In today’s world of mass shootings, gun control is a hot topic. Those on the left will tell you that the only way to stop the tide and prevent a madman with a gun from firing into a crowd or a school is to ban guns all together. Common sense should tell you differently. Just because we hope and pray bad or mentally unstable people won’t obtain guns if they’re illegal, doesn’t mean that will be a reality.

In fact, the reality is, in nearly 80 percent of all gun crimes, the perpetrator was in illegal possession of a weapon. In addition, those that carry out mass shootings often share predictable qualities that, in many cases, would prevent them from legally owning a firearm including mental health issues, disturbing behavior and a history of violence.

There is also no clear relationship between strict gun control legislation and homicide or violent crime. As a matter of fact, evidence points to the opposite being true with states having more gun freedom boasting lower homicide rates. Canada is proof positive of this as the country is ranked 12th in the world for the number of civilian-owned guns per capita. The country also boasts one of the world’s lowest gun-related homicide rates.

Finally, concealed carry permit holders have been credited with saving lives in multiple shooting incidents. One such example was in Florida in 2017 when a man walked into an auto shop shooting. He killed one man and paralyzed another. Upon hearing the shots, two workers, both of whom were concealed weapons permit holders, confronted the man and were able to wound him so police could take him into custody. Those two men saved their own lives as well as the lives of their co-workers. Did you hear about it in the news? Of course not. All we hear about are these massive incidents where no one was able to protect themselves. We rarely hear about the times that people who are legally armed were able to stop a tragedy.

The awful truth is, guns will always be used by unstable or evil people to commit acts of violence. Making weapons illegal has been proven not to stop gun violence. All stricter gun control does is prevent law abiding citizens from obtaining the tools they need to protect themselves in a world that is dangerous.

With that being said, let me remind you that there are changes coming in the 2019 Legislature. With a Democrat-controlled government in Nevada, you can bet that stricter gun laws will be on the agenda. Already proponents for more gun control, including the newly elected attorney general, have announced that they’d like to tighten restrictions on guns. In addition, the background check law on private-party gun sales that was narrowly approved in 2016 but remained unenforceable will come back as the Legislature will be looking to find ways to close that loophole.

Call to Action: Be educated when it comes to gun control. There is an overriding fear that guns kill people and that is unrealistic and untrue. People kill people. That won’t stop when you take away a law-abiding citizen’s right to bear arms. We must also educate our newly elected officials. Fear is not a way to govern and changing gun control laws in fear will never be the answer to preventing gun violence. Common sense and steady heads should rule. Reach out to your elected officials and let them know that you have the right to arm yourself and protect yourself and your loved ones.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NKJV) “If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

By Whose Authority?

For more information on my Commentary and to see some of my backup research, or if you wonder why I take the position I take, go to www.LyleBrennan.com.