Armed to exploit terrorism

Josey1

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?SearchID=73075351566390&Avis=TO&Dato=20010924&Kategori=OPINION02&Lopenr=109240020&Ref=AR Armed to exploit terrorismPreying on the apprehensions of a jittery country to pursue a political agenda is shameful opportunism. But some pro-gun purists in Columbus are actually using the crushing terrorist violence suffered by the United States as a literal call to arms. Now more than ever, the twisted reasoning goes, Americans need to carry concealed handguns for protection.While it is beneath the dignity of thoughtful citizens to even respond to such absurdity, it is nonetheless necessary because Ohio is considering legislation allowing residents to carry concealed weapons. But the timing of gun rights advocates to capitalize on the terror gripping the country is tasteless, and the logic of preparing for the front line at home with hidden handguns bizarre.It is also crass to exploit the safety concerns of groups like Arab-Americans to sway public opinion on the merits of carrying concealed arms. But that didn't stop Karl Spaulding of Columbus who testified in favor of a bill conditionally allowing Ohioans to carry concealed handguns.Mr. Spaulding said the law was urgently needed not only to fight crime and terrorism but to deter the anticipated backlash against anyone of Middle Eastern descent. "We have law-abiding Arab-Americans who may need to arm themselves against assault," he asserted, further urging lawmakers to expand concealed carry legislation to include concealed knives and batons as well.Why stop with guns, knives, and batons? What about concealed boomerangs, brass-knuckles, and bombs? Let's fuel the self-defense scare with a whole arsenal of carry and conceal armaments.Clear-thinking Ohioans had better hope cooler heads prevail as legislation proposing both conditional and carte blanche permission to carry concealed weapons advances in the Statehouse. Most law enforcement officials in the state rightly cringe at the prospect of tens of thousands of new handguns pouring into the public domain.It is a bad idea based on unfounded fears that would only compound the safety problems of our violence-prone society. If the devastating terrorist attacks on our country have taught us anything, it is that there is no such thing as total protection.It is unreasonable to pretend that effective protection will come when everyone is packing heat. It is also unconscionable to play on the paranoia of a shell-shocked people to press for a preposterous notion that is unwise, exploitative, and terribly timed to take advantage of public fear.

badboybob

Pardon me while I puke.

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So many guns to buy. So little money.

Free N TX

Of course we all know that the news media and gun control advocates would never use a catastrophy to further their agenda. Right? Remember Columbine? Any time there is a tragedy involving a firearm the liberals and anti gunners were making front page headlines about how we need more restictions on gun ownership and more laws passed.WHAT A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES!!!!!!

idsman75

These stupid liberals are hypocrites! Not that this hasn't already been said but they grin with glee at the thought of exploiting the bloodshed following a school shooting. They forget that the last three major murders were not committed with guns. Knives, hammers and water were the weapons of choice. As a matter of fact, the high availability of hammers and water worries me. I think that everyone should have to register their faucets and present a state-issued piece of identification when purchasing a hammer at Sears.

Mom Mom

We should have let Michigan have the Toledo strip in that little 1800 and whatever "war". I wonder if it's too late to trade them for the penisula?