Within the wake of the Jared Lee Loughner shootings, critics have set their sights on Arizona gun laws. Specifically, critics point to Gov. Jan Brewer’s signing of Arizona Senate Bill 1108, which eliminated the need for a concealed carry permit. On the one hand, you will find those who feel the background check system in place is sufficient at time of gun purchase, but there are numerous others who feel the concealed carry loophole is large enough through which to unleash a barrage of bullets. You can bet that people will now be taking out huge installment loans to fight both sides of the gun law battle.
Arizona gun law and the wild west
The Arizona shooting is a great example of how the concealed carry system in Arizona works with guns. Jared Lee Loughner used the Glock-19. You can carry your gun in Arizona if you own it anywhere you want. It doesn't matter if it is a public place even. Jared Lee Loughner was able to carry around the weapon wherever he went without a permit. This is something all the mentally unstable are allowed to do.
Gun control activists believe that only tighter federal controls via tougher background checks and bans on assault weapons can protect people from gun violence. Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik, who is involved in the Jared Lee Loughner investigation, also believes that the concealed carry law contributed to the shooting of Gabrielle Giffords and others. According to Dupnik, Arizona just wants to be the wild west state. She says it is getting close.
"We’re the ‘Tombstone’ of the United States of America," Dupnik told the Los Angeles Times.
Background checks may be effective
The National Instant Criminal Background Check System has criminal and mental health records in it, the NRA explained. Yet Jared Lee Loughner’s run-ins with Pima Community College campus police would not have shown up in the background check, because mental health clearance – the condition of his potential return to school – was never obtained.
How to defend yourself
The U.S. Constitution gives the right to bear arms to citizens. This is in the Second Amendment. The debate over the effectiveness of background checks will continue to rage on, and the tragedy in Tucson may play a role in change — that is, if the NRA doesn’t convince Washington to politely leave things as they are. Robert A. Heinlein wrote once, "An armed society is a polite society."
Citations
LA Times
latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-0110-glock-gun-control-20110110,0,4072287.story
Talking Points Memo
tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/12/government_too_scared_of_nra_to_stop_mexican_border_gun_trafficking_atf_doj.php
Concealed carry in places of business
youtube.com/watch?v=R4UsDSstFps
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