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Guns in Court

The recent investigation after a North Georgia judge pulled out a gun in court has got us thinking.

Sure, Judge David E. Barrett wasn’t using his gun for means of self-protection when he pretended to offer it to the sex attack victim who was “killing” her case (Barrett’s words, not ours!)

But this incident was the rare case of a frustrated judge irrationally seeking the means to make an impact on the uncooperative testifier that stood before him. So he took it too far. But nobody was physically injured in the process. Judges should maintain the right to carry concealed weapons in court.

Barrett will now retire as judge, and his career will be highlighted by this singular event. He disrespected his rights; he’ll be paying the consequences for the rest of his life.

As Brian mentions in the Daily Report for March 6th 2012, North Georgia court officials are asking, “what’s up with that guy?” A deeper investigation might find that Barrett was suffering from undue stress in his position as a county judge. The event must be critically examined before journalists and politicians start blabbing negative generalizations about whether judges have the right to possess guns in court.

Troublingly, Canadian judges are denied the basic human right to protect themselves while on the job. As Brian points out in his “Self Protection” video, “The mayor of Toronto again said one day, ‘ Guns are designed solely to kill people,’ [and] that’s just not accurate.”

Thought the Conservative government recently scrapped the Canadian Firearms Registry, gun possession continues to be associated with villainy. Brian reminds us in his “Guns” video how “good people us the same weaponry to do good things with,” and we cannot disregard this.

Good people recognize the value of self-protection, and deserve to arm themselves as they see fit. Last summer, a judge in Winnipeg “bemoaned mandatory jail sentences for firearm related offences in Canada,” after sentencing a young man to twenty-one months in prison for possession of firearms.

The young man was armed for self-protection, having been shot at by thugs in the past.  Justice John Menzies was distraught by the allegation, as he said:

“Here’s a kid who has been singled out by a gang. I agree it’s a crime, but my goodness, I can’t think of a better reason to be carrying [a gun]- people have shot at me before.”

Here is an educated member of Canadian society, who commands the respect of all law-abiding citizens. Mindful of his need for self-protection. Fearful of his own safety. How can the government ignore this?

This has already been a positive year for gun owners in Canada. Let’s work together to make it an even greater success in our quest for full self-protection rights. Guns in court: it just makes sense.

References

Boesveld, Sarah and Mike McIntyre. “Judge blasts mandatory gun sentences in ruling.” 28 June 2011. The National Post : http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/06/28/judge-blasts-mandatory-gun-sentences-in-ruling/

“Guns.” http://www.dailysplit.com/gun-clips/guns/

Rankin, Bill. “Judge who brandished gun in court to leave bench.” 29 February 2012. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution : http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/judge-who-brandished-gun-1367412.html

“Self Protection.” http://www.dailysplit.com/gun-clips/self-protection/