I'm going to write about a cheap method of sustaining national security (this is basically a rant about gun ownership). I believe that gun ownership among law-abiding citizens is the best way to keep our country safe. I personally own several firearms, and I do have a Georgia Firearms License (this lets you know I'm not a felon). Most gun owners in the U.S. are like me - just law abiding citizens who believe in defense, not going on the offense. Just think about this: anyone who would try to invade this country would have their hands full, because they would have to contend with both the National Guard as well as millions of armed citizens set on defending their home.
This is why I believe that gun control legislation would only hurt us in the long run. I do believe that criminals should not be able to own guns, but at the same time, if gun control legislation was passed, it would only hurt law-abiding citizens. This is primarily due to the fact that even if this legislation was passed, most criminals would still have ways to find guns, leaving the common citizen unarmed and at a great disadvantage. This type of situation would greatly resemble Prohibition; it would open a whole new area of merchandise for the black market, and I'm pretty sure both organized and unorganized crime would skyrocket. The following quote just helps prove this point:
"Gun control has not worked in D.C. The only people who have guns are criminals. We have the strictest gun laws in the nation and one of the highest murder rates. It's quicker to pull your Smith & Wesson than to dial 911 if you're being robbed." Lt. Lowell Duckett, Special Assistant to DC Police Chief, 1996.
As a final thought, I believe that gun ownership is what keeps this country truly free. With gun ownership, America is full of empowered citizens, not powerless subjects. And no, I am not one of those crazy folks set on overthrowing the government, just a guy who believes in defending myself and my loved ones.
