TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
AP: c9cb7864-ba90-4cec-8968-47b3eeafca18
Senate Judiciary Committee member Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., points to a chart as he speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, during the committee's hearing. Supporters and opponents of stricter gun control measures face off at a hearing on what lawmakers should do to curb gun violence in the wake of last month's shooting rampage in Newtown, Ct., that killed 20 schoolchildren. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

The gun debate makes some progress

BY Dave Ross  on January 31, 2013 @ 5:54 am (Updated: 6:05 am - 1/31/13 )

Originally it was a Founding Fathers argument: that an armed citizenry is the only sure protection against an out-of-control government.

That has never stopped the government, by the way, from putting down the various armed rebellions that have broken out during our history, including a pretty big one in 1861, but that was in fact what the founders believed, and it's become a big part of our national psychology.

And actually, considering how many people believe the Founding Fathers argument, I'm surprised America isn't more heavily armed than it is. If the idea is to prevent tyranny, you could argue the citizenry should be able to match the army - gun for gun, grenade launcher for grenade launcher. Drone for drone.

It's remarkable that the gun lobby has pretty much conceded that we only have a right to own guns, nothing more.

But now - look at the other argument that's taking center stage. Even as the NRA called for putting armed cops in every school, Senator Lindsey Graham was warning police departments to expect LESS federal money for cops, not more, and then went on to say that because it might take longer to get a cop, well, that's why he himself has an AR-15.

"I would be better off protecting my business or my family if there was a law and order break down in my community - people roaming around my neighborhood - to have the AR-15 and I don't think that makes me an unreasonable person."

Right - So that when a weakened government lets the social order break down, he can protect his family. Which is the exact opposite - of the original argument!

So I guess the way this would work is, we the citizenry arm ourselves to fend off the government when it gets too strong, and then, once we've emasculated the tyrants, we turn the guns on each other to protect ourselves from the social collapse that follows.

Either way, we are going to need a lot of guns.

Apparently , somewhere along the line, we became Libya.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (80)


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  • Hayduke wrote...
    And another thing, for you morons pushing "open carry:"
    January 31, 2013 2:06 pm
    I don't have a problem with concealed carry permits. But lately we've seen more and more of these attention-seeking losers engaging in "open carry" of not just handguns, but assault rifles.

    WHY? Do you really need to lug around a large assault rifle around for self defense? Do you actually believe that freaking out your fellow citizens helps your cause? Do you understand how uncomfortable you make people, specially considering the recent spate of mass shootings? And do you realize how much of an idiot you come across as?

    When we go out shopping, or to do whatever in public, we don't want to see some idiot with a rifle and wonder what his intentions are. Because you really have no way of knowing if he's just a gun enthusiast, or the wackjob mass-killer of the month.

    if you want to carry a gun, fine. i don't want to know about it. Don't wave it around in our faces like a trophy.

    It's like religion: Fine if you believe what you believe, just don't make a point of shoving it down our throats.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Hayduke wrote...
    Typical. No concern whatsoever for how it might make others feel.
    January 31, 2013 2:48 pm
    Perhaps he felt he was doing ll those shoppers a public service, "educating" them on the 2nd Amendment.

    Gee, how helpful of you. Now get the eff out of our store, you freak.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WiIliam Lawn wrote...
    Obama sending 16 F-16's and 200 M1 Tanks to Egypt
    January 31, 2013 2:58 pm
    Obama is busy arming the Muslim brotherhood, an ally of Al Queda, while working to disarm U.S. citizens here at home. This radical certainty has his priorities worked out... makes us wonder just who's side your on, it's not America's.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Ron_Spins wrote...
    So whoever can throw the most mud wins?
    January 31, 2013 3:01 pm
    go ahead.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • William Lawn wrote...
    Flounder, you are floundering around again
    January 31, 2013 3:34 pm
    Pretending to be me.

    Are you trolling?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • DesertRez wrote...
    Militia
    January 31, 2013 3:44 pm
    Oh and speaking of militas; I am forming the Hairless Monkey One Winged (the right one) Poker and Gun Club.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • rational wrote...
    If the idea is to prevent tyranny, you could argue the citizenry should be able to match the army - gun for gun, grenade launcher for grenade launcher. Drone for drone.
    January 31, 2013 6:17 pm
    We probably should, but we've already accepted wave after wave of "reasonable" gun control. But you're never satisfied, now are you?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleD wrote...
    The more paranoia the better
    January 31, 2013 6:18 pm
    Is there any way I can help you retards become more paranoid? I want to see you so paranoid you live your lives in a bunker, but preferably without you using a 5 year old boy as a human shield.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • WiIliam Lawn wrote...
    using a 5 year old boy
    January 31, 2013 7:20 pm
    that's your department, child molester...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }