Ignorance Is Not Bliss

Ignorance Is Not Bliss
Ignorance Is Not Bliss
Second Amendment Patriots
2ndamendmentpatriots.org

Indiana –-(Ammoland.com)- The theme of this letter could probably be applied to many segments of society, but it’s directed more at firearm enthusiasts and gun owners in general.

I just finished reading a newspaper story out of Denver, Colorado about a new law that will require people in that state to show a firearm instructor that they can safely handle a gun before getting a license, or as the article reads a “permit”. While it’s prudent to become familiar with handling a firearm I’m concerned with laws that set up a chain of people who could pick and choose whom they deem worthy.

I could write entire letter on the subject of licenses and permits to exercise a constitutional right, but that is not what this letter is about.

In the article it states that some Colorado lawmakers were surprised to learn how easy it was for their citizens to acquire a concealed carry license. That is what prompted me to write this letter. I wonder how many gun owners in Colorado will now be aware how much more difficult it will be to acquire one.

Here in Indiana I question how many of gun owners have any idea of the battles that have been waged over the years to push for and block against gun control measures in this state. It has been my experience in traveling around the state that many have no idea how close we’ve come to having some damaging gun laws passed nor do they know what phenomenal accomplishments were made to further gun rights in Indiana.

Thursday, Margie and I participated in Governor Pence’s first annual Governor’s Shoot that was held in Fortville, Indiana. Let’s see the governor of Illinois do that. Anyway, it was a nice event of trap and sporting clay shooting. It was great spending about 4 or 5 hours of shooting, eating and meeting with a lot of very nice people. It was also nice seeing Governor Pence’s daughter wearing one of our 2nd Amendment Patriot shirts.

However, the point of this letter is just like at other events Margie and I have been at, we got questions about new pro gun laws folks would like to see passed in Indiana. Then we tell them that those laws have been passed and then there is the look of astonishment. We also point out many of the other laws that have passed making Indiana one of the most pro gun states in the nation. Remember that 2011 was a very big year in Indiana for gun rights.

Being informed is paramount. Far too many are unaware of the struggle this year to stop a bill that would have established a second type of gun license in Indiana, one that would require training, age limit and periodic review by the state police to see if a person should be able to continue to keep their license. I felt that if this would have passed it potentially could result in the loss of our current lifetime handgun license and the reciprocity with other states. When lawmakers in Colorado complain about how easy it was for citizens there to acquire a handgun license, what would they say about Indiana when our citizens at age 18 can get a license for life and it doesn’t require training?

Speaking of that, I still get questioned on a frequent basis from folks who tell me that someone told them that the Indiana lifetime handgun license has been abolished or is going to be.

That rumor gets around, that gossip gets spread far and wide, but legitimate information about what pro gun lawmakers in Indiana have accomplished never sees the light of day in some peoples world.

That brings me to the issue of really good people not taking it upon themselves to keep up on what legislators are doing and what legislation is moving in Indiana. That is extremely important for folks that have a deep interest in keeping their Second Amendment right. Having that knowledge would be beneficial in voting wisely. The potential of being unaware can lead to a change in the state legislature, a tipping of the scale to having more legislators that think like those in other states that have just recently passed sweeping restrictive guns laws that may never get repealed. Trust me, repealing laws like that are very difficult.

Next year here in Indiana half of the 50 state senators and all of the 100 state representatives are up for re-election. There’s two ways to go. We can take the “shrug of the shoulders” attitude and choose not to help the good ones stay in office to keep holding the line or we can step up and see how we can help build on our strength. When folks ask if Indiana is going to do away with the lifetime handgun license, I tell them that was a legislative action and not an administrative one. But yes we can lose it if we elect enough folks to the General Assembly that would pass a bill to repeal it and all the licenses that are currently out there, and then also elect a governor who would sign it.

It’s all in the hands of the electorate, those in the know and those who are clueless.

Jim and Margie
STAY UNITED
2nd Amendment Patriots
https://www.2ndamendmentpatriots.org/

About:
The Second Amendment Patriots are a local group of Indiana citizens dedicated to preserving the rights, freedoms, and civil liberties of every American by educating the American public of the founding and history of this country and its founding fathers by explaining the role, functions and purpose of the U.S. Government; and by teaching the need and importance of an armed American public, in order to allow for a more prosperous and respectful country consisting of American citizens with a pledge of allegiance to their country and who will at the same time, voice their demand to take back the present overwhelming power of the U.S. Government and deliver it into the hands of the people to which it belongs. Visit: www.2ndamendmentpatriots.org

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Buck

Unfortunately , the term clueless describes over half of the American population , If people knew ten percent of what they know about sports and / or celebrities we would not have a rabid communist in the white house , the democratic party would be dead , and the republicans would be afraid to do anything but the electorates bidding . What a great dream that would be .