As I like to say, there are two types of animals in the world: predators and prey. Criminals are the predators, the wolves looking for their next meal. And the law-abiding citizens are the sheep with only hooves to protect us from the wolves’ teeth. Yet, there are some sheep with teeth and some sheep who are armed. These sheep understand the risks and benefits of owning firearms and take their responsibilities seriously. Some use their guns to hunt, others to compete in shooting matches. Many have them for protection, and there are those that collect firearms.

Personally, I am a sheep that fits into two categories. Being a five-foot four, 115-pound female, I obtained a concealed carry permit and own a gun for protection. Additionally, I also participate in shooting matches.

Obtaining my permit was a simple process. I had to attend a class to learn the laws about gun ownership in Iowa, situations that I should defend myself with lethal force, if necessary, and other situations where I should be a “good witness.” While in this class, I learned that it was illegal to carry a concealed weapon on campus, a law I abide by 100 percent, not that I agree with it. Upon completing this class, I obtained a certificate that I presented to my county sheriff and paid the fee for my permit. Two weeks and an extensive background check later, I received my concealed carry permit. I can show this permit to any gun dealer and be able to purchase a weapon. The same works for gun shows and online sales.

I take issue with further gun control laws. Not just because they’d be ineffective at removing guns from the hands of criminals, but that possible laws are being created by emotionally driven senators that have little knowledge of guns. With Harry Reid’s statement about a “100 clip magazine” being excessive, I can’t help but laugh. Then, I stop, realizing that he thinks such things exist en masse and that someone who obviously knows so little about guns wants to propose laws limiting my freedom. That should scare us all.

I concede that I’m also no expert on firearms. However, I have learned the basics within the past year. Not only have I learned how to handle guns safely, I have also competed in shooting matches and obtained a concealed carry permit. I, unlike most politicians, try and educate myself about topics I take interest in. Additionally, I try to remain as level-headed and logical when it comes to defending my points. I don’t let emotion override my common sense, which is something else that those in Washington don’t do.

Gun shows are a popular place to buy weapons. However, one cannot just walk up to a table and sweet talk a dealer into selling a gun. In order to purchase any weapon, a buyer has to show their Permit to Acquire or a concealed carry permit. All you need to do to obtain a Permit to Acquire is get a background check from your local sheriff’s office and fill out paperwork. The concealed carry permit also requires that you have a background check and attend a class where you are trained on how to handle firearms and learn the laws associated with firearms. These cards state the name of the person, their date of birth, address, as well as the date issued followed by the date the card expires. Therefore, the gun seller does not need to run a background check on the buyer.

Online sales are different. A seller can post their item for sale, and an interested buyer can, indeed, purchase it. Unlike other online sales, where your long-awaited DVD goes right to your door, a gun is shipped to a licensed dealer near the buyer’s location. After the gun has arrived, the buyer has to go to the dealer’s place of business and, only after displaying their permit, can walk out the door with their new gun.

Guns kill people. In 2011 alone, firearms killed over 8,500 people in the United States, according to the FBI. Let’s ban them. All of them. And, while we’re at it, ban knives and hammers; combined, they killed over 1,000 people that year. Cars should go, too. Drunk driving accidents caused over 12,000 deaths. People are less likely to die from cars when we revert back to horses for transportation. Oh, and get rid of doctors and hospitals. Medical errors and malpractice caused the death of 195,000 people. Why not ban anything that kills people? It’s common sense. Right?

Yes, ban guns. Disarm the citizens. That makes them easier to control. And, in extreme cases, decimate the population. The National Socialist Party disarmed their citizens. Twelve million died. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics killed 50 million. Let’s not forget the United States. We traded blankets with the Native Americans to get their guns. We made promises we never kept and forced them out of their homes when we so chose.

In America, we’re obsessed with control. And, sometimes, there are things you can’t control, such as human behavior. Therefore, when tragic events happen, we try to lay the blame at the feet of what we can control. Lately, that has been guns. But, do guns really kill people? Or, is it what is in a person’s mind that does the killing? Guns, like any other man-made tool, are just that, a tool, just like cars, knives, hammers, scalpels and rope. All these kill people, too. Yet, I haven’t heard anyone say we should restrict the use of those tools. In fact, when one of those causes the death of people, we attribute the action to the person that committed the crime. So, why are guns treated differently?

In 2011, it is estimated that armed citizens, embracing their Second Amendment right, prevented anywhere from 800,000 to 2 million violent crimes. These armed citizens prevented over 100 times more violent crimes than there were murders committed in that year. Why? Criminals will be discouraged from attacking people who are armed. Take the lawfully obtained guns away, and the criminals have nothing to fear.

That concept is something that seems to be evading politicians. They believe that stricter laws will dissuade criminals from their behavior. Chicago has very strict gun laws. Yet there are shootings every week. Clamping down on guns there really made an impact. Didn’t it? The war on drugs has the same mentality. That worked, right? And, don’t forget Prohibition.