Reply #45: Guns and Concealed Carry

[RonC]

I am thoroughly heartened by the cited data presented in this thread!
Why is it that, when confronted with data that suggests that CCW holders engage in less crime than the general public and that carrying a handgun can deter crime, those emotionally attached to their belief in gun control suddenly get quiet?

My wife was adamantly anti-gun. Although I take my guns to the range and sometimes bring my grown son, she had steadfastly chosen to hold to her anti-gun stance even when inundated with data showing all her pre-conceived notions to be incorrect. She even said that here response to guns is emotional and not based on reason or logic. However, after accepting that I have a CCW and sometimes carry, and knowing that I am an unaggressive, calm and mild individual, she has softened her stance. She now, at least, will listen when I present her with data contrary to her 'beliefs.' Her blinders are now off and she won't say "don't confuse the issue with facts."

There are some 200 million guns out there in the USA. A local reporter went downtown, made some contacts, and had the option to buy, illegally, any handgun he wanted. Bad guys can do the same. Will they follow any law that prohibits handgun ownership or use? Not a chance. Those anti-gun laws only affect law-abiding people like me. The goons get guns and we can't. Does that make sense?

I am less macho when I carry. My tendency to avoid confrontation is heightened by my knowledge of gun use and gun ownership. I know the consequences for the goon, my family and me. I know that, even in a justified shooting when my family, friends or I am threatened with bodily injury or death, the financial and emotional costs will be great. That just make me more judicious in confrontational situations.

I am not a one issue voter, so I will vote for Obama because he will work toward my goals of peace, healthy environment, democratic and Democratic ideals even if he is anti-gun. However, if Obama and his handlers don't want to sabotage his own candidacy and lose the independents, they should support gun ownership and reject any inkling of anti-gun attitudes. The neocons will not believe that he is pro-gun, but he doesn't have their vote regardless. However, many independents will turn his way and many gun-owning progressives like me will back him wholeheartedly.

Ron