Gun Control Advocates Need a New Plan

For many years, proponents of strict gun control have been locked in a pitched battle with those who support the Second Amendment as an individual right. Events over the last several years have created a body of facts that has now neutralized most of the gun control "what if" arguments.

It is now time to develop a new set of hypotheticals. The old game plan has wilted under the bright light of fact.

The event that have relegated most of the gun control arguments to the dust heap has been the passage of "concealed carry" laws in most of our states and the resulting body of data that factually proves the value of an armed citizenry.

In short, these laws allow law-abiding citizens who have passed background checks by the state and FBI to carry a firearm for personal defense. Many states allow open carry and each state limits places where the permit holder can carry his firearm.

Years of data from these states have shown that violent crime has been reduced, and there has been almost no evidence of permit holders using their side arms for illegal purposes. In fact, permit holders 5.7 time less likely to be arrested for a violent crime than the general public.

A recent study estimates that more than 2 million violent crimes in America each year are prevented by legally-armed citizens. The number could be much greater because most crimes that are thwarted by the permit holder just displaying his gun are never reported.

Lives have been saved, violent criminals have been deterred, and the cry of "Blood will run in the streets" has been proven to be unfounded hysteria.

As good as our law enforcement officers are, they cannot protect every individual every day. In fact, the courts has ruled that law enforcement has no obligation to personally protect individuals.

Gun control advocates need to come up with much better reasons for why honest, law abiding citizens should not have the right to protect themselves from violent criminals. The tired, old histrionics need to be replaced with cold facts.

For more facts, visit: Gun Facts