I'll only say the following things, because my vote is firmly on the side of
those who support their right to bear arms, as is simply stated (in the US
Constitution) in simple terms which any idiot can read, not legalese
designed to keep lawyers employed;
1. The first rule of being a criminal is Break The Law. Therefore any law
made only infringes further on the rights of those who have always legally
purchased weapons in the past, and who continue to do so. The criminal is
not affected, as he has chosen to not obey the law.
2. Hitler and Stalin both restricted ownership of firearms to those the
government wanted to have them. Both killed millions in the name of those
governments. It is the duty of any citizen of a free democracy to be ready
to defend the democracy against those within who wish to use its principles
against itself, which is also in the Constitution, though you do have to
read it to get the whole picture. Very clearly written, when not looked at
with a "What did they mean by this" attitude.
3. Any person who really believes the world can be full of sunshine and
lollipops by legislation doing away with what they consider "bad things
no-one should have" should really have their head examined. It is similar to
the so-called peace demonstrators against the action in Afghanistan- Peace
is a process which by nature requires the commitment of both parties to
work. To run around spouting "Peace! Peace!" while someone punches the crap
out of you is really stupid. Peace will only exist when both parties
subscribe. Not when one says "We offer you Peace!" and the other says "We
offer you death!"
4. A recent look at crime in England, since their recent "gunphobic"
legislation shows a definite increase in crimes- this was mentioned in an
article a few weeks back in the Philadelphia Inquirer regarding a
wonderfully executed raid on a bar in which English police had utilized a
bus, rather than cars to arrive at the location of the raid! They stated the
crime rate in that area had more than tripled since the year before.
5. I do support background checks of potential firearm purchasers, as well
as an identity card system. But I am wholly against anyone saying what or
how many a person can own. Period. (nuclear weapons might be a bit much,
however) I also believe all firearms applicants should be required to attend
a course on proper firearm safety, including how to transport, store, and
maintain their arms without doing damage to anyone. Proper respect for the
firearm as well as common sense would take away a lot of "accidents" I also
believe in those who do have "accidents" where a child is involved should
receive a proper punishment for their stupidity. Personally, I was trained
in firearms use, safety and maintenance by the military, though I had prior
experience. In 18 years of gun ownership, covering many different types and
models, I have never had an accident, and my current weapons are safely
stored, where I can reach them in an emergency, although they are unloaded,
as any stored weapon should be- separate from the ammunition. They are also
locked and inaccessible by others, especially children. As any weapon should
be, unless brought out by a responsible owner for a legitimate reason.
That concludes my rant on the gun ownership thread- I will pursue no replies
or flames, in the interest of keeping the list to topic once I am done.
Before stepping off the soapbox, however, I also wish to make the following
observation, brought on by the people who read too much into a simple
statement- The separation of church and state means that the United States
is not allowed to form a religion, and require its citizens to join. This
was put into the Constitution as a reference to the Church of England, which
in earlier times was a state sanctioned religion, which many came to the
colonies to escape. In no way was this meant to imply that God should be
absented from any government place by constitutional decree. It merely means
that the government can not force you to join a religion. Personally, I
follow no religion, and believe that people should worship as they wish- as
long as it does not infringe the rights of others, or lead to injury. I'm
offended about people who claim "Church and State!" to have traditional
Christmas and Chanukah displays removed, to have the 10 Commandments taken
from public buildings, etc. Just because you choose not to believe in
anything does not mean you should tell others how not to believe... Those
with religious interests have rights also, and I again would support any
religion's desires to celebrate their holidays, even if there is a display
in the town square. The 10 Commandments are a pretty decent outline anyway-
and should be left alone. If the atheists who decry public displays, then
perhaps they should have one of their own- Maybe a "Saint Nobody's Day", of
non-prayer, and a reading of the "10 Suggestions on How to Get Along Without
Hurting Each Other". If all of the worlds religions would stop shouting how
they are the "one true religion" and fighting to prove they were right all
the time, perhaps we could get down to the business of following the
precepts of all of them and live together in harmony. You ain't gonna right
a thousand year old wrong, so get over it and move on. We have a world to
live in here- not a world to kill in. That's God's business(Should you so
believe there being one) to decide who was right or wrong in religion. And
I'm pretty sure he is reasonable when judgment time comes- If he is an all
knowing God, as they say(those who believe that is...) then I imagine he
knows why somebody joins a particular religion, etc, and won't sweat it.
Course I could be wrong, so maybe I'll be sent to another department when I
die... Either way, the Constitution was framed by reasonable, simple men
with religious faiths, who wished to see all free to exercise theirs, not
buy people scared by the idea of a supreme being, and wishing not to have it
around.
I could get going on why little Johnny's rights should not take effect until
he is old enough to realize their value, etc. but why get people started on
that issue... might mean Johnny would finish school with better grades...
Off the soapbox, and hoping to get back to Triumph discussions...
S.
no flames will be replied to.
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