Right to Self-Protection
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Kevin Smith’s column “How Do Guns in Restaurants Help?” (March 20) cries out for — demands — a response.
Of course I’m biased. I think that the Second Amendment applies everywhere, meaning that citizens have the right to bear arms. I also recognize that many citizens interpret that constitutional amendment as relating only to militia/military, i.e., military forces. But I don’t want to get into that argument. I do want to get into the tenor and underlying premises of Smith’s column.
Smith exudes his unstated opinion of gun owners as lacking judgment, or common sense. In his article, gun owners have hair triggers, can’t hold their beer, and obviously are deranged.
But it strikes me that he has decided that law-abiding citizens who attend a daylong education and training course, including live-fire instruction, pose a threat to the public. Also, many such prepared citizens participate in advanced training sessions on the law, safety and self-protection.
Those who obtain concealed carry permits have only one objective: to protect themselves and their families wherever they are. Unfortunately, the gun laws of North Carolina essentially vitiate the Second Amendment. The criminals, of course, haven’t attended classes or obtained a license, nor do they care whom they rob, rape, maim or kill.
So, Mr. Smith, get off the “well-regulated militia” argument. The operative argument is the right of citizens to bear arms. Our world today is decidedly different from decades past; what’s not different is that there are evil people to be confronted. And as that old saying goes, and is still true, “When seconds count, the police are minutes away.”
By the way, have you heard the newer definition of a gun owner? It’s a liberal who’s been mugged.
Michael J. MacDonald
Whispering Pines
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Comments
Darkwing 2 years, 1 month ago
That reminds me of a news story a while back. A man called the police to say someone was breaking into his house. The dispatcher said they were all on calls already and would be there in an hour or so. He called back right after to say "No need to hurry, I shot 'em all". The police were there in only a couple of minutes, and arrested the perps - the homeowner didn't even have a gun. Funny how the police's prioroties changed...
JimHeim 2 years, 1 month ago
Sounds like something debunked by Snopes ...
Darkwing 2 years, 1 month ago
It was in the paper, so probably not. I think I read it in San Diego, don't recall where the article said it took place. But if you really think so, look it up.
teufelhunden 2 years, 1 month ago
Heehee...that was good darkwing.
teufelhunden 2 years, 1 month ago
Well said Mr. MacDonald.
Ross 2 years, 1 month ago
"attend a daylong education and training course, including live-fire instruction, "
What amazes me is the author actually thinks the above adequate preparation for taking action in a time of extreme duress. Police officers receive considerable training throughout the year to simply maintain what is needed to think clearly in a tense moment.
I would feel much more uneasy knowing a patron in a restaurant I was in was packing.
I can't imagine the death rate in restaurants is very high due to gunshot. What a silly letter!
I wonder if the author wants to pack at his child's PTA meeting or his church. There have been people killed in both schools and churches.
Darkwing 2 years, 1 month ago
Which is why I advocate that gun control consist of more and better, more rigorous education. But out west, where open carry is less controversial and more common, a lot of us receive that education at home. It's the crowded urban areas where folks don't learn these things before exercising their rights. The Second Amendment, like all rights is also a responsibility, and our system fails to properly prepare most city folk for it. .
Satch2929 2 years, 1 month ago
Sit me beside the trained citizen any day! Better than sucking your thumb when something happens no matter where you are!
Ross 2 years, 1 month ago
how about you sitting "between" him and the man he is shooting.....
fugitiveguy 2 years, 1 month ago
“When seconds count, the police are minutes away.”
So painfully simple and on target it is sure to give liberal handwringers a severe brain freeze.
Zoey 2 years, 1 month ago
Ross, you seem to forget about the "armed" restaurant owner ! Are they any more qualified? Just more of your "trigger-happy vigilante" propaganda babble....
Yukonjohn 2 years, 1 month ago
Here in Alaska, we have concealed carry without a permit. Everyone that is lawfully allowed to carry a firearm can do so concealed or not...without a permit. (as it should be) We now have a law in our legislature saying if we see a crime in progress and have the lawful right to be where we are, if someone is going to get hurt, we can use deadly force to stop the crime against that person. You can use deadly force to protect life AND property!! If more states were to use these laws, yes, more people might get shot, but you would see crime plummet. That and legalization of drugs would all but eliminate crime, especially crime against people to rob them.
Here is a link to our newspaper article dealing with this...something law abiding citizens might want to get instituted everywhere!! http://newsminer.com/view/full_story/12731992/article-Self-defense-bill-sees-support-in-Alaska-Legislature?
sdsorrentino 2 years, 1 month ago
Well said Michael.