Welcome back and thank you for taking your valuable time to read my thoughts.... I really do appreciate it! The last few days I have been thinking about The Constitution and its amendments, gun laws, gun ownership, gun companies and technology. I am somewhat hesitant to speak on this subject as it is one of the most divisive and polarizing issues in our country but have decided that I need to present some questions and maybe some solutions. Some will read this and say I am a liberal and some will say I am a conservative. To both sides, you are both wrong and right. I am neither and I am both in regards to this issue, it just depends where you stand on this issue. Hopefully you read carefully and listen to all I ask and have to say.
First, some history, so you know who I am and what I have and continue to stand for. I consider myself a patriot. I have served our country, giving 4 years of my life to defend its people, way of life, and The Constitution. I have been a Democrat and later a Republican but am now an Independent. I am NOT a party parrot. I am a critical thinker and, in my opinion, that requires one to separate ones self from a pre-established platform. Only then, can one look at an issue with objectivity and clarity. I have held and fired a gun on numerous occasions and do not dislike guns or their owners. Quite the contrary. So now that you know me better, lets exchange thoughts and ideas.
I do believe that the current Supreme Court rulings accurately reflect the intent of our Founding Fathers. That we have a right to keep and bear arms and that this right is non negotiable. This right was designed and intended as a way for the citizenry to protect itself from a tyrannical government as well as to protect ones family and property. There is nothing quite so important as having the ability to defend ones family and home, wouldn't you agree? Currently 40% of all homes have guns of some kind. A great site for statistics of all kinds is http://justfacts.com/guncontrol.asp
Let me be clear about some things. Guns only act on the intent of the person holding them. The gun does not know if the intentions are good or bad. The gun only acts when the person holding it chooses to use it or misuse it. Guns are made for a single purpose and that purpose is to cause damage or death. Preferably, in defense of something noble, as in the protection of life.
I have always wondered about safety and training. I know it is out there and one can sign up for it. I believe that it should be mandatory for all gun purchases. Look, I am not saying that you have to get a license ( although I am not opposed to that ) but shouldn't anyone who buys a fire arm have to take a safety course or, at least, a short training class on that particular gun. After all, a .44 magnum isn't the same as a Glock and those are not the same as a long gun. This may be a requirement in some areas but it should be nationwide.
For the last decade or two there has been discussion of so called "smart guns", a weapon that will only respond to the owner of the weapon. Colt has even been doing research and prototype work as are other companies. There have been those against it on both sides of the debate. Anti gun activists claim it will increase the number of guns bought and give a false sense of safety. On the other side, pro gun folks say that it is just one more slip down an already slippery slope. I disagree with both positions. Last year, in Riverside Ca., a young policeman was killed with his own gun after a man he was chasing wrestled it away from him and shot him multiple times as he begged for his life. Had that weapon been a " smart gun " that peace officer would still be protecting us and going home at the end of his shift each day!
This is what I don't understand. I have a cell phone that has more computing power than the Apollo space craft. Does the gun industry really want to argue that the technology hasn't caught up yet? I refuse to believe that we can't develop a gun that will read my fingerprint in a nanosecond and unlock the weapon. I have heard that the battery life and charging are issues. I have a tray that I set my phone on as well as all my other battery powered devices and it charges them. Am I to believe that we can't make a box that has this pad inside it so that the gun can be charged at all times? Look...all I am trying to say is that we are a nation of inventors and such. If we really want this, we can make it happen.
There are many more issues to consider and this only scratches the surface of this subject. I look forward to comments... but lets keep this discussion civil and intelligent. An exchange of ideas and debate does not have to turn into a nasty and disrespectful argument provided that we are reasonable, thoughtful and respectful of one another.
Thank you again for your time. Be well, be safe!
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