With the recent shooting of Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA.) and several others by a left wing extremist at a Washington DC ball field, the subject of concealed carry (CCW) is likely to move into the spotlight at the national level. This topic should be front and center for San Diegans as well as we have a Sheriff who has unilaterally decided that Americans living in San Diego don’t have the right to defend themselves or their families outside the home.
Were it not for the courageous action of two brave Capitol Hill Police officers who stopped the gunman the incident would likely have resulted in many fatalities. The officers were present because Rep. Scalise is the House Majority Whip and as such is assigned an armed security detail. Had Rep. Scalise skipped practice that night the police wouldn’t have been present and the gunman would have been free to kill defenseless Republican House members and staff until he ran out of ammunition. There would have been no one there to stop him.
The left wasted no time exploiting the incident to push gun control. Governor Terry McAuliffe of Virginia was on television within what seemed like minutes of the incident claiming that guns kill 93 million people each day (he corrected himself only after a reporter repeatedly pointed out his error). Refreshingly we didn’t hear the same nonsense from the White House, which would not have been the case two years ago.
As is usually the case guns are not the problem. The reality is that the police cannot be everywhere to protect everyone all the time. Those who choose to obtain the knowledge and skills and who accept the responsibility to defend themselves should be allowed to do so. It happens that a number of the House members are CCW permit holders and carry in their home states. In Washington DC however local laws prevent them (and anyone else) from carrying so they are left defenseless.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) has introduced legislation in the House that would allow any legal CCW permit holder to carry while in Washington DC. While this addresses the issue in DC, the principle is the same and should be addressed across the nation.
Rep Richard Hudson (R-NC) has introduced the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2017 in the House where it is gaining significant support with 199 coauthors. Hopefully Rep. Hudson’s bill will eventually be successful and will resolve the issue nationally.
So where does that leave us in San Diego? The good news is that America is a relatively safe country and most of us will live our entire life without encountering a violent individual who means to do us harm. On the other hand violence happens everyday and is happening right now. While you are reading these words people are being robbed, assaulted, raped, or murdered somewhere in the country. Most of those people would probably say they never thought it would happen to them.
Choosing to carry a firearm for self-defense requires a fair amount of training and practice to develop the necessary skills. It also requires a thorough understanding of the “rules” (the applicable law) regarding the use of deadly force. If you’re willing to do the work and accept the huge responsibility of CCW then the decision should be yours.
San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore does not consider self defense justifiable cause to issue a CCW permit to an otherwise qualified citizen. In effect he has unilaterally removed your right to self-defense outside the home. There are two ways to change this and neither requires changes to current law. The first is to change Sheriff Gore’s opinion on the subject. The second is to change the Sheriff; Gore is up for reelection in 2018. Express your opinion to your elected officials and support those of us fighting to restore your rights. Express your opinion at the ballot box in 2018.
©2017 Joseph T Drammissi
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