The Following is a counterpoint.
By John Andrews
Regarding Allen Johnson’s Sunday column titled, “Here’s a novel solution to campus violence: Give everyone guns” (April 26):
As is the case with most liberals, he pretty much misses the point and spins the tale to his benefit.
A simple look at the facts will show the folly of his opinion. Philip Van Cleave is not saying to arm all students. I think every sane individual would agree on the craziness of that.
As the father of a college student myself, I would not allow him to carry a gun at this point in his life. He’s simply not mature enough.
Van Cleave is saying, however, that there are college students mature enough to take the concealed-weapons courses, pass the requirements, and those students should be allowed to possess those weapons on a campus just as they can on other property — legally.
And if one or two of the students, not every student, had possessed a weapon during the Virginia Tech shootings, then maybe, just maybe, some of those killed would be alive today.
He is not advocating that we “give everyone guns,” as Johnson’s title says. The criminal element will possess guns. Why not the law-abiding element?
I’m sure Johnson is one of those who also cried out in angst against waterboarding and the other non-injurious, nonfatal tactics taken by the Bush administration that have kept our country safe from attack since 9/11.
One other thought: Johnson claims to know what is in Van Cleave’s “heart of hearts” and makes several accusations based on his “vision” of Van Cleave’s philosophy.
Please, spare us. I could write volumes about what I suppose your philosophy is on many matters (and would probably be correct), but conservatives such as myself tend to give the benefit of the doubt on mind-reading. Van Cleave is 100 percent correct on this particular gun matter, and I hope Texas and every other state passes similar bills.
I do not possess a concealed weapon permit nor do I possess a gun — but I have no problem with those who follow the law and wish to do so.
I pray that one of them will be in the vicinity should I ever find myself in a situation such as that faced by the students at Virginia Tech.
The writer lives in Asheboro.
Editor’s note: The “heart of hearts” statement wasn’t conjecture. From The Washington Post, Nov. 14, 2004: “Van Cleave believes that every citizen should have the right to carry guns virtually anywhere, at any time, with no background checks, mandatory training or any other interference from government. 'If I do something wrong with a gun, put me in jail,’ ” he said. 'If I don’t, leave me alone.’ ”
Comments (8)
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Generally speaking, liberals lack faith in the individual Mr. Andrews. An armed citizenry pretty much renders them useless and irrelevant when it comes to relying on them for our protection.
“Van Cleave believes that every citizen should have the right to carry guns virtually anywhere, at any time, with no background checks, mandatory training or any other interference from government. 'If I do something wrong with a gun, put me in jail,’ ” he said. 'If I don’t, leave me alone.’ ”
This statement is used by the N-R to prop up their liberal stance on gun control, when in fact it is the most common sense statement I've seen in print in a long time. The purchase of a gun should involve no more government hoops to jump through than the purchase of a pack of chewing gum.
Posted on May 2, 2009 6:45 AM
"The purchase of a gun should involve no more government hoops to jump through than the purchase of a pack of chewing gum." Maybe that explains how it was so readily easy for the VT shooter and the shooters involved in the most recent killings to get their hands on guns.
I had a co-worker who had two children and he also kept guns in the house. Now, he has one child.
Only in America would someone propose the thought of college students carrying guns along with their textbooks. Is there any wonder that no other industrialized nation comes close to the level of gun violence/deaths that we have? Only in America!
Posted on May 2, 2009 7:56 AM
Very well written letter, however, I'm afraid you won't change any minds on the left.
Neocon speaks the truth in his comment.
The left's viewpoint is out of fear and ignorance about firearms, therefore guns must be opposed.
You only have to read the "Homeland Security Report" on right wing extremism, to see this fear.
Individuals have been brainwashed by the media to fear all guns in the hands of anyone other than the military and police.
What they fail to reconize it the police state that will follow.
conundrum, I had two children in my home and many guns, now I have no children in my home. They both moved out to their own homes with their own guns.
Posted on May 2, 2009 9:32 AM
As it is said, "the pen is mightier than the sword." We have more to be concerned with in areas of trillion dollar scams than whether or not we can shoot the stray dog outside.
And should the king be lecherous, would it be noble to behold him sharpening the guardsman's arrows for when all the king wanted was to fuck the man's wife?
Posted on May 2, 2009 9:58 AM
I'm somewhere left of neo on this one.
Posted on May 2, 2009 11:29 AM
Good LTE from John Andrews.
The woman in the below youtube video KNOWS the TRUE meaning of the 2nd amendment.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1u0Byq5Qis
Posted on May 2, 2009 11:50 AM
Beachwalker, the lady in that video will find no sympathy from the likes of Chucky Schumer and his cohorts on the hill who are quick to 'protect' the crazed gunman who murdered her parents by passing laws prohibiting a law abiding citizen to enter the establishment armed, but have no problem at all murdering an unborn child.
Posted on May 2, 2009 1:11 PM
http://uk.reuters.com/article/usTopNews/idUKTRE53T1NF20090430
University shooting in Azerbaijan today.
"A witness said one student had tried to stop the gunman, approaching him and shouting: "Don't shoot, don't shoot!" He was shot in the head."
So how's that unarmed response working out for ya, hmmm?
Posted on May 3, 2009 12:06 PM