The conversations had at the barbershop are those to be cherished for a lifetime. Being the known “gun-nut” of the shop every time I walk in the door the conversation automatically turns into guns and gun news. Needless to say, with recent headlines and speculation about the possible banning of 5.56 ammo to civilians (notice I said speculation as I have done NO solid research as of yet and can’t give factual reflections), I spent nearly 2 hours at the shop this week!!!! But please understand, this is not your run-of-the-mill political gun post, it’s a post about bans.
As I left the barbershop, I couldn’t help but feel the need to give my beloved readers my opinion on the subject of “bans.” And more especially of firearms related bans. Recent history abounds with examples of pieces of legislature being placed on congressional agendas that include attempts at banning firearms and or some sort of ammunition. Do these bans work, or do they burn? Believe me people, this is a post about bans.
Now is as good a time for our quick history lesson as any (I promise it’ll be quick!!!). From 1920 until the early 1930’s American lawmakers (God bless this wonderful country of ours!!!) tried another ban. Not many of us that are around today can remember, but if you showed up for history class that week (I know my brother didn’t!!) you learned about Prohibition. This was a nationwide constitutional ban on the sale, production, importation, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. Although the original versions of the first prohibition acts were designed to save grain for the World War I effort (bet you didn’t know that!!!) the Volstead Act (what we know as Prohibition) was a ban designed to reduce crime. Needless to say….this is a post about bans.
I may not be the sharpest pencil in the box and correct me if I’m wrong but bans aren’t designed to increase crime are they? Well, if you answer in the negatory, let me see if I can wet your whistle a little bit. Although the advent of Prohibition did in fact reduce the amount of alcohol consumed, it did us one better. It spawned one of the most vicious, violent organized crime led times in American history. But people stopped drinking. New York was home to countless, and I mean countless speakeasy clubs. But the ban resulted in less consumption. Was this a win? I mean really, was it worth it???? It’s getting good guys, but stay focused… it’s a post about bans.
The fact of the matter is that when bans are exercised, we should be very careful to fully grasp the consequences of them. Are our lawmakers so naive that they fail to understand the black market proliferation that is caused from bans? Don’t get me wrong, I understand that there has to be some regulation of firearm ownership, and to many extents I agree, but recent memory is littered with preposterous firearms legislation changes based largely on different bans. At what point do the costs of bans start to outweigh the benefits? Are we ready for a 21st century St. Valentine’s Day due to a poorly derived firearms ban? Now….just what exactly is this post about?
There are countless lost souls who still believe that firearms themselves are some sort of viscious beast that are the bane of existence and want to see them banned altogether. And to them I say…. Get real! No but seriously, please be careful of what you vote and support to be banned. The 2015 Al Capone is waiting in the folds for the perfect firearms ban. I don’t know about you but I’d like to keep him at bay as long as possible!
Please understand guys, the views presented here are those solely of the authors and don’t represent the truth, or any factual information. This is OUR opinion people!!! If we ruffled a few feathers, that may actually be a good thing so kudos to us!!!
Thanks for visiting our little part of the shooting range and come back often!!!
And as always…….remember to watch your six and stay low