Politicians Packin’ Heat

The Boise Guardian is all in a tizzy about the expansion of “Concealed Carry” to include the inside of vehicles.

This is really a much ado about nothing. If you can carry a gun in a car in Vermont which has elected a self-described Socialist to Congress every year since 1990, then by Gosh you should be able to do it in Idaho.

Vermont’s murder rate is low (half the national average). They had a total of nine homicides all of 2004. Keeping cars inside the vehicle have the potential to reduce crime as well, by making certain crimes less likely (such as carjacking.)

As the Boise Guardian noted, a long list of people including elected officials are allowed exceptions to the rule. He said, “The mainstream media didn’t tell you about the real scary thing with the existing law.” I actually don’t find that at all alarming.

If you go across from the Idaho State Capitol, you’ll see a statue of Former Governor Frank Steunenberg who was killed by bomb in his own home after he’d gone for a walk. (And some people think murders don’t happen without firearms being involved.) There’s a lot of wackos on both sides of the aisle and as much as I disagree with some of the legislatures actions, I’m very much in favor of them staying alive, so have no problem with them having a weapon in their car to defend themselves. And I have no problem with any Idaho citizen who can meet the stringent requirements for a concealed weapons permit having that same ability.

Linked to The Real Ugly American, The Uncooperative Blogger

Gun Rights, Idaho

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