Massad Ayoob » Firearm Owner’s Civil Rights http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob Massad Ayoob on Firearms, Self-defense, and the 2nd Amendment Wed, 23 May 2012 03:56:09 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 ON THE QUESTION OF “STAND YOUR GROUND” LAWS http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2012/04/26/on-the-question-of-stand-your-ground-laws/ http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2012/04/26/on-the-question-of-stand-your-ground-laws/#comments Fri, 27 Apr 2012 03:49:57 +0000 Mas http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/?p=1752 A recent case in the national headlines has revived the debate over “stand your ground” laws, which in essence rescind any retreat requirement and allow innocent crime victims to repel force with appropriate force if attacked in any place where they have a right to be. There has been much confusion with the Stand Your Ground (SYG) principle and other legal rules, such as Castle Doctrine and Presumption of Reasonableness.

This past Monday, I had the privilege of participating in a forum at the headquarters of the libertarian Cato Institute in Washington, DC, addressing this matter.  It can be found here: http://www.cato.org/event.php?eventid=9141

It opens with moderator Tim Lynch of Cato Institute giving an overview of the matter. Next, for twenty minutes each, we have historian Clayton Cramer explaining the origin and development of the laws and principles involved in the debate…me explaining why I consider the objections to SYG to each be somewhere between weak and bogus…and Steven Jansen, vice president of a prosecutors’ association, advocating that SYG laws be eliminated.

It’s all very civil, and very much worth an hour of your time, particularly if you keep or carry a firearm for defensive purposes.

(Early on, you’ll also get a reminder why it’s important to turn off your cell phone before people start recording…)

Your comments are very much welcome here.

]]> http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2012/04/26/on-the-question-of-stand-your-ground-laws/feed/ 26 A TIMELY REMINDER… http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2012/04/20/a-timely-reminder/ http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2012/04/20/a-timely-reminder/#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2012 11:24:22 +0000 Mas http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/?p=1747 With a Florida shooting this past February having become a cause célèbre that has triggered strident demands for more restrictive laws on guns and self-defense, it is a good time to review the history of the “gun control movement.”  The following comes to you from Ann Coulter.  As you read it, you might want to remember that Martin Luther King – a Republican gun owner – was denied the concealed carry permit he requested.

http://frontpagemag.com/2012/04/19/the-democrats-racist-gun-control-history/

For more on this topic, read “Black Man With A Gun” by my old friend Kenn Blanchard.

Kenn Blanchard, left, with Mas (center) and Steve Denney (right) at SHOT Show.  Kenn’s book “Black Man With A Gun” details the racist beginnings of “gun control” in the US.

]]> http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2012/04/20/a-timely-reminder/feed/ 20 MORE ON ROMNEY AND GUN OWNERS http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2012/04/15/more-on-romney-and-gun-owners/ http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/2012/04/15/more-on-romney-and-gun-owners/#comments Sun, 15 Apr 2012 13:22:06 +0000 Mas http://backwoodshome.com/blogs/MassadAyoob/?p=1741 Well, our likely Republican nominee has completed his address to the National Rifle Association and its members.

Romney’s comments of Friday the 13th reported here http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0412/75116.html

And here: http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-mitt-romney-warns-nra-against-an-unrestrained-secondterm-obama-20120413,0,250411.story

The day before Romney and the other heavy hitters spoke at the NRA conference, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ran this as their front page headline story: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/romney-s-relationship-with-gun-enthusiasts-in-the-spotlight-as/article_8b9680ce-35d4-5bd3-99da-b5b6c7d1f3f3.html.

This was the front page story in St. Louis’ major newspaper when NRA members hit the ground there for the annual meeting.

 

Mr. (and Mrs.) Romney spent more time discussing women’s issues than gun owners’ civil rights issues with the NRA audience.

 

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