Yea right... I'd probably never buy a gun. I just used the title to get you to click the link. It worked, and I accept your forgiveness. Since you're here, you might as well read about other people buying guns.
Today’s podcast is my first official reference from The Cato Institute. I fear this is a giant leap for me towards becoming a Libertarian *insert horror music here*. My husband and brother are eagerly awaiting the moment they can welcome me into the fold, but alas, I’m not so sure I’m ready to claim them as yet *smile*. For those of you unfamiliar with The Cato Institute, Wikipedia is your friend: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cato_institute
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court began hearing oral arguments in the case McDonald v. Chicago – a challenge to Chicago’s ban on handguns. Currently, Chicago residents are limited to owning shotguns. The suit asserts that the second amendment right to bear arms is a fundamental and individual right that should be applicable at the state level (right now it only applies to the federal government). Mr. McDonald is fighting for the right to protect his home against the numerous break-ins he has experienced. But of course, there are those who disagree with the idea of law-abiding citizens owning handguns.
That’s where the Cato piece comes in. The gentleman speaking, Mr. Tom Palmer, makes excellent points to support handgun ownership. Here are Tammy’s top three picks:
1. Criminals are already armed.
This point should hit you over the head like they do in the V8 commercials. It is highly unlikely that Mr. Gangbanger will be requesting a gun license from the state of Maryland. People have a misinformed notion that lifting handgun bans would provide criminals carte blanche to procure weapons. Have we learned nothing from the prohibition of alcohol and marijuana? When people want something, and you ban it, they will merely create a black market for it. Criminals will find guns when they want them. Only one person is left unprotected – the law abiding citizen.
2. Violent crime does not increase with handgun ownership/carry laws.
Criminals are not stupid. Ok I take that back… Most criminals are not stupid. As Mr. Palmer described it, an armed citizenry serves as a disincentive for criminal activity. Just as the gangbanger will likely skip over the house with the ADT sign on the front lawn, or the vehicle with the car alarm light flashing, he’s less likely to aggress against an armed person. I would certainly opt to have an armed, law-abiding citizen next to me when the gang banging of it all goes down *shrug*. Most people who would follow the process and purchase a handgun are only really interested in brandishing the weapon if they are faced with harm, as Mr. Palmer did.
3. Constitution guarantees the right to bear/carry arms
If you’ve read anything I’ve written before, it is plain to see that I want to protect my ability to have and protect all my stuff. Translate that into the individual rights that the constitution is designed to protect. It’s simple people. We should be allowed to have the option to own a handgun. We should be allowed the right to walk around with our handguns. The second amendment says so:
“..the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”
Keep your ears to the ground to see what our Justices say. My prediction: handguns for all!
FYI – If you live in Maryland, you are free to get a handgun license, provided you haven’t murdered anybody. You aren’t allowed to carry your handgun (unless you’re transporting it to the shooting range), but you may keep it in your home. If you have an Oprah type story of people trying to hunt you down, you MAY be able to secure a permit to carry your weapon… but good luck with that one.
--TamSam
Posted while listening to ‘I Am One’ by Chrisette Michelle (on repeat because it took me a while to type this)
“If one can make a difference, then two can change the world..”
