Gun Control for Idiots

Just so there is no confusion here is the text of the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America:   "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".  The question is, what exactly does it mean?  I'll try to answer that today, also answer what it doesn't mean and maybe get a few people to understand a few basic facts about the world we live in.

During the American Revolution, and the early years of our countries history, our military establishment, had not yet become established.  The typical military unit consisted of someone of influence, getting together friends, relatives and neighbors and forming a company.  Such companies were expected to be self sufficient, providing their own uniforms, weapons and supplies.  During war (or any warlike action designated by Congress) they were paid and provided supplies and equipment when these things were available.  Once the war was over, the army went home and stopped being an army.

Since a large standing army (navy, marine corps, air force, etc) is extremely expensive, and equipping, training and mobilizing an army from scratch is expensive in time and money, the Second Amendment provided a workable compromise.  If the population already had their most important equipment, they probably knew how to use it, and forces could be gathered and put into action quickly.  Yes, I know, the Second Amendment also allows the population to defend itself, but that is only part of the issue.

To keep this short, I'm in favor of a licensing process for gun ownership.  At the very least, the completion of an approved gun safety course should be required.

This piece is the result of something I've seen before and saw again earlier today:  Someone ranting about boycotting an establishment because they do not allow firearms to be brought inside.  Apparently, the rationale is that if someone comes in and starts shooting, they want to be able to shoot back.  Personally, if there is a reasonable chance that guns will be fired where I might be eating or having a beer, then I'm not going there.  By the way, the establishment being boycotted is Buffalo Wild Wings.

Over the past 30+ years I have done extensive research on the effects of alcohol on humans.  Quite often I have become personally involved in my experiments.  One thing I have found is alcohol seems to have a negative impact on the ability to make good decisions.  If the bad decision results in you eating some wings that are so hot you'll be burning from both ends for the next 2 days, once the alcohol (and effects of the hot wings) wears off, everyone's life goes on without interruption.  Adding a firearm to the impaired decision making process is probably not a good idea.

But suppose you're still mostly sober and someone bursts through the door and starts shooting, you can be a hero if you have your gun!  First problem; until you've been in a situation where guns are firing, people are screaming, panicking and dying, you really have no idea how you'll react.  Will you freeze up?  Will you be able to, amidst the pandemonium, calmly assess the situation, react quickly enough and fire accurately to end the threat without increasing the risk to those around you?  And, the 20 other people in the bar, who also brought their guns, will they all respond correctly?  Talk to a soldier who has been in an actual firefight.  Now take what they've experienced and add alcohol. 

Buy your guns, keep them at home.  If your work situation puts you at risk, then carry your gun, when you are at risk.  But when it's time to go out and eat, drink or do laundry, leave it at home.