One Voice
I am not a politician running for office. I do not have a massive organiztion speaking on my behalf. I am one voice speaking on a subject that will cause a certain amount of cursing, name calling, and if all goes well, a high degree of serious thought. All I ask is that you hear me out before you comment, curse me, or walk away.
I am one of those evil, unamerican constitution destroyers known as a proponent of gun control. Have been since November 23, 1963. And will remain one until the day I no longer draw a breath. The second amendment was written at a time that was far different than the society we now know. Then the average man had to hunt in order to put meat on the table. Today a hunter is usually a sportsman. Then an enemy of the state was recognizable. Today that enemy could be anyone. A neighbor, co-worker, student, or even family member. Hear me out.
I know of no hunter who uses a military assault weapon in his sport. Trophies tend not to be worth much when riddled with bullet holes. I know of no-one who would choose an AK47 to protect his home, or person. Outside of the military and police the basic users of rapid fire hand guns, and assault weapons are criminals or unstable personalities. Yet a ban on those weapons has many of you screaming federal abuse.
Where do the criminals and unstable people get the weapons? Some steal them. But most are purchased. From various sources. Unscrupulous dealers, gun shows, collectors in need of money, and from the manufacturers direct. No questions asked, no reasons given. All that is needed is the right amount of money.
Then these weapons are used against innocent people in a whole new theater of war. Little mom and pop stores, movie theaters, churches, shopping malls, public streets, offices, and schools. How many people must die or suffer injuries before the point is reached when we ALL say, enough is enough?
Right now I am as one voice in the wilderness. But I will not be silent.
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brilliant post jackie 🙂 🙂
I hear your voice loud and clear. The second part of the Second Amendment states “unless under the control of a well trained militia” At time of war.The propaganda by the NRA is second only to Herr Goebbels painting false ideology of The Final Solution. There is no scenario known to man that would call for an Assault Rifle being used in any form of hobby or pleasure.
Give me definition of “well trained militia. I know of no one who uses assault rifles as a ” hobby or pleasure” except those who choose to shoot up innocent children and UNARMED adults. Where is the cry to ban and control illegal uses of guns? The target of this witch hunt is to disarm innocent law abiding citizens plain and simple. I have owned guns all my adult life and I have never harmed or killed anyone. Guns are not the problem!!! The stupid drug addicts and crazies who use them are the problem. What about intoxicated drivers who kill innocent people?? Do we ban cars? Do we ban alcohol? Do we ban knives? Again, it is NOT the object! It is the idiot with the weapon of choice!
Exactly Jsmile, What’s happening is an attempt to address the tragedies that have occurred in recent past. People feel so helpless that they want to do “something”.. to feel like they’re making a difference so nothing like this will ever happen again. So do I. But, It’s a desperate and misguided attempt. Focus on the mentally disturbed people, focus on, as you said targeting the ILLEGAL weapons and confiscating them..or any number of other avenues that would actually impact and ultimately make a positive difference.. But instead we rush to do the easiest thing even tho it’s in violation of our constitutional rights and in the long run will NOT fix the problem.. It is just one more step on the road to a socialistic society. Wake up, people, think about what’s happening and hold fast your rights before it’s too late.
True millie..The government wants to put fear into the wrong people! What they should be doing is embracing us to help them fight crime. Instead they want to punish the honest citizens and allow the thugs run wild and continue to kill innocent people.
Great reply millie 😉 “J”
It’s not the Government putting fear in your heart it is the NRA. Obama never once proposed taking away legal firearms. He called for the ban on assault weapons. Yes there is a high market for assault rifles. One owner of an assault rifle said he needed it because it was fun to shoot it. Plus since the shooting in Conn. the sales of assault rifles flew off the shelves in record numbers..What possible reason is that????
Why is it that gun proponents see their side in black and white and those who are calling for reform see the issue in living color.? The blood of our children is very red.
leaf I do not undermine the value of the tragic action that happened. I resent the fact you or anyone would suggest such. My point is simply about government using these shootings to gain more control over we the people. I can assure you, argue with me til you blue but if these teachers and any citizen is armed to confront thugs such as that would be dramatically!! Leaf, guns do not kill people PEOPLE kill people. People will find any means possible to carry out their acts weather it be guns, cars, bombs, alcohol or knives. They are just after the object not the criminal! if the government wants to curb killings banning guns from honest citizens is not the solution. It has not worked where the toughest gun laws are in place now and it will not work then. I have an idea, Why don’t we have a major city “gun free” no law enforcement armed, no National Guard protection, nothing! All who oppose fire arms move there and let me know how it goes.
Say the cliches all you want. The fact remains the Democratic Party is not looking to remove legally owned guns. Just assault rifles and high magazine numbers. After all just how many bullets are needed to kill? 1 or 30? Limit the ammo limit the death count. A well formed militia is now called the Armed Services. As far as a gun free city. Why not? Canada and the UK do it all the time. Oh and I too will not apologize for my convictions nor have I assassinated anyone’s character My choice of words are not for anyone to correct. If you feel I’m too adamant then ignore me.
Leaf, I believe you should reconsider what you seem to be saying here. As a mother of 5 as well as someone who values the sanctity of human life every bit as much as you do, I am all too aware of the color of blood. Some issues such as freedom, life and death, however, (in my opinion) are entirely black and white. Why does this debate or discussion have to degenerate into character assassination? I am not, nor would I attack you personally regardless of how unfounded I believed your side to be. That is not profitable for anyone. Let’s just stick to the issue and the facts, shall we. If you’re so concerned w/ peace as you seem to be, then i believe a better choice of words would go a long way toward keeping open the dialogue between our opposing sides.
thank you jackie very well said.
I’m not a US citizen, nor do I live there. I’m UK born and bred, but I would add to what Jackie has said, that a pump action shotgun for home defense is far better than an assault rifle.
You don’t have to aim accurately, you don’t have to hold the muzzle down and it hits anything in the doorway.
If you are a citizen concerned with your and your family’s protection, what more do you need?
Way tell me what I should do with my pump shotgun when I face down a illegal AR15 with a 30 round clip. I’m not real good at math but that seems the odds are 29 to one chance I’m not going to win. Maybe I’m wrong.
The point I was trying to make is that with a shotgun you only have to point in the general direction to take a man down. It needs little training and no skill.
All it takes is one round and the threat is gone. Unlike an assault rifle in untrained hands, a shotgun in untrained hands will do the job most times.
I am not trying, as an outsider, to change your Constitution. I only make the point that I cannot see any need for anyone to to own a military assault rifle.
The original intent of the second amendment was to ensure that good folks were able to protect themselves – primarily in the form of militias that would be called upon in the event an invading force were to rise up against this nation.
I’m a veteran of 9 years and speaking from experience, we need to keep our freedoms in tact for this reason: If an invading force were to rise against us, you can bet that they will be fully armed with automatic assault weapons. Regular citizens would not stand a chance against such weaponry.
it doesn’t matter that’s it’s 250 years since we won our independence from the crown… Freedoms are sacrosanct and I can not support any ban on such weapons.
Guns are nothing more than a tool for protection. Any tool can be used to harm or kill. I may well be unpopular for stating my beliefs but I think banning these weapons simply makes the citizenry weaker in the event of war on our soil.. If you think that can’t happen, you’re fooling yourself. This country is only 250 years old and has been incredibly lucky so far. I hope it remains so. But if you know history, you know that individuals must be allowed to protect themselves and their families by whatever means necessary.
Someone quoted this a couple of weeks back and it is as true today as when it was written back in the 1700’s
”Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.” Ben Franklin
Jackie, we hear you and didn’t curse you or walk away. What’s the point of doing that if there’s to be an honest exchange of opinions and debate. Our society has become so intolerant of any kind of dissenting voice to what isn’t “popular opinion”. We have lost the ability to discuss and disagree w/ one another. I appreciate your blog. It was well thought out and presented w/o character assassination or vitriol. Thank you. I hope this sparks continued reflection and debate.
The military, police, and various security forces are highly trained in the use snd maintenance of high power assault weaponry. The average person is not. To place such a weapon in the hands of fools is a crime against civilization itself. Are the events at Columbine, Virginia Tech, Aurora and Newtown merely practice until an invasion comes along? What happened to the ideal of preventing war by creating peace?
Indeed we were trained, there are thousands of us who no longer serve but still had the training. So should we be banned as well?
That’s purely conjecture. There are literally hundreds of thousands if not millions of responsible gun owners in this country and many of them own assault weaponry for the very reasons I stated above. One of the fastest rising crimes is home invasion by multiple assailants. A 7-round clip is no longer enough to protect one’s family.
You do not punish a huge community of law abiding and responsible gun owners because a handful of deranged monsters did horrific acts.
No, they were horrific events committed by mentally unstable individuals.
Creating peace? How exactly is that done? Please give detailed answers. Peace is not something you get magically through wishing. It is bought and paid for with the lives of U.S. Servicemen throughout our history. No one wants war, myself included. But realism dictates that the threat is there if you follow current events.
You have faith that the government will provide all our needs. The constitution specifically warns against putting all your faith in a power grabbing government. You might recall that is how we became a nation, by fighting tyranny against an entity that did not represent us. Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.
As alot of you Chatters know I come from a long family history of owning guns. I do not own an assault weapon. Or would I. But I will tell you that I would use any one of my guns to protect my family. This is my choice. I feel something needs to be done about our laws on how to purchase a gun, any gun. But this like so many other debates will be buried in political nonsense and not addressed properly. Our government is out of control.
I will NEVER be without a weapon. Being at the mercy of idiot criminals is not my style. I don’t have much but I aim to keep what little I do have, including my life. If criminals want to try to take any of that away from me , they will do so at their own grave risk. I don’t miss and I shoot to kill when I feel my life is at risk. I have absolutely NO qualms about killing an intruder or anyone else who would try take my life or property, anytime or any place. Nothing will ever change my mind. I have a right to own weapons, I’ve been ARMY certified since 1975 and paid for my CC permit. I also took a state safety course to make the state of Texas happy. I agree with those who say “joe average” has no need for a semi-auto or full on automatic weapon. If we have a need at some point, as some of the survivalist fringe suggests, the govt. will issue those weapons in short order. I have every confidence in our military and those who don’t, have no idea what goes on in that portion of society. I was raised in it, joined it at one time, so I am biased. However I also know more about how it works than folks who were always civilians.
Tessa!! I’m with you 100%….let go target practice with my AR LOL
Tessa, you answered my question about training, and the ability of our military. I did not say ban all guns. First of all, is it so wrong to ask all gun owners to be legal? To know how to shoot or a willingness to shoot is not enough. The average person is a law abiding citizen. But the dealers I spoke of care little about law. They are concerned with profit.
If it weren’t so easy for just anybody to have guns many of you would not feel the need. As for the problem of government control, perhaps if the citizenry had taken the bull by the horns before things escalated to this point the government would not be in the position it is now.
Wow! I do not know where to begin here. Chalk I am behind every last word you said. Jackie I disagreed with every word you said with exception to the last which is; (As for the problem of government control, perhaps if the citizenry had taken the bull by the horns before things escalated to this point the government would not be in the position it is now.) You sir spoke the truth there.This is what happens when good honest people sit on their hands and let the government think for them. I for one do own guns and will always own guns as long as there are those who hate freedom. When we as a population are disarmed only tyranny will reign. I’m jumping around here so forgive me. Jackie peace have NEVER been free. It will NEVER be free so to live in the fantasy world and make believe we will have peace is simply a forest. Sir please give me just one example where a nation lived free for free. The Obama administration is using these horrific killings to further his agenda to control us plain and simple. The fact of the matter is, responsible honest people have never murdered anyone with a assault weapon sir. You have to be blind not to see what is happening here. Obama wants to disarm American people all while the murders, robbers,rapists, drug dealers and so on run free with all the weapons, assault or non assault. “What happened to the idea of preventing war by creating peace?” you say? I second Chalk’s challenge, How do you do this sir? I really need educating on this one. If you can solve this one I got a $16 trillion debt I will let you solve too! The point I am making is this, The second amendment give us the right to bear arms and I intend to follow it. Who is to say if Obama bans so called “assault weapons” he won’t go after hand guns? Where will this stop? It will stop when we as Americans stand up and tell the government they can have our second amendment if they can pry our dead fingers from the trigger. I respect your opinion Jackie but I 100% disagree with your idea of wanting me to risk my life while the enemy has full assault capacity fire power. I think of the woman in Georgia a couple months or so back where a thug broke into her house. She and her nine year old twins were home. This woman did everything in her power to be safe without hurting anyone. The thug robber had all intention of robbing her or perhaps killing her and her twins. She shot him 6 or 7 rounds. Tell me sir where is the peace in her home you speak of? I’m sorry she didn’t dispatch him because as soon as he heals he will go after another. What if the next person follows the socialists mindset and isn’t armed? Is this what you mean by gun control? Perhaps he should hear the “One Voice” that survived. Blush, Tessa, Chalk, Millie I am with you on this one..Well written replies! Chalk, again thank you, very informative and inspiring. “J”
Take a lesson from us, in Australia we have very tight gun laws, google if you want. jsmile, you are right, the murderers, robbers, rapists, drug dealers etc have no trouble in obtaining guns while honest law abiding people have great difficulty in obtaining a gun, we have to have a “good reason”. Apparently protecting ourselves and our family is not a “good reason” and we protect each other in the best way we can, usually house hold items, no match for a person with a gun intent on doing harm. I believe every house holder should have the right to own a hand gun.
I agree with you Skip.
When I was a kid,I owned a gun…only rabbits and crows,bothering the lambs, had anything to fear.
Now,as a senior adult,like you,I am deemed too irresponsible to protect my loved ones.
Ain’t that the truth cap.
There has always been several sides in the issue of gun control in our country. But I firmly believe that if you banned all guns to the citizens wether they are good citizens law abiding- or bad citizens. The criminals, the imbalanced, etc. will always have are be able to get guns. That is the way it is. That would just leave the rest of us becoming criminals just to own a gun.
I never thought I needed a gun until I my second husband threatened to kill me if I left him. I left him, bought a gun, took lessons and then invited him to go to the shooting range with me to practice.
We have people here walking into stores and restrurants to rob and kill as their only intention. Knowing they won’t hardly even have any resistance- piece o’cake so to say. Until they passed the concelled carry law. You had to go through a background check, as well as pay pretty hefty charge to take class. Gotta say that someone just walking into a resturant full of people and killing just to rob has pretty much went into the that was then file.
I think we need to be trained in what does not look right and be aware of surroundings more. If you see something that doesn’t look right call someone and report. Most just don’t pay attention to surroundings anymore. We all go about our routine mindlessly. That’s how someone can walk into a school and do something like pick up a child that is not their child, and the child does not know either, and walk out the front door.
Now there is a panic to buy assult weapons at what ever price! Maybe this is the governments way of helping the economy!
I really thought at one time we did have a ban on assault weapons as well as any gun that had over a certain amout of rounds in a clip.?
Okldy you are spot on with your post. There was a ban on assault weapons and was obviously lifted. If you go back and study during that time assault weapon crimes had increased. If you look at Chicago, Oakland and New York to name a few crime rates with guns they also have the highest ban laws too. You have heard it a mil. times; when guns are outlawed only outlaws will have guns.. Great reply okldy “J”
Old saying is, fight fire with fire. Well is a hand gun equal fire to a semi auto assault?
Skippy I agree and see your point. This woman in Georgia I mentioned had I believe a 6 round clip and 1. She emptied the gun on this thug and he still was able to drive a short distance before arrested. Maybe she would have been better off with a damn pocket full of rocks and a sling shot!
No wait..could the pocket be considered a clip? I know Im being tongue and cheek here but sorry boys gun control is not the solution! I control my gun…I hold it firmly and aim accurate at the enemy. Good post skippy “J”
My take and all JMO…for me this is…..so not saying I think it’s right or wrong..
I’m happy with the gun control laws we have in the UK, but would I want to own a gun?, I don’t think so..
I am wondering and would like to ask those of you who own guns…
do you take them with you everywhere you go?…to the store?, as a teacher in class?,to schools when you collect your children?, visiting with friends?, to Church?, to jobs you do, what about if you work in a store as a cashier do you carry one?…the Doctors and Nurses in the Hospitals are they keeping a gun whilst operating on you or taking your blood pressure, weddings?
..or do you leave them at home in the event an intruder breaks into your home?…and tbh noone knows whenever they may find themselves in a dangerous situation when they need to use a gun, so it could be in any public place or at home..
in the summer when it gets hot where would you put a gun? in your shorts?…at a children’s birthday party, do you put your gun in your bag..but keep it by you at all times?.. going to a swimming pool, how would you conceal a gun?
I would be afraid to confront someone in a discussion i case they just lost it and pulled a gun on me, sitting in a pub on a sunny evening and another gets upset at someone, they have seen their wife is with another man…I’d be thinking ohhh please let him not have a gun on him…I think I’d be afraid to go anywhere…
I know the questions I ask may appear very tongue in check and somewhat sarcastic but they are honestly questions I am just wondering about…sometimes carrying a bunch of keys can be a hassle,
my worry would be if I was woken in the night by an armed intruder in my home, is that I wake up still a bit sleepy, grab my gun, my heart would be pounding just the fact someone had entered my home and now do I hesitate in case I was shooting a family member, so no yes I see it’s an intruder, now I have to be pretty alert at ‘finding’ them, aim and shoot, I’m sure my hands would be shaking in fear that within a few seconds I’ll be looking at a dead body..or would I?….
If I lived in an isolated area I would have any dogs which are known to protect properties roaming around, probably as many as I needed depending on the size, a signs all over saying Beware Dogs Roaming..my neighbour has an Neopolitian Mastiff, she is huge, she knows me..however I knock on the door and yep she barks and no way would I attempt to go in the house without the neighbours permission..
By the by when I lived in the USA my sister in law had a gun, she showed it to me it was in a pretty box by her bedside, did she leave it out at night just in case?….well yes it did freak me out I must admit, she liked to drink and I always did feel uncomfortable when she got in one of her very heated discussions, amid a group of people and yes .I found my self agreeing a lot…agree to disagree shall we say 😉
Debz, I appreciate your honest reply.
First, to keep things on topic, the point of this discussion is about one specific type of weapon and whether or not it should be banned from sale. My position on that is clear, millions of responsible gun owners should not be punished by the acts of a handful of mentally disturbed individuals who commit horrific acts of violence against innocents.
Second, to address the main point of your post about gun ownership in general, here’s how I believe a “responsible” gun owner should behave.
Owning a firearm is a serious responsibility. It’s not about buying it and setting it in your nightstand just in case and that’s that. Owning a gun means you should have plans in place and practice them in the event the gun is actually needed as a last resort. Buying a gun also means buying the necessary security for your doors and windows. It means practicing and training in the event an intruder breaks into your home. It means doing some extra work to prepare in the event of an emergency.
Know who is coming and going from your home and when they should be expected. Anyone else who lives in or has access to your home should know and respect the security set up you’ve put in place and abide by whatever rules you’ve enacted.
Think about what is at stake here, I mean really consider that either your life or the life of someone you hold dear is threatened by an intruder. Personally, I wish I didn’t have to concern myself about such things, but in today’s world it is a simple fact that we’re just not safe in our own homes.
if you’ve practiced and gotten the appropriate training, you’ll know exactly what to do and how to proceed should your sleep be disrupted. If you’re scared of the gun, you obviously shouldn’t have one and that’s fine. I advocate only responsible gun ownership.
Wow , we’ll thought and well spoken dedz , I’m like you I wouldn’t know what to do with a gun .
And I would feel pretty much as you would ,scared!
We never have had guns in our family , my grandparents didn’t , my parents didn’t , we don’t have them ,my adult sons don’t own guns either !
My father was a very good man when he was sober , but when he was drunk (which was often) he was violent to the extent that many a time we had to run for our lives and sleep in the bush all huddled together . .. If we had a gun at our house I’m sure he would have used it against us .
I find this topic fascinating !
Thanks nmod I also find it fascinating….I just wanted to look at carrying a gun from Mums, Dads, Brothers, Sisiers, Aunts, Uncles etc…other than ‘gangsters’ or someone who just lost the plot and marched into a public place with a gun…
My Ex was in a gun club and we had guns at home, but he had to keep them locked away in a safe, and the safe and the guns were subjected to periodic police inspections, and the safe had to meet strict requirements. I tried to have a go at shooting one of his pistols and my hand was shaking so much I just couldn’t do it. Guns scare me. This is a highly contentious subject, I think made more difficult by the way society has become in the need to protect oneself and one’s family.