Here are the results of last week's poll (click on image to enlarge).
For the 18 of you who said you would obey disarmament laws, you realize, had you been at Virginia Tech, many of you would now be dead or wounded, or had you been there with a loved one, you would have been powerless to protect them. It's your choice, of course, but I sure don't understand it. Maybe someone would care to enlighten me in the "Comments," below?
8 comments:
Any problem with putting them in the BIDS network? Of course, who decides what the criteria are? But that problem is one we have to deal with no matter which system we use.
The operative term being used is "adjudicated," crotalus, so that implies it would be decided by the courts.
And no, BIDS would draw on the same "kick out" data as NICS. The main difference is no record of a purchase would ever be created.
Being a purist, I don't even like that--no doubt there is a prior restraint involved. The only way I can rationalize it is to compare it to a bettlefield defensive action--the enemy has no right to be in our territory at all--but if we have the ability to push his front lines back, should we reject it because we want him all the way out?
I already live in the most disarmed city in the most disarmed state in the union. I have what meager arms they have decreed are appropriate. The rest I keep elsewhere.
How does one defend one's own life or loved ones lives while disarmed? I'll tell you what I won't do...I won't cringe on the floor waiting for my bullet. I won't hide while others die hoping death will pass me by.
Frankly, when it becomes my time to die, I hope they find my body with fingers outstretched clawing towards the enemy. I say "hope" because I don't believe anyone really knows how they will face the end until they actually face it.
This is not to say it wouldn't be preferrable to face that end with Mr. Samuel Colt's equalizer instead.
We've seen a few examples of where this path leads in this country and I have to say that I'm not ready to subject my family to that bitter end.
When Mr. Simpson gets his wish, we might have something to talk about then.
Maybe someone would care to enlighten me in the "Comments," below?
Because the odds of being involved in an incident like Va Tech are about equal to the odds of being hit by a meteorite. Slim to none.
I don't consider that worth taking the chance on some ninny spotting me carrying on campus, having me arrested, possibly doing jail time and becoming a "prohibited person". I'm not paranoid enough about mass murderers (or even run of the mill murderers for that matter) to risk my freedom and rights over it.
When the balloon goes up (as it inevitably will) what good would I be to "the cause" if I'm in jail? I'd rather be free and legally unfettered so I'm the most effective when the time comes rather than jailed and/or prohibited and under scrutiny by "big brother".
Unfortunately, your question was worded poorly. The worst thing that Va Tech could do is expel you. In Virginia, for carrying on "posted" private property, they can only charge you with misdemeanor trespassing and only if you refuse to leave when asked. The threat of being "arrested" if caught is minimal to non-existent. In that light, the benefits of "illegally" carrying quickly overcome the potential costs if caught.
Actually, SC, your chances of being the victim of a murderer--mass or otherwise--while carrying are pretty much miniscule anywhere assuming you don't live in a high crime area. I've only had to share knowledge that I was capable of defense once to human beings--the time I did it to a bear didn't count, since it didn't know the difference, and we both decided to let each other go. The point being, we never know when or where, and in most cases, it's never. I've read that even most cops rarely draw a weapon in the line of duty, although I'm sure that includes desk jockeys.
But your chances of running into robbers, muggers, situations where you may need to protect yourself or others are a bit higher, but still not very likely.
And no, the question is not poorly worded. It says exactly what I wanted it to say. Read it again. I didn't limit it to Virginia Tech, and there are indeed laws covering other colleges, as well as K-12 campuses.
So here's the point: If you won't defy laws that are wrong, are you saying runaway slaves were wrong, or the people who operated the Underground Railroad? Should Rosa Parks have just sat at the back of the bus? Should they have just waited for the laws to change?
If you won't defy evil edicts that place you, your loved ones and everyone around you at mortal risk, why is it that "when the balloon goes up" you'll all of a sudden be willing to kill authority figures?
That doesn't compute for me.
There is a difference to resisting a law by sitting in the front of the bus and being jailed and resiting a law by shooting the bus driver and being jailed.
Who's talking about shooting bus drivers?
My poll question didn't imply resistance, only defiance of unconstitutional edicts. The clearly stated assumption was obey the law and be vulnerable, or disobey at the risk of being arrested. The clearly stated question was: "Would you carry concealed on a 'no guns' campus, knowing you would be arrested if detected?"
It was plainly asking about peaceful civil disobedience.
I suppose I was considering the logical consequences. If I violate the law and carry anyway, I risk becoming a felony and having my FOID (firearm owner's ID -- illinois thing) revoked. Then I'd be unable to buy, own, or transport firearms in illinois.
Then CAGE comes to my house to confiscate my firearms...then I either let them take them or go Waco and let my family be burned alive.
It just doesn't have a chance for a reasonably happy conclusion. A lot of downside and little upside.
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