Support H.R. 5013

blacksmithn- It's a tough "call". I understand what you are saying, and there is a part of me that realizes that people, in an emergency situation, are apt to behave in a less civilized fashion than under normal circumstances.

The problem is, that there is a greater issue involved, and that concerns individual freedoms, and the ability to protect one's own person and property. I think that those freedoms override any real threat, (and I do believe that the threat would be real) that having armed people in the midst of an emergency would engender.

As an aside, I would suspect that if the guns were taken away from law abiding citizens, the criminal element would still find a way to keep a weapon (as they always have, despite the laws). If my suspicion is correct, it would be a far more dangerous situation if the criminal element would have the firepower, while the law abiding citizen would have nothing to use in the defense from one of these criminals.

It is not an easy question, and there are no clear answers. The only thing, that I believe overrides everything, is our constitutional protections, which, IMO, trumps any particular concern.

I understand the issue of community housing. I think the intent of the bill is that people should have a place to store their guns safely, rather than have them confiscated.

The kicker is, just how much protection does one have in one of those places?[/color][/b]

cj-- And that's PRECISELY the response that rescue workers and first responders should NOT have to face. They have better things to do than worry about the firearms wielding guy-- who may or may not be a maniac, but how can they tell one from the other? And how much valuable time will be lost while they try to sort you (presuming you're not a maniac) out from the ones who can't be trusted?

Every constitutional right has it's limitations when it comes to the safety and well-being of others, e.g., free speech doesn't mean the right to shout "fire" in a crowded theater. Why should this one be any different? What makes the Second Amendment so much more critical than any of the others that it merits this special dispensation?

In a disaster situation the last thing aside from my life or my family's lives I am going to give up is my guns.

cj-- And that's PRECISELY the response that rescue workers and first responders should NOT have to face. They have better things to do than worry about the firearms wielding guy-- who may or may not be a maniac, but how can they tell one from the other? And how much valuable time will be lost while they try to sort you (presuming you're not a maniac) out from the ones who can't be trusted?

blacksmithn wrote:

cj-- And that's PRECISELY the response that rescue workers and first responders should NOT have to face. They have better things to do than worry about the firearms wielding guy-- who may or may not be a maniac, but how can they tell one from the other? And how much valuable time will be lost while they try to sort you (presuming you're not a maniac) out from the ones who can't be trusted?

If someone is a maniac, he/she can do as much damage with a straight razor, a bottle opener, or a kitchen knife. I know of a bunch of people who caused incalulable damage with a few box cutters!!!

If someone is a maniac, he/she can do as much damage with a straight razor, a bottle opener, or a kitchen knife. I know of a bunch of people who caused incalulable damage with a few box cutters!!!

Phoenix32890 wrote:

If someone is a maniac, he/she can do as much damage with a straight razor, a bottle opener, or a kitchen knife. I know of a bunch of people who caused incalulable damage with a few box cutters!!!

That explains all of those drive-by bottle openings that the media have been reporting.

I don't know that much about guns, but aren't AK-47s illegal for private users?

Anyhow, I know what you are saying, but I still don't think that it is an issue. A nutjob will cause havoc, law or no law. I am more concerned about law abiding citizens being able to protect themselves against the nutjobs.

And I'm more concerned about first responders being protected from the armed and emotionally traumatized.

Oh com'on Joe. Do you think that the drive-by shooters would be stopped by some LAW????

If guns kill people, where are mine hiding the bodies?