Distill the VT "gun free zone" policy into a sentence, or an image

[Monkeyleg]

Todays editorial and letters-to-the-editors pages of major newspapers were filled with the usual, "why, there oughta be a law" responses. More, actually, than I anticipated.

Of all of the failings of the system, the one that seems most pertinent is the establishment of "gun free zones." We all know that such zones mean "victim-rich target zones."

But how to convince the public that their idea that a mere sign or school policy is a ridiculous hoax?

Few editors allow more than a few sentences in a letter to the editor.

So, we must distill our message into just a few words.

Suggestions on which words to use are much appreciated.

 

[ccw9mm]

Distill the VT "gun free zone" policy into a sentence, or an image

How to convince anyone? Dunno. Short of being clopped upside the head in an actual attack, some folks never will understand.

Some key concepts:

• Victim disarmament means only criminals are armed.
• Viewed from a criminal's perspective, a gun-free zone is a target-rich environment with nobody who can effectively withstand attack.
• When under attack, a firearm used in self-defense has no good alternatives.
• When under attack, would you prefer to feel safe or to actually be safe? Think hard about that, before pushing to have yourself and every other law-abiding citizen disarmed and unable to defend.

 

[nvshooter]

It abysmally failed those it was intended to protect.

 

[awkx]

Image: http://www.pafoa.org/forum/concealed-open-carry-121/5076-carry-always-its-your-life.html#post52492

 

[Jimmie]

I went with the "image" part of your question. I know it's not much good for an editorial, but maybe it'll find its place elsewhere.









I'm working on one or two more.

 

[chris in va]

Monkeyleg, I think that statement made a couple years ago by one of the VT staff said it all. I plan on getting one as a bumper sticker when possible.

"I'm sure the university community is appreciative of the General Assembly's actions because this will help parents, students, faculty, and visitors feel safe on our campus."

 

[Warren]

I'll just use my current sig line:

Where weapons are denied, evil will thrive.

 

[MattC]

Everyday we assume that the people around us have no intent to harm us. It makes us feel better when a sign tells us that we cannot be harmed--this is a "Gun Free Zone." There's another name for this: "Victim Disarmament Zone." Most people have no intent to harm you or me, however making ourselves easy prey will not help deter those who do have bad intentions. Even if we feel safer when we read the sign, we are fooling ourselves to think that a sign will stop a killer.

People save lives; signs make suggestions.

 

[ProficientRifleman]

too easy

Victim Disarmament Zone

 

[JohnBT]

This letter to the editor was in yesterday's Richmond Times-Dispatch:

"Editor, Times-Dispatch: OK, this is enough. It's time to make guns illegal. Period. When guns are against the law, gun violence will end. It's so simple, why can't anyone see this?

There are so many problems we can solve this way. Why do we still have a drug problem when all we have to do is make drugs illegal? And drunk driving, and bank robbing, and -- hey, wait a minute . . . Chris Kirby. richmond."

 

[Travis McGee]

"Gun Free Zones Are Free Killing Zones"

 

[unspellable]

Gun free zones

Gun free zones operate on the same principal as muzzling the sheep dog to protect the sheep against the wolf. That way the sheep are not frightened by the sight of the sheep dog's teeth.

 

[trondossa17]

longer version

It's not a distillation, but "On Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs" by Lt. Col Dave Grossman. Familiar reading to many of you, I know

 

[Henry Bowman]

Suppose the tragedy at VT had been a small fire that began in one room and then spread to another building, resulting in 32 deaths. If VT's policy had been to prohibit any fire extinguishers on campus, would we be debating today whether to over-ride the misguided and dangerous policy? Would anyone be arguing to widen the ban to cover more areas and to also include sprinkler systems?

 

[jfh]

Here's a poster idea--

Two panels:

Left one: Picture of handgun (carry-type--S&W shrouded?) with the 'forbidden' symbol through it. Text: Gun-free zone.

Right one: Picture of fire extinguisher with forbidden symbol through it.
Text: Fire free zone.

Nothing more for text. The text should be fairly small. Let the images stand for themselves.

MAYBE, in each panel, a faded-out background of 1) a bad guy , and in 2) a home on fire.

 

[Jimmie]

My variation on your idea/theme...

 

[Risasi]

Gun Free = Made of fail.

Or "Gun Free isn't Freedom".

 

[v35]

If you can't carry a cop, carry a gun

How about a video?

I envision a television PSA that accompanies the above phrase... like the Apple commercials, with two guys, the "uncool" one is carrying a uniformed police officer on his shoulders. A conversation ensues in which the "cool" one asks his friend isn't it hard to carry a police officer around all day, and wouldn't it be simpler to get a carry permit. His friend starts to reply how he feels safe having a police officer with him when the cop suddenly gets a call and has to run.

Use your imagination... fill in the rest.

There are all kinds of Apple parodies are on YouTube. Someone with the equipment ought to film one of these and upload it!

If you can't carry a cop, carry a gun

 

[Shovelhead]

Gun Free Zone
Attention Criminals:
All Victims Past This Point
Have Been Rendered Defenseless
For Your Safety And Convenience
Happy Hunting​

 

[Nio]

The thing I have been saying is, "Imagine if they were armed! It is no longer nececary to imagine what it's like when they aren't!"

Nio

 

[DogBonz]

Not mine...

But I could not say it better.

 

[scout26]

Gun-Free School Zone = Criminal Empowerment Zone.

Maniacs will do their evil until a good guy with a gun shows up to stop them.

 

[thexrayboy]

The sign says...."No Firearms Allowed"

A liberal reads...."Ah must be a safe place".

A realist reads...."Not sure if I would feel safe in there".

A criminal reads...."oh boy, no one to stop me".

A madman reads...." oh good, a target rich environment".

 

[Hypnogator]

Criminal will obey "Gun-Free Zone" laws -- right after they start obeying laws against murder, rape, and robbery! :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

 

[AlaskaErik]

The sign says...."No Firearms Allowed"

A liberal reads...."Ah must be a safe place".

A realist reads...."Not sure if I would feel safe in there".

A criminal reads...."oh boy, no one to stop me".

A madman reads...." oh good, a target rich environment".

An armed citizen reads...."I'll take my business to a friendlier place".