Wednesday, October 7, 2009
The Florida Times-Union

Appropriate for Jews

It is no secret that Jewish institutions in our country remain targets for terrorist attacks, as we have already witnessed in Seattle, San Francisco, Washington’s Holocaust Museum and the recently foiled synagogue bomb plot in the Bronx.

Unfortunately, the recent article headlined “Local Rabbis Object to Courses in Armed Defense,” underscores a dangerous naiveté commonly held by many in the Jewish community about responsible gun ownership and the Second Amendment.

The rabbi’s comment that such a training course was “more dangerous than preventive” illustrates this pacifist, anti-gun mind-set.

Those Jews who object to the exercise of constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens who wish to arm themselves for protection would be wise to consider the advice from St. Augustine’s Rabbi Samuel Cywiak, a Nazi death camp survivor, who knows that preparation is the best strategy.

Self-defense is not extremism.

The course being offered is a responsible educational program taught by well trained professionals with extensive law enforcement experience and credentials.

The International Security Coalition of Clergy is not preparing rabbis and congregants to become armed vigilantes, but rather making them capable of responding in crisis situations.

The idea that such a counter-terrorist training program advocates individuals to take the law into their own hands is simply wrong.

Similar self-defense courses are available throughout the country, but since this appears to be the first specifically tailored to Jewish institutions it is encountering resistance from some Jewish leaders.

The threats to the American Jewish community are unique and simply discounting or ignoring them will not make them go away.

Education on self-defense tactics and gun ownership with the proper training is a responsible way for all Americans, including Jews, to address dangers that exist and may emerge in our community.

ADAM HASNER,
Majority Leader,
Florida House,
Republican Jewish Coalition,
Delray Beach

Source: The Florida Times-Union