Why I Have Guns

Liberals and gun banning bigots are always questioning why I need to have so many guns, ridiculing the notion that the Russian's will attack, I'll be able to foil an Al Quaeda plot, or that crime is so bad in McLean, Virginia. Generally, they are right. All those situations, while real, are pretty far fetched. However, what isn't far fetched is the possibility of some disaster occuring where law and order completely break down.

Witness Hurrican Katrina.

With much of the city flooded by Hurricane Katrina, looters floated garbage cans filled with clothing and jewelry down the street in a dash to grab what they could. In some cases, looting on Tuesday took place in full view of police and National Guard troops

I shouldn't have to mention that similar situations also occurred after Hurricane Andrew, during the New York blackout, and in the wake of the Rodney King riots. When the police have more important things to focus on, its simply foolish to expect them to try and protect you or your property.

Haley Barbour said last night they would take looters very seriously and bring the full force of the law on them. Its a nice thought, but I just don't think in this time of need is the place to focus resources.

Of course, I don't consider everything looting either.

At a Walgreen's drug store in the French Quarter, people were running out with grocery baskets and coolers full of soft drinks, chips and diapers.

A man walked down Canal Street with a pallet of food on his head. His wife, who refused to give her name, insisted they weren't stealing from the nearby Winn-Dixie supermarket. "It's about survival right now," she said as she held a plastic bag full of purloined items. "We got to feed our children. I've got eight grandchildren to feed."

I'm willing to give folks the benefit of the doubt when they try to salvage essential supplies like food and drink and medicine.

UPDATE The situate has apparently gotten worse. Much worse.

Looting broke out as opportunistic thieves cleaned out abandoned stores for a second night. Officials said that in one incident a police officer had been critically wounded by gunfire.

"These are not individuals looting," Colonel Ebbert said. "These are large groups of armed individuals."

Like I keep saying, Outdated Second Amendment My Ass.