The Fear-mongering of the Gun-Rights Movement

Blue Ridge Now Because I am a gun owner and hunter, I am sometimes asked for advice by someone wanting to purchase a gun, usually for home defense. Although I do not have a concealed carry permit, occasionally I am asked if I can recommend a handgun that would be good for concealed carry, sometimes for a wife. When the question is from an elderly person or someone who is not familiar with guns, I get concerned. Some of these folks haven’t handled any type of gun in decades, if ever. Although I usually suggest several reliable handgun models for concealed carry, or perhaps a shotgun for home defense, my advice to most of these folks is that they should not purchase a gun. For the price of some handguns, they can purchase a home security system that would be safer and provide more security than having a gun. If they want to carry protection in their car or on their person, I recommend pepper spray. My advice also includes a warning that if they have a gun, a bad guy “just might take it away and shoot you with it.” It takes a lot of training and practice to effectively handle a handgun, particularly in a tense situation. These inquiries make me wonder what folks are reading or listening to that causes them to have so much fear. Why, after decades without owning a gun, do they want to buy a gun, and in some cases want to have a concealed carry permit? Could it be that they have been influenced by the crazy conspiracy theories that they read about or hear from some radio and TV commentators? Of course, guys like Kurt, and any number of other gun-rights preachers, who spread that fear-mongering far and wide, deny any responsibility for the results.