http://www.libertybelles.org/articles/gunbans.htm
Beware! Gun Bans Continue
by Jennifer Freeman
Although you might not hear that much about it on television, talk radio, or in the papers, the gun-ban movement is "progressing" along quite steadily. The current target is the .50 caliber rifle. The .50 caliber is innocuous enough as to not activate gun-loving Republicans against the current administration, but meaningful enough to occupy the activities of legislators around the country. While there is no known recorded incident of a crime ever having been committed with a .50 caliber in U.S. history and while the percentage of .50 caliber owners is relatively small, the effects of losing the ability to legally own such a firearm should not be lost on the American people.

One could argue that no one really needs such a firearm, but such an argument would be wholly incorrect. Liberty and the ability to exercise our inalienable rights is what makes the .50 caliber issue so important. The moment any branch of government forbids the manufacture, sale, or ownership of firearms or ammunition is the moment when every American needs a firearm, and quite possibly, several others.

Gun-banners use potential terrorist acts as scare tactics to encourage Americans to support their own disarmament. Anti-gunners might claim that terrorists are roaming around at gun shows purchasing .50 caliber rifles or that somehow these rifles got into the "wrong hands" -- that of the terrorists -- and now we must all be fearful. Such reports should be viewed with great skepticism. More serious types of firearms and other arms such as shoulder-fired missiles have already been obtained by terrorists in their native countries and are probably easier to get on the black market. Why a terrorist would go to such a conspicuous place as a gun show to obtain arms is beyond any rational comprehension. It is a widely known fact that law enforcement maintains an undercover presence at gun shows.

Let us not forget that the September 11th attacks, which claimed nearly 6,000 lives, was executed by terrorists without the presence of any firearms whatsoever.

Living in fear and banning everything in sight is not what made the United States the greatest nation in the world. In fact, this type of behavior is the antithesis of our culture and should be regarded with suspicion as should those who propagate such thinking. The only people who should be living in fear are legislators and criminals. God willing, anti-gun legislators will find themselves at the local unemployment office. And violent criminals should always be in fear of the able-bodied American who is ready, willing, and able to take a stand. In the meantime, we'll keep fighting for the land of the free and the home of the brave.

 

Jennifer Freeman is Executive Director and co-founder of Liberty Belles, a grass-roots organization dedicated to restoring and preserving the Second Amendment.
http://www.libertybelles.org