Thoughts on this? I'm thinking of sending it to Councilman Chang:

Aloha Councilman Chang

I have read a draft of the resolution in the subject and hereby lodge my disagreement with it. I strongly urge you to avoid proceeding with it.

The primary reason why I disagree with the resolution is the fact that the steps it suggests will not address the issues identified.

We have seen what happens in cities with strict gun laws. Chicago has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States, yet there were 514 murders there in 2012, 441 of which involved guns. Of those 441 that involved guns, ALL of them were perpetrated with handguns. None involved rifles or "other firearms."

Note that these numbers are AFTER the laws preventing private ownership of handguns were lifted and marked a DECREASE in overall crime rates - nearly 20,000 fewer violent crimes than 10 years prior and 6,000 fewer than the last year the handgun ban was still in effect (2009.)

The point to make here is that the vast majority of gun crimes across the US (not just Chicago) involve guns that aren't the scary, 'evil black rifle' type on which your resolution would place such stringent restrictions.

The second reason I object to this resolution is that, historically, imposing strident gun control measures usually results in an INCREASE in crime and does very little to reduce crime involving firearms. By definition, criminals just don't care about gun laws, so the only people affected are the normal, well-adjusted average citizens who are subsequently bereft of their most immediate defense against someone that wishes to do them or their families harm in their own homes.

I want to bring up a third point. I think this is a good thing, but you may disagree: By attempting to push this resolution through you serve to unite people in opposition to it, thereby undermining your position as a gun control advocate. I am one of them and I don't even own a firearm; I just believe that Hawaii's gun laws are ALREADY too burdensome and our 2nd amendment rights are restricted tightly enough - more so, even, than they should be.

In closing, I think you could take a lesson from my oldest son. When he turned 13, he and I attended a L.I.F.E handgun training course and obtained our affidavits, allowing us to purchase a gun if I so wished. I've also taken my youngest son (9) to the Shooting Sports Fair at the Koko Head Shooting Complex on Father's Day, after our (I'm a member of the Hawaii Kai Lions Club) annual pancake breakfast at Kaiser High School. Both of my children have learned that guns are just tools - they hold no magic for good or evil. Restricting them as if they did is, in my opinion, myopic and ineffectual as anything but theater.
Sincerely,

Crass!

Thoughts on this? I'm thinking of sending it to Councilman Chang:

Aloha Councilman Chang

I have read a draft of the resolution in the subject and hereby lodge my disagreement with it. I strongly urge you to avoid proceeding with it.

The primary reason why I disagree with the resolution is the fact that the steps it suggests will not address the issues identified.

We have seen what happens in cities with strict gun laws. Chicago has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States, yet there were 514 murders there in 2012, 441 of which involved guns. Of those 441 that involved guns, ALL of them were perpetrated with handguns. None involved rifles or "other firearms."

Note that these numbers are AFTER the laws preventing private ownership of handguns were lifted and marked a DECREASE in overall crime rates - nearly 20,000 fewer violent crimes than 10 years prior and 6,000 fewer than the last year the handgun ban was still in effect (2009.)

The point to make here is that the vast majority of gun crimes across the US (not just Chicago) involve guns that aren't the scary, 'evil black rifle' type on which your resolution would place such stringent restrictions.

The second reason I object to this resolution is that, historically, imposing strident gun control measures usually results in an INCREASE in crime and does very little to reduce crime involving firearms. By definition, criminals just don't care about gun laws, so the only people affected are the normal, well-adjusted average citizens who are subsequently bereft of their most immediate defense against someone that wishes to do them or their families harm in their own homes.

I want to bring up a third point. I think this is a good thing, but you may disagree: By attempting to push this resolution through you serve to unite people in opposition to it, thereby undermining your position as a gun control advocate. I am one of them and I don't even own a firearm; I just believe that Hawaii's gun laws are ALREADY too burdensome and our 2nd amendment rights are restricted tightly enough - more so, even, than they should be.

In closing, I think you could take a lesson from my oldest son. When he turned 13, he and I attended a L.I.F.E handgun training course and obtained our affidavits, allowing us to purchase a gun if I so wished. I've also taken my youngest son (9) to the Shooting Sports Fair at the Koko Head Shooting Complex on Father's Day, after our (I'm a member of the Hawaii Kai Lions Club) annual pancake breakfast at Kaiser High School. Both of my children have learned that guns are just tools - they hold no magic for good or evil. Restricting them as if they did is, in my opinion, myopic and ineffectual as anything but theater.
Sincerely,

Crass!

nice
send it
i got sidetracked from writing mine
i will do it soon

Aloha Crass.
Definately send it   

But as I noted earlier...

   " It's not really Chang that needs to hear from you as he is the one proposing the resolution and will have a deaf ear (but do include him in your notice of disapproval).
   
    The resolution must pass vote by the remainder of the Counsil, so that is who we must let know that we oppose Changs Bill."
See page one of this postwhere  I have listed the names, phone numbers and Email addresses of all Council members.

Aloha Crass.
Definately send it   

But as I noted earlier...

   " It's not really Chang that needs to hear from you as he is the one proposing the resolution and will have a deaf ear (but do include him in your notice of disapproval).
   
    The resolution must pass vote by the remainder of the Counsil, so that is who we must let know that we oppose Changs Bill."
See page one of this postwhere  I have listed the names, phone numbers and Email addresses of all Council members.

yup
it's political grandstanding, plain and simple
it means nothing for the council to pass this, nor does it mean anything to defeat it
but it's a waste of their time and our tax dollars to even consider such a ludicrous proposal

If anything, it gives us a  firearms advocates a doorway to voice our opinion in NUMBERS.
Let all the politicos know that many of us are VOTERS !

I'm in Chang's district, so it has to go to him. Perhaps I should cc the others? How has that worked out for you guys previously?

I'm in Chang's district, so it has to go to him. Perhaps I should cc the others? How has that worked out for you guys previously?

yup send to him
and cc: the others

i am going to write 2 different ones-
one to him going point by point
and a second one to all saying it's a waste of time and resources

Done. Made a few corrections to the wording here and there, but the overall message is the same 

Life does this if I'm not mistaken and have an open door/offer. No one has taken them up on it.

LIFE provides our class to both politicians and the press for free. To date we have had several politicians and members of the press attend, including two from the press that took the class last Sunday. That being said, we would be happy to have more attend, so please consider this an open invitation to any one you might talk to. If you have questions, or the potential students have questions, feel free to refer them to me.

Good news though we may have a allie with the mayor.  I spoke with him at young guns this morning.   He was there shopping with his famipy.  I spoke with him about preservation of the sport, range acess, and a few other things.  He seemed very comfortable in the store.   martha and don were talking to hI'm about the 100 yard restrictions

The Mayor has always been supportive of shooting and shooters. He was responsible for the "extending" the range hours to the original times after they were shortened due to budget issues.

LIFE provides our class to both politicians and the press for free. To date we have had several politicians and members of the press attend, including two from the press that took the class last Sunday. That being said, we would be happy to have more attend, so please consider this an open invitation to any one you might talk to. If you have questions, or the potential students have questions, feel free to refer them to me.

does "politicians" include neighborhood board members?
how's about somebody invite all the members tonight to take a handgun safety course?

I think that is a good idea!

does "politicians" include neighborhood board members?
how's about somebody invite all the members tonight to take a handgun safety course?

Yep, includes NB members. I cannot make the meeting tonight, but one of my instructors is supposed to be there. Feel free to extend the offer on my behalf and if my instructors has any questions just let him know I said it was OK.

Yep, includes NB members. I cannot make the meeting tonight, but one of my instructors is supposed to be there. Feel free to extend the offer on my behalf and if my instructors has any questions just let him know I said it was OK.

got it, thanks
i can't wait to see the look on knudsen's face

got it, thanks
i can't wait to see the look on knudsen's face

I don't have any classes scheduled until January, but if we get enough of them that want to take it I'd be willing to try and schedule a "special" class just for them....