Young adults challenge age-restricted gun bans

When I was a child, I could go to the local Western Auto store and drool over the rifles that were right there in floor-level racks for me to touch. I even bought and used a lot of .22 ammo. 

But, legislators, governors, presidents, and judges have long disrespected the Second Amendment (2A), treating it as the red-headed stepchild of the Bill of Rights. As a result, reams of legislation and court decisions have arisen that have denied citizens their 2A rights one way or another. 

Among these was the Gun Control Act of 1968, signed into law by Lyndon Johnson (D). That law, in addition to other things, created a dealer network, and prohibited dealer sales of long guns and their ammo to those under 18; and handguns and their ammo to those under 21. Dealers were required to keep a record of ammo sales. Being under 21, I could not buy pistol ammo. When I went to buy .22's, I had to state on the form that they were for a rifle. 

That has always stuck in my craw.

Simon says "NO GUNS!"

 You probably heard about the mass shooter who was stopped in 15 seconds by hero Elisjasha Dicken. More details on the chain of events will surely be released as law enforcement completes their investigation. 

Simon Property Group, owner of Greenwood Park Mall, has long posted their properties against weapons. Depending on the state, their weapons ban may or may not carry the force of law. In Indiana, according to several sources, their ban does not carry the force of law; whereas Tennessee bans do, if properties are properly posted. 

In view of the fact that Mr. Dicken was almost universally praised for his heroic action and remarkable marksmanship, I reached out to  Mr. David Simon of Simon Property group, urging him to reconsider their ban. After receiving no reply to an email, I sent Simon a snail-mail letter, reproduced below.* To date, I have not received a reply from him. . . .

I decided to contact Simon Property Group through their web site to a) clarify their weapons policy, and b) ascertain if there is any thought to changing the policy. My correspondence, edited for brevity is included below.**

Memphis murders

 Memphis, with a long history of violence, has received national media attention for a shooting spree in which four people were recently killed and three wounded. 

Just a few days earlier, Memphis jogger Eliza Fletcher had been brutally kidnapped and murdered. The suspect in this crime has additionally been charged in another woman's armed abduction and rape. It remains to be seen if there are other, currently unknown, victims.

Both suspects have been beneficiaries of Tennessee's sport fishing criminal justice system. By creating a system in which judges and parole boards repeatedly turn these societal predators loose on the public, legislators must take some responsibility for their actions.

But, Tennessee's legislature (and most other states') has also made it more feasible to carry a defensive weapon in public, either through shall issue permitting/licensing schemes, or permitless carry.

So, I encourage responsible adults to become your own first-responders. Start to carry a weapon of some sort. 

• Practically all knives* are legal in Tennessee (except where prohibited) . 
• Handguns** may generally be legally carried on the person or in a vehicle (except where prohibited).
• Consider pepper spray, too.

Any defensive weapon choice is a compromise. It seems that smaller and lighter handguns are becoming more popular; and they would be better than a snowball.

Arm up

Train up

Carry on

-------------

*Keep up to date on knife laws with Knife Rights app.

** See Handgunlaw.us or the Legal Heat app.