tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977625681756554695.post7625838091542306949..comments2024-03-26T13:46:42.738-05:00Comments on 4 Quarters, 10 Dimes: Atrocity? What Atrocity?Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03463621516644789183noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977625681756554695.post-49611030231914706302018-02-18T18:43:29.731-06:002018-02-18T18:43:29.731-06:00Amen, brother. Well said, and I can add nothing t...Amen, brother. Well said, and I can add nothing to it.<br /><br />And no apology necessary.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03463621516644789183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5977625681756554695.post-1248032339995147992018-02-18T16:32:51.056-06:002018-02-18T16:32:51.056-06:00(This is going to be a long one, but I offer no ap...(This is going to be a long one, but I offer no apology.<br /><br />I love to shoot. Primarily, because I’m very good at it. I am a skilled Marksman. In the last rifle tournament in I competed I scored 300/300. The last pistol tournament, 289/300.<br /><br />So, yeah, since I’m more than just a little bit of a show-off, I love to shoot.<br /><br />Having said that, I do not own a firearm. I sold my last firearm in 1984, when the inclination moves me, there are shooting ranges where I can go and rent the equipment I need to fulfill my desire. While I do have (a non-functioning) crossbow, it can be safely said that I do not have ‘weapons’ in my home. (Weapon being defined as: <i>any device used with <b>sole intent</b> to inflict damage or harm to living creatures, structures, or systems.</i><br /><br />Weapons are used to increase the efficacy and efficiency of activities such as crime, self-defense, and warfare. I am not a criminal and therefore have no need. There is no open fighting in the streets (yet), so I have no need. Self-defense? I’m more likely to be killed by a toddler armed with <b>my</b> gun than by any intruder. I simply have no need to keep a firearm in my home.<br /><br />While I choose not to own a firearm, I have always been a strong advocate of the right to own them, with one caveat: Responsibility. I believe I’ve made my views clear here in comments on other posts. I still hold those views, and still very strongly believe that it is WAY past the time when we, as an adult and responsible society need to follow Australia’s lead in ridding ourselves of this scourge.<br /><br />https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2017/10/australia-gun-control/541710/<br /><br />https://www.factcheck.org/2017/10/gun-control-australia-updated/<br /><br />No other free nation suffers from this problem. There is no rational or demonstrable need for civilian ownership of full- or semi-automatic firearms. Legitimate prey does not shoot back, and neither to practice targets.<br /><br />We do, as a matter of societal law, tax, license, and restrict the use of cars, boats, planes, <i><b>and the operators</b></i> of those devices. We even license and restrict the ownership of dogs. Why not guns?<br /><br />Once again, it is time to let our rage at this senseless violence to carry the day and hold our elected Representatives feet to the fire. Or, as a practical alternative, up against the fucking wall.<br /><br />Figuratively speaking, of course. <br /><br />And, again, with the sure and certain hope that these 17 more innocents have not died in vain…<br /><br />Register. Educate yourself on the issues. Vote.<br /><br />LucyLucyInDisguisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08169432604954981941noreply@blogger.com