Any Excuse Will Do, Part II

Josey1

Any Excuse Will Do, Part II byLarry PrattA new Justice Department report on criminal gun use contradicts several anti-gun claims by groups opposed to the Second Amendment right of individuals to keep and bear arms. But to hear the Brady Campaign -- formerly Handgun Control, Inc. -- the report somehow proves that gun control works. According to the Brady bunch, "The upsurge in gun violence relating to gang and drug activity that began in the late '80s created an enormous demand for these weapons" by which they mean UZIs, AK-47's and "other war weapons." But the report, "Firearms Use by Offenders," by the Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Statistics casts serious doubt on that, and other claims. About 8 percent of the state and federal prisoners interviewed carried a military-style, semiautomatic weapon. Fewer still actually used them in their crimes. This was about 800 percent higher than before the ban on these firearms in 1994. Regarding the infamous (in the mind of the media and the Brady bunch) "gun show loophole," less than one percent of inmates got their guns at a gun show. The real reason for forcing every gun buyer to go through the instant background check is not to fight crime. It is to register the non-criminals who own guns. This would greatly facilitate a future confiscation which, from its earliest days, was the stated objective of Handgun Control, Inc. The group that would have us think it is the middle way between the Brady Campaign and Gun Owners of America -- Americans for Gun Safety -- has also piled on the "gun show loophole" labeling it a gun pipeline for terrorists. AGS has asked the 36 governors in the states where Americans can still buy guns beyond the intrusive peering of Big Brother to end this freedom. As with the Brady bunch, AGS has linked the freedom to buy guns at gun shows as a boon to terrorists. Not to be outdone in the race to play the Terror card, the Violence Policy Center has found a document on the internet entitled "How Can I Train Myself for Jihad." Included in the blood curdling advice of this document is to "Respect the laws of the country you are in and avoid dealing in illegal firearms." According to the VPC, bone chilling linkage of terrorists with the terrible U.S. gun laws was the advice to get an AK-47. However, the context gives rather a less alarming view of the advice: "In other countries, e.g., some states of USA, South Africa [etc.], it is perfectly legal for members of the public to own certain types of firearms. If you live in such a country, obtain an assault rifle legally, preferably AK-47 or variations, learn how to use it properly and go and practice in the areas allowed for such training." May such advice be the worst thing I am ever accused of! These folks are so extreme in their desire to ban guns that I would not be surprised to learn that they might have an official policy urging use of a cell phone to dial 911 and wait for some time rather than take the 2 seconds that might be needed to pull your gun and shoot an assailant. Oh, yes, I am sure they would also have us call for a cop to come without a gun, because "violence doesn't solve anything." In any case, let us send the anti-gun terrorists packing. Go buy a gun -- even an AK-47 in those states where it is still legal -- and have a blast learning to use it. Then, if you must dial 911, you can do so at your convenience after you have the perp under control. http://www.gunowners.org/op0149.htm