Dayton Vetoes Gun Bill - Thank You

Category: Guns

by Dave Mindeman

Governor Dayton vetoed the "Castle Doctrine" Gun bill today at the urging of Minnesota Law Enforcement organizations. I am sure that the NRA will be "targeting" Dayton because of this.... when, and if, he decides to run for re-election.

Gun advocates seem to have adopted the idea that the answer to gun violence is simply more guns everywhere. The shooting up north, in a Grand Marais courtroom, that nearly killed an attorney led to calls for prosecutors to be allowed to carry weapons themselves.

This Castle Doctrine type legislation wants the general public to have a freer hand at defending their property with gun violence. The answer to all our problems, it would seem, is to have vigilante justice.

I can't help but think about how many foolish incidents, how many pranks, could turn into a deadly confrontation.

Kids T-P-ing the front yard tree. Halloween pranks perceived as a home invasion. A stranger looking for help after a car breakdown has to consider a nervous gun owner behind the door.

Homeowners still can have their guns without the Castle Doctrine. The only difference without it is that they are still held accountable for good judgment. Your first choice is not to shoot. It has to be; or it will be impossible for law enforcement to sort out these dangerous situations.

After all, if a policeman or policewoman arrives on a scene and sees guns drawn on all sides, how can they know who is at fault? And if a homeowner is pointing a weapon at someone, how can an officer make any instant assessment other than that the person with the gun is the danger?

Our police officers have enough things to account for without adding random gun threats from people who feel that brandishing weapons fulfills their need to protect property. The officers would be dealing with people who place themselves in these situations without actual training about making good judgments under duress.

Withdrawing to a safer place or calling 911 are not acts of cowardice. They are acts of a responsible citizen.

I can't think of anything I own that is valuable enough for anyone, including myself, to die for.

Gun ownership is a protected right but it doesn't have to be expanded indefinitely. The NRA needs to back off. I prefer to stand with the police.