Conservatives have been preaching for years about the fact that people really didn’t know exactly where Obama stood on various issues when he was elected. It’s an important point, and needs to be addressed when it comes to potential Republican candidates, too.
Ben Carson has been mentioned many times in the context of 2016, and has won at least a few straw polls along the way. However, that’s largely been in the context of ObamaCare – a no-brainer, since he’s a doctor. But, where does he stand on other issues that are important to conservatives?
On the Second Amendment, conservatives may not be completely pleased about where Carson stands. Reaching back to March 1, 2013, he talked with Glenn Beck about where he stands on weapon ownership, particularly in big cities:
Students of history of the 1980’s (or people that actually remember those days) are familiar with the term “Détente.” Then, it was mentioned often in the context of the U.S. and the U.S.S.R., primarily in regard to the nuclear arms race. Essentially, neither side wanted to fall behind, because they would run the risk of being attacked as soon as one gained the upper hand. That’s something that could, and maybe should be happening in large cities today.
Conservatives have been pointing out for years that increased gun control laws in city centers do not work. It simply leaves law-abiding citizens at the mercy of criminals that get more weapons (and more powerful weapons), leaving no possibility of reaching “Détente.” Carson is of the opinion that semi-automatic weapons should not be in the hands of citizens in big cities. His logic is that they could be stolen, and end up in the hands of criminals. We’ve heard this argument from liberals many times, and it simply doesn’t wash. Yes, it’s possible that criminals will get weapons that way – and they do. However, if criminals “want” semi-automatic weapons, they don’t rely on the possibility of stealing them from law-abiding citizens. They simply acquire them the same way they acquire any other weapons – on the black market. However, if more citizens owned more powerful weapons in the cities, it stands to reason that the criminals would find it harder to victimize citizens. They would have to worry more about facing down weapons in the hands of their potential victims.
As for Carson, while he might be a good candidate for the presidency when it comes to dealing with the monstrosity that is ObamaCare, conservatives need to watch him on other issues. We don’t need a one-issue president. Maybe instead of backing Carson for the presidency, we need to back him as a Secretary of Health and Human Services under another Republican that is in agreement with more conservatives on more issues.
Image Credit: Gage Skidmore






[…] I featured a video of Ben Carson talking with Glenn Beck on semi-automatic weapons in cities. It could be argued that at least part of that statement there was influenced by his experience as […]