Americans want the 2nd Amendment under their Christmas Tree
By: Ed Farnan | Published Saturday, December 24, 2011, 4:45 PM | Updated Saturday, December 24, 2011, 4:45 PM
Gun sales are breaking records throughout America as Christmas approaches. Is it just the holiday spirit of giving that is spurring these sales? Or is it Americans realization that gun ownership is the last line of defense in self protection?
Either way, the FBI has been flooded with record breaking numbers of requests for background checks from gun dealers. Gun dealers are required to send these forms in to the FBI when customers purchase a firearm. In some states citizens are not allowed to walk out of the store with a new weapon at time of sale, there is a several day waiting period.
Many existing firearm owners and new owners are expressing concern that the government may start to clamp down on gun ownership rights by attacking the 2nd Amendment to the constitution, which guarantees their right to own and bear firearms.
Coincidentally the current volume of gun sales broke the previous record sent in 2008, the first year of the Obama administration. President Obama and Attorney General Eric holder have both expressed opinions that firearm sales are too lax and need to have heavier regulation.
Interestingly, the unfolding gun running scandal known as "Fast and Furious" may have had a secret motive behind it to show a need for stricter controls. A Congressional investigation is ratcheting up to determine just who authorized the scheme and why. But as a result of Fast and Furious, Mexico via Arizona, was flooded with dangerous weapons which fell into the hands of criminals and drug cartels. These illegal firearms have been responsible for thousands of deaths.
But if the intent of F & F was to tighten gun sales, it looks as if it has backfired. Americans are now buying more weapons, possibly as the result of Fast and Furious. The statistics behind the new gun purchasers in the United States show an interesting cross section of who these purchasers are.
Women seem to be purchasing guns in greater numbers, either for self protection or sport purposes. It bears out the trend that women are breaking stereotypes in yet another area that was once a domain of men; gun ownership. This could stem from a variety of cultural reasons, including that women are living alone and want self protection. Women are also enjoying outdoor firearm sports in growing numbers, such as target shooting and hunting.
Other new gun owners seem to be young professionals and young families seeking the security of having a firearm in their home for self protection. Instead of putting their faith in 911 as their last line defense of home and family, this new wave of gun owners is putting their faith in 9mm/.380 and .45 instead.
The National Rifle Association, the worlds largest gun advocacy organization, estimates there are 80 million gun owners in the United States...and the number is growing. This is a disturbing trend to those on the left who would like to see gun laws modeled after many European countries, severely curtailing gun ownership. Of course you must judge this thinking with the same desire of the left who want to model our economic system after Europe. How's that working out for you?
America is not Europe, as evidenced by immigration of an overwhelming number of people over the years moving from Europe to the freedoms that America offers. One of those freedoms is the right to bear arms. But along with that right comes the responsibility of practicing safe gun ownership AND keeping an eye on a government that wants to take your rights away.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Mayosligo | Jan 02, 2012, 07:06 PM EST
I vote for gun ownership with serious training in their use. I also approve screening before sale. I am a 70 year old midwestern white woman and have owned guns for 63 years. I have never shot anyone. I have used guns to hunt for food and target practice. My children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren use guns for the same purpose. My dad and his father and my maternal grandfather hunted for food. To my family a gun is a tool. If those who abuse the privilege of owning a gun were more harshly judged and punished we wouldn't have a problem. NOT MORE laws, more meaningful punishment.
cantwaittogo | Jan 02, 2012, 12:06 PM EST
The state "From the wrong" Farnan resides in is also the "medical" marijuana capitol of the USA. Maybe'ol Ed is just brain damaged from smoking too much dope- drug abuse and gun use often go hand in hand.
Ratslayer | Dec 28, 2011, 06:19 PM EST
Wow, more paranoiac rantings from the West Coast lunatic fringe. ARM YOURSELVES!! The Blacks and Hispanics are coming to invade yer homes! ARM YOURSELVES!! Those liberals in GOVT want to take away yer guns. ARM YOURSELVES!! The Police can't protect us anymore. ARM YOURSELVES!! Hey, Ed, don't forget the tin foil for yer bunker!
SingleDonald | Dec 27, 2011, 06:10 PM EST
Although I have never owned, or fired a gun, I am with Monsoonman and Willbill. One of my heroes, Bernhard Goetz, shot 4 muggers on the NYC subway, 12/22/84. This incident brought the subject of muggings and self protection to the forefront. His gun was illegal, and, in 1987, he was convicted of this. However, the jury acquitted him of the actual shootings, realizing that he had acted in self defense. A liberal Judge Crane sentenced him to a year in prison, on the illegal gun charge, and Goetz was released after 8 1/2 months. Muggings in New York sharply declined, following this "Vigillante Incident". The muggers realized that some citizens wouldn't act like passive sheep, and would fight back!
howareya | Dec 27, 2011, 11:51 AM EST
Stephen...that's right..vilify the Catholic Church on any subject whether it is relevent to them or not! And I believe a majority of gun murders here in CA are the result of gangs. Outlaw guns and only the outlaws will have guns. You know they'll get them somewhere!
Monsoonman | Dec 25, 2011, 12:24 PM EST
How many home invaders enter an occupied house, only to hear the owner chamber a 12 ga. shotgun? This happens many more times than is ever reported, there is no 911 call. W/the cost of unionized police forces skyrocketing, many communities can't afford to have enough police on the streets. They can't afford to be paying for 1 active force while 3 retired forces sit home on almost full salaries and benefits. They don't have enough cops to babysit the OWS protestors so liberal mayors can be PC and protect the citizens too. Arm yourselves.
joycean | Dec 25, 2011, 11:41 AM EST
Padraig, both parties have favored "Fair Trade" agreements because the Executive branch tends to make promises to foreign countries,then finds opposition back home. As far as amending our Constitution, the process is makes it almost impossible:First a supermajority(2/3)of both Houses,then 3/4 of the 50 States. The Equal Rights Amerndment has failed to be ratified since 1923. The 2nd amendment is in no danger. Generally, individual states make regulations about where guns can be carried, whether concealed weapons are allowed.
Padraig8 | Dec 25, 2011, 10:24 AM EST
Ed ican allways counton you to reenforce my belief that we Irish are just like all other people we too have our idiots. What kind os Christmas comment is this? Your head is not screwed on right or you would cease and desist this total nonsense. also to irish bob who corrected holaback girls mail about the jobs being sent out of the country you are right ,but it is Conservatives who sent them out so tell the WHOLE Truth when you Comment NOT just Republican Propaganda.
stephen1553 | Dec 25, 2011, 02:25 AM EST
BTW its time that the 2nd amendment be changed. it comes from a time when there were no professional police forces and they would ring the church bells if a dangerous person or animal were about. BTW in england where hunting rifles and shotguns are ok, but concealed weapons are almost unobtainable, the population adjuste rate of gun killings in the USA is 55 murdered in the USA for just 1 in Britain............................ its all about machoism and power - the gun business................and profits vs the lives of 29000 people. Maybe a compromise - you can have your guns, but if that gun kills anyone exccept in a legit self defense , then you, the gun dealer, all the way up the chain are guilty of being an accessory before the fact to murder
stephen1553 | Dec 25, 2011, 02:17 AM EST
If no one had guns, no one would be killed by guns except violent criminals by police. In 2006, FBI figures showed that 29000 people were killed by guns in the USA that is a 10x 9-11 every single year. ONly 100 of those were deemed legit self defense and 1000 were legit police shootings for every life saved, 280 or so were killed by guns. And not a word from the catholic church which claims to support life. ---------------------- Guns are like the self fulfilling prophecy of horror - the more guns the more killings the more killings the more guns, ad infinitum This is just another reason while my whole family, excpect from some old folks have left the catholic church of hypocrisy
Willbill | Dec 25, 2011, 01:51 AM EST
“Coincidentally the current volume of gun sales broke the previous record sent in 2008…” True, and citizen disarmament zealots and groups predicted that violent crime and murders would increase. Yet, homicides decreased from 5.0 per 100,000 in 2009 to 4.8 2010. In fact, homicides including homicides with firearms and all other violent crime have been decreasing since 2006 despite that fact that firearms rights have been greatly increased.
Monsoonman | Dec 24, 2011, 08:12 PM EST
Same to you Lad! I know U R an atheist..but you do believe in Santa!
seanomelbourne | Dec 24, 2011, 07:27 PM EST
The USA has the highest gunshot mortality rate in the world coupled with high gun ownership thid is a volatile mix and crazy.Less guns less deaths it really is that simple.Have a good holiday Mman,have a house full of rellies,thank God there are no guns in the house LOL.
ConnieCobe | Dec 24, 2011, 06:56 PM EST
Hooo boooooyyyyyy.......another open can of worms for the holidays....way to go. How about we celebrate Christs' birth instead?
Monsoonman | Dec 24, 2011, 05:42 PM EST
The crux of it: "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed" No wiggle room in that phrase. So bug out Nanny Staters- Obama/Holder..We dont need or want "your permission" to keep and bear our arms.
clevelander | Dec 24, 2011, 05:30 PM EST
This is the second amendment As passed by the Congress: 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. As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State: 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.[8] Is "A well regulated Militia" a home owner?
EdinCali | Dec 24, 2011, 03:58 PM EST
Vincewarde: Thank you for the correction on the waiting period. My view w gun purchases has been California, which makes you have a waiting period in spite of instant background checks. I have reflected your info on this piece. Ed
LinLinisme | Dec 24, 2011, 03:43 PM EST
THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS SHOULD NEVER BE DENIED
vincewarde | Dec 24, 2011, 02:54 PM EST
Hey hollabackgurl - Guess what? "Poor" and "Low Income" are relative terms. Our poor and low income are very well taken care of by a strong safety net of both government and private programs - not to mention the fact that here family actually care for each other. As for guns, Finland and Switzerland have very high gun ownership rates (if you count Switzerland's army "take home guns", the rate is even higher than in the US). In most of the US we shall one very important belief with Switzerland: An public that can own arms is composed of citizens - one that cannot is composed of subjects. American democracy will endure as long as our military swears allegiance to our constitution and the public is armed. Anyone - from the right or the left - who wants to destroy it will have to deal with both. So far, nobody has tried in over 220 years of constitutional government.
vincewarde | Dec 24, 2011, 02:39 PM EST
Overall, a good article BUT - "Citizens are not allowed to walk out of the gun store with a new weapon at the time of sale, there is a several day waiting period while background checks are conducted." THIS INFORMATION IS NOT ACCURATE. It was in the past, but the Federal government now operates a National Instant Check database that enable gun dealers to get a yes or no in seconds to minutes - and if they get a yes, the gun is released immediately. Some states still have a waiting period - but now that the Supreme Court has twice held that the 2nd Amendment protects a personal right, they are under legal challenge and likely to be struck down, or at least modified. And BTW, the first winner of the "Top Shot" competition here in the US was a guy from the UK who came here because of our Second Amendment protections.
Monsoonman | Dec 24, 2011, 01:20 PM EST
Didnt read in the article the REASON people move to the USA is so they can own a gun..But it could be a contributing reason of course.
joycean | Dec 24, 2011, 01:07 PM EST
I agree that suggesting someone might want to immigrate to the United States because of the Second Amendment is absurd. On the other hand, I do not believe can or should encourage immigration. This country is already the third most populous in the world, behind China and India with 312million people, compared to 34million in Canada and 22 million in Australia.We do not have surplus jobs with 8% unemployment.
Monsoonman | Dec 24, 2011, 11:24 AM EST
"Your style of politics and your heartlessness" That should be taken w/ a grain of salt, LOL! Because the real kernel of truth is that if you're not a liberal at 18, you don't have a heart. If you're still a liberal by 30....You don't have a brain!
irishbob | Dec 24, 2011, 10:33 AM EST
I disagree with hollabackgurl. America’s high rate of low income and poor is not due to its conservative politics or heartlessness, it’s due to our government’s refusal to stop the flow of illegal immigrants coming across border. Likewise, the reason we can no longer attract skilled workers is that all the skilled jobs have gone to places like China. Look at GE for example. In 2009, Obama appointed the head of GE as America’s “Job Czar”. That means his job was to create jobs for Americans. However, since this idiot took over at GE, he has sent over 28,000 American jobs to China, thus becoming China’s top job creator. And you ask why America cannot take four more years of Obama?
eiriamach | Dec 24, 2011, 10:32 AM EST
Of all the loony tune reasons anyone might dream up for immigrating to the USA, the right to own a gun would surely be the silliest: "an overwhelming number of people moving from Europe to the freedoms that America offers. One of those freedoms is the right to bear arms." Lady Liberty doesn't hoist an M45 pistol "beside the golden door"; she lifts her lamp aloft (Emma Lazarus). When emigrants figure they need a gun to survive in America, they'll go to a country that has gun control laws instead!
joycean | Dec 24, 2011, 09:59 AM EST
hollabackgurl, We aren't trying to attract immigrants.
IAPRINCESS | Dec 24, 2011, 09:41 AM EST
NOY ME!
hollabackgurl | Dec 24, 2011, 08:10 AM EST
One in every two people in America is on low income or poor, thanks to the last 30 years of conservative politics. Europeans are moving to Canada, Britain and Australia, not the US. How tacky of you to write in praise of guns on Christmas Eve. Your style of politics and your heartlessness are the reason why America can no longer compete or attract skilled workers.