Cities like Washington D.C. offer compelling evidence that gun laws don't save lives. This fact, along with our nation's Constitution, should dissuade those who may otherwise be predisposed to knee-jerk reactions that limit gun ownership" (Barton, 2011). I am sure there are multiple local, state, federal and civilian organizations and individuals just lining up to take advantage of the tragedy in Arizona. Another example can be illustrated by what is taking place in Walnut Creek, California where at least for now it is still legal to carry an unloaded gun on your hip almost anywhere you go. However, that may not be the law for much longer because a battle has heated demonstrated at a recent vigil held for the victims of the deadly shooting in Arizona, an event that has sparked renewed debate about gun control around the country.
According to Laura Anthony of the California News, a number of police chiefs in the Bay Area are lining-up to support a measure that would prohibit what's known as "open carry." "Guns are a threat. We don't know who they are and they have the potential to be a danger, a deadly danger, to anybody," says Emeryville Police Chief Ken James (Anthony, 2011). For gun owners like me, this is just one more example of politicians using a gun related tragedy to enrage the public and get them to overreact and gain support for passing intrusive gun control legislation.
Another good example of overreaction to the shooting can be seen in New Jersey where Frank Lautenberg, a Democratic U.S. senator recently proposed banning high-capacity (30 rounds) ammunition clips like the one used by Loughner as well as by the Virginia Tech student who killed 32 classmates and himself in 2007 (Tandon, 2011). Obviously, large magazines offer more rounds of ammunition without having to reload. However as an owner of a Browning High Power semi-automatic handgun which comes with 13 round magazines, I assure you I can reload another 13 round magazine in less than a ¼ of a second.