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Someone I’ve known forever asked me why I’m not voting for Obama (she is.) I said, “Lots of reasons, and also I really don’t like his feelings on gun rights.” She asked me to explain. Also asked me if I own guns. I replied:

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Don’t get me started! Just kidding. Thought you’d never ask. lol…..

DJ and I each own a 9mm Smith & Wesson semi-automatic handgun. Together, we also own a Remington 12-gauge shotgun. We really enjoy shooting them. We’re very safe with them, took lessons, and practice at the range every weekend, shooting 200-300 rounds each. We’re getting pretty good, and it’s a fun hobby.

We also have them for home defense if needed. There have been more and more home-invasion robberies in LA area recently. In our town there have been a lot of burglaries lately, and last year, someone tried to break into our bedroom window while we were home at night. The police actually caught the guy, but only because I went out and took a look at him, and I.D.ed him.

We do not hunt. While we do eat meat, the idea of hunting is not a fun one to us. We love critters too much. I did once kill a rabbit as a teenager with dad’s .22. Dad and I cooked and ate it. I believe that anyone who eats meat should do that once, so they know what’s involved. We have nothing against hunting, it’s just not for us.

Our guns are registered, and legally owned. We had to pass criminal background checks and wait ten days to get them. I’m fine with that, and think it should stay that way. (I think there should be exceptions to the waiting period, like if a woman is being threatened by her ex, why should she have to wait ten days to protect herself? But I like the background check idea.)

We do not “pack” in public, because it is a crime. LA County does not issue concealed-carry permits. California makes it hard to get them in general, but LA county and San Fran county are the hardest. (Though Senator Feinstein, long-time anti-gun advocate, had the only carry permit in San Fran when she was mayor.)

If we ever live anywhere that we can get a permit, we probably will, and will probably carry.

We are also members of the NRA. (Funny thing is, a few of our friends don’t talk to us any more because we have guns, but most say “That’s cool, not for me, but fine with me.” But most of even those people were appalled that we joined the NRA, even though most of them don’t know much about that or what it really entails.)

As for gun control: it does not prevent crime, violates the 2ed Amendment, and it is nothing but a vote- and money-getter for politicians. They say “it’s for the children”, but here’s the facts:
– States that have increased the number of carry permits have instant drops in crime. And people with permits don’t shoot each other over parking spaces, like some people assume they would.
– Law-abiding gun owners commit very few gun crimes, and far fewer crimes in general than the general population. Crimes are VERY rarely committed with registered guns. Crimes are committed by criminals. Criminals do not register their guns.
– Banning semi-auto handguns (a fave of anti-gunners, and a goal of Obama) does not reduce crime, and semi-autos are affordable and good for target shooting and for home protection.

The one gun law I’d like to see will never be implemented. I think that if you apply to buy a gun, and come back from your background check as a wanted criminal, the gun store should have to call the police and the police should arrest you at the gun store when you return. They don’t. Or even if you’re a convicted felon they should arrest you because it’s a crime for a convicted felon to try to buy a gun. This is a gun law that would be easy to implement, would be the ONLY one that would actually reduce crime, but they never will implement it. Probably because criminals having guns makes us rely on the government more, like a daddy to protect us. More crime means more FBI, for one.

I’m all for having police, but as they say, “When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.” (In LA they say “Call the cops and order a pizza, see who gets there first.”) I once called 911 in Los Angeles and got VOICE MAIL! Seriously. No joke. Fortunately, I was just reporting some kids smashing and ditching a stolen car, not reporting someone trying to come into my home.

If someone kicked in my door with a gun, only a gun would help. The police would not get there in time, and if someone held a gun on an unarmed person, it’s unlikely they would be able to call the police. Women’s rights groups even tell women “don’t resist a rapist, it will get you killed.” Total bullshit. Also, mace and stun guns will not stop a drugged-out psycho every time. A gun will.

I have no desire to shoot anyone, it’s the last thing I’d want to do. To this end, we recently installed a high-end alarm system. But some hardcore murderous criminals will still come inside if an alarm goes off. Nothing would likely save our lives in that situation except a gun.

Some people say that “Getting a gun is admitting the world is a horrible place.” For DJ and I, having a gun is admitting that the world is not perfect and there are a few seriously bad apples. And a lot of them live in LA area!

As for Obama, he wants the government to confiscate all semi-auto handguns, and increase the tax on all ammo 500%. He wants to initiate microstamping of serial numbers on bullet casings. Sounds like a good idea, but would not work. Anyone could scoop up anyone’s shells at the range, drop them at a murder scene, and frame the other guy. If the other guy doesn’t have an alibi, he’s going to have to hire a lawyer to stay out prison. Would also raise the price of ammo. A lot.

Worst of all, Obama voted in the Illinois State Senate to strike down a bill that would protect homeowners from prosecution when they shoot a murderer or rapist who breaks into their house intent on mayhem. (The  bill passed despite Obama.) We’re not talking “shoot the guy escaping on your lawn”, (like the old guy got away with recently in Texas), that should always be a serious crime. We’re talking someone kicks in the door at 4 am, starts shooting, you shoot back in self-defense and kill them. Obama wants the homeowner to go to prison for that.

Obama also lies to people to get votes, telling them he “supports the Second Amendment”, but his record states otherwise. He also insulted a large part of America recently when he said “rural Americans cling to guns and religion.”

Obama is a politician. Says what he needs to in order to get elected. People are treating him like he’s not a politician, people really seem to think he’s the second coming of Christ. Most folks I know are voting for him, because he will bring “Change”, but WHAT change? Many Americans are too busy or too stupid to look up congressional records and they vote by sound bites, and the cut of someone’s suit. Yeah, Obama carries himself like John Kennedy, but Obama, sir, is no John Kennedy.

I think he’d be slightly less bad than McCain/Palin, mainly because I think Palin is a joke, but we’re sick of voting for “the lesser of two evils.” I hate the fact that in America, third-parties are not even acknowledged. Every news channel says “Obama has 46 percent, McCain has 41 percent, 17 percent are UNDECIDED. Well, not all of them are undecided. Half of them are voting Green Party, Constitution Party or Libertarian party.

DJ and I are libertarian (with a small l, we are not party members.) We were considering voting Libertarian, watched all the Libertarian debates, until they put up Bob Barr. He’s worse than Bush. He’s a very bad Republican posing as a a Lib. And Bob Barr used to be the head of the NRA, so you can understand we don’t follow the NRA word for word. (NRA is actually backing McCain, not Barr, because as I said, third-parties have no chance in this country. England has five parties, and they’re all in the Parliament.)

DJ and I would vote for Ron Paul if he were running. Like Bob Barr, he’s a shape-shifter who is sometimes Republican and sometimes Libertarian, depending on the election. He’s the closest to Barry Goldwater (whom I think is the holy grain of American politics. I thought about writing him in, even though he’s dead.) Though even Ron Paul has a deal breaker for us, he’s not pro-choice. But unlike most presidential candidates, he thinks it should be left up to the states. After studying the Constitution extensively, I pretty much think most things should be left up to the states, if they’re not directly addressed in the original Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Except the 13th Amendment (which outlaws slavery) and the 19th Amendment (women’s right to vote.) I think those should be national.

I think it’s a pity that the Constitution is not taught in American schools. Schools in The Czech Republic spend more time studying OUR Constitution than we do. I’ve read the Constitution, a lot. It’s brilliant. More people should read it, and they should read politician’s voting records, not just believe what their TV or bumper stickers tell them. The Constitution and all voting records are all online and one click away, what is wrong with people that they don’t do their due diligence? They would buying a car, why not when voting for the leader of the free world?

I basically am Republican in fiscal matters, and Democrat in personal/moral/social matters. There’s no one who I agree with 100%, but Libertarians are closer to that ideal than others.

I like Ron Paul because he’s closer to my thoughts than anyone. Also, he’s kinda nuts, in a good way.

Obama’s going to win, regardless of who we tell to “get out and vote.” (I love how with most people, “get out and vote” usually has an undercurrent of “Get out and vote the way I’m voting.”)

This entry was posted by Michael W. Dean on Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 1:32 pm and is filed under The world is a strange and beautiful place. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.