Damn man, use some paragraph breaks. I’m not a robot. I gotta have my information chunked up for me.
On some points, I agree, and on others. I disagree. The intent of the forefathers with the word militia is unclear today by our definition of the term but what they thought it meant was something entirely different. It is very clear from their writing that it is intended as an individual right to bear arms, not a collective right of an organized govt sponsored militia. I’ve pointed that out very well in my latest video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JaDACSwvIw
Now that being said, I AM for some responsible and reasonable gun legislation. I believe mental and criminal background checks are good ideas and should be compulsory. I believe that we need to close the loopholes that criminals are using to arm themselves. But, I also believe it is our obligation to allow honest, decent, non-criminal citizens the right to carry. In the interest of that I believe it’s a good thing that we have a government sponsored gun program like Concealed Handgun License so long as they are on a shall-issue basis. Citizens that go through that (like myself) submit to a rigorous background check, classroom instruction on gun safety and the law and must demonstrate proficiency with a weapon on a range in front of a qualified instructor. Now that I’m certified basically all I have to do is show my CHL ID and I can walk up to any gun dealer and buy any semi-auto or lower classification weapon with no background check and minimal paperwork.
Now, the fact that I have to have that license to actually carry concealed is bullshit. I believe you are granted the power to carry openly or concealed by the 2nd amendment and any regulation adverse to that is unconstitutional. I hear your concerns about concealed carry vs open carry. That’s a big debate in the gun community and always has been. It’s basically a trade off of surprise vs show of force.
I have to disagree with your view on giving everyone guns. I believe the history behind concealed carry laws passing over the last few years has shown us quite clearly that an armed populace can police itself well in this matter. Citizens that apply for and receive officially sponsored licenses like a CHL make up way less than 1% of the conviction rate of the standard populace. (that statistic is from the Texas department of public safety and is visible there for verification) Furthermore, there has always been a major liberal media campaign saying blood will run in the streets prior to any Concealed Handgun legislation passing in a state. Those days have come and passed without incident. In truth, the honest hard working citizen is generally lawful and would not commit crimes such as you describe. That has been proven by the lack of bloodshed once they are armed. The citizens that WOULD commit such acts are generally criminal in their very nature and would already have barred themselves from legally owning a gun by virtue of their criminal status (most likely felony).
Anyone who is afraid to arm the populace of their country has no faith in their fellow citizens and in their fellow man. I can tell you that where I come from, EVERYONE is armed. We go bout our lives in quiet dignity just as if we weren’t armed. However, when the need does arise, the means to defend yourself and your property against the tyranny of evil men is on hand when needed. That means is employed when necessary, but often, the threat of it is enough to keep those would-be criminals walking the straight and narrow. There are always going to be crack-heads, knuckleheads and the like. Society will always produce vermin. Having an armed populace allows an individual citizen to defend themselves from that element of society without having to crawl under a desk and dial 911 so someone can come save them. It is the god given right of every man, woman and child to be able to defend themselves. Depriving a honest citizen of that is illegal, unconstitutional and immoral.
