Kentucky has some of the most victim-oriented gun laws in the country. And the state legislature deserves hardy congratulations for recently passing a law that makes it even easier to defend our lives and property. (House Bill 236, Eliminate Duty to Retreat) Criminals beware, because folks will no longer need to run to the back room of their home and allow you to pillage their belongings before using deadly force to protect themselves. Both state Rep. Bob Damron and State Sen. Tom Buford supported this legislation and I applaud them.
In far too many cases today the victims of violent crimes are further victimized by the court system when they act to defend themselves. A few years back, in New York State, a young man awoke to the sound of breaking glass in his kitchen.
Horrified, he reached for his gun in the night stand, glanced at his sleeping wife then slipped down the hallway past his two sleeping children. As he entered the kitchen a man was already halfway through the window brandishing a gun. The home owner fired two shots, both at the intruder's leg. His intent was to leave the intruder alive, but protect himself and his family. That turned out to be a big mistake. The intruder escaped, and despite being arrested a few moments later after police responded to the homeowner's emergency call, he pressed charges against the homeowner. Now both men are serving time.
Our Founding Fathers intended for the Second Amendment to accomplish two things. First and foremost it was to give free and independent Americans the ability to defend life and property from tyrants and robbers. Secondly, it was meant to make sure that the United States government always has a healthy respect for its citizenry who could easily take up arms to address any serious grievances.
Over 200 years later the Union is still intact (despite some trying times), and the government still has a healthy fear of its own people — the only way democracy can truly work. But as violent crime gets more prevalent some political forces believe that eliminating the right to bear arms is the answer. They have become more intent on blaming an inanimate object instead of the people who commit the crimes. Gun control advocates argue that if there were fewer guns in the hands of people then there would be less violent crime.
They couldn't be more wrong. Violent people do not need guns to make them violent. Some of the world's most brutal and senseless killings have happened in countries where everyday citizens are not allowed to arm themselves. In England for instance, a few years ago a crazed man with an axe approached a total stranger in broad daylight and proceeded to commit a very grizzly crime. Unfortunately, the neighborhood could only watch and wait for the police — who came far too late. Things may have been different if someone nearby was armed and could have helped.
Here in America, the Second Amendment has come under attack in recent years, and while it appears safe for the moment, I couldn't resist this opportunity to come to its defense. The young clerk at the SubCity Market did the right thing, and she is alive today to prove it. One more scoundrel is off the streets for good. I am proud of Kentucky's concealed carry and self defense laws, and I am proud of our local legislators who have upheld our right to defend ourselves from the crazy and desperate people who may intend us harm. God bless America, and keep the Second Amendment forever.
