We have this national debate prompted not by the actions of responsible gun owners, but by the unregulated behaviour of the grossly irresponsible.
In this instance I lay the blame squarely at the feet of the legislators who are not simply failing in their duty to protect the citizens who elect them, but failing miserably, and failing willfully.
I understand that individuals will take a view on the matter of gun control, or the lack thereof. Indeed they can and do express those views ad nauseum, as do their opponents. There can be few reading articles such as this one who are not aware of the strong feelings this debate brings forth.
However, those individual views and divided opinions are just that; views and opinions. There are some facts out there that are undeniable, one of which is that a principle source of illegal weapons are the unregulated gun shows, and the simple fact that the organisors of these shows will not restrict traders who attend.
On Saturday December 30th, at a gun show in Oklahoma, three men who all had feloniy convictions, and/or pending felony cases walked into a gun show and bought a gun. They were captured by an observant police officer. Curiously, the suspicion of purchasing a gun illegally wasn't good enough to stop the car they left in, they had to use the pretext of an illegal right turn ... clearly the most egregious offence that day.
From News Channel 6 - Tulsa:
Video Here
According to a police report, David Lee Jackson, 22, Midarreon Cook, 21, and Daveon Jackson, 21, were spotted by officers purchasing a firearm with cash at a gun show being held at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds on Saturday, December 30.
Having followed the men from the show, and made the traffic stop ...
Officers checked the three out and found David Jackson had prior felony convictions in Oklahoma County for possession of controlled substance and marijuana with intent and possession of an offensive weapon while committing a felony, as well as a burglary 2 case. David Jackson also had pending charges for possession of a controlled substance with intent, concealing stolen property, possession of a firearm, drug paraphernalia and obstructing an officer.
There is always the argument raised that if we ban guns, or regulate them tightly then only the criminals will have guns. Maybe ... and if so, this is probably where they are getting many of them.
What is criminal here is the absolutely criminal ease with which weapons can be purchased, for cash, with no questions asked at a public show.
These three guys were caught which, quite frankly, does not fill me with any confidence at all because it simply leaves me wondering how many were not.
Take a look at the video .... They could have walked out with any number of weapons.
The Legislators have no excuse other than cowardly self-interest in their failure to act in this matter. They are not supporting freedom. They are not promoting the rights of citizens. They are running, cravenly, from the fear of not being re-elected.
Well I have news for them. We do not send them to Congress, or to State Legislatures, to get re-elected. We send them there to govern, and to keep us safe.
They are failing.
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