You Can Not Legislate Away Crazy
Upper Marlboro, MD –-(Ammoland.com)- I am deeply saddened by the loss of life from the tragic shooting in Tucson, Arizona.
Our country is already going through a trying time as it deals with the economy and a loss of faith in our politicians. Unfortunately, the talking heads are already playing the blame game.
Arizona has been celebrating recent improvements in its policy toward self defense and personal protection. It has become a model of freedom.
Nature Abhors A Vacuum So Send In The Clowns.
As great as America is, we still have crazy people. We still have criminals. The tragic shooting will resurrect attempts of failed gun prohibitionist to use this time of sorrow for their own gain. Enemies of freedom that are both foreign and domestic will weigh in.
They will try to use this event as a fundraiser in the name of little Christina-Taylor Green, the little nine year old political hopeful that was slain. They will attack high capacity magazines because magazines can’t retort. Of course, they must do something right?
The truth is you cannot legislate crazy.
As someone that has made terrorism, criminal behavior and analysis my life, I know you can follow group dynamics. You can monitor the operation and practices of groups and institutions. You can predict human behavior with some percentage of certainty because humanity hasn’t changed.
But crazy people are always a wild card. You can’t predict what sets them off this time or will cause them to act violently.
Celebrities and politicians will have to be extremely careful in the future. With the access to social information that all of us willingly provide, it is easier to trace and track us than ever before. We are all creatures of habit. You become a target of opportunity for any mentally ill person that sees you as a representation of the demon that is inside him. A new law won’t save one life.
Gun, magazine, ammunition, and edged weapons restrictions only affect and disarm the law abiding.
There has been no shortage of mental illness related attacks on the innocent. Kenneth James Ward, blamed the Mormon church for his troubles and opened fire on a layperson in a church in 2010. Then there was the matriarch of a Cambodian immigrant family in Seattle with a history of mental problems, that killed three members of her own family back in September 2010. And who can forget Seung-Hui Cho, the mentally ill student from Virginia Tech in 2007? How about Robert Pickett, who tried to assassinate President George W. Bush in 2001? John Hinkley, Jr. is still trying to get out from his attempt on President Ronald Reagan in 1981. As a personnel protection specialist, I know, “you can’t legislate crazy.”
We will hear many accounts in the next few days about people that knew that the 22-year-old Jared Loughner was “off.” We already have laws that make it illegal for the mentally ill from buying, owning or possessing a firearm. Only the law abiding follow the law. Criminals and sociopathic people will find a way to do what they want when given the opportunity. What you have to do is keep your eyes open and focus on the people not the tools.
One of the most derogatory words folks use on both sides of the argument is “gun nuts.” It is not positive. It’s as bad as the “N” word to me. After we grieve, I hope America returns to focus on what our problems are and not try to appease our emotions with worthless name-calling rhetoric or give an ear to those that will use this horrific event for their own agenda.
It is my hope that what happened in Arizona, doesn’t repeat itself for a long, long time. I will continue to pray for the Congresswoman and survivors of the melee. If you have to do something in response, please join me in prayer for the survivors and our Nation.
Rev. Kenn Blanchard
“Holla” 1-888-675-0202
www.kennblanchard.com
About:
Kenn Blanchard is a contributer to AmmoLand Shooting Sports News and Producer of the Urban Shooter pod cast. In addition Kenn Blanchard is a pro-gun media producer & marketing profesional that helps small businesses by providing information, entertainment , inspiration and support to the sport shooting community through blogs, voice -over, podcasting and professional speaking. Visit: www.kennblanchard.com
**Image: by Olegvolk.net