Banning guns is in the news. India practically bans guns, but that didn’t stop the horrific Muslim terrorist attacks this last week.
A football player concerned for his safety violates New York City’s tough gun control regulations by carrying a concealed handgun, and people call for everything from banning NFL players from carrying guns to demanding that the athlete serve many years in jail.
When police can’t promise to protect law-abiding citizens such Plaxico Burress or the victims in India, why don’t we allow people the right to protect themselves?
Where is the sympathy or debate in either case over letting people defend themselves?
My objection is not to Plaxico Burress carrying a handgun, concealed or openly. My objection is that A) Burress did not have a New Jersey pistol permit; B) his Florida permit had expired because he failed to renew it; and C) the man is an idiot.
He plays for the New York Giants. He owns guns. He HAD to know that New York City does not acknowledge any pistol permits but those issued by New York City - not even other pistol permits issued in the State of New York. The State of New York has permit reciprocity with NO OTHER STATE. None. Nada, Zip. And NYC doesn't even honor other NY State pistol permits. And he still was stupid enough to carry concealed in New York City?
I'm sorry, but he deserves what's coming to him. I don't think he'll be able to use his celebrity to dodge the charges. The best he can hope for is for the judge to ignore the sentencing guidelines and give him probation and community service, instead of the three years upstate his stupidity has earned him. Either way, he committed about four technical felonies, and he's going to lose his right to keep and bear arms for good - unless someone like Curious George Bush decides to pardon him.
The problem I have is that what Plaxico did, he did illegally, in full knowledge that it was wrong. By definition, he was not a law abiding citizen.His excuse? "I'm a target because of the jewelry I wear and money I have." Then get a permit to carry legally or hire someone who is legally licensed to carry a weapon to protect you or avoid areas that place you in danger.
He did it because of his ego and "status"; that the rules didn't apply to him because of who he was.
To compound matters, he coerced others into covering up the crime, costing people their jobs and putting them in jeopardy of prosecution as well...and was laughing about it as long as he thought he had gotten away with it.
The other thing is this. He had a Glock. I don't know anything about Glocks except what I'm told, but I'm told a Glock can't fire unless the trigger is pulled. So what was he doing, sitting in a night club with his hand in his pocket and finger on the trigger? As I understand the explanation on the news about the NYC handgun law, anytime you carry a loaded handgun, the law assumes you have the intent to use it.
Well, I guess this is the perfect (well, not perfect, he's an idiot who shot himself) example of the old saying "better to be judged by twelve than carried by six". I have a problem with a state who tries to negate my right to self-defense, but as I stated earlier, he's an idiot who makes us all look bad.
Toolman, you are right, what he did was idiotic and in the poorest of judgment. As I understand it he was the only one hurt. If this is so, even though he was an idiot, the punishment they(NYC) is calling for does not fit the crime. Seems like they just want to use him as a scapegoat and make him an example of what big, bad, ole New York City will do to someone breaking their laws. Glad I don't have to live there or even go there!
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