Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

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bignflnut
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Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

Post by bignflnut »

Trump just reiterated that schools being "gun-free" zones leaves them vulnerable to mass shooters - who wouldn't dare to attack a place if they knew people with guns were there.

If schools are mandated to be gun free zones, violence and danger are given an open invitation to enter. Almost all school shootings are in gun free zones. Cowards will only go where there is no deterrent!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 12, 2018
Leaving aside all the Day One snark of the last few months, it may be helpful to clarify the desired outcome and the goal regarding "Gun Free Zones".

To get straight to the point, "Gun Free Zones" are places where a law abiding citizen, exercising his Negative Right to Keep and Bear Arms for self-defense is not turned into a felon.

The High School in Parkland, for instance, was such a place, although there were State actors on the campus who were allowed, permitted, duty-bound, etc to carry firearms. While it's not a strictly gun free campus, because someone is carrying a weapon and not being charged with a felony, we pro-RKBA folk should continue use "Gun Free Zone" where the common citizen is forbidden from RKBA.

If there are people who are given a special dispensation of grace from the felony charge (i.e. police officers, former military, trained teachers, local heroes) and the potential felony charge lingers for the common citizen, it's a "Gun Free Zone". (There will be some confusion regarding the stat Gun Owners of America throws out that 98% of mass shootings happen in GFZs. )

Setting aside the definition of GFZ and focusing on an actual solution/deterrent to the threat, we've established that the State (be it the school administrators, the local cops, the county cops, or the feds) will not take legal responsibility for the physical safety of the students or staff that populate these buildings daily. The events in Parkland demonstrate that a wily criminal can enter and carry out his crimes even with armed guards on campus (DId ya'all hear about the Central Michigan University shooting where the kid takes the dad/cops gun out of the car to slay them on campus?) . The element of surprise is key to the battle. The criminal has it, and the defense team should not surrender it.

If teachers unions or school boards come out against arming teachers, everybody knows that janitorial staff, administrators and the lunch lady are the only ones left. The only sure fire way to grant the element of surprise to the defense team is to throw open the doors and allow carry on a "must issue" basis, that those who desire to carry may and all others are welcome. The school boards may ask to generate a list of people who desire to carry, a registration, if you will, but this will have political ramifications that cannot be understated. It's an unworkable solution. There could be some code word or some training that interested parties could be encouraged to take, but again, politics of registration will prevent many.

Massie's bill to repeal the 1990 law that created GFZs is healthy and should be a no-brainer, easy winner. The felony threat needs to be removed on the federal level, but we need to get it out of the local area, also.

GFZ is where RKBA is a felony for the common citizen. The role of the civil government is to uphold and protect the rights of the citizenry. Civil Government creating a felony zone where RKBA is off limits is exceeding it's mandate (to put it gently).

Why have this discussion when it seems there is some movement towards arming society? Clarifying concepts and goals is preferred to those who hate gunsplaining and precise language in this discussion. Exhibit A is a cat video (language warning). -- Perhaps we pro RKBA people can do better in our communications with interested parties. You hit what you aim at. Let's make sure we're aiming at appropriate goals.
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Re: Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

Post by bignflnut »

Correction:
To get straight to the point, "Gun Free Zones" are places where a law abiding citizen, exercising his Negative Right to Keep and Bear Arms for self-defense is turned into a felon.
:shock: Oy. :roll:
“It’s not that we don’t have enough scoundrels to curse; it’s that we don’t have enough good men to curse them.”–G.K. Chesterton-Illustrated London News, 3-14-1908

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Re: Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

Post by WY_Not »

Why use the rainbows and unicorns euphamism of GFZ? Call it what it is a Criminal Protection Zone (CPZ).
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Re: Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

Post by bignflnut »

That's an excellent example, thank you.

When among pro RKBA people, yes, you and I comprehend what we're saying when we say CPZ. Of course, I agree with you, that criminals will not follow the law and are therefore not restrained by such deterrents.

It's important to attack the legal jargon where it is and use the terms at hand to effectively combat the issue. When we get in to the rah-rah red meat stump speech type rhetoric, we play the us vs them game and we devolve into tribalism. You can see this in the "assault weapon" idea that has had legs now for 30+ years. It's a nonsense phrase, but now it's a rallying cry, which leads to thoughtless screeching.

Societies are based on the melting pot of backgrounds assimilating towards and upholding certain legal concepts for the benefit of the citizens. It's those lofty legal concepts (self-defense) that we should rally around, not political victory, not out messaging the other side, not tribalism. It's the intellectual high road that unites peoples from opposite ends of the earth, not silly phrasing and messaging to score points. These CNN town hall type events are tearing our society apart, because they distract from, devalue and cheapen concepts that should unite us.

Disregarding or dismissing people who are screaming at you invites a certain level of violence. When people are disrespected, what recourse follows? Do they go gently into the night? No, they've thrown away civility, honor and decorum already, haven't they? They're attempting legal assault, for certain. Failing that, they may attempt physical violence. Shouldn't we offer something that helps them (even if they reject it)?

The temptation to discard civility, honor and decorum like those on the other side is strong. The aggressor is said to set the rules, and many seem to be set to "double standard". We're not going to out gutter talk them, however, as we're not willing to shed reality to that degree. We should maintain an academic and accurate standard to hold politicians accountable. We should be the informed people who speak with authority on these issues, because we are not attempting to sell a lie to the public.

WY_Not, I have no quarrel with you and I understand where you're coming from. I appreciate your fervor, intellectual honesty and honor. With all the data on the law abiding people that carry guns, we can now insist that they have the self-restraint to carry in churches, schools, government buildings, bars, etc. The fear that lead to the misguided notion of GFZs is unfounded. That lie has been exposed.
“It’s not that we don’t have enough scoundrels to curse; it’s that we don’t have enough good men to curse them.”–G.K. Chesterton-Illustrated London News, 3-14-1908

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"Avarice, ambition, revenge and licentiousness would break the strongest cords of our Constitution, as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams to Mass Militia 10-11-1798
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Re: Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

Post by Brian D. »

Some firearms/tactics trainers call these places "non-permissive environments" or NPEs. Just a point of info, I had to look up NPE the first time reading it.

By the way I don't think we'll ever get the "assault weapons" genie back in the bottle. Media did that on purpose...I was part of a group that challenged local media doing that stuff. They. Didn't. Care. About. Getting. It. Right.
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Re: Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

Post by bignflnut »

We could go so far as to call them "Tyranny Zones" or Areas because they're suspending the citizen's RKBA.

Ohio's list of "Tyranny Zones"

• Police stations
• Sheriffs’ offices
• Highway Patrol posts
• Premises controlled by BCI
• Correctional institutions or other detention facilities
• Airport terminals or airplanes
• Facilities for the care of mentally ill persons
• Courthouses or buildings in which a courtroom is located
• Universities, unless locked in a motor vehicle or in the process of being locked in a motor vehicle
• Places of worship, unless the place of worship permits otherwise
• Child day-care centers
• Licensed Class D liquor permit premises, if you are consuming beer or intoxicating liquor or are under the influence. If you are not consuming, and not under the influence, you may carry unless there is a conspicuous sign prohibiting carry.
Possession of a concealed firearm is allowed in a rental store with a D-6 or D-8 permit as long as the concealed carry license holder is not consuming liquor. Class D permits are generally issued to an establishment that sells alcohol for consumption on the premises. In any event, do not consume beer or liquor before carrying a concealed handgun into a licensed premises or while on the premises.
• Government facilities that are not used primarily as a shelter, restroom, parking facility for motor vehicles, or rest facility and are not a courthouse or a building or structure in which a courtroom is located.
• School safety zones: A school safety zone includes a school, school building, school premises, school activity, and school bus. For the purposes of this statute, a school includes everything up to the property boundary.
** If you are licensed to carry a concealed handgun, you may carry a handgun into a school safety zone only if you do not enter a school building, school premises, or school activity. You may be in a motor vehicle and immediately in the process of picking up or dropping off a child. You must also comply with all other laws governing the transportation of firearms in a motor vehicle.
“It’s not that we don’t have enough scoundrels to curse; it’s that we don’t have enough good men to curse them.”–G.K. Chesterton-Illustrated London News, 3-14-1908

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"Avarice, ambition, revenge and licentiousness would break the strongest cords of our Constitution, as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams to Mass Militia 10-11-1798
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Re: Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

Post by JustaShooter »

bignflnut wrote:We could go so far as to call them "Tyranny Zones" or Areas because they're suspending the citizen's RKBA.

Ohio's list of "Tyranny Zones"
Your list is inaccurate. Might want to do some research. Oh, and some of those that are prohibited for concealed carry are legal for open carry. Just FYI.
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Re: Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

Post by bignflnut »

Isn't that the point? (thank you for making it) It couldn't be more muddled in order to discourage lawful RKBA.
Tweek it here, crimp it there....nobody is ever quite sure where they stand, but they know that the heavy hand of government is more than willing to crush them.
“It’s not that we don’t have enough scoundrels to curse; it’s that we don’t have enough good men to curse them.”–G.K. Chesterton-Illustrated London News, 3-14-1908

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"Avarice, ambition, revenge and licentiousness would break the strongest cords of our Constitution, as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams to Mass Militia 10-11-1798
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Re: Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

Post by bignflnut »

This is what we have bargained FOR:

Michigan story"
A gun found by a student in the Shepherd Middle School bathroom Monday morning belonged to Isabella County Sheriff Michael Main, who left the weapon behind inadvertently when he used the facility to change over the weekend.

Isabella County Prosecutor’s Office officials said the incident is “under investigation” and have offered no further comment, including who or what agency is investigating.

In a statement issued Tuesday morning, Main took full responsibility saying he is “devastated” by his own negligence in leaving the weapon in a school and praised the student who found it and immediately contacted an adult.

“In the 20 years of law enforcement service I have never left a weapon anywhere. I have no excuse for my lack of responsibility with this matter. I have worked diligently my entire career to protect people, especially our youth. However, I have failed to do just that, and I’m devastated with my lack of accountability in this matter,” he wrote.

The sheriff said he was at an event at the school when he used the locker room to change from his street clothes into uniform for a work event; he believed the gun – his secondary or backup firearm – was in his bag when he left.

It wasn’t until Shepherd Police Chief Luke Sawyer notified Main that a gun had been found in the school that Main realized he had left his own weapon behind, he said.

The gun was found by a student Monday morning who immediately notified staff; within a short time the Shepherd Police Department learned the gun was not brought to the school by a student or staff member but by an off-duty police officer, Sawyer wrote on Facebook Monday afternoon.
Good on the Sheriff for owning his mistake. Whoever found this is to be commended, also, for getting this to the right people.
So, are we safer with State actors only having guns?
Where have I heard that one before? "Only the government people should have guns, and then civilians will be safe."
“It’s not that we don’t have enough scoundrels to curse; it’s that we don’t have enough good men to curse them.”–G.K. Chesterton-Illustrated London News, 3-14-1908

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"Avarice, ambition, revenge and licentiousness would break the strongest cords of our Constitution, as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams to Mass Militia 10-11-1798
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Re: Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

Post by WhyNot »

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Re: Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

Post by M-Quigley »

bignflnut wrote: If teachers unions or school boards come out against arming teachers, everybody knows that janitorial staff, administrators and the lunch lady are the only ones left.
In the last couple of weeks, I've heard the comments of a few school board officials, and when they say "teachers should not be armed" they include all the other staff. They specifically said the only people who are competent enough to hit the shooter or not get their gun taken from them by students are people with a uniform and a badge, period. This is regardless of how much training the civilian staff might receive. By their logic a maintenence man who might be a former Navy Seal with extensive additional training r/t school shootings is incompetent, and will kill more students than the mass shooter, (implied by one offical) while a barely trained cop of some kind will save the day and never miss. Probably because the badge acts as a magic talisman to guide the bullet to it's destination? :roll:
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Re: Clarifying "Gun Free Zones"

Post by bignflnut »

So, the immunity and exemption from the law is complete for that Michigan Sheriff.
A Michigan sheriff won't face criminal charges for leaving his gun in a middle school.

Mecosta County Prosecutor Brian E. Thiede, through staff in his office, said he declined to authorize charges against Isabella County Sheriff Michael Main. Staff added Thiede found no statute had been violated when Main over the weekend of March 10-11 left his backup handgun in a locker room within Shepherd Middle School, 150 W. Hall St.

A sixth grader at the school had found the Glock 27 on a toilet paper dispenser the morning of Monday, March 12. The student immediately notified school officials, who in turn contacted Shepherd police.
So, no child endangerment? No dereliction of duty? Zip and Pip?
If a common citizen had done this -- felon for life.
“It’s not that we don’t have enough scoundrels to curse; it’s that we don’t have enough good men to curse them.”–G.K. Chesterton-Illustrated London News, 3-14-1908

Republicans.Hate.You. See2020.

"Avarice, ambition, revenge and licentiousness would break the strongest cords of our Constitution, as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." John Adams to Mass Militia 10-11-1798
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