On Ignoring History

The greatest proof that politicians are a bit on the dim side, is that they ignore history. It is not that they don't know history, it is just that they refuse to learn from it. So we are forced to relive their clumsy mistakes.

In 1920 Congress passed the Volstead Act, commonly known as Prohibition. They had pressure from many groups like the Women's Christian Temperance Union to ban the production, importation, and the sale of alcoholic beverages. They had the good intentions to save America from the scourge of demon rum.

But America didn't want to be saved. They liked their booze and were going to get it, one way or another. This was a great opportunity for the "mob". Rum running and speakeasies became a way of life. Criminals got rich. Gangs grew larger. Turf wars started. Blood ran. Often, innocent blood.

In 1933, Prohibition was repealed.  But the damage was done.

In 1971, President Nixon declared a "War on Drugs". His intentions were good. Illegal drugs ruined many lives. New agencies were formed. Existing agencies were given a new direction. The Coast Guard was tasked with interdiction. The war was on.

The price of drugs increased. The mob got richer. They made their money wholesaling to new gangs, primarily in the black and Latino communities. Those gangs got bigger and stronger. Much more blood flowed.

Drug cartels formed in Mexico and South America growing, processing, and exporting drugs to the USA. The violence didn't just grow, it multiplied. And this damage still goes on.

So, once again, today, an ill advised part of our political scene claims a plan to save us from ourselves. They are doing everything in their power to ban firearms. It won't work, for oh so many reasons. Anything that the government tries to do on a large scale, they screw up. Look at the IRS, the EPA, the VA, Obamacare, take your choice.

We have over 300 million civilian firearms in this country owned by people who don't trust the government. The fools may try to take them but they won't succeed. These are the guns owned by honest citizens. Guns that will never be used in a crime by the owner. These people value their Second Amendment rights and would never jeopardize them.

Criminals don't go to gun shows or gun shops. They buy guns on the black market or, if they're in a gang, the import them like they do drugs. Some of them they get directly from government programs like "Fast and Furious".

Thanks to much of the governments mishandling of their duties, the world has become a far more dangerous place. We, as a free people, have the right to protect our families and ourselves. No country ever became more peaceful or safer by giving up their guns. One just needs to look at Europe today to see the folly of that path.