Glenn and Bill on Terrorists' Rights

Can we all agree at least that this is a fascinating issue?

Worst-Case Thinking

Thanks JadeGold for the link to this wonderful article.

There's a certain blindness that comes from worst-case thinking. An extension of the precautionary principle, it involves imagining the worst possible outcome and then acting as if it were a certainty. It substitutes imagination for thinking, speculation for risk analysis and fear for reason. It fosters powerlessness and vulnerability and magnifies social paralysis. And it makes us more vulnerable to the effects of terrorism.

Worst-case thinking means generally bad decision making for several reasons. First, it's only half of the cost-benefit equation. Every decision has costs and benefits, risks and rewards. By speculating about what can possibly go wrong, and then acting as if that is likely to happen, worst-case thinking focuses only on the extreme but improbable risks and does a poor job at assessing outcomes.

Second, it's based on flawed logic. It begs the question by assuming that a proponent of an action must prove that the nightmare scenario is impossible.

Third, it can be used to support any position or its opposite. If we build a nuclear power plant, it could melt down. If we don't build it, we will run short of power and society will collapse into anarchy. If we allow flights near Iceland's volcanic ash, planes will crash and people will die. If we don't, organs won't arrive in time for transplant operations and people will die. If we don't invade Iraq, Saddam Hussein might use the nuclear weapons he might have. If we do, we might destabilize the Middle East, leading to widespread violence and death.

Reading the article I couldn't help but think about the way Xavier prepares for that home invasion that in all likelihood will never come. And so many other times the individual responsibility guys explained how although the chances are slim, they must be prepared because the possible consequences are so great. This, of course, led to the meteorite metaphor.

What's your opinion? Do gun owners go in for this kind of worst-case thinking? Can the article be applied to them?

Please leave a comment.

Obama Does Standup

Thanks to Coonsey's World.

The Filthy Mess in Afghanistan

Thanks to A Tiny Revolution.

Background Checks on Gun Rentals

JSOnline reports on the question of no background checks for gun rentals.

Gun stores must check the criminal background of anyone buying a gun. But no check is required if someone rents a gun to use on the store's shooting range. In fact, a background check is not even allowed for rentals.

Prosecutors say a felon or other person legally barred from having a gun is breaking the law by handling one and could be charged. But they need proof.

"They can go and play with a gun, handle it, fire it, even take pictures with it to intimidate other people and nobody is going to know about it," said Joseph J. Vince Jr., a retired supervisor from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

At first it doesn't seem like all that much of a problem. But the more you think about it the more it does.

Badger Guns owner Adam Allan said the store recently stopped renting guns after two men - including one who was barred from having a gun - committed suicide on the store's shooting range on April 27 and May 1.

Without a background requirement for rentals, it would be nearly impossible to charge a clerk or store owner with supplying a gun to a felon, prosecutors said.

"It seems to provide cover for the gun shop owner," said Daniel Bach, a Madison attorney and former federal prosector.

It seems there's a bit of ambiguity about what constitutes possession of the gun.

A background check in that case is not needed because the gun store has "constructive possession" of the gun, according to Robert Schmidt, spokesman for the ATF, which regulates gun stores.

"As long as it doesn't leave the facility, they don't have to do a check," Schmidt said. "That is how the law reads. It is pretty clear. They don't have to do it. Those are the laws we are working with."

Legal experts said the ATF's legal logic appears to contradict federal law on what constitutes possession.

"The underlying concept is bizarre," said Frank Tuerkheimer, a law professor at the University of Wisconsin and former U.S. attorney for western Wisconsin.

And finally, the question of gun-range suicide is covered.

Like Badger Guns, a Florida gun store, Shoot Straight, was the scene of two suicides in a short time.

Like Badger, the owner of the store said he would stop renting guns because the State of Florida would not allow him to run background checks on renters. The store later resumed rentals anyway at its three central Florida locations. The store's owner declined to comment.

Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn said he was alarmed to hear that stores can rents guns without doing background checks.

"It is just stunning to me we can't take an elementary precaution to make sure we are not allowing dangerous criminals to become more firearms proficient, wrapped in the protections of federal law," he said. "Nothing wrong with target practice, but target practice for violent felons, not such a good idea."

What's your opinion? Wouldn't requiring background checks on folks who want to rent guns at the range screen out some of these problems? Why does it often seem the gun owners and gun dealers have things slanted in their favor? Why does public safety and common sense always lose to gun rights?

What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.

The ex-Boyfriend

The Pasedena Star-News reported on a murder which took place in broad daylight.

A suspect was behind bars Saturday on suspicion of killing his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend with a shotgun.

Rafael Berumen, 55, was booked on suspicion of murder a short time after Friday's 1:30 p.m. shooting in the parking lot of El Primo Foods in the 600 block of Monterey Pass Road, Detective David Gunner of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Homicide Bureau said. He initially was believed to be a Pomona resident.

Monterey Park police officials and sheriff's deputies found Berumen at a Los Angeles residence about 4 p.m. Friday, where he was arrested after a brief armed standoff, officials said.

"He stood in the middle of the street for approximately 15 minutes with a handgun," Gunner said. "He never pointed it at officers or deputies. He just stood there asking to be shot."

People who feel a gun is the answer to a failed relationship, or who can't take the breaking up, should not own guns. They certainly shouldn't have them handy in their cars.

People who claim that California's gun laws don't work should consider that over the border in Nevada and Utah you can buy guns as easy a fishing poles. That's what's wrong.

What's your opinion? Please leave a comment.

Rambo vs. Godzilla

FishyJay's latest contribution reminds me of one of the gun control arguments we don't talk about much: the ever-escalating cycle of violence that results from striving to out-arm yourself compared to the "bad guys."

Another point of reflection is the 3%er foolishness of arming themselves to fight off the godzilla-government.

All good stuff. Thanks FishyJay.