A Disease, But the Wrong Cure

By Kim Smith

Among the anticipated proposals in the hopper as a result of the Bluing
of Virginia are a slew of measures with highly questionable
effectiveness, if any.  To set the stage, would you want your doctor to
treat cancer or diabetes with only aspirin?  Without the appropriate
diagnostic tests?  The answer is most likely "no".

Thus is the case with the wide range of gun control measures awaiting
the convening of the next session of the General Assembly in January. 
Many of them were introduced in the last session; many of them were
considered in the "special" session.  And supporters and opposers alike
agreed that none of these bills would have prevented the mass killing in
Virginia Beach.

One has to ask, if these are not effective, why are we doing this?  What
are the so-called unintended consequences?  Or are they unintended?  The
support for so many of these measures appears dubious at best.  Looking
at just a few studies suggests that America – and Virginia in particular
– will not be a better, safer place in which to live.

Studies indicate that a large majority of mass shootings occur in "Gun
Free Zones".   In fact, one analysis indicated the mass shootings
occurred in gun free zones 96.2% of the time; where guns were allowed,
3.8%.   Or as in last week when there were two "mass shootings" (four or
more victims) that occurred in California, a state with among the most
gun restrictive laws in the country.  As for general violence, one need
only look to Chicago or Baltimore… or that most violent crime (again in
general) is committed by repeat offenders, and fewer than 1% of crime
guns are purchased at gun shows.  Most criminals acquire guns through
their social networks and personal connections.

Then there are changes in society itself.  It's interesting to note that
in the 50 years before the Texas Tower shooting, there were just 25
public mass shootings in which four or more people were killed.  Since
then, the number has surged.  Many of these acts are committed by people
between the ages of 18 and 49.  Only 3 were committed by women.

School shootings in particular rip out our hearts.  A recent article,
"What School Shooters Have in Common:  Data-driven pathways for
preventing gun  violence", pointed out four commonalities among youthful
mass shooters:  "they suffered early-childhood trauma and exposure to
violence; they were angry or despondent over a recent event, resulting
in feelings of suicidality; they studied other school shootings; they
possessed the means to carry out the attack".   This suggests that
responsible gun owners control access to their guns – nothing more,
nothing less.

Nothing more, nothing less is also supported by historical data. Two
articles bear closer scrutiny: "Gun confiscation is Always a Prelude to
Genocide" and A History of Firearms and Gun Control". The former
outlines the UN (Agenda 21) plan.  In summary: military grade weapons
made illegal; reasonable compensation for voluntary surrender;
restriction and strict licensing of concealable firearms; restriction
and licensing of hunting grade firearms; make any and all firearms
illegal to own or possess outside of military or law enforcement; create
a UN Police Taskforce to assist member nations with collection of
weaponry from citizens". Bear these in mind come January – or starting
now with a review of Virginia's proposals!

On the flip side, consider the United States Constitution and
innumerable court decisions.  Obviously, the 2nd Amendment, as widely
interpreted, would be "infringed" upon.  The 4th Amendment, guaranteeing
security in our "effects", would be seriously compromised…the 5th,
guaranteeing rights if accused of a crime and prohibition of taking
private property…and the 6th on rights in all criminal
prosecutions…would all be affected.

Just two headlines in recent years tell a similar story:  "FBI Crime
Stats Show an Armed Public Is a Safer Public" and "CDC Study: Use of
Firearms for Self-Defense is 'Important Crime Deterrent'".  Delegate
Nick Freitas, at a recent public gathering, indicated that anywhere from
500,000 to 2.5 million times a year, honest citizens use a firearm to
deter a crime, rarely killing the person trying to commit a crime.

So here we have it – gun restriction with no positive results and many
negative, including failing to address the emotional needs of troubled
youth or even recognizing when a problem might exist; a changing society
without the coping mechanisms that guided us in the past;
disproportionate penalizing of women gun owners; a state disassembling
the United States Constitution and a long history of legal precedent;
and essentially making Virginia a "Gun Free Zone" and sitting ducks for
criminals and those who would do ill against honest citizens.

Age-old adage:  a gun doesn't pull its own trigger.