Eric Holder (ya know: the guy that helped run “Operation Fast and Furious” which ran guns from the US to Mexican drug cartels) spoke before Congress on Friday about the importance of beefing up gun control. His big idea, apparently, was a high-tech gun tracking bracelet. Which almost seems like a good idea… Especially for the hundreds of weapons that the DOJ helped smuggle to the aforementioned drug cartels. I bet an extra step or two to keep our eye on those guns that “walked” across the border (with DOJ authorization) would have been a good idea.
Of course, Holder isn’t proposing such an idea for his gun running ambitions… He’s suggesting it for you and me. He’s suggesting that the government ramp-up their tracking of legal firearms – via Google-style technology – because America’s 100+ million lawful gun owners are obviously the problem here. (My kingdom for a sarcasm font.)
The entirety of Holder’s comments were a rambling illustration of his disdain for Second Amendment rights. Before engaging the congressman in a discussion about Silicon-Valley-sponsored infringements on the Second Amendment, the top Law Enforcement Official of the US made reference to last year’s failed “common sense” gun control proposals… Of course, “common sense” would usually indicate that there was a widespread sense (“common”, if you will) that such reforms were both necessary and effective.
I mean, heck, Ciudad Juárez in Mexico has stricter gun laws than Chicago… And yet, it is home to some of the most atrocious gang violence in our hemisphere. Oh, and Chicago? Well, since adopting a semblance of concealed carry, their murder rate has plummeted. (But I’m sure that’s coincidence.)
But, getting back to the issue of microchip-powered gun control: What do you think fingerprint technology, or “smart bracelet” requirements, will do to firearm prices? I understand that Holder is from the government, and therefore woefully ignorant of market forces… But higher prices will yield a de facto prohibition on firearms for the lower and middle classes. (Talk about a war on the poor.) It’s probably not too over the top to remind everyone at this point that the earliest form of institutionalized gun control in America was legislation aimed at pricing firearms out of the reach of newly-freed slaves.
Which, brings up a peripheral thought: Holder thinks that restrictions, expanded background and mental health checks, electronic bracelets, and technological conditions will help “preserve” the Second Amendment… But requiring people to show a photo ID to cast a vote is too much of a burden on blacks, Hispanics, and America’s impoverished. It appears the DOJ doesn’t want poor people, minorities, or “underprivileged” individuals to poses the right to protect themselves. (Racists!)
Evidently, the Second Amendment is reserved only for the wealthy and connected... Oh, and Mexican drug cartels. (Do you suppose they will be forced to abide by the “smart gun” plan Holder is proposing?)
Holder’s comments are insulting and repulsive to both the spirit, and letter, of the Second Amendment. But, it’s the irony that really underscores the audacious nature of his gun-control fascination. The chutzpa required for the DOJ to demand tougher gun tracking protocols, after he helped smuggle hundreds of weapons into the hands of Mexican drug cartels, is pretty impressive.
Maybe the Justice Department should focus on all those illegal guns they helped hand over to organized crime… And leave America’s law abiding citizens alone. (Besides… If you need tracking information, you already have the NSA on the case.)
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