Don’t Blame The Tool!

Image Captured Directly From FBI Website On Nov 11 2016 at 1:15PM.

So lets take a good look at this. Not simply just the numbers, but HOW they are presented.

First you will noticed that there is group for “Total Firearms” and yet a group for “Total Weapons NOT Firearms” is conveniently absent.

I’m not so suggesting anything here, but it does seem a little biased.

So I’m going to be sure to include that particular group in this discussion to remain neutral.

That being said lets start taking a look at the numbers here.

We’ll start with the anti-gunners favorite “Assault Weapons Ban”.

Despite that fact that it was ALREADY implemented and FAILED MISERABLY once before, it is still a HUGE topic of conversation for the main stream anti-gunner.

So lets look at why it DIDN’T WORK before and why it still WON’T WORK if implemented yet again.

“Assault Weapons” fall under the “Rifles” category above.

As you can see from the numbers above “Rifles”, on average, are the LEAST likely firearm to be utilized in a murder. Normally trailing behind even Shotguns.

So as you can see “Assault Weapons” which are “Rifles” being banned DID NOT THEN and WOULD NOT NOW have NOTICEABLE, IF ANY EFFECT on murders.

In truth there are MANY more murders that involve Personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc.) than there are “Assault Weapons” (Rifles).

But no one is trying to ban hands, fists, feet, etc.

Next lets look at “Total Firearms” and the interestingly missing “Total NON Firearms” numbers.

2008     2009     2010     2011     2012

4696     4553     4290     4142     3910

Since we can accurately obtain these numbers from the available data we can compare the data together.

And since the numbers for one are available, I feel that to remain neutral, the same numbers should be provided consistently.

Now we also have to question, what exactly can we consider “Others or Not Stated” categories, and WHY they are separated in firearms yet not in “Personal Weapons”?

Again, I’m not suggesting anything, but these are questions that should be considered.

Next lets start to really look at the individual numbers.

It seems pretty clear the majority of “Murder”, regardless of circumstances, is consistently partial to “handguns”.

And yet, an “Assault Weapons” (Rifle) ban would have NO EFFECT WHATSOEVER on this category. So why is it so important to the anti-gunners? In truth I’ve seen almost NOTHING proposed by anti-gunners that would effect this “category” of firearms at all, with the exception of maybe the “limited magazine capacity” proposals. But those in themselves are a pathetic smoke and mirrors tactic to satisfy ONLY those that are completely ignorant of firearms to begin with. Limited magazine capacity is at most an inconvenience and certainly NOT a justifiable theory for reducing murder.

The next largest categories?

The vague “Firearms, type not stated” which seems seriously questionable, on its own merit to begin with, regularly competing for second place with Knives or cutting instruments.

Now lets take a look at the data over the accumulated period of time.

As has been stated and proved by ALL sides of this controversy. Interest in Firearms and Firearms sales of consistently risen over the past decade.

There are more people buying more firearms now than EVER before. And the number is still increasing.

But as we look at these numbers we see a steady decline. If Firearms are the problem, then why is it that the more of them that are in responsible, law abiding, citizens hands, the more the “Murder” number DECREASE!!!

Let me tell you why.

CRIMINAL’S DON’T LIKE REPRISAL!

Criminal’s by definition, DO NOT OBEY THE LAW!

So when responsible, law abiding, citizens are able to defend themselves.

A criminals field of opportunity is diminished significantly.

That is why they specifically target the horrifically, victim creating, “Gun Free Zones”.

This provided them a huge opportunity to avoid REPRISAL.

Easy targets make for easy prey.

THAT is why the increase in firearms possession by responsible, law abiding, citizens, shows a corresponding DECREASE in these “Murder” numbers.

Finally we have to look at the general collection of “Murder” data as a whole.

There is NO data available in this diagram that indicates if any of these “murders” were the result of “self defense”, “personal protection”, or other such incidents.

How many of the “murdered” “victims” were actively engaged in a violation of the “assailants” rights and resulted in their death?

There is no way for us to know. So, unlike the “main stream media” I will refrain from speculating and guessing. But it IS a question that needs to be asked.

These numbers include such things as “Gang Related Deaths”, Robberies, Assaults, or various violent crimes that resulted in a death.

Or what we might consider a “justifiable use of deadly force”.

What rational conclusion can be made from this information?

The hole point of researching all of this information is to understand that Murder happens.

What we HAVE learned is, as firearms interest and ownership has increased, murder has declined.

And the reason is, the proper “tool” in the RIGHT hands, is just as effective at curbing violence, as the same “tool” in the wrong hands, is at encouraging it.

And which tool is used, is completely irrelevant.

Should we care what “tool” was utilized to accomplish it?

Does it matter if someone is killed by a firearm as apposed to a fist or a knife?

Does one murder victim deserve more interest than another because of the “tool” that was used to take their life?

Does it matter if any one murder is more violent than another, when in the end they ALL result in DEATH.

The issue here is violence! And the “tools” are NOT the cause of the violence the perpetrator engages in.

The perpetrator is the CAUSE of the violence.

So lets quit focusing on the tools, and start focusing on what reduces violence.

Pro-Gun? – Anti-Gun? Or Is It All The Same?

Concealed carry is better than open carry.

And a .45 is better than a 9MM. And its a “magazine” not a “clip”.

And hip carry is better than SOB carry.

And that soandso on some show put their finger on the trigger of their obviously imitation gun and endangered all of nobody with their ridiculous lack of safety concern.

Seriously all of these arguments are useless and futile.

In EVERY situation there is equal proof to support either OPINION.

And that is ALL these are, OPINION!

Restating the same tired regimen of sudo facts and isolated “statistics” is beyond redundant at this point.

We’ve all heard it before, from BOTH sides of the fence.

Anti-Gunners balking at individual rights, Pro-Gunners encouraging only THEIR definition of those rights.

And both doing nothing more than simply presenting themselves as pretentious, pompous, narcissists, that assume THEIR way is the ONLY “right” way.

I carry because I have a responsibility to myself, my family, and way of life, to ensure the safety and preservation of all three.

How I choose to accept that responsibility, is my choice. Just as it is your choice how you wish to accept yours.

From all the attacks we must endure from the Anti-Gun community, the most pathetic thing I must tolerate is Pro-Gunners arguing amongst themselves about HOW to “correctly” be Pro-Gun.

It’s no wonder they are winning. A large majority of the Pro-Gun group is even more disorganized and even less unified than the Anti-Gun groups.

And THAT in itself is the scariest observation.

So here is the truth, Carry! Period! End of story!

How and What are your decision.

The only things to consider are your safety, and your comfort.

If its comfortable you will do it, If it keeps you safe, use it.

But even this is the opinion of just one, individual, firearms supporter.

The Conflict Within.

Although I myself am not hindered by restrictions inflicted upon me by a specific “religion”, this article provides an excellent resource for those that are.

The Bible And Gun Control

The Illusion Of Safety!

First off lets make one thing clear. Safety is a PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY! No one else can make you safe. Only YOU can do so. I can summarize every “rule” for safety in one simple word. Respect. If you do NOT respect the potential of the object in which you are interacting with, then you will most likely become a victim to the worst it is capable of.

For the purposes of this discussion, lets focus on the safety surrounding firearms.

Every firearms “enthusiast” should be aware that there are a universally accepted set of rules for firearms safety. Now, to make our first point, there are TWO general sets and which set you follow is dependent on your individual way of thinking. So, already, we have a segregation is a specific set of “rules” that should apply.

A flaw in the concept of safety? No just a difference in opinion on how to portray the mindset to develop when thinking about safety in regards to a firearm.

First you have the Cooper set of rules;

1. All guns are always loaded!

2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy!

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target!

4. Always be sure of your target!

Then there are the National Rifle Association set of rules;

1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction.

2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot.

3. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use.

So lets analyze these from a literal point of view.

1. All Guns are always loaded! = If we are to take this literally, it would mean that no gun is ever safe to handle. And should only sit stationary pointed at an object that it is specifically intended to destroy. No cleaning, no moving, no touching, no manipulation of any sort.

2. Never let the muzzle cover anything you are not willing to destroy! or 1. Always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction. = If we are to take this literally, it would be impossible to accomplish. Essentially, any direction that you point the muzzle/barrel automatically becomes unsafe, and therefore there is no safe direction. This is a serious problem as the gun will ALWAYS be pointing SOME direction ALL the time.

3. Keep your finger off the trigger until your sights are on the target! Or 2. Always keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot. = If we are to take this literally, then many firearms would become impossible to clean or maintain. Many firearms require that the trigger be manipulated in some manner before, during, or after the disassembling process.

4. Be sure of your target! = If we are to take this literally, then a firearm becomes essentially useless in a self defense scenario. When in a conflict situation one can never truly be SURE of the target.

5. Always keep the gun unloaded until ready to use. = If we are to take this literally, then hope that any attacker will give you a “time out” so that you can “load” your firearm for use.

Now I’m not saying that these “rules” should be ignored. Quite the contrary, I myself accept the “Cooper” set as the definitive source.

However, I also recognize that these “rules” are intended to elicit an understanding of safety, while they should never be taken for granted, they can not always be taken verbatim.

The undisclosed truth behind these “rules” is that every individual must utilize a certain level of intelligence, education, and common sense in their execution. And as I said before, in the end, it comes down to the basic principle of respecting the potential of the object in which you are interacting with.

Only when you learn to respect the object can you begin to develop a certain level of confidence and trust. For example. I have to “trust” that my firearm will discharge when the trigger is pulled. Likewise, I have to “trust” that the firearm will NOT discharge UNLESS the trigger is pulled. And only then can I be “confident” in my ability to handle the firearm “safely”.

As an example during a “safety check” of a firearm, ones fingers may indeed extend in front of the muzzle of the pistol. A safety hazard? Certainly. Under the correct set of circumstances it very well could cause injury. But then again so could crossing the street, riding a bicycle, or operating a drill.

Similarly one must continuously point a pistol in various directions. Most directions usually not containing anything that one would have the intention of destroying. One might point the barrel toward the workbench while cleaning. Does that mean there is an intent to destroy it? Not at all, but then again, any direction you point a firearm is instantly a “dangerous” direction, so what choice do you really have?

The next question to ponder is what is safe How safe is safe “enough”. How far do you take it before it is better to just not do it at all.

The bottom line is safety should always be a concern, but realize, Only YOU know what YOU consider safe, and ONLY YOU CAN make yourself safe. No one else can tell you how, and no one else can do it for you.

Peaceful Revolution Or Imminent Resolution?

A slightly modified, insightful narrative from an anonymous celebrity known only as V.

Good day. Allow me first to apologize for this interruption. I do, like many of you, appreciate the comforts, of every day routine, the security, of the familiar, and the tranquility, of repetition. I enjoy them, as much as any individual.

But in the spirit of commemoration, thereby those important events of the past, usually associated with someone’s death, or the end of some awful bloody struggle. The celebration of a nice holiday, I thought we could mark this November the 5th, a day that is sadly, no longer remembered. By taking some time, out of our daily lives, to sit down, and have a little chat.

There are of course those who do not want us to speak. I suspect even now, orders are being shouted into telephones, and men with guns, will soon be on their way.

Why?

Because while the truncheon, may be used in lieu of conversation, words will always retain their power. Words offer the means to meaning, and for those who will listen, the enunciation of truth. And the truth is. There is something terribly wrong with this country.

Cruelty and injustice. Intolerance and oppression. Where once you had the freedom to object, to think, and speak, as you saw fit, you now have censors, and systems of surveillance, coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission.

How did this happen?

Who’s to blame?

Well certainly, there are those more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable. But again, truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror.

I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn’t be? War, terror, disease. There were a myriad of problems which conspired to corrupt your reason, and rob you of your common sense. Fear got the best of you, and in your panic you turned to your illustrious leaders. They promised you order, they promised you peace, and all they demanded in return was your silent, obedient, consent.

This night I seek to end that silence. This night I choose to remind this country of what it has forgotten.

More than four hundred years ago, a great citizen, wished to embed the fifth of November, forever in our memory. His hope was to remind the world that fairness, justice, and freedom, are more than words, they are perspectives.

So if you’ve seen nothing. If the crimes of this government, remain unknown to you, then I would suggest you allow the fifth of November to pass unmarked.

But if you see, what I see, if you feel, as I feel, and if you would seek, as I seek. Then I ask you to stand beside me, every year on this night, in front of every capitol, and together, we shall give them a fifth of November, that shall never, ever, be forgot!