Mayor Greg Nickels has proposed a ban on guns in city-park facilities, specifically to protect children, and the move has already drawn fire from gun-rights advocates and questions about its legality.
The prospective ban, announced Friday, would cover playgrounds, community centers, sports fields, swimming pools and water-play areas.
The new proposal is not as far-reaching as Nickels' failed effort last year to ban guns from all city facilities after a shooting at Northwest Folklife Festival at Seattle Center. Nickels said signs would be posted notifying the public about the gun ban.
"These are the places where our children and families gather, and it is common sense that community centers, playgrounds and swimming pools are safer without guns," he said.
This is where the gun-rights people always say if you prevent the law-abiding from having guns then only the criminals will have them and the situation will be worse. I must admit I find that a compelling argument, one to which I often have difficulty responding. What do you think Mayor Nickels thinks about that? Do you think he, and the other Mayors who belong to Bloomberg's group, are irrationally afraid of guns and want them out of their sight. Often that's the accusation, that gun control people fear guns and think they're "icky," and all that. I don't find those comments credible at all.
I think the explanation of why reasonable and intelligent people would want guns banned from certain places, or from every place outside the home for that matter, is that we don't trust the gun owners. We realize there's a significant gray area of so-called lawful gun owners who are dangerous and irresponsible people and who cannot be trusted with guns in spite of the fact they haven't yet been caught breaking the law. Why responsible gun enthusiasts would take offense at that is a mystery to me.
What's your opinion? What do you think motivates people like Mayor Nickels?
Please leave a comment.
Nickles is going to lose this fight, perhaps as badly as he lost his bid to stay mayor (coming in third in a three way race--in the primary).
ReplyDeleteOne more ignominious failure for his "legacy."
Speaking of Illegal Mayors Against Guns (something like that), I hear they've been less than totally honest about their membership. I might even go so far as to say "They lie!" but I don't want anyone accusing me of racism.
I'm not denying, of course, that they have a fair number of members--some of whom have not been indicted for any crimes (or, to borrow a phrase, "haven't yet been caught breaking the law").
Yes, a few guys have been asking me about the allegation that Bloomberg added mayors to the list without consulting them.
ReplyDeleteWell, even if it's true, so what? Is that any different than any leader of any group trying to make his popularity seem more than it is?
You know how many hits I'm getting on the blog now? If I exaggerate that number, that's the same thing. Hardly a major crime and one which has nothing to do with the message I carry.
OK--if Bloomberg being a liar doesn't bother you (and how silly of me to think it would!), let's talk about the 10% of MAIG members who are criminals. Does that not shed some doubt about the quality of that group of people?
ReplyDeletePlease try and do some research before you post.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.stentorian.com/2ndamend/dirty.html
enjoy.
Hey MikeB,
ReplyDeleteYou know how many hits I'm getting on the blog now?
This is where we would look for or ask for evidence.
As with most things, there is evidence available....if you believe the source
Sat 19th 104
Fri 18th 163
Thu 17th 149
Wed 16th 175
Tue 15th 170
Mon 14th 162
Sun 13th 144
Since August 24th, at the time of this writing, you've had 4,096 visitors.
See there is something about the integrity of a person that matters.
If you say it is higher than that, we know we can't trust you to tell the truth. Exaggerating is LYING.
If you say that more guns = more deaths and it isn't true, then why should we implement your half baked proposed solutions?
Anti-liberty folks are trying to convince us to give up our rights, to accept "reasonable restrictions" and "minor inconveniences" because doing so will "solve the problem" right?
Yet, when the evidence is examined (just like your sitemeter stats) we learn the truth.
And the truth is that the gun control laws don't work. There is no evidence to show they are effective.
Even the CDC could not find evidence of effectiveness.
Integrity matters.
Bloomberg's integrity checked failed as bad as his solutions will.
Well, even if it's true, so what? Is that any different than any leader of any group trying to make his popularity seem more than it is?
ReplyDeleteI can't believe I neglected to bring this up before. This goes well beyond "merely" lying about their numbers--Illegal Mayors Against Guns have allegedly specifically named mayors as being members--mayors who never were members.
They have libeled these people--debased their good names by falsely charging that they are members of this trashy, immoral group.
I take it that that doesn't discomfit you, either?
If Nickels, or Bloomberg for that matter, were to visit the same park, with or without their family, would they make their armed guards stay out or would they enjoy the protection while enjoying the park?
ReplyDeleteI know little of Nickels but I can assure you that Bloomberg, while campaigning against anyone having the means to protect themselves or their family, does not let his family go out without armed security. The hypocrisy of that turd is outstanding.
MikeB is listed as a member of NAMBLA.
ReplyDeleteThey're just trying to make their popularity more than it is.
"I think the explanation of why reasonable and intelligent people would want guns banned from certain places, or from every place outside the home for that matter, is that we don't trust the gun owners."
ReplyDeleteIf you don't trust law abiding gun owners who have submitted themselves to whatever the law has required for a CCW, how on earth do you ever go outside at all? None of the criminals walking the street have cared to identify themselves to the police. They carry guns, knifes, and other weapons for the sole purpose of intimidation. Their intent is to commit crime.
Not trusting law abiding people with guns is a completely irrational thought when you get down to it. If they really are part of your "mystical" 10%, do you think that a sign is going to protect you? How do you live life knowing that complete strangers may be psychotic killers waiting to murder you and your family?
So MikeB, why is it you support blatantly CRIMINAL activity?
ReplyDeleteWhat Nickels wants is 100% Illegal.
Thirdpower, I published that comment only to show the others the kind of guy you are. If that was supposed to be a joke, its not funny. If it was a personal attack, it's also inappropriate.
ReplyDelete"The kind of guy I am"?
ReplyDeleteAnd what 'kind' is that MikeB? Be specific.
My post showed your continuing hypocrisy so of course you had to delete it.
So, Mikeb--you don't like allegations that you're a member of NAMBLA? Certain mayors similarly don't like false allegations that they're members of another reprehensible group (MAIG). Get it?
ReplyDeleteIn other news . . .
Oh look: New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin is under FBI investigation for taking bribes--yet another of the Illegal Mayors Against Guns under a cloud of suspicion.
Looks as if we might have to up the estimate of MAIG members whose greed/irresponsibility/
criminality make them unfit for office. Maybe it's not 10%--maybe more like 20.
beowulf, "So, Mikeb--you don't like allegations that you're a member of NAMBLA? Certain mayors similarly don't like false allegations that they're members of another reprehensible group (MAIG). Get it?"
ReplyDeleteYeah, I get it. Now, you get something. I don't believe for a minute that you consider those two groups similarly reprehensible. That's why I don't allow comparisons to NAMBLA or child porn or any of the other nonsense you guys come up with.
Even if you do think NAMBLA and MAIG are equally disreputable, I don't care. If you can't stick to the discussion without resorting to comparisons like that, I'd say your argument is weak. But, the bottom line is I don't allow it here. Get it?
Oh, calm down--I'm not the one who said anything about you being in Nambla.
ReplyDeleteAre you willing to acknowledge that MAIG falsely claiming certain mayors as members is wrong, and in fact wrong beyond "trying to make his popularity seem more than it is"?
So MikeB, why do you support blatantly criminal activity?
ReplyDeleteIs it a "the ends justifies the means" situation? Is it OK for mayor Nickels to engage in criminal activity since he's pushing for gun control?