thedrifter
04-04-09, 07:20 AM
Talking about guns and the Second Amendment
Saturday, April 4, 2009
By David S. Glasier
DGlasier@News-Herald.com
Sometimes, a story meant to take you in one direction ends up taking you in two.
That happened to me while gathering material for an overview of Ohio's concealed-carry weapons law as it nears its fifth anniversary. Many of the interviewees said I also needed to explore a dramatic surge in the sales of guns and ammunition since the November presidential election.
Here are excerpts from some of those conversations.
Maren Roberts, 48, Painesville Township
Roberts works at Dick's Sporting Goods as a salesclerk in the guns and ammunition department. She also is a concealed-carry licensee and member of the National Rifle Association. She's taking a defensive-shooting class at Atwell's Range in Painesville.
"It used to be that people looked at gun ownership as a redneck thing. That image doesn't work anymore. We're everyday, hardworking people."
"Because of where I work, I know that what's going on now with the sales of guns and ammunition is mostly about supply and demand. In January, I bought a case of 9 millimeter bullets, 500 rounds, for $80. Now, that same case is $120."
Bud Connolly, secretary of Crooked Creek Conservation Club in Hartsgrove Township
"I'm concerned about the unavailability of ammunition and components, but not to the point of alarm. I'm hoping things return to normal soon, but I think we have a rough, four-year ride in front of us. The election had everything to do with this. People are afraid ammunition will be priced or regulated out of existence."
Rich Pohl, owner of Best Firearms in Painesville
"Pretty much the current administration is to blame. Some of the people working for Obama were in the Clinton administration and supported the assault-weapons ban. That ban lapsed in 2004, but people are trying to stock up just in case."
Jim Kessler, vice president for policy, Third Way
Kessler described Third Way as a "moderate, nonprofit think tank" in Washington, D.C. He formerly was director of policy for Americans for Gun Safety.
"We've always supported the rights laid out in the Second Amendment. We also believe those rights allow for common-sense restrictions."
"I'm not surprised by the increases in gun and ammo sales. You have an organization like the National Rifle Association, with upwards of 4 million members, telling people their right to own guns will be taken away if Barack Obama is elected president. That's preposterous. Any gun restrictions proposed by Obama and considered by Congress would have no impact on law-abiding citizens. The arguments put forward by Second Amendment absolutists are based on fear. That's the game they've been playing for years."
Ken Kabb, 69, Beachwood
Kabb is a lawyer who lives in Beachwood and takes the defensive-shooting class at Atwell's.
"Obama has lied to the media and to the American public about his position on guns. He doesn't have the first idea what the Second Amendment means. The Constitution means what it says as regards the right to bear arms. If this administration and Congress pass new gun laws that infringe on that right, I will engage in some form of civil disobedience. That's how passionate I am about this."
Toby Hoover, executive director, Ohio Coalition against Gun Violence
Hoover has been an activist on gun-related issues since 1973, when her husband was shot and killed at work by an escaped convict who bought a gun illegally on the street.
"There are organizations out there on the pro-gun side who've been doing a lot of salesmanship since the (November) election. What they are selling is fear. They are telling people, 'Get your guns and bullets now.' You just can't get through to these people. If you do anything to advocate the regulation of firearms and ammunition, you're accused of wanting to take all of them away. I don't know if we'll ever resolve this."
Ron Paul Duning, 58, Willowick
Dunning is a weapons specialist and gunsmith at Gander Mountain store in Mentor. This former member of the U.S. Marines Corps also is a marksman, chairman of the Ohio Fast-Draw Association and firearms safety instructor.
"I see the influx of people into the ranks of gun owners. They are looking for someone to teach them more about firearms and firearms safety. Anyone who is opposed to gun ownership or isn't sure about the issue, tell them to get a hold of me and I'll share with them everything I know about firearms. Guns are just a tool. They are not a death ray."
Ellie
Saturday, April 4, 2009
By David S. Glasier
DGlasier@News-Herald.com
Sometimes, a story meant to take you in one direction ends up taking you in two.
That happened to me while gathering material for an overview of Ohio's concealed-carry weapons law as it nears its fifth anniversary. Many of the interviewees said I also needed to explore a dramatic surge in the sales of guns and ammunition since the November presidential election.
Here are excerpts from some of those conversations.
Maren Roberts, 48, Painesville Township
Roberts works at Dick's Sporting Goods as a salesclerk in the guns and ammunition department. She also is a concealed-carry licensee and member of the National Rifle Association. She's taking a defensive-shooting class at Atwell's Range in Painesville.
"It used to be that people looked at gun ownership as a redneck thing. That image doesn't work anymore. We're everyday, hardworking people."
"Because of where I work, I know that what's going on now with the sales of guns and ammunition is mostly about supply and demand. In January, I bought a case of 9 millimeter bullets, 500 rounds, for $80. Now, that same case is $120."
Bud Connolly, secretary of Crooked Creek Conservation Club in Hartsgrove Township
"I'm concerned about the unavailability of ammunition and components, but not to the point of alarm. I'm hoping things return to normal soon, but I think we have a rough, four-year ride in front of us. The election had everything to do with this. People are afraid ammunition will be priced or regulated out of existence."
Rich Pohl, owner of Best Firearms in Painesville
"Pretty much the current administration is to blame. Some of the people working for Obama were in the Clinton administration and supported the assault-weapons ban. That ban lapsed in 2004, but people are trying to stock up just in case."
Jim Kessler, vice president for policy, Third Way
Kessler described Third Way as a "moderate, nonprofit think tank" in Washington, D.C. He formerly was director of policy for Americans for Gun Safety.
"We've always supported the rights laid out in the Second Amendment. We also believe those rights allow for common-sense restrictions."
"I'm not surprised by the increases in gun and ammo sales. You have an organization like the National Rifle Association, with upwards of 4 million members, telling people their right to own guns will be taken away if Barack Obama is elected president. That's preposterous. Any gun restrictions proposed by Obama and considered by Congress would have no impact on law-abiding citizens. The arguments put forward by Second Amendment absolutists are based on fear. That's the game they've been playing for years."
Ken Kabb, 69, Beachwood
Kabb is a lawyer who lives in Beachwood and takes the defensive-shooting class at Atwell's.
"Obama has lied to the media and to the American public about his position on guns. He doesn't have the first idea what the Second Amendment means. The Constitution means what it says as regards the right to bear arms. If this administration and Congress pass new gun laws that infringe on that right, I will engage in some form of civil disobedience. That's how passionate I am about this."
Toby Hoover, executive director, Ohio Coalition against Gun Violence
Hoover has been an activist on gun-related issues since 1973, when her husband was shot and killed at work by an escaped convict who bought a gun illegally on the street.
"There are organizations out there on the pro-gun side who've been doing a lot of salesmanship since the (November) election. What they are selling is fear. They are telling people, 'Get your guns and bullets now.' You just can't get through to these people. If you do anything to advocate the regulation of firearms and ammunition, you're accused of wanting to take all of them away. I don't know if we'll ever resolve this."
Ron Paul Duning, 58, Willowick
Dunning is a weapons specialist and gunsmith at Gander Mountain store in Mentor. This former member of the U.S. Marines Corps also is a marksman, chairman of the Ohio Fast-Draw Association and firearms safety instructor.
"I see the influx of people into the ranks of gun owners. They are looking for someone to teach them more about firearms and firearms safety. Anyone who is opposed to gun ownership or isn't sure about the issue, tell them to get a hold of me and I'll share with them everything I know about firearms. Guns are just a tool. They are not a death ray."
Ellie