Armed Citizens & Crime Control

[Richard S]

The next time someone asks you why you carry a firearm, you might refer them to this article by Paul H. Blackman, Ph.D., posted on the NRA-ILA web site.  Blackman reports on research by criminologists Gary Kleck and Marc Gertz showing that Americans use firearms for self-defense as often as 2.5 million times a year -- three to five times more often than guns are misused by criminals.

http://www.nraila.org/media/misc/ACCC.htm

You might also refer them to this Fact Sheet showing that, while gun ownership and right-to-carry laws are at an all-time high, FBI statistics show that the nation's total violent crime rate has declined every year since 1991 and is now at a 30-year low:

http://www.nraila.org/issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?ID=126

[RJ HEDLEY]

Very interesting.    

Thanks Richard..

[R9SCarry]

Yes Richard but - try getting that thru to the Brady Bunch!!

They might - secretly - see some logic there but sure as heck they won't admit it - it'd cut across their control agenda.

We are naturally - better informed and exist better on logic than raw emotion too.

[Richard S]

Chris:

"Control agenda" is an accurate description of what the anti-gun crowd has in mind.  Look at what they tried to do in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina -- confiscate all firearms, including those of law-abiding citizens.  

[size=10]“No one will be able to be armed. We are going to take all the weapons.” — NOPD Deputy Chief Warren Riley (Associated Press, Sept. 9, 2005).   [/size]

It took a Federal District Court to stop that outrage.

[tracker]

Richard,
While I am on your side of gun control, I don't know that
the gun control faction really dictated that in N.O.; It was
virtually a martial law situation and if I had the general
populace taking pot shots at me I might have had similar
thoughts. Obviously, the Chief overreacted and had no legal
grounds for confiscating all weapons. It was a very
unfortunate chapter in our history.

[Aglifter]

I don't think it a move sponsored by Soros, but I think it came from the same -- trust anyone but the populace sentiment e.g. the population is something to be controlled, and feared, never relied on to act properly.

[Richard S]

As a former prosecutor, I am predisposed to support the actions of law enforcement officials in most situations.  But I was absolutely dismayed that New Orleans city officials, finding themselves unable to maintain order in the streets, would then think it appropriate to disarm law-abiding citizens in their own homes.  I have always believed that the founding fathers had just such situations in mind back in 1791 when they amended our Constitution to provide that "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed."

This was indeed a very unfortunate chapter in our history.  And it would appear to me to demonstrate the need for enactment of both federal and state statutes to prohibit the seizure of lawfully-owned firearms during times of emergency or disaster.

[tracker]

Hopefully,that lesson was learned with many others. I heard
of one upscale household on someplace like St. Charles Ave.
who were defending their house from looters with some very
formidable weapons. When the police tried to confiscate the
firearms they became very much aware that they were
outgunned and left them alone when they refused to
surrender their heavy equipment. It shouldn't have to come
anywhere close to that extreme, however. Things in N.O.
only began to improve when Lt. Gen. Honore arrived with his
troops and the B.G.'s began to slink back behind their cowardly
cover.

[theirishguard]

Everyone, One of Soros gun control buddys is the founder and chairman of Progressive Insurance out of Cleveland. Please remember that when you look for or buy insurance. The NRA quit doing business with them.
Tom

[Aglifter]

Actually, I think Soros himself founded/owns Progressive -- I think that's where his money, and as such Moveon.orgs comes from.

[R9SCarry]

Hmmm - looks like bike cover is gonna have to be changed - and I'll tell 'em why!!!

[Richard S]

Tom & Aglifter:

Thanks for the heads up!  I was about to make a mistake.

[Gramps]

Hello All!

  I need a bit of help/information.

  Can anyone give me the information about the Supreme Court case that basically stated that the Police are under no obligation to protect you. ( I hope I have it correct)
  I am using dial up internet and due to my location it is unbeleivably slow. I can't seem to get  the articles or the NRAILA site. Is there another site I might be able to find these articles? Sorry to bother you fellas, I've tried to do a search but the only thing that happens is everything comes to a grinding halt.

Gramps

[Richard S]

Gramps:

You may have in mind the recent Supreme Court decision in TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO v. GONZALES, 545 U.S. --- (June 27, 2005).  Here is a link to the Court's opinion:

http://www.justia.us/us/545/04-278/case.html

[Gramps]

Thanks,
  I appreciate your help.

Gramps