The Laughing Wolf

The Scary Looking Gun Ban

While visiting relatives and friends this weekend, the subject of the scary looking gun ban came up. When a person, who will remain anonymous to protect the guilty, came out with a comment about such guns needing to be banned (in response to prompting by CBS, which was on at the time), it immediately drew my fire.

“Why do they need to be banned?”

“Well, because they are bad.”

Hmmmm. Let’s see. What difference is there between those guns and others? Do they fire the same rounds? Yes. Do they use the same basic mechanism? Yes, in fact there is no real difference between any semi-automatic action on any firearm. Then what is the difference? Are they fully automatic? No, those are not a part of the legislation.

“Do you believe in the right to keep and bear arms? In an armed Citizenry per the Constitution?”

“Yes.”

Well, if you believe in that, you also have to believe that citizens have the right to any gun.

“Well, there are just to many of them.”

Too many types to choose from, or too many guns period?

“mumble”

The fact is, the only difference between those guns that are banned and any other semi-automatic out there is that they look scary. They don’t shoot faster, necessarily better, or more powerfully. The only difference is in looks.

The fact is, you either believe that Citizens have the right to keep and bear arms, that Citizens have duties and responsibilities to the Constitution and the Republic, or, you believe that subjects have no right and no need to be armed.

Therein lies the difference. Two differences that really are one, for they are but simply part of the whole.

To the politicians out there who are so determined to disarm the public, I would like to ask:

Why are you so scared of armed Citizens? Is it perhaps a desire to have subjects? Is it a desire to be a Civil Master instead of a Civil Servant, one who is supposed to serve not the people but the Citizens of this country? Why does the thought of people having arms, to prevent this government from becoming a tyranny, per more than one of the Founding Fathers, scare you so badly?

Of course, it has nothing to do with any of the above. Nor does it have anything to do with what YOU would do with such weapons if you had them. Then again, are there not provisions for you to be exempt from these and other gun laws? Don’t you have the right to keep and bear arms even when, and especially when, the Citizens you are supposed to represent have been stripped of their rights?

No, of course not, no more than you are willing and prepared to allow facts and logic into the debate. It is a lot easier when you make it an emotional issue, and lie, cloud, and mislead isn’t it? The sheep, I mean people, do what you want then, and willingly follow when you lead. Heavens forbid they see facts and statistics that show that responsible gun ownership and use reduces crime, and improves personal and the public safety. That few if any legally owned automatic weapons have ever been used in a crime. That right-to-carry states have seen decreases in crime, including domestic violence, rather than becoming the Wild West.

No, it couldn’t be that, any more than it could be that you simply want to appear to be doing something. After all, it is far more important to most politicians to be seen doing something, even if it is destructive rather than constructive. It is action, and perception that matter, not substance. Who cares if it will cause more problems, so long as it gets me the votes.

No, of course not, nor could it be a shallow and manipulative attempt to get television coverage. And the Old Media would never play along with a purely partisan political agenda would it? One that happens to be part and parcel of every radical movement out there, left, right, up, or down? One wonders why they are so scared of armed Citizens too…

No, it could not be any of that, could it. Bah.

The legislation to protect gun makers is indeed needed, but wise heads and hearts knew it had to go this time. The fact is, the gun industry needs the protection because of the logic being used. While I hope to avoid giving the product liability and trial lawyers any ideas, what would happen if:

The Uncle I stayed with this weekend was a butcher before he retired. By the logic of the gun suits, he and every other butcher should be suing the knife makers for all the times they got cut. They should be seeking the costs of doctors visits, stiches, and lost time and anguish for the evil inflicted on them by those horrible, horrible knives.

The families of anyone ever injured or killed by drunk drivers should be suing the automobile manufacturers. After all, it was that evil car that killed and injured those they loved. Some of those cars were actually designed to go fast, and that was a known danger. How dare they make Corvettes, Porshes, and other fast looking and fast driving vehicles, instead of making them big, solid, slow, and with all sorts of lock and interlocks to make sure they could hurt no one and no thing?

The same goes for those airplane manufacturers! They know, know mind you, that if something happens up there, that they are coming down. The sheer irresponsibility of building something like that is beyond belief.

And let’s not forget refrigerator and freezer makers, along with washer and dryers. After all, they do pose a hazard to children. Children have lost their lives in these things, suffocating, and clearly this is an unacceptable danger that has not been fully addressed. By George, someone needs to go after these people for past crimes, and to ensure that every one of these products has safeties and emergency breathing gear (and signaling gear) to save those who might get inside them.

Let’s also not forget municipal water authorities. How many people drown each year in the home? How many are scalded by hot water? They, along with tub, sink, and water heater makers simply must be held to account!

The list goes on, but the point is made.

People, we need to take back the stage because this is NOT over. The Master-Wannabes will try again. The facts need to get out there, and we need to do some massive education. We have won this round because the man behind the bill, along with others and various organizations, did the right thing. The good news is, however, that the Old Media is no longer in control of the presses. The New Media is here. Let’s let it be heard. Post how your congrescritters are planning to vote, get the word out. Our freedom is ours to lose.

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