The (Legally) Armed Flasher: too Close for Comfort

To hear a lot of Republicans with microphones lately, you'd think that America's foundation is a big pile of hardware -- specifically, guns. On Sonia Sotomayor's last day of Congressional hearings, Senator Tom Coburn seemed to imply that if slaves had only been armed, they wouldn't have been slaves, as if their overwhelming minority status were a mere technicality. And Virginia GOP candidate/self-appointed Constitutional scholar Catherine Crabill recently proclaimed that "America was founded by right wing extremists," and that the beauty of America is that tax issues can be resolved at the ballot box first, and "at the bullet box" second.

Coburn and Crabill think of themselves as patriots above all else, but I have to break it to them and their ilk: What's unique about our nation, and the reason it's thrived for over 200 years, is that we are a nation of laws, and we share a commitment to upholding the mutually agreed upon legal process. After all, the Gaza Strip has been awash with guns in the past; so have a great number of African nations. But I don't envy their occupants their liberty.

I know it will sound quaint to those among us who believe they're invincible as long as they're within reach of a gun 24/7, but our founding fathers didn't envision a country of vigilantes. They described, in the awkwardly-worded Second Amendment, a need for an ongoing militia for "the security of a free State." But somehow this is taken by the NRA and its supporters as tacit approval for a populace that's armed to the teeth. They lobby our legislators as if their lives depend on our laws reflecting this, and anyone with an argument to the contrary is overwhelmed by their vehemence, or indifference.

In the latest affront to common sense and the notion of public safety, an amendment proposed by Senator John Thune of South Dakota and attached to a Defense Department appropriations bill was defeated last week by the thinnest of margins. This piece of brilliance, with the typically Orwellian title of "Protecting States Rights and Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act," would have permitted individuals with permits to conceal and carry weapons to take their firearms with them to any of the 48 states that issue such permits (Illinois and Wisconsin don't).

Problem with this scenario is, it completely ignores the very concept of states' rights that conservatives have always championed. For example, Utah law dictates that it's legal to carry a gun into a bar, as long as the carrier doesn't get drunk. And the citizens of Alaska think it's fine to issue CCW permits to people who've committed violent misdemeanors or sex offenses against minors. Only you live in New York. Now you're riding a crowded elevator, and you're wondering whether that sketchy-looking drunk who's pressing himself against your leg is packing, or just happy to see you. If the Thune Amendment had passed -- and the vote was 58-39 in favor, just two votes short -- it could very well be the former.

I know, I know, there are always perverts who are happy to break the law, and these things happen. But do we have to make it so easy for them? Do we really want to live in a society in which it's once again legal for assault weapons to be sold at gun shows without background checks? Do we want there to be prohibitions against public information about illegal gun-trafficking, so we're in the dark about who's making it easy for terrorists to arm themselves?

Actually, that's the society we live in now. Because while the Obama administration and Congress work to unravel the unholy mess left by their predecessors, the NRA and its minions are cocky in the knowledge that, with bigger fish to fry, legislators won't allow gun control to become a debilitating wedge issue. They need as much support as possible to pass bills that create jobs, fix the economy, provide healthcare and ensure safety at home and abroad. So now, with a Democratic president, Senate and House, gun nuts are getting away with their wildest agendas. They're taking advantage of their countrymen in a time of urgency. And they're anything but patriotic.

Comments

[hansulrichrudel]

Remember President Clinton and "Don't Ask. Don't Tell"?
If it works for gays it works for guns too.
C.C.W. and just D.A.D.T.

[Ohio9]

Ah only one post but so many lies.

The Thune amendment would not have overturned any state law on CCW. The text of the amendment clearly stated that out of state CCW holders had to comply with the laws of the state they are in.

Assault weapons are not legal. Only scary looking guns that the uneducated mistake for machine guns are.

There are no prohibitions against public information on gun trafficking. The Tihart amendment only applies to ATF gun trace data, which has limited value since many crime guns are never traced. All the same, law enforcement has full access to it. That's why many police groups, including the Fraternal Order of Police, support the current policy.

[twogunmojo]

i noticed you didn't reference the heller decision which makes your point moot....

[djkrlsn]

I have noticed the only gun control/ban supporters that reference Heller usually complain about how SCOTUS got it wrong, or use the decision to falsely claim it supports their side

[strangelet]

The Second Amendment is awkward, as evidenced by the fact that we've been arguing about it for over a century. And the fact that YOU are certain what it means does not mean that it is clear.

BTW, if the first thirteen words, before the comma, are not a clause, what are they?

[djkrlsn]

Before and after Heller, the first 13 words are a reason why the last 14 words protect an individual right

[gettingitright]

Great rebuttal!

[dadw5boys]

The men who started the Fedeal Reserve Bank were out douck hunting.

Duck hunting is use for all kinds of excuses for political corrupt or bad behavior.

I was suprized Sanford was not duck hunting instead of hiking the App Trail.

[CelticMajic]

Cindy, what other amendments in the BOR do you not agree with?

[Rachael Egan]

Cindy; Thanks again for your continued efforts to shine a light on this ridiculous notion that any of us should need a gun. Those of us in civilized society do find the pen more powerful, and rarely seem to find ourselves in situations where we need to physically defend ourselves. Perhaps people who feel so scared of the world, that they think they need to carry something around that could kill a person, should avoid dark alleyways, and associating with other creepy gun-slingers.

[CelticMajic]

How about this since you are so eager to deny one of the original bill of rights: Cindy; Thanks again for your continued efforts to shine a light on this ridiculous notion that any of us should need the right of free speach. Those of us in civilized society do find the pen more powerful, and rarely seem to find ourselves in situations where we need to actually voice and opinion. Perhaps people who feel so scared of the world, that they think they need to say something to convince a person, should avoid public formus, and associating with other creepy free speachers.

[fedupinfla]

Gee....were you outraged when the first major federal gun control measure in more than 13 years, a law that strengthened the NICS, was signed by President George W. Bush on January 5, 2008 following the Virginia Tech massacre???

Just curious if you feel your rights are as threatened when its a Rethug signing the bills as a Democrat...

[ECBA88]

So you believe that a convicted sex offender shouldn't be able to vote, but should be able to carry a concealed weapon?

[Ohio9]

I find the pen to be very powerful indeed. It is powerful for spreading anti-gun lies, but even more effective for debunking them.

[ecila]

Has anyone ever been to a place where no one walking around is carrying a gun, including law enforcement officers? That was true when I last went to Bermuda, and true when I lived in London in the seventies. If you haven't experienced this, please believe me that it is very very relaxing. To go from no gun London to heavily armed Spain was to notice an entirely different mood in the populace. Constantly seeing guns makes people wary of each other, whereas knowing there are no guns around allows people a lot more freedom for spontaneous interaction. I am not arguing for or against any particular law here. I'm just saying that in my experience being in a place with no guns feels good on lots of levels.

[Hollypop]

Very good point ecila ! I live in France and was raised in the UK and I never imagine that people around me might have a gun in their pocket... where ever I go... it just isn't a problem here.
People here do have guns for hunting, hunting is popular and the French ,as lovers of food ,love to hunt, but the laws here limit ownership of guns very strictly. .. very few people can have one.
Hand guns are almost impossible to get a permit for.
I have a farm and so I have a gun to protect the animals we raise and the only time I feel uncomfortable is when I have that shotgun in my hands... it doesn't make me feel safe quite the opposite in fact.. ... they are an evil invention and it's hard to imagine why anyone who doesn't have a problem with wolves or foxes should want one in their pocket.

[djkrlsn]

Living in Los Angeles, the "wolves" I have to deal with have 2 legs and GUNS--since the police tend not to be around--guns help to level the playing field for the VICTIMS

[Ohio9]

I wonder how safe you would feel without a gun if confronted by a criminal attacker. It's really easy to talk about "feeling safe" when there are no threats present at the time. "Feeling safe" and being safe are two different things.

[DownerCow]

State's rights are sancrosanct when it comes to their agenda, such as abortion and heterosexual definition of marriage. It goes out the window when it cuts the other way, such as guns or marijuana. And let's not even talk about why only liberal judges are called 'activist!'

[CelticMajic]

State's rights are not to be considered when it comes to their agenda, such as same sex marriage. It goes out the window when it cuts the other way, such as CCW.

[ECBA88]

Both sides do have an issue here. But do you disagree that child molesters with concealed firearms in 47 states that don't authorize it is a danger to public safety?

[Berettasskeeter]

Cindy, you call the proposed law an "affront to common sense", but neglect to say who's common sense you are referring to. My common sense, and that of most firearms users, says that I should not have to remain disarmed when I travel.
You call this a violation of states rights, but I don't think you understand that the Constitution trumps state law. Otherwise, New Hampshire could outlaw public gatherings; Tennessee could establish a state religion; California could billet troops in private homes. No? Explain.
By the way, when Californians voted against homosexual marriage, where did you stand on the issue of Federal law?
Semper fi

[Hollypop]

Better not think about going to France then or any where else outside of the U.S.
There are two things that single the American people out from the rest of the world. A) they have the worst health care system imaginable and B) they are so afraid of each other that they need to carry guns.
An outsider would be forgiven in thinking that America is a pretty sick place.

The only real advantage in having guns so easily available is that when you are sick and can't afford health care at least you can put yourself out of your misery.

[CelticMajic]

If this is such an awful place, please by all means immigrate to France or where ever you find more to your liking

[djkrlsn]

If U S healthcare is so bad, why do Canadians come here and pay cash for health care

[OdinsEye]

"Do we really want to live in a society in which it's once again legal for assault weapons to be sold at gun shows without background checks? "

Do you know what an assault weapon is? HINT: It isn't a machine gun and is functionally the same as the semi-auto hunting firearms which have been sold in the US for over 100 years.

Are you aware that firearm sales at gun shows are subject to exactly the same restrictions as sales anywhere else?

"Do we want there to be prohibitions against public information about illegal gun-trafficking, so we're in the dark about who's making it easy for terrorists to arm themselves?"

This act has no impact on law enforcement.

[OdinsEye]

"I know it will sound quaint to those among us who believe they're invincible as long as they're within reach of a gun 24/7, but our founding fathers didn't envision a country of vigilantes. "

1. No one thinks that a firearm makes them invincible any more than people think having a spare tire prevents flats or having a smoke alarm prevents fires.

2. Self-defense is not vigilantism.

"They described, in the awkwardly-worded Second Amendment, a need for an ongoing militia for "the security of a free State." "

The Second Amendment is only awkward for those who do not understand the basics of an absolute phrase and instead mistakenly think the sentence is a compound sentence and the first 13 words to be a clause.

"For example, Utah law dictates that it's legal to carry a gun into a bar, as long as the carrier doesn't get drunk. "

Actually several states allow concealed carry in to bars. However, the proposed amendment stated that the carrier would have to comply with the laws of the state they were in. So, if a person with a Utah permit went to California, they would not be able to carry in a bar because California law does not permit it.

"And the citizens of Alaska think it's fine to issue CCW permits to people who've committed violent misdemeanors or sex offenses against minors."

Actually you don't need a permit in Alaska. Nor in Vermont.