Take Down that Sign

 

     Brandon is absolutely correct. Prior to reading this blog, I had little knowledge about Gun Free Zones. Yes, I knew they existed. I have seen the signs on hospitals, schools, and such, but gave it little thought on what it represented. I never correlated that the anti-gun sign meant anti-Second Amendment rights on the premise.

     I am not pro gun or anti gun. I do believe people kill people, and guns are a mere weapon. Like Brandon stated, people choose to break the law. Some as minute as speeding or playing loud music after hours, and some are more severe as in drunk driving or murder, where another is harmed or has the potential to be harmed. The point is having the Gun Free Zone will not stop those who intend to harm, but stop those who intend to defend or protect.

      Do not get me wrong, I do not prefer people walking around town carrying handguns. However, I do believe it is their right to do so. If the proper measures were taken to register the weapon, like Brandon stated, then the state agreed that they were knowledgeable enough to carry that weapon. I must ask out of curiosity, by having Gun Free Zones, how does that change a person's competency level? Oh, I was qualified enough to carry a concealed weapon in the park, but somehow I am no longer competent when I enter a school building? How can I be competent in one area and not another? It is like obtaining a driver's license. After passing a written exam and proving that they are able to safely drive a motor vehicle, the state issues you a driver's license. But the state does not regulate where you are allowed to drive. They do not place the stipulations that you are qualified to drive, but only in certain areas. It is like having a driver's license provision that states you are only capable of driving in parking lots or residential areas and no where else. People would argue that would be absurd, but that is what the state is doing with the Gun Free Zones.

     Gun violence has touched me personally. I lost my brother to a gun shot wound. One would assume that I would be anti gun and protest against gun rights, but I am not so ignorant to blame the gun. Guns are mere weapons, it the people who make the decision to harm. The Second Amendment does not place limits on where one can carry a weapon, so why should our government have the right to do so? Consider how much more harm is being done by having these zones. Like Brandon stated, these zones are taking away a person's right to protect. Consider how many lives could have been saved if we were allowed to protect ourselves and each other. If just one life was saved, then it is worth the risk.

Source:

“Just Put Up a Sign.” A Texan's Gov't Blog. March 28, 2013. Web. 9 April 2013. http://firstattempt1.blogspot.com/2013/03/blog-stage-5.html