Two weeks ago, I published results of the gun survey. I will admit that the results weren’t what I expected, but none the less I published them anyway. Since then, there has been another shooting, this time at a high school in Santa Fe, Texas.
It’s my opinion that we are at the infancy of a movement to repeal the Second Amendment. Yep, the Second Amendment, that gives law abiding citizens the right to bear arms. I get form emails daily suggesting I get behind an Article V Convention. This means we would have a convention of the states to rewrite the Constitution. Yep, as I always say, “I’m not making this up.”
Let’s think about this. How would the South Dakota delegation stack up versus the liberal states at this convention? What voice/vote would a small state like South Dakota have compared to a New York or a California? My instincts say, “bye, bye” to Second Amendment and who knows what else! For the record, I’m against an Article V Convention of States. Our Constitution is well past 225 years and it is too risky to meet and try to tweak it.
Back to gun control. The last shooter was 17. He used his father’s firearms, a pump shotgun, and a revolver that I believe I read was a 32 Special. His killing spree lasted 30 minutes. The pump shotgun holds 3 shells with plug in, 5 shells with plug out. The 32 Special holds five rounds. The shotgun needs to be pumped before each shot is fired. With the .32 caliber, you just pull the trigger, or it is a semi-automatic. Automatic means that the weapon doesn’t stop firing until ammo is depleted. All automatic weapons are illegal for a private citizen to own.
The question asked about raising the age from 18 years old to 21 years old to buy a gun. In this case, the shooter was 17 and used his father’s guns. The question about supporting training for some teachers to carry a gun. Let’s think about this one. If a shooter is killing people for 30 minutes, wouldn’t it be basic survival to be able to retaliate, say in five minutes, with an armed presence? If not by a teacher, at least have the principal armed. (?)
The question about stricter gun laws. It’s my belief that if we go down this road, pretty soon the law-abiding citizen is unarmed and the criminals who don’t abide by our laws, still have guns. Is that what we want?
The question about background checks. Every rifle, shotgun, or handgun I’ve purchased, I have gone through an FBI background check before I was able to pay for the firearm. I’ve bought firearms at gun shows, retail stores like Cabela’s, even won a couple at Ducks Unlimited and Pheasant’s Forever banquets. Even in those events, I had to go through the FBI background check.
The question about feeling safer with an armed citizenry. Well, the only reason this nation hasn’t been invaded since the war of 1812 was as Hitler, and the Emperor of Japan, both stated, “You can’t occupy a country that has a rifle behind every tree,” or words to that effect.
Is it possible that if school wasn’t a gun free zone, and everyone understood that if anyone tries shooting up the place, that they will be met immediately with deadly force. Would that be a deterrent for the cowards that shoot and kill innocent children?
In summary, I obviously don’t have all the answers, but I am willing to listen and respect your opinions. Thank you to all who participated, and a special thank you to those who have emailed their opinions and ideas to this crisis that our country is in currently.
God bless you and God bless South Dakota, and God bless the United States of America.
Tim R. Goodwin, Representative, District 30
www.timrgoodwin.com
