Examining the gun control debate from the perspective of classic Judaic sources
By Shlomo Yaffe
 | Examining the gun control debate from the perspective of classic Judaic sources
55 Comments Posted
I was speaking with someone who is a pacifict, and he said that if someone had a gun, and was about to kill some people, that he could not in good concsience take a gun and kill the would-be-murder at any point, because it would just be creating more violence. I was trying to remember the Jewish viewpoint and said that I thought it was required to take action, otherwise I would be coinsidered just the same as a murderer myself??? But in any case, he was not Jewish. But most people this question was brought up with said they would probably take action.
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As a Jew growing up in Queens, we are taught to abhor guns.
Now living in the South, in the "gun culture", I have a different perspective in that I have the right and obligation to defend myself, family and innocent others. I think a gun in a responsible hand is like a fire extinguisher, you never want to need it but you are glad to have it there.
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Something to consider. When perps do not know who has a gun and who doesnt, they are less certain whether and what kind of resistance they will encounter. Just the fact that some students or teachers COULD have legally possessed a gun creates a situation where every student & teacher does not need a gun.
Of course as we know, VT had prohibited conceal and carry on campus. If they had not, the level of uncertainty for the perp would have increased infinitely. Since they did, the perp was all but assured there would be no resistance.
Also, B&E's are rampant in England and other countries were criminals are ASSURED only Criminals are armed.
In Switzerland & Israel to different extent, everyone MUST own a gun. Of course their populace is highly educated.
Disarming ALL lawabidding citizens always proceeds massacres. Just ask the NAZIs. One machine gun totting man can easily control 100 disarmed.
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Withouth firearms the individual Jew is at the whim of whatever nation he resides in. We are all under the protection of G-d but He gives us the tools and means to better our lives. If G-d forbid the nation we live decides to turn on us how else can we defend ourselves or give ourselves the protection to run away. It has happened many times before but the Jews were defenseless. No matter what we feel it can happen anywhere even America. Firearms scare me senselenss but it is a needed danger due to the greater danger that lies in wait to reemerge as it does in every generation.
The tradgedy in Virginia couldnt of been avoided unless someone saw the intent of the disturbed individual. It should be more difficult to attain a firearm but theres almost nothing we can do in stopping a sick individual but finding the sickness before its too late.
We should ask for Moshiach now and one of the ways of doing that is by treating every individual as a part of G-d
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I am a gun owner and I am not Jewish but I wanted to take the opprtunity to express my horror and anger at the horrible mass klling in Virginia. I also am, to be honest, quite surprised at the fairness and even-andness of the views I have seen expressed here. The debate if all guns should be banned and confisicated always rises up after such tragedies. Background checks in this instance would have not prevented the sale of these firearms because we Americans also value privacy. And the criminal in the shooting there in Virginia was educated. Education is only a degree of prevention. Many of the Nazis were "educated" but they were willing to justify their actions with theories and twisted logic.
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It's halachically correct for a Jew to, say, drive a car during Shabbos if it's to get someone to the emergency room (to save their life).
Is it also halachically correct to spill blood during Shabbos, say, in defense of your family and/or your guests during Shabbos?
Of course, you remember when Muslim extremists attacked Israel during Yom Kippur '73.
Am I correct in presuming that G-d did not hold Israel amiss for retaliating in kind, spilling blood, because it was in defense of the lives of their otherwise lawful citizens?
In that case, would I also be correct in presuming that for an individual Jew during Shabbos it is also allowable before G-d, even in the space of their own home?
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Fabulous article Rabbi Yaffe.....very sensible presentation of both sides of the issue.....
The biggest mistake people make when evaluating the effectiveness of gun control is only looking at the negative uses of guns while ignoring the overwhelming amount of times guns are used for good defensive purposes.
According to a Clinton Justice Department study conducted by Dr. Gary Kleck of FSU, guns in the U.S., are used approximately one million times a year for defensive purposes. Those positive uses outweigh the tragic negative uses the media sensationalizes....
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Related to Nachmanides explanation one finds that taking guns from law abiding citizen will just leave the criminals with the guns....
World Net Daily reported....
2004
One year after gun-owners were forced to hand in 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed, a program costing the government over 500 million dollars, the
results are in...
* Homicide up 3.2%
* Assaults up 8.6%
* armed-robberies up 44%
* In one state, homicides-with-firearms are up 300%
* Figures over the previous 25 years show a steady decrease in homicides-with-firearms ( this changed
dramatically in the past 12 months, in correlation with the gun ban)
* Figures over the previous 25 years show a steady decrease in armed-robbery-with-firearms (changed
dramatically in the past 12 months, in correlation with the the gun ban)
* There has been a dramatic increase in
breakins-and-assaults-of- the-elderly
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I DO believe in the 2nd Amendment - The Right To Bear Arms. I also believe in Gun Control Laws as well. There's nothing wrong with protecting yourself, but guns are also a responsibility. They can be dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.
In Cho's case, the appropriate steps were taken, but he "fell through the cracks". Cho was clearly "a sick, twisted monster no one really knew". He went to different stores and websites to buy his weapons and ammunition so no one would suspect anything.
Hopefully, BOTH our Federal and Jewish Religious Governments learned lessons from the horrible ordeal at Virginia Tech and will ravamp and gun laws that need to be addressed.
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Just as we must break the Shabbat to provide medical help to a person if there is any chance he or she may be in danger, so too must we break the Shabbat to defend the lives of ourselves or others.
This is why armed citizen patrols take place on Shabbat in villages and communal farms throughout the Land of Israel
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and only outlaws will have guns.
It is important to remember that, no matter how well intentioned the ban on weapons, guns are easy to make. A simple machine shop can crank them out. And there are thousands of machine shops around.
Just as prohibition only kept honest people from drinking, banning firearms, or any other technology, for that matter, will only keep honest people from having them.
Finally, humans use tools. What folly it is to think that if only there were no guns, violence would cease. One only has to remember the events in Oklahoma City, New York City, and Iran to .be reminded that those bent on destruction and mayhem can easily succeed - with huge numbers of casualties. Unless each one of us is capable of helping stop them - through means both peaceful, and, unfortunately, not peaceful, the violent acts will continue, as they have since Cain and Abel.
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Outstanding essay.
We Jews must understand that we have to stop making it easy to be victims. Violent crime has substanually decreased in the 40 states where concealed carry via permit is allowed. The killer knew that Virginia Tech banned those who had the permits from possessing their pistols on campus. The unarmed people were lambs to the slaughter.
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I am amazed; until I read this essay, I never would have believed that our Torah scholars had paraphrased the following three presently popular common sense sayings:
1) "When guns are outlawed only the outlaws will have them."
2) "Guns don't kill people, people kill people"
3) "If someone wants to kill someone, he doesn't necessarilly need a gun."
Question: If the Torah justifies self defense; how can Liberals call themselves Jewish ?
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I dont think the general population should be allowed to possess a firearm. Firstly if ever a guy goes mad and wants to kill people, you wont be there in time to stop it. Secondly, the risk of a ordinary citizen having access to firearms to go on a rampage to kill is far more dangerous and will occur more frquently than if a policeman does so. How many of these incidents occurred were done by ordinary citizens rather than some legal police force or foreign external terror regime?
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Kevin, perhaps when Olam Haba (the world to come) arrives, maybe when Moshiach comes, it will be, G-d willing, possible to have a world where people don't have the need to possess firearms. I, myself, choose not to own/possess a firearm; but I recognize that trying to forbid the 'general population' from possessing them, in reality, only emboldens criminals and terrorists. The guy who goes mad is usually just sane enough to know, Kevin, that it is you and I who will be, unlike him, unarmed, and that it will be the police who won't be there in time. Still, Kevin, there is nothing wrong, in and of itself, in you imagining the world without firearms; but not yet. In time.
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I am currently a college student and my major is criminal justice and some of my fellow students said they would have taken action and I though about it and it made sense. Why not try and take down the killer. I have not heard anything about how the students tried it, but I also understand why they wouldnt want to. I do own a fire arm for the protection of my self and family. If the govt. said that we had to give up fire arms only the crimals and police will have them. I dont want just criminals and police to have fire arms. As you can see somethings are just unpredictable and I would like the upper hand as best as possible.
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When innocent people die, and even more so when the murderer lives, our world is diminished. We must protect ourselves and others. That is love.
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As a patriotic american I belive that people should take advantage of our 2nd amendment right to bear arms. The crime rate in Yemen is very low in comparison to my country because every male carries a knife the size of an Arkansas Toothpick.
Remember the Warsaw ghetto revolt. Those Brave Heroes held off the germans with stolen pistols and molotov coctails. Just imagine if all Jews were armed, the war would have been short; very short.
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This is a very good article. There is such a controversy over the right to bear arms. You have left me with much to think about.
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I've had long debates with others from conservative areas about this. Basically, it comes down to this. In the US, there will be approximately 30,000 homicides by firearm this year because guns are not banned. In Great Britain, there were 43 all of last year because guns are banned there. Heck, in NYC, there were 590. If you do the math, our firearm homicide rate is 100 times theirs.
Additionally, the gun ownership rate in this country has dropped from approximately 55% to 35% in the last 30 years. As we continue to urbanize, it will continue to decrease.
Folks, we live in the information age. The US government is not going to suddenly turn anti-semitic and recreate Nazi Germany. You are in no danger of the government doing this.
With all of that being said, we're very far from the point where the populace is going to ban guns. The only realistic solution is to go with much stronger gun conrol laws. Someday in the future (30 years), we can talk about banning guns.
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When guns are banned, neither the law-abiding citizens nor the criminals are able to procure them. Please note that. That makes a huge difference in the debate.
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This is by far the fairest statement of the two sides of gun control I have ever seen. As a life member of the NRA and as someone who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon I believe you have put together a realistic view of life and Torah guidelines as well. I am also a victim of a senseless killing whereas I lost my sister in a holdup in 1989. One must take responsiblity for themselves in today's society to remain free from tyranny of any kind.
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I own several firearms and know how to handle them. The thought of EVER using them to cause havoc is abhorrent to ALL responsible gun owners.
They are there should the need ever arise, G-d forbid, to defend ourselves against those whose goal IS to cause harm.
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The author raises some interesting points in this article which are thought provoking. One point that is factually incorrect is the assertion that only a semiautomatic weapon could be used to cause so many injuries.
Explosive devices, incendiary devices, all have the potential to wreak havoc and destruction in large quantities. As we know from the case of the Oklahoma city bombing in the US, and nuumerous terrorist acts abroad, it is all to easy to create and successfully unleash these weapons.
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A person refusing to own or use a deadly weapon out of pacifism is a hypocrite if she dials 911. There is no moral difference between using a weapon versus summoning and armed man to do so on your behalf.
Ghandi's philosophy of passive resistance requires one to resist a robber without harming him even though he will kill you for resisting. However, Ghandi told his son that if one will not do this, it is better to resist violently than to cooperate with violent aggressors. IMO, most people claiming to be pacifists are twisting Ghandi's philosophy to justify cowardice.
Furthermore, far from exercising Ghandi's philosophy, someone who promotes gun control is using the threat of aggressive violence (via the state) to force others to submit to violent criminals. That makes gun control advocate a partner in violent aggression -- no less than a man who grasps a woman's arms as another rapes her (for the sake of preventing the woman from violently scratching at the rapist's eyes!).
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in response to the two dreamers in Altadema, Ca:
In the UK, home invasions greatly increase to this day since the law abiding populace has been disarmed.
There are over 100 million firearmens in the USA It would not be possible to keep criminals from getting them. While your belief system favors you both to be willing victims, don't impose that on others.
Many British Police officers are now discretely armed.
Lastly, the greatest amount of firearm violence in the USA happens in areas with the stricktest gun control laws.
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Thank you for a well reasoned discussion of an important issue. Very well expressed, as well. This is one of the issues where understandable emotion and good intentions must give way to reason and wisdom. I appreciate your bringing your knowledge of Rabbinical teaching and Jewish Law to the discussion with such clarity.
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"In the UK, home invasions greatly increase to this day since the law abiding populace has been disarmed."
Please cite your source. Otherwise, you might as well say that home invasions in the UK have significantly dropped, which is just as likely.
"There are over 100 million firearmens in the USA. It would not be possible to keep criminals from getting them."
And there weren't millions of firearms in the UK? 43 deaths per year in the UK via firearm homicide vs 30,000 in the US. Think about it. That's 1,000 times the carnage of Virginia tech or 3 tiems the carnage of Virginia Tech happening EVERY DAY across this country.
"While your belief system favors you to be willing victim, don't impose that on others."
Ridiculous statement.
"Lastly, the greatest amount of firearm violence in the USA happens in areas with the stricktest gun control laws."
Of course it does. Did you ever notice that the laws came AFTER the violence in those areas?
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The Israeli Chief Rabbinate has declared in the strongest terms that a firearm is NOT muksah -- and may be handled and worn on Shabbas within an eruv (and outside an eruv if there is danger). Apparently, Shabbat 63a forbade only the vain wearing of a weapon outside an eruv on Shabbas. Even though R. Eliezer lost the argument, it is impressive that he even advocated such a permission! This dishonor is not that a man would obey the halacha of the rodef, but only that one would boast of it.
The Torah links arms with freedom. Freed from bondage we went up from Egypt armed. Philistine oppression in Sampson's day banned blacksmiths lest we make swords. Foreign protectors saved us from many threats, but the most joyous holidays (Chanukah and Purim) celebrate days when we could defend ourselves.
It is an easing of the pain of golus that the U.S. allows Jews to defend themselves, and a Chillul Hashem that a Jew would ask the government to restore this oppression.
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As a Jew growing up in Williamsburgh, Brooklyn, And going to yeshiva, watching as my weaker friends were set upon and abused by the "goyim" before I entered the frays and evened the scores, I must say these few words for whatever they are worth. First, I came frpom a family where my father who was handicapped had imbued this in me; You never start a fight, just finish it; Second, his friends who were mostly "goyim" and were "prize-fighters" taught me how to fight in more than one way which I put to very good use! Third, when I entered the United States Marine Corps, and the Law enforcement profession , I was then further exposed to defensive needs. I have taught my son and his friendsm uch the same thing that my father taught me and then some. I go to shul every Shabbat and Yom Tov with a gun strapped on my hip, for defensive purposes. I will not hesitate to use it if the need arose. I think that any Jew that thinks gun control is the right way to go is absolutelydeluding themselves.
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I concur.
Something i've learned about fights is that no fight is fair. How would those hippies in altadema defend themselves in my neighborhood, when my neighbors boast of possessing contraband assault weapons?
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Hippies? Chillul Hashem?
My point was that 30,000 people die each year in the US due to firearm homicide. If we actually ban those firearms, and if we actually collect them like a responsible country, then we can save many of those 30,000 deaths. You'll not that the ban actually keeps the guns from the bad guys' hands, too. Important omission in some of the analyses above.
Anyway, I also stated that a ban wouldn't happen for another 30 years or so as the ownership rate of guns continues to decrease. Think about it. 30,000 people each year, cut down to a thousand or two.
What's that quote about saving one life is equivalent to saving the entire world?
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With reference to "anonymous from Altadena, Ca. I must unequivocallly state that this man in an emergent situation would lose his life and cost the lives of others with him! The Torah tells us, an eye for an eye e't'c. and that a man is afool if he does not protect himself. If this person thinks that the police are going to be therre for him every time there is danger, he has been reading fairy tales and believing them. I can tell you this much sir, read up on history and see what the REAL REASON FOR THE ARMORIES BEING CONSTRUCTED ARE, it's not to store military vehicles and reserve drills. It's for the protection of the POLITICIANS and their families!!! Want to tell me in an emergency situation where WE are supposed to go? I'll tell you, no where near the armories. You had better revisit the facts of life what has happened to the Jews throughout the ages. By the way you might also revisit the liberal representatives you have running you and the state as well. Take your blinders off.
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Again and again, all I read are visions of either the government or criminals coming after us. Does anyone here not live in fear?
I'm done with this debate. It's obvious that everyone here is terrified of life outside the citizenry of our own shtetle. If you live in fear and treat all outsiders as potential murderes, how do you expect to be treated?
Forget it, though. I'm done with this debate. It's sad that there isn't a single person here who can see beyond these paranoid fears. It's really sad. I expect my fellow Jews to be open-minded and to have a range of perspectives on gun control, and all I see is the same thing: closed-minded fear, living in the past. Wake up.
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In answer to David Kantor, I believe the Torah teaches that _every_ man, Jew and gentile alike, is a potential murderer -- so why should we ignore that fact? (Each is also a potential saint or Tzadik. But the point still stands.) But in any case, at the moment I'm more concerned about potential muggers, burglars and carjackers -- if they're not a problem, let's stop wasting all those tax dollars on police that could better be used for libraries, etc.
In any case, someone mentioned the connection between weapons policy and violence in society. Anyone interested should read www.garymauser.net/pdf/KatesMauserHJPP.pdf ("Would the Banning of Firearms Reduce Murder and Suicide") from the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy. It's a real eye-opener.
I agree; let's stop living in the past -- the feudal past -- when only special people (the king's knights) were authorized to bear arms.
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I don't own a gun.
I'm saving up to buy a Henry "Big Boy" .45 for hunting and home defence. You don't have to shoot fataly in every case of self defence. In the woods a good rifle is a nesescary survival tool.
I once read a story about some WWII vets. from Japan and the US that got together and dicussed war stategy. An american asked a Jap. why they never invaded our west coast. The reply was that they were afraid of the armed populace rising up to defeat them. In this case an armed populace's reputation diverted a major battle ultamately saving many lives.
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Gun control laws make little sense. You can't ban them and expect them to be uncreated. It is too easy to import one or make one in a machine shop.
Does anyone here think that someone willing to do murder will all of a sudden be intimidated by a new gun control law? Mexico has strict gun control laws. How is that going?
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With respect: The quote from Shabbat 63a doesn't seem to apply. Perhaps weapons as ornaments are not permitted on Shabbat, but I don't see how that relates to a general principle of self-defense. The most restrictive interpretation I can see is, if you live in a rough area, don't go out on Shabbat if you feel you must be armed to do so.
The quote from Bava Kama may be discussing safety hazards more than tools of self defense. A "bad tempered dog" can get out on its own. A weak ladder can lure someone into believing it is safe, then break and drop them. I could derive that one should not leave an unattended gun where children or thieves can get to it.
" it is forbidden to have anything likely to cause damage " Does that restrict someone from owning a chainsaw to cut firewood? Drive a car? I doubt it. Why a gun? A gun is a tool like the others.
I agree that we should avoid danger to our lives. But, in many places, not owning a weapon is more dangerous than owning one.
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The Statement in Bava Kamma is used by Maimonides and others to forbid the sale of weapons to those who may use them for nefarious actions. Hence, just as it is clear from the Maharshal, that the Bad dog has a use -for defense- in a border area -but there are still restrictions -so too with weapons. That being said, there does not seem ot be problem with owwning a safely secured weapon for self -defense. The issue is ensuring safety as well as keeping said weapons out of the hands of criminals.
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The rabbiis comments were well written as they should be., As a law enforcement officer, I emphatically state that If there WAS people there with LAWFULLY LICENSED weapons, there would not be the carnage we saw!!! These folks who do carry both civilian anbd law enforcement, HOLD THEMSELVES TO A HIGHER STANDARD and that being said, are willing to take the necessary steps to quell a situation such as this. I in two instances had civilians assist me in a tight situation, and thank the good lord, I was able to talk the situation down. These folks came to me while I was controlling a sensitive situation, and if necessary, I would have asked them to use their weapons without any doubt. They indicated to me afterwards, that, they would have. Any person who is absloutely against civilians carrying weapons is absolutely deluding themselves. We had better take our heads out of the clouds beforew it's too late.
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Interesting article, as a Jew who grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, I am very aware of many Jews who were pro gun control. My father on the other hand was large into firearms, a collector and had a very nice collection. My father was unable to renew his FOID card because he was bipolar so the police raided our home and confiscated all his firearms and charged him with a felony. He had those guns to protect his family and to protect his country (America) from a tyrannical government which is what the constitution was written for. Our constitution doesn't give us rights, those are G-d given, it tells the government what rights they can't take from us. As someone who is of Jewish background, I know one thing is that you should NEVER trust the government and refuse to register or buy firearms in a gun shop due to the fact that they can be traced. Lets not forget how the nazis confiscated guns or what happened during Katrina. Gun Control has racist roots.
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"Those who beat their guns into plowshares will plow for those who don't." -Unknown Author
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Now, not a smith was to be found in all the land of Israel, for the Philistines said, "Lest the Hebrews make sword or spear."
-- 1 Shmuel 13:19
Is there something more that can be said than that? This pattern has been around for a while now.
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Refrence is made to Mr. Cohens article about his father. This man is PROUSD of his fathers heritage and his as well in posessing guns, and know that the best offense is a good defense. That being said, he is also right to state that, one does not buy a gun in a gunshop if one can avoid it. The reason being that one gets a better deal buying from a person directly instead of a dealer. The only drawback to that? The gun can have altered serial numbers, or obliterated serial numbers and may bhave been used in a crime. THIS IS NOT TO SAY THERE ARENT ANY UNSCRUPULOUS DEALERS AROUND!!!!! One just has to be careful. Relative to the Chicago police siezing the guns of the father, one just has to understand the history and integrity of this department... none!!! The felony goes away with a good lawyer. These fools have nothing better to do than abuse people as did the New Orleans police during Katrina.
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Some very good comments by readers.
Do to my past lack of a Jewish education, I can't comment on the article's quotes of Jewish teachings.
I am a firm supporter of the RKBA Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Overall, I found the article to lack objectivity and insight.
Some thoughts to consider:
* During the 20th Century, at least 170 Million civilians (perhaps 350 Million?) were murdered by goverments due to war, genocides, massacres, starvations, & other police-state actions.
* Every society sooner or later comes down. From local crime to riots to natural disasters to plagues to nuclear terrorism; nations & goverments can't be relied ton to protect people. America won't last forever; its demographics & values are changing now.
* Goverments and societies can go bad, very bad & quickly. Consider your history.
* Criminals & thugs love gun-control as it's easier & less-dangerous to rape, rob, & murder.
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I agree with Drew from Frisco.
I think the movie "Hotel Rawanda" proves his point well.
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If your truth, within your heart, is that Jews are destined to be victims, then the mental poisoning of Jewish oppressors needs to be cleansed from your belief system.
Unarmed, what are your chances of defending your family from a home intrusion? Books don’t work well in defense & you can’t rely upon the police or divine help to materialize. When arms are banned, crime increases. When good citizens arm, crime decreases.
We are a nation of 300,000,000 people in a society that is increasingly losing its unity & ethical values. A huge tragedy will be to allow thugs, gangs, & a growing government disregard for the Bill of Rights, to have absolute unchecked power over Americans.
An adverse societal disaster can easily unleash the lower animal nature in many people. A civilized democracy is only one-political generation away from tyranny. Remember Hitler?
Good people should never have to live fear of criminals or a government. Criminals and politicians should fear the people.
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I could not agree with Mr. Arons comments MORE!!! As a Jewish kid growing up in Brooklyns Williamsburgh and going to Yeshiva,and being beaten on the way home for no other reason than being Jewish, I was taught by my father who was a Holocaust survivor, and his friends that were professional prize fighters, and blue collar workers.... Dont ever cower, fight back with all of your might and whatever you can pick up in your hands at the time> You dont ever start a fight, you FINISH it!!!! It was and still is my credo. I have taught my son this and to this day he has taught my grandchildren. We have to teach all of our children,Now, not later.
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"Good people should never have to live fear of criminals or a government. Criminals and politicians should fear the people. "
I couldn't agree more with Aaron of San Francisco. But, as a non-Jew I would include the need for self-defense and reliance for all law-abiding people.
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Murder is Wrong. Defensive killing, to protect innocent lives, is Rightous. Being unprepared to defend, leads to more innocent people perishing. Unpreparedness also shows a lack of emotional maturity, & responsibility to protect the weak. If you’re a parent & unprepared to defend your child, then you are irresponsible. This logic applies to individuals, communities, & nations. Sadly, many anti-gun American Jews are in denial of history.
There are 303 Million Americans. Unbiased scholarly research shows that about 2.5 Million times yearly; innocent Americans will hold-off or defend themselves with a firearm from a criminal attack. Yearly, about 13-17K are murdered in homicides (another 10-12K die in accidents). Do the math.
Americans gun ownership keeps many criminals from acting. Disarming will lead to many more murders. Criminals & Storm Troopers don’t care about being humane.
Gun Free Zones are a magnet for violence. Ever hear about an armed police station being attacked?
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The NSC published the following stats with the original data apparently coming from the CDC Gov site.
2003 was the most recent year posted:
Total firearm deaths 30,136
Suicide 16,907
Homicides 11,920
Legal Intervention 347
Undetermined 232
Unintentional 730
I had thought accidents higher & suicides lower. OK, so now Homicides are under 12,000.
Liberty and the freedom from the potential tyranny of governments (Imperial, Fascist, Socialist, or Theocratic) has been so rare in history. Each day, in America, the political jaws of control are slowly closing down & down. Most people are too busy or blinded by smoke & mirror tactics to notice or care.
The more America loses its Judeo-Christian heritage, the more the future becomes one of an ethically-corrupt and politically-correct Balkanized financially-bankrupt nation that won't be able to get along. In 30 years, there will be 100 million more Americans often lacking fresh water.
Learn self-defense & keep your powder dry.
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"Gun Free Zones are a magnet for violence. Ever hear about an armed police station being attacked? "
No, nor have I heard of random attacks on shooting ranges. But the American left seems to care zero about that. They can look tough on crime without annoying their supporters by blaming guns instead of criminals.
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A substantial percentage of the more than 11,000 homicides noted above were gangbangers and drug dealers killing each other in real time urban warfare. This is is also germane to the statistics covering minors killed or wounded.
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Cant help but agree with the torah and the good rabbi, as welkl as Tom. As an N.R.A. certified Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor as well as a civilian marksmanship instructor, I have seen all too well the"do gooders" intervene in peoples second amendment rights and vcause more problems than they care to imagine.
For Instance, Canada, England, and Austrailia; All have uncontrolled violence since the bad guys know they can operate with impugnity. This is to say that whatever rights they have now are gone and will take a long time to regain by a government that recognizes the mistakes of the prior inept governments. There undoubtedly will be bloodshed before it evens out. There has to be. The bad guys must be made to understand its over!!!! If they want to play, they are going to pay.
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A man/woman intent on doing evil will find ANYTHING to kill and maime others. Hitler didn't use guns, he used gas. Stalin didn't use guns, he used forced labor and starvation.
You know what both of those dictators had in common? They took away personal gun rights. Obviously the problem is not one of our right to defend ourselves from evil intents, but dealing with those intent on doing evil.
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