Pistols at Dawn

There's proof in the news today that my sister was right; an armed society is a polite society. What if, instead of gun bans, citizens were required to own firearms? One city in Georgia tested the notion, and as it turns out, crime is down. Kennesaw, GA., a small town just north of Atlanta, unanimously passed an ordinance in March of 1982 "requiring each head of household to own and maintain a gun," according to WorldNetDaily. That was 25 years ago. Meanwhile, the population has actually grown from 5,242 to 28,189 and the crime rate has dropped far below the national average. Conversely, Morton Grove, IL, near Chicago, passed a ban on firearms except for police that same year, and the population has decreased, while crime increased more than 15%. How can this be explained? Well, think about it. Would a criminal be as likely to pull a gun on someone they know is packing heat, too? When you pass someone on the highway who is driving like a jackass, do you think you'll be as likely to give them the finger once you see their gun rack? Criminals know that police are less likely to shoot them than the average armed citizen. Too much paperwork. The rest of us? Hey sorry about your luck, pal, maybe next time you'll think twice before you try to stick a desert eagle in my face. The fear has always been that vigilante justice would supplant good old law and order, as if trying to get your lawn mower back from your neighbor would turn in to a scene from the movie Tombstone, and many people believe the availability of weapons is to blame for the recent murders in Virginia, but I think if you really want to kill someone, you'll find a way no matter what. You'll be less likely to, however, if you know your target can fire back. More than that, you must remember the intent of the Bill of Rights. It's there to protect citizens from government.