In the wake of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, news headlines have been dominated by a single topic: gun control. This is obviously an important subject, and one we feel is worthy of a community discussion. In fact, all week we've had people writing in to express their views on both sides of the debate.
Below, we have published two guest sermons submitted by ULC ministers who fall on opposing sides of the issue.
Now Is the Time for Gun Control
-- A guest sermon submitted by ULC minister Emily Young
What transpired in Las Vegas was horrific. In the blink of an eye, thousands of innocent people who had gathered to enjoy a concert suddenly became lambs for the slaughter at the hands of a single sick individual. The killer was able to collect an arsenal of deadly weapons, drag them up to a hotel room, and shoot indiscriminately on the crowd below, murdering 59 people and injuring hundreds more.
Horrific only begins to describe it. But here's the thing: this kind of bloodshed is just par for the course in America.
Thanks to our country's lax gun laws, mass shootings have become the new normal. The Las Vegas attack now holds the title of "deadliest mass shooting in American history" seizing the crown from the Pulse shooting, which happened only a year earlier. How long before a new record is set?
The Congressional Research Service estimates that there are roughly 300 million guns in this country almost one per person. Is it any surprise, then, that the United States has 33,000 gun deaths per year? That number vastly outranks other developed countries.
Our current laws allow just about anybody to walk into a gun shop and purchase a firearm. Only 19 states require background checks. For no good reason that I can figure out, assault rifles are perfectly legal. This has to change.
How many more Americans need to die before our leaders finally decide to do something about gun control?
If we want to reverse this disturbing trend, now is the time to act. We need to combat the dangerous gun-centric culture that has too long festered in America. We need our leaders to stop accepting blood money from the NRA in return for silence on the issue of gun control. Above all, we need common sense reforms to get guns out of the hands of crazy people seeking to do harm to others.
Now is the time. What are we waiting for?
Land of the Free: In Defense of Our Gun Rights
-- A guest sermon submitted by ULC minister Douglas Martin
What happened in Las Vegas was terrible, on that point everyone can agree. But let's not overreact. Whenever a highly publicized shooting happens, we immediately hear calls for massive restrictions on gun rights. Often, the victims' bodies aren't even cold before the tragedy is used as leverage by those dead-set on kneecapping the Second Amendment.
Like it or not, gun ownership is constitutionally protected here America, and rightly so. In every way, personal firearms are a symbol of freedom. Freedom from government tyranny, freedom of self-defense, and freedom of recreation. These values are quintessentially American, and we should think long and hard before compromising them.
For every misguided individual out there who decides to use a gun for malicious purposes, there are thousands of law-abiding gun owners who are 100 percent responsible with their firearms. Why should these honest people be punished for the actions of a small minority of irresponsible dirtbags?
Consider this, too: no matter how many laws we pass, it won't stop someone that's determined to get their hands on a gun. Because, as it turns out, criminals don't follow the law. They will find ways to circumvent the rules, and the violence in places like Chicago will continue unabated.
Restrictive gun laws will, however, make it more difficult for ordinary people to buy a firearm to protect themselves and their families. I refuse to relinquish my rights just because a madman manages to get his hands on a weapon every once in a while. Sure, lawmakers' intentions will be good. But even the best of intentions can have disastrous results. If we enact strict gun laws, the inevitable outcome will be fewer guns in the hands of the good guys.
We've all heard the saying, "don't bring a knife to a gun fight."
Well, anti-gun legislation will make people do just that. Criminals will bring their guns to that gun fight count on it. Meanwhile, law-abiding people like myself will be forced to show up with a knife. If you ask me, that's not right.
So I'll say it again: let's not overreact. Gun restrictions might look good on paper, but they will surely have unintended consequences.
291 comments
-
James
Being for or against firearms... The fact is... no matter how much "gun" control is imposed, criminals have no interest or reason to follow said "laws". Laws are only useful for ppl that follow them. Stupidity, Greed & Murder can not be regulated.
-
Minister Nadar hopkins
well said , we still need to protect ur selves, I live in Detroit and the corrupt and the fearful hold the righteous back from doing any good.
-
Chuck
NBC did a report on the open prison system in Finland.
Very interesting how they choose not to put people behind bars.
Unlike who segments of our population
-
-
Steve
Outlaws will NEVER follow the law, period. For My Family, Friends and myself, I will carry and be ready to protect and pray that day should never come.
-
Chuck
I pray for you and yours that it does not.
Living in a State of Connecticut with the strictest of gun laws that do not have a right to stand your ground like Florida. A discharge of your weapon is an express way to prison. Our prisons are so over flowing we outsource to others states. We have convicts as far west as Iowa and South as S. Carolina.
Sad ? but true. We in Connecticut have low tolerance for everything. I know living in a State with the super wealthy and me being a member of the working poor class. I see the intolerance and bias all the time.
We like to feel like we have the moral high ground while looking down on others and making false judgements.
We are not all like this, and it was not always like this. But my kind of peps can’t afford to live hear anymore.
-
-
James
Gun restrictions might look good on paper, but they will surely have unintended consequences? Consider how many mass shootings there has been in Montana & Texas... Liberal gun law states? Shooters want unarmed groups, unarmed cities. Easy targets where the victims are unable to defend, has minimal protections or egresses to any great extent. Crime follows few laws... Why pass them?
-
James
PS:... The world going to the dogs? Forget the dog. Beware of owner...
-
Rev. Rene
So which citizen stopped the shooter in Vegas??? Who of all the people in the hotel and on the street had a gun to stop this shooter??? It was police, the people trained and qualified to carry who ended this tragedy! The argument perpetrated by the NRA that we need our own guns 'to defend ourselves' is BS! The NRA need all of us to believe this so they have a continuing source of MONEY, and a reason to continue. It is an unusual event where a private citizen actually ended one of these tragedies!
-
Bob Long
What a foolish thing to say. Everyday guns in the hands of responsible law abiding citizens stop bad guys. The liberal media does not report those acts of self defense so leftists like you pretend they never happen.
-
John Owens
Not nearly as unusual as the left would lead us to believe. It happens every day, but generally goes unreported by the mainstream, since they seek big government control.
-
John Owens
Actually it can be 200 TIMES a day that it happens. Not widely reported, because the media is mostly owned by globalists who want to dupe liberals into becoming their subjects.
-
-
mark smith
The LV shooter was not stopped by police. He stopped himself, probably when the weight of what he had done caught up with him.
-
Chuck
I am not nor will I ever be a member of the NRA. I hate gun and do not own one. That said I am a sold believer in the 2nd Amendment. Freedom comes with a cost. I believe if the government has guns and it can be used against there own citizens. Then what the government has the people should have. The people do have a right to protect themselves even from our government.
-
-
-
Gary Shade
Emily Young you really don't know your subject very well. ALL COMMERCIAL FIREARM SALES are subject to the NICS check (National Instnt Check System). Your statement that only 19 states require background checks is patently false.
You ask how.much longer before a new mass killing record is set? No one has broken the old record: 250 innocent Lakota Indians, women and children, killed at the Lakota Pine Ridge Indian reservation near Wounded Knee S.D. in 1890. The murderers? The US government.
Hopefully it will be a long time before a new record is set.
-
Thomas Bell
Gary Woods well said, I'm a minister in Arkansas please contact me or send me your web address 2 Belle House Cafe at live.com
-
-
Carl Elfstrom
Too bad there were'nt any well trained, decent snipers with assa ult rifles attending that concert. This country has lots of veterans with such abilities. They could have shot that deranged psycho right out of that window and let him experience a pre-fall on his way down to hell. We need more good people with guns to show up at all events. And in the name of all Gods and and Goddesses I pray. Amen and Blessed Be !
-
matt c
Having counter-snipers set up and ready to go would require a Police State, something the Globalists are working on. Two shooters in separate locations would've been too much for even a qualified sniper to counter; let alone the average CCL owner; fish in a barrel, the crowd was. This incident, like so many others, was not some angry jihadist, but about creating the need for gun control.
-
-
Larry Copeland
Emily Young you made a lot of complaints about people having guns what weapon made this a free country words on paper? Individuals with privately owned guns? People hiding behind others who died to be free speaking, free traveling people, there is no country made free without weapons.
-
Thomas Bell
That is correct we all carry weapons but our greatest weapon is the word of the law God's law.
-
Bob Long
She has an agenda and does not care about yours or mine safety
-
James collins
Give an American a gun and he's ready to take on the world. When our forefathers wrote that amendment a gun was a necessity (hunting , protection ) a way to survive. Yes own a gun not a arsenal.
-
-
-
Todd
The person for gun control has some mis stated facts. Please go to a gun store and try and buy a gun. Not as easy as she makes out. Every state is required to perform backgroun d checks when buy a weapon. I have yet to purchase a rifle or handgun and not do a background check. Do background checks work? A resounding Yes! Just ask a gun store owner. If the person doesn't self disqualify on the form the fbi check disqualifies them from getting a weapon. She shouts about money given by the NRA what about the millions just this last year given to politicians from planned parenthood.. millions of babies killed by a organization that was founded on eugenics NRA members are not the ones killing people. A gun club weeds out the wackos quick from its ranks.
-
John Owens
They don't know anything about the NRA, but are mindlessly quoting and mis-quoting things they have been fed from lefties, just like the mindless junk they say about conservatives, the tea party, Trump, anything or anyone else who doesn't just get floated around by the sewer water in which they are floating.
-
-
Raymond T. Cottrell
I agree with the comment posted about over reacting. I do agree that something needs to change. I see nothing wrong with background checks being made more thorough nor do I see nothing wrong with certain members of society being restricted from owning guns (criminals, etc.) I agree with the "from my cold, dead hands" statement - I have a right to bear arms and will continue to advocate for that right - but at the same time, there is a need for change.
-
Thomas Bell
I don't think there should be any gun restrictions at all. Because I know a guy that just got out of a mental institution 3 days ago went and bought a gun went through the restrictions and still got the gun I know a law-abiding Bank executive that did something when he was really young went to try to buy a gun and could not. We look for our government to take care of all our needs.we should look to We the People to do the same thing!
-
Jim D
If that is true, then this guy may have committed a crime. Question 11.f. on ATF Form 4473 asks, "Have you ever been adjudicated as a mental defective OR have you ever been committed to a mental institution? The instructions that go with this question are as follows:
"A determination by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority that a person, as a result of marked subnormal intelligence, or mental illness, incompetency, condition, or disease: (1) is a danger to himself or to others; or (2) lacks the mental capacity to contract or manage his own affairs. This term shall include: (1) a finding of insanity by a court in a criminal case; and (2) those persons found incompetent to stand trial or found not guilty by reason of lack of mental responsibility.
Committed to a Mental Institution: A formal commitment of a person to a mental institution by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority. The term includes a commitment to a mental institution involuntarily. The term includes commitment for a mental defectiveness or mental illness. It also includes commitments for other reasons, such as for drug use. The term does not include a person in a mental institution for observation or a voluntary admission to a mental institution.
EXCEPTION: Under the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, a person who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution in a State proceeding is not prohibited by the adjudication or commitment if the person has been granted relief y the adjudicating/committing State pursuant to a qualifying mental health relief from disabilities program. Also, a person who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution by a department or agency of Federal Government is not prohibited by the adjudication or commitment if either: (a) the person's adjudication or commitment was set-aside or expunged by the adjudicating/committing agency; (b) the person has been fully released or discharged from all mandatory treatment, supervision, or monitoring by the agency; (c) the person was found by the agency to no longer suffer from the mental health condition that served as the basis of the initial adjudication/commitment; or (d) the adjudication or commitment, respectively, is based solely on a medical finding of disability, without an opportunity for a hearing by a court, board, commission, or other lawful authority, and the person has not been adjudicated as a mental defective consistent with section 922(g)(4) of title 18, United States Code; (e) the person was granted relief from the adjudicating/committing agency pursuant to a qualified mental health relief from disabilities program. Persons who fall within one of the above exceptions should answer "no" to question 11.f. This exception to an adjudication or commitment by a Federal department or agency does not apply to any person who was adjudicated to be not guilty by reason of insanity, or based on lack of mental responsibility, or found incompetent to stand trial, in a criminal case or under the Uniform Code of Military Justice."
So, Thomas, as you can see, it's not that simple. If you suspect he should not have been able to legally purchase a firearm, you need to do something about it. Report it to the police, or even to the retailer that sold him the firearm. You can question him yourself to see if he falls under any of the exceptions, but you would have to feel fairly comfortable with that. I assume you can't just say, "Hey, Fred. Heard you just got out of the nut house. How'd you get the gun?"
We cannot let public perception of us prevent us from doing the right thing. If you see something, say something. The worst thing that can happen is the police check it out, and all is good. The best thing that can happen is the police stop a crazy person from going on a killing spree.
-
Chuck
I do believe in law where violent offenders and mentally ill people should not own guns.
-
-
Wanda Samuelson
There already are background checks. We need a proactive approach to making mental health as important as physical health. More classes in school about conflict management, respect and sanctity of life, values and healthy life choices. These are the things that will make a difference. NOT gun control laws. Just look to the drug laws and how much that has helped solve drug addiction, death and destruction.
-
-
Miranda Allison Young
Gun control is a misnomer. What we need to control is not the guns but who buys them. We need strict background checks to keep the guns out of the hands of the wrong people. Nevada has the laxest laws in the US. Maybe this person would have passed the check and maybe he would not. However, we would be able to keep guns out of the hands of people who are mentally unstable or perhaps in some other way would be a bad risk. Yes, criminals can always find a way to get them, but this would at least help.
-
JOHN MAHER
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH BLAH !!! YEAH RIGHT VOTE for ORANGUtRUMP, HAIL to the THIEF !!!
-
Thomas Bell
Hopefully you don't have a gun because by your statement you show me that you're already on stable and if you're a minister we should have greater restrictions on that.
-
matt c
John, your Hillary is the thief, the liar, the murderer, and Globalist criminal in general. Please go seek your therapy in your safe zone, and leave us Americans alone now.
-
Bob Long
You are EXACTLY the type that is too childish and irresponsible to own a firearm. Yet I’m sure you can legally buy one. The question is when will you wig out? If you have not already done so
-
Jim D
Ignore him, everyone. This guy writes this crap on every forum. He never has anything of value to offer. Trying to correct him is like trying to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time, and it annoys the pig.
-
-
matt c
It's a dangerously slippery slope when we start advocating intense background checks (based on what criteria?) to maintain our "God given Rights". Your medical background is more protected than your right to protect yourself. If we allow one group to set the standards for the rest of us, and don't even hold them accountable to the same rules, we are beyond a debate about the topic.
-
-
Wendy
If you're going to argue one side of an issue, at least know the real information. First, what do you consider an assault rifle? It's a completely meaningless phrase. Second, there are always background checks, they just aren't necessarily FBI checks. Some of the laws are state laws. Some states allow people who have permits for concealed carry to be exempted from the purchase background check because they've already been through a background check. Know the laws before you make statements about them. https://www.criminalwatchdog.com/faq/background-checks-for-guns Third, "developed countries" were cherry picked for the study that is always referenced. This article explains the strange inclusion of Chili (developed?), yet exclusion of Mexico (specifically because of the drug-related violence that would skew the data more in favor of the US) https://mises.org/blog/mistake-only-comparing-us-murder-rates-developed-countries Fourth, violent crime has be steadily decreasing since '96. https://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-09-26/us-crime-rate-rises-slightly-remains-near-20-year-low
-
matt c
I've been a CCL holder for over 20 years, and never did I buy a gun w/o a BGC. As far as anyone knows, only criminals avoid the laws. The FBI who was involved in too many crimes to count, including the first WTC attack, protecting Whitey Bulger and Hillary Clinton, should not be the moral compass for us. The MSM should not be allowed to steer this conversation, especially since they've been caught lying more than politicians have.
-
-
Wendy
And don't forget this story that completely backfired on the reporter who tried to prove that background checks don't work: http://www.dailywire.com/news/21897/flashback-reporter-tries-prove-buying-assault-ryan-saavedra
-
John Owens
Excellent point, Wendy.
-
-
Keith
What do you expect. Do you ever see a victim picture or their name? If you do it is for a few seconds. BUT the shooter gets hours of media time! Why????? Because the media wants to pull us in and keep are curiosity going like we are reading a book. If the media would never show a picture or name the shooter we will have fewer shootings.
-
Chuck
We have the right to bear arms for a very good reason. Because our founders knew the powers that be wouldn't rest even after the Revolution. They knew outside forces would try to subvert our government, and guess what?.....they already have!
The last check on the list to toppling us, is disarming us, so that satanic world government can absorb us like they have the rest of the world, and then it's game over.
The headquarters of satanic world government is the United Nations. They wrote up the "international small arms treaty" to disarm the world and us. Since then they have had our corrupted politicians railing on it every chance they get. And isn't it interesting.....all these mass shootings began at the same time the order came down from the united nations to disarm us? Hmmmm. Sound crazy? The Nazis and Communists used the very same tactic to disarm their people.
Know what else is interesting? The United nations is using the left (ie- satanic left hand path) to try to disarm us.....so I guess it makes sense that every mass shooter has been a registered Democrat.
We must remain armed to defend the flock!
-
Minister Anthony Longstreet
What happened in Las Vegas was due to how the government did to his father. So when the man got older the man collected his arsenal and set out to get even and shot as many people he could and then took his own life.
-
Ed
First, taking away guns, like many say for Australia, WON'T stop mass shootings, as there are still some: https://caffeinatedthoughts.com/2016/06/no-mass-shootings-the-myth-of-australia-gun-control-policy/
16 mass shootings stopped by "good guys with guns:" http://blog.uritraining.com/?p=88 (and there's more, just search)
http://freebeacon.com/issues/new-jersey-woman-stabbed-to-death-by-ex-while-waiting-for-gun-permit/ in this article, we see what it's like, to make gun ownership almost impossible, like in NJ. The woman had a RESTRAINING ORDER, and STILL had to wait for months. Cops can't be around 24/7/364. A the RO is PAPER! The psycho ex breaks in, and stabs her repeatedly, and she dies...but let's focus on "guns bad."
You want to talk about school shootings? How about Kent State, where college students protested Vietnam. The National Guard came in, then as they were leaving, were ordered to turn and open fire on them: http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Kent_State_Shootings?rec=1595
How about a local US government oppressing the people to make changes, and opening fire on the people? The response was WWII vets seize the armory, and take it back. This for those who think that citizens owning a gun can't do anything about the government with its guns: http://www.constitution.org/mil/tn/batathen.htm
-
Thomas Bell
I love the way you quantify your statement good job.
-
-
Chuck
There is a very good reason we have the right to bear arms, and that it was never meant to be a short-term right. Our founding fathers knew that subversion from the old world powers we ran away from to come here, would not end with the end of the Revolutionary War. The royals of the old world serve and have always served Satan, and his grand plan of world dictatorship (now known as Globalism). It is why the British Empire ran all over the world, in setting up its framework.
Today, the headquarters of the framework for this plan is the United Nations (hence the name). They have used almost primarily the Left (Left Hand Path of Satan, btw) in this country to subvert us, and have done exactly that. Our government is sadly no longer our own. The final step in bringing down the United States is to disarm us. So some years ago, the UN put together the "International Small Arms Treaty" to do just that, and our traitors in government signed on to it. Implementing it however, is another story.
So, they have gone to an old tactic (used by the Nazis & Communists) of orchestrating mass shootings to convince us to give up our right to defend ourselves. If you recall, these mass shooting started right around when Obama took office, which is the same time the UN gave down the order to start pushing to disarm us. Incidentally, ALL these shooters have been registered Democrats....Hmmmm. They have also all been on psychotropic drugs (paxil, Prozac, etc)....Hmmmmmm. And btw, every mass shooter and Presidential assassin in US history has been a Democrat/Socialist, because this plan of destroying us has been in place since day one.
Satan cannot have his New World Order with armed Christians running around. This is also why media, Hollywood and the left specifically bash Christian Americans on a routine basis. Our patriotism is a threat to their plan, because this New World Order is planned to consist of a handful of World Unions comprising it. They already have the Soviet Union, European Union and African Union in place. Whats left is a Pacific Union, North American Union and South American Union. And they know full well, North America will be the biggest obstacle.
So stay armed brothers and sisters..... we must protect the flock from this rising evil.
"When people fear government there is tyranny. And when government fears the people, there is Liberty" - Thomas Jefferson
"A nation that would give up some of its liberties for an added amount of security, deserves neither" - Benjamin Franklin
-
Lea Weisenbach
I'm from the Detroit area and Detroit is now the most dangerous city in the US. Detroit there are strick gun control and you know who has the guns. I stand by the second amendment. When I see police officer's having to stand down and watch a city burn...I'm not giving up my gun. I live now in an area that I can put my dog outside at night and I don't have to worry, its nice. This area I live in everyone has a gun...Its a poor area so there is a lot of hunting to put dinner on the table. I do beleive one of the main issue is state line. Gun laws don't match up and this should follow federal law..
-
Dr Asha Sharma
We all have forgotten why we have guns under the constitution,it was to protect against foreign enemies and to protect the country in which we live and love. Now we kill each other a self genisice of our people. We need to stop selling bulits and if you want to hunt limit on quality of bulits
-
Robert Messmer
Sorry doctor but you are wrong. Not to protect against FOREIGN enemies but for self defense against ALL enemies. The right of self defense is a God given right, the Constitution was simply to assure that we would always have the tools necessary.
-
John Owens
Correct, Robert. The 2nd amendment had nothing to do with hunting, but protection FROM government and in some areas, in lieu of government. The problem is not the availability of ammunition but we are, as a society, reaping the fruits of liberal thinking and child-rearing.
-
-
Patricia Lish
Your statement is only partially correct. If we the citizens are forced to give up our guns how can we protect ourselves from the government. Remember Hitler forced a mandatory gun law. No citizen could own a gun. Why no guns no defense. Jews were killed if a gun was in their possession.
-
-
Chuck
Agree. The right to bare arms is a constitutional right and each state playing around with our rights in not right.
-
-
Mark Hannon
Evidently the U.S. House and Senate passed H.I. Res. 40 in February of this year. Pres. Trump promptly signed it. This resolution reversed an Obama era regulation that would keep guns out of the hands of many mentally ill people. How ironic.
-
Gary Shade
Mark Hannon: "Evidently the U.S. House and Senate passed H.I. Res. 40 in February of this year. Pres. Trump promptly signed it. This resolution reversed an Obama era regulation that would keep guns out of the hands of many mentally ill people. How ironic."
Not true. Your post is misleading at best and a downright lie at its worst. The Obama EXECUTIVE ORDER was one that denied tens of thousands of seniors on social security their 2nd amendment rights.
The previous administration had proposed requiring Social Security to search its records and report people receiving disability benefits or supplemental income payments and who had someone else managing their finances, deeming them “mental defectives” who shouldn’t be able to buy firearms.
Republicans said that trampled on Second Amendment rights by casting too wide a net.
“It results in reporting people to the gun ban list that should not be on that list at all,” said Sen. Chuck Grassley, Iowa Republican and chief sponsor of the effort to repeal the Obama rule. “It deprives those people [of] their constitutional rights and, in a very important way, violates their constitutional rights without even due process.”
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/feb/15/senate-votes-undo-obama-administration-gun-rule/
-
Minister Jerry
Excellent response. I was guardian and fiduciary executive for my parents when they got older. This was done for their convenience, and to have the assignment made well before they reached the stage of requiring a judicial assignment due to advanced age. Obama's order would have prevented them from having guns in their house or possession. My father was a WWII Pearl Harbor survivor, Korean and Vietnam veteran. My mother was a Marine veteran.To say they weren't capable of possessing a firearm is ludicrous.
-
-
-
Wendy
No, that's not what it was. The Obama regulation allowed citizens who have their social security checks sent to a third party for management to be refused the right to gun ownership without due process. It has nothing to do with mental illness. It was a very specific violation of Constitutional rights. That was rectified.
-
Lisette
You don't have a payee on a disability check without mental incompetence. Period.
-
Gary Shade
That is just not true at all.
-
Minister Jerry
You are sadly misinformed. There are many people who have their finances handled by a second or third party due to convenience or other reasoning, and not via mental incompetence. It was a bad Executive Order, not authorized by Congress, and it was revoked. If you feel the order had merit - then contact your local elected representative to have it made into law - LEGALLY...
-
Jim D
So you can't be a good shot and bad at math at the same time? Really , Lisette?
-
Patricia Lish
So my brother has myself as he payee because he has mental incompetence according to your statement! Hog wash I am his payee so when he is out of state I can pay his bills. No mental issues. Just common sense. Not every person is incompetent because they have a payee.
-
-
-
Minister Nadar hopkins
Licensing Liberty “No State shall convert a liberty into a license, and charge a fee, therefore (Murdock v. Pennsylvania, 319 U.S. 105) “If the State converts a right into a (liberty)into a privilege, the citizen can ignore the license and the fee and engage in the right (liberty) with impunity.” (Shuttlesworth v. City of Birmingham, Alabama,373, U.S. 262) “When injustice becomes “Law”, Rebellion becomes duty”. (Judge Advocate & Minister Nadar Malik Hopkins, sui juris) Statues are not Law “Statues are not Law “, to be convicted up under a statue you must have consent. A statue is not a law (Flournoy v. First National bank of Shreveport, 197 La. 1067, 3 So 2d 244, 248), A “Code’ is not a law,” (In Re Self v. Rhay, Wn (2d) 261) in point of fact of law, A concurrent or joint resolution’ of legislature is not,” Law,” (Koeing v. Flynn, 258 N.Y. 292, 179 N.E. 705, 707; Ward v. State, 176 Okl.368, 56 P.2d 136, 137; State ex rel. Todd v. Yelle, 7 Wash, 2d. 443, 110 P2d. 162,165, STATUE. [Blacks Law fourth edition] The written will of legislature, solemnly expressed, according to the forms prescribed in the constitution; an act of legislature. United States Supreme Court Decision- the common law is the real law, the supreme law of the land, the code of regulations, policy and statues are “not the law”, [Self v. Rhay, 61 Wn (2d) 261] United States Supreme Court Decision- “All codes, rules, regulations, are for government authorities only/ not human creators in accordance with GODS laws. All codes, rules, and regulations are unconstitutional and lacking dues process… “[ Rodrigues v. Ray Donavan(U.S. Department of Labor) 769 F. 2d 1344, 1348, (1985)
-
Rick Plymale
I don't know who fed you this rubbish, but none of those cases make the statements that you are attributing to them. Not one single case even suggests that statutes are not law - NONE OF THEM.
"When injustice becomes law, rebellion becomes duty." is from the papers of Thomas Jefferson.
I've worked in the legal field for over 30 years. Being retired, I am now a case law research analyst providing briefs for legal cases, both civil and criminal. Your case citations are all fabrications.
You are also way off on your attributions. The Self v. Rhay case was the Supreme Court of the State of Wisconsin, not the U.S. Supreme Court. You've also misused the term "sui juris". That means the person is "of age". And the reference to Judge Advocate & Minister ......whoever......is a non-entity. They don't exist. (BTW, a Judge Advocate / Minister would only apply in Parliamentary law (such as in Australia or India) so there would be no application to the United States.
I'd suggest you actually do some case law research to find ACTUAL cases to support your position and not spew out some diatribe and hyperbole that you read on some conspiracy theorists blog.
-
Minister Jerry
Most excellent response Sir - I commend you for your post.
-
Jim D
Rick, could you please try to get a job with the media? We'd never see a fake news article again. Thanks.
-
-
Alan
I am sorry you were not legally trained. Fact: Law is created by the majority 'Will' of a State or Federal (sometimes, local bodies as ordinances, etc) legislatures. Once signed by that jurisdictions chief executive, it becomes valid on the effective date mandated by the new statute. All laws are subject to judicial review, which often happens after a defendant or respondent appeal an unfavorable ruling. The court of appeals will review the trial record for errors in procedure, or other contested issues, but do not make a ruling as to whether the defendant is guilty or not.They do not re-hear the case, just the legal complaint against the case. I they find no fault with the conduct of the trial or evidence, the initial ruling stands. If that is unproductive, the state or federal supreme court can be petitioned on the validity of the statute under which the conviction was based. If that court agrees on the validity of the law, based on constitutional considerations, your screwed. At that point, your only realistic hope is that you can convince the governor or president to pardon you. The common law as you speak of is based on old English common law, which grew out of people's inherent understanding of 'right and wrong' and we're not based on written statutes, per se. Today, the laws have been formalized, generally from common law, by formalizing them into statutes which add the elements that need to be proven in order to get a conviction. This has cut down on a lot of bias based on misunderstanding and helps clarify if, in fact, a statute has been violated. It is not enough to say someone 'stole' something. You have to have a prosecutor who can show a judge or jury that those elements are present before a conviction can occur. The judge should dismiss case if the prosecution fails to prove the 'elements' are there to support the charge. If convicted, and the elements are shown not to have been addressed, off to appeals court. But, like it or not, laws are valid, whether you agree with them or not, if they were constitutionally created. Even Jesus recognized the authority of earthly/mans laws. (Render unto Caesar). No laws are perfect, but if the population of a State or the USA do not agree with a law, it can be fixed by 'spreading the word' before elections and only vote for representatives who agree and promise to work for the repeal or amendment of that law. Fortunately, the US has the most fluid legal system to do these things, since, ultimately, the citizens are ultimately responsible for what statutes are enacted through their vote.
-
-
Takker
There are no valid arguments for average members of the community having guns in their homes, only excuses. However the United States has all those guns in the community so getting them out of the community would be almost impossible and so expensive it would send the country to the wall.
And for those that say they need a gun to protect themselves, that is not your job, protecting the community is the job of the police. Of course the United States has another big problem with police violence against the community so that is a whole other issue.
-
Gary Shade
Takker - you contradict almost every one of your anti-gun arguments with the pro-gun rationale on WHY we as free men and women should be armed. Especially in our own homes.
What do you mean "it's not your job"?? It is my job to protect my family and property from unlawful force. It is my moral obligation to see to it that innocent lives continue and to stop evil when confronted with it.
The police are a mop up crew that our own U.S. Supreme Court has said in opinion after opinion do NOT have a legal obligation to protect anyone. You are just plain wrong in your assertions.
You say that "There are no valid arguments for average members of the community having guns in their homes, only excuses." Are you kidding? You must be from another country to hold that belief.
Hunting, personal protection, gun collecting, competitive shooting are all valid reasons to own firearms. But the most important to me is that it is my Constitutional right.
Lastly you state that "Of course the United States has another big problem with police violence against the community so that is a whole other issue." No it is the same issue.
The 2nd Amendment is not there to guarantee a right to hunt, or collect firearms. All valid reasons to own them as pointed out previously. The 2nd amendment is there to ensure as free men and women, we remain free and can resist an oppressive and tyrannical government.
You seem so ill informed it saddens me.
-
Roger
Depending upon where you live in the US, police response time varies, but the nationwide average is 18 minutes. During a violent crime the police normally arrive after the crime has occurred. Then their job is to document the crime, collect evidence and try to find the perpetrator. This is "their job".
Someone or some gang with a gun, a knife, or a big stick is breaking into your house. Its called a home invasion and is very common in the US. Many times this is in the middle of the day. These criminals are brazen and fearless. Your options are: 1) call 911 and go hide, or run away if possible try to stay alive for the next 18 minutes or so, or 2) defend yourself, your family and your home with your legal firearm. Which would you choose?
Also, if you outlaw guns, only outlaws will have guns. I know that is a common saying, but its a fact. The majority of mass shootings have occurred in "gun-free zones". This is not by accident. What do Baltimore, Hartford, Salinas CA, Washington DC, Oakland, San Bernardino, and Chicago have in common? They all have very restrictive gun control legislation, and they all have some of the highest murder rates. All that gun control legislation does is tilt the balance of power towards the criminals and away from their potential victims.
-
Chuck
Takker...... criminals don't follow gun laws. So gun laws would only disarm law abiding citizens. And by the way, just because there are police, does not invalidate my ownership of a firearm at home. There is a fire department too, but I still keep a fire extinguisher at home.
-
Alan C Trent
Well said!
‘Participants’ in crime are ‘criminals’ and criminals should not possess firearms; however, they do and their numbers are growing daily! What happens when the criminals outnumber we “law-abiding” US citizens?
Well, as a “lawful US citizen” and someone who still respects “Constitutional Rights” and “The Rule of Law”, I will fight against the ‘criminals’/’participants’ in crime, until I can fight no more…I only hope my ammo lasts! ?
The Sinister Minister
-
-
Jim D
Takker, Do you have armed police surrounding you 24/7 to protect you everywhere you go? If you do, you must be a politician or a billionaire.
Assuming your are neither a politician or a billionaire, let's say someone breaks into your home in the middle of the night. You dial 9-1-1. The average response time is 10 minutes. Are you going to ask the intruder to sit tight for 10 minutes, the average response time for police, and wait to commit acts of violence against you and your family? Good luck with that. As Gary Shade said, the police are a clean-up crew. They will collect evidence, much of which will probably be your blood and your family's blood. They will call the coroner to bring the bodies to the morgue... Oh, that would be your body and the bodies of your family members. If you're really lucky, the police will find a fingerprint or a bloody shoe print that will eventually lead them to apprehend the guy that killed you and your family. Well, I guess it's not so lucky for you, but it is for any future victims the perpetrator would have had if he had not been caught.
Your comments are naive and ignorant. YOU are ultimately responsible for your safety and the safety of your family. Not the state or federal governments. "To Protect And Serve" is just a sticker on the side of a car and has no more meaning or authority than a bumper sticker that says "Honk If You're Horny!"
It's people like you, Takker, that are content to disarm good, law-abiding citizens and leave criminals as armed and dangerous as ever. Without fear of armed resistance, criminals will attack with reckless abandon knowing their own lives are not at risk.
Do us all a favor, Takker. Please post a sign in front of your house that reads, "No Firearms Here." Let's see how long that lasts.
-
Patricia Lish
Takker I say hogwash to u! So the night the guy broke into my garage and entered my home. I should have just say hey u Wait for the police I called them! I grabbed my 357 warned the guy I was locked and loaded and if he took one step more I would shot to kill. The guy ran back out and ten minutes later the police finally showed up. Without my gun I shutter to think of could have happened. Even the officer who came and took the report said I did right. In your comment I should have just waited. To bad we all can't live in your civil world
-
John Owens
There are no valid arguments against private citizens NOT owning firearms. Not one. Not in the USA. Shut UP!
-
-
Mike
I support gun control. Take all the guns from everyone - hunters, cops, sport-shooters, criminals, military, self-defense minded folks, everyone. And those who do the taking guarantee my safety and that of my family and friends with their own lives. Until then, proper gun control is all rounds in the ten ring.
-
Jim D
Hey, Mike. Let us know when your ride on the rainbow unicorn is over.
"And those who do the taking guarantee my safety..." Guarantee your safety with what? And if they can't, what are you going to do about it? Guarantee your safety from whom? There are no guns... Or are there?
Your comments are simple-minded and uninformed. The nations that are the most dangerous to live in, where you have the highest likelihood to be killed, are the ones where the citizens are not allowed to have guns. Grow up, Mike.
-
Rick Plymale
Actually, Jim, I believe Mike was being sarcastic.
-
Jim D
Ummm... Oops. Sorry, Mike. If you were being sarcastic, I apologize. If you were serious, I'll stick to my previous statement. Please let me know which way you meant it.
-
Minister Jerry
Without trying to sound sarcastic, read Mike's last sentence.
-
-
-
-
-
Charles Holden
Rothschild and Soros are behind it all. It is no secret they hate America and want to destroy her. Guns are our only means of protecting ourselves from a government gone wild.
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Rev. Holden, you are right. America is free because we were armed in the revolution, which started when the British Army tried to disarm the colonists. An armed people is a free people. Slaves do not own weapons; free people do. No government has any de jure regulation over guns, only unconstitutional de facto gun-control laws. Those who want to reduce "gun violence" really want to reduce gun rights to the point where we don't have any rights at all.
The phrase "shall not be infringed" does not appear anywhere in our founding documents except in the Second Amendment. Soros and company like to help those who want to destroy all our freedoms. Gun control has less to do with guns and more to do with control. Millions of defenseless people died in the 20th century because they were unarmed and incapable of defending themselves. This includes deaths at the hands of genocidal governments as well as deaths due to other types of criminals. Never give up your God-given gun rights.
Don't be afraid. Trust in God, who helps those who help themselves. A great way to help yourself is to validate your second amendment rights.
All the best, and may God bless you.
-
Alan C Trent
"A great way to help yourself is to validate your second amendment rights."
Amen!
-
-
-
Minister Richard
Californians have the right to bear arms. They live under such severe restrictions, that they might as well not have them at all. Do we want these restrictions for all 50 states? Our constitution says we have the right to bear arms. It does NOT say what type. What if we get restricted to being able to only bear black powder weapons (like what was envisioned by the authors)? Technically our right isn't being removed.... we, as responsible gun owners need to face facts. Either we police ourselves, and keep firearms out of the hands of the mentally ill and unauthorized people, we ARE going to start having severe restrictions places on us.
-
Robert Messmer
I have heard this black powder musket argument before. At the time of the enactment of the 2nd Amendment, guess what - black powder musket was the best military weapon in the world. So yes the Framers were indeed authorizing military grade weapons for civilians (further backed up by The Federalist Papers). Another way of looking at it would be that at the time of the enactment of the 1st Amendment the Founders had no concept of radio, television, internet or even a national newspaper so then freedom of speech should not apply to those "new fangled technologies".
-
-
William R Schors
You cannot just walk into a gun shop and buy a gun. All states require a store to perform a background Check.
-
Minister Robert
America is the land of the free Douglas Martin is correct. Like it or not, gun ownership is constitutionally protected here America, and rightly so. In every way, personal firearms are a symbol of freedom. Freedom from government tyranny, freedom of self-defense, and freedom of recreation. These values are quintessentially American, and we should think long and hard before compromising them.
-
James Slack
To All Conerned No matter how much gun control they try to implement, it will never work. I’m a pro gun and want to be able to protect my family and others it need be. To put more restrictions on guns will only invite more problems and soft targets. If we had more stricter laws and use them we might cut down on the problems that can arise. I’m tired of seeing my brothers in blue or others getting shot. Along with law bidding citizens. It’s time we take a stand to end the violents. Back in the days they took care of bad people. Thanks for listening and God Bless you All and America
-
James
You can remove every thing you think is a weapon, and an evil person will find a way to kill you. Look at the prison system. Newspapers, poop, and time = a spear that will stab you in the guts hard enough to hospitalize you and infect you with every std you can smear on it. Gross, nasty, disgusting but that is what we are facing. The truth. Guns are an equalizer. Train hard and play your training will never be called on.
-
John Benson
Statistics say that each year almost 2/3 of gun deaths in this country are suicides, the rest is made up from domestic violence and gang activity with the occasional mass shooting. I would suggest seeing what we've become as a society...morally..etc. It sure is a problem, but taking the weapons away doesn't fix the problem, it empowers the bad guys! These sick people will use a pencil if it would get the job done...I pray for the world! Peace to all!
-
Renee
There is no debate here. Only wasteful satire and conspiracy rhetoric. Where is the solution? Innocent people are being murdered. What can we do to assure individual rights and still have preventative measures in place? This is where the time should be in this discussion/ debate.. Do we need automatics? semi automatics? one round, 2 rounds? Mental health provisions. Until there is the willingness to address this serious issue in a respectful thoughtful way, nothing will change.
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Rev. Renee, The solution is for innocent people to arm themselves. Will this deter all crime? No, but it will stop many. Criminals, including governments, prefer unarmed victims. Every year, millions of people save themselves from criminal attack by being armed. Most don't even have to fire their weapons. When many criminals see that the proposed victim is armed, they usually turn and run. These incidents are documented by the NRA and other gun-rights protection organizations. The main-stream media will rarely or never tell you about them.
We do not have a bill of needs. We have a bill of rights. What happened to a woman's right to chose? A free people is free to choose automatics or semi automatics, or revolvers, etc. with no restrictions on rounds or anything else. Women should have freedom of choice in these matters. Men and women are equal under the law. Therefore, everyone should be able to choose the type of firearm, how many, what kind, and what accessories.
The government should never be in the business of restricting gun rights on the basis of "mental health." Who determines who is mentally ill? The government? Some anti-gun medical professional? Never ask a barber if you need a haircut. By the same token, never ask the government if you are mentally ill. More and more "mental illnesses" are being defined every year and the drug companies are complicit so they can make money from it. Soon, anyone who disagrees with the government will be deemed "mentally ill." This is a slippery slope that can lead to genocide. In practice, many people who have real mental illnesses are busy coping with that and have no interest in firearms. Many choose to restrict themselves. For those who don't and who think of attacking others, we all need to be armed.
The most respectful and thoughtful way to address the issue is to respect everyone's God-given right to keep and bear arms in a way that the government does not infringe.
Peace to you and may God bless you.
-
John Owens
Excellent comments, Dr. Marion Ceruti.
-
-
-
Tom
Since Cain and Abel, Brothers have fought and died, and that tradition persists and will continue to regardless of any law regarding guns. We cannot be sheep led to slaughter either. Society as a whole is perfectly capable existing in peace, but there will always be exceptions to this. We should protect ourselves and our loved ones from evil. That being said, I do not believe it is a gun related problem we have with the state of the streets in Chicago where I live, or elsewhere, but rather one of morality and basic Humanity. We as ministers, counsel, do good deeds and pray to the universe for guidance. The question is - how do we influence what's in the hearts of man and woman? We teach the children, we lead by example, we listen and we comfort, we show kindness. We forgive and spread profound love. We show compassion, consideration, and respect. Let's all focus on a collective and cumulative efforts to eliminate hatred, dispare and revenge.
A more productive debate should be on how to end the dependence (slavery) to drugs and alcohol abuse. This is a root issue. How can we make the world a place where our children, our parents, our neighbors and coworkers don't run away from reality, but celebrate it? It begins as a mustard seed. An unwavering faith in our creator and each other. And please, don't let the media sensationalize and shape perspective. Remember how much they magnify events. Oftentimes making things even worse. If no one's watching, they can't sell us soap and Viagra.
-
Milt
A college campus where an individual walked down the sidewalk stabbing over 20 people. Most weren't aware of what was going on because there was no noise. A semi truck plowing into a crowd, bombs going off in crowds, poison gases released on trains, and acid thrown onto people. All this took place where guns weren't allowed. Sick people will hurt of kill with or without guns. Sad but true. Stop glorifying this on the news so these sick people don't get recognition might help more.
-
Arnold R Mosley
The gun control debate is a way to shift the blame from the perpetrator to the tool. More gun control is not going to change these individuals inherently disturbed nature. We need to stop this useless debate and remember that the Bill of Rights gives us the right to bare arms. If we allow the government to change this what is next. After the second ammendment has been adjusted to suit the current political environment they may move onto the first. We need to be cautious when government starts enacting change, because when they get started they get emboldened with the victory and keep making changes wether we want them or not.
-
patrick hardy
There are over 22,000 gun laws on the books now , and people want to add more , no law would have stopped the Vegas shooting , the guy was a multi-millionaire , he passed all back ground checks and did everything legal to buy his guns , Chicago has the toughest guns law in the country but every month on avg. about 60 people die in shootings , only good peole with a gun can stop stop bad people bent on doing evil, Australia and Britain outlawed guns , but they still have gun deaths why because criminals still have them and in those two countries all violent crime skyrocketed because people could not protect themselves, the only thing gun control does is to make more victims when people have no way to protect themselves and their families, saddly 89% of gun deaths in this country are suicides, which if someone wants to die they will find a way , just like people who to do evil will always find away ,
-
Jacquelyn Kendall
Given the nature of this site, I must presume that many of the respondents are ordained ministers of some sort and most are adamant about their right to own weapons which, in many cases, are useful only for killing humans. Many are capable of correcting misconceptions about current gun laws so I should also be able to presume they are familiar with the FIRST gun law, the Second Amendment. If you are a member of a "well trained militia" please raise your hand. Also, if your only weapons are black powder muzzle loaders you are in compliance with your "constitutional right."
-
Robert Messmer
First off - you don't get a "well trained militia" unless the citizens are armed first. And no, the State National Guard is not the same thing as a militia. It is called "National Guard" because any time the President wishes he can 'federalize' it and take control away from the State. Second - you seem to be under the misconception that the Framers were ignorant of invention and only meant the 2nd to apply to muzzle loaders. Which by the way, at that time period, were the very best grade of military weapons. Based on your contention that the amendment only applies to what existed then, you would also be giving up freedom of speech on radio, television, internet, national newspapers. No churches that did not exist in the colonies at the time of becoming a nation.
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Rev. Messmer, you are right. The idea is that a "well regulated militia," which appears in the text of the Second Amendment, actually means that your weapon is in good working order, you have ammo, you are well trained, and you know how to use it. The militia consists of the people bearing arms. The Second Amendment does not restrict the type of weaponry and any laws that do are unconstitutional.
You are right again about the First as well as the Second Amendment. The Bill of Rights was not included in our founding documents to restrict individual rights, but rather to ensure that our God given rights were not restricted by future governments. We should never give up our rights for the sake of security. If we do, we will have neither and deserve neither.
May God bless you and keep you.
-
-
-
My_two_cents_worth
I CAN’T STAY SILENT ANYMORE. I JUST WANT TO HELP.... I am here to aid those that want gun control. I'm taking a stand and getting involved: if you or your friends have a pistol, revolver, shotgun or rifle and are looking for it to be removed from your home, I will take it (permanently) and ensure it ends up in a safe place. I normally charge for this service, but I'm willing to waive my normal fees because I care. Free pickup service available under 300 miles. After 300 miles I charge a small fee. Message me today so your home can be a "gun free" zone. And yes I will will take all ammunition and accessories too!! I also deal in "safe" removal, and for any safe over 1000lbs, I also charge a small fee.
-
Roger
You should also volunteer to keep a record of which homes are now "gun free zones". Make a national registry, and post it on the internet so everyone can "feel safe". Never mind that it also gives criminals a target list.
-
-
Rev. Dave
I've been a middle of road kind of guy for awhile. However, seeing how this society is going has forced me to choose my side. Let me just put it out there...I support the 2nd amendment. While I am not really sure where I stand on Semi-automatic rifles (assault style rifles), I do agree with a citizens right to bear arms. I believe that we need to temper this emotional issue with wisdom and discernment. No matter what side of the issue you're on, I'm certain that you would agree that "guns don't kill people"...and that a bad guy will always be able to get a gun. You cannot blame Joe citizen with a proper license and instruction to carry a firearm for the deeds of those who choose to break the law. I agree that enforcing existing gun laws would probably be sufficient. I agree with banning "bump stocks"...mostly because I don't see any useful purpose in it. I agree with taking a closer look at mental illnes and how it may or may not contribute to gun violence. I do not agree with the general outlawing of assault rifles. Once we set a precedent, it will be difficult if not impossible to go back. I submit a case for the "bad guys" will always be able to get a gun....in the UK, guns are illegal to own. I'm sure that there are special cased etc....but that is not the point. The point is that murders and assaults are committed with axes, knives, bats, hammers, and various other tools....see my point?? The shootings with guns quoted in one of the posts above gives a bit of misinformation in that a majority of that number is suicide and NOT attributed directly to an attack with a gun. All that being said, I pray for the people of Las vegas and the victims families. However, there was NO way to prevent this tragedy. You cannot stop pure Evil. You certainly will not be able to legislate Evil out of existence.
-
Pmedic
The only ppl gun control would help is the criminal. They will know for sure that they can run a muck and do as they please cause the innocent will not be able to protect themselves. It is a tragedy what happened but like most times it is the system that failed at the hotel. Not catching the red flags. As we move on in the century we need to become more vigilant. I see and deal with a lot of this in my job , every shift we have the innocent hurt by animal's and once in a while there willl be a concealed carry person that stops the issues from escalating. The real answer is to go back to the old days and have open carry across the country. Everybody talks about how safe is really is well if you have not seen pictures from over there it's because everybody carries weapons with them so the likelihood of something happening is greatly diminished by the outcome of everybody being protected an armed.
-
Alex
Anyone who thinks gun control is a bad thing is a complete and total idiot. Why do you need gun it’s simple you don’t.
-
Alan
The fact is, you are very naive. There is a good reason for private ownership of guns. It is actually considered by many to be a civic duty, if you are capable of safe and accurate use of a gun - rifle or handgun. The 2d amendment was meant as a safeguard against a 'tyrannical' government'. Since guns were owned by virtually everyone at the time of the constitution, the 2nd amendment was actually added as an after thought (as most of the amendments were). They just wanted to stop people in the future from arguing against the obvious in later times. We would not have won the revolution unless so many of the population had guns. That means we would have been stuck living in the rules of a govt (England) that had no concern for the colonists opinions. We were here simply to make money for the King. Also, if you were versed in history, you would know that every political party in the past century that was 'leftist', whether Bolshevik(Communist/USSR), Nazi (Hitler) or fascist (Franco in Spain or Mussolini in Italy and now USA democrats as they are well aware Americans would never agree to forfeit their rights as the 'left' thinks they should-keep in mind, they would never tell you what their actual goals are-think Obamacare; being forced to buy something you do not want. It is unprecedented in US history, but the 'left' believes you are too stupid to know what is good for you & worse, although the supreme court allowed it, they took the leftist view it was a tax and not forcing people to buy something) needed to disarm the population before they were able to fully implement their goal of 'State' control. The politicians trying to take guns have no concern they will be shot in a holdup and they do not care if you do get shot. Study the history of left wing politics and figure it out. If you actually find out what todays 'leftists' are up to and trying to put in place, brick by brick, you would go out and buy a high caliber, large Mag rifle and start practicing regularly.
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Thank you, Rev. Bower, for your excellent reply. We don't have a bill of needs. We have a bill of rights. Rev. Alex will not think he "needs" a gun until a criminal confronts him. If he has not already armed himself, it may be too late. The politicians who want to take our guns away have armed body guards to see that they never need to shoot anyone in self defense. The politicians seem not to care what happens the rest of us.
God bless you.
-
-
LORIE
Alex, based on your comment, it seems neither you nor anyone you care about has ever been a victim of crime. That neither you or anyone you care about has ever stared down a barrel pointed at you or a loved one while 8 months pregnant, as you tried to shield and protect your other two other children aged 4 and 2 1/2 yrs. All while on the phone with 911 - who then PUT YOU ON HOLD! Well, I have, and it took the police 15 MINUTES to arrive - timed by my phone - 15 Minutes. Later we found out that the guys who broke into our house that night, had gone on a killing spree. The cops could not explain why they broke in, pointed guns in our faces, threatened to shoot (especially since they had just done it across town) but didn't. But I know - Only God saved us that night, not the cops. For anyone who actually believes criminals will obey any laws, let alone gun laws, is a special kind of naive. Breaking the laws, is how they got the title criminals. So you'll be out somewhere obeying the gun laws, a criminal will see you as a helpless, defenseless VICTIM, and he will target you. But when he sees someone who will fight back, not only for themselves, the people they know, and care about, but for everyone else around them, the criminal will move on to the easy prey, the easy target, the easy victim. And sadly one day Alex that victim might just be you or someone else who you care about, and a lot of damage can happen in the 15 MINUTES you're on hold with 911. I pray for you and your loved ones Alex, much like I pray for everyone who honestly believes criminals will follow gun laws. Stricter background checks, sure I'll go along with that. But take away my RIGHT to protect the LIVES of myself, my loved ones, or John Q. Public, and that's where I draw the line. Be very careful about whom you blindly follow Alex, Hitler was a smooth talker too, and convinced people his government would protect them, only to turn around and slaughter so many of the very people who believed in his pretty words. One day you may pray that someone comes to your rescue while you are on hold with 911. God bless you Alex, you and everyone else who believes our government has our best interests at heart.
-
-
Tom
until every criminal in the world is gone and no more a threat I will carry a gun and protect my family.
-
Andrew Uy
Emily, in answer to your question "What are we waiting for?". We are waiting for a way to know which human brain will be the next to lose its ability to differentiate between right and wrong in accordance with the norms of our global morality. In the United States (I assume you are in the US), we sometimes forget that laws really do go hand in hand with sanity in an attempt to combat evil. Law-abiding Citizens should be able to protect themselves because we don't know how to determine who will snap or promote evil next. I also believe you can be Guilty by reason of Insanity.
-
Herb Meister
In recent years, we've also had terrorists smash vehicles into crowds. But, how could this happen? The vehicles were licensed, registered and insured. Yet, they were still used to perpetrate a crime of mass killing.
So much for the gun control argument too. Registration, licensing, permits fill political coffers with unnecessary taxes but, do nothing to stop killing.
Our country is quickly becoming a festering waste land of liberal stupidity and political correctness. We put criminals behind bars so Obama could go on a last minute rampage of presidential pardons.
Enforce your existing laws, review your Bible and leave politics to the politicians. No sense in all of us burning in hell.
-
Jim D
Last year in Nice, France, a crazy man drove a truck through a crowd killing 86 people and injuring over 450 more. Yet, no one has come out in favor of truck control. In this case, what is the difference between a gun and a truck? The answer is nothing. The differences are between the law-abiding citizen and the crazy man. We don't need to control guns or trucks. We need to control crazy people.
-
-
Minister KIM
Putting things into perspective: It is not the Guns or devices available to people. ---The problem IS the people!
Two of the most important works ever written for direction and guidance are: The Holy Bible and the Constitution (including the Bill of Rights) of the United States. It is a pity that people in general, have ignored both of these precious "how-to" -- live life -- creations. As a matter of fact, both flow together and support each other in many, many ways! Only through study, research and life experience does the average person begin to realize these simple facts of life.
It is a fact that the problems of violence in its many forms, always spawn from the individual person, the group, an organization, a strong hostile belief system or religious--political dogma. NEVER does any violence, death or destruction come forth from any inanimate object or device created by man.
It is ALWAYS a human being that takes the knowledge and creations of man and uses them to inflict harm to another person or group of people. The problem lies squarely with the character, morals, belief and ACTIONS of individual people ---NOT chunks and slabs of metal, wood or plastic. Mankind hurts mankind. For whatever excuse is given, it is the actions or inactions of PEOPLE that cause good things or bad things to happen. Notice how Biblical principals are ignored.
When society takes what is written down as good, and changes it to include those things that are contrary to God's purpose, then you will see the bad things that are happening now across the earth. It makes no difference where you are at, the evil and manipulation fostered and promoted by Satan are readily abundant by the discerning eye.
Study your Bible daily! Enjoy your freedoms as the great day of GOD is going to be upon the earth and all people will hear his voice!
Minister KIM
-
john
it is not the gun that kills it is the person behind the trigger. if you put a loaded gun on a table it will not go off . you need someone to pull the trigger . do you think that police carry empty guns? i am so tired of every one saying that guns kill
-
JJ
The only thing you were going to do by taking away guns is take the guns away from Or restrict The ones who follow the law because if a mass murderer or a criminal wants a gun they’ll get it no matter what the law says and you will never ever find or take away all the guns, If someone dies in something like this instead of being just injured and going to the hospital it is part of God’s plan for them. When you decide something like this you need to look at both sides OK so we take away the guns destroy every single gun I made available to any citizen and less pretend for a moment criminals will not be able to get them either now that leaves us vulnerable to other countries taking us over the government Taking full control of us there is a positive and a negative for everything for every action there’s an equal or opposite reaction! Why not try to enforce the gun laws that are already there first and maybe try to help with more help for mentally sick people just my opinion though
-
Mike
Gun control is a dangerous infringement on our rights as citizens of the United States of America and represents phase 1 of any type of domination of our citizens. One of the first things they history shows us is that people are first disarmed they’re riding and books of information in literature and etc. are burned in the street, teachers and individuals within elect to instruct others are taken to concentration camps . Then they take the minds of the children. If you doubt what I’m saying look at what happened in China Russia Germany and so many other countries around the globe. I am a former soldier and former law-enforcement officer, mostly part time because I believe it is my duty to help defend the neighborhoods in which I live. I carry a handgun with me wherever I go. If they restaurant will not allow handguns I don’t eat there. The laws in the state of Tennessee state that the business owner is responsible for the safety of its patrons if it does not allow them to carry a weapon on them while they are inside the restaurant. Obviously no alcohol consumption is allowed during the time the individual is there. I can tell you that it will be a sad day when Americans lose their right to keep and bear arms or that more restrictions are forced on them or that the price of aAmmunition continues to grow and an alarming rate to force the average individual to stop practicing and save to stop down what ammunition they can. I think that we should use Switzerland’s example when you leave the Swiss military there’s one thing that you take home with you. That is your rifle that was given to you while you were in service. Another reason Switzerland will never be overrun. One of the Chinese world leaders was quoted as saying that he would never invade United States of America because there was a rifle behind every door. Sometimes just owning a weapon can be a deterrent to keep the bag guys at bay it was prayer on her lips. I have a good friend that has ministered in many many states get owes and Cetera here’s my kind of preacher. He carries a 45 in one hand in that black back 66 Bible in the other. And he knows how to use both very well. May God bless you All.
-
David Ehlinger
I don't know of any firearm that was arrested for a crime. Of course people have and they also used vehicle bombs and even passenger planes. Our firearm rights where intended to keep the people in charge and Hitler like leaders out of our government and our family from home invasions which the police cannot do.
-
John Koenig
Emily posts: "Our current laws allow just about anybody to walk into a gun shop and purchase a firearm. Only 19 states require background checks. For no good reason that I can figure out, assault rifles are perfectly legal." Do your homework, Emily. #1: ALL licensed gun shops are REQUIRED to have gun purchasers complete Federal Form "4473" which is called into the FBI for approval BEFORE a purchaser may take delivery of a firearm. For over a decade, there has been a Federal program, "Don't Lie For The Other Guy" educating people about the illegality of "Straw Purchases" (a legal person buying a gun for a prohibited person). #2: ASSAULT weapons are capable of FULL AUTOMATIC fire and, are HIGHLY REGULATED by the Federal government. The weapons used in Las Vegas were NOT "Assault weapons". I do understand your ignorance on this as SO many anti-gun politicians purposely lie. If they told the truth, it would be obvious as to how truly ignorant they are. The ONLY reason for gun registration is to know who owns firearms and, where said firearms are, so as to make confiscation easier (check with the Jewish community; ask about a Mr. Hitler).
I find it interesting Emily (and SO many others) that you cherish your FIRST Amendment Rights to try to abolish my (and other people's) SECOND Amendment Rights. Wake up and smell the coffee Emily! Should the SECOND Amendment be abolished (or even curtailed) the other amendments will soon fall (I doubt most of the Bill of Rights would last a decade once the SECOND Amendment is gone). Magically make firearms disappear, and they will be replaced by even more lethal alternatives. As a 12 year old back in the 1960s, I had NO trouble finding the formula for trinitrotoluene (TNT) in my local public library! I can only imagine what enterprising troublemakers can find on the internet these days. In NY, other than the World Trade Center Attack (JET FUEL and aircraft), the single worst mass homicide (87 dead) was the Happy Land Social Club in the Bronx (3/25/1990) by an unhappy boyfriend using a SINGLE GALLON OF GASOLINE. Maybe Emily, you wouldn't have been as troubled if the nut job in Las Vegas had been barbecuing the crowd by hurling gasoline bombs? Tell us Emily, how hard is it to buy gasoline? A quick check shows that shootings don't even make the Top 10 list of causes of death so, the claim of "saving lives" doesn't ring true (as gun grabbers usually avow). In case you haven't heard this before, "When seconds count, police are only minutes away". The real problem is, that people are RARELY held accountable for their ACTIONS. Everybody does NOT deserve a trophy. Yes, you're expected to work and pay your own way. I realize that sentiments like these are today HIGHLY politically INCORRECT. The Declaration of Independence states "PURSUIT of happiness". It wisely does NOT guarantee happiness. Finally Emily, after 30+ years as a Law Enforcement Officer, I know from personal experience that any firearm is simply a tool. Like ANY tool, firearms can be misused BUT, when PROPERLY used, the right tool, at the right time, can be a lifesaver.
Emily, you (and others) ARE entitled to your opinion. Please do the rest of us a favor and, keep that short-sighted opinion to yourself.
-
Roger
The only arguments coming from Emily's side are from a position of ignorance.
-
-
Keith Wortz
In 1689, John Locke masterfully illustrated in "Of the State of Nature," that the natural rights of all people to life, liberty and defense of one's own self is ordained by God, not government. Regardless of any discomfort, or self denial, it may create, guns are very much a part of self defense. So, I say, taking God given nature rights and granting government power over such natural rights is to subordinate one's own self to government rather than to God.
However, this does not mean we can not have intelligent conversation about gun violence. Sadly, fear and ignorance dominate the national debate on gun violence. People who know nothing of firearms carelessly spew nonsensical rhetoric about assault weapons and gun control. They speak of trading away their rights for more government control as if it is their right to do so. Yet, the violent acts themselves are secondary to the debate. Can we not recognize that only fear and ignorance would drive us to subordinate ourselves to the very Governement that already violates our natural rights, restricts our faith, silences the sharing of our faith in our communities? Can we not see that the Governement's expansion of power over us has led to the decadence of life, liberty and safety? Is this not the very decadence at the core of all violence? The answer to gun violence lies with the sharing of faith, not fear. In God We Trust; or shall it be in government?
-
Chuck
Guns and God
Throughout the Bible it documents violence that humans do on each other. Starting from when Cain killed Abel and it goes on and on.
Is violence in our nature? No, we have free will. We share creation with all kinds, loving to violent.
Jesus acknowledged the need for weapons when he said for the non sinners to cast the first stone.
As long as we share the planet we those who will do us harm there is a need for protection and defense.
To declare up front I hate gun and don’t own one. Keep reading though you will be surprised by my thoughts on Guns.
Today people call it recreational gun use. I call it practice makes perfect.
Two wrongs never make a right. Over reacting to gun violence by making decisions hasty will never make the situation right.
Look at what happened with the Salem Witch trials and hysteria that fear creates.
Fear not Guns are the enemy. Evil feeds off of fear, hate and violence.
Passing more laws will not stop the violence and evil in the world.
Our forefathers had the foresight to ensure our liberty/ freedom by being able to protect our selves from the evil that lurks among us.
I write this while News is breaking that 5 people have been shoot in MD. How can I support gun ownership and not enacting more laws and regulations when this violence is all around us? It is because all of this violence is all around us. We must be able to defend our selves and protect our Families.
Gun laws will only make it so the good won’t have them and the bad will have an upper hand. More gun laws will not protect you or I.
Considering more people die each day in automotive accidents and even more from the chemicals in our environment, the question should be what are we doing to solve the problems that cause more harm than focusing on those that get a big headlines, like gun violence. More people died in the Hurricanes that hit Texas, Florida and Caribbean islands this year than gun violence. What are they doing, rebuilding without using the safety precautions needed to save lives. Why? Humans are doomed to make the same mistakes over and over. Focusing on things that they believe they can affect and have a blind eye on those they can actually change.
Until we can enforce God’s law though shall not kill. Gun violence will continue and no law will change this until all humans change.
Until that day live in faith that our lord is your loving God and protector and that no evil will win if we don’t allow it too.
I vote to support the 2nd Amendment because God wills us to protect our selves and defend what is ours.
Amen
Church of Love ❤️ and Light ⭐️ Minister Charles and Jennifer invite you to like them on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/Church-of-Love-and-Light-1716171341958311/?ref=bookmarks
-
William R Schors
I don't mind emily's opinion but she needs the facts to make a informed one. Who told 19 states only required a 4473.?
-
Alan
People need to understand the reason for the 2nd Amendment. First, it was put in as an afterthought as almost everyone owned guns then. The reality is, the framers knew the only true safeguard for liberty against a 'tyrannical' government, was an armed population. they were correct. It has only been in the last 45 years gun violence has been a big problem, but it is not the guns, its' the politics. The population has been divided and subdivided by the American 'left' by being told they have 'enemies', and only the 'left' cares. They created the hatred to get party allegiance generally, by instilling distrust and fear among 'minorities'. Many of which were created by the DNC think tank (who can we claim is an endangered minority ?). These are the same tactics used worldwide and historically from the 'left', including Stalin, Hitler and Mao, etc. If we want gun violence to end, two things need to be done, and neither is getting rid of guns. We need to find a way to stop the 'leftist' indoctrination of young people and the weak minded, which means regaining an honest media and the 'leftist' infusion into every college and university. This will allow people to see reality instead of leftist propaganda and the reality is, very few people actually ever think in terms of race (except those indoctrinated to think racism is rampant). The second thing needed is to do everything possible to stop illegal drug selling. These are, in fact, the two motivating forces behind the surge in gun violence. And they are because of the past 5 decades of leftist propaganda, loose enforcement of smuggling drugs and poor education in the early 'grades' about the effects of drug abuse. In 1950's and 60's Washington, DC, no one would have even thought about gun control, as people were more often stabbed than shot.Outlaw knives? No. There has been a hidden hand in generating the anger in people which leads to gun or any violence, working behind the scenes to intentionally create a false narrative to enrage people to violence. Keep in mind that the left can not win on ideas and don't want to. That is one reason they have helped to create a climate of gun violence and keep it alive, as their whole goal is to scare americans into be willing to ban gun ownership. The left, historically has banned guns before grabbing power from a confused public.
-
Jim D
Alan, The only thing I would disagree with is the idea that the 2nd Amendment was an after-thought. I don't think so. I think there was careful thought to the order of the first ten amendments, even thought the 9th Amendment suggests otherwise.
The 1st Amendment tells us all the things we can do that government cannot restrict... expression, religion, press, speech, assembly, etc.
The 2nd Amendment is there to remind government not to forget the 1st Amendment, OR ELSE!
The rest of the amendments basically specify what government can't force you to do (quarter troops in your house during peace time, submit to search without a warrant, incriminate yourself) and what you're entitled to if you should find yourself on the wrong side of the law (jury of your peers, speedy trial, confront your accuser, etc.).
-
Alan
You are correct because they took it for granted that no one would question a persons right to bear arms. They had little doubt in the other 9 amendments as they also took these to be 'self evident' when they wrote about 'inalienable' rights. The amendments were added more for 'lawyerly concerns'.. The situation was, is that some of the delegates wanted to make sure it was 'in writing' before they signed. So the amendments (first 10) were added so there would be no future misunderstandings and that those rights would be 'codified' and not just an 'assumption' which could be argued away by a future a generation, such as todays democrats.
-
-
-
Austin Lineback
Apostle Austin E Lineback I have never seen a gun shoot anyone. If a person wants you dead, they will find away. The problem isn't the gun, the problem is the bad teachings and powerless doctrines of the churches in the world. I try to teach others how to use the power of God on my YouTube. Check them out , spread the word and let's start showing the true light and power of God to the world.
-
Robert Bruce
We are a nation of laws, not the whims of people. Our system of law is roughly based on English Common Law. These are facts, and they are undisputed (unless you've recently taken some kind of illicit drug). The first rule of English Common Law is the Right to Self-Defense. That is fact, and it is also undisputed. Taking the seriousness of the right to protect oneself into consideration, and the fact that the Founders of this nation wanted to make sure that The People, who are sovereign, preserved that right to protect themselves seriously enough to make one of the first amendments to our Constitution one that preserves in no uncertain terms that Common Law rule as a natural right. The restriction or elimination of said rule/right immediate takes away the status of "citizen" of a sovereign nature, and reduces that same person to a "subject," or "peasant." Why? Because the government of course will always be armed, and if The People are not armed, those people will have no substantive recourse by which they may preserve either their freedom or their sovereignty. People have believed that, in the past, these were ideas were fighting for and, ultimately, worth dying for.
So, for all of you anti-gunners out there, please answer me this one important question: is your resistance to people owning firearms, that would preserve their freedom, all about the number of people who die by gun violence? Now, please be honest with yourself about that. Think about it for a second, and then decide if it's really about people dying--or whether you have an irrational fear of firearms. I believe that this is the critical question to be asked and honestly answered.
If you're answer was "yes, it's about people dying," and you are really outraged about it, then you need to be outraged by the needless deaths of others, many more, that died the same day of the Las Vegas shooting. Eighty nine people died needlessly, violently in this country and no one...and I mean NO ONE has breathed a word about it. That's right, 89 people. They died needlessly on America's highways. In addition, roughly 19,000 people (almost all of them children) die in accidental poisonings every year (that would be 52 daily in this country) usually via household chemicals that you have under your sink or in your garage. And I could go on with many other ways in which people die needless that far outnumber deaths by firearms.
So, is it really about people dying in firearms violence and your outrage over it? Or are you simply overlooking the fact that a veritable holocaust has been going on in this nation, right under your collective nose, because you are willing to sacrifice those thousands of people every year in order to maintain the CONVENIENCE of driving your cars? By the way, being licensed to drive a car is a PRIVILEGE granted to you by the State you live in, not a RIGHT. Over 33,000 people will die this year on America's highways needlessly. Are you OK with that? And if you are, how can you assail the right to self defense over a privilege granted to you by the State to drive a car, especially when the latter ENSURES a significantly higher death toll? Are you not outraged by this? That's an average of 89 people every single day...and if you add up the days since the Las Vegas shooting, remember to add 89 + 89 + 89, etc. for each day that passes, because on each of those days that many people die on our roads so you can have the privilege, granted to you by the state, to drive. You're driving around the single most dangerous weapon available to the average human being in this country, and you probably haven't even considered it. Or, somehow by some strange logic, the lives of those particular 33,000 are worth sacrificing so that you can drive--it's either one, or the other. Let that sink in for a moment.
The Second Amendment to the Constitution exists for one reason, and really one reason only: that is so we can protect ourselves from our government--not so much from criminals, or so that we can hunt deer. It's hard to fight a tyrannical state with eloquent language, or with firearms that have been confiscated in the name of "safety." Governments prefer their people to be disarmed because it's easy to control, tax, and abuse them for their own purposes when they can't fight back. Our own government, well at least the people on the radical Left, can hardly stand the fact that we can back up our claims to freedom with our firearms.
The actions of a few, obviously disturbed, people is not in any way even the beginnings of a justification for attempting to deprive this People from their Common Law and Natural Right to defend themselves with weaponry sufficient to the task. The loss of the concert goers in Las Vegas was an unspeakable tragedy that should not have happened. It is not the basis, however, to rip the lynch-pin out of our own most basic freedoms by removing or restricting further the Second Amendment. If you believe that it is, I think that you should first address the 33,000 deaths a year on our roads, the 19,000 needless poisonings of children, etc., etc., etc. before you start harping about the need for "gun control," especially since their are already over 20,000 state, local, and federal laws either prohibiting, or restricting, access to firearms in one form or another.
I say, that if you are outraged by firearms violence, but aren't outraged by the tens of thousands who die needlessly, and often violently, in a myriad other ways that dwarf the number of people who die as a result of firearms violence, I say that you are a hypocrite and that your outrage is an inexcusably irrational act of moral vanity.
-
Wendy
Very well reasoned.
I wonder how many people who object to firearms ownership have texted while they were driving. Or driven when they were not entirely sober.
-
-
MICHAEL R THOMAS SR
HOORAH !!! John Koenig. I am going to print this out and frame it.
-
Minister Jerry
Nearly five times as many murders are committed with knives than so-called “assault rifles,” according to the FBI.
The new crime statistics released by the agency reveal that out of 11,961 murders performed within the U.S. in 2014, 660 were committed unarmed, 1,567 were committed with knives and only 248 murders were known to have been committed using rifles of any type, including single-shot long arms and “assault rifles” routinely demonized by gun control groups.
Granted, the FBI did list 2,052 murders under “unknown firearm type,” but given the percentages of the known firearm categories, it is unlikely that more than four percent of the “unknown firearms” were in fact rifles, and less than that were semi-automatics.
In other words, despite the calls to ban “military-style assault rifles” by anti-gun groups, conservatively less – and likely much less – than four percent of murders were committed using AR-15s, AK-47s and other semi-automatic long arms.
This figure is a decrease from 2013.
In comparison, AR-15s are used far less often in murders than shotguns, a fact which contradicts Vice President Joe Biden who once implied otherwise.
That isn’t that surprising considering the recent study by the University of Chicago Crime Lab which revealed that AR-15s and AK-47s are unpopular amongst criminals.
Overall the number of murders involving guns has plunged from 8,855 in 2012 to 8,454 in 2013 and now 8,124 in 2014, following a significant decline in gun-related violent crimes since the mid-1990s.
violent-crime
“…The 2014 estimated violent crime total was 6.9 percent below the 2010 level and 16.2 percent below the 2005 level,” the FBI stated.
Guns are used exponentially more often to stop crime than to kill; each year firearms prevent an estimated 2.5 million crimes in the U.S., usually without a shot being fired, meaning that guns are used over 300 times more often to save innocent lives, given the 8,124 murders committed with firearms in 2014.
It’s also been estimated that over 56 million people have died due to gun control in the last century, according to Gun Owners of America:
In 1911, Turkey established gun control. Subsequently, from 1915 to 1917, 1.5 million Armenians, deprived of the means to defend themselves, were rounded up and killed.
In 1929, the Soviet Union established gun control. Then, from 1929 to 1953, approximately 20 million dissidents were rounded up and killed.
In 1938 Germany established gun control. From 1939 to 1945 over 13 million Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, mentally ill, union leaders, Catholics and others, unable to fire a shot in protest, were rounded up and killed.
In 1935, China established gun control. Subsequently, between 1948 and 1952, over 20 million dissidents were rounded up and killed.
In 1956, Cambodia enshrined gun control. In just two years (1975-1977) over one million “educated” people were rounded up and killed.
In 1964, Guatemala locked in gun control. From 1964 to 1981, over 100,000 Mayan Indians were rounded up and killed as a result of their inability to defend themselves.
In 1970, Uganda embraced gun control. Over the next nine years over 300,000 Christians were rounded up and killed.
More laws will not prevent what happened. The gun, or knife, or car - is a tool. It is the evil of the person wielding that tool that makes it a weapon.
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Rev. Jerry, Thank you for posting this. You are right. Those who look at only the number of people who die from criminal gun attacks pay no attention to how may people have died because they were unarmed, or armed with a knife in a gunfight. Please continue to support Gun Owners of America, a real no-compromise gun-rights organization.
God bless you and keep you smart and safe.
-
-
dotwilson@comcast.net
Good heavens! The Las Vegas shooting was done with an add-on automatic device. Those should be illegal.
-
Chad Russell
At what rate of fire should a semi-automatic firearm be capable of before we ban it?
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Pastor Dotwilson, there is no proven evidence that a bump stock was used. The governments will not tell us what actually happened in Las Vegas. The cover up is meant to ensure that what what goes down in Vegas, stays in Vegas. The "official" account does not add up nor does it stand to reason. I listened to the recording of gunfire. As a retired scientist and a trained listener, I know from experience that this sound can be produced by a fully automatic weapon with a belt ammo feed. No single shooter with a limited magazine and a bump stock could have fired that many rounds in such a short period of time with no down time to reload. Moreover, there is evidence that more than one shooter was involved. Why were two windows broken? Some say they ran from shooters on the ground pursuing them.
This looks like another package of lies designed to cause more restrictions on guns.
Nothing related to arms should be illegal. That is why it says in the Second Amendment "shall not be infringed." We need to repeal existing gun restrictions, not add more. There is no evidence that criminals pay any attention to existing laws. (That's why they are criminals.) Why should we believe that they would follow any additional laws?
God bless you and your family.
-
Jim D
dotwilson, I can create the same rate of fire with a semi-automatic rifle with my thumb and the belt loop on my pants. Are we going to outlaw belt loops and chop off thumbs? I don't think so.
Shooting people is already illegal, and that law didn't stop this guy. Why would a law against a plastic stock make a difference? Answer: It won't.
-
-
Chad Russell
Whether or not you subscribe to a higher power or something else, the fundamental right of self-preservation exists just as the molecules of oxygen you breathe and we are granted that right by our Creator/Nature. Firearms are an undeniable useful tool that allows humans to defend themselves and others from deadly bodily harm. The debate, currently, is revolving around what types of firearms should be legal. The answer comes down to this: whichever one you can safely and effectively use to preserve your life and the lives around you. I am a Minister of the Universal Life Church and if it weren't for the Bill of Rights (of which the 2nd Amendment is a part of), maybe I would not be able have the freedom to belong in the Ministry. On the side, I teach firearms safety. I am an NRA certified firearms instructor. I have found that people's attitudes concerning firearms is based on experience with them. If you want a better understanding of what these tools are capable of, and the deep respect needed when wielding one, go find somebody who is willing to take you out to teach you about them. But, before you do, here is a piece I wrote on my personal website that basically covers what most basic instructors will teach you. Read it. Then, go shooting. If you are afraid of firearms, face your fears. And if you're a person in favor of gun control, if you've got experience with them, it'll be much easier for others to take you seriously. http://chadallenrussell.com/chads-services/idaho-falls-firearms-training/shoot-better-faster-safer/
-
Maureen Carr (@throwoutthebums)
Chicago which has some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation sees 50+ people killed every month. Countries in EU that ban guns altogether still have mass murders and when the mass murderers can't get guns they use whatever else they can find. Explosives, trucks, machetes, etc. Everyone screaming for gun control or outright gun bans would do well to read up on history and find out about all the times guns were banned in EU countries leaving all citizens defenseless against the facists, naziis and communists that found it easy to round up, throw in prison or just shoot in the street anyone that didn't follow the party line. This will never happen in the USA as long as everyone has the means to defend themselves.
-
Gary Shade
Dotwilson: "The Las Vegas shooting was done with an add-on automatic device."
No it was not an "add-on automatic device". It was a BUMP STOCK that makes successive pulls of a trigger on a semi-automatic gun faster for most people. It is not an "automatic" and it does not change the gun into an automatic. It's a gimmick a novelty that actually makes the firearm less accurate.
Most good shooters can pull the trigger almost as fast as a bump fire stock and they are more accurate that a shooter who uses the bump stock.
Know what you are talking about before inserting foot Dot.
-
Phillip Ferguson
If we loose our second amendment right then what right will we loose next? Freedom of religion? Think before you jump the gun so to speak. You may feel the right to own guns should be taken away and you would never attack our freedom of religion. The next guy who comes along may want to take your right to religious freedom. Once we allow the government to take or modify one right there will be no stopping them from removimg and or changing all of them. The second ammendment protects all of the other amendment's.
-
Lt Bil Drat
I have to agree with Doug. Emily lost me right after "more" gun control. If we enforced the current laws we would be better.
-
oldaabill
There are hundreds of thousands of quality video cameras in Las Vegas. I have yet to see any quality videos of any part of the shooting. I have yet to hear an audio recording of more than the same 30 to 40 rounds, overlaid on shaky, blurry, dark cell phone videos. There should be videos from the Music event. Videos for days from the hotel. Videos from ambulances. Videos from the hospitals. Street videos from the scene to the hospitals. Videos from policemen and police dash cams. Both videos and photos of autopsies. I spent two years in a combat zone, and I have not seen a mass slaughter on video in Las Vegas.
To ban guns, 75% of the House, 75% of the Senate will have to pass an Amendment repealing the 2nd Amendment. The President will have to sign the Amendment. Then 75% of the State legislatures will have to approve the Amendment to repeal the 2nd Amendment.
Where are the confirming videos and audios? Where are the bills to repeal the 2nd Amendment?
-
Stew
Gun control is essential if you want another holodomor or kristalnacht. If you want less violent crime, gun control is, at best, worthless.
-
Jake
Well you have heard it all before Guns are not the problem people are the problem i will tell you from experience when someone pulls a gun on you you better have one and better not be scared to use it! in my case just showing the agressor i was armed and not afraid of them put an end to the situation several times! i would never want to hurt anyone least of all kill them but idf they start the confrontation they made a mistake i will rectify. i will also tell you killing another human is no joke and you will live with the consequences for the rest of your days wether you were right or wrong in the confrontation! As much as i would like to believe otherwise there are some really bad people in this world of ours and they only fear one thing and its not the Lord! A firearm is a tool just like our Bible is and when used properly it can Save you or others. when used improperly its a curse. there is no defending what happend in las Vegas the man was a murderer who took way too many of our brothers and sisters and harmed so many more but he has received his reward you can be sure of that. If all guns were removed from this earth would it stop violence of course not you might remember when in the bible cain slew able with the jawbone of an ASS! There will always be those who will use whatever is at hand to over power others it sup to us to take the proper steps to protect ourselves and others. i have several times when unarmed put my self in jeopardy to stop attacks on others I just cant let soemone else be victumized without doing my best to stop the attack. Ive been very lucky to be here and i know the lord was behind me still being here and having the self control to only use as much force ads needed to stop attacks without taking another life! So my friends dont blame the firearm blame the man using it it could have just as easily been the jawbone of an ass wielded by a mainiac in crowd! A gun is just a tool and many more people are saved by them than you will ever know we dont hear about those news stories. I pray none of you ever end up in some of the situations ive been in but in almost every case im glad is was there and prepared to stop the threat to myself or others. My full time job is a dangerous one the responsibilities are huge because so many could be hurt if i dont act in a mature and calm manner. I am sorry i cannot speak about my job to explain better but its not in the cards.
-
Jim D
Actually, Cain killed Abel with a rock. Sampson slew 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of an ass.
-
-
SkipNClair
It is your God given right to provide and protect you and your's the way you feel is best for your family. God gave all men all rights not governments, all governments take away rights, some fewer then others but no govt. has ever invented a right, they come from God. Now one of the greatest gifts God also gave man is this thing called free will and if you elect to use your freewill to depend on others for your protection and your families, I have no problem with that, but don't think you have the right then to tell me how to exercise my free will when it comes to protecting me and mine. If you do your research on guns and I am not talking about the crooked MSM but some serious research, you will find the majority of what you are led to believe about guns in USA is false. Hammers for example kill more people then guns, knives kill more people then guns, but hey there is no agenda for them, just the guns, now who needs the guns taken away to install the will of Satan and his new world order? When you understand that, you see the main reason for all the talk and all of the shootings real or otherwise about gun control. Wake up stop using 15 second sound bites to form an opinion on anything and do the research. Put the remote away, stop with the NFL and sports, and Kim Kardashian and justin bibber etc. and take a little time to learn the truth, Are any of you sure that the shootings are real, are any positive that they happened like you were informed by govt. officials and or the MSM? If you lose your 2nd amendment which is a guarantee that your God given right to such will not be taken away, then you lose all of the amendments , then the entire system will slowly be gone, just like it has gone from being a constitutional republic to a democracy. Mao of China killed millions for the people could not fight back, Pol Pot killed millions for his people could not fight back. Stalin killed so many million most could not count that high in a week, the list is longer hoping you get the idea of why God gives man this right to protect the way he feels is best for him and his, Christ even told Peter who did not have a sword to sell his coat and get a sword, in todays world if Christ were here he would have told him to get a gun, for a man that brings a knife or sword to a gun fight is most likely going to lose.
-
Rev. Stephen Polson
We only need to look at history for answers to the Arms issue. Every time the people were disarmed the powerful oppressed the people. Nazi's, China' Pol pot and most recently Australia banned guns and the murder rate climbed 300%. The 2nd amendment is what guarantees the other fights of Americans. Gun ownership got us our freedom.
This is not a thing from the past. Right now in this country there are forces that want to eliminate anyone who doesn't believe exactly as they do. They are armed and expect great rewards in heaven if they die for their cause.
-
Bob Long
What the anti gunner calls an assault weapon is just at a semi auto rifle. I own 3 myself. Why? I’m a veteran is the United States Army and it is a format which is comfortable to me. I enjoy them I even have a bump stock. Why? Because they are fun. Let’s pretend all those killed were run over by a car. Do we ban cars? Who would say foolishly that we should only drive stick shifts? Instead of cars with AUTOMATIC transmissions? Hopefully none of you. We have AWFUL AND REATRICTIVE GUN LAWS. a drivers license is easier to get than a firearm and we always have drunk drivers yet we never blame car manufacturers or theDMV. This latest shooting is just another opportunity for the liberal left to grab our firearms and infringe on our rights. All because of a few loose nut jobs on the LEFT.
-
Chuck
And isn't it funny that all these shooters of the last decade (and well before) are all Democrats?
-
John Owens
Probably sit in their parents' basements playing video games.
-
Jim D
Well, playing with their joysticks anyway...
-
John Owens
Bwah ha ha ha!...
-
-
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Rev. Chuck,
Thank you for your perceptive post. Truth be told, gun control started because the southern democrats wanted to restrict guns so that the newly freed slaves could not defend themselves. The first republican president was Abraham Lincoln. No party is perfect, but one part opposes our gun rights much more than the other. Historically, the real party of equality has been the party of gun rights and freedom.
God bless you and your family.
-
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Rev. Long,
You have been spot on and 100% correct in all of your posts regarding this issue. As President Trump said, which I also thought, keeping and bearing arms is a right but driving a car is a privilege. Why, the, do governments restrict a right and refuse to recognize it across state lines but freely recognize all drivers licenses?
There are so many inconsistencies regarding this Las Vegas incident, such as ample evidence for more than one shooter and questions regarding locked gates and the targeted audience. All of these horrific events have been excuses for more gun control.
My question to the gun controllers is with thousands of guns laws already on the books, is this not a graphic demonstration that gun laws do not prevent crime?
Thank you for your thoughtful post and may God bless you.
-
-
Rick R Williams
If an intelligent person took the time to research the Governments CDC site on deaths in this nation they would finds documented facts on deaths in America and its causes. Then that person that took the time to examine the facts would be flabbergasted to learn that our doctors and hospitals kill more innocent people in one year than guns and murder does in NINE years. Now I’m not counting the hundred and fourteen thousand deaths a year by medical mistakes. I am only counting the preventable deaths caused by infections that doctors and nurses infect people with because they are too lazy to wash their hands and change their gloves between examining patients. If an intelligent person was interested in the causation of preventable deaths, then guns are NOT the culprits the Liberals and Democrats falsely claim. Gun deaths are NOT even in the running of preventable deaths on the CDC’s top 20 fatalities list. Disarming American citizens has nothing to do with saving lives. There is a deeper and evil purpose behind their gun control.
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Rev. Williams,
Thank you for pointing out these important studies, which were initiated to prove that guns are bad. They only proved that guns are not the problem, but other things are, such as medical mistakes. The truth be told, guns help save many more lives each day. An armed people is a free people. All that money was spent and the liberals got the opposite result that they wanted. The NRA and GOA also has conducted and/or supported studies of this nature. You can read about them in the amicus briefs in the Peruta case on the web site of the 9th Circus of Banana Peels. Unfortunately SCOTUS did not hear the case, but it may chose to do so in the future. Gun control is truly evil as you indicated.
Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.
-
-
David Hawkins
Gun control was used in Germany in 1936. Then under the guise of making things better Adolf Hitler rose to power. Look what happened there. Without the ability to protect one's self, a monster rose to kill millions. It has been proven guns do not kill people. They sit there waiting harmlessly for their owner to do what must be done. Yes there are the fanatics that use them to kill. How would you protect yourself or your family if attacked with nothing to use. I am all for the Second Amendment The Right to Bear Arms.
-
Dave
I just want to say how grateful I am that my manhood doesn’t require a gun to feel powerful. For all others weapon-up!
-
John Owens
Spoken like a man who has been sheltered all his life.
-
Jim D
Sorry, Dave. Pea shooters don't count.
-
-
Minister Tom
I find this a fascinating subject. While I have never had a desire to procure a "bump" stock. I do own what some would call an assault rifle. When these tragic events occur, there is always a call for some form of new law or ban on whatever inanimate object was used to commit the evil act. People always seem to blame the device, not the evil person that used the device. The people that are currently beating the drum for more gun control also, quite ironically, happen to be the same people that claim that our current president is a fascist, some have even called him Hitler reincarnated. They say he is dangerous and unhinged. Now allow me to ask a simple question. Since he is the head of our government, and he is so dangerous, do we really want the government to control all of the guns? I for one am not willing to give that much power to them. These people cannot be trusted to act in our best interests. Our government is rife with corrupt career politcians that make themselves wealthy on the backs of the rest of us. Most of them end up multi millionaires after serving for just a term or two. They all have armed security and would never give that up. They do not live by the same rules that the rest of us do now. What do you think that they will do when we give up our ability to fight back? They will be completely without checks. Also criminals by definition do not follow laws, what on earth makes you think they will give up their weapons because of a new law? Someone earlier mentioned Chicago, the unending violence in that city is a national embarassment. It is nearly impossible for a law abiding citizen to possess a firearm in that city. The amount of people that were killed and wounded in Chicago during June of this year far exceeds the number that were affected in the horrific events in Las Vegas. This is not meant to minimize what happened, it is just a statement of the facts. One can pass all of the laws that one wants. They can put up signs declaring a "gun free " zones. These lawmakers know full well that it has been against the law to commit murder for hundreds of years, yet people still commit murder. Our police cannot be everywhere all the time and even if they could be someone will always find a way to commit a crime. I do not ever want to have to take a life, but I refuse to go down without a fight. Jesus taught us to love those who sin against us and to turn the other cheek. But I have only two cheeks. I will always strive to remove myself and my loved ones from danger before resorting to an act of violence. But I will fight back if given no other choice. Violence may not always be the best option, but it is an option. I may still be killed, but I will go to my maker with a clean conscience. And I know that I will be forgiven. May he have mercy on us all.
-
Debra j capansky-knall
Here is my idea for overall safety, Give every law abiding american citizen with no history of severe mental illness, a hand gun of choice and a box of ammo to go with. Problem mostly solved.
-
Dorothy J Myers
It is time that we take responsibility for the rights and privileges we have been given. Just because someone has that right, when they abuse those privileges then it is the responsibility of the community....our nation to remove those rights from those abusing persons. Some situations may mean limiting those rights until they are more sound to be able to use and not abuse other by those rights. ie. When a person is deemed to be on drugs, mentally unstable or has shown aggression, I believe that the rights of guns don't apply to them. If we don't start standing up to what is inherently right for the country then we need to accept that we may lose more when others are forced to decide what is right for us. It is long overdue for us to take responsibility and be more self disciplined.
-
Robert Messmer
You seem to be conflating "rights" and "privileges" which is quite a common mistake. Rights can never be abused - how would you possibly abuse your right to self defense? Privileges however can be abused, limited and even taken away completely. An example: a teenager has an absolute right to live but is granted the privilege of an eleven o'clock PM curfew . Said teenager does not come home until midnight - he is not killed (his right is not curtailed) but he is restricted from going out for a period of time. Our society already does limit which tools for self defense are available to an individual based on due process. Convicted felons, domestic abusers, and those adjudicated to be dangerously mentally ill are not allowed to purchase guns. I am not sure just what you mean by "When a person is deemed to be ..." Are you talking about due process or tweets from CNN?
-
-
Gilbert Mason
RESPONSE TO ANTI-GUN: Nobody is saying that guns should not be regulated or that anyone should be allowed to obtain a gun. Obviously mentally sick people should not have access to guns, weather its by their own attempts to purchase one, or from a gun owner in their house hold. I agree that there need to be more strict rules on obtaining a gun. You said there were 33,000 gun related deaths in the US - suicides should be discounted since they can find other ways. You said it's higher than other developed countries, well obviously cause they have the right to bare arms. Again, that doesn't mean they didn't find other ways kill or be killed.
RESPONSE TO PRO-GUN: The right to bare arms originally was to resist government tyranny - true, but that was back when it was written. Today the government has such advanced technology, I don't think your pistol is going to stop their use of nukes or an army for that matter. Not that they would need to, but if they wanted to take you down, they would. The only reason to bare arms in today's time is to defend yourself and your love ones from criminals for that 10-30 minutes before law enforcement arrives to take over the situation.
-
Alan
The response to pro gun misses the point that the military at large are trained so well in protecting the constitution as their primary function (and Americans), it is unrealistic to believe they would ever pick up arms against the American population. That does happen in back water countries where the population has the education of a forth grader, yes. The reality is, much of the potential danger would come from paid mercenaries, terrorists and that ilk. There are already a number of terrorist attacks in the US where, if a citizen had been armed, many lives would have been saved.
-
Robert Messmer
As to not picking up arms against the American population, suggest you read up on the Bonus Army incident. WWI vets were attacked by US Army to roust them out of DC. Also consider that the 101st Airborne being used in Little Rock, AR by Ike. If memory serves me correctly there was also military support at the siege in Waco.
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Not only that but the previous president systematically weeded out of the military any officer who would not obey an order to fire on Americans. Thank God we have a real president now who stands up for our rights and respects the military.
-
Alan
The comments given are well taken, but the Dept. of Defense has been, over the last several decades, made it almost monotonous in their training against 'illegal orders' and your responsibility to NOT obey them. They also greatly emphasize (certainly in Officer training) that your obligation is the defense of the US Constitution. This includes the protection of American citizens and their rights. This 'beat you senseless' with this training has really gained a major priority since the My Lai massacre in '67 Vietnam in which citizens were ordered shot as VC by a 2nd Lt (Calley). The subordinates claimed they were following 'orders'. The same as Hitlers henchmen did at Nuremburg trials. The Military has taken it extremely serious that members understand their responsibility to the 'CONSTITUTION' first, and not the leadership. They have been given avenues to legally report illegal orders (and if they fail to follow an order they believe is illegal, they may be charged, but they will get a fair hearing and if they were correct, the issuer of the illegal order is likely to pay a hell of a price), if that is what they believe. And also, the majority of members plan to do one tour and go home. Not go back to a place they do not recognize and have had rights taken away. It is not the same military of WW1 or 2 or Korea or Vietnam. As a former Officer (navy), I am convinced that if a Sr. Commander ordered civilians (American) be rounded up, without any cause (or shot), the first person to get their ass kicked would be the Sr Commander and our young men and women would be willing to face hearings based on being given 'Illegal Orders". It is now a fabric being woven into anyone who makes it into uniform. But, the examples you cite, are known and the DOD and Congress they have amplified this training with steroids. Note: The 'Bonus Army' as it was called were all vets, not active duty and they were not out to overthrow the govt. It was the depression and they wanted to get money 'NOW' instead of later that was owed to them, but there were no laws that gave the govt. a free hand in doing it, which caused the march on DC and the protest camps along the Anacostia River (DC).
-
-
-
-
-
Herb Meister
An interesting thought...here, in farm country, one cannot graduate high school without a passing grade in tractor safety. Seriously. It saves lives. Maybe we should also require everyone to receive a passing grade in firearm safety. The liberals would go nuts but, the more people who understood firearms would lead to more people realizing that the problem is not the firearm... it's the "loose nut" on the trigger.
-
Keith
So by your logic seeing that cars kill more people they should be outlawed.also hammers kill more people they should be outlawed . And knifes kill more people they should be outlawed .forks make you fat ,and pencils are the reason for errors so all of them need to be outlawed.Now more baby’s are aborted but I here that’s my right sorry can’t have it both ways you have a right but sure want to take away mine sad
-
Bob Long
Simple don’t give or sell guns to unstable liberal democrats. That is a meaningful safety precaution. It’s not the conservatives it’s the antifas the black lives matter crowd and Islamic terrorists in America that cause the shootings and the right is made to pay the price. Nice try libs but I’m not buying it
-
don ricardo
No one should needs more than two?three?guns for self-protection. This is what gun control should be
-
Gary Shade
Wrong again. I have a variety of guns for self protection. The .45, a .380 for discreet carry, a 10mm for hunting season, an AR15 for home protection.
I hunt with the .300 RUM, an AR15, a 45-70, an AK 47, Winchester 1894, or .17 Mach II or .22 LR DEPENDING on the game, terrain and distance I must shoot.
I use a shotgun for goose hunting.
I collect Mausers.
A firearm is a tool. Nothing less and nothing more. It does good in the hands of a righteous man and will do evil in the hands of an evil man. But it remains a tool. Nothing more and nothing less. Always communicating the intentions of the person holding the tool. Much like the hammer or knife.
Gun control is using the right tool and hitting your target with the first shot. It always has been.
What you anti gunners call gun control is really people control. Some of the first gun control laws were passed in the antebellum South and enforced by the KKK. Yet you cry for more of the same. Why?
-
Keith Pickelhaupt
You are free to decide how many guns you need. I don't need you thinking for me. I personally need a small revolver, a 9mm semi-auto, a sniper rifle, a hunting rifle, a shotgun and a paintball gun. If 2 guns are enough for you, great. But you are not my daddy, and I certainly won't have others think for me unless they have a gun and I don't. Which is not likely to happen.
-
Jim D
Hey, don,
Since when, in this country, has our purchasing only ever been a questions of need? We don't have more than two or three guns because we need them. We have lots of guns because we WANT them. My ex-wife has 87 pairs of shoes. The last time I checked, she only had two feet. Does she need 87 pairs of shoes? Well... according to her, she does. But the answer is no, she doesn't. What else would you like to limit, don? Should Jay Leno get rid of all of his cars but one because that all he needs? Should Baskin Robbins cut down to just chocolate and vanilla because 31 flavors is too many?
How about you, don? What do you have more than one of that you don't need... wrist watches, shoes, coats, rings, houses, cars, ...? The can go on and on. So don, don't ever make this a case of "need" again. There is practically no one in this nation that has limited himself or herself to what they need.
-
John Owens
"...the Right of the PEOPLE to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE RESTRICTED..."
What part of "shall not be restricted" do you not understand? Who is god-like enough to decide how many guns a person should/could own? Would that be a committee of socialists/communists? I don't think so.
-
-
Rev. DR. Richard Davis Church in the Wilderness
Let me begin by expressing my sorrow for the lives taken from us and to those who were wounded. I stand firmly on the Second Amendment . I also am a outspoken person on weapons that can be made or altered to work as a full automatic weapon. Slide Fire Bump Stocks or any other such device has no place in our society. Magazines that hold more than 10 rounds in a fire arm over 22 caliber should not be allowed unless they are used in a controlled situation such as shooting sports contests held in the safe and proper locations. Maybe some will take me to task I hold a Federal Firearms License. I do not sell firearms very often I am a collector . If and when I do sell one it is done with the background check and I also make up my mind if someone passes my check. Here in Alaska I hunt for my food and I also am a long range shooter. I also teach adults and kids alike proper safety rules and conduct with a firearm. The idea of taking firearms away from law abiding citizens is not the answer to all this crime. Those who want to do harm will always get a firearm. Ban the bump stocks and big magazines make better background checks and if you see something that is not right call the Police. This argument will go on until the end of time and many good people will have hurt feelings. All we can do is Pray to Our Father and ask for guidance . We all have ideas so lets all come together and have a Great Discussion and all be civil and friendly.
'
-
Gary Shade
Rev Dr, Richard Davis: On the one hand you say "Ban the bump stocks and big magazines make better background checks and if you see something that is not right call the Police." Yet you also state "The idea of taking firearms away from law abiding citizens is not the answer to all this crime. Those who want to do harm will always get a firearm."
Two things: You apparently don't see the slippery slope you create with your first premise, and secondly what makes you think that someone who wants to do harm won't get their hands on a banned device if as you say the bad guys can always get a firearm? It's crazy to think otherwise.
The solution is not less guns or to ban devices. Someone good with a gun can change any magazine in less than two seconds making the act of banning high capacity magazines look as ridiculous as someone hugging a tree. It does nothing to help the cause but only makes the hugger (and mugger) feel better.
Perhaps the solution is a requirement to once again teach civics in school, to teach the Constitution and quite worrying about whether someone's feelings are hurt by doing so. Teach PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY and service to country whether it is by serviing in the military or a civic organization.
Then require everyone to own a firearm. That's right: As Jefferson stated "Let every man be armed". We'd all be better off in the long run. As a society and as individuals.
https://www.facebook.com/shadeministry/
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Rev. Dr. Davis,
What is your solution to the problem that criminals will not pay any attention to object bans and caliber restrictions. How will you get the criminals to comply?
Any gun-related ban plays into the hands of the anti gunners who think that the role of government is to take away your choices and to restrict your rights. Bans of this nature constitute a slippery slope. Australia started this way and now look where they are. Their advise to the US is not to give the anti 2A politicians an inch or they will take a mile.
God bless you and your family.
-
-
Keith Pickelhaupt
The Las Vegas shootings tell me that more people need guns. Had anyone there has a hunting rifle with a dialed-in scope in their trunk, they could have taken that shooter out pretty easily. Had they had a purpose-built sniper rifle, it would have been easier. The one thing almost all of these mass shootings have in common is that no one but the shooter had a gun. All they could do is hide and hope. I do not find that a reasonable or effective survival strategy. I do find an AR15 and a Colt 45 to be a reasonable and effective strategy, because when seconds count, help is just minutes away. I can't imagine how bad things would be if only the police and the criminals had guns. And that's what you are advocating for with this talk is gun control. Gun control is a steady grip on the trigger.
-
Minister Rob
Gun control debates are a thorny issue no matter which side of the argument you take. As ministers, as Americans, as a human beings, it is our responsibility to try to help those in need and to stop things like these attacks by recognizing the signs of a person going off the tracks before its too late.
On the "against controls" side of the argument, there are many who have made valid points here and it's not for me to repeat them. One recently heard that is hard to deny is "we have outlawed heroin and street drugs for nearly a century...how's that working?"
On the "for controls" side of the argument, it reasons that if we remove guns this violence will stop. Maybe, maybe not. I personally have my doubts.
The issue with Las Vegas in particular is mental health and the ability to amass such an arsenal undetected and to have access to additional things like explosives which were not detonated, but were there.
Two days ago, a car bomb went off in Mogadischu Somalia killing over 300 people and wounding upwards of 1000. Twenty-two years ago, Tim McVeigh parked a truck bomb in front of the Murrah Federal Building in OKC killing 168 and injuring 680 people. We made a lot of adjustments to buildings following that event and then 9/11 to ensure safety, but we can still rent trucks and the materials he used are still available but a little harder to get. We didn't outlaw fertilizers and diesel fuel, and we didn't outlaw passenger planes following 9/11.
We have a challenge in the new world of instant and widespread information access. Add to that mental health problems and there's a formula for trouble. I personally believe that certain aspects of firearms are obvious problems and cannot be justified for private use; bump stocks, and ability to convert weapons to fire automatically. I support the outlawing of bump-stocks and automatic weapon conversion kits (which are already outlawed). None of this, in my view, will stop a madman from achieving his objectives of fame or whatever drives them to this.
Not only did nobody see the Las Vegas massacre coming, but now weeks later they still don't know why he did it. McVeigh we learned was mad about Waco and Ruby Ridge and that was his reason. 9/11 was pretty well understood for motive. But there will always be a person who feels that mass murder is their answer and no matter what is taken away from society, they will find a way to achieve their objectives. It is, unfortunately the way of our world.
Not sure if there are any steps that can be taken to prevent this sort of event in the future. I do believe that collecting 300 million guns from legal owners will accomplish little to nothing in this regard. The people that want to do these types of acts will find another method and there are countless other methods to be sure.
I lay a good deal of the blame of the evolution of disregard for the value of life on "Hollywood" and video game producers who have glorified violence in ways that makes heroes of villains. That's a problem.
It seems to me that one common denominator in all of these events is the person withdraws from contact with society and then tumbles down the path of destruction.
Idle hands are the devil's workshop.
-
Wendy
And people are very willing to judge each other, but not so willing to help each other. Many people will attend protests to make people "aware," but they won't actually do anything to help the people they claim to be protesting for. They'll protest in favor of women's rights, but they won't spend time volunteering in shelters or donating money or opening their homes to women who might need a safe place for a night or two. They'll vote in favor of "big government" that can "take care of people" with "safety net" programs, but not bother to find out how little those safety net programs really provide, and how so many people who really need them can't qualify. Or, and I consider this one of the worst offenses, they'll pray for people and consider their job to be completely done. There's no active compassion, and people don't connect with each other on a human level.
-
-
Secretary3rd
In 1996 Congress was doing a hearing about how the Chinese Red Army(10 companies) could have been granted access to America. It seem that they were importing military weapons among other things dumping (selling) their AK-47's to the general public. What was found that a few million came into the country far as could be determine. Plus hundreds of millions of rounds for those guns. The reason it became public was that a railroad box car was broken into and which could have been full, since dozens of cases were missing from that box car. How many got lost because of poor paper work is also a question that never was answer. All this was granted by President Bill Clinton. Side note: Each year China send 200,000 students to study in the US. Just saying.
-
Dawn Pisturino
The Liberal Left over-reacts to everything. Right now, it is mainly the Left committing all the political violence. They shut down speakers because they can't stand free speech. They want to take away guns because they want to be in control, and guns undermine that effort. They can't accept the results of a legitimate election because things didn't go their way. I have no respect for liberals, and I will not tolerate their lunacy. As long as we have nut jobs running around who do not respect the rights of others and the law of the land, I will be keeping my guns.
-
John Owens
Amen, Dawn
-
-
Timoty Easter
Happiness is a Warm Gun* bang bang*
-
Quentin Wolff
"What happened in Las Vegas was terrible, on that point everyone can agree. But let’s not overreact."
What do you consider "overreacting"? Recently, a man was jailed and is awaiting trial for sexually sodomizing and injuring a 3 month old infant. A couple was jailed this last week for starving their 8 month old twin girls. When the children were found, they weight eight pounds each! That is less than a NEWBORN. They had been tortured and starved. In other news, a man is currently in jail awaiting trial for beating, torturing and feeding cat-feces and vomit to a 3 year old boy whom the man suspected was "gay". Quite rightly there are calls for punishment. There are also posts on the Internet saying "Bullets are inexpensive! Kill them NOW!" IF THESE PERSONS WERE RELEASED TO A CROWD... they would be torn apart! Would anyone, hearing of a crying baby stomped to death on the floor call anger toward that adult an "over-reaction"?
Are the lives of 59 people... or of 33,000 people killed by gun violence worth LESS than those tortured babies? WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER OVER-REACTING?! Calling for restrictions on gun purchases is OVER-REACTING? Think again. 24 children were murdered in cold blood in Newtown! CHILDREN. Why? So some manly Americans can go out and plink at cans and show off their firearms? NO AMERICAN SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO MURDER 25 CHILDREN OR 59 CONCERT ATTENDEES! PERIOD!
"Whenever a highly publicized shooting happens, we immediately hear calls for massive restrictions on gun rights. Often, the victims’ bodies aren’t even cold before the tragedy is used as leverage by those dead-set on kneecapping the Second Amendment."
All right, when SHOULD we react? If the idea is to wait a week, wait two weeks, wait a month, wait six months AFTER a mass shooting... then there is NO TIME APPROPRIATE! Because Mass-shootings now occur on a weekly and yes, even DAILY basis!!
A child automobile safety seat malfunctions and a child is killed. Then a year later a second child dies in the same seat. Suddenly there are INVESTIGATIONS. The defective car seat is BANNED and a recall is issued. Yet when children die EVERY DAY in firearm violence... NOTHING is said! No investigations, no hue, no cry. nothing. IS NOT THE RIGHT TO LIFE JUST AS SACRED AS THE RIGHT TO OWN A FIREARM?!
"Gun ownership is quintessentially American, writes ULC minister Douglas Martin."
And so is violence amd murder. White policemen killing Black men is also 'quintessentially American'... but is that RIGHT?
"Like it or not, gun ownership is constitutionally protected here America, and rightly so. In every way, "
Like it or not SO IS THE RIGHT TO LIFE!
"personal firearms are a symbol of freedom."
So is the bald eagle, but you cannot own one as a pet! To ME firearms are a symbol of VIOLENT BLOODY DEATH.
"Freedom from government tyranny, "
So you're going to match your AK-47 against an Abrams tank, a shoulder-fired RPG or a Stealth bomber? Because the government HAS THOSE and your little arsenal is going to be MELTED if they rEALLY WANT TO DO SO! By the way... there HAS been a government confiscation of firearms already! After Katrina, by the G.W. BUSH administration. Republicans. THAT went well, didn't it?
"freedom of self-defense, and freedom of recreation. "
You don't need Teflon "cop-killer" bullets for THAT! And if you DO decide to drop "Bambi" with your Glock... you think you're gonna get much edible MEAT after that "bump stock" is finished pumping 50 rounds into his hide?!
"These values are quintessentially American, and we should think long and hard before compromising them."
Slave ownership was "quintessentially American" ALSO at one time, as was indentured servitude, forced marriage of women, child labor and slums. You want to be "traditional" and turn Blacks back into 3/4th of a person? Go tell your wife she no longer has the vote, the right to own property or sign a contract without YOUR permission. Oooh arenm't we "quintessentially American"?!
"For every misguided individual out there who decides to use a gun for malicious purposes, there are thousands of law-abiding gun owners who are 100 percent responsible with their firearms. Why should these honest people be punished for the actions of a small minority of irresponsible dirtbags?"
Proper registration laws, proper regulations DO NOT PUNISH ANYONE. "A well regulated Militia" Remember that line?! It isn't that you "ammosexual gundamentalists" want "reasonable" laws... YOU DON'T WANT ANY LAWS! Reread that first line in the 2nd amendment and get back to me.
"Consider this, too: no matter how many laws we pass, it won’t stop someone that’s determined to get their hands on a gun. Because, as it turns out, criminals don’t follow the law. They will find ways to circumvent the rules, and the violence in places like Chicago will continue unabated."
Oh, how right you are. And drunk driving laws don't prevent drunks from driving. Anti-robbery laws don't deter robberies. Anti abortion laws don't deter abortions. WHY HAVE ANY LAWS AT ALL? Throw everything out since nothing works RIGHT? Do YOU want to climb onto that freeway with NO TRAFFIC SAFETY LAWS? No licensing, no restrictions on automobile ownership? Go ahead. Be my guest! Just tell me where to send the flowers.
"Restrictive gun laws will, however, make it more difficult for ordinary people to buy a firearm to protect themselves and their families. I refuse to relinquish my rights just because a madman manages to get his hands on a weapon every once in a while. Sure, lawmakers’ intentions will be good. But even the best of intentions can have disastrous results. If we enact strict gun laws, the inevitable outcome will be fewer guns in the hands of the good guys."
Reread what I wrote. How about "I refuse to give up MY right to LIVE just to give YOU a nice penis-substitute?" Because in the end THAT is what this is ABOUT!
"We’ve all heard the saying, “don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.”"
How about the saying "Thou shalt not kill."? A saying is a saying. So what?
"Well, anti-gun legislation will make people do just that. Criminals will bring their guns to that gun fight – count on it. Meanwhile, law-abiding people like myself will be forced to show up with a knife. If you ask me, that’s not right."
Codswallop! Countries with tighter gun restrictions HAVE LOWER GUN DEATH RATES TOO! Are you THAT terrified to poke your cowardly NOSE out of your door in fear that "somebody" is going to SHOOT you?! Well, I am a Hell of a lot BRAVER THAN YOU ARE! I don't NEED a firearm to prove my masculinity... OR my femininity for that matter! I don't HAVE a penis and somehow I survive!
"So I’ll say it again: let’s not overreact. Gun restrictions might look good on paper, but they will surely have unintended consequences."
If you just CANNOT SEE that calling for REASONABLE RESTRICTIONS, safety regs, licensing, background checks are NOT OVERREACTING... any more than the righteous fury over the strangulation and sodomizing of a CHILD... then you are hopeless! You are more of a danger to YOURSELF than a hundred "dirtbags:"!. SELAH!!
-
Robert Messmer
Long and dramatic rant but short of facts. By the way that was the 3/5 compromise, not 3/4. So when are you going to close down the abortion mill known as Planned Parenthood, since that will save a lot more than 13,000 killed against their will by someone with a gun? "Slave ownership was “quintessentially American” ALSO at one time, as was indentured servitude, forced marriage of women, child labor and slums. You want to be “traditional” and turn Blacks back into 3/4th of a person? Go tell your wife she no longer has the vote, the right to own property or sign a contract without YOUR permission. Oooh arenm’t we “quintessentially American”?!" No actually none of these were "quintessentially American" and most still exist in parts of the world. In fact in some parts of the world, not only can women not vote they can not drive or even appear outside of their home unless a male family member escorts them. Look at the total Intentional Homicide rates for the Americas and you find the US at 4.88. There are five countries below us ranging from 1.68 to 4.72. There are forty three countries above us ranging from 6.45 to 108.64.
-
John Owens
Where on Earth did you come up with 33, 000 deaths by gun violence? Are you including the Civil War or something? Yeah, you're over-reacting. Look at your font for Pete's sake. Your punctuation. Your blending of so many issues. You are a ruptured blood-vessel waiting to happen. What a hysterical rant! And full of spin, hyperbole, errors, outright fantasy and fabrication. Selah, indeed.
-
Alan
Do you remember alcohol "Prohibition" ? It created more booze than there had been before, not to mention the illegal 'black market' in booze; the many thousands who died from cheap, wood grain alcohol from that market; the countless smuggling rings (including Joseph Kennedy Sr.) and notably, Al Capone; the countless murders of competitors in the market; and I could go on. Legislators have learned (hopefully) it makes no sense to make a law that can not be enforced effectively. Guns can be made easier and faster than any shipment of booze can be delivered from a 'covert' storage facility. As I have said, Guns are actually pretty simple to make and the chemicals for combustion are found in nature. Keep in mind, you can make a gun in prison, even though corrections depts. are well aware to keep certain materials out of reach of prisoners. And 'restrictions' are no different than saying 'I agree with free speech, unless someone says something 'mean'". You are either free or you are not. Once legislatures start making 'rights' conditional, you have no rights. This is known as a 'Fact'. Outlaw guns ? Look above at what happened with prohibition of liquor and you can get a glimpse of your future with guns 'outlawed'. There will still be millions of guns, but only in Criminal hands. And as I have said, the outlawing or restrictions of guns is another way of making business centers, neighborhoods and the streets 'Gun Free Zones' to law abiding people. This makes every place now become a 'target'.
-
-
Alan C Trent
'Participants' in crime are 'criminals' and criminals should not possess firearms; however, they do and their numbers are growing daily! What happens when the criminals outnumber we "law-abiding" US citizens?
Well, as a "lawful US citizen" and someone who still respects "Constitutional Rights" and "The Rule of Law", I will fight against the 'criminals'/'participants' in crime, until I can fight no more...I only hope my ammo lasts! ;)
The Sinister Minister
-
Chuck
What would God say about this debate?
Is there text in the Bible for or against?
When US police officers are trained to shoot and kill. They become Judge, Jury & Executioner.
In Finland they are trained not to use there guns and if one is used it better be a good reason because the whole unit is investigated.
Enforcement of the law never meant the elimination of due process.
Church of Love ❤️ and Light ⭐️ Minister Charles and Jennifer invite you to like them on Facebook
https://m.facebook.com/Church-of-Love-and-Light-1716171341958311/?ref=bookmarks
-
Stewart
Dear Emily the facts you try to use are not actual facts. "Only 19 states require background checks." the truth iis the federal government requires all licensed dealers to do an instant check . But as he was not a criminal prior to his crime the guns were purchased legally. would banning guns stop another Boston marathon bomb no it would not as explosve devices are forbidden already but easily made with a little basic chemistry with easilly obtained materials.
those of your ilk tat use fear mongering to try and control others are the problem .“If it bleeds it leads.” This has the effect of persuading people that the world is more dangerous than it is. Statistically, it would seem as though we live in one of the least violent times on record. All politicians prey on fear, but irrational fear is the central emotional focus for the conservatives and the nativists. Republicans tend to play on fears of the the improbable, however, whereas Democrats play on real fears like healthcare, hunger, education, crumbling infrastructure, climate change, and the like. Meanwhile, conservatives gin up fear of less probable, but more “emotionally shocking” issues like those involving non-Caucasians, terrorism, crime, and the like. It really does point to a bright dividing line in worldview. One group uses fear to address big, but very impactful and real problems, the other wants to inflate improbable events with a bunch of harem scarem nonsense." If one bothers to research it gun violence is at historic low levels as compared per capita to the days of Prohibition and the likes of big al copone and friends . there are more than enough gun laws that need to be enforced already . Wee need to elect more centrist persons to office that look to protect all our rights And interest if the lib's would wise up and get off the gun banning they could get more middle of the road types instead of forcing them choose losing their rights and other issues.
its like sandyhook was not the worst loss of life in an attack on a school the actualone was many years ago when a idiot placed explosives in a school building setting them off in 1927.
"The Bath School disaster, sometimes known as the Bath School massacre, was a series of violent attacks perpetrated by Andrew Kehoe on May 18, 1927 in Bath Township, Michigan, which killed 38 elementary schoolchildren and 6 adults and injured at least 58 other people.[Note 1] Kehoe killed his wife and firebombed his farm, then detonated an explosion in the Bath Consolidated School before committing suicide by detonating a final device in his truck.
Andrew Kehoe was the 55-year-old school board treasurer and was angered by increased taxes and his defeat in the Spring 1926 election for township clerk. He was thought to have planned his "murderous revenge" after that public defeat. He had a reputation for difficulty on the school board and in personal dealing"
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/1927-bombing-remains-americas-deadliest-school-massacre-180963355/
-
Rev. Rod Barney
I just don't have the time to read all of your comments , there are 234 at this time. However, I did peruse a few and come to the conclusion that everybody certainly has an opinion on the matter of gun control. Some for and some against. I personally favor gun ownership. I however, agree that it should be regulated in some fashion. For instance, I don't believe that anyone needs a military style automatic weapon to defend their life, home or belongings. Look at the tragedy in Waco a few years back. The Davidians had all those weapons, but the Gov't had more and bigger and the Davidians lost that one. Now if one is stupid enough to declare war on the United States with a few automatic weapons well, they may as well commit suicide. Look, instead of looking at this problem in a political view, but rather a spiritual one. The Bible tells us "To be on the alert, the devil prowls about like a roaring lion. seeking who he may devour.". Satan knows his time is short and he will employ his demons to possess individuals to wreak havoc and destruction to every single human being on this planet. Jesus told His Deciples, when asked about the sign of His coming," lawlessness, natural disasters will happen in various places with increasing frequency, but "Don't be alarmed, these things must take place." Tragically, His prophecy is becoming true and as sorrowful as these mass killings,lawlessness, hurricanes, earthquakes, are occurring We as Christians should look up for our redemption draws nigh. If you are not a Christian, then I pray for your soul. Criminals are going to find a way to execute their evil and wicked ways with or without a gun, does gun ownership make it easier for them, obviously, but if they can't get one they'll find some other weapon. If you happen to have forewarning and arm yourself, do you really need an automatic weapon with several magazines to defend yourself? Did those poor souls who were killed in Vegas have weapons to shoot back and if they did, did they have warning? Stop arguing with one another about whether we have the right or not to possess a gun, but rather pray together for Jesus to hasten the day of His return, so that we may enter into eternity with Him and perfect peace and tranquility. I'm willing to stake my life on the fact that there won't be one single gun there or the desire to harm any person, place or thing. Jesus, please come soon.
-
-
Dale
I am so disappointed (but not surprised) see how many folks advocate freedom from gun regulation. Many cite the Constitution as guaranteeing the right for every citizen to have the right to own a gun. What they don't say is that that right is limited to being a member of "A well regulated militia" and that the purpose of gun ownership is to "...secure... a free State...". They conveniently leave these out because they don't want to have to join a "well regulated militia" or limit their gun use to assuring "...the security of a free State". They choose to interpret the Constitution as guaranteeing gun ownership rights to anyone who wants any arm(s) for any purpose under the sun. Those folks are either ignorant of the language of the 2nd Amendment or don't really care what it says as long as they can have weapons. I suspect many are both and truly don't care as long as they can have fire arms.
I won't even raise the issue that there are those individuals who cannot and should not be trusted with firearms without regard for what the Constitution says. (Those with mental or criminal histories that indicate gun ownership would be dangerous to others.) Others claim that thorough background checks will make obtaining guns inconvenient. Baloney. It may delay taking possession a few days, but that's the price of eliminating those folks who shouldn't have them.
As for the folks that say the "bad guys" will get guns anyway and leave us good guys at risk, so why even have laws about their ownership, I pity them for their clear lack of intelligence. Over 10,000 people are killed by drunk divers in the US every year, so following their logic, it makes no sense to have laws against driving drunk, right?-
Joseph
Hello friend, I agree with you on most of your veiws. I would like to comment on a few thing. One we can't always trust the people who are supposed to protect us. So I do agree with the limits pointing view birthdays through one. Second only bad guys having guns. I something anything could be more true. I don't understand your logic with that one or the drunk driving comment. People do indeed die from drunk drivers. Innocent people, some of them even live in dry county's. Laws are not magical charges that keep these things from happening. All respect my friend but somethings got to be done.
-
-
Father Fred
The problem we face is not gun control, but soul control. The object of attacks and death is the tool of a sick soul, and if it were not a gun it would lead to death by knife, bomb, blunt trauma, or one’s own hands. A day on Twitter or Facebook can prove this quite appropriately.
Our right to be armed is based on the principle of protecting us from rogue government and misdeeds by those elected against the citizens. What citizens have failed to recognize is the fact that nonperforming, unintelligent, and opportunistic representatives have been playing constituents for years, while building a wall between them and the people. And the fact that we accept their pronouncements as gold, and MSM as an honest pathway to salvation, speaks to the dumbing down of America.
I don’t think we have a “gun” problem. We have a “mental” problem which is largely fertilized by politicians, (feral) news, and those with agendas. Even as mad as I can get, or my friends get, none of us can think of a single reason to use a gun in anger. But I think we’re in the minority of people. Those who have been raised to be riled up, Godless, lacking morals and compassion, and easily convinced to do wrong; are the problem. Not the tool.
-
Alan
I see most people who want gun control, by what they write, are actually illiterate on the subject. First, imagine if they confiscated guns. I can make guns with easily available matrials as any gunsmith can. They actually find the materials to make guns in PRISON. In other words, 'gun control' efectivively legislates that no one with a clean police record is likely to have an illegal gun. This means that only criminals will. That is a personal safety issue and that logic is causing numerous deaths in gun restricted jurisdictions. Second, the biggest reason there is a 2nd amendment is that it is the last protection we have from what the founders referred to as a 'tyranical' government. The founders could see a day such as radical nuts (leftists, socialists, democrats, globalists, etc) may attempt to take control of the government. All leftist parties have had as their big goal the disarmament of the population. That should scare the hell out you. No matter how much you say 'I am for gun control' or "get rid of the second amendment', there will be plenty of guns, it is just that the people you do not want having guns will be the ones that do. And guess what ? When someone is set on violence, there are a thousand other highly effective weapons available or producible. Many of these would cause much greater casualties than any person with a gun. Mass gun violence in the USA is relatively rare, but has been steadily increasing with the DNC's policy of progressive "Hate Speech", which is a constant propaganda run trying to convince the poorly eductaed that 'they have enemies' and the democrats are the only ones that can save them. They have to have this talking points for two major reasons. They have no constructive ideas and they know if they want to become the only party in the USA (they would continue with the facade ofa 2 party system, but they want to creat a 'supermajority' which would make a 2nd party impotent legislatively. This is what other marxist paries have done to gain power. Wise up.
-
Joseph
I saw a video the other day in where the individual printed a working gun on a 3D printer.
-
-
Johnny Doeseph
We should still be allowed guns. This man was not even a registered gun owner! He modified all of his weapons illegally.
-
Minister Tom
Check your facts my friend, not defending this monster, BUT, none of his modification were illegal. And gun registration is not required in the large majority of states. Besides, do you really think that someone bent on committing such a horrific act cared about modifying or registering anything. Registering a weapon does nothing to prevent crime. It only allows a corrupt government to know and subsequently conficate private weapons. Ask Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin how well it worked for them. They loved it.
-
Rev Barry Bullock
Amen !
-
-
Alan
People need to remember the story of 'Pandoras' Box'. Well the gun box has been open. You can't put them back, and if you ask everyone who has one to return it to the box, only the legal guns would end up there. That's scary. Keep in mind that this is the 21st century and guns are easy to make. They actually can be (and have been) made in prison (zip guns). Any one trained in metal working and understands metals and their properties can make a first rate firearm in days. OUTLAWING guns would factually be even less effective than the prohibition of alcohol was, but you would be creating a whole new black market again, like with booze and 'speak easys,' and a whole new wave of gun murders in trying to protect their own (gun sales) 'territory', the same as 'coke' and crack' dealers have done for years. Look at Chicago and its' hand gun murder rate. Mostly caused by drug gangs, etc. If you make guns illegal, criminals would still have guns. Why ? Because they are criminals and are used to breaking the law. It would also cause every neighborhood to effectively become 'gun free' zones, otherwise known as 'targets' or 'sitting ducks'. A political concept dreamt up by acid headed hippie liberals who could not figure out that an Island (Guam) might flip over if we build too much on 'one side' of the Island (True-a congressman, Hank Johnson (D), Georgia) argued against major construction on one side of Guam out of fear the Island would likely 'Tip Over'. If I had not heard this, I would not believe it either, but look it up. And people, which is even scarier, actually vote for and re-elect these Jello heads. There are two ways to protect against violence. One, don't go where NUTS hang out and Two, either take a cop with you OR carry a weapon. (Or better yet, just don't be a paranoid.) Keep in mind that the American and world wide 'Left' (democrats here) want nothing more than to disarm Americans and it is not to prevent crime. If they were concerned about gun violence, they would have started to allow Chicago residents to arm themselves. Even idiots know the odds have been greatly reduced of success if they know the person they are about to attack might just kill them. Wise Up America.
-
John Owens
Great commentary, Alan.
-
-
Chuck
Bottom line...... as Alan points out, outlawing anything just makes it more available and dangerous. And obviously, criminals don't follow gun laws....new laws would only effect law abiding citizens. But the most important takeaway from all this, is that the Establishment wants us disarmed for extremely nefarious reasons, as all despot governments in history wanted their people disarmed for nefarious reasons.
And when America has become a country that openly targets Christians on a regular basis, we need to be armed. By the way, theres a reason nobody has ever tried to invade mainland America, because they know even the citizens are armed. Lets keep it that way ;).
-
Rev Barry Bullock
I am a firm believer that......" It is FAR better to be a WARRIOR in a garden than a GARDENER in a war " Evil will always find a way to destroy......The best we can do is to prepare OURSELVES,train ourselves if you will,to do what is righteous and protect what is ours and in doing so, hopefully protect those around us also.
-
-
Alan
I just wanted to add a comment about an above comment in ref to 'bump stocks'. I wrote about the ease of making guns, if you understand metal working and basic ballistics. Anyone who thinks outlawing, basically, a 'springy' piece of rubber that fits between the gun stock and shoulder, would prevent violence or cause people to 'forget' that 'springy' material can cause the body of a rifle to 'bounce' forward after a shot, effectively chambering the next round, is not fit to be in any position of judgement or where common sense is required. Again, gun making, which is a skill, can be learned, pretty quickly, at least to the point where you can make a working gun in short order. Why would anyone think someone could not easily find the right flexibility rubber to use for 'bump stocks' ?
-
Joseph
The second amendment of the constitution retort when it comes to this issue makes me want to puke. It was a very different time then. I don't care if you did serve in the military. I don't care if your fathers , fathes, fathers mule served in the military. No civilian of the USA should have AK.47s. I don t care what your second amendment says. We only pull that card when it fits the personal narrative. However crack cocaine is illegal but the rehabs are full of addicts.Just because it is illegal does not mean it is not accessabe. This brings me to my second issue. YOU CANNOT TRUST THE POLICE ON OUR STREETS OR OUR GOVERNMENT. If thats not enough, now their pushing for concealed carry. Scary!!
-
John Owens
Joseph, your second issue, "YOU CANNOT TRUST THE POLICE ON OUR STREETS OR OUR GOVERNMENT," is EXACTLY why we have the Second Amendment. Well-armed civilians can band together (that's what a militia is) and take care of their own neighborhoods if necessary, or resist an oppressive government regime, which is what was happening in our own nation's Revolutionary War.
-
-
William R Schors
I agree, they should have ar-15's.
-
William R Schors
And like you yourself said joseph, making it illegal won't make it inaccessible so why take away from law abiding citizens because of the actions of criminals?
-
M D Smith-Arendt
As ministers our main responsibility is to perpetuate love and peace. I'm just not seeing that in this forum. May you all be blessed with open minds and loving hearts.
-
Nicholas
It's better to have a gun and not need it. Than need a gun and not have it.Trust in GOD but don't kneal on a train track praying.
-
John Owens
Yep. I want good people to have weapons and know how and when to use them.
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Rev. Nicholas, You are spot on. Thank you for this. Yours is one of the best comments on this thread. God bless you and your family.
-
-
Timothy Carlstead
To me this is a screwed if you do and if you don't moment. People want guns others don't want them I say you don't have to buy you can go on about your business and not try to have the guns of the ones who use them right taken away. Because if Hillary Clinton got in office there would be more protests shootings, and so on she would strip every person of their guns who use them right. I am basically telling the truth she said it herself. So I think we should all have guns because if these events would still go on if we didn't have them.
-
John Owens
This should not even be a discussion in the USA. This issue was determined long ago and just because liberalism in practice has created and enabled so many criminals and mentally ill people, is no excuse whatsoever to disarm law-abiding citizens today.
-
Jeremy
Guns laws do not and will not control anything but the good guys the bad guys will always have a way around the laws. Like they have now. You do not know how many times a good guy with a gun saved someone's life. And it is like this the guns do not kill people, people kill people. And they have been more knife murders then gun murders
-
John Owens
If all the people who privately OWN firearms were shooting all the people who are OPPOSED to privately-owned firearms, soon no one would BE opposed to privately-owned firearms, or at least would not let anyone KNOW they are opposed to privately-owned firearms. THEREFORE, it stands to reason that if one is supporting opposition to private firearms ownership, they are NOT AFRAID of that happening, which means, THEY HAVE NO LEGITIMATE REASON TO BE OPPOSED to private firearms ownership, WHICH MEANS they are only opposed to it because someone ELSE has influenced them to be opposed to it, and they are just following the herd.
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Dear Rev. Owens,
This is a very good argument against gun control that I have not seen before. Thank you for posting it and enlightening the ministers.
God bless you and your family, and may He keep you safe and healthy during the coming new year.
-
John Owens
Graci tanti, Dr. Ceruti. I fear the people who need to read it the most will be unable to do so, because they do not think long thoughts. It does have two very long sentences in it. Still, I'm glad you read it. Thank you.
-
-
-
Christian
The Jews in Germany 1940s forever demonstrate why THE PEOPLE must always have the means to protect their homes and families. NEVER AGAIN. Never Again allow yourself to be disarmed. Never Again let criminals run the streets while honest good people hide in their homes. Never Again will any American live in fear. Love & Peace are God's Will. But for those who don't follow Love, for those who are twisted by minds filled with pain & hate, every Citizen has a DUTY to buy weapons and stand ready to protect their children & home, and themselves. If you would rather give up your life than take someone elses, TASER and PepperSpray can defend against one thug... But commonly 2 or 3 or more people join in crime to rob & kill. NEVER BE DEFENSELESS.
It is sad that Evil walks in our world, but no one has to submit to it. Stand Firm in your Faith & Strong in the Power of your belief.
-
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti
Thank God for patriots like you who stand ready, willing, and able to defend yourself, your family, and your country. As I always say, praise the Lord but pass the ammunition.
-
William J Comeau
Comment removed by user.
-
William J Comeau
I feel bad for Emily Young and people like her. People who have their heads in the sand and are too lazy or unwilling to look at readily available information to have an "informed" opinion rather than one based on lies and non-statistical data. All one has to do is go to the FBI's own website (to list one of many "actual" statistical sites) where you would find answers to many questions. Such as: How many people are killed by automobiles every year?; How many people are killed with knives/bladed weapons?; How many people are killed by blunt objects?; and how many people are saved and crimes thwarted by a legally armed individual? Spoiler alert, every one of these numbers are much higher than those that are killed by firearms. It will also show you how many people are killed by "illegal" firearms and persons who are not allowed, by law, to own or purchase a firearm (hint, almost all of them). The point being is that it is rare, and documented as such, that "legally" owned firearms and "legal" owners of firearms commit such horrible crimes. Legal gun owners are not the problem nor are "assault weapons" (a stupid term created by the gun haters as no crimes are committed by automatic weapons-the real "assault weapons") as most gun crimes (over 95%) are committed with handguns and not "assault" weapons or rifles in general. Nobody is trying to outlaw automobiles, knives, or bats though. Also, there is not one state that you can legally buy a firearm without a background check. I am not sure where she (Emily Young) got the figure of "Only 19 states require background checks." from, but she is very wrong on that also. If we are to Minister to any group, young or old, we should be well informed of our topics or stay away from discussing them in or to the public. We are Ministers of Truth and there is no room for witnessing about opinion and feelings. If our flock does not believe what we are professing about other subjects, such as gun control, then how are they to believe us when we profess the "Good News"? JS
"If all men were angels we would need no govt." until that day I'll protect my family, my self, and my property to the best of my ability. No one can control what another person will attack them with. So, stop trying to push the defenseless agenda masked with the faces of the dead. Evil will exist until the end of time. Defend yourself both physically and spiritually. pray for peace and prepare for the fight. Know right from wrong and live it. God bless you all.
What most people tend to forget is that if you make it illegal for good people to own guns then only the criminals will have guns. When governments seek to restrict good people from owning guns to defend their rights then the government can can say that only they can define what our rights are and prevent us from being able to defend ourselves. That is called a dictatorship not country for and by the people.
I agree, when someone can get criminals and govt to only us toy guns to attack law abiding people, I'll still defend my family in any manner I see fit. In order to insure, not guess but insure my best chance of success in keeping them safe. In all aspects of attack. Physical, spiritual, and mental.
This continues to be my position.
I believe that Murder is illegal in all 50 States. What law would have prevented this.
I agree with you because criminals will buy guns on the street if they can't buy them any where else
Well said
First of all, the intent of the founding fathers never was for all citizens to have a gun, it was to have the right of citizen militias to be able to defend this new-founded nation to exist at all; after all there always was a chance the English could decide to come back! And now with guns everywhere this USA is the ONLY !!! nation on this earth where the 'law of the land' allows nearly everybody to own not just 'a gun', but as many as one likes! For defending one's family??? Give me a break!!! In this day and age the only people breaking down your door would be the police! Hunting guns, fine. Target sport guns, fine. Guns for one's own Defence??? What a crock! So now everybody needs to carry a gun on their hip, or let's join the rest of today's civilization and get real!! And by the way, criminals in England, mainland Europe, Japan, etc. use mostly knives, not guns.
The second half of your first sentence contradicts the first half. Just pointing that out. A minuteman was a shopkeeper or farmer or trapper, armed with his personal weapon(s). A CIVILIAN militia operates outside the central government. "The right of the PEOPLE to KEEP and BEAR arms shall not be infringed" seem to be difficult for some to understand but seems perfectly straightforward to me.
The Bill of Rights did not address hunting whatsoever. We cannot "join the rest of today's civilization" since they do not live under our constitution. There are more people murdered with knives in THIS country than guns. More people die from medical malpractice than guns. More babies are aborted needlessly than people killed with guns.
That amendment is there so that we have the power to shoot those who would take our rights. It would be wise to remember that, for a host of reasons.
Yes!
I agree with john If guns kill people pencils misspell words. Do we ban cars after traffic collisions. I live in a very rural area it would be along time before anyone could show up if I call for help. I will not leave my family,myself or neighbors unprotected.
Right on Brother!
::APPLAUDING:: YES!!!! It is so nice to see other like minded people, who choose to acknowledge the Bill of Rights and our Constitutional Laws correctly.
Thank you Bill, Fred, William, and Meghan. When I went to school, starting at first grade (we didn't have kindergarten), we were taught American History, and the History of each State was taught in the public schools of that State, so the combination gave us a great respect for our founding documents and those who came before us, making our way of life possible. People all over the world have been in awe of our founding documents for generations, and used to say the world owed a debt of gratitude to those founders of the United States, for creating such magnificently and nobly-written documents, laying a foundation for republics all over the world, and still being the shining example to them.
In case some have not noticed, we still do not need fences or walls to keep our citizens IN, but there is always a steady influx of people coming here from other places, which have LESS to OFFER. It would be devastating to the whole world if this nation changed to become like those nations from which people emigrate to come here.
First of all you have no idea what you are talking about. Let's talk some real statistics such as the crime and death toll being so much higher in the EU, Japan, etc. Also, you could make all the gun control laws you want and that still would not have stopped what happened in LV. Bombs are pretty illegal but that doesn't stop bombings either. I will be glad when ignorant people stop blaming the choice of weapon used and put the blame where it belongs ON THE CRIMINAL!!!! Also, you are a very poor student of the American Constitution, yes they ABSOLUTELY DID intend for every American to have the right to own a weapon, such as they could not under British rule. And last but definitely not least, this country was forged with American will power and our guns helped achieve that. Guns have always been a large part of western culture...so if you hate it here so bad feel free to get the hell out of my country and go to Japan, Europe, etc.
Rev. Levesque,
This is what I cannot understand about liberals: If they hate the US and the constitution so much, why don't they leave? There are many oppressive countries around the world where guns are even more restricted gun laws than the US. If they like the restrictions the should just get out instead of trying to ruin the US. If they like communism, why can't they move to a communist country? We will not stop them like North Korea or Cuba.
For the US to continue to be the land of the free and the home of the brave, we must validate our second amendment rights. Anyone who believes in religious freedom also must believe in the ability to defend it.
God bless you.
Rene, I think you are confused. Your contradicting yourself a great deal. It is okay to feel conflicted and it is okay to sound off about that conflict, but openly accept that you feel conflicted so people don't think you are a lunatic who can't get a cohesive thought together.
Personally, I feel your initial statement is absolutely correct. The right is just that, our right. It is the absolute right of every single American Citizen and I wholeheartedly support it and will fight to my dying breath to support it.
If the "laws" worked, there would be no crime and no dirty cops. The reality is that the cop supposedly here to protect us will either 1. not even show up when you call 911 (they don't come when we call!!!) 2. be apathetic and unable or unwilling to take necessary action or 3. be just as crooked as the bad guy breaking down your door.
If laws worked, there would be no such thing as crack babies, wife abusers, or unequal pay.
Criminals in England and Japan have and use guns all the time. I lived overseas for years and know this first hand. Do not rely on your perception if it is only based on what you learned from the Today Show. There are plenty of bad guys with guns in ALL other countries. America is not alone in that.
If you are not comfortable with a gun, do not carry one. I support your choice, but not your judgement. If you are near me when something bad happens, you are safe. Fortunately, you are usually surrounded by good-hearted people who do know what they are doing and will protect the people around them at any cost whether you know it or not.
Heather, that is an awesome reply. Thanks for getting it absolutely right.
Very well stated
When seconds matter, the police are only minutes away. God intends for us to take care of others and our selves, not to be dependent on the government.
I concur. Self-defense is an absolute right and an obligatory behavior, the responsibility of any good citizen. If not practiced at all times, evil is encouraged and strengthened.
I must agree with you. America is known for it's Wild West attitude... Now that's amazing..Hand guns in the hands of responsible owners. A rifle for hunting (how many rounds does it take to kill a defense less animal?). Australia hasn't had a mass shooting in 20 years. Why... Lawmakers decided.. safety of human life verus the gunslingers of the Wild West days. Prisons are full of none violent offenders but by mandate of lawmakers they serve mandatory sentences. Yet, serial killers go free to buy as many weapons as possible. Say what you will about gun ownership, whether for or against, Americans are not safe in large crowds. So thanks NRA and the lawmakers you support.
Yes. Thank you NRA. A group of true patriots helping hold on to eroding freedoms in the face of communist advance. Nobody gives a crap about Australia except Australians. I'm sure they are granting visas.
Oh, Jackie. I think you've been watching too much MSNBC. Where in the world did you get the idea that serial killers are set free to buy as many weapons as possible?
Are there criminals that are set free? Yes, President Obama granted clemency to 1,927 criminals, more than any other president in history (not including the mass pardons of draft dodgers by Ford and Carter). Can these people buy firearms legally? Yes. 212 of these criminals were pardoned, which means their 2nd Amendments rights were restored. (The rest of the criminals were set free by commutation, which means they are prohibited from legally purchasing firearms.)
Now, most of these criminals were non-violent offenders, so your statement about them serving full sentences is wrong. None of them were serial killers, so your statement about serial killer being set free is wrong. So, in a nut shell, everything you said is wrong. Sorry, kid. Thems the breaks. Better luck next time.
France is a gun free nation, so much so that even the normal police don't carry guns. That is why when bad guys with guns decided to commit murder (which by the way is AGAINST French law also) they said 'hey we are not going to let some silly gun law stop us'. A hundred and thirty dead people later they were stopped when enough special police WITH guns showed up to do the job. They could have been stopped much earlier had some of their victims been armed.
True. If you take away guns there will be no gun violence. But the violence does not go away, people can always find a weapon. My understanding about buying a gun is that the FBI has to give permission for that person to purchase a gun. If a person buys a gun without the FBI permission then that person is guilty of a felony. As far as fully automatic weapons have been illegal sense the 1930's. Obama gave us the bump stock someone should have given that a second thought
20 years? Well, that's not true at all. There was the Sydney Siege in December, 2014. There were the Hunt Family Murders in September, 2014. There was the Monash University Shooting in October, 2002. And the Wright St. Bikie Murders in October, 1999. Those are just the mass shootings in the past 20 years. When you add in the mass murders by other means...Melbourne Car Attack, vehicular attack, January, 2017; Cairns Child Killings, stabbings, December, 2014; Rozelle Fire Murders, arson, September, 2014; Quakers Hill Nursing Home Fire, arson, November, 2011; Lin Family Murders, blunt instrument, July, 2009; Churchill Fire, arson, February, 2009; Childers Palace Backpackers Hostel Fire, arson, June, 2000.
Plenty of mass murders, substantially more than 0 mass shootings. And as for Americans not being safe in large crowds? That's ridiculous. A Huffington Post analysis of mass shootings - which the FBI defines as four or more people killed with a firearm, not including the perpetrator - between 2009 and July 2015 found that 57 percent of the incidents involved a perpetrator's current or former intimate partner or a family member, and 70 percent occurred in private dwellings. Here's the explanation of why your odds of being killed in a mass shooting are 0.00000013% (basically 0) https://blogs.princeton.edu/librarian/2015/12/calculating-my-odds/
Nobody's taking our guns. Shut up about it before the LEGAL gun owners get sick of your crap and start shooting wannabe gun-grabbers. Talk about taking some other right that won't get you shot.
You sadly are very nieve, as well as misinformed. The Supreme Court has repeatedly up held the individual right to keep and bear arms. I personally have never been able to purchase a firearm without a background check. For handguns it is mandated by the Federal Government. Most ever state requires training and licensing as well as fingerprinting if you actually want to carry a gun concealed on your person. Sure there are a few exception. Arizona and Vermont are two that come to mind. Criminals intent on killing people will always find a way. Cars and trucks are great mass killers, bombs of many kinds are both easy to make and kill many people easily. 911 showed us how well large airplanes can be used. Would you also put law all of these. I could go on and on pointing out common every day things that can also do a good job of killing. Use that good brain God gave you and think about what you say.
Your interpretation of the constitution is filled with errors, it absolutely was intended for all citizens to possess weapons equal to the military to prevent an tyranny from taking power away from the people. If you wish to give rights away just give up yours, I'll be keeping mine at any cost, that's the price of freedom.
Mat, you are absolutely right. I was wondering when some one would bring up your view point (which is obviously mine too). Well said!
"[C]riminals in England, mainland Europe, Japan, etc. use mostly knives, not guns."
Fine. You come to my house in the middle of the night with your knife. I'll be there with my gun. Let's see how that works out for you.
Hi, so you're saying that in this century, the only people to be breaking into our homes are the police? I think that your argument is a little off because of several reasons: first, the only reason an armed officer would be "breaking down your door" is if they suspected some sort of illegal activity being practiced there. Second, there are so many robberies that occur on the daily that it's unreasonable to say that never happens. Next, you said criminals in Europe, Japan, England, etc. don't carry guns? This "etc" better not include criminals in the US because as we tragically saw the other week, criminals are not afraid to pull out their guns for the purpose of destruction. We see this in Chicago, we saw it in Orlando, and we just saw this horrific event unfold in Las Vegas just the other day. Are you really going to tell me that criminals these days don't use guns? I believe it is completely appropriate for someone to carry a gun. Let me give you some facts to back up my argument. What city has the highest crime and murder rate (and is known for it)? Chicago; and in Chicago, there are heavy restrictions on fire arms which prevent the average citizen to carry, which leaves no way for them to defend themselves against their attacker. Next, an example: even though there is a sign outside a jewelry store that informs a predator to refrain from robbing the store's merchandise, do you really think that a criminal (with the intentions of stealing) will look at the sign, or think of the law and say "well, the law says I can't do this and there's a sign that says I'm not allowed to steal, I'd better be on my way..."? No. If someone has the intent of breaking the law, they're going to do it no matter what. If someone wants a gun for destructive reasons, the restrictions on these firearms are not going to stop them from purchasing a gun off the black market or obtaining it some other illegal way. No matter what the law, if a criminal has the intent to break that law, they will. And if good honest citizens have no way to protect themselves and the rest of the city's population, eventually criminals will get the upper hand and eradicate the pre-established rule system for their own agenda. I also do believe that our nation was founded on the "right to bear arms". Though some may interpret this differently, most believe that when our founding fathers wrote "the right to bear arms" they were referring to the right to carry a gun. If we just sat back and waited for the British to advance on our country with their guns and cannons, this would be a completely different world. We had to defend ourselves, our children and our country somehow, and speaking to the enemy "rationally" wasn't about to make the cut. I believe that we should have the right to bear arms because if law abiding citizens are stripped of the right to carry a gun, how will we defend ourselves and our country against those with evil intentions?
My previous comment was replying to Rene L. Not the main post. I agree with the original post
So basically what you are saying is, if someone walked up and stabbed you with a knife it would be ok for the government to try and take away EVERYONE'S right to have a knife in their possession for any reason as well as in their home.. That is just ridiculous sounding right? As is agreeing to take away everyone's rights because non-law abiding citizens who obtain weapons illegally and not by following the law have chosen to use the weapon to murder someone, do you also believe the gun shot itself and it had nothing to do with the psycho who was wielding it? News flash GUNS and KNIVES DON'T KILL, PEOPLE DO!!!! It won't matter if we take away all the guns and knives throughout all the nations, people who kill will find new ways to accomplish their goal. So forgive me if I don't see where you or anyone who thinks like you do, feel safe stepping out your door every day. As for me I feel safe every day, because I know that I have the Constitutional Right to live free, happy, and in peace; as well as I have the right to bear arms protected by the Bill of Rights that gives me peace of mind. As I know with these two amazing backings created and thought up long before you or I even existed, much like the laws written in my bible, I can protect myself and my family, and I have nothing to fear. I live in a great country and I will never blame an object for the thoughts and actions of a man/woman, but in fact will lay all the blame on that man/woman like anyone with a half a brain should be doing.
Rene: Article 1, Section 8 covers the responsibilities of the Federal Government concerning declaring war, raising and funding armies and providing and maintain a Navy, as well organize, arm, and discipline the Militia etc. Article 1 through 7 were given to the Federal Gov by the states and effective March 4, 1789.
33-months later, the Bill of Rights (Amendment 1 through 10) became effective on December 15, 1791 as a gift to the people from God. It gives nothing to the Federal Government or to the states. The second amendment gives people the right to own and bear arms. No where in the Bill of Rights does it state that a citizen need belong to a militia to own and bear arms.
Well said
Well Said!!
I second that! And look at it this way! For the one guy who goes crazy with a gun..there were still 299,999,999 million people that didn't shoot anyone that day..those odds can never be refuted as to what gun control means.. I will take 300 million guns protecting us and our land than taking them all away and leaving us for the slaughter of a invading nation!!
Say that to the families of the dead.
Threedogs.....another throw the baby out with the bathwater Liberal, Im guessing.
Cars kill hundreds of thousands a year...lets ban em. Hospitals/Doctors kill THE MOST people in this country...lets ban healthcare too. No??
Tell that to the families of the dead.
People are already saying that to the families.Note,even family members who have had a family member shot and killed are saying it..Not much on or for weapons but Emily doesn’t get facts just rhetoric from others.Hammers and knives kill more people in a year than guns.
As Archie bunker said would you rather he pushed them all out the window. Evil is the issue. Not firearms. Please feel free to move to Australia or Britain where cops don’t even carry guns.
Oh go stick your head in a toilet drama queen....you HAVE to be a liberal!
I think we can disagree without the hate folks. I think it is ridiculous that they NEVER share the stories about people who HELPED and saved someone's life because of their personal choice to carry a gun. There are lots of those stories, but they refuse to report on it. Always remember, just because they over sensationalize something does not mean it is the only view.
Heather, Very well said!
I agree we asfree men need to protect out cominuities . ban stupidity get the criminal element off our streets why are we not getting the truth about LAS VAGAS? all thos guns and a maid or bell boy didnt see any thing all that ammo? come on its a set up to ban us law abiding citizens from owning guns
There is no way in hell that one person could pull that off . It was a lot more people involved to get that many guns and that much ammo to that room. The man found in the room was probably dead before the first shot was fired. It's very clear that it was a set up. Look at the facts, NO ONE saw anything or noticed anything strange. Too bad we don't have real cops like Columbo.
Rev. LaFrance,
Very perceptive post. If the shooter acted alone with a bump stock, why did we not hear a pause to reload in the rapid gunfire after, say, 30 rounds? It is more likely that there were at least two shooters taking turns, very coordinated, or one tripod-mounted machine gun with a belt feed. What else accounts for the rapid fire of SO MANY rounds non stop? Also, why were two windows broken? Was it for at least two shooters? ISIS has claimed responsibility at least three times. Why are we so stupid that we ignore all that, still looking for explanations?
There was an account of a fence/gate broken down by fleeing the concert audience. Why were gates to the venue closed minutes before the shooting started? Why did some of those fleeing report people chasing them and firing more rounds? Sounds like coordination with people on the ground.
The real unanswered question is not why the shooter acted, but why the cover up of the facts.
God bless you.
Rev. Dr. Marion Ceruti: You state: "If the shooter acted alone with a bump stock why did we not hear a pause to reload in the rapid gunfire after, say, 30 seconds?"
Because he used twin 100 round drum magazines which were found in his hotel room. And he used multiple rifles.
If you don't know why, it is always good to ask. But to ask and promote a conspiracy based on your question is gravely irresponsible.
Guns don't kill people, people do. The issue is more about the early identification, resources, and assistance for resolving mental health problems. Both of the recent largest mass murderers, Pulse Night Club and Vegas, were from Florida. Florida ranks about 49th in the nation for mental health resources. Both these mass murderers had mental issues and came from one of the worse states to help them. If not guns, then something else would have been used. Armed civilians keep our capitalistic government in check. Check out some of the aggressive eminent domain and civil seizure tactics being used now. Honorable armed citizens keep the tendency to be a zealous power-hungry government in check. Addressing mental health individually and as a society should be the big issue instead of gun control.
Well said
I owned and have owned guns all my life. I was a marine and my daughter is. But any firearm with a 30+ round magazine is meant for one purpose. Seems to me the debate should be do you believe in a zombie apocalypse? Pretend military units will not protect citizens they will defend themselves. I too pray for peace for the alternative seems irreconcilable.
Well said
Yup, you've got that right. Don't leave home without your gun.
Calling 911 and getting police on site in less than 3 minutes is not all that possible in today's America. Be you conservative or liberal, if someone decides to perform a home invasion on your household, you will still likely call the police. Who else would you call? -- Colin Kaepernick?? Get real. Therefore, I will remain armed and defend myself and my family the best I humanly can until the police arrive, if I had time to call 911. If I look out my living room window and see an Antifa/BLM person with a Molativ Cocktail in hand, looking right at me through that window and smiling at me, I think I may be tempted to shoot that person as fast as I can and not wait for 911.
Sadly a woman did this and the police accidentally shot and killed her the day before her wedding. Relying on government is not always a good thing. People in Pureto Rico relied on government and look where they are now. More have died since the hurricane than did during the hurricane. There is a need for government but rely solely on government is dangerous.
Church of Love ❤️ and Light ⭐️ Minister Charles and Jennifer invite you to like them on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/Church-of-Love-and-Light-1716171341958311/?ref=bookmarks
I'm pro gun. And I have the right to carry. Would I kill a mass of people. No. But then I am not mentally unstable. All these mass shootings are pointed at the gun. I have never had any of my guns go off on their own. It takes a human to press the trigger. Evil exists. Good does to. Either way I'm prepared Holy Bible in one hand a 45 in the other
Yes!!!
I agree people kill people and u can take our Gus but criminals well always get them somewhere
I agree James, What Emily needs to understand is more gun laws will not make any difference, does she need proof,look at Chicago. Vegas shooter millionaire. The fact is if you want a gun or any weapon you can get it on black market. So more laws cost us the tax payer more money. You can't punish millions because of a few. All we can do is pray daily for our country and family.
Rev. Mike, I agree with you. We are very fortunate to live in the US with our rights and freedoms. Also very fortunate to have a President that defends both. Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition!
I agree. Why should I be defenseless just because some choose to be insane? Here in CA we have a formula for poverty. If a person is invaded in their home by robbers we're supposed to flee before blowing their heads off. So instead of being able to defend my home and my life's work I'm supposed to let myself be robbed and watch the police never solve the crime or give a shit enough to even try.
If I wanted a firearm any police officer is carrying one. If I and a few friends wanted higher firepower the police station has it. If I use my military training then what ever I do to keep a firearm it will not be pretty for those who seek to disarm me. Any reactions that I will do will be horrible to my enemy. As a civilian I do not have to fellow "Law of Land Warfare" rules with that the last thing you seek, but I freely give is a civil war.
Hi Everyone,this is minister Lee,my personal opinion is simple. With more and more boys and girls not finishing school,or not paying attention is a major issue. Our children need to learn that all of our blood is red, murders happen,terror, for what? People need to educate themselves, learn that we are all the same, and try to love, not hate, I also believe, that if there were no money in the world, we woukd love in peace...... Lee
I agree we all need peace in world. The world is becomes more intolerant not more. I believe there is 3 reasons why.
Parents should introduce there children to God.
Single parents are not to blame when they are trying to juggle Home and work. It does take a village to raise a child.
Goverment Like schools are quick to blame their failure on parents.
When I say it takes a village it does. It should not mean blame the single parent for falling short. It should not blame the child for the failure of the school.
There is a lot a blame to go around and God is the answer.
Church of Love ❤️ and Light ⭐️ Minister Charles and Jennifer invite you to like them on Facebook https://m.facebook.com/Church-of-Love-and-Light-1716171341958311/?ref=bookmarks
‘Participants’ in crime are ‘criminals’ and criminals should not possess firearms; however, they do and their numbers are growing daily! What happens when the criminals outnumber we “law-abiding” US citizens?
Well, as a “lawful US citizen” and someone who still respects “Constitutional Rights” and “The Rule of Law”, I will fight against the ‘criminals’/’participants’ in crime, until I can fight no more…I only hope my ammo lasts! ?
The Sinister Minister
What law would have prevented this???