Or at least, this 25 year veteran cop doesn’t. (h/t to Linoge)

Pens and pencils don’t make you misspell words; cars don’t make you drive drunk, run red lights or speed; and, no, not even a “morning star” can swing itself.  

The logic behind banning firearms in order to lower crime is as ridiculous to me as banning cars because so many people are injured and killed every year in accidents and drunken driving crimes. It is not the car that is at fault; it’s the driver who is at fault. And, by the same token, it isn’t the gun … It is the criminal who commits the crime and it is the criminals who need to be addressed and dealt with, not any device they use in the commission of their crimes.

As our government steadily changes more and more to the Left, gun control and outright gun ban issues will become very hot topics. So, I think it’s imperative Americans use some common sense in this area and realize gun control is in no shape, form or fashion crime control.  

If someone commits a crime with a gun, follow the law and punish the person, but leave the Second Amendment alone, it is in the Constitution for a reason.   

Howard Nemerov provides some perspective on the rumors of an ammunition ban.

Bottom line: Buyers help keep prices high because of concerns over what might happen in the future. As prices spiral and demand clears the shelves, people worry about getting ammunition in the future. Add a few rumors, people worry more and demand goes up even more. It may be best to stop stockpiling ammunition for now to reduce demand. Instead, spend your energy on convincing Congress that the civil right of self-defense is an idea whose time has come.

The NRA is running a promotion where you can join free for one year.

If you live in Texas, you should also join the Texas State Rifle Association. If you don’t live in Texas, you should join your equivalent local/state organization.

If you choose to do neither, at least be politically active. With the Internet, it doesn’t take long to find your Congresscritters and send them a quick email. When you contact them, keep it polite, respectful, to the point.

I received a (snail mail) letter in the mail today from my Texas State Representative, Valinda Bolton. It was a brief letter:

Dear Mr. Daub:

I want to thank you for contacting me and sharing your thoughts on House Bill 410 [relating to the requirement under certain circumstances that a license holder display the person’s license to carry a concealed handgun].

I wanted to let you know that I was happy to vote in favor of this bill when it came before the House this past Friday. Thank you for giving me your input on this important bill; it is the active involvement of citizens like you that helps me come to an informed decision on legislation.

Again, thank you for taking the time to let me know your opinions. Please feel free to contact me with any further concerns or ideas you may have.

Sincerely,

Valinda Bolton

So a (likely) boilerplate thank you letter, but it was welcome to get such a follow-up. Furthermore, it was welcome to see that she voted in favor of this bill.

Of course, I’d like to see her helping HB 1893 move along, but we already know how she feels on that one. I guess this is how she earns her “C” grade from the NRA.

Montana passed into law a bill that exempts Montana-made guns from federal regulation.

Texas follows suit with HB 1863. It’s made it out of committee. We’ll see where it goes.