Sen. Sylvia Allen (R-State of Constant Fear) loves her concealed weapons

Posted by AzBlueMeanie:

I become more convinced every day that conservative Republicans are all those nervous twitchy types who live in a paranoid state of constant fear that someone somewhere is out to get 'em. Oh, they like to talk tough alright, but deep down they are fearful nervous twitchy types, kinda like Barney Fife on the Andy Griffith Show.

There is an "A-rab" terrorist hiding behind every tree just waiting to terrorize 'em by converting them from Christianity to Islam.

There is an illegal "Mex-can" hiding in every bush in the Home Depot parking lot just waiting to take their job.

There is a "homo-sexual" hiding in every closet just waiting to jump out and turn 'em gay.

There are monsters under their bed. "Lions and tigers and bears, oh my."

This may explain this bizarre fixation conservative Republicans have with guns. Sen. Sylvia Allen (R-Snowflake) said she believes all Arizonans should have the right to defend themselves (from all things real or imagined). Senator's plan: hidden guns, no background checks:

If you're 18 and have never been convicted of a crime, a law set for debate today would let you carry a concealed weapon without having to get the background check, training and proficiency test now required.

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Allen's proposal, SB 1270, does not do away with the concealed weapon permits. In fact, it actually would give those who do decide to get a permit the right to carry a gun into places now off-limits, ranging from school campuses in certain circumstances to various public events and buildings, including, as the measure is now worded, the public gallery of the state Senate.

"They're law-abiding citizens," Allen said. "They're not out to do any harm." Yeah, those are famous last words. "He was always such a quiet polite young man" — just before he massacred his family. Teenagers with raging hormones and concealed weapons — what could possibly go wrong?

This notion that gun owners are all law-abiding citizens is a false narrative. There is no empirical evidence or logic that supports owning a gun makes one a law-abiding citizen. People who lawfully own a gun are just as susceptible to breaking the law as people who do not own a gun. They violate traffic laws and cheat on their taxes, for example, with the same frequency as the non-gun owning public. "They're law-abiding citizens" is just a nonsensical statement.

Pretty smooth how I avoided the straw man argument Sen. Allen makes that "Criminals could care less about any of the gun laws we pass," isn't it?

Allen said she does not believe the permit makes gun owners any safer. More to the point, she said the law makes Arizonans less safe.

Why, because not having firearms training and demonstrated proficiency makes us safer? Isn't the whole point of training and demonstrated proficiency to make Arizonans safer from gun owners? As well as their own safety? (The last time I checked the NRA still offered gun safety training courses. You're hurting their business, Sylvia.)

By the same logic, motor vehicles are inherently dangerous and potentially deadly when operated by someone without training and demonstrated proficiency in operating a motor vehicle. Let's do away with licensing and registration of motor vehicles. Hell, let's just let any dumbass drive.

Allen's bill drew alarm from Attorney General Terry Goddard and several police chiefs and sheriffs. http://www.azag.gov/press_releases/june/2009/SB1270Release.pdf

(Phoenix, Ariz. – June 18, 2009) Attorney General Terry Goddard, joined by 10 leading law enforcement officials, today voiced strong opposition to a proposal that would significantly loosen Arizona’s gun laws by allowing gun owners to carry a concealed weapon without obtaining a permit.

Arizona currently requires gun owners to take an eight-hour course in gun laws and gun safety and pass a shooting test to receive a concealed carry permit. All but a few states have similar laws. Senate Bill 1270 would drop the permit requirement and allow all gun owners 18 years old or over to carry concealed weapons.

“This bill would make a radical and a dangerous change in state law,” Goddard said. “Arizona’s current law has worked well since being adopted in 1994. The permit process requires training and education that promote safety. Allowing all gun owners to carry concealed would create greater risks for law enforcement officers and community safety.”

A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the bill is scheduled Friday, and a vote is expected to follow.

Only two states, Alaska and Vermont, allow gun owners to carry concealed without a permit. They are among the smallest states in the nation with populations roughly one-tenth the size of Arizona’s.

Goddard, who was joined by 10 police chiefs, sheriffs and other officers at a press conference at the State Capitol, noted that the bill is opposed by law enforcement organizations across Arizona.

“If this bill became law, our officers would have to treat every person they come in contact with as if they’re armed. That would create large and unnecessary risks,” said Jack Harris, public safety manager for the City of Phoenix.

UPDATE: SB 1270 was approved by Sen. Jonathan "Tin Horn" Paton's Senate Judiciary Committee on a party line 4-3 vote. It now goes to the full Senate. If you do not want "Twitch" carrying a gun anywhere near your child's school, call your state senator and tell them to vote no.