In a sort of reverse number logic, it is the Second Amendment that actually provides for the First Amendment and all other freedoms that Americans enjoy. Gun control is something the Anti-American left wants desperately, and they try every ploy imaginable to cloud or discredit the connection of guns to freedom in America. Their latest inch by inch ploy is plastic guns. ‘Real’ plastic guns, which don’t yet exist, and ‘real-looking’ plastic guns, which you and I played with as children. Banning either of these plastics, is a plastic approach to life and death. Mainly death.

I am aware of cases of ‘real-looking’ guns, which have figured prominently in tragedies. But a reasoned response is called for, not the folly of the proposed legislation that would ban all plastic guns. It is necessary to look at what is gained by the proposal, and particularly to look at what is lost. We can redouble our efforts to stop gun tragedies, but we can never get our guns back if we once let them be taken away.

Inevitably, the first highway fatality occasioned by an automobile, happened. So did the first death from a Bowie knife. The first death from a motorcycle; from a scooter; and from an amusement park ride. We still have all of these things in our society. And though there are some who call for getting rid of each of them, why is the outcry against guns so much more shrill and unceasing?

The answer is that guns are empowering.

Guns place tiny women and would-be assaulters on an equal footing. They allow homeowners to enjoy peace of mind, secure in the knowledge that they could protect their belongings. They allow families to sleep easily, knowing a means to protect their children is at hand.

Guns figure prominently in America’s war on terrorism. Which people would be more vulnerable to terrorists – those armed, or those unarmed?

And though we never think of it happening in America, which people would be more vulnerable to an overthrow of government – those armed, or those unarmed?

Americans embrace guns. Millions of guns happily reside in ordinary homes across the nation. People enjoy target shooting at their local gun clubs. Children are brought up to value firearms. Female college students start gun clubs. A group of gay men started the Pink Pistols. Gun issues are important to all kinds of Americans.

For me, there is little that can compare to the ‘alive’ feeling of competently handling and firing a powerful weapon. But there are some who feel unable to handle real guns, and it is these people who relied on ‘real-looking’ guns for protection.

Tragic accidents have happened. Policemen have seen water pistols, and thought they were real guns. Children have picked up real guns, and thought they were water pistols.

These situations have real solutions. But when legislators fall prey to ‘banning’ they actually are falling into the labyrinthine plans of the incrementalists who hope to one day find America completely unprotected.

Americans must speak out clearly. Banning guns, plastic or not, is a matter of life and death. Support your Second Amendment. Completely. The plastic is a matter of life and death.

Jan Ireland