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Editorial: A Day Without Guns ... »
Posted by: deathray 2 years, 10 months agoTwenty years ago, the Florida Legislature cravenly decided to allow "law abiding" citizens to carry concealed weapons merely by declaring their preference for self-defense.
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deathray
Hm...summarizing a life...Investment banker, sailor, unintentional gourmet cook. Ex US Naval officer, also Foreign Service. Split my time between NYC and Miami Beach ...
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Comments: 195
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blackolives
Jan. 30, 2007, 1:03 p.m.What the media usually won't tell you is that in every jusrisdiction where concealed carry was passed, violent crime rates decreased. I live in Chicago where it is illegal to own a gun, Cook county where it is also illegal and the state of Illinois where only crooked politicians have the right to have armed protection. We have the notorious distinction of murder capital of the country. So much for liberal gun grabs actually working.
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neuroticus
Jan. 30, 2007, 3:17 p.m.In terms of weaponry, where does a activist for "self defense" draw the line? And are we referring to self defense against a solitary criminal, or a government run amok?
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nativestorm
Jan. 30, 2007, 7:12 a.m.they have the law in my state too, but circuit judges have the rule on where a person is NOT allowed to carry a gun
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spkguy
Jan. 30, 2007, 7:17 a.m.Death, I don't know about this either.
"New York Times Editorial: Shoot First - No Questions Asked"
"If ever a law was designed as a get-out-of-jail-free card for the trigger-happy gun owner, it's one that comes to us via the gun lobby and the State of Florida. The law, passed in the last year in 15 states and being considered in eight others, allows the extraordinary use of deadly force when a person simply doesn't want to back away from a confrontation."
Continued:
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Searunner52
Jan. 30, 2007, 7:59 a.m.You are always going to find puff pieces like this that highlight the evils and screwups. but what they don't show are the many times where having that weapon to hand has actually protected a persons property or even saved their lives!
I am considered to be a "hard-core, bleeding-heart liberal" by many (including these forums;~}) and my state has a CCW law. I have a permit that enables me to carry the weapon of my choice and I do just that! There isn't a place that I am legally entitled to go with a weapon that I don't and if I have to leave the weapon in my vehicle it is stored in a gunsafe until my return. I would much rather be armed and have the option of using my weapon or not than unarmed with no options.
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Bkumm
Jan. 30, 2007, 8:21 a.m.I never leave my quarters unless properly armed. Most of the time I just carry mine in my holster in plain site on my hip. The weapon is in plain view and can not be considered 'concealed' (despite that stupid law suit about the holster concealing the weapon, idiots). I hand it in when I enter a bank, bar or liquor store and otherwise just carry it in plain site. I think that is more of a deterrent anyway, don't you?
By the way: Taurus AFS-92. Brushed nickle, hardwood grips, pre-ban clip, 9mm FMJ.
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samsara15
Jan. 30, 2007, 8:24 a.m.I have never owned a gun and don't want one. For me, a gun would be a fatal accident waiting to happen. The best protection I could get with any gun would be to try hit an assailant on the head with it.
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bill2936
Jan. 30, 2007, 9:35 a.m.I remember when the anti-gun crowd was calling Florida 'the gunshine state' and predicting that blood would be running in the streets because Florida was allowing its citizens to protect themselves. But their predictions never came true. But in places with gun bans, like DC, were will on the way to becoming murder capitals.
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joeblowe
Jan. 30, 2007, 10:44 a.m.I was somewhat sickened as I read this brief piece. Clearly the author is an idiot and has taken a very firm stand on an issue -- regardless of any inconvenient facts. What I get from that particular rant is evidence that no matter HOW many laws are passed, criminals can still get a gun. And you can bet they will carry it concealed regardless of the law. It also points out that the authorities who are supposedly IN CHARGE of keeping "legal" guns out of the hands of criminals are NOT doing a very good job. So, what's the point of MORE laws when the ones already on the books aren't properly followed? It's just plain stupid. Furthermore, this piece seems to COMPLETELY overlook the possibility that gun related crime has actually GONE DOWN in Florida since the criminals can no longer figure out who is a "safe" target. That's what I've heard, anyway.
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Bkumm
Jan. 30, 2007, 12:02 p.m.Having said that I own and carry a firearm I am opposed to gun ownership by people who do not know how to safely carry and shoot a weapon.
I also believe that guns should be registered and that weapons should be inspected at least once a year by a licensed gun smith.
If gun ownership is part of being a 'well-regulated militia' then it should be treated as such.
I also own a Chinese copy of the Soviet made SKS. Most people say that the SKS is a poor weapon and in general the stamped out copies that you could (and can still) buy are poorly made. However, mine is a weapon made for the Chinese Army in 1966. It is an outstanding weapon and I would put it up against any comparable weapon in any arsenal.
I do not use it for hunting (I don't hunt) however as part of the ready militia it is my duty to have a weapon that could be used in the case of a call up of civilians to defend the nation. I keep it up to date and ready, but I do not use it except to keep in practice.
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random1734
Jan. 30, 2007, 12:28 p.m.I own but am not able to carry as they don't let anybody carry in our area. They say they do but I checked a few years ago and in that year they only gave out 39 carry permits for the whole county (3.5 million people).These were all to politicians except one jewler and the local police cheif who wasnt a sworn officer. Thats it. Nobody else got one. Drive by shootings happen in the county about every 2 days. Crime is as high as anywhere else.
The murder rate has gone down, but that has gone down nation wide.
I believe that if we were allowed to carry that certain crimes might go down. I think drive by shootings might lessen if the drive by'ers knew that half the street they were driving on were carrying.
Deathray, I havn't seen any statistics that the murder rate has gone up in your state. I live next to arizona and they have a liberal carry policy over there and I have not noticed that they have been getting into lots of shotings.
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AJaye
Jan. 30, 2007, 1:24 p.m.Oh my !!! They are worried about the guns again...over 400,000
patients die by hospital mistakes each year and an other 600,000 by physican mistakes and they worry about guns...They shpuld worry about the medical profession...
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ETproductions
Jan. 30, 2007, 2:35 p.m.I'm a believer in the constitution, and its guaranteed right to own and bear firearms. The framers realized that all the checks and balances intended to keep government in line might someday come unglued if a man like George W. Bush won (or stole) the Presidency. A well-armed populace is a vital last check of government of the people, by the people, and for the people. And believe me, if this government ever gets so corrupt that 100 million armed citizens pour into the streets, the Army will be right there with them fighting against the tyranny that provoked the uprising.
As to rights to carry, surely they should be limited to law abiding citizens only. I also think that the limit on use of deadly force should be the same as it is for the police.
In a nation with so many guns, outlawing carrying one only ensures that criminals will be the only ones on our streets with weapons. Sure, it's against the law to carry. But they're criminals. They don't care what's against the law.
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lovelytxwoman
Jan. 30, 2007, 3:40 p.m.I could care less about very biased NYT trash for news has to say Florida or any other state! If they can find news,they make it up or changed to their side of spin to sell newspapers!LOL!
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Phatman
Jan. 30, 2007, 3:56 p.m.What the gun grabbers or the media won't mention is that the US ranks very low compared to the rest of the world in home invasions... buglaries where the residents are still in the house. Apparently just the threat of getting your ass blown off acts as a deterent. It might also be one reason people in Florida are so polite :)
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coolicula
Jan. 30, 2007, 5:30 p.m.I've said it before and I'll say it again! Actually, Rudyard Kipling said it first, but he said it best and all I did was memorize it many years ago!
When the Cambrian measures were forming
and they promised perpetual peace
They swore if we gave up our weapons
the wars of the tribes would cease
But when we disarmed they enslaved us
and delivered us bound to our foe
So, the Gods of the Copybook Headings
tell us; "Stick to the Devil you know!"
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Locky12
Jan. 30, 2007, 7:15 p.m.What's amazing to me is that this article only talks about who is getting a license. It says NOTHING ABOUT THE CRIME RATE!
I bet you it went down!
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THOMNH62
Jan. 30, 2007, 7:41 p.m.why is this such a difficult issue, anyone who is convicted of a felony should not be allowed to own a gun period. We have the laws in place how come it is so hard to simply apply the laws as they are written today. I carry, in NH it is very easy , they do a background check and if your not a criminal then off you go. Ct, Mass, I have been permited in these states as well, RI was one of the hardest. If the only people who have guns are the criminals then what.
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slate
Jan. 30, 2007, 7:55 p.m.Be safe with them when it concerns your family, know how to use them and teach your family as well,,, we need weapons for protection,,, seeing how the world is these days we may need them
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SaintCheez
Jan. 30, 2007, 8:04 p.m.Disqusting article using tactics I might have used. Florida at the least should have caught these bad cases...
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