Is There Soemthing Wrong with Gun-Owners or Our Educational System?

Heard a bit about the wingnuts on MSNBC last night and rolled my eyes about the talk of Obama taking guns. Then I get to read Ammo and gun shortage driven by fear of legislation in today's Herald Bulletin:

"The election of President Barack Obama, he said, startled gun owners, who quickly loaded up on ammunition and guns, fearful that the Democratic majority would strip them of gun rights. “The federal government is introducing so many bills concerning ammunition, people are scared and instead of buying one box when they come in, people are buying 10.”

Michael Stephenson of Middletown is the secretary and treasurer of the Alexandria Conservation and Gun Club and said today’s leaders in Washington don’t sympathize with gun owners.

“Everybody’s so afraid that after the election, they’ll try to confiscate the guns and ammunition. Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi, Obama — they all hate guns.”

Although Congress has not yet passed any gun laws, Clevenger said state legislators are well on their way toward driving up ammunition prices."

I always figured the gun control thing was more about geography than party politics. My first year in law school, I heard a fellow raving about the pick-ups with gun racks. He was from Connecticut and a Republican. Those of us native to Indiana had a good laugh at him.

About as good a laugh as I am having thinking that Obama is going to take everyone's guns. He has never said a word close to this. The Dems have never said anything about taking guns. Go where those Dems who favor gun control are from and you will see that it makes sense to them. Then count up the votes where it does not - from Western Pennsylvania to Nevada.

And for all the concern for Second Amendment rights, it would be heartening to see a similar interest in our other constitutional rights.

Amendment V

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

But the Republicans have not been so good about respecting constitutional rights they do not like. Maybe it is a collective bad conscience on the part of Republicans.