Opinion
Fairfax, VA – -(Ammoland.com)- In a recent piece for the Bangor Daily News ironically titled, “Why banning handguns makes sense,” Associate University of Maine Electrical Engineering Professor George Elliott struggled to argue why the tools of self-defense have no place in civilized society and are unworthy of constitutional protection. Unsurprisingly, some of the academic’s own statements refute his thesis.
At the outset of his case, the professor lamented, “The U.S. is awash in handguns. Their numbers have been steadily increasing from an estimated 65 million in 1994 to about 111 million in 2015, an increase of around 71 percent.” Elliot is right, there has been a significant increase in the number of handguns owned by civilians since 1994. However, his implication that this has fueled violent crime is wrong.
According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting data, from 1994 to 2017, the murder rate declined by more than 40 percent. Over the same time period, the violent crime rate has decreased more than 45 percent. So America is more awash in guns than 1994 and experiences just about half as much violent crime.
Elliott went on to ponder, “Why so many handguns? My best guess is that many people believe that handguns provide some self-protection and they are readily accessible.” The professor later dismisses any utility handguns might provide, stating, “people need to ignore the NRA’s “stand-your-ground” and ‘only-a-good-guy-with-a-gun-can-stop-a-bad-guy-with-a gun’ nonsense and realize that during a hostile confrontation with another person, remaining non-aggressive and removing oneself from the situation is a much better way to remain safe than using a gun.”
The latter remark runs directly counter to the best evidence on the subject.
Many people believe that handguns provide some self-protection because they in fact do provide the means of self-protection. Earlier this year, Florida State University Professor of Criminology Gary Kleck analyzed the Centers for Disease Control’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data and found that Americans frequently use firearms for self-defense.
The data shows that the number of defensive gun uses per year is about 1 million. The figure dwarves that of firearm homicides and suicides.
Moreover, Kleck’s earlier research on violent encounters shows that the most effective means of resisting criminal assault is armed self-defense. In his book Armed: New Perspectives on Gun Control, Kleck analyzed survey data to find that “Victims who used guns were less likely to be injured than crime victims who did not resist…”
After a few clumsy applications of the typical anti-gun talking points, our cocksure electrical engineering professor was confident enough to fancy himself a constitutional scholar. According to the would-be jurist, the Supreme Court “erred” in ruling against Washington, D.C.’s handgun ban in the landmark Second Amendment case District of Columbia v. Heller.
Rather than grapple with the finer points of Justice Antonin Scalia’s opinion, Elliott exclaimed, “If it can be shown that handguns do not, in general, provide protection, then banning their private ownership is not a violation of the Second Amendment.”
As previously explained, it has not been shown that handguns do not provide protection “in general.” However, Elliott’s core misunderstanding seems to be with the nature of individual rights.
Of course, in Heller the Court found that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to keep and bear arms for lawful purposes and that the purpose of self-defense was at the core of the Second Amendment protection. The test for respecting an individual right has never been a mere public policy argument over whether on balance an exercise of a particular right accrues more societal benefits than costs (however such benefits and costs might be defined and measured).
Interpretation of our founding document isn’t a battlefield of social scientists with competing theories. It is a careful deliberation of the text and history of the document under which Americans provide their continuing consent to be governed. Elliott’s statement attacks a fundamental legal concept whereby the rights of the individual are placed paramount, even if respect for that right may impose some cost to society.
We kindly ask that the electrical engineering professor spare the world his further musings on gun control. Otherwise we might be forced to unleash our unconsidered thoughts on electron-spin-resonance transistors for quantum computing in silicon-germanium heterostructures.
About:
Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the “lobbying” arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Visit: www.nra.org
In a recent piece for the Bangor Daily News ironically titled, “Why banning handguns makes sense,” Associate University of Maine Electrical Engineering Professor George Elliott struggled to argue why the tools of self-defense have no place in civilized society and are unworthy of constitutional protection. Unsurprisingly, some of the academic’s own statements refute his thesis.
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@Grig Why Can’t you answer the question Ron? I already know why, but I love watching you show everyone on Ammoland your immaturity and lack of honor. Here is the question again @Grig Ok, here is what Ron said in response to my backstory Comment. “Glorious fashion…? Good Lord, here we go again. You wouldn’t hammer about it if you knew you were right.” Lets apply his standard. Ok Ron, if you were right about Pearl Harbor and your attacks on 3 people here, why are you trying to Hammer on about it? That sounds exactly like my rebuttal to… Read more »
Still waiting……. S’ok, we’ll give him a couple of days ladies and gents. It might be recovery or med time for him.
I will employ Ron’s copy/paste, since his posts haven’t appeared yet, but without changing what he wrote. Ron’s most intellectual debate responses to date: Author: Ron Comment: Back to back..ASS HOLES. I’m sure y’all will get a few ‘bites’? No pics please. Author: Ron Comment: Author: The Revelator I guess….ASS HOLES….travel in pairs ??? Yep. PS….I try to refrain from capitol ltr. comments, but you two must have been born at the hip. No. BACK TO BACK. ************************************************************************************************* He is so mentally lost he has no points to debate, furthering his appearance as a toddering, mentally ill, fool. Yet, here… Read more »
@Heed
I wonder if “Ron” is a pen name for Sen. Maize Hirono. =D
Back to back..ASS HOLES. I’m sure y’all will get a few ‘bites’? No pics please.
Author: The Revelator
I guess….ASS HOLES….travel in pairs ??? Yep.
PS….I try to refrain from capitol ltr. comments, but you two must have been born at the hip.
No. BACK TO BACK.
@ Ron
You have two of them? Barnum and Bailey’s musta made a mint off of your tent.
Ok Everyone, here was my post that Ron is pretending he didn’t see because he is too afraid to answer the question. @Grig Ok, here is what Ron said in response to my backstory Comment. “Glorious fashion…? Good Lord, here we go again. You wouldn’t hammer about it if you knew you were right.” Lets apply his standard. Ok Ron, if you were right about Pearl Harbor and your attacks on 3 people here, why are you trying to Hammer on about it? That sounds exactly like my rebuttal to your comment about it, only then you seemed to take… Read more »
Author: The Revelator
Comment:
@Heed the Call-up
You Two have used up yer baby chips . (Kindergarten baby’s). And you two are… ‘REALLY KINDA CREEPY’!!
And even though Wild Bill doesn’t particularly care for me,(that’s ok) He has a hell of a lot more class than you two of you combine.Soooooo…again, next topic?
No response needed.
Ron, you have really lost it. I sure hope there is someone around that can help you. You are completely psychotic.
@ Ron
Notice, you didn’t answer my question, why the 180? Don’t worry, I’ll repost it.
Day 5 and still no forthcoming apology to the families of the fallen servicemen you tried to use for your own benefit. Not surprised at all though. But no, there wont be a “Next Topic” as long as you continue to try and avoid owning up to your actions.
Instead all you are able to show is that all you have are mediocre insults, which ironically enough probably fell out of style after kindergarten.
@Grig Ok, here is what Ron said in response to my backstory Comment. “Glorious fashion…? Good Lord, here we go again. You wouldn’t hammer about it if you knew you were right.” Lets apply his standard. Ok Ron, if you were right about Pearl Harbor and your attacks on 3 people here, why are you trying to Hammer on about it? That sounds exactly like my rebuttal to your comment about it, only then you seemed to take issue with the fact that I said we didn’t feel like we had to publicly shout our remembrance for our own glory.… Read more »
Author: The Revelator Comment: Ok Everybody, we are two days in and will begin keeping track. For any newcomers here is an outline. Backstory Ladies and Gentlemen, prior to December 7th 2018, a commentor known as “Ron” got in an argument on this article because he felt his opinion should replace facts. He lost the argument in glorious fashion. Again regulated, it is not me,but, you who dishonors our vets. (in particular Pearl Harbor) I’m a vet from 50 yrs ago. Your all wet behind the ears. And did you ever get outta the 3rd grade? I mean ’emotionally’. Grow… Read more »
@Grig Day number 3 and Ron is still trying to shift blame to others. I’m sorry, but no… I don’t consider you a vet. You tried to use the deaths of servicemen 77 years ago to silence those you disagreed with. I see no markings of military discipline in your actions, nor honor, nor integrity to own up to your actions. As I said, you may have spent time in the Military, but you didn’t serve anyone besides yourself and you have done nothing to prove otherwise. I have not asked for an apology for myself, Wild Bill, or Heed… Read more »
Author: The Revelator
Comment:
Ok Everybody, we are two days in and will begin keeping track. For any newcomers here is an outline.
Backstory
Ladies and Gentlemen, prior to December 7th 2018, a commentor known as “Ron” got in an argument on this article because he felt his opinion should replace facts. He lost the argument in glorious fashion.
Glorious fashion…? Good Lord, here we go again. You wouldn’t hammer about it if you knew you were right.
But ya know yer not. Whatever…..don’t give up your day job. And don’t take one as an orator. Thanks again, Ron
Ron, you clearly have no basis for rebuttal or you’d state it. Clearly you believe yourself to be so wonderful that you can’t possibly be wrong – the belief of a fool. You have not had one point on topic in days, but continue to post nonsense that you believe to be thoughtful and witty. I hope they have red flag laws in your state, you are clearly psychotic.
@Heed the Call-up I don’t personally wish that on him HtCu. I don’t have hatred for him, but I just wont sit by while he tries to step over the graves of the fallen. I let it slide on the 7th because maybe it was actually a sore spot for him. However when he tried to continue using it as a means to silence you, that is when I called him out for his actions and why I won’t let it go. Even he is capable of repentance, and if he apologized to the families, not to us, I’d take… Read more »
The Revelator, my post may have been harsh, but he is clearly insane.
@Heed the Call-up
I admit, mentally there seems to be things to worry about twith him, but still because I support the Constitution in its entirety I cannot ever wish for a violation of those rights and responsibilities that it was written to protect against over reaching government against anyone, even those I vehemently disagree with.
When I stated previously that I truly feel sorry for him I meant it. The only person he is doing any damage to is himself.
Author: The Revelator Comment: @Grig “On behalf of servicemen”..???? I’m not a vet? “Didn’t serve” ?…… You’re nothing more than a little loud mouth little Pee Hole. I hope you served. (and not butt hole service,ouch!) And again……………………………………………..you 3 amigo’s should enlist..if your still capable.(or Reup!) Nope I take the enlist part back. Still, any Vet has to admire your…………????? something. Please!!!!!! Save your wit’s for another topic. Y’all just keep Blowing this one. Eh….. Keep yer eyes open, I’m sure to give ya’s more to banter about. And!!!!!!!!!! TheHolyCrow will give ya’s more too. Ya know? ya’ really can’t… Read more »
Ok Everybody, we are two days in and will begin keeping track. For any newcomers here is an outline. Backstory Ladies and Gentlemen, prior to December 7th 2018, a commentor known as “Ron” got in an argument on this article because he felt his opinion should replace facts. He lost the argument in glorious fashion. On December the 7th, he launched into a tirade about how no one was talking about Pearl Harbor even as we remembered with our families. He then attempted to use the deaths of the men and women at pearl harbor to attack those that had… Read more »
@Grig Yes, YOU OWE AN APOLOGY. You tried to use the deaths of servicemen to elevate your own stature and to silence others. As far as I am concerned, that puts you in the same boat as John Kerry during the Winter Soldier hearings of 71. trying to compare others to hitler because you don’t have the balls to man up and take responsibility for your shameful actions is not going to make this go away. This is not going to move on. Every time you make a comment it provides more proof against you. So on behalf of real… Read more »
Author: The Revelator Comment: @Grig The only thing pitiful here is that you believe your attempts to shift attention away from your wrong doing will someone make people ignore it. You owe a sincere public apology for the Families who lost members at Pearl Harbor back in 1941. You need to own up to it. Awww….come on now. I owe an apology??? I did my time. It’s you….who owes the apology. Your excuses continue to be lame. You 3 amigos just try to be some sorta ‘orators’. ( + a click) Adolf Hitler…One of the GREATEST orators of all time,,,You’s… Read more »
@Grig
The only thing pitiful here is that you believe your attempts to shift attention away from your wrong doing will someone make people ignore it.
You owe a sincere public apology for the Families who lost members at Pearl Harbor back in 1941. You need to own up to it.
Author: The Revelator
Comment:
@Grig
Your actions do not match your words. You’re a hypocrite and a liar, and the only hogwash here is your attempt to make yourself feel better about your own self esteem/ego issues.
If you truly believe in honoring fallen servicemen, stop using them as a tool to bludgeon those you disagree with. Its downright shameful.
You truly are pitiful
Author: The Revelator Comment: @Grig If Heed the Call-up is on one as you say, then I guess that makes you his beast of burden. None of us forgot about the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, we just don’t feel the need to try and use the deaths of servicemen as a tool to try and make ourselves look better by vocalizing how great we are for talking about it. The above statement is truly pathetic. Your excuses are lame,as you well know. You “Don’t feel the need, you felt it was off topic”. Hog wash. But, still glad to have… Read more »
@Grig
Your actions do not match your words. You’re a hypocrite and a liar, and the only hogwash here is your attempt to make yourself feel better about your own self esteem/ego issues.
If you truly believe in honoring fallen servicemen, stop using them as a tool to bludgeon those you disagree with. Its downright shameful.
Ron, you’ve made this thread all about you and how wonderful you are by posting that you “thought” about remembering the Day that shall live in infamy, while attacking those you believe to be unworthy. Personally, your posts just make you appear to be an ass, so enraptured by your belief that you are the most wonderful person here. Please read “The Picture of Dorian Gray”. If you were older, I’d assume it was written about you.
@ Heed the Call-up
Ron does not have that level of integrity or honor sadly. He loves to accuse others of making excuses, but it is really just a distraction tactic to move negative attention away from himself. That’s his MO.
Quite frankly, I guess he is what passes for a 2018 version of Cindy Sheehan.
Author: Heed the Call-up
Comment:
Ron, remembering the sacrifices of others that died for our country, like prayer, don’t need to be vocal to have them. Get off you high horse before you fall, you toddering fool.
What a bunch of crap from you. Extremely pathetic! You have no idea! Now you remember? (Mr. Patriot?) Your post is PURE GARBAGE! And I don’t give a Dam what you and your cohorts have to say. Your not even on a horse…..your on a JACK ASS!
Ride it with the rest of your feel gooder’s.
Ron, now I remember? Did I ever state I “forget”. As I stated, one does need to verbalize to think… well, maybe you do…. You keep opening your mouth and inserting your foot. It’s amazing that you even are capable of using a computer. Now, I know you are probably not capable of this, based on your posts, but try to have a reasonable debate, rather than typing BS and attempting to associate that with the person to whom you are directing your ignorant missives. Copy-paste and claiming someone stated something they didn’t, when the posts are visible to all… Read more »
@Grig
If Heed the Call-up is on one as you say, then I guess that makes you his beast of burden.
None of us forgot about the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, we just don’t feel the need to try and use the deaths of servicemen as a tool to try and make ourselves look better by vocalizing how great we are for talking about it. You talk about how full others are of themselves, but you have used it to full advantage to show what an ignoramus you are.
Author: Heed the Call-up
Comment:
The Revelator,
Aww……you’s guy’s are so full of yer selves. On to the game!
Author: Heed the Call-up
Thank you again for your kind words.
Got the Army Navy game on and they just did the National Anthem.
Great! Trumps out there. Look forward to great game.
I bet none of them blew off Pearl Harbor Day.
Ron, remembering the sacrifices of others that died for our country, like prayer, don’t need to be vocal to have them. Get off you high horse before you fall, you toddering fool.
Author: The Revelator
Comment:
@ Heed the Call-up
What over bloated egos. I’ll bet ya kiss every inch of yer body. And I haven’t been on here for about a yr. Even so…Glad ya take the time. Ya do make my day. Till next time. Ron
@ Ron Thank you for continuing to prove what I pointed out about you. You cant even engage with anything that was said, so it devolves into weird insults which just shows you realize you lost the argument you started. On top of that, you aren’t even good at giving insults. Right now your hope is that if you just keep giving insults then the people that embarrassed you will go silent and disappear. If you want to talk about over bloated egos, look in the mirror at the guy who bit off more than he could chew because he… Read more »
Author: Heed the Call-up
Yep…copy paste. You, regulator, etc. make my day. Glad to spice things up here.Otherwise this all feel good we’re right your wrong stuff would be perty boring. And you know it. About the only other one here with a head on his shoulders is
‘TheHolyCow’. I enjoy his truthful comments. And…thank you all for your kind words. Like I stated, makes my day.
@Grig Still unable to actually engage with any type of factual evidence, and resorting to hoping mocking will shut up the people you don’t like. Ron, in case you had not figured it out my first comment to you that set you off, the one that started you on this tirade, was being made in agreement with part of what you said, while pointing out an area where you needed more information. You wanted people here to view you as a smarter more enlightened man, so you kept putting in bits about whether or not your comments would be well… Read more »
Ron, glad we could “make your day”. We are accustomed to idiots posting drivel, so your idiocy is not only expected, but not surprising, nor any better than the dross of people like you. The rest of us are here to learn, while people like you are incapable of such. Sadly, it’s the most ignorant that believe they know everything, and copy paste isn’t a sign of intelligence, just in case you didn’t realize that, too. The Revelatory and the others you have replied to a intelligent and their posts are informative. You and your posts are just the opposite.… Read more »
Ron, Geez, it you are just here to entertain yourself by annoying people, then you won’t get much conversation in the future. Why not just play it straight? Oh, I see if this is all just a farce, then no one posting here can be held responsible. Well … that might be a defense.
@Wild Bill
He was never looking for conversation. What he wanted was ego stroking so he could tell others here how much smarter he was. Now that he has essentially had his pants dropped in front of everybody here and his back porch painted red, he is just turning nasty because his opinions were countered by evidence.
Author: The Revelator Comment: @Grig Well…it seems you wasted some wear and tear on your two little fingers with all that jibber jabber. (that’s how I type anyway) I’m sure the rest are ‘impressed’ with your……long winded church going diatribe. Without telling ya to ‘blow’ it outta yer posterior (not fitting for a man (you) of the cloth) because I wouldn’t say that.. but the world is full of know it all’s. I guess myself included. You can state from yer bully pulpit……………. “The number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood, and the devotion of the people have… Read more »
@Grig Cant say Im surprised. You don’t actually want to engage with me since it forces you to move away from vague answers and put substance and context behind your statements. For example, the quote you so generously provided. You quote it, but you don’t understand the meaning so you twist it to suit your own desires. That is why you are still trying to put forward an idea that I am trying to force a religious sermon on you and “Convert” you. That in and of itself is a lie on your part. What Madison was saying in that… Read more »
The Revelator, well-stated. Yes, Ron is in full a–hat mode today. He’s been trying that with a number of us here.
@ Heed the Call-up My first run in with Ron happened about a year ago. I’ve watched a lot of what he has done here and honestly can say he has not changed in all that time. He takes things personally and gets upset when anyone appears to be more knowledgeable with him while disagreeing with something he says. The Pout mode he is currently in has had a lot of practice. Its almost one of the saddest things you can see, because all you can do is just shake your head and hope people like that don’t procreate. Hope… Read more »
The Revelator, yes, I understand. I have seen him post his ifdiocy before, too. Sadly, as you stated, he is incapable or unwilling to learn, to better himself.
Hope you have a good holiday season, too.
@Grig “You seem to be one of those who wear their religion on their sleeve.” I love this, especially since I was in no way trying to demand that you take part in or consider any one religion correct for you. What I did do however was call into question your claim of “Subjective truth” and your opinion that a text is evil much like someone on the left would claim that certain inanimate objects are evil. Considering my original premise, that people try to justify their own opinions and insert them as fact into religion by cherry picking select… Read more »
FACT: Criminal’s/Crooked Politicians/ Child Molesters hate guns when they are in the hands of law abiding Patriotic Citizens….. ..PERIOD
The Bible says self-defense is a God-given right and we have a responsibility to protect our family. Nehemiah commanded the workers building the temple to be armed and have swords ready. Christians are commanded to resist the devil. (James 4:7 & 1 Peter 5:8-9) The Bible says the goal of the devil is to steal, kill and destroy. The best way to resist the devil is to be armed with a firearm and the word of God, the Bible. In Luke 22:35-38 Jesus commanded His disciples just before he left them to die on the cross to buy weapons.
Author: The Revelator Comment: @ Ron The Bible is meant to be read as a whole. Unfortunately you have people who will cherry pick anything to try and justify their own desires. You need look no further than those who try to point to the word “Militia and “Well Regulated” in the second amendment, and they get angry when you don’t ignore the rest of what the amendment says. It’s the same situation. Sadly, that is part of human nature. I’m sure I may get some negative comments, but………I am a GOD,Supreme being believer. The Bible (in my opinion) is… Read more »
One Testament is “more ‘evil’ than the other???? Where did you get that idea?
Old Testament is God’s covenant with the Hebrews (Israelites and Jews), while New Testament is God’s covenant with gentiles – including the Jews (at least, those who do not reject Jesus) – effectively, all mankind.
@Grig What you are stating is that you believe Religious Truth(Faith) to be subjective. Now the way you worded it you may or may not believe in Christianity, as it seems you are dancing around the edges. Christianity however is not Subjective, it is objective. If you consider yourself to follow Christianity, you should know that Jesus said there is only one way, one path, and one acceptable program. HIS…. There is no subjective truth where each person gets to decide what is acceptable to them, where they can follow a multi-step program and advance to different levels as they… Read more »
You seem to be one of those who wear their religion on their sleeve. But YES..the Bible is a History book. Common sense. Who wrote it? Any book,then, now, anytime is written by people. (I wonder if they had a lying media back then) No disrespect intended. But people are people. Evil?…yep,there is. Read what ya preach. The Bible is full of whatever you may not call ‘evil’. A rose by ‘any’ other name is still a rose. Go find your ‘bully pulpit’, soap box or whatever. I’m sure this might not get too many favorable responses….. But, I am… Read more »
Ron, yes, The Revelator, is correct in his post about you. You contradict yourself within your posts in your attempts to refute him. “The Bible is full of whatever you may not call ‘evil’.” Yes, it does show “history” and it shows how man, when believing himself to be better than others (you, for example), fails and God punishes them. Who, other than man, would have written the Bible? Does the fact that it was written by man make it wrong? If you believe that, then you must also believe that the Constitution is wrong and that we do not… Read more »
According to this “expert”, if criminals are threatening others, like children, the best course of action is for you to flee rather than protect. I bet he wouldn’t even follow his own advice, instead peeing his pants and cowering on the ground.
Author: james
Comment:
what does “the British wanted to win” even mean in context?
Just what it says. They (the British) wanted to win. Do you honestly believe The U.S. wanted to win in Korea or Nam?
well.
those FOOLS WHO HATE GUNS, and don’t want the rest of us to have ours, is TO BAD.;
i choose to KEEP MIME.
I will be more then happy to remove myself from a dangerous situation without defending myself with a firearm if I and others are not at risk,even a justified self defense with a firearm is a ordeal no one wants to find themselves in.
That said,some times this is not a viable(and survivable )option.
Associate University of Maine Electrical Engineering Professor George Elliott
What makes this …. socialist a Violence or Gun Expert?
I am a Gunsmith, perhaps NASA and DoD should listen to my opinions on there doings.
This is just another Commie running his mouth hoping to Trash the Constitution and this Country
At my work we have mechanical and structural engineers who design thing that do work. Things that create. We also have electrical engineers who design controls. Control being the key word. Guess which ones own firearms.
It takes law enforcement 40 minutes to respond to a burglar alarm at my house. How does Elliot suggest I wait to help to arrive? On my knees??? hoping the intruders don’t harm my children. Literally just H O P E ?
@ Wild Bill
There is raw egg in an egg roll as the adhesive that glues the wrap closed.
Typical educated idiot or if you rather, liberal
Author: Robert Messmer
Comment:
Both the vietcong and the American Patriots were vastly outgunned by the then greatest military in the world. Both were victorious.
Quite a bit of difference. The British wanted to win. Bad analogy..in my opinion. (and offensive)
Author: A.x. Perez Comment: Exodus 22:2 : “If a thief is caught in the act of breaking into a house and is struck and killed in the process, the person who killed the thief is not guilty of murder. The Talmud: “If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first.” Luke 22:36: “But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!” Be careful using ‘quotes’ from the Bible. There are many that just might not suit you. (and others) The Talmud should… Read more »
I’ve read that the more direct translation of “sword” in luke 22:36 is “hand weapon”. it didn’t have to be a sword, just any weapon that could be carried in the hand. which makes it even more appropriate.
Even more interesting is if you look at the historical context. If I remember something I researched long ago correctly, Roman law at the time forbade ownership of weapons for any people they had subjugated. The only individuals allowed to own weapons outside the army were Roman Citizens with full “Papers” Forgive my memory at the moment, as it has been a rough week since I lost a pet on Monday, but if accurate that puts luke 22:36 in an entirely different light. It means Jesus was telling a group of people who by and large would have to break… Read more »
@ Ron
The Bible is meant to be read as a whole. Unfortunately you have people who will cherry pick anything to try and justify their own desires. You need look no further than those who try to point to the word “Militia and “Well Regulated” in the second amendment, and they get angry when you don’t ignore the rest of what the amendment says. It’s the same situation.
Sadly, that is part of human nature.
One person made a comment about how sinful killing with a gun is. He even suggested that using force in self defense was sinful. I found relevant quotes to refute him.
I kind of get why some people feel they must not use force to defend themselves, they feel it is a testimony of faith to trust God to defend them. To me this is often (not always) an act of sinful presumption, expecting God to do a job He expects us to do for ourselves.
I therefor posted quotes where this is spelled out.
@A.x. Perez Killing is not a sin. MURDER is a sin. The fact that a sword, or a knife, a club, a rock, an arrow, and so forth can be used to kill does not change the outcome if they are used in place of a firearm. What the individual who brought that to you was doing was not based on Faith. It is a problem that is wide spread in church culture today thanks to ideas such as post modernism and social justice, and it attempts to rationalize and justify personal opinions while weaponizing faith into a tool to… Read more »
Looks like the good professor is book smart but street stupid.
Mr Elliott is another shining example of our broken educational/indoctrinational system and its ability to educate far beyond ones intelligence level , it reminds me of the old saying “better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt” Einstein said “2 things are infinite , human stupidity and the universe and I,m not sure about the former” , America should purge such idiocy from our midst before its too late.
‘
One more to add, it also pertains to a lot of comments seen on this forum. (one of my favorites)
“We are all born ignorant, But one must work hard to remain stupid”
Benjamin Franklin….
Ron, you apparently mistook Franklin’s rebuke to be a life-long commitment to being stupid. Well, based on your posts, you probably don’t have to work hard at it.
Don Bailey said, and I agree with him: “Don Bailey says: December 3, 2018 at 10:19 AM, My word Green Dog, you really enjoy drinking your happy juice don’t you.”
The right to keep and bear arms is intended as a safety switch on the government. No responsible engineer would suggest removing a safety switch from such a dangerous machine.
Excellent comment!!! And right on the money. If you’ll allow me, I’ll quote that elsewhere.
Hand guns should be Outlawed !! I should know…I’m a Professor of BS..With a triple degree on Sewage in America undersigned by Hitlery herself. America does not understand how dangerous it is to being an Anti-Constitutionlist, a crooked Politician, or a Socialist, Rapist, or Child Molester. WE must stop this madness with guns, & protect the evil
in America !! This message is approved by the Demoncratic Party. *sarc*
As Don Bailey pointed out and I agree: We as proud gun activist do support the 2nd amendment. But, as stated we should go much further in accepting personal responsibility. We would not be divided by any political party. Republican, Democrat, Independent., etc. We, as the proud Americans we are, will be open to a sensible GCP. That is why we should work with what many call the left, democrats, etc. We are all in this together.
Negative GWD. Remember the analogy of the cake? Nibble Nibble. Not one more fraction of an inch to commie gun grabbers.
NO. We patriotic gun-owners are NOT “open to ‘sensible’ gun control policies.” Because we gun-owners cannot trust you ignorant and asinine liberal clowns – and we certainly cannot trust your ridiculous version of “sensible.”
I don’t know a single firearms instructor, self defense advocate, or firearm user who doesn’t put first and foremost, “The best action in a confrontation is to remain calm, non-combative and leave the area” Everyone knows this and everyone agrees this is the best course of action.
However, if not allowed by your attacker to follow this course of action, then an effective means of self defense is the best next thing to do. So he’s correct, but not complete in his argument.
And an electrical engineer has become an expert in gun laws and the constitution how? he should go back to the indoctrination of his students as he was hired to do. You can bet this guy couldn’t hang Christmas lights, he got his degree and now feels entitled to preach to the rest of us ’cause he’s smarter.
Hand guns should be Outlawed !! I should know…I’m a Professor of BS..With a triple degree on Sewage in America undersigned by Hitlery herself. America does not understand how dangerous it is to being an Anti-Constitutionlist, a crooked Politician, or a Socialist, Rapist, or Child Molester. WE must stop this madness with guns, & protect the evil
in America !! This message is approved by the Demoncratic Party. *sarc*
Here is a better idea, ban all these professors that have become political activists. They take advantage of a free country to try to trash it. Oh well, another spoiled brat looking for an identity
How many people die from electrical shock? Maybe we should ban electricity.
An armed society is a polite society.
We certainly don’t want to see any ban on hand guns. It is our constitutional right. However, our society must be held more responsible for possession any firearm. Our exploding technology can be our peaceful friend! With facial recognitions, massive data bases, registrations, required training, and securement of weapons; we can make this country safer.
To “The Green Watchdog”
I’m not sure who the “we” is that you refer to, but I hope they’re not as ignorant as you.
No doubt brother. I bet they are though.
@Flight Medic, There is no silver in German Silver. There is no egg in Egg Roll. And there is no truth in TGWSocialist.
You gotta be kidding,right? Tongue in cheek kinda post.
My hope it was a attempt at sarcasm,if not it has at the very least it has Fudd all over it.
what does “the British wanted to win” even mean in context?
The Green Watch Socialist is just a low-level propagandist that is paid per response. That is why he is posting so many outrageous and deceitful things before Christmas. The hard core unemployable wants to take advantage of the sales to buy things for himself.
@OV, Hey, you could be right! Bares watching.
Our Society is being held responsible just not to the lefts terms. We just need to enforce the laws on the books in every state.
My word Green Dog, you really enjoy drinking your happy juice don’t you. It would be nice if we did live in a polite society, but we do not and therefore, we who support the 2nd Amendment, and will continue to so. Yes, there are many of us who carry because we all know that when you need a firearm to protect yourself, it will do you no good if you are waiting around for law enforcement to show up to protect you from harm.
Hmm, let me ponder this a nanosecond….my reply: you first in a personal 20 year experiment on the South Side of Chicago. Report back to us on how you made out.
“… more responsible” ??? More responsible than WHAT?
More responsible than the exercise of the other rights (free speech, religion, voting, etc.)? Why presume that some rights are constitutionally different – or should be treated differently under law?
More responsibly than liberals/Leftists’ attempts to change society by any means (certainly including violence) available or possible?
More responsibly … by whose definition of “responsible” ? Which of those four words “… shall… not… be… infringed…” are beyond your comprehension? Which of those words are outside your vocabulary?
yes, safer. All that is needed is to create a vast prison. Track, surveil , license, stamp, control, file, tax, prohibit, crush is just the ticket to a safer country. There will be no criminals in this utopia.
A FUDD normie opines.