As usual, with the terrorist attack in San Bernardino the left gets it wrong on pretty much everything. Of course their first response was to call for gun regulation because… that’s what they do. Then when it became clear that it wasn’t a couple of white Christian Tea Party types who were responsible, they doubled down on gun regulation to try and distract from the fact that it was Islamic terror.
Whether it’s the focus on guns or the meme that it’s racist white Tea Party Christians who perpetrate most of these crimes, they are simply wrong.
Let’s take the latter first. Of the 21 mass shootings since 1990 that have taken the lives of 8 or more people, white men have been the killers in 10 of them, while minorities and or immigrants have committed the other 11. Of those 10, exactly one had anything to do with Christianity, politics or race, and that was in last year’s Charleston church murders. (See list here)
So in the worst of the worst shootings over the last quarter century, despite the left’s focus on white, conservative, Christian perpetrators, the killers actually fit the bill less than 5% of the time. But that doesn’t stop Democrats and their lefty media from seeking to further their agenda by pushing the white racist Tea Party Christian meme every time one of these events occurs.
Which brings us back to guns and the left’s goal on eviscerating the 2nd Amendment. As we’ve seen, they are not above seeking to exploit any tragedy to further their agenda, regardless of how wrong their narrative is. Despite the fact that California already has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, they claim that we need more gun legislation. Their narrative is that if we could just get Americans to give up their guns – or take them if necessary – then the US would suddenly become a peaceful place.
They are simply wrong, America is already a pretty peaceful place – or at least most of it is. There are over 300 million guns in the United States. Each year 299 million of them are not involved with murders or crimes of any sort. The problem isn’t gun ownership… the problem is criminals on the street. According to a study by the Milwaukee Sherriff’s Dept., 97% of the suspects – and 85% of the victims – in non fatal shootings had criminal records. In homicides the numbers weren’t much different: For all homicides in 2011 — those involving guns and those that didn’t — 57 percent of the 72 suspects and 62 percent of the 66 homicide victims had at least six prior arrests. Six arrests! Baltimore has similar numbers and one would expect that they would be reflected in the rest of the country as well. So the problem is not guns, but rather criminals. And to put a fine point on the fallacy of the gun control reduces violence narrative, in Chicago, crime increased after guns were regulated… and dropped when the city was forced to begin issuing concealed carry permits. Keep the criminals in jail and the crime rate would drop… but that would deprive Democrats of voters.
Something Democrats never mention is that in many countries with more restrictive gun laws than we have, crime rates are in fact actually much higher. Nor are they spared mass killings either. There was of course the attack in Paris last month, and the Smithsonian Magazine writes in a piece titled Outside the Americas, Knives Are Often the Weapon of Choice in Homicides:
In Japan, in 2001 a janitor wielding a kitchen knife killed eight children at an Osaka school where he worked, while a man in Tokyo went on a random stabbing spree with a dagger in 2008, killing four people. In South Korea, a disgruntled man killed eight people in a stabbing spree at his apartment complex in 2008. In Germany, a drunk 16-year-old stabbed 41 people at the opening ceremony of a Berlin train station. And last year, anti-knife campaigns ramped up in the U.K after a 13-year-old girl was stabbed to death.
In addition, in Israel today Jews are being stabbed and run over by cars on a regular basis… and there they have lots of guns. The problem isn’t guns, it’s people with bad intentions. Get rid of the guns and they will still find knives, cars, bombs, poison or countless other ways to kill people.
Despite the facts, the left continues peddle gun laws as the solution to the problem of crime and a culture of violence they have fostered. Similarly contrary to facts, they continue to blame white conservative Christians for the massacres we see all too often see on our TVs and in our communities. We shouldn’t be surprised however as the Democrats and their media lackeys have a long tradition of manipulating and obscuring facts in order to hide from the failures of their progressive agenda. No doubt when the doors are closed lefties can be heard saying “Hmmm… If there was only a way to take the guns out of the hands of citizens the the government could simply start it implementing the social programs that would eliminate all this crime and racism and inequality and hurt feelings and…”
The founding fathers may not have been able to conceive of the notions of television or the Internet, but they sure understand human nature and the dark side of government. Thank God – and James Madison & friends – for the 2nd Amendment.
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On December 3, Breitbart News reported a list of attackers who acquired their guns via background checks.
That list included:
includes Syed Farook (San Benardino),
Chris Harper Mercer (Umpqua Community College),
Vester Lee Flangan (Virgina),
John Russell Houser (Lafayette),
Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez (Chattanooga),
Dylann Roof (Charleston),
Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi (Garland),
Jared and Amanda Miller (Las Vegas),
Elliot Rodger (Santa Barabara),
Ivan Lopez (Fort Hood 2014),
Darion Marcus Aguilar (Maryland mall),
Karl Halverson Pierson (Arapahoe High School),
Paul Ciancia (LAX),
Andrew John Engeldinger (Minneapolis),
Aaron Alexis (DC Navy Yard),
Tennis Melvin Maynard (West Virginia),
Wade Michael Page (Sikh Temple),
James Holmes (Aurora theater),
Jared Loughner (Tucson),
Nidal Hasan (Fort Hood 2009),
Jiverly Wong (Binghamton),
Seung-Hui Cho (Virginia Tech),
Naveed Haq (Seattle),
and Mark Barton (Atlanta).
And NONE of these people were on any ”watch lists.”
Was either Mr. or Mrs. Islamic Terrorist on the no-fly or terror watch list?
@Bill: Nope.
Anyone who doesn’t believe there should be mandated closer screening of people who want to buy military grade assault weapons or sniper rifles, high capacity magazines, and armor-piercing ammunition must at this point have a few screws loose. Do we really wish to guarantee 2nd Amendment rights to potential terrorists or mentally disturbed persons?
It’s perfectly true, of course, that a knife-wielding terrorist or psychotic can do much harm. That said, better he have access to any sharp and pointy object than a Kalashnikov knockoff equipped with a bayonet and a backpack loaded with 75-round drums.
What they’re blamed for is their obstinate resistance to common sense gun control measures designed to be obstacles to the purchase of firearms by those who have no business possessing them, because they would represent an inconvenience to responsible citizens.
They’re also blamed for their determination to cast all Muslims as potential terrorists and their insistence that the Obama administration must do the same. His compliance would make it far more difficult to win the cooperation of Islamic leaders and populations whose assistance is essential if we are ever to defeat our enemies. Particularly in the case of domestic terrorism, it’s essential that our government have the trust and good faith of the the domestic Muslim population.
I think maybe the right perceives this as part of the culture war they believe they’re fighting with liberals, and as another front in their war against Barack Obama. They really need to get their priorities in order.
@Greg: Greggie Greggie Greggie, your the one with the screw loose you have proven that fact time and time again. Get painted into a corner, blame Republicans especially Bush. Just answer this one Greggie, would more gun laws have prevented the largest terrorist attack on American Soil sense 9/11?? Remember Greggie you can’t even admit that Obola lied when he told America if you like your health insurance and/or doctor you can keep them period!!
@Greg: #4
“Anyone who doesn’t believe there should be mandated closer screening of people who want to buy
military grade assault weaponslow powered semiautomatic rifles orsniper riflesscoped hunting rifles,high capacity magazinesstandard capacity magaxines, andarmor-piercingcommon practice ammunition must at this point have a few screws loose.”Sorry, Greg, had to edit it to clarify your terms.
@Greg:#4
Oh, and Greg? Ammunition that is designed to be, or meets the BATFE definition of, armor piercing ammunition is already illegal for civilian purchase or manufacture.
@Petercat, #6:
A semi-automatic AK-47 or M-16 clone is not a low-powered sporting firearm. They were created to serve as military weapons. My experience with them was as military weapons. A Thor M408 Rifle isn’t a common sporting firearm. It’s not exactly a home defense weapon, either. It’s an unusually powerful special purpose firearm. 50 to 75-round drums serve no legitimate civilian purpose, unless you’re living in an urban area and anticipate the zombie apocalypse.
I’m not saying responsible people shouldn’t be able to buy and own them—only that the purchase of such weapons and accessories should require tighter screening and closer scrutiny, because of potential terrorists and other assorted homicidal lunatics. Such weapons and accessories are especially well-matched to their evil intentions, which can involve long range assassinations, maximizing body counts, or killing law enforcement personnel despite armored vests.
@Petercat, #7:
Interesting. Someone should tell these guys.
The problem centers on the BATFE definition, which is totally inadequate. Perhaps this paragraph will clarify the real-world situation:
That would be what you call a legal loophole. It’s being exploited by manufacturers and retailers. The result is that you most certainly can buy armor piercing ammunition, except in several states where it has been specifically prohibited by state law. They’re wisely trying to look out for their law enforcement personnel.
The ATF attempted to address the loophole, but the NRA killed the effort. The current NRA leadership are in the pocket of the gun industry, and Congress is filled with cowardly weasels that are in the pockets of the NRA. So, expect a higher body count of law enforcement personnel, thanks to the ‘effing NRA.
@Greg: #8
“A semi-automatic AK-47 or M-16 clone is not a low-powered sporting firearm.”
The 5.56mm NATO and the 7.62X39mm rounds used in these rifles are among the least powerful centerfire rifle rounds made. And the most common use for the AR-15 and Kalishnakov semi-auto rifles in civilian hands is, indeed, sport shooting.
You didn’t specify in your comment exactly what you considered “high capacity”, so I went with the common definition of those on the left, 10+. The 30 round capacity magazines so reviled as “high capacity” are actually standard capacity for those rifles.
As for the 75 round drums, they are clumsy, unreliable, bulky and heavy. The only time that I can recall them being used in a crime was years ago in the LA bank robbery.
It’s the M995 round that was designed to be armor piercing (12mm of steel) not the SS-109 to which you refer (3mm of steel) A Nato 9mm hardball will penetrate 3mm!
The Thor is a $11,500 arms system. I doubt if you’ll find many in civilian hands, but even the less expensive 50BMG rifles that are in civilian hands are used for sporting purposes.
“That would be what you call a legal loophole. It’s being exploited by manufacturers and retailers. The result is that you most certainly can buy armor piercing ammunition, except in several states where it has been specifically prohibited by state law. They’re wisely trying to look out for their law enforcement personnel.”
No, that would ban ALMOST ALL CENTERFIRE RIFLE AMMUNITION, as even a .22 magnum can penetrate a typical vest as worn by law enforcement.
Is that what you want, Greg? Because that is what the statement you quoted would do by halting the manufacture and sale of all types of ammunition that CAN penetrate body armor.
“The federal definition of armor-piercing ammunition, which is based on its content and weight, rather than on the ammunition’s actual performance against body armor, has been criticized because it fails to halt the manufacture and sale of all types of ammunition that can penetrate body armor.”
Of course the NRA fought against that, and I am glad they did. If that was in place, there would be no more rifle hunting, no more rifle target practice, and many sporting and target handguns could no longer be used.
Because most centerfire rifle cartridges, and some handgun cartridges, can penetrate body armor.
I repeat, is thet what you want, Greg?
The Blaze reported that the profile revealed that lying was a major turnoff, and he didn’t like people who impulse-buy. Farook also revealed that for his political views that he was “very liberal.”
go figure
@Petercat, #9:
Both sorts of military weapons took plenty of lives during the Vietnam war, doing exactly what they were designed to do. They certainly can kill deer or boars. I would think a sportsman would prefer a properly configured rifle for that purpose, however, improving the likelihood of a quick and clean kill with a single shot. The NRA would probably argue that fully automatic weapons are entirely necessary for the sport to be had from wading into the brush in search of wild boars.
Their only purpose is to allow a shooter to burn through a high volume of ammunition with infrequent pauses for reloading. In a crowded setting, they could facilitate a very high body count. You wouldn’t even have to be particularly accurate. I see no legitimate use for them.
In the context of crime and terrorism in a civilian environment—that is, in normal settings such as our towns and cities—the meaningful definition of “armor piercing” is in reference to the body armor commonly available to the law enforcement personnel who protect those places. There is ammunition on sale in the civilian market specifically designed to defeat such body armor. It doesn’t matter to a dead policeman that the round that killed him wasn’t specifically designed to blow through a heavy steel door or an armored military vehicle.
With diminished velocity and lethality, once they’ve done so. That can’t be said of 5.56 SS-109 Green Tip Armor Piercing ammunition. For what legitimate sporting or recreational purpose would someone need to purchase this?
If they’re so infrequently purchased, it wouldn’t inconvenience many gun enthusiasts to take a particularly close look at the people who are buying them. Their purpose is accurate long-range targeting, with a potential at shorter ranges to defeat bullet-resistant “glass.” The firearm would be an especially effective assassination tool. I can think of a number of high-profile Western political and cultural figures that terrorists would like to target, purely for the shock value and news coverage.
What I advocate is this: A far more effective federal screening protocol for special-purpose firearm and ammunition purchases, making it more difficult for potentially dangerous people to obtain such items, and making it easier for law enforcement to detect patterns of purchase that become suspicious when comparisons are made with other data bases. For example: Database A shows a certain person has recently purchased AK-47 knockoffs, large quantities of ammunition, and high-capacity magazines. Database B shows that person has made several recent trips to dicey locations in the Middle East. Database C shows a pattern of telephone conversations with persons of interest suspected of having connections with extremist organizations. At this point, the person’s name should begin blinking red on someone’s computer screen, and a close inspection of the situation should be made.
Is there something illogical about my thinking here? Everyone will be wondering after each new attack within the United States why such measures haven’t been taken. It’s the damn Muslims, stupid! is not actually a useful plan, when it comes to successful prevention.
“Both sorts of military weapons took plenty of lives during the Vietnam war, doing exactly what they were designed to do.”
Stay on subject and adress the comment, please. I never argued that they couldn’t kill, only that they aren’t “high powered”.
“The NRA would probably argue that fully automatic weapons are entirely necessary for the sport to be had from wading into the brush in search of wild boars.”
Stick with the facts, please, not your suppositions. There’s too many wildly emotional “you probably” comments on this site already. I didn’t expect it from you.
“With diminished velocity and lethality, once they’ve done so. That can’t be said of 5.56 SS-109 Green Tip Armor Piercing ammunition.”
Once again, the SS-109 is not Armor Piercing. Just because an ammunition retailer calls it that in an attempt to increase sales does not make it so. The M995 round, the actual Armor Piercing round, by the way, is illegal for Civilian sale.
“There is ammunition on sale in the civilian market specifically designed to defeat such body armor.”
If you know of such, please notify the FBI. That is illegal, the FBI is serious about it, and the people selling it to civilians will go to prison.
“With diminished velocity and lethality, once they’ve done so.”
But you would ban them all.
You’re dancing around the issue, Greg, but your plan would ban almost all hunting and sporting rifle ammunition.
Somewhere on the web is a coroner’s report about the very, very rare autopsy of a LEO who was shot through the chest with a hunting rifle, I believe it was a .270. The bullet went through the front of his vest, expanded to around .5″, went through his chest, and out through the back of his vest.
I don’t think it mattered to him or his family that he wasn’t shot with an armor-piercing round.
Would it have been as lethal if it hadn’t expanded?
“Is there something illogical about my thinking here? Everyone will be wondering after each new attack within the United States why such measures haven’t been taken. It’s the damn Muslims, stupid! is not actually a useful plan, when it comes to successful prevention. ”
Okay, Greg, we’re almost on the same page here. I wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on people who do those things as long as we had politicians that we could trust with that power and information. Sadly, we don’t.
“It’s the damned Muslims, stupid!” may not be a useful plan, but it’s a damned good place to start formulating one.
@Petercat, #12:
I think I am on topic. My point is that these weapons were designed for the specific purpose of effectively killing human beings in a combat environment. NVA, VC, ARVN, and American forces were not being equipped with sporting weapons. I find it very difficult to think of an AR-15 or an AK-47 as a sporting weapon. Maybe the past has left me with that problem.
The green point rounds I linked to are a marketplace example of ammunition capable of doing that, by design. As you rightly point out, there are any number of high-power sporting rifle and ammunition combinations that can penetrate body armor. When you combine armor-piercing ammunition with a weapon specifically configured for use on a battlefield, though, I think you might be looking at a different set of capabilities.