Advice on self-protection in a gun-controlled America, courtesy of Crazy Uncle Joe

Only Joe Biden could promote gun control in a way that encourages people to break the law and is more likely to injure innocent people than potential threats.

First, here’s what Biden said, during a Facebook chat Tuesday, he had advised his wife to do:

“I said, ‘Jill, if there’s ever a problem, just walk out on the balcony here, walk out and put that double-barrel shotgun and fire two blasts outside the house.’ … You don’t need an AR-15 — it’s harder to aim, it’s harder to use, and in fact you don’t need 30 rounds to protect yourself. Buy a shotgun! Buy a shotgun!”

Now, in a secluded, mostly wooded area, like the one where Biden said he and his wife live in Delaware, that might not be the worst advice. Not the best, either, but not the worst. But not all Americans live like that. In fact, in his state’s largest city, his advice could land someone in jail. From U.S. News and World Report:

A sergeant with the Wilmington, Del., police department explained to U.S. News that city residents are not allowed to fire guns on their property.

The sergeant, who preferred not to be identified, said that Wilmington residents are also not allowed to shoot trespassers. “On your property you can’t just shoot someone,” he said. “You have to really feel that your life is being threatened.”

In fact, Biden’s advice could land his wife in jail in Delaware:

Defense attorney John Garey — a former Delaware deputy attorney general — agreed, and added that several criminal charges might result if Jill Biden took her husband’s advice.

“In Delaware you have to be in fear of your life to use deadly force,” Garey said. “There’s nothing based on his scenario alone” indicating a reason to fear imminent death, he noted.

There’s more at the link, including visual evidence to suggest the Bidens’ home isn’t as secluded as the vice president let on.

On one hand, the illegality of what Biden suggested has more to do with what one does with any weapon — it’s a lot closer to the controversy at the heart of the Trayvon Martin shooting, though not quite the same — rather than the specific kind of weapon one uses.

On the other hand, it’s rather ironic that Biden’s explanation for how you can still protect yourself in a world without “assault weapons” is that you could always … break another law.

– By Kyle Wingfield

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362 comments Add your comment

md

February 21st, 2013
6:19 pm

“What do you do when he shoots you first ?”

Well, with a gun I have a 50/50 chance, without a gun I’m at his mercy…….I know which I’d prefer.

That Black Guy

February 21st, 2013
6:19 pm

Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten

February 21st, 2013
5:42 pm
If guns made you safe America would be the safest place in the world.

The dont. They just make people feel safe but its fools gold.

Countries with stricter gun laws have a lot less gun violence

Its the guns stupid.
______________________
Tell that to Blade Runners girlfriend in S. Africa.

Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten

February 21st, 2013
6:19 pm

Guns at Home Increase Dangers, Not Safety
Based on a review of the available scientific data, Dr. Lippmann and co-authors conclude that the dangers of having a gun at home far outweigh the safety benefits. Research shows that access to guns greatly increases the risk of death and firearm-related violence. A gun in the home is twelve times more likely to result in the death of a household member or visitor than an intruder.

Still more.

Its the guns stupid.

JDW

February 21st, 2013
6:21 pm

@Tiberius…”Focus on the problem.”

It’s the gun….stupid.

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right

February 21st, 2013
6:21 pm

I stated credible, Cheesy.

And the same argument can be made for swimming pools.

Gonna ban them?

Attack the source of the problem – the people wielding the guns – not the guns themselves.

Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten

February 21st, 2013
6:22 pm

Well, with a gun I have a 50/50 chance, without a gun I’m at his mercy…….I know which I’d prefer.

Nothing I have is worth my life.

Somebody comes at me with a gun at 2 am. They can take whatever they want and just leave.

My life is worth a lot more than a TV. You start a shootout at the OK Corral in your living room its gonna turn out bad most of the time.

But by all means proceed. Gene pool you know.

That Black Guy

February 21st, 2013
6:22 pm

barking frog

February 21st, 2013
5:54 pm
Michael H. Smith
the lady in Loganville was lucky..had the intruder
been armed he might have done a Pistorius…
_____________________________
he was armed. He had a crowbar.

Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten

February 21st, 2013
6:23 pm

And the same argument can be made for swimming pools.

Gonna ban them?

No. A swimming pool has other purposes besides killing another human being.

A gun doesn’t.

md

February 21st, 2013
6:23 pm

“Thinking that more guns solves the problem of gun violence is like saying more cancer will cure cancer.”

I’ll tell you what, I’ll put a sign on my door that says my guns may be present on my property, and you can put a sign on your door that says your property is a gun free zone and we’ll see which one lasts the longest…….

You are aware that the aurora shooter did a search on which theaters had a no gun policy….right?

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right

February 21st, 2013
6:23 pm

JDW, its the swimming pool, stupid.

Focus on the problem.

Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten

February 21st, 2013
6:24 pm

I stated credible, Cheesy.

This is why I almost didn’t bother.

It really doesn’t matter how much I show you.

The kool aid has already been drunk

Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten

February 21st, 2013
6:25 pm

JDW, its the swimming pool, stupid.

Focus on the problem.

The logic of that argument is so bad. I can tell you guys never went to college.

md

February 21st, 2013
6:25 pm

” And you trolls and halfwits above know full well you’d have your wife do EXACTLY the same thing if it might mean the difference between life or death. ”

Wrong…..having my wife open the door and go outside into possible harms way would be the last thing I would tell her. I’d tell her to do the exact same thing that Loganville woman did (if she had a weapon). Lock yourself in a room, call 911, and have your weapon ready if needed.

Only a fool sends their wife outside looking for trouble……

Cheesy Grits is gone but not forgotten

February 21st, 2013
6:25 pm

Anyway see ya guys.

Have fun at your next shootout.

Wonder who will win ??????

Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right

February 21st, 2013
6:26 pm

“Nothing I have is worth my life”

That’s where we differ, Cheesy. My wife and kids are worth protecting with my life.

I’d hate to be yours . . . .

md

February 21st, 2013
6:28 pm

“Somebody comes at me with a gun at 2 am. They can take whatever they want and just leave.”

You are assuming he just wants your stuff…….the guy in the theater didn’t take any stuff……..

md

February 21st, 2013
6:29 pm

“But by all means proceed. Gene pool you know.”

I believe insults come out of gene pools……

barking frog

February 21st, 2013
6:31 pm

That Black Guy
he was armed. He had a crowbar.
………………………………………
o.k. she was lucky he didn’t have a gun…..

Aquagirl

February 21st, 2013
6:33 pm

It really doesn’t matter how much I show you.

A higher rate of homicide and suicide, and you call that evidence? Those people would kill each other with hammers. Which is why houses with guns have more homicides and suicides. Or something.

That Black Guy

February 21st, 2013
6:33 pm

md

February 21st, 2013
6:34 pm

All you folks that say “it’s the guns….period” are in denial.

The 2nd isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, so having no guns is not even an option. So you might want to focus on a solution that takes that into consideration…..

Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America

February 21st, 2013
6:38 pm

Gun deaths and injuries have dropped sharply in California, even as the number of guns sold in the state has risen, according to new state data.
Dealers sold 600,000 guns in California last year, up from 350,000 in 2002, according to records of sale tallied by the California Attorney General’s office.
During that same period, the number of California hospitalizations due to gun injuries declined from about 4,000 annually to 2,800, a roughly 25 percent drop, according to hospital records collected by the California Department of Public Health.
Firearm-related deaths fell from about 3,200 annually to about 2,800, an 11 percent drop, state health figures show.

http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/california-gun-sales-up-gun-violence-down/

Well, that puts to rest the ole more guns more violence argument.

Just Saying..

February 21st, 2013
6:49 pm

Kyle, my posts don’t seem to make it through. Misadventure, or misbehaving?

Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories

February 21st, 2013
6:49 pm

liberals like cheesy used to sit around blubbering about the rising prison population even though the crime rate was dropping, but now it appears she’s found another mindless hobby.

md

February 21st, 2013
6:53 pm

“Well, that puts to rest the ole more guns more violence argument.”

Naw….they’ll just poo poo your source or say it’s a misprint or merely ignore it and continue as usual….

Wilbur

February 21st, 2013
6:57 pm

Cheesy,
I read your study. You cant’ really believe that THAT article makes your point, can you?
Maybe you should change your handle to Grits for Brains.

Aquagirl

February 21st, 2013
7:06 pm

that puts to rest the ole more guns more violence argument

Are the voices in your head arguing again? That’s terrible, you really shouldn’t have guns around the house.

JDW

February 21st, 2013
7:09 pm

@Tiberius…”And the same argument can be made for swimming pools”

I notice swimming pool owners don’t run around blathering, all evidence to the contrary, that owning one makes them safer.

Bruno

February 21st, 2013
7:16 pm

MarkV: Is it insanity, or some other kind of mental problem? Discharging a gun of the balcony is evidence that it was done BEFORE anyone got in the house? Only in Tiberius world.

MarkV–Thanks for the comedy this afternoon. Only someone like you would even attempt to defend nut-ball Joe Biden.

Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America

February 21st, 2013
7:22 pm

that owning one makes them safer.

Well. safe from board kids, assuming the kids know how to swim. JDW you do know that more folks drown than die from gun violence according to the CDC. When is someone going to get on a high horse about drowning deaths.

That would be a good cause for Aquagirl, assuming she can swim herself, and has enough leadership skills to lead a group of 4-5 year old children. Drowning disproportionately affects minorities and small children, so that should be a big incentive to her.

Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America

February 21st, 2013
7:23 pm

that is stupid– bored not board, government school education kicking in.

Aquagirl

February 21st, 2013
7:25 pm

That would be a good cause for Aquagirl, assuming she can swim herself

Now I take a lot from y’all, but THAT is a cheap shot. :)

MarkV

February 21st, 2013
7:27 pm

Bruno @ 7:16 pm

Bruno – Thank you for confirming one more time that you are incapable of an argument, but capable of name-calling other people.

Bruno

February 21st, 2013
7:30 pm

I notice swimming pool owners don’t run around blathering, all evidence to the contrary, that owning one makes them safer.

JDW–Let’s look at the facts, shall we. For starters, the swimming pool argument is valid. More pools = more drowning accidents, in the same way that more cars = more deaths by car accident.

From a numerical standpoint, approximately 31,000 people die from gunshot wounds per year in the US. Of these, approximately 19,000 deaths are due to suicide, with 11,000 homicides and less than 1000 due to accidental discharge. Putting into a larger context, approximately 4,000,000 people die each year in the US. As such, less than 1% of all deaths are due to firearms.

Sailfish

February 21st, 2013
7:31 pm

Personally, I prefer boomerangs – gets them every time!

Aquagirl

February 21st, 2013
7:33 pm

more folks drown than die from gun violence according to the CDC.

OK, I’ll bite…where’d you get that factoid? The CDC charts don’t show anything like that.

Besides, I would totally notice all those bodies floating around.

http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/LeadingCauses.html

Bruno

February 21st, 2013
7:35 pm

Bruno – Thank you for confirming one more time that you are incapable of an argument, but capable of name-calling other people.

In case you forgot, MarkV, I attempted to debate you on a few topics, but you were unable to think for yourself, and could never bring yourself to a point of honesty that a meaningful exchange could occur. As such, you are deserving only of my ridicule.

Bruno

February 21st, 2013
7:40 pm

OK, I’ll bite…where’d you get that factoid? The CDC charts don’t show anything like that.

A quick google search turned up a figure of approximately 3,300 accidental drowning deaths per year in the US. I’m not sure why they separated intentional from unintentional drowning deaths. I can’t seem to find the number for intentional drownings.

bluecoat

February 21st, 2013
7:42 pm

I thought reduced speed limits cut automobile deaths.

Bruno

February 21st, 2013
7:43 pm

As for death due to motor vehicle accidents, in 2010 the number was approximately 33,000 as well, the same as for gun deaths.

Sailfish

February 21st, 2013
7:43 pm

Drowning? So sad when people play with water without thinking – it’s serious business!

Hillbilly D

February 21st, 2013
7:44 pm

In my opinion, increased DUI enforcement has had more to do with reducing highway deaths than anything.

md

February 21st, 2013
7:48 pm

Kennesaw has had 4 homicides in the 30 years since their gun law hit the books, and half the residents don’t own guns.

But one would be fooling themselves if the they think the bad guys don’t know that. And they don’t know which 50% is without a gun.

Why go prey on people in kennesaw knowing they may also have a gun when one can go down to Home Park where they know GT doesn’t allow guns on campus and kids walking nearby are likely not carrying?

Bruno

February 21st, 2013
7:49 pm

Drowning? So sad when people play with water without thinking – it’s serious business!

LOL @ sailfish.

Here’s for you and Aquagirl:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX8nAZftZL4

Half a mile from the county fair
And the rain came pouring down
Me and Billy standing there
With a silver half a crown
Hands are full of the fishing rod and the tackle on our backs
We just stood there getting wet
With our backs against the fence

Oh, the water
Oh, the water
Oh, the water
Hope it don’t rain all day

Sailfish

February 21st, 2013
7:49 pm

Mortality, don’t ponder it too much, but it does seem puzzling. You know one day you’ll be leaving, but you never know how it might happen. Die in your sleep? I guess that’s the preferred ending…alas living can be a pretty good treat if you’re looking.

bluecoat

February 21st, 2013
7:52 pm

HB how will that work with weed?

Hillbilly D

February 21st, 2013
7:52 pm

I’ve been to the funeral of a 3 year old who fell in a swimming pool, so this ain’t quite as humorous to me as some.

And before anybody asks, I’ve been to funerals of people who got shot, too.

Aesop's Fables and other Lib Economic Theories

February 21st, 2013
7:53 pm

How many of the motor vehicle accidents were suicides?

(\__/)
( *.* )
( . )
(”) (”)

How many people were killed by their furry little pets? I know a dude that went to bed with a 27 foot Anaconda and woke up in it’s tummy.

You people just can’t be trusted with yourselves!

Rafe Hollister preparing for an Obamanist America

February 21st, 2013
7:55 pm

Aquagirl

I meant to say gun accidents versus drowning. 2009 there were 2000 drownings and 600 gun accidental deaths.

http://www.listosaur.com/miscellaneous/top-5-causes-of-accidental-death-in-the-united-states.html

Sailfish

February 21st, 2013
7:56 pm

bruno

Nice tune, this is where I’m at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AUEjzVQwKo

hillbilly

Just point out that something so beautiful (water) can be very dangerous indeed.