Frank describes very well the difficulty in sorting out the varying statistics. Everyone can find something to like there. So, he appeals to common sense, something mocked and ridiculed by the pro-gun voices, for obvious reasons.New next week: Guns in Palm Beach County's public parks.Thank you, NRA.
The gun rights group has been after Palm Beach County to comply with a 23-year-old state law that allows concealed weapons permit holders to bring their guns into public parks, playgrounds and swimming pools.
And why not? The NRA paid good money to buy its wholly owned subsidiary, better known as the Florida Legislature. And Palm Beach County's elected officials had the nerve to imagine that they knew what was better for its citizens than a national gun lobby.
You don't mess with the NRA in Florida.
So, it's no wonder that on Jan. 11, Palm Beach County commissioners will cave in to the insanity when they formally end the ban on guns in parks.
What's your opinion? Do you think Frank's on to something appealing to common sense in cases where the statistics are inconclusive or conflicting?But I say put aside all the numbers for a moment, and just look at the people around you.
Do you really think we'd be better off if all of us law-abiding citizens went about our business in public with guns at our sides?
Think of all the anger-management-challenged drivers you've encountered on I-95. Think of all the vile, racist comments that blossom in the commentary section under online local news stories.
Think of all the self-deputized patriots who've confused a virulent strain of bigotry with heroism.
Now put them at the picnic table next to you in the park. And give them guns.
Please leave a comment.
Do you really think we'd be better off if all of us law-abiding citizens went about our business in public with guns at our sides?
ReplyDeleteNot exactly. I would phrase it more precisely as:
"I really think we'd be better off if every law-abiding citizen, who so chose, went about her business in public with a gun at her side."
I feel that way because no one will commit a crime with their legally carried gun who wouldn't have done so otherwise. The past twenty years have proven that.
And it gives anyone the means to defend herself against a violent threat.
It's really a win-win.
Too bad Frank Cerbino can't link the problem of the lobbying efforts of the NRA to the larger problem of money in the American political system. There would be far less crime in the United States if the thousands of ATF, FBI, NSA, CIA, and other federal state and local police did thier jobs at combating drugs and other sources of crime in America. Living in Italy, a country with thousands of laws on the books, it does not matter how much you regulate something, the state still has to enforce those laws.
ReplyDeleteJust like the failure of the ATF and FBI to do their job in America, the failure of the state to fight the mafia in Italy is due to money and corruption in the political system.
IP: Your comment is confusing.
ReplyDeleteAt first, you seem to the nail on the head by noting the NRA money dictating policy.
But then you say various law enforcement agencies aren't doing their jobs. Enforcement does little good when the laws are flawed to begin with.
Think about it--what good does a background check do when anybody can buy whatever firearm they want without one? And even those dealers who are required to conduct checks have no fear of not conducting them because there are no penalties for failing to do so.
"And even those dealers who are required to conduct checks have no fear of not conducting them because there are no penalties for failing to do so."
ReplyDeleteWOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The ATF might have a different opinion on this.
MAgunowner, Sure it's a win-win as long as none of the lawful gun owners never do anything wrong or make any mistakes.
ReplyDeleteWe know that's not the case, though. Yours is a narrow viewpoint which serves your need to justify carrying a gun. You seem to feel the world is divided in two distinct groups, the good guys and the bad guys, or gals as the case may be. We know that's not the case either.