A great man, a great message.

[Bailey Guns]

I'm hoping this isn't a rehash of this great message by Charlton Heston...my apologies if it is. But it probably bears repeating anyway:

http://la-gun.com/videos/torch/

[GoldFinger]

Great video Bailey!

I certainly don't mean to jack your thread, but I would like to throw out a paper my 16 year old daughter submitted in an AP class a couple of months ago. I think it gives a good perspective of a younger generation, at least hers anyway, and hits home with the video you posted. I was prepared to have a battle with the school if they took issue, but surprisingly it was VERY well received by her class mates, and earned her an A+ from the teacher. And YES, I'm very proud of her, so it's a little bit bragging.


A Denied Right, a Stolen Life: The Illogical Logic of “Gun-Bans”

By xxxxxxxxx

Period 4
The Right to Bear Arms is one granted by our founding fathers over 200 years ago. It also happens to be one utilized by my own father and millions of other Americans intent on keeping themselves, their families, and their fellow citizens safe.
The United States Second Amendment specifically states, “the right of the People to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Unfortunately in many regions across the U.S., that infringement our country’s Constitution forbids is quite evident as state, county, and campus officials have attempted and continue in their efforts to strip Americans of their lawfully granted right, and perhaps of much more.
Studies have consistently provided conclusive evidence that guns are more often used to prevent crimes than to commit them. Posing gun bans practically promotes violent crime and leaves law-abiding citizens vulnerable and defenseless to those who regularly disregard the law. Today millions of Americans have been faced with the danger of losing not only their nationally declared right—but potentially their life if worst comes to worst and they’ve been denied the ability to protect themselves. Ones Right to Bear Arms in a split-second can convert into the right to life or the right to save another’s when a situation comes down to it.
Towards the end of last year when Colorado State University announced they would be enacting a gun-ban policy on campus, region county Sheriff Jim Alderden publicly stated “I have told the CSU police chief I will not support this in any way. If anyone with one of my permits gets arrested for concealed carry at CSU, I will refuse to book that person into my jail. Furthermore, I will show up at court and testify on that person’s behalf, and I will do whatever I can to discourage a conviction. I will not be a party to this very poor decision.”As a man of law-enforcement himself,—whose job is specifically to “protect and serve”—few could better understand the subject in question, and with adequate knowledge of both sides, make an accurate decision as to what is best to ensure a safe and just community. I think his statement stands as a powerful message echoed by respectable American citizens throughout the country who should not be refused their constitutional right to and certainly not be punished for appropriately ensuring the protection of their lives and the lives of others.
Due to the freedom of speech all American’s are granted by the First Amendment, radical hate groups are free to maliciously protest and harass grieving families at the funerals of fallen American soldiers. Yet a right as seemingly natural and valid as lawfully protecting one’s life is compromised in several states and many communities across the U.S. I do not see guns and violence by any means as an ideal way to solve problems, but I do understand it is a last resort that many are forced to utilize it dire situations. I do believe in gun control, but not in the way it’s mainstreamed politically; safe management of something so critical is precisely what legal concealed carry permits are designed for. For the various men and women who have earned the official designation to carry –and therefore are declared competent and responsible enough to use a firearm for just cause—to be prohibited from doing so where certain unwarranted lines are drawn, to me is utterly asinine. To forcefully eradicate that right of protection from responsible citizens while thousands of others who lack such things as a clean record and good intentions will continue—unpermitted—to carry a gun regardless, makes all but little sense for the safety of anyone in America. Basically, I find the concept of posting signs and legal regulations that disallow guns outside of stores and other public buildings which lack the means to securely enforce them,(aka metal detector) to be borderline moronic. The people who have been permitted to carry a gun, being as they are responsibly competent citizens, naturally would be the same ones to follow such regulations and not bring their firearm within such areas that simply state it is “legally” forbidden there. The “bad guys” however,—lacking a permit likely in addition to sufficient morality—probably aren’t going to suddenly decide to adhere to the rules they’ve already confirmed they’re indifferent to. The major issue isn’t merely what they’re carrying though, but the opportunity they’re made aware of to use it; because in an area with nothing but a blatantly proclaimed ban and no way of immediately and solidly enforcing it, the “bad guys” are going to be packin’ heat, and they know, just as you do, that the “good guys” aren’t. My question is—just how safe are you feeling in that situation as result of such “safety assuring” gun-bans? Yeah—I feel maybe there’s suddenly a target on me, too.

[ronaldrwl]

Excellent video.

[Irving]

Well written paper by the young lady. Most people don't know any of the amendments after 1 and 2 though.

[BigBear]

Good video!

Great paper by your daughter! You should brag.

[GoldFinger]

Well written paper by the young lady. Most people don't know any of the amendments after 1 and 2 though.

Agreed. Unfortunately, they don't tend to figure a lot of those out until they get in some kind of trouble.

[Bailey Guns]

Good paper! Too bad most 16 year olds know more about iPhones and pop stars than they do about the US Constitution.

[StagLefty]

Great video and great paper by your daughter !!!