Another Attempt at Expanding Self-Defense Rights

My petition a couple of years ago to get reciprocity between states for gun rights did not succeed. But now there is a new proposal with a similar aim. A friend of mine recently sent an e-mail about House of Representatives Bill 822, which will do much to correct inconsistencies between states and within those that have little respect for the fair application of the right to self-defense. I would urge those interested to read more here http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Federal/Read.aspx?id=7044 and to write your elected representatives regarding this issue. Here is a copy of the main text of the letter I sent to my congressman and senators:

I am writing in support of HR 822, The National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011. The right of peaceful people to carry weapons to defend against society's violent predators is a basic human right. However, despite this right being upheld by the Supreme court, there are several states and municipalities that seem to find that respecting this right is too much of an inconvenience. They will allow the powerful and well connected to defend their own lives, but seem to think that the vast majority should blindly trust government officials to protect them. Perhaps if ordinary adults gave police, prosecutors, and their supervisors the power our parents had over us when we were infants, they would provide the same protection our parents did then. I am skeptical about this, though, and in any case do not see it as the best way to maintain a free society. As such, I support H.R. 822 which will compel states and cities that allow their elites to protect themselves from violence to allow the vast majority of their citizens to do the same.

I would also urge you to read (or re-read) the NRA's factsheet regarding this issue. In addition to the fundamental right to self-defense that I have already stated there are two points I find especially worthy of note:
• States with right-to-carry laws have lower violent crime rates.
and
• Crime declines in states with right-to-carry laws.
http://www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?id=189&issue=003

Two Important Upcoming Pennsylvania Bills

While I wish I was in New Hampshire, there are two positive pieces of legislation coming up in my current (and so far lifelong) home of Pennsylvania. I would urge all of my fellow Pennsylvanians to support them:


Via NRA-ILA - House Bill 40 - “Castle Doctrine”  Self-Defense Bill:

HB40, sponsored by State Representative Scott Perry (R-92), would permit law-abiding citizens to use force, including deadly force, against an attacker in their homes and any places outside of their home where they have a legal right to be. Read More.

Via The False Rape Society  - Finally, a chance to reduce false rape claims:

We frequently talk here about how the crime of making a false report of rape is treated so cavalierly. Finally, as shown by the article below, some state legislators are looking to do something about it. Read more.

My Petition

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Just a Random Thought...

Gun rights activists often say "Better tried by twelve than carried by six." I'm not sure that's true. However, having a gun makes it more likely that if you are carried by six it will be on your own terms and if you go down fighting maybe you can take some of the scumbags with you. Or better yet, leave them with permanent injuries. Especially in the case of breaking an unjust law that is enforced with severe penalties, it may be better to fight to the death than let government hired goons cart you off to prison. I'm not saying that I would - when push comes to shove I probably wouldn't have the courage. But I'd like to think that it would at least be possible.

To Vitaly Kovtun I'd like to say....

Thanks a lot, asshole! Legitimate gun-owners don't have enough trouble with anti-self-defense reporters and editors trying to portray us as trigger-happy nuts. Of course, the thousands of people who use guns to prevent crimes or stop crime waves in progress rarely get this kind of coverage. If they're lucky they may get mentioned in their local press. If they're really lucky they might get mentioned in America's First Freedom's "Armed Citizen" column. America's First Freedom is, of course, mostly preaching to the choir, though it is better than nothing. Not that people protecting themselves or coming to the aid of their neighbors are looking for publicity, but it would be better for the rest of us to get a slightly more balanced picture by giving honest, decent gun owners a fraction of the publicity that turds like Kovtun get.