The truth about gun control and its effect on society.

Gun control and the Virginia study:  

Just this week, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Illinois’s ban on carrying concealed weapons and gave the state six months to draft a law that legalizes concealed carry. Despite having the toughest gun control laws in the country Chicago remains one of the most violent and deadliest cities. A concealed carry law will make Illinois better and safer. 

Gun control advocates just need to look at Virginia.   Between 2006-2011 gun sales went up by 73% and at the same time gun-related violent crimes fell 24%. Virginia Commonwealth University professor Thomas R. Baker, who specializes in research methods and criminology, said this proves that more guns do not in fact cause more violence.

Handgun purchases increased 112% between 2006-2011 and violent crimes committed by people using handguns dropped by 22%. 

Gun control and the Swiss gun culture:  

Guns are a major part of Switzerland’s culture. Instead of a standing army they have a militia. Men between the ages of 20 and 30 are put into the militia and undergo military and weapons training, which means Switzerland has one of the highest gun ownership rates in the world. Yet, Switzerland has a low crime rate. In 2010 there were only 40 gun homicides.

It’s estimated that two to three million guns are in circulation, but the number cannot be confirmed since there is not a national firearms register. The men are required to keep their guns in their home. Enlisted personnel receive the 5.56x45mm Sig 550 rifle while officers, medical and postal personnel could receive that gun, but also the 9mm SIG-Sauer P220 semi-automatic pistol. When their service is over they can opt to keep their weapons and other items. The rifle is sent to a weapons factory where the fully automatic function is removed, thus making it a semi-automatic or self-loading rifle. These same people keep hunting rifles and pistols in their houses as well.

Gun control in the United States:  

You should know that there is a permanent ban on fully automatic weaponry.  You cannot purchase an automatic gun or rifle in the Unitied States.  You can buy conversion kits,  legally,  but the percentage of gun owners who do this is less than a quarter of one percent.  As a gun owner,  myself,  I prefer the control I have with a semi-automatic and would never own an automatic weapon.  

In 1994,  Clinton won a legislative ban on AK-47 rifles and the AR series,  including the very popular AR-15.  The ban remained in effect until 2004 when it was "sunsetted" out of effect.  In spite of such tragic events as the killings in CT.,  gun violence outside of gangland shootings,  has decreased from 2004 until now.  

Pistol ownership has dropped nearly 50% over the past two decades.  Long rifles and shotgun purchases have declined some 15%.  

In California,  if you secure a carry permit,  you have to pay a $250 fee and attend class for the use of your pistol.  I have had to wait for more than a year to attend my class,  which will be held next year in January (2013).    

Personal strategies you might want to use:  

When at home,  I have a weapon within a few steps of where ever I am,  on the property.  I have an ammo safe,  and locks on my guns,  except for the single gun I carry with me at home.  That weapon (a Glock 19 9mm),  by the way, is unloaded at all times, even when on my person.  I keep two loaded clips with me and the gun can be ready to go within seconds.  

I have locks on my office door and the guns are kept in that room.  The ammo is kept in a safe hidden from thieves and my 19 curious grandchildren.  It is not kept in the same room with the guns.   When I take a trip ,  the guns and ammo safe are taken to a different location away from  my home.  This works for me because I only own two shotguns,  one semi-automatic small caliper rifle (same ammo as a M-15),  a pistol. 

Pistols are registered at the time of purchase.  Long rifles go through a registration process,  but that paperwork is not kept by the State of California.  Within 60 days of a rifle or shotgun purchase,  no one knows what guns you own. 

An unknown deterrent to gun ownership:

In California,  if you kill an intruder and report that killing,  you normally spend a day in jail,  your weapon is confiscated for a time,  and you can look forward to an expense of $100,000 defending yourself in court against lawsuits brought on by the "victims" family.  If  the armed intruder lives,  you will be required to support that person,  in part,  for the rest of his pathetic life.  

Gun insurance is a must.   

Article sources:  Breitbart.com/ this blog's editor.