The Fall of California

Jeff Knox: ‘No gun control law has ever resulted in reductions in violent crime’
by Jeff Knox

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FirearmsCoalition.org
FirearmsCoalition.org

Buckeye, AZ -(AmmoLand.com)- My family has been on the front lines battling the dangerous hoax called “gun control” for half a century.

In that time, we’ve seen just about everything – repeatedly. The single most important thing we’ve learned over those 50 years is that gun control zealots are never satisfied. They keep coming back again and again, demanding ever more restrictions to pile on top of the current restrictions that have failed to deliver the promised reductions in crime and saving of lives their proponents promised.

The ultimate objective of all gun control laws, no matter how minor, innocuous, or reasonable they may seem, is to make private gun ownership obsolete.

No gun control law has ever resulted in reductions in violent crime. The research on this is very clear. There is not a single example of a jurisdiction enacting gun control laws and crime going down as a result – not even Australia’s mass confiscation. And yet this is what is promised each time a new gun control law is proposed. But when gun control laws fail to deliver on their promises, their advocates don’t give up. Instead, like a gambler on a losing streak, they double down. They blame “loopholes” and the “evil gun lobby” and call for new laws to “close the loopholes,” tighten restriction and “save lives.” This time, they assure us, it will really work – until it doesn’t, and they’re back with more restrictions, more “loopholes” to close and more promises.

That is why we fight so vigorously against every single gun control law they propose. We know that the law won’t reduce crime, but will complicate the lives of gun owners and jeopardize the lives of innocents. And we know that each little step is going to be followed by a next step and a next step. For those who might doubt this, I offer you the example of California.

California was a typical Western state with typically few gun laws and a typically vibrant “gun culture,” but since the 1960s California has, step-by-step, adopted some of the most restrictive firearm laws in the country. These laws have failed miserably at reducing crime, but that has just served as fuel for anti-rights politicians. What the laws have been effective at is harassing gun owners and making gun ownership more difficult in the state, resulting in a much lower rate of gun ownership than other Western states and most of the country.

Compare California, the nation’s most populous state, with the second-most populous state, Texas. It is estimated that about 36 percent of Texans own guns, compared to about 21 percent of Californians. Both states have murder rates of about five murders per 100,000 people, but in spite of much more stringent gun laws and 15 percent lower rate of gun ownership, a slightly greater percentage of murders in California are committed with guns.

The fact is that violent crime, including “gun crime,” has gone down dramatically over the past 20 years, while gun ownership has been going up nationwide – but crime hasn’t been going down faster in California or other gun control utopias. In fact the opposite is true, but the “solution” offered by California politicians is to keep betting on failed policies and pass even more laws infringing on the rights of responsible gun owners.

On top of what are arguably the most restrictive gun control laws in the nation, the California Legislature has now passed a raft of new gun control laws that go so far as to criminalize the possession of property Californians currently legally own. California politicians several years ago declared illegal the manufacture, importation and sale of magazines able to hold more than 10 rounds. They told people they could keep the ones they already owned, but now they have declared these magazines to be contraband and given California gun owners one year to dispose of them or face criminal penalties and fines. Of course, terrorists and suicidal mass murderers would never think to drive over to a neighboring state where these magazines are legal and plentiful, or just print a few up on their 3D printer.

The legislature has also redefined “assault weapons,” further limiting what Californians can buy, sell, or own, and forcing thousands of legal gun owners to either modify their guns, take them out of state, or register them for future confiscation.

On top of that they’ve decided to require full background checks for ammunition purchases, maintaining records of those purchases, thereby creating a de facto registry of gun owners in the state. This will drive up ammunition prices and quickly overwhelm the background check system, causing delays and resulting in the expansion of the system at gun owner expense. It will also result in otherwise law-abiding gun owners becoming criminals as they smuggle cheap ammo in from Arizona and Nevada.

And as bad as these laws are, an initiative being pushed by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom is even worse, taking these laws a step further and including provisions even Gov. Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown vetoed.

The situation in California is bad, but it serves as an object lesson to the rest of the country. Gun control is a scam. It’s a lie, and those who tell the lie are never satiated. If you don’t stop them, they will keep coming back, and back again, just as they have in California, for another slice of your rights until there’s nothing left.

If you live in California, do your part to stop the madness. Oust the anti-rights zealots and defeat Newsom’s “safety” initiative. If you don’t live in California, don’t let this happen to you. Say “No” to gun control snake oil and the politicians who pedal it. Get busy, get involved, and vote your rights.

Knowing the history of the fight against gun control is critical moving forward. That’s why everyone should read The Gun Rights War.

Link to order book: https://firearmscoalition.org/index.php/46-books/second-amendment/756-ordergrw.

About the Firearms Coalition:

The Firearms Coalition is a loose-knit coalition of individual Second Amendment activists, clubs and civil rights organizations. Founded by Neal Knox in 1984, the organization provides support to grassroots activists in the form of education, analysis of current issues, and with a historical perspective of the gun rights movement. The Firearms Coalition is a project of Neal Knox Associates, Manassas, VA.

For more information, visit: www.FirearmsCoalition.org.

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Eric_CA

@Robert,
I was at Riflegear on Sunday and saw a flyer for the event. The time was shown, but I forget what the time was.

@August,
I think leaving California would be the last resort. Some may not be able to leave so there is no choice but to fight the good fight.

August

I don’t think that leaving the state of California is the answer. I think that those of us from other states need to support our brother gun owners in California, not with just talk, but also with action to let the state leaders know just how serious we gun owners are about the 2nd amendment.

Robert

I went to the park and there was no meeting.

Tog

vote some good 2A politicians in. Why do yall keep voting for those gun grabbing yokels anyhow? Fix your own damned states instead of moving to ours and polluting them.

Robert

Yes what time ???

Eric_CA

@Be good,

What time?

Eric_CA

@Alvin Wong,
I agree Free states should be vigilant and not complacent because the next you know they’re in your free state.

@Robert,
Yes, it’s a viscous cycle. Give them free stuff, they come, then vote for you. And the ones already here keep you in office so their free stuff can continue.

“A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.” – George Bernard Shaw

Henry

Any gun owner in the Los Angeles area that doesn’t attend the 2nd Ammendment rally this Saturday the 23rd, at La Palma park in Anaheim is an accomplice to the legislature of leftist in our state. There is another in San Diego the following Saturday.

Robert

We would like to fire the anti-gun Politicians but the elections are rigged. The libitards allow illegals to vote. Allow people to vote 2 or 3 times because No ID is required. What we need is a initiative that defines the rights of gun owner in Kalifornia. But then the crooks would just disqualify claiming it is impossible that anyone sane would sign the petition.They would also take the law to court and the 9th district would say you have no rights

alvin wong

Leaving california will just it make it easier for those in government to make laws that will eventually be exported to other states. Gun owners need to be more active in elections and get off the “it can’t happen here” attitude because it can happen and is happening. We need to be like the anti gunners and never admit defeat because they will continue making one more “common sense gun law” if we don’t stop them! We can never be defeated if we never give up or be fooled into thinking that we have won when we haven’t. Be smart… Read more »

Eric_CA

@laughing Jack, I’m favoring Nevada and Arizona due to the proximity.

As a side note. I think we should not use the term assault rifle/weapon. Instead we should use “patrol rifle/weapon.”

Jack

Jeff,… Well stated !,… now if the word could get out to all the residents of the state things might change, I saw it coming and MOVED just across the boarder but close enough to set on the line and shoot some lead with my ASSULT WEAPON ( 1956 Rem. 742 handed to my Father by Mr. Weatherby himself ) into the state…. I thank the City of L.A. for supporting me but Calif. can K.M.A.
What in this world are these people thinking ?

Eric_CA

I agree that moving maybe the best option for some. However, as long as one is still a California resident, one should fight for the RTKBA. I’m optimistic that collectively we, Second Amendment proponents, can make a difference at the voting booth this fall. However, we’re to fragmented to make a difference in individual districts. For example, in my district, there’s only one democrat running unchallenged on the ballot. So I’m pretty sure she’ll win. This is not uncommon. Personally, I’m optimistically planning on retiring out of California. Thinking about Anthem AZ, Henderson NV, or Plano (or nearby) TX. “People… Read more »

Jarhead6541

Ca. Legislature votes themselves immune from these draconian gun laws. How enraging is that!? These types of regulations are exactly what the 2A was designed for; to protect us from gov abuse & overreach. Ca. lawmakers protecting their personal rights and not those of their citizens should be removed and jailed…period!

Ronald

DONT LET THE FOOLS INTO TEXAS WHO TURNED CALIFORNIA INTO A DEMOCRAT SOCIALIST DICTATORSHIP

Ronald

THE DEATH OF A REPUBLIC

John in AZ

Well said TEX. Gun owners need to unite in free states where they are welcome and appreciated. Kalifornistan is a lost cause.

TEX

The lawabiding firearms owners and citizens of Kalifornia, have to be able to see that they are being set up for total gun confiscation. Moving is a pain even in the best of times,but if there is anyway possible to get out,get out now !