YOUR OPINION: Restriction of Second Amendment Rights Not Solution To Crime and Terrorism

By  //  July 26, 2016

Second Amendment under extreme scrutiny

Progressives would have us believe that gun control would make us more safe, but ISIS attacks in France, Belgium and Turkey demonstrate that even nations with severe gun restrictions are vulnerable to evil men. Most often, the only thing gun restrictions accomplish is the disarming of law abiding citizens. The simple fact is that the restriction of Second Amendment rights is not a solution to crime and terrorism.
Progressives would have us believe that gun control would make us more safe, but ISIS attacks in France, Belgium and Turkey demonstrate that even nations with severe gun restrictions are vulnerable to evil men. Most often, the only thing gun restrictions accomplish is the disarming of law abiding citizens. The simple fact is that the restriction of Second Amendment rights is not a solution to crime and terrorism.

Twenty-four hour news cycles, Facebook, blogs…all of these things play a role in how we get our information.

In the subtlest of ways, they frame our reality. With information bombarding us constantly, from various sources, it becomes harder and harder to know what to believe.

As policy makers, it is our job and responsibility to sift through the noise and make decisions based on the best interests of our communities in accordance of the framework set forth by our Constitution. Upon the heels of recent shootings in our communities, critics of the Second Amendment are vehemently calling for stricter gun control policies.

The role of the Second Amendment in America today is under extreme scrutiny. It would be politically expedient for conservatives to back down on the Constitution and support “stricter gun control,” but we cannot give ground on our basic rights based on flawed arguments.

YOUR OPINION: Join the Multimedia Political Discourse, Neutral Site For Citizens of Brevard CountyRelated Story:
YOUR OPINION: Join the Multimedia Political Discourse, Neutral Site For Citizens of Brevard County

Progressives would have us believe that gun control would make us more safe, but ISIS attacks in France, Belgium and Turkey demonstrate that even nations with severe gun restrictions are vulnerable to evil men. Most often, the only thing gun restrictions accomplish is the disarming of law abiding citizens. The simple fact is that the restriction of Second Amendment rights is not a solution to crime and terrorism.

In the United States, each state has significant latitude over what gun rights it imposes on its citizens. States like California are severely restrictive; while states like Texas provide broad rights to own and carry firearms. Who you elect to the state legislature in Florida has profound impacts on the breadth of Second Amendment rights we enjoy here in Florida.

YOUR-OPINION-435-112
With the upcoming 2016 political election season heating up for what is sure to be among the most passionate in our nation’s history, Space Coast Daily will be a neutral site for the citizens of Brevard County, and this great country, to express their opinions on our interactive multimedia platform and social media venues.

During my first two years in the Florida legislature, I had two bills come before me both in committee and on the house floor, HB4001 “campus carry” and HB163 “open carry.”

As you would expect, the media frenzy surrounding these two bills was dizzying. I faithfully did my job. I analyzed the data provided to me, listened to testimony, gathered my own research by calling over 20 universities throughout the United States, and reached out to local law enforcement officials.

I pride myself on holding the line on our Second Amendment rights by supporting these two bills, not because of any external pressures but because it was the right thing to do.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rene “Coach P” Plasencia is a Republican candidate for Florida House District 50. He was born and raised in Orlando, the son of a Cuban born father and Puerto Rican mother. Growing up he was always reminded by his father the gift of living in a free and democratic country. His mother taught him the value of perseverance, never allowing him to quit anything he started. His parents taught him the virtues of integrity, hard work and dedication.

Rene Plasencia
Rene Plasencia

Rene graduated from Dr. Phillips High School where his strong work ethic and dedication earned him a track and field scholarship to UCF. While at UCF, (Orlando, FL) he started their first student athlete advisory board and served as president its first two years. Rene earned several athletic honors and still holds the indoor mile record.

For the last 14 years, he has dedicated himself to teaching and coaching at Colonial High School. As a coach for the track and cross country programs, he has created a culture of winning and success where there once was none. It is through his devotion and faith in his athletes that he was able to accomplish what no other coach in Colonial’s 53 year history could. In 2011, he led his boys Cross Country Team at Colonial High School to its first ever state title, at the same time winning Colonial’s first state title in any sport.