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Frequently
Asked Questions
Q1: Are there any men in MMM, or is the organization only for women?
A1: Yes, there are men members. If you are a man please join.
Q2: What about the 2nd Amendment?
A2: The Supreme Court decided in 1939 (U.S. vs Miller) that possession
of a firearm is not protected by the Second Amendment unless it has "some
reasonable relationship to the preservation of efficiency of a well regulated
militia" known today as the National Guard. There is no individual
right to carry a gun. No federal court has ever overturned a gun
control law on the grounds that it violates the 2nd Amendment. Since Miller,
the meaning of the 2nd Amendment has been addressed in more than 100 federal
and state appellate cases. These have uniform followed Miller,
holding
that the Constitution protects the right of states to maintain militias
and does not bar regulation of private ownership of guns.
Q3: What about women protecting themselves against rape?
A3: For each woman who protects herself with a gun 238 are killed by
a gun. In addition, a firearm in the home raises a woman's risk of suicide
by a factor of five and her risk of homicide is increased by more than
3 times.
Q4: I have heard that the number of 12 children killed by guns each
day is a gross exaggeration. Most of those killed are 19 and 20 year old
"gang bangers". Is this true?
A4: No. Gun homicide is the fourth leading cause of death for young
people ages 10-14. In 1997 175 children under the age of 10 were killed.
That is about one every other day. Even if these victims are "gang bangers",
they are also children. If they didn't have access to guns they wouldn't
be very dangerous "gang bangers."
Q5: I have heard of the John Lott study that argues that allowing almost
everyone to carry a concealed weapon, reduces crime. Is this true?
A5: Between 1992 and 1998 violent crime in states allowing concealed
carry dropped only 15%. But in states not allowing concealed gun carrying,
violent crime dropped by 30%, a huge difference.
Q6: Brian Zadeh (7/8/00) cites Switzerland as proof that more guns reduces
crime. What about that?
A6: The guns in Switzerland are not handguns and are not personally
owned. They are military weapons assigned to a militia member and kept
in homes for use in case there is a war. Accepting these guns into
your home requires, by law, taking personal responsibility. Swiss gun regulations
help make this work. There are strict rules concerning how these guns can
be stored; they are required
to be kept locked. Even the ammunition is highly regulated. It
cannot be purchased, is inspected regularly and every single bullet must
be accounted for. The Switzerland case proves an attitude of personal responsibility
is essential and that sensible gun laws, such as licensing and handgun
registration favored by the Million Mom March, can be effective. |