Ferguson disproves 2 anti gun beliefs...

[2aguy]

this column points out that Ferguson and the rioting and looting disproves at least two anti gun beliefs and reveals them for how silly they are?.

Ferguson's Imaginary Gun Problem

Can you imagine what Ferguson would look like if all these demonstrators were armed?

It’s a question that’s popped up in my Twitter feed in various forms over the past few days. And as my colleague Mollie Hemingway has already done a fine job of pointing out, many in the media revealed they have only a muddled understanding of gun rights.

But let’s go with David Frum’s hypothetical proposition, because it brings to mind a few broader points.

Yes, if all protestors had loaded firearms in their hands, the situation would almost certainly have degenerated into a more violent mess. But the fact is protestors could have armed themselves. Mostly, they didn’t. Though there is no way to precisely calculate the number of Missourians that own guns – one Daily Beast report uses NICS background checks numbers to come up with 14,712 per 100,000 residents, which doesn’t include inherited weapons, shotguns, etc. – there are doubtlessly plenty of firearms to be found in St Louis county. Getting your hands on a weapon in Missouri doesn’t seem to be a particularly challenging endeavor.

In this situation, it was the state that behaved as if it had been deployed for war, not the majority of protestors. Most civilians don’t use guns recklessly in these situations (or any, for that matter) for reasons of self-preservation and more vitally – and this may surprise some people – because most people have absolutely no desire to shoot at the police. Even protesting civilians. Even angry protesting civilians.

So a more appropriate observation might be: Isn’t it amazing that in a country with over 250 million guns in circulation, violent political protests are almost nonexistent?[/QUOTE]

Remember, they believe civilians should not own guns...because civilians are dangerous when armed, and only the government should have,guns...police and military...I think more store owners in .ferguson are regretting that particular idea as the stores who had guns weren't looted...and the stores without guns no longer exist...

We also shouldn’t forget those Ferguson business and home owners who purchased guns which are discouraging the peripheral criminality that almost always arises during these combustible situations. How many lawless acts are preemptively thwarted by the mere thought of a gun being present in a home or a business? How many more police officers would St Louis county need to outfit in camouflage and combat gear if freelancing troublemakers were on the loose?

Obviously, anti-gun advocates don’t believe such deterrence exists. That’s fine because it’s definitely not the best reason for gun ownership

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[waltky]

Ferguson, MO under curfew...

Police deploy tear gas to impose Ferguson curfew
16 Aug.`14 — One person was shot and seven people were arrested early Sunday morning as police used smoke and tear gas to impose a curfew in a St. Louis suburb where a black teen walking down the street had been shot by a white police officer.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Capt. Ron Johnson said during a news conference that police are still seeking the person who shot the critically wounded victim and defended his department's strong strategic response that came after a midnight to 5 a.m. curfew took hold in Ferguson, Missouri. Johnson said the strong police response was precipitated by two events. Johnson said concerns about people who'd broken into a barbecue restaurant and taken position on the roof overlooking approaching police was one strategic concern. He said another involved a man who flashed a handgun and appeared in the middle of the street as armored vehicles approached the crowd of protesters. Johnson said someone also fired at a patrol car, but no officers were injured.

Hundreds of other protesters left peacefully before the curfew took effect in Ferguson, where 18-year-old Michael Brown was fatally shot on Aug. 9. The shooting has prompted protests, unrest and claims of civil rights violations. But remaining protesters — chanting "No justice! No curfew!" — refused to leave the area. As five armored tactical vehicles approached the crowd, officers spoke through a loudspeaker: "You are in violation of a state-imposed curfew. You must disperse immediately. Failure to comply, may result in arrest." As officers put on gas masks, a chant from the distant crowd emerged: "We have the right to assemble peacefully." A moment later, police began firing canisters into the crowd of protesters.

Highway Patrol Spokesman Lt. John Hotz initially said police only used smoke, but later told The Associated Press that they also fired tear gas canisters. He said of police efforts: "Obviously, we're trying to give them every opportunity to comply with the curfew." Jayson Ross, who was leading the protesters toward police before the canisters were fired, said: "They got guns. We got guns. We are ready." The unrest between police and protesters came after Gov. Jay Nixon on Saturday declared a state of emergency in Ferguson. Nixon's curfew announcement came after tensions again flared in Ferguson late Friday night. Earlier that day, local police identified the officer who shot Brown as Darren Wilson and released documents and video footage alleging that Brown had robbed a convenience store just before he was shot. Police said Wilson was unaware Brown was a suspect when he encountered him walking in the street with a friend.

As the curfew approached late Saturday night, New Black Panther Party leader Malik Shabazz roamed the street with a bullhorn, encouraging people to leave for their own safety. Many appeared to follow his suggestion. "C'mon you all, let's roll out," Shabazz said through his bullhorn. "Let's roll out of here, get some rest and come back tomorrow." Crowds that were in the hundreds prior to the curfew had dwindled significantly in the final hour. Keyon Watkins, a 26-year-old computer science worker from St. Louis, said on Saturday that if many others stayed in the street, he would join them. "All of this is just building up — pent-up aggression by being mistreated on a daily basis," Watkins said.

MORE

 

[Toronado3800]

I am close to this. They are a fair amount of guns at the riots/loot fests. The crowd changes after dark. The loud churchgoers seem to go home and get replaced by thugs who want to break into businesses for personal profit. There are many shot fired reports and a few nights ago a young man got himself nearly killed pointing a gun at a cop. Last night someome got shot there. No word on how so I figure the police did not shoot him, probably a gun accident or protester on protester.

Really scary stuff. FWIW I have not been closer than 2 miles to it but the police scanners are interesting.

If not for the looters the day to day protesters would really have national support.

 

[The2ndAmendment]

I want to see what happens when these Oathbreakers use real bullets on the Press.

 

[LiberalMedia]

I want to see what happens when these Oathbreakers use real bullets on the Press.

It'll never happen, as most (if not all) field reporters covering this story are white.

 

[Moonglow]

I want to see what happens when these Oathbreakers use real bullets on the Press.

It'll never happen, as most (if not all) field reporters covering this story are white.

Then they had a great tan if they were all white...

 

[Toronado3800]

I want to see what happens when these Oathbreakers use real bullets on the Press.

Oathbreakers....the police? What do you think they will fire on the press for? Last night the press broke the police tape leaning over it. Guess the cops could have went crazy on em..... seems far fetched

What do you think is going on here?