In this case there was an interesting mention in the news article about the gun storage.
The burglars also, authorities said, took 20 guns from a safe.I wondered exactly what kind of safe that was. You can call anything a safe, anything from a high-school locker to a bank vault. That's your gun safe. If indeed, the guns were safely stored in a proper safe, one which meets industry standards and all local ordinances, where such things exist, then, what we've got here is a plain case of theft with no shared responsibility on the part of the gun owner.
If, on the other hand, what they refer to as a gun safe was nothing more than a sheet metal or wooden cabinet which was easily opened with or without a key, then I'm afraid we have to hold the gun owner responsible for improper storage of guns which abetted the theft.
What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.
California's law is rather weak, compared to the UL RSC standard.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ehow.com/list_6726510_gun-safe-regulations.html
A safe storage law won't prevent children being killed by pitchforks, but it very well may facilitate it.
Ah, here we have the proper use of the fallacy reductio ad absurdum:
ReplyDeleteA safe storage law won't prevent children being killed by pitchforks, but it very well may facilitate it.
Well, given enough time, I'd bet most able bodied people could eventually break into most home 'safes'. Of course, I have to wonder if he'd even bothered to lock it...
ReplyDeleteNote Mike that the reporter used the word “allegedly” seven times. Why is the media so insistent on not blaming the criminal? Is this some conspiracy to blame the gun owner? /s
ReplyDeleteThe owner shares NO responsibility for the theft. He's a VICTIM who had his home broken into and his property stolen.
ReplyDeleteAh, Laci, I see you've learned something this week.
ReplyDeleteAlthough perhaps 'affirming the consequent' or 'non sequiter' would be better for you to try in this case.
Yes, I'm arguing against myself. Then again, my whole argument is a hypothetical based on a historical event that plausibly was facilitated by a safe storage law.
One thing worth pointing out is that no safe is thief proof. Does it make it harder? Of course- but the down side is that safes also tell thieves, “there is something valuable in here”. Depending on the situation, a good hiding spot may be a better theft deterrent (not necessary in the case of this guy with 20 guns). I like safes, I just don’t like a government that would mandate it as the only solution.
ReplyDeleteTS, You've got a great point. Use of the word "allegedly" strongly removes the onus from the criminal. That's interesting.
ReplyDeleteMike, you know I was being sarcastic, right (I used the /s)? They say “allegedly” because the suspects have not been convicted yet.
ReplyDelete