Great points SMS and Dave, I see your side of the argument. Thanks Dennis, I think you bring up a great point in there being a generational gap in that nearly everything official we have done requires a license of some sort now, It is kind of the norm. I think another difference is that people from generations before mine have an expectation for people, as a whole, to act in a responsible and rational manner. As we go forward, what I am seeing in this country is an increase in stupidity and a decrease in personal responsibility and accountability. I have a lot less faith in people as a whole, but especially younger generations, to take the time to educate themselves on the law and operating in a safe manner. Would a law requiring education cut down on crime? No. Will it help someone make informed decisions in time of need? Maybe, maybe not. But surely you have to agree the most important aspect to safety and law obedience is education and you cannot expect all people to do educate themselves.
With great power comes great responsibility... I feel it surely is the right of a person to carry, however they must take responsibility for any actions. Without education, you may not even think about things. Take environmental awareness as an exmple. If your 9mm ball ammo travels through your threat and happens to hit maybe even kill an innocent person, or say you miss your target and hit someone else. You may not be on the hook for criminal charges but a good attorney could make a civil case out of it. This event could happen to people regardless of education. With that said, someone who is educated on the matter before may use better judgement or should at least be knowledgeable that he/she may be liable in those situations.
The other side of the coin is that with more freedoms come more restrictions. Think of all the places that have become gun buster properties since open carry was passed as a knee jerk reaction. Think outside of Oklahoma. Like in Texas where the 30.06 gun buster sticker carries the weight of law. I was faced with a moral delima this week checking into the Hilton in Dallas. Do I continue to carry and risk a class a misdemeanor, or do I go back out to my car and stay unprotected?
With great power comes great responsibility... I feel it surely is the right of a person to carry, however they must take responsibility for any actions. Without education, you may not even think about things. Take environmental awareness as an exmple. If your 9mm ball ammo travels through your threat and happens to hit maybe even kill an innocent person, or say you miss your target and hit someone else. You may not be on the hook for criminal charges but a good attorney could make a civil case out of it. This event could happen to people regardless of education. With that said, someone who is educated on the matter before may use better judgement or should at least be knowledgeable that he/she may be liable in those situations.
The other side of the coin is that with more freedoms come more restrictions. Think of all the places that have become gun buster properties since open carry was passed as a knee jerk reaction. Think outside of Oklahoma. Like in Texas where the 30.06 gun buster sticker carries the weight of law. I was faced with a moral delima this week checking into the Hilton in Dallas. Do I continue to carry and risk a class a misdemeanor, or do I go back out to my car and stay unprotected?
