Monday, August 22, 2016

German Populist Party Favors Armed Citizens



image from theguardian.com

A populist German politician is saying that German citizens should have the right to weapons to protect themselves. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is a political party that has achieved some recent electoral successes.  It rejects subservience of Germany to the European Union, and rejects the recent mass immigration.   From reuters.com:
"Many people are increasingly feeling unsafe. Every law-abiding citizen should be in a position to defend themselves, their family and their friends," Frauke Petry told the Funke Media Group in an interview published on Saturday.

"We all know how long it takes until the police can get to the scene, especially in sparsely populated places," she said.
The excuse that has been common in European countries is that severe restrictions on guns has been necessary to reduce crime.  In fact, over the last hundred years, violent crime, as measured by the homicide rate, has always been low, both before and after gun control was initiated, mostly between the two world wars.  Claiming that restriction on guns is necessary to reduce crime is a simplistic bit of propaganda to justify disarming the population.  The elites have always been able to get guns.

As the invasion of Islamic immigrants has surged, German police have actually cracked down on gun permits:
The number of Germans applying for so-called "small firearms license", which are required to carry around blank guns and pepper spray, jumped 49 percent in the first half of 2016 to 402,301, according to federal statistics.

However, permits for firearms fell to 1.894 million as of the end of June compared to 1.898 million a year earlier.
One of the reasons that those who wish a disarmed population are so opposed to  having an armed United States citizenry, is that the United States serves as an example to other countries. 

Brazil has been considering loosening its highly restrictive gun laws.  Kenya has considered the possibility of loosening its highly restrictive laws.  Panama has been considering reducing the difficulty of getting a gun.  If you have a permit to own a gun in Panama, you may carry it concealed.  The United States and Switzerland are mentioned as positive examples for such legislation. 

It is the reason that the European elites, and socialists in Switzerland, have clamored for much greater restrictions on gun ownership. Switzerland has almost unbelievably low levels of crime, including crime with guns.  Switzerland serves as another example of an armed population with no ill effect.

The Czech Republic used the United States as an example as they instituted one of the least restrictive run laws in Europe. 

Will Germans be allowed to own, and carry, firearms for their own protection?  It could happen.  Have a few more well publicized attacks, and the political changes that have started could accelerate.

©2016 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.
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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sam colt proved that an armed citizenry is a respectful citizenry. Sam colt equalized everybody's stature and respect. It is time that politicians that have their very own armed body guards admit that everybody needs protection in their hand. If politicians were not so corrupt they would not need their armed body guards. Nothing in the constitution allows politicians to have more protection than their constituents. Our employees should not be better protected than their employers. It is a matter of equality. Sam colt made everybody equal. In 1890 a 44-40 colt cost 12.00 dollars. In todays wages that was well over a weeks wages. At a dollar a day the tool was widely used. Sam colt mass produced them.

Anonymous said...

In 1939 my dad was making good wages at 12.50 a week. He and my mother could have a night out on the town for .50 cents. two movie tickets and a coke afterwards. as a child my mother could buy a loaf of bread for a penny and if you wanted the fancy stuff (sliced) it was two cents.

Wireless.Phil said...

Germans told to stockpile food and water for civil defence
BBC News‎ - 3 hours ago

Germans are advised to stock up on food and water, Cold ... Citizens are advised to store enough food to last them 10 ... The document said "an attack on German territory, ...
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37155060

And

Germany mulls bringing back compulsory national service

Berlin has said it's considering changing its position on conscription. The country is mulling new strategies to deal with possible security threats
http://www.dw.com/en/germany-mulls-bringing-back-compulsory-national-service/a-19494191

And

Judge says California museum can keep Nazi-looted art
http://www.dw.com/en/judge-says-california-museum-can-keep-nazi-looted-art/a-19494354


Wireless.Phil said...

I do this anyway.

From German's English news site:

Report: Germany to require citizens to stockpile supplies in case of catastrophe

A civil defense plan to be debated by the cabinet would require citizens to stockpile supplies in case of a catastrophe. The plan says people should prepare for an unlikely event that "could threaten our existence."
http://www.dw.com/en/report-germany-to-require-citizens-to-stockpile-supplies-in-case-of-catastrophe/a-19491176

Wireless.Phil said...

Opinion: Don't panic!

Germany's Interior Ministry recommends its citizens stock up on food in case of war. It may sound reminiscent of the Cold War, but it is neither new nor consequential, says DW's Mathias Bölinger. 131 Comments
http://www.dw.com/en/opinion-dont-panic/a-19492809