I am not anti-gun and I own guns. That does not mean I agree with the NRA or the other crazies in the hinterlands who are busy stocking up on ammo and heavy-duty weapons just in case the government decides to put all gun owners in a concentration camp.
Max Blumenthal of Daily Beast fame decided to get a closer look at our gun-loving loonies, and headed off to California and Nevada to check out a couple of gun shows.
He writes, "I came away from these events with a portrait of a heavily armed, tightly organized movement incited by right-wing radio to a fever-pitched resentment of Obama and his allies in Congress."
Blumenthal's referring to such kooks as Michael Savage, Glenn Beck, and the conspiracy fruitcake, Alex Jones. It's because of the ranting of such characters that many of those attending the gun shows have become "convinced Obama planned to usher in a Marxist dictatorship."
The people Max spoke with are typical of some, but not all gun enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the NRA has led too many to believe that sensible laws relative to the sale and possession of certain weapons is the first step toward a Soviet system.
The NRA is big and powerful and has the ability to influence many people with its lies. It defends the most bizarre claims, shrilly crying that any attempt to control gun sales and distribution is an evil, satanic plot.
Thus, Blumenthal says, "At the gun show in Reno, I witnessed the sale of rocket-propelled grenade launchers and bazooka guns; I watched a California dealer demonstrate how rapidly he could field-strip his .308 sniper rifle, then stash it in a deliberately innocuous-looking backpack and a briefcase that 'looks just like a camera case.'
"Nearby, I interviewed another dealer retailing a brand of .50-caliber assault rifle that was banned in California because it could supposedly bring down an airplane. He told me by slightly altering the bullets his gun fired, and by converting the gun from semiautomatic to bolt action, he was able to sell it in California once again."
I cannot think of any good reason why any sane person in this country needs a grenade launcher or a bazooka gun or a .50-caliber assault rifle that can bring down an airplane. And I don't think that by banning such weapons, the interpretation gun enthusiasts put to the 2nd Amendment would be in jeopardy.
Someone needs to stand up and tell the NRA to take its craziness and shove it!
You can read Blumenthal's entire article here.
And just in case you're not convinced, watch this video:
12 comments:
Oh yeah I saw this. There are some real nuts out there. I know a few of them personally. They listen to Faux News and conservative talk radio all day. Which explains a lot. They border on being paranoid delusional. The latest round of crazy is they think that illegal immigrants brought swine flu here.
And of course they think that the government is going to take their guns away. *rolls eyes* Puh-lease. If that ever happens, I'll eat my hat. And if it ever happens in Texas, I'll eat a pair of jeans too :P
Good thing most of us who own guns are reasonable people.
Dear Jacob, I fail to see what all these armed guys think will happen if the government becomes Marxist or whatever new name they are afraid of, decides to wipe them out. I believe a team of SEALS, Tanks, helicopters, etc, can take out these guys rather quickly and know who and where they are at all times. In the meantime guns do kill people faster than a baseball bat or a knife and doe not require the assailant to get in close and personal. The criminals do have guns, continue to buy and sell guns to people that then use them to kill innocents in a wholesale manner. Genuine hunters should be licensed and have to report any weapon they own and if it is stolen, they should report that. Sportsmen do not need a bazooka or a sub machine gun. I would feel better if these guys would enlist in our armed forces and kill real enemies overseas, so we do not have to fear some of our gun owners here. It is still too easy for the wrong people to own weapons meant to kill large quantities of people very quickly, with little or no skill required.
Dear Bob, I agree with you that all these armed guys are just clowns in military fatigues. I could almost guarantee most of them would be pissing in their pants and crying for their mamas if anyone actually started shooting at them, or a Navy Seal poked his head above the bar where they were chugging down a Lone Star and talking big.
Who are the people shooting up the schools, post offices, families etc? How
did they get their weapons? I know it is statistically not a large number,
but the number of victims is too large and basically unprotected by anything
capable of stopping those that did execute too many.
The Constitution does speak of a well regulated militia, so there is some
room for argument. To whom does it apply and under what rules, if any? Why
is our murder rate higher than any other democratic nation?
I have no problem with enforcing any and all laws re guns, but it is too
late for Columbine, the post offices, etc. plus the assassinations of public
figures by nut cases. Why should it be as easy to get a gun as it was for
those committing such massacres? It is my understanding that many are sold
on the streets and in some venues that are not required to call the FBI or
whomever. Some states do prosecute and add time to any sentence if the
guilty party used a gun in a criminal manner.
Why shouldn't someone know where the guns are, so they can be traced if used
in a crime? Target shooting and regulated hunting seem harmless and is
permitted in other countries with low crime and murder rates. It is also my
understanding that the automatic weapons can be made from permitted weapons
by a slight and easy method, unknown to me. I am also concerned with the
militia groups, playing at Patriotic war and heavily armed against all sorts
of enemies.
Does some national law require a person to pass any test to be qualified to
carry a gun? You are qualified, so I feel better, but are all gun owners as
qualified? We license people to do all sorts of things from car ownership to
panhandling. Why not guns and other weapons? can you buy hand grenades,
tanks, flame throwers, etc should you be able to buy them?
Total and utter horse hockey.
First, take a look at this article about .50 caliber “assault rifles” (a misnomer if ever there was one) - http://www.mega.nu/50calreport.html
Secondly, I have been to dozens of gun shows, mostly in Michigan, and have never seen any kind of bazooka, .50 caliber “assault rifle” (I have seen a few .50 hunting rifles), nor have I seen any fully automatic weapons for sale. There are lots of semi-automatic rifles that look like military weapons, but are NOT because they are not fully automatic. Not really any different than the majority of hunting rifles on the market in caliber, capability, or price, they simply look different. I don’t believe Max Blumenthal for a second.
I taught weapons in the Israeli army (as a drill instructor for basic training) and I assure you I know the difference between an assault rifle and a non-assault rifle. You cannot tell by just looking at it unless you get up close and check whether it’s fully automatic or not. You need a special license to legally purchase a fully automatic weapon in this country, and they are not easily given. By the way, how many crimes in this country are committed with such weapons that we consider them such a threat?
I personally am a gun owner, and licensed to carry a concealed handgun. I do not hunt (nor have any desire to hunt or kill anyone or anything).
When the government actually enforces laws and punishments on the books for crimes committed with guns, I will perhaps see no need for a weapon in my home or in my person, but I will still defend my right to have one.
The current gun control lobby is significantly more untruthful than the NRA, by any stretch of the imagination. Their claims simply don’t make sense.
I have personally (because I got tired of the BS arguments) spent a number of hours perusing the FBI’s crime statistics involving firearms. There are a number of interesting trends. This information is freely available for anyone who wants to look at it - http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm .
A few of those trends include:
1. In states/municipalities where “Shall Issue” and “Castle Doctrine” laws (which ease the requirements for concealed pistol permits and remove liability for a person defending themselves from severe bodily harm) have been enacted, violent crime rates have decreased. I believe that these trends are statistically significant. From an intuitive perspective, it makes sense to me – if a criminal can’t be sure if the house he wants to rob, or the person he wants to mug may be armed, he is going to be more cautious. This has been borne out by many interviews in the prisons – criminals typically want an easy target.
2. In areas where significant gun control laws have been passed (e.g. Washington DC), crime rates not only did not go down, they went up.
3. Licensed, concealed pistol owners are probably the most law-abiding segment of the population, with an incredibly low rate of arrest for gun-related crimes.
4. Most firearm crimes are committed with handguns. The incidence of firearm crimes committed with rifles (assault or otherwise) represents a miniscule percentage of firearm crimes. So, the bleating about assault rifles is really pretty ridiculous.
There is a lot of misrepresentation about gun ownership.
In order to purchase a .22 caliber rifle at a gun show, I had to wait while the dealer called the FBI to run a background check (instant) on me. I was surprised when he came back and asked me if I’m Israeli. I didn’t know the government had that in their files about me. You cannot just go into a gun show in Michigan and buy a gun from a dealer without a check like that – they just don’t do it because they can lose their Federal Firearms License (basically a seller’s permit).
You CAN buy a handgun from a private individual, but you are required to submit a record of the purchase to the government, and, you need to have a permit to purchase (my CPL qualifies) to buy a handgun here.
I belong to a shooting club (am actually on the board of directors) called the Detroit Jewish Cigar and Shooting Club. I can assure you that our goals include significant education of gun owners or anyone interested in learning about guns and shooting. Safety is always uppermost in all our events.
I do NOT agree that the government gets to know all the details about who owns what guns. In countries where this has been the case, it has been very easy to round up all guns, except those owned by, you guessed it, the criminals.
England and Australia are great examples of this – in recent years, they outlawed most guns and confiscated them. Their crime rates did NOT go down – the opposite.
In countries like Germany, one of the first things done by the Nazis was to confiscate guns.
I am NOT an alarmist and do not believe that we are facing any kind of totalitarian regime here, nor do I think armed revolt is imminent.
I do, however, insist on my right, per the constitution, to own arms and protect myself and my family. Given my advancing age (I’m 54) and declining physical skills, and abilities, I prefer to be able to defend myself from some distance rather than having to try to get close to an assailant (or letting him get too close to me). A gun allows me to do that.
In the event of an armed intrusion, car jacking, mugging, armed robbery, etc., I know that it will be over in seconds, but it will take the police much longer than that to appear. The police cannot protect you, they can only pick up the pieces afterward.
The bottom line is, today, a person convicted of a crime committed using a firearm should get a very stiff sentence. As long as the government is not harsh in its dealings with criminal behavior involving guns, it will continue to be a problem.
It is not the law abiding gun owners who are the problem….
Boy, you sure set up a bunch of straw men to knock down.
So maybe Blumenthal doesn't know much about .50 caliber so-called "assault rifles." I guess I don't, either.
I've been to a great many gun shows, too. Lots of Nazi stuff, though, huh?
Did I say anything about outlawing weapons? No, I did not. I did say I didn't see any need for assault or automatic weapons. And sorry, buster, but nobody can beat the NRA for lying!
I own several weapons. I have a concealed weapons permit. I belong to a gun club. Big whoop. Did I say anything about the government knowing all about who owns guns? No, I did not.
I agree with much of what you have to say, and I certainly don't have all the answers, but we do have a gun problem. I also agree that most people with guns are law-abiding (well, except for the neo-Nazis). In Florida recently, we've had two shootings (one murder/suicide and one plain suicide) and an indoor range where people walked in off the street, rented guns and blew themselves away. Do you think some sort of check should be instituted for renting guns?
Sure got your feathers ruffled for nothing!
The people shooting up malls, post offices, universities, etc. are
certifiably insane, obviously. None of them should have weapons. But,
these things happen in other countries with draconian gun laws as well.
Someone who wants to get an illegal gun will find a way to do it.
Yes, I'm qualified. To get my CPL, I had to take a class (1 day) which
primarily focused on the legal aspects of carrying (and using) a concealed
weapon as well as safe handling and use of a weapon. We had to pass a legal
test as well as a proficiency test. Not a very hard test, but a test,
nonetheless.
Then, we had to be fingerprinted at the police station and apply for the
permit. The police did a detailed background check, including checking with
the FBI, looking for criminal records, psych records (as available), etc.
before issuing the permit.
There are definitely way too many illegal guns in the hands of criminals.
No argument there.
But, I would postulate that the gun laws outlawing legal, concealed carry in
universities and other public venues only ensure that non-law-abiding people
will have guns. At Columbine, I would assume that at least some of the
faculty were responsible enough citizens to be trusted with guns. They may
have been able to reduce the carnage. Ditto at Virginia Tech where that guy
killed 32 people. There are certainly enough veterans on campus who should
qualify to safely carry a weapon. I believe that an armed society is a
polite society, as weird as that might sound.
The Supreme Court recently (Heller vs. DC) decided what the constitution
meant by a regulated militia. Their ruling is still being argued all over
the country, but it was in essence a ruling that supports private gun
ownership for personal defense, and, (my understanding and belief) that an
armed population is a safeguard against the government taking excessive
liberties.
Again, gun registration is wonderful, until someone decides to take away
everyone's guns. While I haven't done so, I've considered obtaining an
unregistered gun against such an eventuality.
Yes, there is some nazi stuff, although honestly, I’ve seen only a couple of booths and they were selling vintage stuff. No one preaching white power, selling paraphernalia, etc. There were also plenty of people selling other vintage items as well. To each his own.
I didn’t advocate or say you personally advocated automatic or assault weapons – the article you quoted talked about this type of weapons being sold at gun shows, which is BS.
My father talked about all hunters registering guns in his post.
I am not opposed to gun ranges vetting their customers somehow, although on a practical basis, I’m not sure how they can really do that beyond taking a drivers license (which is what the ranges I frequent do).
At the many gun shows I've attended - which, by and large I enjoyed - there was almost always Nazi stuff, but as you said, mostly vintage. Still...
I didn't pay attention to larger caliber weapons as that's not my interest.
What I did see were a few transactions occurring in the parking lot...in Florida a private citizen may sell a gun to another private citizen, and vice versa. Again, I wasn't paying attention, so I don't know what weapons were being sold.
My biggest gripe is the refusal of the NRA and other gun-happy organizations to have a rational discussion about the purchase, possession and use of weapons. The NRA is an extremist organization, refusing to even talk about any restrictions whatsoever on any type of weapon and have fought every attempt to have some sane gun control laws relating to age and sanity.
So far, few have demanded that all guns be banned. The gun lobby presumes
that is the ultimate step, but I doubt if Congress would ever pass such a
ruling. I do not understand why law enforcement should not be able to track
a gun's ownership when trying to solve crimes where guns were used. There
must be a way to regulate guns better to avoid the massacres by nuts. It is
too easy to shoot someone when angry. It is difficult to predict who will or
will not abuse the privilege. I once pulled a knife on a paratrooper in a
bar. I prided myself on being able to control my temper but I lost it and
haven't a clue as to why I did it. I was drinking at the time and was only
18 years old. What if I had a gun at the time? I would like to get rid of
the illegal guns and make sure the gangs do not get replacements. How would
you control that as long as more guns than people are produced? Why should
criminals have weapons that are better than law enforcement? Why is it so
easy to buy or get an illegal gun and how can that be stopped?
What are you afraid of? Has crime been a problem in Farmington Hills; in
your car; while shopping or out of the house?
Are you worried that the government will try to arrest you and do you think
your guns will stop them?
Will you be able to defend yourself against all such eventualities?
I do not live in fear and have never carried a gun. I do have a temper and
do get road rage on occasion, I wonder if I would have used a gun on the few
occasions when I have really been angry. I stopped carrying a knife after my
incident in a bar. I had pulled it more than once when I felt really
threatened but since I stopped carrying it, I have never felt that
threatened where I wished I had the knife back. I wonder how big and strong
I would have felt if I had a gun and would I have pulled it? I do worry
about some people with guns though and wonder if they should be walking
around with one.
Actually, yes, crime is a problem here.
There was recently a wave of armed assaults in Farmington Hills and Novi, in
which 2 armed men followed people into their garages, pistol whipped them
and robbed them. There have also been a number of home invasions. The bad
economy doesn't help things.
I do NOT have an uncontrollable temper.
No, I don't think that one can defend against all eventualities. But,
improving the odds is a good thing, in my opinion.
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