Guns Won’t Stop Rape on Campus and Will Cause Other Problems

The Cavalier Daily

In the latest push for legalizing firearms on campus — something we have previously argued against — lawmakers in at least 10 states are arguing allowing students to carry firearms will protect them against the dangers of sexual assault. This is a veiled attempt at pushing a pro-gun agenda, and demonstrates a complete misunderstanding about sexual assault at colleges on the part of these representatives.

Perhaps the most obvious flaw in the gun lobby’s argument is that allowing campus carry would not exclusively put guns in the hands of potential victims — it would also allow assaulters to legally carry guns on campus. Potential rapists would now have a new tool in their arsenal with which to attack. 

But aside from this obvious lapse in logic, the idea that guns would affect rates of sexual assault demonstrates how little legislators understand the fundamentals of sexual assault on campus. College women, according to The New York Times, are typically assaulted by someone they know, making them likely reluctant to use a gun against their attackers. There is also the question of whether individuals will even have access to guns in an instance of assault — would a typical student realistically carry his or her gun to a party?

Even if the answer to that question is yes, this presents its own set of problems. With binge drinking at parties, the chance of gun accidents would be high. John Thrasher, president of Florida State University, is a vocal gun rights supporter who opposes guns on campuses. This is due to the death of a student in 2011 who was shot and killed when another student, showing his friends his rifle, shot the student when he didn’t realize his weapon was loaded. Add alcohol and the general recklessness of a college environment, and the potential for more stories in a similar vein is high.

And the NRA are making sure the thugs are well armed...

The irony here is that the NRA is responsible for making sure thugs and terrorists are well armed, which is probably why the thug has a knife rather than an AR-15 clone.

Although, NRA policies have made sure that the weapons you believe will protect you are firmly in this thug's hands.

He doesn't need a knife--he has your gun.

Why else do they fight the laws that they not only once supported, but even proposed?

Quote of the Day

Guns protect against lone predators, burglars, rapists, gangs and hordes of various sorts, zombies or otherwise. As a practical matter there is little difference between a zombie who wants to eat your brain and a criminal who would bash it in with a brick. Guns either repel them or dispatch them to an appropriate destination.

BTW, isn't a coward someone who lives their life in fear? Especially irrational fear?

Anyway, more on this topic here

Great NRA Misquotations

Wayne LaPierre's miquotation of FDR's "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" that he attributes to Winston Churchill, which makes it only more laughable...

if people were able to see beyond their fear and ignorance that what he is saying is obvious bullshit.



Here is the actual speech made by FDR (his first inaugural address):



This is a good analysis of the use of fear to manipulate people.  LaPierre wants people to be afraid since he knows scared people don't think very well. 

FDR, on the other hand, is making a speech of reassurance and hope.  FDR is trying to do the exact opposite of what LaPierre is doing (which probably would also be the case if Churchill had made such a speech--he would want people to be confident, not afraid).

The reality is that this is such blatantly obvious propaganda and fear mongering that this post should be unnecessary.

Unfortunately, it is necessary.

Propaganda is the use of emotions (in this case fear) to cause people to short circuit their intellect.

You're being played.

You would know that if you would sit back and use critical reasoning skills.

See also:

• Franklin D. Roosevelt: First Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1989
• Surprise: New Study Pinpoints The Root Of Right Wing Ideology

La Pierre Kicks Off the NRA Convention with the Usual Be-Very-Afraid and Get-Ready-To-Fight Nonsense

Words to Ponder

I normally dislike Memes, but this seems appropriate.  even more appropriate when you have people like Wayne LaPierre saying "the only thing we have to fear is an absence of fear."

Propaganda plays on emotions to get you to short circuit your intellect.  And what better emotion to use than fear to keep you in line:

What Motivates Men to Own Guns?

via Criminal Wisdom

Life is made of fear. Some people eat fear soup three times a day. Some people eat fear soup all the meals there are. I eat it sometimes. When they bring me fear soup to eat, I try not to eat it, I try to send it back. But sometimes I’m too afraid to and have to eat it anyway.

Martin Amis (Other People)