Toon & text by John Auchter
Legislation was recently introduced in the State House to make our Michigan a “constitutional carry” state. House Bills 4416-4419 would relax gun laws to allow some Michiganders to conceal firearms without having to get a concealed pistol license. It’s kind of a melding of concealed carry with less restrictive open carry rules.
It made me wonder where exactly the National Rifle Association (NRA) position was on this. They had advocated at some length in the past (especially after mass murder incidents) about the need for better mental health care in the United States and keeping firearms out of the hands of the unstable. These proposed Michigan laws seemed counter to that.
So I went looking for evidence, especially for anything related to the recent healthcare repeal and replace debacle. One of the guarantees under the ACA is that all insurance plans must provide for mental health services. There were several proposals to weaken or remove that protection in the frenzied bartering stage between the White House and Freedom Caucus.
I didn’t find anything on the NRA website — nothing like a press release or position paper. What I did find was a lot of videos, including a speech that NRA President Wayne LaPierre recently gave at Hillsdale College here in Michigan. It was titled, “Why the Media Is Failing.”
Wow. If ever you need a lesson on how to demonize those who oppose you while sanctifying those who support you, this is your primer. (Tip-of-the-day: Start sentences with “The truth is…” so everybody knows you are the sole arbiter of truth.) It really was a tour de force of partisanship, which is what it was intended to be and what the audience wanted.
It’s just disappointing that guns seem to be one of those topics that can only be discussed in a binary way —either you are for them or against them. That’s it. It’s too bad because there are opportunities for, if not common ground, then common goals. The truth is (see what I did there?), the truth is the NRA using its considerable resources to safeguard and promote universal access to mental health services would be a tremendous opportunity.
John Auchter draws cartoons. Lots and lots of them. You can find them at his incredibly popular website auchtoon.com. You can also find his stuff on Michigan Public Radio’s website under Opinion.
I strongly believe that mental health evaluations by a licensed phychiatrist should be a requirement along with the mandatory criminal background checks prior to purchasing a firearm.
I would like to hear from others on why they would want to carry everywhere they go. Please tell us a scenario outside of your home where having a concealed pistol will benefit you.
Fred, This is not an insult, but you must stay in your house most of the time.
I am often out in the woods. There I usually carry a piston for protection. (In case you didn’t know it we do have bears and a few really grouchy raccoons here in the Lower Peninsula. ) In fine weather open carry is okay, but when it is raining/snowing the military taught me to keep my weapon as dry as possible. Such as under a rain parka or coat.
While I have had only one occasion to use it, I am sure that it kept me from serious injury. ( Even in the rain a very sick and aggressive 30 pound plus raccoon is a bit scary.) I consider having a pistol that day to have been VERY beneficial.
An assumption because I asked a question ? I do think you intended for that to be an insult, but that is okay. You are probably just feeling defensive.
Carrying while walking in the woods is reasonable.
Well said yet again, John. Thank you for your wise take on things~Fred, too.
I am very glad, delighted, that the kooky, cursing, drunken dopuses in my neighborhood do not have firearms! We actually have some giant raccoons here, but the giant nasty people are a much bigger concern.
Law abiding American gun owners have hundreds of millions of firearms and trillions of rounds of ammunition.
Seriously liberals…. If we were the problem… You would know it very easily.
Not sure why logic is so hard for you, dad. If you have no restrictions – none – then lots of people who shouldn’t have them will get them and use them. No one is saying “ban all guns.”
Andrew, Unfortunately there are folks with lots of money who are saying that very thing. There are those out there who believe the Australian model is the only correct one.