2ndAmendment said:
Hello. Gun ownership is a RIGHT! Just because it has been unconstitutionally withheld or restricted in some states and localities does not make it less so.
The police have been able to shoot people for years and get away with it because they felt threatened. Is there anything that makes a policeman better than anyone else? I've been to the indoor range used by the Charles County officers. They, for the most part, can't shoot for diddly. They certainly shoot worse than most ordinary shooters I've been with including me and my wife. And according to the U.S. Supreme Court, they are not required to protect you if they feel it will put their life in jeopardy.
Wake up. The cops don't protect you. They put up yellow tape and clean up the mess, and sometime, only sometimes find the offender. If the cops don't, can't, and don't have to protect you, then you have to protect yourself.
I have no problem with TRAINED or experienced folks protecting themselves. But if you are not trained to keep calm and recognize whether someone is running to your door to ring the doorbell vs pointing a gun, or trained to keep your own gun from being used against you, what good is it going to do?
What is stopping me from shooting XYZ just because he pissed me off, and saying that "I felt threatened". No witnesses, I walk.
I just got off the phone with my brother (Florida resident with a few friends in the law enforcement world, and one important fact that I failed to include in my opinion is that in order to carry, you do need a permit. In MOST cases, law abiding citizens of good character are the ones that will get a permit.
Requirement of a carry permit still does not stop Joe Schmoe gun owner from being startled by and shooting his unarmed neighbor, or even a lost stranger without threat of repercussion if he was wrong.
So I digress, slightly. I really think that it's going to open the door for more shootings of innocent people.
I'd feel more confident if it was required for folks who choose to carry, to take a defensive shooting class and learn to recognize a dangerous situation from a nervous one, or a gun from an umbrella in the dark.
My brothers statements: "A little over a few months ago, I had a short conversation at a Gun store with a Police officer and the store clerk (Retired Po-Po). I asked them both about their feelings on civilians and the Right to carry. This is what the police officer said: "Get It!"..." IF you are a law abiding citizen and of good character, we want you to have it." That conversation sold me. I got it. I have not spoken to anyone about the new bill. However, I do like the bill. As of right now, my knowledge of it is limited. I did not even know it passed yet. That being said, the way I understand it, it is like the carry permit; it only allows you to use deadly force if you feel your life, or someone else's life is in danger. The only thing the bill does is take away the the necessity to prove you had no way to escape the situation prior the use of deadly force. This does not mean that if you see an opportunity to get away, you can't, you must kill, or be killed. But by, Running, you take the small chance of getting a blade or lead in your back. (hence the slogan "kill or be killed.) Conversely, Like the carry permit, if you shoot someone, while THEY are attempting to run away (with your car, pocket book even if it matches your heels, wallet, etc.), you will go to prison. "
I'm anxious to see the gun crimes numbers after a year of this law being released. Maybe my opinion will change. But one innocent "oops" is one too many. The law as written last week, didn't stop it, but at least then there was the threat of repercussion if you were the one saying "oops", more pressure on the innocent to stay innocent.
