I finally couldn't resist and posted something political on Facebook. I took out the names before posting it here.
My "Unregistered" Guns And Me
I usually avoid talking about political issues with people I know but in light of the president's latest efforts towards more so called gun control and some of the stuff I've read, I thought I would weigh in this one time. Let me preface this with describing a political discussion (I have them all the time with perfect strangers on the inter webs) I have had recently concerning the "refugees" from Syria and other nations. Without going into too much detail, one of the more liberal posters ridiculed a very mean spirited conservative poster when the conservative indicated that the "preservation of culture" was a motivator for opposing so many immigrants. I do not disagree with that sentiment.
Almost every vote I cast is cast with the preservation of our culture in mind. I happen to like the world I grew up in. Among some of the things I liked was the opportunity to learn target shoot, hunt with some great men in my life and to buy and trade guns. I have bought them from the time I was in the 5th grade forward. I remember mowing yards and earning enough money to have dad go to the Pawn shop and buy a single shot 22 for me. Not too many years later, I traded that single shot 22 to [an adult friend of the family] for a different single shot 22. When I was in the tenth grade, I traded that 22 to [a fellow high school student] for a semi-automatic 22. I have since traded many guns with many people. I have several guns in my collection that mean a great deal to me as well.
When I was about 23 or so years old, my uncle [] tearfully gave me a gun of his. I will never part from it. He was in the early stages of Alzheimer's and wanted me to have this weapon. Needless to say, there were tears on both sides during that exchange. Years later, my dad gave me a weapon of his. I have continued to trade guns with people through the years. [Friend 1], [Friend 2], and some people I didn't even know. (Traded shotguns on a pheasant hunt one time with a guy because he saw me make a terrific shot with my cheaper made 12 gauge and wanted it)
I have bought more than one gun at a gun shows in my life. The all did a background check on me. I understand that some unscrupulous dealers could make a parking lot deal with some people. Unscrupulous people will not pay attention to Mr. Obama's executive orders either. The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of the terrible shootings in this country are done with legally obtained firearms that are obtained either by the perpetrator, one of the perpetrator's family members, or a proxy buyer of some kind. Nothing signed by President Obama the other day is going to deter that...at all.
On the other hand, what he signed will prevent the situations I described in my life with my friends, uncle and dad from happening in my son's life. At least I will make them "illegal." Also, at the very least, it will make them more expensive as people will have to pay some bureaucrat to file the necessary paperwork to make it legal. I can promise you that when I was a kid, we didn't have that kind of money. I have been harping for years that there seems to be an effort to price hunting out of the price range of the common person, making it difficult for middle class or poorer folks to participate legally. I see the same efforts with gun ownership. Culture ... it seems to me that many, if not most, on the "gun control" side of this issue want a culture more like that of the Europeans. A culture where gun ownership is virtually non existent for the "common" citizen ... among other things. I will fight against that tooth and nail.
Oh, one last thought ... the 2nd amendment has nothing whatsoever to do with hunting. End of rant.
My "Unregistered" Guns And Me
I usually avoid talking about political issues with people I know but in light of the president's latest efforts towards more so called gun control and some of the stuff I've read, I thought I would weigh in this one time. Let me preface this with describing a political discussion (I have them all the time with perfect strangers on the inter webs) I have had recently concerning the "refugees" from Syria and other nations. Without going into too much detail, one of the more liberal posters ridiculed a very mean spirited conservative poster when the conservative indicated that the "preservation of culture" was a motivator for opposing so many immigrants. I do not disagree with that sentiment.
Almost every vote I cast is cast with the preservation of our culture in mind. I happen to like the world I grew up in. Among some of the things I liked was the opportunity to learn target shoot, hunt with some great men in my life and to buy and trade guns. I have bought them from the time I was in the 5th grade forward. I remember mowing yards and earning enough money to have dad go to the Pawn shop and buy a single shot 22 for me. Not too many years later, I traded that single shot 22 to [an adult friend of the family] for a different single shot 22. When I was in the tenth grade, I traded that 22 to [a fellow high school student] for a semi-automatic 22. I have since traded many guns with many people. I have several guns in my collection that mean a great deal to me as well.
When I was about 23 or so years old, my uncle [] tearfully gave me a gun of his. I will never part from it. He was in the early stages of Alzheimer's and wanted me to have this weapon. Needless to say, there were tears on both sides during that exchange. Years later, my dad gave me a weapon of his. I have continued to trade guns with people through the years. [Friend 1], [Friend 2], and some people I didn't even know. (Traded shotguns on a pheasant hunt one time with a guy because he saw me make a terrific shot with my cheaper made 12 gauge and wanted it)
I have bought more than one gun at a gun shows in my life. The all did a background check on me. I understand that some unscrupulous dealers could make a parking lot deal with some people. Unscrupulous people will not pay attention to Mr. Obama's executive orders either. The fact of the matter is that the vast majority of the terrible shootings in this country are done with legally obtained firearms that are obtained either by the perpetrator, one of the perpetrator's family members, or a proxy buyer of some kind. Nothing signed by President Obama the other day is going to deter that...at all.
On the other hand, what he signed will prevent the situations I described in my life with my friends, uncle and dad from happening in my son's life. At least I will make them "illegal." Also, at the very least, it will make them more expensive as people will have to pay some bureaucrat to file the necessary paperwork to make it legal. I can promise you that when I was a kid, we didn't have that kind of money. I have been harping for years that there seems to be an effort to price hunting out of the price range of the common person, making it difficult for middle class or poorer folks to participate legally. I see the same efforts with gun ownership. Culture ... it seems to me that many, if not most, on the "gun control" side of this issue want a culture more like that of the Europeans. A culture where gun ownership is virtually non existent for the "common" citizen ... among other things. I will fight against that tooth and nail.
Oh, one last thought ... the 2nd amendment has nothing whatsoever to do with hunting. End of rant.
