Top 5 Biggest Myths about Guns

• Less Guns = Less Violence
• Today’s Gun Culture
• Assault Weapons
• Guns In The Home Do More Harm Than Good
• Gun Owners Are All Old White Male Conservatives

In today’s Gunivore Fast Five, I’d like to take a look at the top five most troubling and destructive myths about firearms. My hope is that by addressing each of these common misconceptions individually, I will be able to provide the clear and concise arguments necessary for when my readers engage pro gun-control people in conversation. In my experience, the anti-gun Left have a dreadful tendency to argue and rationalize policies based on emotions in lieu of the hard facts. Although my old man has been telling me this for years, I never realized the true extent of it until I became a gun writer. But after all these years, I’m less angry and disappointed with the ignorant as I am with the people who know better and yet are not properly defending the 2nd Amendment and rights of gun owners. Besides for the firearm comfortably holstered on your side, every gun owner should be armed with the knowledge and facts to bury the Left in their own ignorance and hypocrisy. Just imagine that two weeks ago they were fighting to support the right for athletes to protest “systematic racism and police brutality” and now they are calling to take away the guns from the people and give them to the same exact government. I believe if our politicians, firearms producers, and lobbying groups were equipped with the right information (and were not afraid to use it), the gun control debate would go a lot differently.

LESS GUNS = LESS VIOLENCE

I don’t think anybody would dare to argue against self-defense being a basic human right, so why then are there such indiscriminate attacks on guns and gun owners?

I’m not sure there’s a clear answer to this troubling question, but my goal here is to tackle the most common arguments and illustrate that less guns does NOT equal less violence.

We need not look any further than our nation’s capital; Washington’s 1976 weapons ban was about as effective as a DVD rewinder. The facts show that the number of annual homicides doubled from 1976 to 1988 and rose even greater during the early 1990’s. In fact, it was only after the landmark Supreme Court case District of Columbia v. Heller struck down D.C.’s firearms ban that the rate of gun violence finally declined. Nevertheless, D.C. still has some of the nation’s strictest gun laws and is consequently one of the most dangerous cities in America.

The next case in point is the infamously precarious city of Chicago with its long history of Democratic mayors, strict gun laws, and astounding record of gun violence and murder. And while Chicago’s rate of firearm murder is still five times that of New York, cities with the most restrictive gun control laws, like NYC, LA, Baltimore and D.C., suffer the highest levels of firearm violence.

Furthermore, when people talk about the state with the most liberal (for lack of a better term) gun laws, almost everyone thinks of Texas. And yet, would you believe it, Texas doesn’t even fall within the top-25 states with the highest firearm mortality rates. Plus, the states with the lowest violent crime rates coincidentally all have right-to-carry laws. This point is strengthened abroad too; in Switzerland and Israel, for example, it’s relatively easy for law-abiding citizens to legally possess and carry firearms and yet they boast unusually low homicide rates.

Lastly, it is in those celebrated “Government-mandated gun-free zones” that most mass shootings take place. As a matter of fact, the Crime Prevention Research Center reported that nearly 99% of mass shootings in America since 1950 have happened in “gun-free zones”. I may be making a big jump here, but I don’t think most murderers and terrorists are stopped by gun-free zone signs. In fact, those are their favorite targets because they know they can inflict the most damage.

For those who argue that we have the government and law enforcement to protect the people, may I remind you that there are less than 1 million cops in the U.S. and over 320 million citizens. Furthermore, a recent survey of the National Association of Chiefs of Police established that almost 90% of America’s police chiefs and sheriffs support a nationwide recognition of concealed carry permits and oppose further gun control. An overwhelming majority of the same group of law enforcement officials also believe that “qualified, law-abiding armed citizens help law enforcement reduce violent criminal activity”.      

To conclude, data from the Center for Disease Control confirms that while the number of guns per person has risen dramatically since 1993, the number of gun homicides has declined. Even if you’re not convinced that the correlation implies causation, the fact remains the same –America is a much less violent place than the Media would like you to think. Likewise, the figures don’t lie – regardless of what the gun-control advocates spew, more guns does NOT yield more violence. In truth, it is the increased presence of guns that curbs violence and keeps America safe.

TODAY’S GUN CULTURE IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE 2ND AMENDMENT

Some of the biggest debates about guns in the U.S. boil down to our Constitution and the 2nd Amendment. However, this argument is utter nonsense. For starters, the Supreme Court has already unquestionably ruled that the 2nd Amendment grants all citizens the individual right to possess firearms for law-abiding purposes. Unfortunately, even after District of Columbia v. Heller (07-290) finally struck down Washington D.C.’s detrimental ban on handguns, their clear as day verdict has still been often overlooked by lower courts.  This was the case in Kachalsky v. County of Westchester (2nd Circuit 2012), which upheld New York’s right to prevent citizens from obtaining licenses to carry concealed firearms.

One of the biggest issues with the 2nd Amendment argument is that it encompasses a much larger debate regarding the Constitution’s flexibility. The sharp-witted Justice Clarence Thomas once addressed this issue with his masterful articulation:

“Let me put it this way; there are really only two ways to interpret the Constitution – try to discern as best we can what the framers intended or make it up. No matter how ingenious, imaginative or artfully put, unless interpretive methodologies are tied to the original intent of the framers, they have no more basis in the Constitution than the latest football scores. To be sure, even the most conscientious effort to adhere to the original intent of the framers of our Constitution is flawed, as all methodologies and human institutions are; but at least originalism has the advantage of being legitimate and, I might add, impartial”.

Opponents of the 2nd Amendment often focus on the phrase “Well-regulated Militia” in their arguments, but they tend to overlook the phrase “The right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed”. The Founding Fathers intended the American populace to remain armed, because that way, the citizens could protect themselves, prevent governmental tyranny, and continue their way of life. In fact, in Thomas Jefferson’s drafts of the Virginia Constitution, he unequivocally declared that “No freeman shall ever be debarred the use of arms”.     

I generally prefer to avoid ridiculous and childish arguments, but sometimes I can’t help myself. I’ve often heard anti-gun advocates claim that the Framers only intended the citizens the right to bear arms such as the Musket and never intended the populace to be armed with AR-15s. Besides for the fact that the Constitution was purposefully ambiguous here, this argument is completely absurd. To the supporters of this view, I ask you: Does the freedom of press guaranteed by the 1st Amendment only apply to a printing press and exclude the internet? Does the 8th Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual punishment not include new-found torture methods? One of the most interesting questions one can ask about the right to bear arms is why the Founding Fathers decided to make it the 2nd Amendment. Were they trying to illustrate that without the 2nd Amendment we wouldn’t have the 1st, that our right to bear arms is what guarantees that our most basic human rights of expression cannot be taken away? Either way, they clearly felt it was a fundamental right, at least enough to ratify it before Double Jeopardy and Trial by Jury.

ASSAULT WEAPONS

Gun-control advocates, especially politicians, love to throw around the term “assault weapons”, but there’s a serious flaw in their rhetoric. As the Cato Institute so poignantly put it:

“The term ‘assault weapons’ is a political gimmick designed to foster confusion. The so-called ‘assault weapons’ are not machine guns. They do not fire automatically. They fire only one bullet each time the trigger is pressed, just like every other ordinary firearm. They are not more powerful than other firearms. To the contrary, their ammunition is typically intermediate in power, less powerful than ammunition that is made for big-game hunting”.

In reality, the people who utilize this argument have no idea how to differentiate between an automatic and semi-automatic rifle or an assault weapon and an assault rifle. I can understand preventing civilian access to automatic weapons, but believe it or not, they’ve already been significantly restricted since the National Firearms Act of 1934. On the other hand, since the expiration of the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban in 2004, semi-automatic firearms labeled “assault weapons” are finally available again.

Whereas there is a clearly defined description of an “assault rifle”, provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency, “assault weapon” has still eluded definition. Consequently, left-wing politicians continue to sponsor bills that would ban firearms purely based on looks, generic definitions, and misinformation (ignorance?). One of my favorite examples is when the Colorado state legislature attempted to classify an old-fashioned double-barreled shotgun as an assault weapon. Keep in mind, these are the same people who protest male politicians from determining abortion laws because of their inability to identify with the people whom the regulations would impact.

In all seriousness, these potential “assault weapon” bans are extremely dangerous. These reckless acts of government overreach will effectively prohibit firearms indiscriminately. These bans often prohibit firearms based on their name alone, whether it has certain accessories, and regardless of caliber and action. Without a doubt, these efforts by politicians like Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and her cronies aren’t about how dangerous one gun is over another. Most firearms advocates are okay with some level gun-control, as long as it’s not done haphazardly by ignorant politicians with their own personal agendas!  

Case in point, the Bushmaster rifle used by the Sandy Hook shooter wasn’t even technically an assault weapon under federal or Connecticut law. And yet, under many of the newly proposed gun-control bills, Bushmaster could continue to manufacture these firearms as long as they were under a different name. My point is not that the ban would have prevented the attack, rather, to illustrate that these thoughtless bans are ineffective.

GUNS IN THE HOME DO MORE HARM THAN GOOD

This might be the most harmful myth promulgated by the left. While many of these gun-control advocates will assure you that your family is safer in a gun-free home, this common fallacy is based on a flawed report from the New England Journal of Medicine. The study seemingly indicated that a firearm in the home is significantly more likely to hurt/kill a family member than an intruder. The problem is, the study neglected to account for cases where the assailant fled, was held at gunpoint until the authorities came, or was merely wounded. Instead, the data only included those situations where the perpetrator was killed. As a result, the data was skewed and thus wholly inaccurate.

In an article for Politico Magazine, Professor of criminology, Gary Kleck, said that in addition his National Self-Defense Survey (NSDS), nearly twenty similar national surveys all point to the fact that defensive gun uses are in fact quite common and effective. Furthermore, his research even indicated that these instances may even be more common than criminal uses. For instance, they found that less than one in a thousand instances of gun carrying involves a violent gun crime.  All in all, Kleck concluded that a firearm in the house is about three to five times more likely to stop a crime than to commit one.

Gun-control activists might tell you that the total number of gun deaths (accidents, suicides and homicides) account for approximately 30,000 deaths per year (National Safety Council). In contrast, they’ll ignore the studies which show that these same guns are used defensively almost 7,000 times a day (2.5 million times a year) – that’s 80 times more often! What’s even more surprising is that of these incidents, the attacker is wounded or killed less than 10% of the time. In almost every situation, the armed citizen merely has to brandish their gun or shoot a warning shot.

Furthermore, armed civilians have proven to be an effective way to halt criminal activity. While this demographic kills twice as many criminals than the police on average, they are significantly more accurate. Even the left-leaning Newsweek conceded to this fact in a published a study proving that only 2% of civilian shootings resulted in an innocent person being misidentified as a criminal. On the other hand, the chances are five times more likely when the police are involved.

In addition to incidents where homeowners have needed to rely on their guns for defensive measures, there are countless burglaries and assaults avoided simply due to the possibility of them possessing a firearm. Without even addressing the fact that violence could be curbed in places like Chicago and NYC if the citizens were legally armed, there have been experiments which prove such a statement. In 1982, Kennesaw, Georgia (a suburb of Atlanta) passed a law requiring homeowners to keep at least one gun in the house at all times. Consequently, the burglary rate dropped a whopping 89% in the ensuing months and was still over 70% lower a decade later. It is clear beyond any doubt that besides their effective use at stopping crime, legally-owned firearms are also a great way to prevent crime.

GUN OWNERS ARE ALL OLD WHITE MALE CONSERVATIVES

While many politicians would like us to think that gun owners are a small portion of American society, research seems to say otherwise. In a recent Pew survey, they found that 30% of Americans own a gun. Additionally, of the 70% who don’t currently own a firearm, 11% said that they live with somebody who does and another 36% could see themselves owning a gun in the future.

Now more than ever, it seems that the government and media are trying to promote racial tension and prove that we are a divided nation. The problem is, we are all Americans and we are more alike than what they would like us to believe.

It is true that white males are more likely to own a gun, but that doesn’t negate the other statistics which show that firearms are used across all demographics. According to Pew’s survey, the percentage of black and Hispanic (combined) gun owners is actually higher than that of whites. And although only 22% of women said they own a firearm, there are many more who live in a household with a firearm and likely use it.

While it’s true that Republicans are significantly more likely to own guns, Democrats and Independents don’t shy away from them. As a matter of fact, the percentage of non-Republican gun owners is higher than that of the GOP.

Overall, gun ownership is on the rise and especially in the minority communities. The goal for many of these groups and communities is to raise firearm awareness, teach gun safety, and most often to provide a comfortable environment to own and operate these firearms. One of the best outcomes of these groups is that there is no longer a fear of acceptance. Whereas in the past, somebody may have been less inclined to own a gun due to their race, sexual preference, gender, or political views, the rise of these groups is slowly lowering the stigma of gun ownership in America.

Although there are more and more of these groups popping up every day, some of the most popular include: the Liberal Gun Club, the National African-American Gun Association, the Pink Pistols (who primarily cater to the sexual minority community), Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership, and Armed Empress (which focuses on American women of color).

Gun myths and preventing death: 6 things to know about U.S. mass shootings: More guns not safer; more laws fewer die https://t.co/wtn5NorR5u

— Jerry Barrett (@JerryPolitex) October 3, 2017

CONCLUSION

It is my firm belief that all of this opposition against guns and gun owners comes from the misguided and misinformed and that it is our responsibility to be armed with the information to completely dismantle their twisted ideas and policies. Nevertheless, I accept that most of these people are deeply rooted in their beliefs and will not budge. At the end of the day, the firearms community can only do so much and I hope that by addressing the opposition’s major concerns we can make a difference down the road.

See also 5 Rules of Rifle Safety and Zore X Gun Lock: The Future of Gun Safety!

The post Fast Five: Top 5 Biggest Myths about Guns appeared first on Gunivore.

Table of Contents

• History and Background
• Hillary Clinton on Gun Rights and the Second Amendment
• Donald Trump on Gun Rights and the Second Amendment
• Top Second Amendment Guns
• Conclusion

These coming elections are turning out to be some of the most polarizing that the American people have seen in a long time. Sure, you could say that about a lot of elections. They are all pretty important and polarizing by definition. I mean, with a two party system, what can you expect? Something about these elections, though, seems more pressing and more crucial than previous ones. This time around, the two candidates are so vastly different, so opinionated, it is bound to have a real effect on our daily lives, and – as always – the topic of the Second Amendment to the Constitution comes under heavy fire during the months leading up to November. We’ve got it covered right here in our ‘The 2016 Election, Gun Rights, and The 2nd Amendment’ feature.

History and Background of the 2nd Amendment and Gun Rights

During the Obama presidency, there wasn’t too much change going on with gun control – despite Obama’s best efforts. Obama had stated that he believes in the Second Amendment, but not in war weapons on the streets. Now, most people don’t want war. Civilians in general, and law-abiding gun carriers in particular, just want to be safe from violence. The right to keep and bear arms, the need for that “well-regulated militia” – have these really been played out? Do we no longer need them anchored in our constitution? Of course we need them, and no, the NRA isn’t paying us to write that. I feel that as weapons become deadlier and more advanced, we – the people – need to have the power to counter anything, and feel safe. That is the bottom line. It can’t all be on the shoulders of the U.S. Armed Forces, after all. We also can’t be sure that we’ll always be able to trust our government. Over the course of his time as president, Obama attempted to push gun legislation by leveraging tragedies on several occasions – unsuccessfully each time, thankfully.

Now, while we’re no longer concerned about saving the  States from a British invasion, is still remains an issue of an individual’s freedom to protect him or herself. Also, on a positive note, the last major British invasion turned out to be a pretty good one. I mean, where would we be without the Beatles, the Stones, and Eric Clapton, right? Just as the end of the Amendment states, that right shall not be infringed. In accordance with that, I don’t believe either current candidate is looking to wholly abolish those rights given by the Second Amendment but I do believe that eventually, they both know that deadly weapons do not belong in the wrong hands. With that being said, the democratic candidate does look primed to revamp the same gun control efforts made by Obama as soon as she can.

Both candidates are likely looking to protect and serve the people, and that can sometimes mean keeping certain guns off the street, or stopping certain individuals from obtaining access to firearms. These may be seen by some as an infringement, but you need to look a little outside of the box, and attempt to take in the bigger picture. That is what the President does – decision making, on a global and national scale. Damn near impossible decision making, I think. Leading the free world is a tough job.

So, what do the 2016 candidates have to say about gun rights, gun control, and the Second Amendment? I won’t be focusing on what the candidates are saying about each other. There would be no point in doing that. Obviously, they would want us to feel that their rival will take away our rights, and that only they can save us from the creation of an all-around gun-free zone. Like I said, we all want to be safe. The problem is, what do we do about those people who simply want to watch the world burn?

Hillary Clinton on Gun Rights and the Second Amendment

What does Hillary Clinton think of the 2nd Amendment and gun rights? In the 90’s and early 2000’s, Clinton backed a series of gun control bills having to do with registration, background checks, safety lessons, and the increase of the minimal age for procuring a firearm. So far, so good. She was in New York, after all, which is known for its more stringent regulations. After she began campaigning for presidency in 2008, her views shifted somewhat, and she realized that what got her elected in New York may need to be tweaked in order to get her elected in Washington.

She stated that she supported sensible regulation. She was opposed to a total ban. At one point, she reminisced affectionately about a time when her father taught her how to shoot, as a little girl. She realizes that guns are a part of American culture, and that some people enjoying shooting and hunting because they are brought up in that kind of environment. For better or worse, it is ingrained into them, and is an inseparable part of their way of life. In her ongoing 2016 campaign, Clinton seemed to be more of a gun control advocate. This time around, she called for banning certain weapons, extending the background checks on gun owners, and implementing other “reasonable” restrictions. She stated that she is not interested in taking away people’s guns, but that she is interested in keeping them out of the wrong hands.

Hillary Clinton Quotes on Gun Rights and the Second Amendment

• “We are smart enough, compassionate enough to balance legitimate Second Amendment rights concerns with preventive measures and control measures” (August 2015)

• “I do support comprehensive background checks, and to close the gun show loophole, and the online loophole, and what is called the Charleston loophole, and to prevent people on the no-fly list from getting guns” (January 2016)

• “Parents, teachers, and schools should have the right to keep guns out of classrooms, just like Donald Trump does at many of his hotels.” (May 2016)

Donald Trump on Gun Rights and the Second Amendment

What does Donald Trump think of the 2nd Amendment and gun rights? One of the advantages (some would say disadvantages) Trump has over most candidates, is that he is not a career politician. In other words, he hasn’t been forced to voice his opinion before in a public and overly-scrutinized setting. Trump has always been in the limelights, of course, but only now has he had to provide answers and opinions on issues which other politicians have been facing since they began to run for official positions. Generally speaking, Trumps says that gun and magazine bans have been a complete failure. He advocates concealed carry in all 50 states, and insists that the current background check system is broken. Trump is all for keeping guns out of the wrong hands, and for acting to make sure that can happen, but also feels that the current way of doing things is not achieving that goal. This was the reason behind his endorsement by the NRA. They see in Trump someone they can count on.

Trump is interested in defending law-abiding gun-carriers, and prosecuting those who misuse guns to the fullest extent. He has shown his support of initiatives such as the Exile Project and similar programs, which aim to reduce gun crimes and violence by prosecuting gun criminals in federal courts.

Donald Trump Quotes on Gun Rights and the Second Amendment

• “Opponents of gun rights try to come up with scary sounding phrases like ‘assault weapons’, ‘military-style weapons’ and ‘high capacity magazines’ to confuse people.” (September 2015)

• “If you had more guns, you’d have more protection because the right people would have the guns.” (October 2015)

• “It’s too bad that some of the young people that were killed over the weekend didn’t have guns attached to their [hip], frankly, where bullets could have flown in the opposite direction.” (June 2016, speaking of the Orlando shooting)

“I have a very strict gun control policy: if there's a gun around, I want to be in control of it.” – Clint Eastwood

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 20, 2013

Top Second Amendment Guns

There are “Second Amendment People”, as Trump said during the recent August, and correspondingly there are Second Amendment kinds of guns. Not all weapons are created equally, and not all weapons should be treated equally. Where do you draw the line? Both candidates undoubtedly agree that not all people should have access to guns, and that those who have access to guns, should not be allowed to carry certain types of firearms. We don’t all need a FN M249 SAW machine gun in our nightstand, now do we? For one thing, we don’t all have a big enough nightstand.

Let’s talk a little bit about Second Amendment guns: firearms meant primarily for defensive purposes. Guns which are not the highly controversial, military-style, high-round-capacity weapons that the AR-15 and its many variants represent. You could argue that in the wrong hands, a weapon is a weapon is a weapon. There is some truth to that, of course, but when discussing the issues of gun violence and self-defense, you have to take the everyday-carrying, law-keeping citizen into account. Some guns definitely qualify as Second Amendment guns – ones which make up the modern-day tapestry of Americana in which we all live, and which we all want to see ushered into a better future.

In order to provide the people with the security they need to prosper and live in peace, you need to be prepared to provide them with the option of defending themselves. To me, that is what the Second Amendment is about. The old “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” deal can only truly take place once a nation – and its citizens – are secure.

This is our top 5 list of Second Amendment guns:

• Glock 19: 9mm, compact, semi-automatic, striker-fired. One of the most popular guns in the world, it is one which incorporates Glock’s “Safe Action” system. It has a standard capacity of 15 rounds, but can be extended quite a bit. Millions of Glock handguns have been sold worldwide since the early 1980’s, and they are still used today but countless individuals
• Glock 17: The G19’s older brother, a full-sized, 9mm, semi-automatic, striker-fired pistol. It was the first model which Glock engineered, and it also utilizes the “Safe Action” system. Glocks are known for their accuracy and dependability. Having been used by law-enforcement and military organizations all over the world, and made of polymer-II andf steel, Glock handguns have gained a trusted reputation of being as close as possible to perfection.
• Kel-Tec KSG: The shotgun has always been an inseparable part of American culture. Be it for hunting, recreation, or self-defense, the 12-gauge shotgun is an icon. The KSG (Kel-Tec Shotgun) is a 7 + 7 double-tubed pump-action bullpup shotgun which allows manual tube switching and varying kinds of ammo to be fired. It has been around since 2011, and is still being produced today.
• SIG Sauer P229 – Got steel? If not, get on board. No polymers for this gun, no sir. SIG Sauer have their own group of elitists and enthusiasts, and for good reason. The company has a long history (established in 1853), and a fine tradition to uphold. The P229 is a compact semi-automatic pistol, chambered in 9mm, .357 SIG, and .40 S&W. Standard capacity: 10, 12 or 15 rounds, depending on caliber. Produced in the early 90’s, and still being produced today.
• Ruger 10/22: A semi-automatic rifle, chambered for .22 Long Rifle cartridges. This is truly one of America’s favorite firearms, and it has been maintaining that status for over 50 years. Magazine capacities: 10, 15, and 25, depending on the variant. Nothing says “you broke into the wrong house, dumbass” quite like a semi-automatic rifle, and this one is a piece of history.

These firearms are there for your protection. The U.S. Armed Forces, its government agencies, and its many law-enforcement departments are doing the best they can in order to ensure your freedom. You can be doing your part by voting for the candidate which you feel will best protect your right to keep and bear arms.

Conclusion

This is not an easy decision to make. There are many issues which are on the table. The world (and to some extent, America) is such a messed-up place sometimes, and it can be difficult to whittle down your vote to something concrete which you can lean on. Some voters are voting blindly, based on personal views and biased politics, but many are looking into what they will stand to gain by choosing one leader over the other. Gun rights are about the rights of the individual, and it is up to that individual to make an informed decision. Gun control is always on the table. It is always a hot topic, and rightly so. We need to minimize gun violence and ensure our safety, without completely trampling over the Second Amendment. Do your research, look into the candidates and their platforms and opinions on gun rights, and find which one strikes a chord with you.

And remember: on November 8th, 2016, make your voice heard. Get out there and vote!

Thanks for reading our election feature – if you’d like to see more on current gun news, let us know in the comments section! In the mean time, check out our new Kel-Tec PF9 and Ruger LC9 features right here at Gunivore.

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