As Noble explains, his 14 years of close involvement in global counterterrorism changed his perspective on gun control. This week, he has published a video about the 2013 mass shootings at the Westgate Mall in Nairobi. The video, “Armed Citizens Can Help Stop Terrorist Massacres Like Nairobi and Paris,” shows graphic footage of the attack and of the response of armed citizens. During the lengthy and well-planned attack, more than 60 innocent people were murdered. As Noble explains, the death count would have been hundreds more if not for the armed citizens who intervened. As Noble puts it, “This is not an American argument, nor a political argument. In these horrific situations, law-abiding armed citizens have helped protect others and literally saved lives, and the world should be made aware of this reality. . . . In the hands of law-abiding citizens, guns can and do save lives.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/volokh-conspiracy/wp/2016/05/17/good-guys-with-guns-former-interpol-chief-ron-noble-on-the-westgate-mall-mass-shooting/
As criminologist Gary Kleck once said, it isn't the number of guns, it is who has them.

WhisCo

(15 posts)

16. Self defense is the answer

Reply to bunnies (Reply #1)

Fri Jun 17, 2016, 07:03 PM

Jun 2016

Travis_0004

(5,417 posts)

2. I'm sure somebody would find it offensive

Reply to gejohnston (Original post)

Mon Jun 13, 2016, 09:19 PM

Jun 2016

Instead, sell everything at full price, and why not donate 10% of sales to the pink pistols.

pablo_marmol

(2,375 posts)

6. ".........and why not donate 10% of sales to the pink pistols."

Reply to Travis_0004 (Reply #2)

Mon Jun 13, 2016, 10:30 PM

Jun 2016

Nice idea.

Cassiopeia

(2,603 posts)

4. It's probably already being planned,

Reply to gejohnston (Original post)

Mon Jun 13, 2016, 09:30 PM

Jun 2016

just with the opposite intentions of your post.

gejohnston

(17,502 posts)

13. I doubt it

Reply to Cassiopeia (Reply #4)

Thu Jun 16, 2016, 01:28 AM

Jun 2016

As Thom Hartman once said, the way to learn about a group is what they say to each other. I wouldn't be surprised if Pink Pistols had a booth at the NRA convention. This is the typical stuff I found on You Tube

spin

(17,493 posts)

5. I don't see why not. ...

Reply to gejohnston (Original post)

Mon Jun 13, 2016, 09:33 PM

Jun 2016

Gun stores are in the business to make money.

There is a LGBT shooting organization called the Pink Pistols that shoots handguns at various ranges across the US. The organization has also worked with the NRA on legal matters.

From their webpage:

About The Pink Pistols

***snip***

...There are now over 45 Pink Pistols chapters nationwide, and more are starting up every day. We are dedicated to the legal, safe, and responsible use of firearms for self-defense of the sexual-minority community. We no longer believe it is the right of those who hate and fear gay, lesbian, bi, trans, or polyamorous persons to use us as targets for their rage. Self-defense is our RIGHT.

The Pink Pistols get together at least once a month at local firing ranges to practice shooting, and to acquaint people new to firearms with them. We will help you select a firearm, acquire a permit, and receive proper training in its safe and legal use for self-defense. The more people know that members of our community may be armed, the less likely they will be to single us out for attack. Join us today. It is your RIGHT.

***snip***

We teach queers to shoot. Then we teach others that we have done so. Armed queers don’t get bashed. We change the public perception of the sexual minorities, such that those who have in the past perceived them as safe targets for violence and hateful acts — beatings, assaults, rapes, murders — will realize that that now, a segment of the sexual minority population is now armed and effective with those arms. Those arms are also concealed, so they do not know which ones are safe to attack, and which are not…which they can harm as they have in the past, and which may draw a weapon and fight back.

***snip***

Are you part of the NRA?

No. Although we do work with the NRA. For example, in California the NRA-ILA contacted us and asked us to take a look at some legislation before the State Assembly and submit written testimony with our take on the bills. We also worked with the NRA when we submitted our amicus brief on the D.C. v Heller case before the Supreme Court. On the other hand, many of our members dislike the NRA due to the positions they have taken, such as helping push through “Instant Background Checks” on a federal level. But as to whether we are an “associate” group of the NRA, no, we are not. We can’t be, because we do not have an elected Board of Directors and other necessary structural elements the NRA requires for associated groups.
http://www.pinkpistols.org/about-the-pink-pistols/

Puha Ekapi

(594 posts)

7. LGBT folks...

Reply to gejohnston (Original post)

Mon Jun 13, 2016, 11:17 PM

Jun 2016

...are at a much higher risk of being victimized by violent criminals as compared to straight folks, and they have the absolute right to arm and defend themselves.

840high

(17,196 posts)

8. Most of my gay friends carry.

Reply to Puha Ekapi (Reply #7)

Mon Jun 13, 2016, 11:28 PM

Jun 2016

Puha Ekapi

(594 posts)

9. Not a bad idea at all...

Reply to 840high (Reply #8)

Mon Jun 13, 2016, 11:59 PM

Jun 2016

Eleanors38

(18,318 posts)

10. There is at least one gun dealer in Austin who is gay. Maybe he will consider this.

Reply to gejohnston (Original post)

Tue Jun 14, 2016, 03:27 PM

Jun 2016

One thing for sure: I'll not oppose self-defense precautions by any group which has a history of being singled out for violent treatment.

gejohnston

(17,502 posts)

11. speaking of which

Reply to Eleanors38 (Reply #10)

Tue Jun 14, 2016, 11:50 PM

Jun 2016

http://www.click2houston.com/news/local-shooting-range-offers-free-chl-course-to-lgbt-community

DonP

(6,185 posts)

12. A lot of CCW instructors offer Pink Pistol members discounts

Reply to gejohnston (Original post)

Wed Jun 15, 2016, 09:58 AM

Jun 2016

I do and I know at least 5 other instructors, including 2 African Americans that were certified with me, that offer them discounts on a 16 hour CCW class.

Some of us do the same thing for single mothers and others that have a real need and could use a break. In the long run it balances out and I need all the positive Karma I can get.

DashOneBravo

(2,679 posts)

14. That's a great idea

Reply to DonP (Reply #12)

Thu Jun 16, 2016, 10:31 AM

Jun 2016

DonP

(6,185 posts)

15. We've done some "Freebies" too

Reply to DashOneBravo (Reply #14)

Thu Jun 16, 2016, 10:36 AM

Jun 2016

Illinois requires an expensive 16 hour hands on training course, including range qualification.

For some folks we slip a "freebie" in a class. Usually single Moms that are tight on money and time, or folks out of work.

I know one instructor that "donated" a safe for one Mom too.

The more people that learn, the more acceptable it becomes, the better for all of us.

Reply to this discussion