More gun law stuff
Churches are going after the gun law again, arguing that it's an infringement on religious freedom to require churches to tell people not to bring guns inside, and to let people have guns in their cars in church parking lots.
I understand where they are coming from, but I don't think this has anything to do with religious freedom. Joe Olson is right: they just don't like guns, which is their right (and something I agree with in theory). I'm pretty damn sick of this issue. I don't feel the need to have a gun, and unlike some concealed-carry backers who live in Eagan I actually am much more likely to be the victim of a crime. However, it seems that this issue has jumped the shark as it were. Passing the law hasn't had a noticeable effect one way or another. And yes, I am fully aware of the shooting of the bouncer at Nye's earlier this year; much more aware that about 99% of people, given the circumstances. But horrible as that was, I don't know if the gun law was to blame; a drunk idiot doesn't need a permit to be a murderer, just a gun.
So let's move on.
posted by MN Politics Guru @ 19:29
2 Comments:
I was reading an article in the Minneapolis Observer last night about the last gun shop owner in Minneapolis. Apparently, Minneapolis has a ban on new gun shops and this guy's, though seemingly grandfathered in, is about to or already has been shutdown by the city.
This got me to thinking about guns. If guns are the problem, and you can't buy guns in Minneapolis, why are there murders seemingly everyday? Obviously, a person can buy guns just about anywhere, but you honestly have to question whether or not they are really the problem.
I don't think permit to carry (not conceal-carry as some incorrectly call it) is a bad law. I think it does two very good things: 1)provides standard permit qualifications for the entire state, no more I can't get a gun in this county but if I go over to that county then I can; 2) it creates much more comprehensive saftey standards that were in place before it took effect by requiring training and strictly limiting where guns can and cannot be taken.
In fact, I think one could make the argument that the permit to carry law is so restrictive that it practically neuters itself. Consider: You are a permit holder and you go out for the day. You probably can't have your gun in your car when you drop your children off at school (hopefully you don't anyway) so in all liklihood you just leave it at home, alone. But let's say you do hide it in the trunk or you don't stop at school. Let's say it's strapped to your waist. You stop at the mall to shop, but the mall bans guns so you unstrap and hide it in your car. Then you stop by Target for some more shopping. Are you going strap up again before you go in? Doubt it, and even if you wanted to Target probably bans guns anyway. So does the restaurant you stop at for lunch. So what's the point? The point is you've got the permit, got the gun but you probably end up just leaving it at home or in your car all the time because there are so few places you can actually carry it.
Unless of course, you're a criminal, then you don't care about permits or signs or training. You just carry anyway.
I’ve taken a quick look at your postings, which are very interesting. Lots of material and ideas! Congrats on being so focused!
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