Over the last few months, I find that I cannot take my mind off of the idiocy of our gun laws and the deaths that they have created. It breaks my heart when I think of the children that have been killed and wounded and the families that have torn apart by the total incompetence of our state and Federal lawmakers or the incompetence of others that handle guns improperly. It makes me furious when I think of the complete and total preventability of shooting accidents and most school/workplace shootings. In light of recent events, I would like to share my thoughts about this.
Only 2 things cause most shooting accidents – carelessness and ignorance with carelessness far exceeding the other. Ignorance simply means that one does not know how to safely handle a firearm. Yes, the handling of firearms by those that are ignorant of safe handling procedures results in a more than an acceptable number of accidents and deaths since the acceptable number is ZERO. Carelessness, however, results in many more due to so many people THINKING that they know all there is to know about the handling and firing of their guns or even those that actually have been taught properly but, for whatever reason, elect not to exercise that knowledge. A firearm of any size or description demands that one be able and willing to devote 100% of their attention to it 100% of the time while in the vicinity of the gun. Note that I didn’t say while handling the gun. I mean anytime that you are around guns, period. If someone else is handling a firearm improperly, you should very well be aware of it and take the appropriate action. The use of proper training, knowledge and strongly, deeply instilled safety procedures could prevent 100% of such negligent incidents. Oh, did I say “negligence”? Absolutely. Every time there is an unintentional shooting of any kind, a plethora of excuses erupts from those involved, whether it be an experienced police officer or a Boy Scout. Such excuses include; “I didn’t even touch the trigger!”, “It just went off”, “So-and-so accidentally shot himself”, “I had an accidental discharge out at the range!”. For the record, there is no such thing as an “accidental discharge” or “accidentally” shooting oneself or someone else. Guns do exactly what they are intended to and if handled properly, will NOT fire by themselves. If a gun, ANY gun, fires prematurely or unintentionally, it was due to negligence, not an accident.
Schools and other establishments that do not allow firearms on premises are target rich environments for criminals that choose not to obey state and/or Federal laws. It is our sincere and heartfelt opinion that if responsible, trained individuals are allowed to carry firearms for their own protection that the results of tragedies like the Virginia Tech and Columbine shootings could be greatly reduced if not completely eliminated in many cases. Contrary to what the detractors of legal, concealed carry would have us believe, there has NOT been bloodshed in the streets and increased violence in any state or city where concealed carry has been permitted. In fact, it has been quite the opposite. Violent crime, particularly murders, home invasions and armed burglaries have dramatically decreased (over 30% in some states) in states with liberal concealed carry laws.
Have you ever seen a business that put up sign saying that it did not allow firearms? Did you feel safer while you were there? If you did, your elevator doesn’t go all the way to the top. This may come as quite a shock to you but the people that are inclined to do harm to other human beings don’t give a damn about your signs. The mall in Salt Lake City where a young man, just 18 years old, killed 5 shoppers and wounded 4 others with an AK-47 has signs that say “No Firearms Allowed”. I assume the shooter didn’t get the memo.
There have been nearly school shooting in the U.S. since February of 1996. All told, there were 103 students, administrators or parents killed and 152 wounded in 24 states! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, PEOPLE! How many people have to die, no, how many CHILDREN have to die, before the idiots that make and support laws that prevent us from protecting ourselves realize that they are NOT working? “More gun laws!” they cry. “Take away the guns!” Well that’s just ingenious. Why didn’t the normal, conservative, rational folks think of that? Let me see if I can explain it to you — IT’S BECAUSE IT DOESN’T WORK!! THAT’S WHY! There are well over 20,000 gun laws on the books nationwide right now. Sure, let’s make some more. The more laws we have, it seems the more people die.