Op-Ed: California spree killing argues for guns in the hands of trained, sane people

What's normal?

What's crazy?

Across vast tracts of the United States, it's normal to assume that any private citizen who carries a gun is a little off kilter, and thus dangerous to the public.

It's normal to think that people pose a threat if they purchase a gun legally, pay for professional training in its use, spend time and money at the shooting range to practice marksmanship and apply for a permit to carry it in public. Legislators write all sorts of laws to limit how, when and where those people may carry their guns. Private establishments hang signs to tell them they are unwelcome while carrying, and sometimes even issue press releases trumpeting their status as "gun-free zones."

It's normal to believe that a "no guns allowed on the premises" sign posted on a door, or an assault weapons ban that simply makes a rifle look "less military," or a limit on the number of bullets in a magazine will somehow dissuade someone intent on doing evil.

It's normal to gear gun laws to the assumption that gun owners are irresponsible and incapable of making rational decisions about how best to strike the appropriate balance between effective self-defense and safety, when it comes to things like theft prevention and weapon storage.

It's normal to dismiss the assertion that a better-armed society — a society as comfortable with and as educated about firearms as Americans were 50-plus years ago — would be more lawful and more responsible.

It's normal to doubt that the desire to carry a gun springs from a completely innocent, completely reasonable desire to be able to defend oneself in that awful moment when the law is just a useless abstraction and the duly constituted authorities are off attending to other business.

It's normal to expect that nothing bad will happen and that none of us ever will be called upon to defend ourselves, our families or any other innocent party.

With all due respect to the authors of what's "normal," each of those statements of normality is crazy.

Click here to read the entire op-ed at Cleveland.com

Help us fight for your rights!

Become a member of Buckeye Firearms Association and support our grassroots efforts to defend and advance YOUR RIGHTS!

Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter

Get weekly news and instant alerts on the latest laws and politics that affect your gun rights. Enjoy cutting-edge commentary. Be among the first to hear about gun raffles, firearms training, and special events. Read more.

We respect your privacy and your email address will be kept confidential.

Mission

Buckeye Firearms Association is a grassroots organization dedicated to defending and advancing the right of citizens to own and use firearms for all legal activities, including self-defense, hunting, competition, and recreation. Read more.

JOIN