The Pursuit of Happiness blogger Amy
Chesnut cites some interesting points in her article “The Right to Bear Arms...or Not?” I am in full support of her comment that the
2nd amendment was designed to prevent abuse of power by
the government. Ditto on citizens having the right to self defense.
No, police officers possessing guns does not adequately cover the
safety of the American people. These guys (and gals) are screwed by
the sheer volume of civilians. One police officer to roughly every
hundred or even thousand people doesn't cut it. Not to knock the
officers, but it is a statistical improbability that they will be
able to fully serve and protect each and every unarmed citizen.
Solution? Strap every soccer mom and 6-year-old with a sod-off AK-47.
Kidding....In all serious though, each person has the right to carry
a firearm, if they so choose. Therefore, the more debatable issue
regarding firearm possession is not whether we as citizens should be
allowed to carry, but the ways in which we are allowed to
carry. Chesnut provides a full spectrum of refutations in the form
of very humorous video clips and color-coded graphs. This way a very
fresh, well-rounded approach! The next best thing to her video clips
would be catching the Stephen Colbert report on Comedy Central.
As far as loonies running around
opening fire on innocent civilians, this, understandably and sadly
enough, happens more with police officers, soldiers and Marines than
actual “civies.” People already “walk around with guns on
their hips” so I don't think we would see any increase in violent
crime or larceny...the only thing changing would be the legality of
the people already carrying guns. The motivated criminal will get
their hands on a gun-- being legal to carry is probably an after
thought. We may as well provide the “good guys” with unlimited
access to where they can carry their firearms.
As far as open carry, I really don't
see much functionality in this. Discretion is a term synonymous with
guns. While I feel they should be accepted for civilian use in
society, I don't support maximum exposure. A gun is a means of self
defense and not a fashion accessory. Guns ( unless you are an avid
collector) are not novelty items. A person goes through a screening
process, classes and makes the conscious decision to take on
responsibility for handling a gun in public. Start displaying your
firearm in public and you put other people at risk. The
responsibility that was solely yours has now fallen to the people
around you. I have a 2-year-old daughter and a 3-month-old son, and I
shudder to think about all the ways they would try and nab my gun if
I had it easily accessible on my hip. There is a reason gun safes are
so critical, especially with kids. It is about containment. You keep
your methods of self defense shielded from other people, because you
cannot trust what other people- ESPECIALLY children- would try and
do. In addition to keeping yourself safe by means of concealed carry,
you are also keeping the people around you safe. Open carry is the
equivalent to leaving a gun lying around the house. I support Texas'
non permissive open carry state regulations.
