Military & Motorcycles August 3, 2012
2nd Amendment
I have watched with great interest as to who says what regarding 2nd Amendment Rights which some want to take away since the shooting in Aurora, Colorado.
To preface this column I just want to say, ‘For one, I do believe in the 2nd Amendment, and I’ll try to explain why in the space available.’
My weapon-carrying career started when I was in the military where I carried numerous types of weapons, which were utilized to protect this country while I was overseas and here at home while augmented to Security Police Squadrons to protect several bases.
Secondly and most importantly, I carried a weapon as a law enforcement officer (Palmetto Police Department and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office) for twenty-seven years.
Having said that, I have seen the liberal left seemingly ramping up their disdain for those who may own (for personal protection) or carry legal weapons (with a Concealed Weapons Permit). Keep in mind, some of those who dislike those who may carry or own a weapon never had the opportunity to hold a weapon in protection or defense of the United States.
It has been my personal experience a lawfully armed individual is less likely to become the victim of a crime. In most cases, the response time for a law enforcement officer to arrive after a call is placed is too long and the crime has been committed.
I don’t blame the law enforcement officers or their departments, it’s due to geographical conditions, manpower, and other circumstances involved in law enforcement communities.
Does anyone know how long it took the Aurora Police Department to respond to the first call regarding the shooting? It doesn’t matter does it? From the first shot to the arrest being made 12 people died and 58 others were wounded.
Would the outcome have been different if several of the moviegoers had been legally armed and exercised their 2nd Amendment rights? We’ll never know but at least those legal permit holders could have made a difference to some extent.
As far as high capacity magazines, I’m not sure they are all that necessary for everyday protection for the most part.
It comes down to this one thing. If those in power be they local, state or federal can assure me everyone who has been convicted of a crime has no weapons then and only then will I consider to sit down and at least talk about unarming anyone. The sad truth is that will not happen, will it?
For those naysayers of gun ownership I have this to say, ‘If you feel your rights have been infringed on by those who would be willing to die to protect their families, OUR country and even you, maybe you’re in the wrong country.’ Again, a very large majority of those opposing the legal right to arm oneself are folks who have never been to a crime scene where there have been multiple deaths or have stood in the protection of this Republic, either during wartime or peacetime.
If you would like to contact me, please do so at PGRTerry@gmail.com and remember, “It’s not about the war, it’s about the warriors.”
God Bless America and those who serve in uniform.
Terry Longpre