There has been a sharp rise in concern over terrorism, with few Americans believing that the government can stop lone-wolf attacks (22-77 percent) and not many more can stop a large scale attack (43-56 percent). A new Gallup poll shows that terrorism has become the number one issue on voters' minds (16% rank terrorism as the number one issue, 13% say government, and 9% say the economy).
President Obama keeps pushing for more gun control as the solution to the threat of terrorism.
A recent CNN poll from October had a smaller difference of only 2 percentage points, but it mentions neither the words "concealed" nor "legal."
UPDATE: Hillary Clinton was asked about this ABC News/Washington Post survey during the December 19, 2015 Democratic Presidential Debate.
MARTHA RADDATZ: Secretary Clinton, in the wake of the San Bernardino attack, you all emphasized gun control. But our latest poll shows that more Americans believe arming people, not stricter gun laws, is the best defense against terrorism. Are they wrong?
CLINTON: "Well, I think you have to look at both the terrorism challenge that we face abroad and certainly at home and the role that guns play in delivering the violence that stalks us. Clearly, we have to have a very specific set of actions to take. When senator Sanders talks about a coalition, I agree with him about that. We've got to build a coalition abroad. We also have to build a coalition at home. Abroad we need a coalition that is going to take on ISIS. I know how hard that is. I know it isn't something you just hope people will do --"
RADDATZ: Secretary Clinton, can we stick to gun control?"
CLINTON: "I'm getting to that. Because I think if you only think about the coalition abroad you're missing the main point, which is we need a coalition here at home. Guns in and of themselves in my opinion will not make Americans safer. We lose 33,000 people a year already to gun violence. Arming more people to do what I think is not the appropriate response to terrorism. I think what is
President Obama keeps pushing for more gun control as the solution to the threat of terrorism.
We know that the killers in San Bernardino used military-style assault weapons—weapons of war—to kill as many people as they could. It’s another tragic reminder that here in America it’s way too easy for dangerous people to get their hands on a gun.A new ABC News/Washington Post Poll puts asks people whether the best way to respond to terrorism is stricter gun control or letting people carry permitted concealed handguns for protection. A majority of Republicans and Independents, moderates and conservatives, as well as those in the broad middle class view permitted concealed handguns as the preferred solution (see below).
For example, right now, people on the No-Fly list can walk into a store and buy a gun. That is insane. If you’re too dangerous to board a plane, you’re too dangerous, by definition, to buy a gun. And so I’m calling on Congress to close this loophole, now. We may not be able to prevent every tragedy, but—at a bare minimum—we shouldn’t be making it so easy for potential terrorists or criminals to get their hands on a gun that they could use against Americans. . . .
A recent CNN poll from October had a smaller difference of only 2 percentage points, but it mentions neither the words "concealed" nor "legal."
UPDATE: Hillary Clinton was asked about this ABC News/Washington Post survey during the December 19, 2015 Democratic Presidential Debate.
MARTHA RADDATZ: Secretary Clinton, in the wake of the San Bernardino attack, you all emphasized gun control. But our latest poll shows that more Americans believe arming people, not stricter gun laws, is the best defense against terrorism. Are they wrong?
CLINTON: "Well, I think you have to look at both the terrorism challenge that we face abroad and certainly at home and the role that guns play in delivering the violence that stalks us. Clearly, we have to have a very specific set of actions to take. When senator Sanders talks about a coalition, I agree with him about that. We've got to build a coalition abroad. We also have to build a coalition at home. Abroad we need a coalition that is going to take on ISIS. I know how hard that is. I know it isn't something you just hope people will do --"
RADDATZ: Secretary Clinton, can we stick to gun control?"
CLINTON: "I'm getting to that. Because I think if you only think about the coalition abroad you're missing the main point, which is we need a coalition here at home. Guns in and of themselves in my opinion will not make Americans safer. We lose 33,000 people a year already to gun violence. Arming more people to do what I think is not the appropriate response to terrorism. I think what is
I took an oath when I joined the service, "to protect against all enemies foreign and domestic" like everyone else who served I took those words to heart. It troubles me to see so many that want to take away our ability to protect, our families, neighbors, and fellow citizens.
ReplyDeleteHistory has taught us many times that taking away the ability for people to defend themselves has lead to governments that enslave its people. It also makes those citizens easy targets for terrorist, and criminals. It was not until the late 1800s that police departments became common, until then neighbor/citizens would look out for each other. Too many people are ready to relinquish their responsibilities and give the government blind trust.
Benjamin Franklin once said that any man that is willing to give up some liberty for safety deserves neither, Thomas Jefferson also understood the importance of people being able to defend themselves against the government (so as to keep those who govern honest and balanced)
They no longer teach what used to be civics classes in school, so we have become a population of ignorant citizens (fat, dumb, and happy) we no longer understand rights and responsibilities. Freedom is not Free!
I terrorizes me to see how our country is changing. Instead of trying to take guns out of the hands of responsible citizens the government should be encouraging more people to arm themselves and make those terrorist and criminals apprehensive about their intentions to cause us harm. After all how would they know who is ready to defend themselves and their fellow citizens against them. I feel that most people that are against guns are people who do not understand them, Most have never even held one. I understand that carrying and using a gun is a great responsibility and not everyone maybe willing to take on that responsibility but imagine how bad it would be if we banned guns. We would open ourselves up to the world as easy targets for more crime and attacks from those who are against the US.
Most of the recent shootings where from people who would not be able to buy a gun. Police cannot be everywhere, and many of them will tell you that they are "peace officers" that react after an incident. Many a citizen has asked "Where's a cop when you need one?"
So yes I do carry a concealed gun, own it legally, have a carry permit, and practice drills on a regular basis. I do this because I love my family, my friends, my neighbors, and my country.
I took an oath.