Ok I've tried to stay out of this but...
I will begin by saying I am a registered gun owner, have shot competition, and own more than one long barrel and more than one hand gun, I have had a class A permit in MA and have a concealed permit in NH.
I rarely if ever carry anymore but do on occasion, when I feel the situation calls for it.
Now, I am in favor of some sort of SENCIBLE gun control (beyond the traditional "means using both hands" stand) HOWEVER that being said...Instituting ADDITIONAL laws instead of enforcing EXISTING laws is stupid!! In MA they actually made it more of a crime to MURDER someone with a gun than with a knife!!!...I thought MURDER was ALREADY illegal!! You killed him with a knife..ok...no!! you used a GUN!!! Oh buddy your sooo screwed now!
The old cleshay (sp) "if guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns" may be the rally cry of the NRA but to some extent IT'S TRUE...Most of the gun ledgislation written is done as a knee jerk reaction and TYPICALLY makes it more difficult for the LAW ABBIDING citizens to obtain a gun....yet it's still just as easy for the criminals to get them...raise your hands..how many think the street thug cares if you have to wait 10 days before you get the gun you bought at the local shop...he/she isn't buying their guns legaly to start with!! Unfortunatly the lawmakers use this knee jerk legislation to tout their "tough on crime" position, when in reality they haven't done a damm thing, but it makes good copy so go with it!
On the flip side...there are alot of legal gun owners who have absolutly no place owning a gun EVER! because there IRRESPONCIBLE IDIOTS!
My family has worked extensivly with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencys and their oppions vary greatly on home "protection" firearms...with several exceptions...
1. If your going to own a wepon for home protection, make it a shot gun! end of story! it requires far less skill to opperate, and your need to be an accurate shot is reduced to "non existant"
2. If you keep a firearm for home protection and you have no choice but to pull it out, pull the F'n trigger...DO NOT use it as a threat, you WILL be shot with your own gun!
3. Always remember that "most" owner occupied burgalries occure in the middle of the night...you are sound asleep...they are WIDE awake...you are grogy and lethargic when awakened...they are running on pure addreniline...your eyes need time to adjust....their eyes are already adjusted...you are caught off guard...they KNEW you were there, and quite possibly, that you were armed, and have broken in ANYWAY....they are prepared for a confrontation and have thought about it...you were dreaming about Pam Anderson and her three beautiful friends...THEY have the upper hand NOT you!!!
According to them most people shot in home invasions/burglaries are shot WITH THERE OWN WEPON!
Now back to the irresponcible gun owners...
If you live with a child and you leave a loaded gun lying around the house... you qualify
If you don't live with children and you leave a gun lying around your home unsecured, and you DONT carry it with you when you leave your home...you qualify, as you amy have just increased the illegal gun quantity on the street after they break in and find a gun for easy pickin
If you bought it "because it's your right and you could" and have NEVER been trained in its use and handeling you DEFINATLY qualify...these are the same morons who shoot themselves while cleaning their gun!
OH and while I'm on this rant IF YOU TEACH YOUR KID THAT GUNS ARE TOYS!!!! and he goes to his buddys house and finds the real deal (cause dad/mom is a moron) and he points it at his buddy and kills him/her...ITS YOUR FAULT YOU TAUGHT YOUR KID THAT GUNS ARE TOYS>>>THEY ARE NOT TOYS PEOPLE GET IT THRU YOUR THICK HEADS!!! teach your kids that they are deadly and how to handle them PROPERLY...if you don't know...then learn!!
heres a good start
RULE #1 Assume EVERY gun is LOADED untill you have checked it YOURSELF...then TREAT it as if it WERE!
2. don't point the thing at someone unless you intend to shoot them....because you will
3. keep your damm finger OFF the trigger UNTIL your ready to shoot!
4. If You DON'T know how to handel a gun, DON'T!!!
One more thing if your not FULLY prepared to pull the triger and KILL someone/thing...DONT pull the gun on them...It's not a threat...it's your LAST f'n chance of making it out alive...and if it ISN'T your last chance...it will be, right after they snatch it from your quivering hand and shoot YOU!
Unfortunatly Both sides are unwilling to compromise...so reasonable, well thought out controlls are not likely in the future...and the criminals will still be armed, Irresponcible morons will still buy guns they can't/shouldnt handle and the responcible, law abbiding gun owner will continue to ****** and moan about the "latest rules" while the Pro/Anti continues to fight
