Once again, the liberals are out to blame the guns instead of the idiots who do heinous things with them. Not once do they blame the 400 horsepower vehicle for killing a bus load of people, but rightfully blame the driver. So why is it they don't do the same with guns? There is no hue and cry to remove all high horsepower cars from the streets after a teen drives his vehicle recklessly and kills four or five of his friends. Nor is there screaming to remove teens from behind the wheels of such automobiles. Why? Because to do so would be highly unpopular with the voters and , honestly, folks, it's all about votes.
If anyone believes the mushrooming of legislative activity against guns is really a gun violence issue, there's some waterfront property in Arizona you need to grab up quick before the next California earthquake. Sure, there is much concern about a school shooting, and anyone who would not be concerned and condemn such a dastardly deed is, in my opinion, a fool. But, that said, the hysteria that spreads across the nation to ban certain types of weapons, high capacity magazines and other anti-gun moves is simply a smoke-screen that the gun control people are hiding behind to press forward an agenda they have had for years. That is to disarm the American public and take away the Second Amendment rights of the American citizen.
What is truly frightening is that the government officials are well protected by armed guards and Secret Service. Obama and his family will receive lifetime Secret Service protection. Police and Sheriff's Departments are undermanned and underfunded so where does that leave the ordinary citizen when they call 911? A sitting duck while responders answer other calls and they are in the queue waiting for what could be hours for response from police. In fact, in some areas, you actually get a response from 911 that the line is busy and to call back later! (I personally have had that happen in California when I wanted to report an accident I witnessed) Great. Your home is being broken into and nobody is coming to help. The intruder has a gun and you, being a good citizen believing in gun control do not. While you are dying on the floor and your wife and daughter are being raped and then killed, the police are a long ways away. Too late for that gun now isn't it?
And, did all the laws that are not being enforced keep the intruder from getting a gun? He could have stolen it, bought it on the streets, or obtained it in many ways. Maybe it's one of the guns that Attorney General Eric Holder let go across the border into Mexico in the Fast And Furious operation that has made its way back into the US? One of those already killed a Border Patrol Agent. (And no, Holder isn't being held accountable for his actions as is not Hillary Clinton for her screw ups either...)
Problem is, the government does not enforce the laws currently on the books. Hell, I just read that numerous states don't keep the mentally ill from buying a gun in the first place! WTF? Some states have such stringent checks that you actually feel like a criminal to buy a gun; others are so loose it's damn near criminal to allow a gun to be bought. The rules need to be tightened up so here is a standardized methodology across the board for purchasing a firearm. Same in all states and municipalities. Concealed weapons permits standards should also be standardized and citizens with clear backgrounds following a vigorous check should not be denied a permit at the whim of a politically charged law enforcement agency or officer, as happens all too often. I have personally witnessed situations where "friends" of the issuing official get permits where other qualified people do not. Perhaps that has changed but I would bet in some jurisdictions it has not.
Bottom line, is don't vilify the piece of cold steel or the automobile or whatever is involved in the incident. Vilify the person behind the attacks. Place all available resources into stopping criminals from obtaining weapons while allowing law abiding citizens to have the weapons they want. The tactic seems to be "let's penalize everyone so we can catch a few" which equates to the old "the beatings will continue until morale improves" logic. Beating gun owners isn't the way to achieve a safer society.
Beating the criminal element and making it more difficult for them to obtain a weapon is a good start, but realize all the gun laws won't keep illegal guns off the streets. It will make it more difficult for the legal citizen to obtain a firearm, but the criminal will still obtain one. Out of the trunk of a car, in a dark alley, somewhere, there will always be a gun for sale at the right price.
As a nation, we mourn for the children, adults and their families in Newtown, Aurora and elsewhere. Those were horrible acts of deranged people. But it was the people, not the gun that pulled the trigger. Focus on that. The lunatics could have made a bomb and done mass damage and we wouldn't want to ban propane tanks or fertilizer or whatever they made the bomb from.
Finally, I don't own an assault weapon or a high capacity magazine, so I am writing this without a self-serving purpose. Just to ask that people look at the real issue...people are the problem and unless we recognize that, all the knee-jerk reactions and new laws won't help. Like all the cell phone laws didn't help stop people talking on their phones while driving and texting laws didn't help stop texting while driving. People don't obey those simple laws until a tragedy strikes, and the government won't raise the fines high enough so that it really hurts to get caught. So blame it on lack of enforcement.
And, by the way, why were the guns not in a locked approved gun safe in Newtown? Or doesn't Connecticut require that as many other states do? Just a thought....
