Another day, another…

*Sigh* Another day, another smug gun control post. I’m getting very tired of being lectured to by self-righteous, self-satisfied cretins, who haven’t got even the most basic knowledge of firearms or gun laws. Thanks to Hollywood, the media, liberty hating politicians, and the Gun Control Lobby, most people hear the term “semiautomatic rifle”, and think “machine gun”. They also think that any schlub can walk into a gun store, and walk out with as many guns as they can carry.

Item: Virtually every firearm available on the civilian market, even double-action revolvers are functionally semiautomatic. You squeeze the trigger once, a single round is expended, and the weapon cycles to bring up another round. The Ruger Mini 14 and the AR-15 (Armalite Rifle, not “Assault Rifle”) operate in exactly the same fashion, and use the same ammunition.

Item: To obtain my CCW Permit, I had to be fingerprinted, and undergo an extensive background check-at my own expense. I’m subject to an additional background check any time I purchase a firearm, via the National Instant Check System (NICS), and must fill out transfer-of-ownership paperwork, certifying that I’m legally permitted to make the purchase. If I lie on the transfer form, or fail the NICS check, not only is the sale denied, the attempted purchase is a felony, and I’m subject to arrest. This remains the case, even if I buy a gun at a gun show. The “Gun Show Loophole” is a myth.

Item: Murder, attempted murder, illegal obtaining and misuse of a firearm, and EVERY OTHER THING that mass shooters do are against the law. Making these things MORE illegal won’t accomplish anything. Laws don’t make people better. As I’ve stated before, If someone has no Moral Compass, respect for the Rule of Law, or fear of the consequences of law breaking, LAWS WILL NOT STOP THEM.

My friends, I realize that most of you who share or retweet the anti-gun memes are genuinely caring and compassionate people, who want an end to the violence. All I ask are two things. One, educate yourselves. Learn the facts, before you post. Don’t just regurgitate the latest misinformation from OCCUPY DEMOCRATS or US DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS (or whatever the Bolsheviks are calling themselves this week). Know what you’re talking about, BEFORE you engage in the Arena of Ideas. I’m not asking you to think as I do, I’m just asking you to THINK. And two, if you’re one of those “repeal the 2nd Amendment and institute an Aussie-style gun ban” types, be up front about it. We can have a rational discussion if you’ll just be honest. Let’s talk.