Monthly Archives: June 2011

Gun Safety – Laws, Locks, and Safes

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There is a lot of talk about gun safety. There are talking heads on both sides shouting rhetoric; lobbyists from the NRA and those who disagree with the Right to Bear arms entirely; politicians from both sides of the aisles angling for their political careers and voters wishes.

If nothing else, Gun Control debate is complex and nuanced. On one hand, EVERYONE wants to protect the safety of innocents and children. On the other hand, the United States is founded on the right of its citizens to Bear Arms (as we wrote about here). The issue isn’t really whether or not we, as Americans, should be able to own and operate a gun (that’s a given right since 1791), but rather how we can control the sale, storage, and use of guns in the marketplace for the safest use possible.

Gun control debates have taken center stage in light of recent school shootings. The Columbine High School Massacre brought gun control to the forefront of public knowledge in 1999 when two students killed 13 people (not including themselves) on a horrible rampage. The teens obtained the guns from a friend of theirs who purchases the guns from an unlicensed seller. The teens were too young to legally obtain any of the numerous the guns they used, so how did they get them? And what could have been done to prevent the massacre?

The United States has enacted several laws aimed at preventing just these illegal actions from happening. There is really no telling if these laws are working or not, but you can do your part to help curb this sort of senseless violence.

  1. Legally obtain guns – make sure that your gun dealer goes through all the proper channels when you try to buy a gun. Background checks, permits, waiting periods, the whole thing. If your dealer doesn’t, report them to the police. You could prevent the unlawful sale of a gun to a minor or to an unsafe individual.
  2. Gun locks – these are especially important to prevent young children from setting off a gun unintentionally.
  3. Gun safes – forget about sleeping with a loaded gun in your bedside table. There are far too many accidents that happen to people and families who don’t take great precautions with gun storage. The only good answer is a reputable gun safe. Gun safes ensure that your guns will be kept out of the hands of children and unauthorized adults

More information from here, and here.

What it Means to be an American & the Right to Bear Arms

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With Independence Day just around the corner, it is an especially important time to reflect on what it means to be an American. As an American we have rights that no other citizens in the world have. We have the inalienable aright to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as Thomas Jefferson wrote in the Declaration of Independence. We have the right to vote for a democratically elected government. We have the right to free speech and public opinions. We have the right to our own privacy. I’m certainly not a Constitutional scholar but I do know we’re pretty lucky to live in this county and have the rights that we do.

These rights are all written down in just a few documents: the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I’m sure most of you are aware of the Bill of Rights and many of you know what the amendments confer (“I plead the Fifth” anyone? – see, even the movies know how lucky we are!). Today, in honor of the upcoming celebration of the 234th anniversary of the founding of the United States of American, I’d like to touch base on a vitally important right: the Second Amendment.

The Second Amendment states, “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.” This right confers the ability for American citizens to bear arms – or own guns and other weapons – to use for the protection of the free State and in other lawful defenses – such as the defense of your home. America is one of the few places where citizens have these rights.

Because of the Second Amendment, you can walk into a gun store and purchase weapons; you can keep these weapons in your own to use for your own protection; you can protect your family and your home from intruders; you can protect your family and your property from those who’d like to do harm to them. All of these are vitally important parts of being American.

While not all Americans agree with this right (there is a fair amount of controversy about gun ownership and particularly about gun safety laws), it is an integral part of what it means to be an American and should be celebrated. Americans have been enjoying this right since 1791 – when the newly formed States ratified the bill of rights. The Fourth of July is so much more than a day off work and a fun picnic with friends and family – it’s a time to remember why we’re proud to be Americans. So, what are you most proud of?

Child Gun Safety: Is Your Kid Too Young to Learn About Gun Safety?

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Recent gun tragedy, as reported in Fresno, Calif.  (KMPH News) highlights some important issues regarding gun safety and children.

In this video, KMPH news reporter Norma Yuriar spoke to a gun safety instructor about the issues of training children to become more aware of gun safety at an early age.

The big question – will training and even the loud sound of a firearm going off at close proximity be enough to make the difference between life and death for a child who finds a firearm in the home? In this video a former US Marine and retired sheriff deputy says that when children hear and see the loud boom a real gun,but it leaves a lasting impression on them. He believes that this is very different situation from exposure to video video games. Coupled with practical gun safety training, his belief is that exposure to real firearms can make a real difference for unproved gun safety in a home with young children.

The video for the original news release is below:

 

The original post on KMPH Fox 26 is here – http://www.kmph.com/story/14774521/child-gun-safety-how-young-is-too-young

Please let us know what you think?