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The World Must Wonder how U.S. can Tolerate Guns
Submitted by: Bruce W. Krafft

There are 44 comments on this story
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"The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: 'A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.'"

"What does this mean? Does it mean guns should be readily available on demand? Should we not be concerned about the proliferation of guns and the disconcerting rise of urban violence because of the Second Amendment?"

"Unfortunately, too many members of the National Rifle Association believe the Second Amendment is absolute, thus, all arms should be legal."

"With the current spike in urban violence it is fair question ask is there a correlation between gun availability and escalating murder rates? ..." [link added] ...

Comment by: strehlem (9/7/2006)

"I am quite certain that the Founding Fathers never intended for the Second Amendment to mean that urban families should live in fear."

Nor for Rural families, either...That's why the object was "that every man be armed."

Comment by: WTF (9/7/2006)

Japan and most of these other countries have strict social controls which reduce crime, whereas America does not have them nearly as much.

They have little concept of freedom. I prefer freedom over "order."

Comment by: Careful what you ask for there Mr. Anti... (9/7/2006)

So if the author likes Japan's setup so much, I take it he wouldn't have a problem if Dubya declared himself emporer...

Comment by: info@GunShowOnTheNet.com (9/7/2006)

We've had our freedoms trampled on more than enough already, Byron. But, thanks anyways.

Instead of planting your seeds of tyranny and usurpation, in an already over-seeded field. If you don't like it, why don't you just leave? There are plenty of disarmed places you can go. In fact, there's an especially hot one that I can suggest.....

Comment by: markht@bellsouthdotnet (9/7/2006)

"What does this mean? Does it mean guns should be readily available on demand? Should we not be concerned about the proliferation of guns and the disconcerting rise of urban violence because of the Second Amendment?"

In most of the disarmed places, guns are also "readily available" -- to criminals.
I also take severe exception that guns are "readily available." 100 years ago you could walk into a hardware store, pay out the $$$$, and walk out with a rifle, shotgun, whatever, and do so when you were 17.
Also, you could mail order them from Sears.
But, still, these marxist jerks think they're "readily available."
'Cause they haven't been totally banned ... yet.

Comment by: markht-again (9/7/2006)

And one more thing...the idea that violence is "escalating" because of the second amendment is
CR@P!!!

It increases because we have a broken, revolving door justice system.

Comment by: Slowburn (9/8/2006)

Well Byron, I figure a right-bright fella like yourself probably knows the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the US is both a Declaration of a specific Right already held by the people (Freemen but not Slaves) before the US Constitution was even written--and just like the part in the First Amendment dealing with freedom of speech & the press the whole idea was to prevent misconstruction or abuse of powers granted to the Fed. govt by adding 'further declaratory and restrictive clauses'.
So when it comes to Federal Congress passing laws infringing on the right of the people to keep and bear arms, under Constitutional Compact with the People, the Fed. Govt is prohibited from doing so. (all US Citizens are now Freemen)

Comment by: Slowburn (9/8/2006)

Most States also have Declarations and clauses specifying limitations on powers granted to State Government by Consent of the People and many are right-real clear about the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. Read em sometime and youll find out there are numerous ways the Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms can be expressed.
Just sos you get meaning of the idea Im expressing, if a representative of the People from a State with an expressed Right of the People to Keep and Bear Arms in their own State Constitution tried to pass legislation on the Federal level which violated that Right, said representative would in fact be in violation of TWO CONSTITUTIONS, not just the Federal one.
The purpose of gov't is to SECURE RIGHTS.

Comment by: anon@anon.com (9/8/2006)

Even if you could take away ALL the guns, it wouldn't take away the violence. People would merely use other tools to commit the violent acts. I'd rather be shot than beaten to death or stabbed. And I'd much rather be able to have a chance to shoot back.

Much of the violence is the result of the war on drugs. Legalize the drugs and the violence diminishes dramatically. You still have a drug problem to solve, but the violence problem is at least out of the way. But I don't expect the inferior, genetically damaged conservative brain to understand that.

Comment by: mfs@alltel.net (9/8/2006)

The Founding Fathers never intended that their descendants would live in fear of URBAN FAMILIES. Someone needs to suggest to this writer that a visit to amren.com or SecondAmendment.net will reveal that it is the urban underclass and illegal aliens that cause violent crime. See what he has to say about THAT.

Comment by: Slowburn (9/8/2006)

As a member of the NRA, an American Citizen, Law-Abiding and Armed to boot, Im not at all confused as to the meaning of the word Rights and especially when it comes to the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.
In addition Ill say straight-up the II Amendment to the Federal Constitution has NOTHING to do with pathetic and violent urban gang-bangers, drug dealers and the like-- and quite frankly I couldnt give a fat rats behind what kind of laws Japan has.
My concern, in part, is that far too many opinionists have developed a right-real nasty habit of shooting their mouths off in all directions tryin to blame anything and anyone for the acts of but a small percent of people instead of focusing their attention on the REAL PROBLEMS.

Comment by: nacnud1@earthlink.net (9/8/2006)

Dear Mr. Byron Williams :
I have no reason to believe that you are not truly concerned with the well being of the people in your community.
This observation is not meant to inflame you but if it does so be it.
In a certain respect you are still on the plantation , and you don't even know it.
The best slave a government can have is one that is unaware of it and pays all
of his taxes.

Comment by: Slowburn (9/8/2006)

How bout this Byron.
Write your next opinion piece on Morality and Conscience and the impact on society of people who put their ethnicity, color and whatever else can be conjured up ahead of the word AMERICAN.
If that scares you, then do a little research on the connection between the most notorious gangs in America, where they come from and what percentage are comprised by Illegal Aliens.
If Urban families are as you say, living in fear, then the times long overdue they Stand-up for their own Rights and do their Duty to themselves and America and clean up their own messes.
A Granny on every porch with a double-barrel and a clear line of sight would be a good start.

Comment by: cbar10@hotmail.com (9/8/2006)

"...will require that politicians stand up to the NRA..."

Sorry Byron, but you'll have to do better than that tired old line. You see, your Democrats did that in 1994, and we voted them out of office to such an extent that they lost control of Congress.
The blacklash from trashing the people's freedom makes it political suicide, so your Marxist agenda is going nowhere. Perhaps you could try Cuba; I hear the government can do as it pleases there. Or Vietnam. Or North Korea.

Comment by: pastorguest@earthlink.net (9/8/2006)

Our forefathers lifted the thumb of the tyrant with their trigger fingers.

Comment by: bstaurovsky@snet.net (9/8/2006)

Dear Byron Williams,
On 0/7/2006 in Bridgeport,Ct. a "DRUG DEALER" from the next town over shot and killed his ex-girlfriend, her boy friend and her "10 year old daughter". First off, being a criminal and carrying a gun he broke how many laws? Second he commited how many more crimes as he "MURDERED" these people? Third, you blame the gun but what about the person behind the gun, whom was breaking the laws? Mr. Williams, please do your research before condemning the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and go after the criminal(s) that a broken "justice system" keeps letting back on the streets, even better go after the broken "justice system" and fix it!!!!

Comment by: h (9/8/2006)

Maybe the USA should just withdraw from the rest of the world- let them live in total wonderment.

Comment by: blkwolf@missvalley.com (9/8/2006)

This author is obviously mentally deranged. The second amendment has never been, nor never will be, the cause of "disconcerting urban violence". Thugs, thieves, bullies, and criminals all with fallen natures are the cause of this violence. Guns are the solution to the problem.

Comment by: Defender (9/8/2006)

LIES!
If you go to the public library and look at old newspapers on microfilm, you'll see the same crimes as today, at about the same rate, and in pretty much exactly the same places, by and against the same ethnic group.
What you WON'T see is people blaming the weapons. They blamed the CULTURE of ignorance, selfishness, greed, jealousy, NOT the cheap and plentiful firearms that were available to anyone with a few dollars with no questions asked.
That was, of course, before socialism became fashionable here.
If the right to defend one's life and bodily integrity is NOT absolute, then we're all under a death sentence just waiting for our personal executioner. I refuse to live like that. That's for domesticated meat animals.

Comment by: Defender (9/8/2006)

Bless you, pastorguest.
"Lifted the tyrant's thumb with their trigger fingers."
Absolutely yes.
With people like Byron among us, we'll have to do it again. Let's be up to the task.
And Byron, if you look at the news from ANYWHERE, you'll see that the countries you put on a pedestal would readily put YOU on a gibbet.

Comment by: enoughsaid (9/8/2006)

Who really cares what the world thinks of us. We all see what they did with their freedoms. They cant buy any of the weapons we are so lucky to be able to obtain. They've given up their liberties, and for the most part live under a dictatorship. They can call us whatever they please. At least for now we live free(for the most part). And at least we have the means to prevent us from becoming them. Man if I were President Id tell them to solve their own issues if they have such a problem with us. What would they be without us?

Comment by: Jim@NoSpam.com (9/8/2006)

Byron,

It is obvious that you don not believe that the second amentment is relavent any more. You also have written about your admiration for Japanese-style gun control. Would you also adopt other quaint Japanese customs such as being required to submit to a search of your home by he police twice a year without cause or warrent? You'd have to get rid of that pesky fourth amendment, too.

Comment by: jac (9/8/2006)

You will note that he doesn't provide an e-mail address. And you have to register with the site to post a comment to his idiotic article.

The problem is not the availability of guns. The problem is a culture that has no respect for anything include human life. Most of them already have criminal records and have gotten expert at gamming the judicial system. One program that would work at reducing crime would be to lock them up, but the government does not have the fortitude to come up with the resources to do so. Unfortunately the liberal judicial system abets the problem by placing restrictions on inmate treatment in prison that adds to the cost of incarceration.

Comment by: jac (9/8/2006)

Part 2

Too many times they get out on bail or probation and go right back to committing crimes.
When will the idiots figure it out. The problem is not the availability of guns. It is the overabundance of low life individuals that don't have any respect for laws, human life, or property. Most of them already have criminal records and should be in jail. As long as the system keeps letting them out on bail and probation the problem will continue. One could easily conclude that the government won't prosecute the criminals to the extent that they could because it doesn't suit their agenda.

Comment by: phatshantz@hotmail.com (9/8/2006)

The urban violence Mr. Williams detests is at its apex in urban centers where the right to keep and bear arms is abridged most fiercely.

While the thought is wildly unpopular, third-world cultures and anti-gun policies are found at alarming frequencies in crime-infested urban centers.

Cultures, like Japan, that exalt personal integrity and societies that protect the right to self-defense do not have these same problems.

It is not the gun. It is the person.

Should we desire safe neighborhoods and protected liberties, honesty demands we look at the caliber of the society, not the caliber of the gun.

Comment by: Can you hear me now? (9/8/2006)

No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another, and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain him. Thomas Jefferson

Comment by: Defender (9/8/2006)

Hi, Byron. We're from the Bureau of Compliance. Since people who look like you comprise 20 percent of the population but commit 80 percent of the crime, we've decided to do semi-annual crime prevention "courtesy visits." Only take a second.
Oh, not much, just fingerprints, DNA sample, handwriting sample, serial number from your PC and printer, Internet account names and passwords, your medical records, political affiliation. Oh, go to this doctor for your mental health screening.
Oh, almost forgot. Drop your pants and bend over.
An outrage?
Byron, we're surprised to hear you say that, you of all people. Our motto is "Privacy is expensive, but safety is priceless."
We got the idea from one of your columns.

Comment by: Defender (9/8/2006)

" I guess, then, Byron, you're REALLY not going to like this next bit. Inside this syringe is your own little VERY personal electronic alibi, for your own good. If you're ever accused of a crime, we can always prove where you were at the time.
Charlie, you got your flexcuffs and gag on you? Sorry, Byron, but as they say, you may experience some discomfort.

Damn. B Squad, got another rabbit. Intercept rear door, east alley.
That's OK. Now I get to use the DULL needle."

Comment by: mad jack (9/8/2006)

Why do you hate freedom so much?

For the first part of the twentieth century, one of the most terrifying hate groups in the United States was the KKK. Tell me how many black families were saved from the KKK because they owned guns.

(Part 1 of 2)

Comment by: mad jack (9/8/2006)

In North East Tennessee, back around 1965, the KKK decided to give the blacks a rest and go after the American Indians. The KKK ran into a hail of hot lead, ran away and never went back. I know this is fact because a good friend of mine, who is a full blooded Indian, was there and threw some of that lead. That's how things were then, and that's how they still are today in spite of efforts by people like you, freedom hating people like you, who want to make all of us helpless and vulnerable to hate groups and an abusive government.

If you admire Japan so much, go and live with the Japanese.

(Part 2 of 2)

Comment by: dannysheets@charter.net (9/8/2006)

NationMaster.com Crime Statistics > Murders with firearms Countries Rank. #1 South Africa, #2 Colombia, #3 Thailand #4 Zimbabwe, #5 Mexico, #6 Belarus, #7 Costa Rica and #8 United States.

Comment by: kalebens@hotmail.com (9/8/2006)

Actually he can't go to Japan because, like most countries on the planet except ours, they have immigration laws and ENFORCE them. They also have the highest rate of suicide by train on earth. Maybe they should ban trains.

Comment by: cmjrdj@yahoo.com (9/8/2006)

"The World Must Wonder how U.S. can Tolerate Guns"

And I am left wondering how the world can tolerate so many tyrants having a monopoly of force!

Screw what the world thinks! I'm keeping mine!

Comment by: yorozuyo@aol.com (9/8/2006)

Yes, Japan is ideal. There is also a "permit to acquire" a vehicle. Yes Japan is simply fine, as an example of a totalitarian government in power over the people. By the way, their two political party system is the Liberal Democrtatic Party and the Socialist Political Party, which means that the laws of the country changes with the whims of the political party in power at the time. A democratic form of government is a government ruled by legislative majority. Republican form of government is a government of laws proscribed by "...we the People." Yes, and of course, all women are maintained as subserviant to their male counterparts. What a wonderful government.

Comment by: REB (9/8/2006)

The Constitution and Bill of rights do not grant the right of gun ownership. They only confirms the right given by the almighty. Yes this is absolute and all arms should be legal. Guns do not kill. People kill people. When will the Anti Gun NUTS get through their heads?

Comment by: info@GunShowOnTheNet.com (9/8/2006)

Byron, you'll love this one! It's from Pres. U.S. Grant:

"Most, if not all, of this information, except what I derived from the Attorney General, came to me orally, and was to the effect that said counties were under the sway of powerful combination, properly known as "Ku-Klux Klan," the objects of which were, by force and terror, to prevent all political action not in accord with the views of the members, to deprive colored citizens of the right to bear arms, and of the right to a free ballot; to suppress schools in which colored children were taught, and to reduce the colored people to a condition closely akin to that of slavery;...." (Cont'd.)

Comment by: info@GunShowOnTheNet.com (9/8/2006)

"...that these combinations were organized and armed and had rendered the local laws ineffectual to protect the classes whom they desired to oppress; that they had perpetrated many murder, and hundreds of crimes of minor degree, all of which were unpunished; and that witnesses could not safely testify against them unless the more active members were placed under restraint."

- President U. S. GRANT, Executive Mansion, April 19, 1872.

Was I right? DON'T YOU JUST LOVE IT, BYRON?

Comment by: info@GunShowOnTheNet.com (9/8/2006)

Hey Byron, here's another one. It's the first recorded instance of 'Gun Control' that I'm aware of. Guess who it was aimed at? Here, take a look:

"14. Concerning free negroes and {Omitted text, 1w} .--This law prevents free negroes & mulattoes from keeping fire arms, unless by order of court."

- Epitome of all the Acts of the General Assembly of Virginia of a public nature, passed at the Dec. session, 1805. Richmond, S. Pleasants, Jr. printer [1805].

Isn't that something, Byron? And you want to help support more of the same?

Comment by: Mike (9/8/2006)

Membership in 'aggressive' political or activist groups disqualifies an applicant.

So what this dirtbag is saying is if you belong to any group that speaks out against GOV. tyranny then your disqualified? I say if this nimrod wants the same tranquility as Japan has then maybe he should move there, but LEAVE US ALONE!!!!!!!!

Comment by: info@GunShowOnTheNet.com (9/8/2006)

Don't know if anyone read his Bio, but Byron is a Pastor of a church in Oakland, CA.

Comment by: hater (9/8/2006)

From Oakland? Wow a chimp can write.

Comment by: none@none.com (9/9/2006)

japan, japan, japan, japan......is a homogenous society with no immigration, has some of the highest performing, productive, nationalistic, etc. individuals (ounce for ounce) in the First World...they don't have the racial, religious, drug, etc. problems that we do...hard to run from the law on a small island. They also have a huge small arms export industry.

Comment by: fedupin nm@nmsu.edu (9/10/2006)

I just cannot understand WHY people love to think that because there are a lot of guns around, that eveybody will just naturally start using them to kill people. A good analogy might be the use of cars for bank robbery, or drunk driving. Only those who have a natural tendency for doing bad things will do bad things. 99.9% or more of people who own guns have never and WILL never commit a crime or shoot another person. Why don't these nervous nellies get themselves a gun and learn to protect themselves?????

Comment by: dannysheets@charter.net (9/10/2006)

Japan vs. the United States: murder and suicide rates
Japan's murder rate averages 0.9 per 100,000, but its suicide rate is 20.3, for a combined rate of 21.1 per 100,000. The U.S. murder rate averages 7.4 per 100,000, and the suicide rate is 12.0, for a combined total of 19.4 per 100,000. Thus, the combined murder and suicide rates in Japan and the U.S. are nearly equal even though firearms are virtually non-existent in Japan. (Source: National Safety Council's 1997 Accident Facts and the United Nations Demographic Yearbook)