Thread: The "New" Gun Control ...

This is a new one ....

Joe Biden: We Won’t Allow Congress To Get In Our Way On Guns
Posted on April 20, 2013 by Chris Graham


According to Vice President Biden, “President Obama literally has a buttload of executive actions coming down the pike” on gun control, the phrasing of which stirs disturbing surrealist images in my mind.

Okay, I paraphrased him. His actual words were, “[T]he president is already lining up some additional executive actions he’s going to be taking later this week.” I still can’t tell, Biden–are you speaking literally or figuratively? You haven’t specified!

You know what? On second thought, I think a ”literal buttload of executive actions” would be less disturbing than “additional executive actions.” This is of course doublespeak for “executive orders,” a term this administration has been cautious to avoid, despite running the government on these orders. Liberals don’t like executive orders—or at least they pretend not to—so this administration uses the term “executive action.”

Obama spent his first term trying to get Congress to pass the most unpopular legislation of modern times, socialized health insurance, in the form of Obamacare. That was at a time when healthcare was at the bottom of Americans’ list of priorities for our benevolent leaders to work on.

Obama won that battle as only a corrupt politician can: unfairly, with bribes. http://michellemalkin.com/2009/11/20...re-bribe-list/

The President has chosen the battle to waste his second term on, and that is gun control, yet another issue near the bottom of Americans’ list of priorities. Fortunately for them (us), it appears as though Obama has lost, with the Senate voting down the Manchin-Toomey background-check bill. http://www.leftybegone.com/post/4828...conomic-agenda

Obama was visibly angry the other day, pouting at the podium to publicly shame those who voted against the bill, which would have expanded background checks to personal and gun-show sales, but only for law-abiding citizens–those who don’t commit mass-shootings–and not to those who would commit mass-shootings since those people don’t submit to background checks.

“No matter,” says Biden, as paraphrased by me again. “We don’t like the way the vote turned out, so Obama’s going to ignore the vote, bypass the rules, and just write his own laws from the Oval Office. What do you think this is, a constitutional republic? You think it matters whether your representatives represent you or not? We in the executive branch make the rules, not your representatives.”

You have to wonder at some point if this administration really does believe that congressional voting procedures are a mere formality they must go through, the hoops through which they must jump in order to keep up the illusion that the will of the American people is represented. They are either knowingly being tyrannical, dictatorial, or else they do not understand that voting in Congress is not just for show. As in so many other areas of this administration, it comes down to those two possibilities: either Obama’s failures stem from a place of malice and ill will, or from a cavity in his brain that renders him incompetent and ignorant.

Whatever it is, neither possibility bodes well for us.

http://politicaloutcast.com/2013/04/...#ixzz2R3eJU0ph

Being Shot Gave This Columbine Survivor Strong Views on Gun Control
— Here’s Why He Opposes More Restrictions
Feb. 19, 2013 8:51am ~ Billy Hallowell

Evan Todd will never forget the day that Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris burst into Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., intent on killing. How could he? He was the first student shot in the library during a massacre that claimed 12 students and one teacher and went down as one of the worst school assaults in U.S. history.

Since that terrifying day, Todd has been active and open about his views on social and political issues, including gun control. But rather than fight against weapons, he’s been vocal that he doesn’t believe firearms are the culprit. In fact, the survivor is so staunch that he tells TheBlaze he’s come to view gun control as “a theory that creates an illusion of safety, but unfortunately has devastating consequences in reality.”


Columbine survivor Evan Todd (Photo Credit: Evan Todd)

Todd is joined by many others like Mark Mattioli, the father of a six-year-old Sandy Hook victim, Dr. Suzanna Hupp, a surviver of the “Luby” shooting massacre in Texas, and Richard Hoover, another survivor of Columbine, who also believe that restrictive policies are not the answer to stopping America’s violent rampages.

However, following large scale shootings, there’s traditionally a movement — especially among survivors — to call for increased legislative crackdowns. In fact, the history of U.S. firearms laws shows that the move for additional regulation has generally been a reaction to specific violent events.

On April 20, 1999, 12 students and one teacher were killed inside Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo. The perpetrators, Klebold and Harris, were disgruntled students who had their hearts set on taking lives — a feat they so tragically succeeded at accomplishing. Today, Todd, who was shot inside of the school’s library, is a public speaker and advocate who regularly addresses social issues, including violence and the treatment of others, with audiences both young and old.

Todd explained that he sees increased regulation as only helping to curb guns among the law-abiding.

“It is evidently clear that gun control does not hinder the determined murderer from achieving their goals, whether that is at a school, a church or synagogue, or a movie theater,” he said in an e-mail interview with TheBlaze, going on to reference many of the murderers who have been responsible for some of the most recent and memorable acts of violence. “Thugs in Chicago do not care about the laws on the books nor did Harris, Klebold, Lanza, Dorner, Holmes, Cho, Hasan or any other of the criminals hell bent on murder.”

Rather than hampering criminals, Todd argues that new taxes, regulations and gun control measures actually do the opposite of what they intended. He believes that the law abiding suffer and are increasingly unable to protect themselves as a result of these policies.

Some may be surprised by his comments. After all, Todd is a victim of the Columbine massacre — an individual who lost numerous friends to gun violence. However, he told TheBlaze that his experience has shaped his views in support of the Second Amendment.

Todd also explained that guns had always been a part of his life — another factor that colors his views.

“At summer camps I would shoot skeet and trap with 12 gauge shotguns. In the backcountry of New Mexico I learned how to shot fifty caliber black powder rifles and flintlock pistols,” Todd said of his younger years. “In my free-time over the summers I would join with friends to take part in shooting competitions using everything from 22-caliber rifles to high powered rifles like the 30-06 and 300 Win Mag.”

The Columbine survivor said that, despite all of this exposure to guns, he never once thought about murdering someone. Guns, he noted, shouldn’t be blamed for crimes, as it is the character of the individuals who choose to commit murder that should be scrutinized.

In 1999, prior to the event, he was only 15-years-old and hadn’t given much thought to firearms control, but that soon changed.

“The one thing I learned from Columbine pertaining to gun control is that it is highly political,” he said. “When I actually educated myself on the issue it became increasingly clear that the gun control lobby and the politicians that share those views are in fact creating more problems than they solve.”

Not only is Todd vocal that he believes gun control simply doesn’t solve the problem, but he also sees restrictive policies as being potentially dangerous. In fact, he believes that gun control, if continuously progressed, will erode peoples’ right of self-protection and will lead to a scenario in which Columbine-like incidents could unfold more regularly on a national level.

“Criminals and murderers love defenseless people and they are enabled by the laws that create such environments,” Todd added. “Gun control is a blessing to those who wish to do evil and deadly to good people.”

Rather than targeting guns and law-abiding citizens, Todd believes that there’s another, more pertinent area for lawmakers and the general public to target: The nation’s lack of respect for life. He explained that politics have prevented schools and society as a whole from teaching the inherent dignity that every man, woman and child possesses, lamenting this as a potential cause of the chaos that has ensued.

“There is definitely a lack of respect for life and for political reasons schools and society at large have decided not to teach about the dignity of each and every man, women, and child,” he added, going on to note that evil truly exists and that it plays a role in the events that unfold in today’s society.

Todd believes that violence is best kept at bay by teaching young people about respect, particularly when it comes to human life, liberty and property. Teaching right from wrong and good versus evil infuses morals and values into young minds and inevitably helps to craft individuals into well-refined citizens, he argues. Additionally, he also wants to see gun-free zones banished and believes that parents and teachers have the right to protect themselves and their students.

As for the Second Amendment, he reveres its tenets and contends that it is vital to ensuring America’s freedom both at home and abroad.

“It is a deterrent for enemies abroad as well as tyrants at home. The Second Amendment isn’t a dictate from government — it is a statement to government,” he said. “It is a statement that says people have the right to defend life, liberty, and property from whomever wishes to unlawfully take it from them.”

Todd is well aware of President Barack Obama’s views on gun control. When asked what he would say to Obama if given the chance, he had many thoughts. From decrying universal background checks and claiming that they will have “many devastating effects,” to dismissing the proposed ban on military-style assault weapons, Todd was candid. Clearly disagreeing with increased control mechanisms, he implored Obama to “do the right thing — restorm freedom and save lives.”

Recent events have brought Todd’s feeling about these issues to the forefront, particularly following the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in December. Considering his own experience, TheBlaze asked him how he reacted when he first heard about the rampage.

“All I can say is truly sad, sick, and angry,” he said. “I still think about that community and pray for them regularly.”

Of course, it is this incident that not only brought memories back to Todd, but has also sparked a national debate about firearms control. And Todd isn’t alone in his rejection of increasingly restrictive laws. As noted, Mark Mattioli, whose six-year-old son James perished inside of Sandy Hook elementary, agrees with Todd’s assessment.

In a speech that subsequently went viral, the grieving father, who ended up receiving a standing ovation, said that he believes in “simple, few gun laws” and that there are already “more than enough on the books.” Mattioli maintained that “the problem is not gun laws” and that the regulations already on the books simply need to be enforced.

Then there’s Suzanna Hupp, who has advocated in support of concealed carry since she survived the “Luby” shooting in 1991. Her parents perished during the restaurant attack, leading Hupp to become an outspoken advocate for firearms, as she maintains that easier access to guns would have stopped the killer before he killed 23 innocents.

And Richard Hoover, a friend of Todd’s who also survived Columbine notes that the event reinforced his views that citizens should have the right to bear arms. Hoover said that he likes the idea of teachers having the right to carry. As far as legalities go, he told TheBlaze that Klebold and Harris had no regard for gun laws when they went on their rampage, breaking numerous regulations to carry out their attack.

“If you disarm citizen[s] then when [an unstable person] does obtain a weapon, gun control just prevented law abiding citizens from protecting themselves and there families,” he said.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013...-restrictions/

Columbine Father Speaks Out Against Gun Control And Blames Legislators

By Matt Liponoga | April 4, 2013 - 6:21 pm

In 1999 Darrell Scott, of Littleton, Colorado, sat in front of Congress and delivered stirring testimony concerning the Columbine High School shootings that took the life of his daughter Rachel. What congressional members heard that day was not what they expected, but it was most certainly what they and a nation struggling to comprehend and process the horror that had taken place, needed to hear. But how quickly we forget.

The media barely paid attention to Mr. Scott’s profound message which cut to the core of the deep seeded problems this nation faces with precision and clarity, leaving no room for interpretation or misunderstanding.

“Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers.” “The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field.

The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain’s heart. “In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA.

I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA – because I don’t believe that they are responsible for my daughter’s death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel’s murder I would be their strongest opponent.”

“I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room.

Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. “I wrote a poem that expresses my feelings best. This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today:”

Your laws ignore our deepest needs,
Your words are empty air.
You’ve stripped away our heritage,
You’ve outlawed simple prayer.
Now gunshots fill our classrooms,
And precious children die.
You seek for answers everywhere,
And ask the question “Why?”

You regulate restrictive laws,
Through legislative creed.
And yet you fail to understand,
That God is what we need!

“Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc. Spiritual influences were present within our educational systems for most of our nation’s history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact.

What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine’s tragedy occurs politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties.

We do not need more restrictive laws.” Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts.

Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored.

We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God!” “As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes, He did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right!

I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA- I give to you a sincere challenge.

Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! My daughter’s death will not be in vain!

The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!”

http://www.freepatriot.org/2013/04/0...s-legislators/

What if we applied the same logic that gun ban proponents apply to guns to another issue: Alcohol

1 - It is controlled by law.
2 - You must be of age to buy it.
3 - You must show Government issued ID to buy it.
4 - You must be a licensed dealer to sell it.
5 - You can't drink it and drive your car while under the influence of it.
6 - In most places you can't even walk in public if you under the influence of it to the point that you endanger yourself or others.

And though there are millions of responsible law abiding drinking citizens in our country, thousands are killed every year. Innocent children and non-drinking adults are casualties of these crimes. Many of those killed every year in alcohol induced incidents are by someone who has no regard for the law or human life. Even though we have many laws on the books, maybe we must need more. Maybe the best thing would be to remove the real problem from our society. BAN ALCOHOL!

...wait...didn't the government already try that??