 12/01/08 @ 10:24 AM EST
I wonder if gun control advocates would support similar restrictions on Americans exercising their right to vote or those guaranteed by the First Amendment. (Continued…)
Gary A. Shaw
posted 12/01/08 @ 4:33 PM EST
Well Written Ms Koop. I have spent 17 years in Law Enforcement and now 5 as a Criminal Defense Investigator. What my time in the system taught me is this; The police will try very hard to get their, and then draw a pretty chalk outline because in all of my time I arrived "in time" too stop an assault only a few times. (Continued…)
Richard Kidd
posted 12/01/08 @ 4:46 PM EST
The article is correct, criminals are cowards and prey on the defenseless. states that have what is called "shall issue" carry permit laws have less crime. (Continued…)
Webby
posted 12/02/08 @ 12:51 AM EST
Actually, Willbill, check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_firearm-related_death_rate
Firearm homicide rate? #1: USA 3. (Continued…)
Eurp
posted 12/02/08 @ 3:09 AM EST
All these debates about Guns, is just the tip of the Iceberg. The UN Disarmament Treaty was signed many years ago between the US and the UN. They (the US) have an Agenda, to remove ALL Firearms from the hands or ownership from Private Citizens, so that only the UN or the Military will have access to weapons. (Continued…)
Eurp
posted 12/02/08 @ 3:29 AM EST
I am Licensed to Carry, but I cringe at the day I have to take a human life in defense of myself or someone else. But nun the less, it's Better that the Bad guy gets his, so no one else gets hurt by these people. (Continued…)
REVO76
posted 12/03/08 @ 8:19 AM EST
TODAY,AMERICA IS UNDER THREAT FROM A POWERFULL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT HAS BEGUN TO TAKE OUR RIGHTS AWAY, AND INTENDS TO TAKE THEM ALL.
TO PRESERVE LIBERTY, IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THE WHOLE BODY OF PEOPLE ALWAYS POSSESS ARMS. (Continued…)
Bob Reynolds
posted 12/04/08 @ 10:12 AM EST
The following is a reaction from someone who has a concealed carry permit for my firearm.
I have the RIGHT to protect myself and my family. I believe I will never have to use my gun but I feel much safer when traveling. (Continued…)
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