In reference to the guest commentary by Bob Beane in the Aug. 22 issue: What makes the opinion of the Second Amendment of a bicycle riding accountant worthy of consideration in a guest commentary? Is he an acquaintance of someone on the paper?
The bad guys south of the border have automatic rifles, machine guns, hand grenades, explosives, and perhaps chemical and biological weapons.The drug cartels have access to communist weapons in Guatemala, and weapons supplied by international weapons dealers, and Operation Fast and Furious. When those thugs come across the border, I want to defend myself and mine with the same types of weapons the bad guys have, and I don’t want to have to dial 911 and depend on some mercenary to come and save my family and me.
Mr. Beane wants access to firearms in this country dependent upon scrutiny and a background check. To whom would he give the authority to scrutinize me to determine my eligibility to possess a weapon? Mr. Beane seems to be as concerned about profits as President Obama. Well, business profits, including those of gun stores, pay the taxes which go part way to alleviate the financial crisis this country is in. Does Mr. Beane think profits should be scrutinized as well?
The ‘well regulated militia’ is not the National Guard. The militia is the people as a whole. The National Guard is the ‘select militia’ which the founding fathers distrusted as much as an army under federal authority. Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, George Mason, and Tench Coxe eloquently elaborated on this matter.
One important point in Susan Stamper Brown’s commentary was missed by Mr. Beane. Mass shootings most often occur in gun free zones where law abiding citizens are forbidden to defend themselves by imprudent and misguided gun laws.
Gun-based homicide rates are quoted by Mr. Beane to imply homicide rates by guns are less in Europe than in the U.S. From where did he get these statistics; was it from Handgun Control? What about the rates by knives, axes, hockey sticks, stones, automobiles, and lamp cords; how do these compare?
Is Mr. Beane aware that the felony rate, including murder, in Britain has skyrocketed after rifles, shotguns, and handguns have been completely banned by the government? Has he seen the videos of the recent riots in the United Kingdom and the impotency of the police and government to do anything about it? Is that the kind of country Mr. Beane wants for us?
Arthur C. Peterson
Mesa
Dale Whiting posted at 9:29 am on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
Arthur Peterson = fear mongerer
Bob Beane = dreamer
I'll pick the dreamer!
Arizona Willie posted at 10:23 am on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
The Founding Fathers distrusted both government AND the militia.
With good reason.
Now people think there is no danger of a coup in this country.
BUT THEY ARE WRONG.
Just the other day the story came out of some military men who were planning to assassinate Obama and they got caught because they killed a member of their group who changed his mind.
History is replete with instances of military takeovers.
The lust for power is an awful addiction.
Military men fall under it's spell just as easily as any politician.
VofReason posted at 1:10 pm on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
I think there is a place in between where most people live. Yes Willie there are crazy people out there that will do crazy things: Aurora, Tucson, ex-military that want to assisinate Obama. However, you will note that there are millions of citizens in this country with firearms that seem to raom the street without killing anyone and have firearms to protect themselves and their families. Take a look at the front page of men breaking into people's house trying to sexually assualt them or smacking them in the head when they are trying to open the door of their house. Who but you will be able to protect you from that?
Arizona Willie posted at 4:27 pm on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
VofReason --- apparently you didn't understand what I was driving at with the post about the military guys plotting against Obama.
Mebbe if I do a Leon it will be clearer [wink]
I AM IN FAVOR OF PEOPLE HAVING WEAPONS
precisely because there always is a real possibility of a military coup attempt.
It's much more likely than a military invasion by some other power.
But, sadly, probably less likely than an rogue administration refusing to leave office and employing the military with martial law.
I would not be at all surprised if that occurred.
onerebel posted at 9:02 pm on Wed, Aug 29, 2012.
“To disarm the people (is) the best and most effective way to enslave them..."
-- George Mason
VofReason posted at 12:59 pm on Thu, Aug 30, 2012.
I think we are less likely to have a military coup and more likely to have a burglar at 3 am.
Arizona Willie posted at 10:56 pm on Thu, Aug 30, 2012.
VofReason -- actually, the vast majority of burglaries are done in the daytime. Residential burlaries that is.
Most burglars would rather not find anyone home and their best best is to hit in the daytime when everyone is working.
Basically only stupid or desperate burglars break into homes at night.