Okey Day.. Perfectly understandable why some oppose widely available guns. No shortage of tragic incidents available to demonstrate how hideously sad the outcome can be when guns (of any type) are misused. S'only human nature to broadly decree we should do away with em all to prevent further harm.. (maybe a little over reactionary, a little naive to think the genie could be put back in the bottle, but perfectly understandable). Hope it's equally obvious why individuals, born into shooting families, wonder why all the fuss. In any case.. while an interesting exercise.. it hugely pointless to "argue" re: guns. Minds made up long ago are not open to change, and emotions run high on this issue. Better luck "talking" someone into another poplitical party, or another religion.. Just not gonna happen.Originally Posted by Posh
But... answering a specific question is another matter altogether.
'Course I can only speak for myself. Matter of fact I believe that's where some problems arise.. with those who feel empowered to speak not only for themselves, but for YOU!?
But in my experience.. a gun has been used to forge friendships and strengthen bonds.. The dad-n-lad skeet shooting league was one of the best & most memorable experiences of my childhood. Time spent with my father handloading 12ga shells, properly caring for a handcrafted shotgun, learning range etiquette with gentlemen was a learning experience in becoming a man that I would not trade for the world. Thousands of clay pigeons lay dead in my wake without so much as a mosquito's blood on my hands. Shooting sports are just that.. one of many SPORTS. Far less lethal than Soccer, Football, B-ball, and certainly Rugby.
In the military shooting was yet another tool used to instill discipline and group unity. Range time was just another opportunity to teach the importance of attention to detail and following order. Granted, those of us who grew up in shooting homes were at an advantage, just as Alvin York (who grew up in my mother's "neighborhood") was predisposed to becoming a Medal of Honor recipient through his call to duty and native shooting skills. Military duty increased the number of paper targets I've "killed".. nothing more.
IPSC pistol matches, NRA .22 matches, DCM hi-power rifle matches,(fall weekends spent at the Friendship muzzle-loading meet).. have provided countless "male bonding" moments, and have made me a legitimate threat if paper targets ever get placed on an endangered species list. Barring that, many thousands of rounds fired have never drawn so much as a single drop of blood in my hands.
Just as javelin, discus, and archery.. Shooting sports are Olympic events, and are just as far removed from their early roots as implements of death.
Philippine historical records indicate that 16th century hunters hiding in trees used a rock tied to a cord up to 20 feet in length to throw at wild animals beneath them—the cord enabling retrieval of the rock after missed attempts, thus the genesis of the yo-yo. Can anyone keep a straight face while saying we should ban children's yo-yos because they were once used to kill?
Absolutely no political dig intended.. not in any sarcastic way or manner.. but for anyone to assert that all guns are good for is "killing" is to reveal the depth of their ignorance as pertains to guns in general. Obviously not ingorance as in "stoopid".. but ignorance as in, haven't been exposed to, haven't been educated in, aren't aware of, beyond their scope of experience, etc, etc.
Again.. I don't harbour any illusions about educating anyone.. (although I am occasionally paid to educate re: handguns). No one can communicate with those who've decided not to hear. All I can do is lead you to the water. Not my job to make you drink.
S'funny though, should the worst happen nearby.. ny neighbors know who to call. The unarmed liberal won't be nearly as much help as will I.
Bookmarks