« 9/11 Mastermind Confesses In Guantanamo | Main | The Six Imams Need To Learn Of Our Outrage About This! »
March 15, 2007
Why Do They Want Our Guns?
The All-American Gun
NY Post
"ARMED AMERICA": THE REMARKABLE STORY OF HOW AND WHY GUNS BECAME AS AMERICAN AS APPLE PIE
Book by CLAYTON E. CRAMER
John R. Lott Jr. is the author of this article about the book
Did you know that in New York City through 1969 virtually all the public high schools had riflery teams?
Thousands of students carried their rifles on subways, buses and streets on their way to school, when they went to practice in the afternoon and on their way home. And until 1963, all commercial pilots were required to carry guns and were allowed to carry guns until 1987.
Gun laws have certainly changed over time.
Today towns such as Kennesaw, Ga., Greenfeld, Idaho, and Geuda Springs, Kan., which all require residents to own guns, are considered odd. But Clayton Cramer's terrific new book, "Armed America," shows that, in fact, gun ownership has been deeply woven into this country's fabric since the colonial period.
Cramer proves that guns aren't inherently the problem. In our day, criminals may have replaced Indians as a danger facing most citizens, but it may also shock many readers to learn how comfortable Americans once were with their guns.
In colonial times, as Cramer argues, people didn't own guns just for hunting. Numerous laws mandated that people have guns for personal defense and defense of the community, at home, while traveling and even in church.
Heads of households, whether men or women, were required to have a gun at home and fines of up to a month's wages were imposed on those who failed to meet this requirement.
In some states such as Maryland, fines were paid directly to inspectors so that authorities had a strong incentive to check. The only people exempt from these rules were Quakers, some indentured servants or, in the South, blacks.
Fear of attack by Indians and England's European enemies meant that people were required to own and carry guns when traveling, though sometimes older people were exempted.
At least six colonies required people to have guns with them at church. Church officials were required to check parishioners when they arrived for services to ensure they had a gun. Clergymen were required to have guns, too. Contrast that with the political firestorms that erupt these days when states merely let churches decide whether concealed-handgun permit holders can carry guns on church property.
In our day, only about 45 percent of households own a gun, whereas gun ownership in Colonial America was much higher, as measured by probate records. Guns were bequeathed to the next generation in about 70 percent of cases.
The fascinating firsthand historical accounts that Cramer provides indicate that guns were cheap, readily available and essentially everywhere. Given America's historical amnesia, Cramer's book helps to remind us about that part of our history many now find improbable.
Wild Thing's comment......
Our guns are what let us know we can always protect ourselves if we had to. Sometimes just the knowledge that a person has a gun or guns is enough to stop a crime like the article says about this book. I agree 100% with that. I pray we never see the day that anyone will be coming to get our guns.
Posted by Wild Thing at March 15, 2007 12:55 AM
Comments
Funny-how in areas where the Government has banned guns,rifles, etc., crime has gone way up.
The second amendment allows us to own guns because the common, non military person is the militia. We were expected to pick up our arms and fight as backup to the military.
Any normal person would use their gun to protect their family, hunt for food for that family and protect his land.
But too many gangbangers and idiots have ruined it for everyone.
Guns are not toys or to be used for violence.
People need to be smart and use common sense when handling them.
Posted by: Lynn at March 15, 2007 06:22 AM
That’s what the 2nd Amendment to the Bill of Rights is all about; defending your home, property, and community? During the Rodney King Riots, some of the thugs left the inner city and headed out to the suburbs to stir up trouble. They were met and turned back by armed residents who were ready to defend their neighborhoods. I have a co-worker whose father was one of those armed residents. Condoleezza Rice tells how her father and other armed men defended their neighborhoods:
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, recalling how her father took up arms to defend fellow blacks from racist whites in the segregated South, said Wednesday the constitutional right of Americans to own guns is as important as their rights to free speech and religion.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20050511-1803-rice-guns.html
When I was a senior in high school, I brought my shotgun into shop class to work on the stock. The vice-principal came in; wanting to know what was going on. He told me to let him know in advance if I needed to bring the gun to class again and before he left, he gave me some tips on bluing the barrel. Nowadays, a 5 year old brings a squirt gun to school and gets suspended
http://www.newsnet5.com/education/9891863/detail.html
Isn't it funny how gun ownership is the only Constitutional Right that requires government approval?
Posted by: BobF at March 15, 2007 09:42 AM
Lynn, absolutely right. And I think those that want to take them away etc. know the good people do not go out shooting others and they don't care. They have an agenda and they will lie to try to get it done. sheesh
Thanks Lynn.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 15, 2007 10:29 AM
Bob amazing, and thank you for the links. I also heard of one boy that was sent home because the kids were playing in the school ground and he simply made the gesture of a gun with his fingers and a teacher saw it. The other kids could have cared less it was all part of what they were playing, but no way for the teacher. She got all upset and decided to make an example out of this little boy.
Thank you Bob.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 15, 2007 10:32 AM
Like the rest of the Bill of Rights, the Second Amendment serves as protection against a repressive government. Those in government who want to ban gun ownership by the common citizen are the same politicians who want absolute government control of our daily lives.
Posted by: TomR at March 15, 2007 01:24 PM
All gun laws are Constitutionally illegal, the left is afraid that the population will uprise against their onerous restrictions upon the individual, that was the purpose of the Bill of Rights, Constitutional amendments to the original Constitution designed to protect us against government abuses by our elected representatives who are in office to protect and serve. They have ample reason to be afraid, just look at the present congress. Most deserve the same fate as Benito Mussolini, starting with Pelosi. I put up a post about these Commies today, unable to trackback WT, but thanks for posting about this important subject.
Posted by: Jack at March 15, 2007 03:39 PM
Here's another reason: The Other Side of Jackson
Posted by: Jack at March 15, 2007 09:35 PM
Tom your right, they sure do want control and they are the same ones that want to take our guns too. Thank you.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 15, 2007 11:34 PM
Jack thank you so much. Your right there is a very good reason to be concerned.
I asked Linda to help get the trackback to go through.
Thanks for the links too ( he other side of Jackson).
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 15, 2007 11:35 PM
Thank you and Linda for the help on the track back.
Posted by: Jack at March 16, 2007 01:40 AM
Thanks for that youtube. That was very informative.
I am considering getting a handgun. I really enjoyed the information.
Meg
Posted by: Mrs. Meg Logan at March 16, 2007 11:04 AM
Hi Meg, if you buy a handgun the shops that sell them are very good at giving a name of someeone that can show a person how to use one. That way you will feel comfortable with it and not be concerned at all.
Good to see you Meg.
Posted by: Wild Thing at March 16, 2007 11:51 PM
