Sorry your family member has been shot. Can I use your pain and suffering to push more restrictive gun laws?

That's what New Orleans representative Jaun LaFonta (he doesn't represent me!) wants to do. Use the tragedy of a shooting and people's pain and suffering to push his agenda.
While I will agree there should be stiff penalties for crimes committed with a firearm and we should prosecute with the current laws we already have, his law is way too vague and would turn an other wise law abiding citizen into an instant criminal.

From www.abc26.com and also seen on WDSU:

Parade Gun law

March 12, 2009
A New Orleans lawmaker is calling for stiffer penalties for those who illegally possess a firearm at a gathering of 50 or more people.
This is in response to the recent Mardi Gras day shootings.
State Representative Juan LaFonta said those caught with an illegal gun could spend five years in jail without the benefit of probation and parole.

I must comment on the following concerning the shooting on Mardi Gras Day:

1) LRS 40:1379.3 N (9) States that No Permittee is entitled to carry a concealed handgun a parade or demonstration for which a permit is issued by a government entity. This law has been on the books since the CCW was introduced in the 90s. Blatantly making a crime to be around 50 people for which no permit is issued is way too restrictive and can in no way be controlled or enforced.
2) The 2 thugs that were captured, one was a felon in the possession of a handgun, the other was under house arrest with an ankle bracelet (why wasn't he home? - again, another law the criminal didn't care about). Both were also under the age of 21 and they WERE CAPTURED relatively quickly by NOPD and charged with 7 COUNTS OF ATTEMPTED FIRST DEGREE MURDER
3)Congratulations, the law-abiding people follow the law, criminals don't (That's why they are called criminals). They didn't care about breaking at least four firearm FELONIES, who says they follow this law??!!
4) That a tragedy is used to further any firearms agenda. This really ticked me off. Sort of like, "Well 7 are hurt, let's use their suffering to push more laws"
5) Define "a gathering of 50 or more people". Within what? 5 feet, 10 feet, a mile? What if I'm at a family reunion with 50 people. What if I'm in a restaurant or store with 10 people and 40 more walk in? What if I'm in a mall parking lot. I can't tell if there 50 people around or not. Am I supposed to go look and count? What if I have a valid concealed carry permit for the state - I see this law as way too vague, open to wide interpretation and restrictive. Also define "illegal gun". If I have a valid CCW or otherwise did not steal the gun, is it legal and therefore exempt?
6) Rep Lafonta spoke about this today and says he has the backing of the state. What, so soon? Did he he get a poll completed in less than one day? As a resident of the state, he certainly does NOT have my backing

Why do I own and carry a firearm?

We've all heard the question. Mine is simple. I carry to exercise my Constitutional Right and to protect myself, my loved ones and other innocents. We've all heard the answers as well. I carry a gun because a cop is too heavy; When seconds count, the cops are just minutes away as well as others. They may seem to some to be an act of "bravado", but it rings true!! The Supreme Court has said "that the police have no legal duty to protect any individual citizen from crime, even if the citizen has received death threats and the police have negligently failed to provide protection." (7/15/05 SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES No. 04-278 TOWN OF CASTLE ROCK, COLORADO, PETITIONER v. JESSICA GONZALES) So, it's up to me and only me to provide for me and mine. I will not be a lamb to the slaughter! You will only have seconds to face down the threat. Unless you live across the street from the police, they will NOT get there in time. Now, I will beg off if I can. I will not run into a fight I have no business being in. I will be a good witness. BUT, if I or my family is cornered with no way out, I will stand my ground.

Do you own a firearm or not. If so, is it for personal protection?
Let's hear your reason!

Inaugural Rant about the Second Amendment

Greetings and welcome to my Blog. I decided to create this blog to Defend the Constitution. I am a Concealed Carry Firearms Instructor who sees the real threat against our Second Amendment rights every day. I look at it this way. It's not just about guns, it's about our Constitution. If they take away the Second Amendment by nickel-and-diming it to death, the other ones, especially the Bill of Rights, are not far behind. If you value your Constitution, speak up!!