commentaries

From the commentary: "Ten years ago, when Israel had the outbreak of violence, there was an expansion of gun ownership, but only to people above a certain rank in the military. There was no sense that having ordinary citizens [carry guns] would make anything safer.Switzerland has also been moving away from having widespread guns.... Everyone in Switzerland serves in the army, and the cantons used to let you have the guns at home. They've been moving to keeping the guns in depots. That means they're not in the household, which makes sense because the literature shows us that if the gun is in the household, the risk goes up for everyone in the household." Thank you for correcting this "fact" about Israel and Switzerland, Ms. Rosenbaum, and for providing the rationale for changes in Israeli and Swiss gun culture.

There is a picture suddenly popular amongst NRA gundamentalists and posted everywhere showing a female teacher in Israel with a rifle hanging in its sling over her shoulder. The accompanying comments take the position that this is the right way to deal with school security. It is a stupid position; but it is held by people with a deviant relationship with guns. In reality ... she looks less like ssomeone who is ready to spring into action; but rather the first victim to be targeted; because she has a gun. Check out the Red Lake Indian Reservation Shooting, the armed cop on site was the first to die. Adrenalin is a crazy substance. How many of the kids pictured with the gun toting teacher would die from friendly fire during a sudden attack as she struggles to get into firing position wounded or under fire? The gundamentalists need to get over the NRA fantasy. This debate has nothing to do with the 2nd amendment rights; or the ability for ordinary people to be suddenly under fire and expected to shoot accurately and with discrimination; but everything to do with an overly armed and ineffectual populace that believe that the movies are real. I like guns and I enjoy shooting; but I do not love guns. I love my children and grand children. This choice is not even close unless one is spiritually, emotionally and intellectually dishonest and challenged.

I've been to Israel and it really reminded me of the Old West with all the guns citizens were carrying in public. Law abiding Israeli's are encouraged to carry firearms because of all the extremists there who would love to kill innocent people. If someone starts killing, it won't be long before an armed civilian takes him or her out. It works pretty well and we should learn from the Israeli's.

The woman says that guns are less lethal? Look, dead is dead. Whether the killing is done by a hammer or a whench or a rope in the closet means nothing. If people want to kill themselves, they will find a way. End of her point. I have had guns for all my life and I have never shot anyone. I have shot deer and ducks and geese. Get the picture? I also have a gun for self-protection. If someone is breaking into my home I have about 6 or 7 minutes to wait for the police. I could have been dead for at least six of those minutes. Same for my wife. I have taught both of my son's how to shoot and how to be careful and safe. What am I going to say to the man/woman whom will kill me? "Please bad person, do not shoot me because I am nice and so are you???" Makes a lot of sense, um? The day that comes for the government to try to take all of our 350 million guns is the day I will hide them and so will almost all of the other people. Try to find them.

We are not Israel or Switzerland

How many of the kids pictured with the gun toting teacher would die from friendly fire during a sudden attack as she struggles to get into firing position wounded or under fire? ************* What is firing position?

Wow, yet another myth of the gunny's being dissolved. Bet they won't be happy.

We are 100% NOT Isreal, nor Switzerland - so in other words- these statistics mean 100% NOTHING. There is Zero correlation between the 3 countries. Zip. Zero. Nadda. Anti gun crowd can try and take away our guns- I can also 100% Guarantee you that will Never happen. We in the USA have a constitutional RIGHT to Our Firearms. Get over it!

The hard left would try to confiscate our guns in a second like they have in other socialist countries if they thought they could get away with it. For now, they're just picking away at our Second Amendment rights.

I know a Paramedic in Isreal, They drive an ambulance. He was driving to work (in the ambulance) one morning when he heard gunfire. On a hill top he witnessed a person with a rifle shooting at a Jewish community. He stopped his ambulance, got his rifle, aimed and shot the man. He then proceeded to pick up his medical bag, and give medical help to the shooter, placed him in the ambulance and took him to the hospital.