QUOTE OF THE DAY: Some examples of gun owners who were put on secret FBI lists in American history: Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks – David Beito
Is there a stat so powerful that it indicates everyone should be required to own a gun? Retweet
It happens after every mass shooting. The statistical wars begin…
Gun prohibitionists point to countries that have stronger gun regulations and fewer mass shootings. They claim these examples justify legislation to further regulate, restrict, or even prohibit Americans from owning guns.
And those who favor gun ownership come back with charts like this one…
HT: Mark J Perry
This chart suggests that increased gun ownership could lead to fewer murders. There’s even a cause-and-effect theory to account for this…
As bad people learn that good people have guns the bad people become more cautious.
It makes sense. But is it true? Who knows? There are way too many variables…
…just as there are too many variables unaccounted for in the stats the gun controllers like to use. But…
What if we used stats the way statists do?
In that case, we would argue that…
Our chart justifies a law requiring all Americans to OWN a gun.
Do you see the logic?
- If a statistic can justify gun prohibition, then…
- A statistic could also justify compulsory gun ownership
Well, the statists and gun grabbers don’t want that! So it isn’t really true that they think stats should dictate legislation. They only want their preferred statistics considered. Which is just another way of saying…
I want to impose my personal preferences on others.
Problem is…
What you can do to others, others can do to you.
So we at Downsize DC prefer the empathetic approach, as reflected in libertarian voluntaryism…
- Don’t threaten or initiate force against others, or ask politicians to do it for you.
- Make all human relationships voluntary
- Do not impose on peaceful people
- Live and let live
- Respect peaceful, individual conscience in all things
- Reserve violence for defensive purposes only
- Do not punish the innocent for the crimes of the guilty
In other words…
It’s just as wrong to prohibit gun ownership as it would be to require it, and no stat can change that fact.
If you agree, tell your elected representatives using our campaign to oppose gun laws. The hardwired message for this campaign reads…
Repeal federal gun regulations.
You can copy or edit the following sample text for your personal comments…
You are hearing shrieking calls for even more gun regulations in the wake of the Orlando shooting. You’re being inundated with statistics suggesting that increased gun regulation or outright gun prohibition would reduce or end mass shootings. Beware…
Many stats and examples point in the opposite direction. For example…
100% of mass shootings have happened in “gun free zones.” Does this stat justify you passing a law to forbid “gun free zones.” Of course not. Those who are uncomfortable around guns must retain the right to forbid them from their property, no matter how dangerous or unenforceable that preference may be. Or consider this…
The number of guns owned per American increased by 56% between 1993 and 2013 while murders using a gun decreased by 49%. ( http://bit.ly/28V0Isw ) This suggests that increased gun ownership reduces murder.
Does that stat justify compelling all Americans to OWN a gun? Of course not! That would impose on individual conscience!
I hope you’re bright enough to get the point. If statistics cannot be used compel Americans to own guns, or to make “gun free zones” illegal, then neither can they justify regulating gun ownership. Instead, peaceful individual conscience must rule in all things.
Let me repeat my demand — repeal federal gun regulations.
–END OF SAMPLE LETTER–
- Please send your letter to Congress using our Educate the Powerful System.
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Thank you for being an ACTIVE DC Downsizer.
Perry Willis
Downsize DC