By Chad D. Baus, Buckeye Firearms Association
News of a man dressing up in a Santa suit and murdering nine people in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve dominated cable news headlines for days after the event. News reports suggest Bruce Pardo took as many as four handguns and a homemade flame-thrower to the home of his ex-wife’s parents, where at least 25 people were enjoying a Christmas Eve party. Pardo shot at partygoers and burned down the house, murdering at least nine people before committing suicide hours later.
Damage from the flames has thus far prevented officials from determining how many of the victims were shot to death, but hasn’t stopped the gun ban lobby from attempting to capitalize on the tragedy.
Less than 48 hours after the attack occurred, the Brady Campaign Against Gun Violence issued a press release lamenting the “steady drumbeat of gun deaths and injuries that tears our families and communities apart,” and suggesting that our nation’s leaders “should do all that is within our power to find solutions to gun violence.”
While the Brady press release could be considered somewhat distasteful, the truth is that both sides in the fight over gun rights and crime reduction have and will continue to use these tragedies as teachable moments. In fact, I find myself in agreement with the Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke’s statement that “we should not despair and say this kind of violence is inevitable.”
Indeed, there is much to be learned from this tragedy, which occurred in a state that has passed every conceivable form of gun control the gun grabbers have promoted, all in the name of reducing the violence.
From the California Attorney General’s website:
One month waiting period for gun purchase? Check.
Assault weapons ban? Check.
Handgun registration? Check.
Ban on most private transfers of firearms? Check.
Armor-piercing bullet ban? Check.
Noise suppressor/ “silencer” ban? Check.
.50 caliber rifle ban? Check.
Infrared sight/”Sniperscope” ban? Check.
Ban on projecting a laser sight beam on a person? Check.
Prohibition on concealed carry? Check.*
Large-capacity magazine ban? Check.
Handgun safety certificate requirement? Check.
Mandatory safe storage? Check.
Ban on sale of imitation firearms? Check.
Ban on loaded firearms in public places? Check.
Prohibition on public display of imitation firearms? Check.
To read the rest of the Santa story on the BFA website, click here
