February 8, 2006
Rock River Times (Rockford, IL)

The debate over legislative control of guns continues to rage. This summer, the National Rifle Association, the NRA, pulled its 2007 convention out of Columbus, Ohio, after that city passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale or possession of semiautomatic rifles with pistol grips and detachable magazines. The city is the first major city to pass such a ban after similar federal legislation expired last fall. According to the NRA, the ban is unnecessary and ineffective.

Columbus city officials complain that the NRA knew they were considering the ban and chose the city as a host site for their convention simply to make a point. The point being that many Americans want guns for recreation and safety, and such legislation can be too limiting and even unconstitutional.

Indeed, according to at least one weapons expert, Americans are feeling the need for gun ownership to protect themselves like never before. This trend started with the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. “For decades, Americans have been brainwashed into taking a passive role in their own survival,” says Chris Bird, a journalist and handgun expert. “On Sept. 11th, we learned that the government and the professionals could not protect us.”

Click here to read the entire op-ed from the Rock River Times.

February 6, 2006
Townhall.com

By Donald R. May

Evildoers like the Goleta killer flaunt their destruction on the world stage. The deranged former postal worker killed six unarmed defenseless Goleta, California postal workers and a former neighbor before turning the gun on herself. As with Muslim terrorists seeking attention for their causes, suicidal murderers rivet our attention to their unhinged mental state and to the hatred they spew.

It should be no surprise that evil strikes in areas of least resistance. People intent on committing mass murder seek a high level of certainty that they will not face immediate armed confrontation. Though the details are still limited, the Goleta killer probably realized she would not encounter anyone able to resist her with a gun. Suicidal murders may be deranged, but they are not dim-witted.

Persons who are determined to kill large numbers have often targeted United States Post Office facilities. Other popular murder spree sites have been schools and churches. What these places have in common is that all ban law-abiding citizens from legally carrying personal defense weapons, access for criminals with weapons is relatively easy and unchallenged, and armed security is limited or absent. Mass murders are more likely to occur in designated gun free zones and not where others are armed. Large numbers of people are not shot in gun stores and at shooting ranges.

Click here to read the entire op-ed from Townhall.com.