Self-defense, gun ownership, and homeland security

Josey1

Self-defense, gun ownership, and homeland security By RICK DANIEL Guest Columnist The current focus on homeland security has a growing number of Americans reevaluating their stance on personal safety and on the Second Amendment. Along with an increased demand for self-defense and firearms training, gun sales have skyrocketed. Individuals who previously scoffed at gun ownership are now finding a readily available firearm to be quite comforting.Here in South Carolina, firearms and ammunition sales are helping to shore up a slow economy. Licensed firearms dealers are selling guns in record numbers. If not for legal impediments, they could sell even more. Training for concealed weapons permits is also on the rise as new gun owners learn how to best protect themselves and their families. There is a greater acknowledgment of the fact that personal security is fleeting and self-defense is almost a responsibility of good citizenship.Terrorist attacks and armed robberies can't be averted by the police, who are often miles away when bad things happen. The heroic passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 understood this stark reality. Todd Beamer became one of the first in modern times to take on the awesome responsibility of homeland defense. The actions of Beamer and his fellow passengers saved the lives of thousands.In South Carolina, more than 40,000 citizens have taken the considerable time and expense to obtain concealed weapons permits. Since these permits became readily available more than five years ago, SLED has reported no serious problems. While it is obvious to most that permit holders are good citizens, the law still places many restrictions on when and where they may carry guns. With so many responsible gun owners trained and available to help, shouldn't we be finding ways to encourage, rather than discourage, their participation in homeland defense?Lawmakers should move quickly next year to recognize SLED's success with our concealed weapons program by removing many of the restrictions on concealed weapons permit holders; a good example is the prohibition against carrying guns in restrooms at interstate rest stops. This will instantly make our state a much safer place.Licenced gun dealers also need fewer restrictions. Currently, gun dealers lose many sales because South Carolina limits individuals to the purchase of one handgun a month. While this gun rationing scheme may have once seemed logical, its supposed justification is no longer valid, and it needs to be repealed. Federal law is more than sufficient to deal with such potential problems as gun running. In fact, multiple sales must now be reported to the ATF, nullifying any benefit derived from impeding legal sales.To assume that no one needs more than one gun is outrageous and shortsighted. The truth is that security-minded citizens often need several guns. Sadly, under current state law they are unable to buy one handgun for personal carry and another for home defense within 30 days. In the current budget crunch, the increased sales tax revenue would surely be welcomed. Also, eliminating the purchase restriction and its attendant paperwork will free up valuable law enforcement resources to deal with genuine crime problems. There is simply no demonstrable reason to maintain an outdated one-handgun-a-month law.Lawmakers have an opportunity next year to make a lasting contribution to homeland security. Empowering citizens is the surest way to reach this goal while making things safer for everyone. Law-abiding gun owners, licensed firearms dealers and self-defense advocates are ready to help. The Legislature should recognize the potential of such a valuable coalition as it sets about working to strengthen South Carolina's first line of defense.Mr. Daniel, president of Gun Owners of South Carolina, led the lobbying effort for passage of the state's concealed weapons law. http://web.thestate.com/content/columbia/2001/12/28/opcolumn/danielweb28.htm