Post by: Bob33 on November 29, 2014, 12:47:44 PM
Take away guns and they don't happen.
How is it that the supposed greatest nation on earth refuses to stop the unholy availability of guns?
I'm not talking about gun control. I'm not talking about waiting periods and background checks.
I'm talking about flat-out banning the possession of handguns and assault rifles by individual citizens. I'm talking about repealing or amending the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
The Second Amendment has been misinterpreted. It says guns are permitted to a "well-regulated militia." That means trained citizen soldiers called into action for emergencies — because in colonial times every able-bodied man was required to be a member of the militia. It does not mean everyone with $50 and a driver's license is entitled to own a gun.
That's what former Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger said in 1990, when he called claims of Second Amendment protection of individual gun ownership, "a fraud on the American public." Earlier this year, retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens called the Second Amendment one of the six great flaws with the U.S. Constitution. He called for it to be amended to say gun possession was only for state militias, not individuals.
Every legal opinion for 200 years denied individual gun ownership was a right — until the steady lobbying of the National Rifle Association created a climate that allowed a conservative U.S. Supreme Court in 2008 to strike down a handgun ban in the District of Columbia, and fuel the sense of entitlement of gun owners.
Gun supporters say, "It's not guns that cause gun violence, it's mentally ill people with guns; fix the mentally ill." Even if those same people did not oppose government spending on the mentally ill — which they have for decades — there is no predicting when mental illness will express itself in violence.
All of those who knew FSU library shooter Myron May called him the "last person" from whom they would have expected violence. They all knew he was mentally troubled. But they said he didn't even like guns.
You can't prevent mental illness. You can prevent humans from having easy access to tools they can use to harm other people.
Talk about mental illness: The United States is insane about guns. We lead the world in gun ownership, with almost one per capita. That's twice the percentage of the next closest country.
The United States doesn't lead the world in gun violence. Just the civilized world.
According to a United Nations survey, the United States annually averages 3 firearm homicides per 100,000 population. Fourteen countries topped that figure — but they were almost exclusively Third World countries.
Among the 24 most affluent nations of the world, the U.S. is the far and away leader in gun homicides. None of the other 23 affluent nations has a rate above 1 firearm death per 100,000 population.
Gun freaks insist we need to arm more people. They glibly say shooting sprees happen in "gun free zones," like schools and universities, where gunmen could be stopped if everyone had a gun. That theory is absurd.
Police and military train for years to use a gun competently in stressful situations – and even they don't always respond correctly. Think Ferguson, Mo. Think Charlotte, N.C. Think New York City in 2012 where two cops shot nine bystanders as they wildly tried to shoot a man who had gunned down a co-worker.
The idea of 500 students in a college library or a dozen teachers in an elementary school pulling out guns to shoot a gunman is ludicrous. They would wind up shooting each other.
Gun freaks say if you take away their guns only outlaws will have guns. That's a chance worth taking. Because if we ban guns, eventually the tide will turn. It might take 10 years or 20 years. Hell, it might take 50 years. But if we make it illegal to own a handgun, eventually there will be no handguns.
The same gun freaks believe in banning drugs. They believe in banning abortions. They recognize society bans certain things for the good of society. We should ban guns for the good of society.
People have romanticized guns. The Founding Fathers. The Old West. Self-defense — and never mind the average American has only a one in 250 chance of being the victim of a violent crime. It's all a delusion. Guns kill. They kill people from a distance. They kill strangers and children who have no relationship with the gunman.
Let the hunters keep their rifles and shotguns; those weapons are ineffective tools in a mass shooting. But we need to ban handguns and assault rifles for all but police and military.
This is an uphill battle. Despite daily front-page stories of shooting sprees and killings, Americans don't want to give up their guns. Over the past 10 years, the percentage of Americans who support stricter guns laws has dropped from 60 percent to 47 percent. In a recent survey, 73 percent of Americans oppose banning handguns.
But those of us who think widespread handgun ownership is insane need to keep speaking up. We need to teach our children handguns are wrong. We need to support any measure that limits their availability — and work to repeal the Second Amendment. We need to keep marching forward until someday this nation becomes civilized enough to ban guns.
One of the frequent refrains of gun freaks about President Obama is "He's coming for our guns." Obama never said such a thing. But I will:
We're coming for your guns. And someday, we'll take them.
Contact Gerald Ensley at 599-2310 or gensley@tallahassee.com.
http://www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/columnists/ensley/2014/11/22/stop-insanity-ban-guns/19426029/ (http://www.tallahassee.com/story/opinion/columnists/ensley/2014/11/22/stop-insanity-ban-guns/19426029/)
Post by: CoryTDF on November 29, 2014, 12:54:04 PM
Post by: brush hunter on November 29, 2014, 01:03:45 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on November 29, 2014, 01:08:22 PM
Quote
Gun freaks say if you take away their guns only outlaws will have guns. That's a chance worth taking. Because if we ban guns, eventually the tide will turn. It might take 10 years or 20 years. Hell, it might take 50 years. But if we make it illegal to own a handgun, eventually there will be no handguns.:rolleyes: What about all the gun freaks that are for legalizing drugs and abortions? A few of the gun owners I know are libs (yeah, doesn't make much sense but they are).
The same gun freaks believe in banning drugs. They believe in banning abortions. They recognize society bans certain things for the good of society. We should ban guns for the good of society
Post by: 100 grain on November 29, 2014, 01:25:27 PM
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on November 29, 2014, 01:36:04 PM
Post by: Jingles on November 29, 2014, 01:38:20 PM
Quote from: 100 grain hell lets just do away with cutlery in general. Jeeze even knowledge is deadly.....let's ban it all :chuckle: :chuckle: morons crack me up
[/quote
[/quote
They already have look at the common core curriculum in the schools. the NEA and Department of Education is working overtime to dumb down our kids as we speak
Post by: kodiak 907 on November 29, 2014, 02:02:00 PM
Post by: Larry S. on November 29, 2014, 04:00:03 PM
"I guess I’m just tired of it all.
Tired of the bogus definitions (see: “assault weapons” or “assault rifles”) and the slanted or just plain false statistics constantly being quoted. Tired of the skewed reporting and glaring omissions in “news” stories.
Bet you didn’t know that, in the Appalachian Law School shooting of several years ago, the incident ended when two students got their guns and subdued the killer without firing a shot. If you missed it, it’s not your fault. You see, in more than 200 reports, that little factoid was “conveniently” left out.
I’m tired of gun owners being portrayed as ignorant, gap-toothed simpletons whose only source of amusement is shooting anything that moves. I’d be willing to stand a cross-section of gun owners up against any of the anti-gun crowd and bet hard money on where the IQ pool would be deepest. You see, I’ve sat around too many campfires listening to doctors, judges, airline pilots, ship captains, teachers, and just plain hard working people talk. Most of those times, I decided to keep my mouth shut in order not to lower the level of discussion.
I’m tired of being told that the Constitution guarantees such things as abortions (although such is nowhere mentioned) but does not recognize an individual’s right to “keep and bear” arms – even though those words can be read by any and all who care to do so.
I’m tired of hearing that we need just one more “reasonable gun law” when there are already thousands on the books that seem to be studiously ignored. I’m tired of finding that most – if not all – of such proposed laws are nothing more than dishonest attempts aimed at the eventual confiscation of all firearms.
I’m tired of bringing reasoned and well-researched arguments to discussions of this topic only to be ignored or treated with polite contempt. I’m tired of being told that I should take moral guidance on this issue from the likes of – let’s say – Ted Kennedy and others of his ilk. Sorry, I’ll have to check with Mary Jo Kopechne and get back to you on that one.
I’m tired of seeing concrete and obvious examples ignored.
Washington, D.C. and New York City have some of the toughest gun laws on the books. Their crime rates have been repeatedly shown to be (guess which) higher/lower than cities wherein gun ownership is less restricted.
I’m tired of being told that guns are the problem when, on any given day, I can turn on the news and hear about the latest atrocity we – as a society – have suffered. Therein, I inevitably find that: (1) it’s been perpetrated by some useless accretion of carbon with a “rap” sheet thicker than a telephone directory; and (2) said individual was still on the street because of a justice system that’s become more “system” than justice.
I’m a father, a grandfather, a former little league coach, an honorably discharged veteran, and a past president of the local PTA. I’ve been married to the same woman for 43 years. I’ve never been arrested and my last run-in with the law was a speeding ticket back in the mid-70′s.
I vote in every election. I give blood regularly. I have a degree in English Literature and another in Marine Biology. I spent a year in a Benedictine monastery studying to be a priest. However – because I choose to own firearms – to the major networks, liberal politicians everywhere, and the likes of Sarah Brady, I’m nothing more than a “gun nut.”
I’m tired of that too.
And so, I’ve finally reached the point where I’ve decided I will no longer be “reasonable” while the other side does not now and never will accord me the same courtesy.
Even though this will, likely, never see the light of day in your paper, I have a message for all of the anti-gun zealots out there. It’s from someone who’s perfectly normal and is basically your next door neighbor.
There used to be a bumper sticker that said: “You’ll get my gun when you pry my cold, dead fingers from the trigger.” You made fun of it and derided those who believed in the spirit of the idea it propounded.
Unfortunately, it’s not much seen any more and I’ve been unable to find one for my own use. For that reason, I’m thinking of making one of my own.
It will say: “When you come for my guns, bring yours. You’ll be needing them.”
Would that be clear enough, sir?"
Post by: Eli346 on November 29, 2014, 04:19:22 PM
Post by: Fl0und3rz on November 29, 2014, 05:44:47 PM
Post by: Elkaholic daWg on November 29, 2014, 06:10:32 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on November 29, 2014, 08:33:55 PM
Quote
The United States doesn't lead the world in gun violence. Just the civilized world.
According to a United Nations survey, the United States annually averages 3 firearm homicides per 100,000 population. Fourteen countries topped that figure — but they were almost exclusively Third World countries.
Among the 24 most affluent nations of the world, the U.S. is the far and away leader in gun homicides. None of the other 23 affluent nations has a rate above 1 firearm death per 100,000 population.
When I look at the country comparisons that antis like to throw around--and start to qualify with 'civilized', I just look at where in those other countries the bulk of violence actually occurs. Just like here it tends to be at the 'most civilized' part of those places. The big cities (civilization) are generally exponentially higher in crime than small cities--then big towns--then small towns..... For a US example, Chicago has over 500 murders a year for a population of about 2.7 million. King County has about 2.1 million people (so using Chicago extrapolation should have around 400 annual murders) but the number of murders for the whole state (7 million people) are about 140.
Post by: csaaphill on November 29, 2014, 10:20:50 PM
From my cold dead hand!:yeah:
Post by: bigmacc on November 30, 2014, 03:38:46 PM
Post by: jasnt on November 30, 2014, 04:03:46 PM
Great letter Larry S. :yeah:. If you do make up those bumper stickers I would buy one :tup::yeah:
Post by: actionshooter on November 30, 2014, 05:08:06 PM
Post by: Stickerbush on November 30, 2014, 05:44:29 PM
Post by: SCRUBS on November 30, 2014, 05:47:16 PM
That guy is a nut, but the reality is that WAY to many people feel EXACTLY the way he does and if gun owners don't start being proactive, these anti-gun nuts are going to get what they want.
:yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah:
Post by: csaaphill on November 30, 2014, 07:17:25 PM
I just sent the following to Mr. Ensley. I doubt that it will ever see the light of day::yeah:
"I guess I’m just tired of it all.
Tired of the bogus definitions (see: “assault weapons” or “assault rifles”) and the slanted or just plain false statistics constantly being quoted. Tired of the skewed reporting and glaring omissions in “news” stories.
Bet you didn’t know that, in the Appalachian Law School shooting of several years ago, the incident ended when two students got their guns and subdued the killer without firing a shot. If you missed it, it’s not your fault. You see, in more than 200 reports, that little factoid was “conveniently” left out.
I’m tired of gun owners being portrayed as ignorant, gap-toothed simpletons whose only source of amusement is shooting anything that moves. I’d be willing to stand a cross-section of gun owners up against any of the anti-gun crowd and bet hard money on where the IQ pool would be deepest. You see, I’ve sat around too many campfires listening to doctors, judges, airline pilots, ship captains, teachers, and just plain hard working people talk. Most of those times, I decided to keep my mouth shut in order not to lower the level of discussion.
I’m tired of being told that the Constitution guarantees such things as abortions (although such is nowhere mentioned) but does not recognize an individual’s right to “keep and bear” arms – even though those words can be read by any and all who care to do so.
I’m tired of hearing that we need just one more “reasonable gun law” when there are already thousands on the books that seem to be studiously ignored. I’m tired of finding that most – if not all – of such proposed laws are nothing more than dishonest attempts aimed at the eventual confiscation of all firearms.
I’m tired of bringing reasoned and well-researched arguments to discussions of this topic only to be ignored or treated with polite contempt. I’m tired of being told that I should take moral guidance on this issue from the likes of – let’s say – Ted Kennedy and others of his ilk. Sorry, I’ll have to check with Mary Jo Kopechne and get back to you on that one.
I’m tired of seeing concrete and obvious examples ignored.
Washington, D.C. and New York City have some of the toughest gun laws on the books. Their crime rates have been repeatedly shown to be (guess which) higher/lower than cities wherein gun ownership is less restricted.
I’m tired of being told that guns are the problem when, on any given day, I can turn on the news and hear about the latest atrocity we – as a society – have suffered. Therein, I inevitably find that: (1) it’s been perpetrated by some useless accretion of carbon with a “rap” sheet thicker than a telephone directory; and (2) said individual was still on the street because of a justice system that’s become more “system” than justice.
I’m a father, a grandfather, a former little league coach, an honorably discharged veteran, and a past president of the local PTA. I’ve been married to the same woman for 43 years. I’ve never been arrested and my last run-in with the law was a speeding ticket back in the mid-70′s.
I vote in every election. I give blood regularly. I have a degree in English Literature and another in Marine Biology. I spent a year in a Benedictine monastery studying to be a priest. However – because I choose to own firearms – to the major networks, liberal politicians everywhere, and the likes of Sarah Brady, I’m nothing more than a “gun nut.”
I’m tired of that too.
And so, I’ve finally reached the point where I’ve decided I will no longer be “reasonable” while the other side does not now and never will accord me the same courtesy.
Even though this will, likely, never see the light of day in your paper, I have a message for all of the anti-gun zealots out there. It’s from someone who’s perfectly normal and is basically your next door neighbor.
There used to be a bumper sticker that said: “You’ll get my gun when you pry my cold, dead fingers from the trigger.” You made fun of it and derided those who believed in the spirit of the idea it propounded.
Unfortunately, it’s not much seen any more and I’ve been unable to find one for my own use. For that reason, I’m thinking of making one of my own.
It will say: “When you come for my guns, bring yours. You’ll be needing them.”
Would that be clear enough, sir?"
OMG someone finally says what I feel.
you bet WIll not comply to I 594.
That would be my only statement that should of been added.
Going to copy that if you don't mind and use that in any letter I may send?
Post by: Larry S. on November 30, 2014, 07:47:56 PM
Larry S.
Post by: csaaphill on November 30, 2014, 08:12:40 PM
To CSAAPHILL (Good to see another student of history)...please feel free to use the letter as you may wish. My pleasure!cool thanks
Larry S.
done
Edmonds cool too was born there.