Op-Ed: A Short Lived Victory?
Used by permission of author
CNSNews.com Commentary
September 16, 2004
With the death of the assault weapons ban and the success of concealed carry laws nationwide, proponents of 2nd Amendment rights are on a roll.
Although there are more guns on the street in the hands of law-abiding citizens than ever before, crime rates are at an all-time low, which seems to further prove that more guns do equal less crime.
What a difference ten years makes.
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The early 1990s were the dark ages for most pro-gun organizations. Several high-profile gun crimes were used to scare Americans and politicians into believing in the false hope of gun control laws.
Gun control was also a winning platform for most Democratic candidates and even some Republicans in state and local elections. The Brady Bill and Assault Weapons Ban were easily won victories and the gun-grabbers were at the height of their power.
Supporters claimed the end of crime as we knew it was at hand.
As crime continued at epidemic rates in cities with severely restrictive gun control laws, such as Chicago and Washington D.C., many began to question the viability of disarming the law abiding. Gun control was dealt a further -- and some would argue, fatal -- blow with the success of Florida's concealed carry law.
When the predicted "return to the wild west" scenario trumpeted by gun control advocates failed to materialize; and when other states reaffirmed citizens right to self defense by passing similar laws, it became apparent that more guns didn't equal more crime.
Only those with an emotional attachment to gun control refused to accept the obvious.
But, if you ask the leaders of most of the high profile anti-gun organizations in 1993, they would say their side already won and it was only a matter of introducing the next scheme on the path to total gun confiscation. Who could blame them? They had a willing media, willing Congress, and a president friendly to their cause.
The Republican Revolution in 1994 was the first chink in the seemingly invincible anti-gun armor, as several high-profile gun grabbing legislators were voted out of office. Then, when Al Gore's anti-gun past was considered a primary reason for his loss in the 2000 presidential election, the gun control bubble finally burst.
Now, just four years later, the assault weapons ban has expired with a whimper and anti-gun Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry is trying to paint himself as a champion of 2nd Amendment rights.
Clearly the tide has turned and it is imperative that the anti-gun movement never get the another chance to mount a serious threat to damange gun rights.
It took years for our rights to slowly be eroded and most likely will take years to fully restore the right to bear arms affirmed in the Constitution. The incremental nature of the battle demands an ever present vigilance.
For those that fought to restore 2nd Amendment rights, it's time for a joyous but short celebration to note the passing of the assault weapons ban. Then it is imperative to get right back to work.
Otherwise, celebrations will become less and less frequent in the future.
(Gerard Valentino is a pro-concealed carry activist, former military intelligence analyst and staff officer.)
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