So how would I lower crime?

A commenter on TTAG, one Robert, asked in response to my Taking on the Anti Arguments, One at a Time – Part 1:

"Bruce, I think that you should elaborate on what you think would lower crime and why it would work. If you can both show why the anti’s argument is wrong and suggest a valid replacement, then you would have a rock solid position that no one could object to."

Well Robert, keep in mind that as a good libertarian I believe taxes are theft, but given the current state of affairs in this country the first thing I would suggest is a tax increase.

Antis, Once Again, Conveniently Using Their Own Facts

Posted over at The Truth About Guns.

Taking on the Anti Arguments, One at a Time

Part 1 is available on The Truth About Guns here, part two is here.

HR 822′s Chances are Better Than Advertised. Apparently.

Read this post over at The Truth About Guns

Answering An Anti: “I would like strict gun control which wouldn’t impact on your lives much at all as long as you’re law abiding and mentally competent.”

Well that’s part of the problem, Mike…the definitions you are using. I often say that the devil is in the details and those particular details can get very devilish. When you couple the vague mental competence standard with the fact that (based on the number of amicus briefs in support of the petitioner in Heller v. DC) a large part of the anti community feels that a complete ban on handguns and a ban on any operable long guns is “reasonable,” you get guys like me concerned that, since I’ve taken anti-depressants, with a swipe of a pen I’ll have my rights removed . . .

The Truth Can Come Out In The Oddest Ways

First of all we need to deal with some terminology issues. According to Opposing Views, the cities of Hartford and New Haven Connecticut recently held gun "buybacks" which took 179 guns "off the streets".

First of all, what is a "buyback"? Did the cops once own the weapons? If not, how can they buy them "back"?

Second is the statement that this "buyback" took 179 guns "off the streets". Why don't I ever find any of these guns lying around "on the streets"? I would be delighted to take them "off the streets", give them a nice place to live and generally treat them with the care and respect that fine machinery deserves.

Now we can move on to the truth that slipped out between the cracks of officialese:

Who Wouldn’t Be for National Gun Registration?

Posted over at The Truth About Guns.

"What's the Big Deal With Fast & Furious?"

The other day a friend asked me what the big deal was with the whole Fast & Furious/Gunwalker scandal: "Why is it a 'scandal' at all? Don't cops run stings all the time?" I told him that unless he had at least a half-hour I would have to get back him. I then sat down and started really looking at everything and realized I should have told him an hour, at least.

This Guy Don't Know From Depravity

Posted at The Truth About Guns.

Punishing The Ones Who Didn't Commit A Crime

Posted at The Truth About Guns.

"Why are you gun-nuts so paranoid about Obama?"

Posted at The Truth About Guns.

Why Would You need A Gun In A Park/Playground/Church/Mall etc.

The Fayetteville Observer complains today that the state legislature is going to take away the city's power to ban guns in parks:

"This isn't a gun issue. Our parks are not high-crime areas. We will have guns in Festival Park and Mazarick Park and most others not because the Second Amendment or some jurist says we must, but because state lawmakers surrounded by serious problems once again ran off to indulge in political posturing."

I can't count the number of times I have heard a variation on that theme: "Well why would you need a gun in ..." a park, a mall, a church, a school, etc. from people who assure me that it isn't a Second Amendment issue (shades of the classic "I'm not prejudiced I have lots of black friends"). Most of them can't explain just why exactly relegating guns to the back of the bus is not a civil rights issue, but we'll let that pass for the nonce.

Guys, the sky isn't falling. Really

The Philadelphia Inquirer has their knickers in a serious twist over H.R. 822, the "National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011", stating:

"The threat of gun violence to Philadelphia-area residents from the so-called Florida loophole could go national - unless U.S. senators such as Pennsylvania Democrat Bob Casey, and many others, do the right thing."

What Kind Of "Christians" Are These People

My great-grandmother was wont to say "There's nothing like a 'good Christian' to work up a powerful hate." I wish it weren't true, but with the doings of the Westboro Baptist Church and stories like this Interracial Couple Banned From Kentucky Church my wishes appear to be far from fulfillment.

"In a move to 'promote greater unity' among its body and the Pike County community it serves, a small Kentucky church voted to ban interracial couples from membership and from participating in certain worship activities, Kentucky.com reports."