Friday, July 3, 2009

Murphy is uninformed

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Before you allow Pat Murphy to go on an uninformed rant regarding the National Rifle Association and its support of those of us who are responsible, law-abiding Americans who choose to accept the responsibility of carrying concealed weapons, please have him first take the time to check his facts.

Mr. Murphy stated: "Where does the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution—"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"—grant unrestricted "rights" to gun owners?" The individual right to keep and to bear, i.e. carry, arms was recently affirmed by the Supreme Court of the United States in Heller vs. the District of Columbia.

Mr. Murphy would also be well served if he were to check the undeniable statistics compiled by the U.S. Justice Department on violent crime and murder. The facts clearly show that states that have permitted law-abiding Americans to carry concealed firearms have consistently demonstrated significant reductions in murders, violent crime and frequent reductions in property crime. The facts speak for themselves.

"Concealed carry" has been around in this country for quite some time and the unfounded fears of "Wild West shootouts on the streets" have proved to be just that, unfounded. When law-abiding citizens lawfully arm themselves, crime is reduced.

Gun-free zones—such as establishments serving alcohol, public buildings, schools, some shopping malls, churches and others—have been the places of choice for deranged criminals on shooting sprees. Coincidence? I think not.

Please responsibly present the facts and opposing points of view.

David Baumgartner

Lindale, Texas

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There are 7 comments

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The comments below are from the readers of mtexpress.com and in no way represent the views of Express Publishing Inc.

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Reply to Lucius Truster

reply

07/06/09 - 21:42

Hey, Hat Boy, how'd Steve McNair's carry permit work out for him?

Ben Statist

07/06/09 - 15:25

Come on, people! Just be good and give up those guns.

Let the state do it's job and provide you with any protection you imagine yourself entitled to.

If people would get out of the state's way and pay their taxes, the government would have solved our problems a long time ago.

BambiB

07/03/09 - 22:01

Actually, Murphy's diatribe is so far wide of the mark that (to quote Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling), "He's not even wrong."

To those not in on the joke, think of the three possible states as being "right", "wrong" and "too stoned to know what he's saying".

Barry Hirsh

07/03/09 - 11:03

Mr. Baumgartner has written a succinct and eloquent critique of the referenced Op Ed piece, and without rancor.

I compliment him. I replied to the article, but while my response was polite, it was hardly congenial. It's tough to maintain one's composure in the face of such obstinate denial, when that denial advocates curtailing a fundamental right.

Ben – Gettysburg, PA

07/03/09 - 09:10

The idea that passing an ordinance or putting up a sign will stop criminals from plying their trade is an astoundingly stupid notion.

Gordon Martin – Copperas Cove, TX

07/03/09 - 06:49

Actually Mr. Murphy was correct in one point, although out of ignorance. The Constitution does not "grant" any rights, it only protects the individual's ability to use them.

Stan Long – San Antonio, TX

07/03/09 - 05:10

Well said. Florida and Texas are great examples, of how "Shall Issue" policies have reduced violent crime.

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