Despite my own mixed feelings on this issue, I would like to share with readers a piece written by a friend to this blog, someone who has very firm ideas. Well, he's not so much "a friend to this blog" as he is the husband of a friend of a friend to this blog. At any rate, he has produced a worthwhile piece of writing. Whatever your stance on gun regulation, you will surely agree with the sentiments expressed in the final paragraph.
The author's name is Mike; all the words below the asterisks are his.
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Open letter to the NRA and gun enthusiasts everywhere:
Hi folks,
Many of you think the world would be more peaceful and polite if everyone carried a sidearm and practiced vigilante justice, so here's a few scenarios for you.
1.) You're walking down the street and you see someone in the distance being held up at gunpoint. Being a good citizen with your own pistol at hand, you draw it and prepare to issue a challenge to the attacker. Unfortunately, someone you hadn't noticed has just come out of a nearby doorway, has not noticed the holdup down the street, and sees you draw your gun - clearly up to no good - and pulls his out (everyone is a good citizen and well armed, remember?) and blows you away. Criminal finishes the business at hand in the ensuing commotion and gets away.
2.) All of the above happens except that no one stops you in your heroic duty. You announce your intentions to the criminal and he engages you in a firefight. Since very few humans are crack shots with a pistol, no matter how much they practice, the first few bullets fly past both of you. Maybe you get him. Maybe he gets you. But oops, one or two people who weren't able to get out of the line of fire in time get mortally wounded or killed outright. Shit happens.
3.) Same scenario as #2 but you don't want this scumbag to get away so you move in as close as possible without saying anything (there are of course no law enforcement standards or practices for citizens doing their civic duty) and blow a large hole in the back of the guy's head. He's down and you feel great. The citizen you just assisted picks up the firearm he was forced to discard, shoots you through the chest and says, "Thanks, I was going to hold that guy up and take his wallet, but he drew on me first!" Oops, I guess not being clairvoyant will be a drawback in such a "society."
Yours is a gallant and sober society, right? Hell no! People drink, take drugs and argue and drive however they want, because they're FREE, dammit! And since they love their guns, they have them in every situation: when they're in a hurry and have to cut through a bunch of others to get where they're going on time (POW, POW); when they're drunk and get in someone's face (POW, POW); when they get dumped by their girlfriend, or fired, or cheated on (POW, POW, POW, POW, POW).
You can argue home and public protection all you want. My response is, "NO, FUCK YOU AND YOUR SUPPOSED RIGHTS. I DON'T TRUST YOU OR ANYONE ELSE WITH A GUN."
If you are worried about criminals, then do your part to prevent them from coming into being. Don't raise them. Don't ignore your kids or only teach them fear and paranoia. Volunteer for or donate to a youth group. Don't bully, denigrate, or piss people off because it makes you feel superior. Don't engage in the kind of behavior that causes other people to feel wronged.
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