I am going to skip the 1st amendment for the moment. It is very important but today I felt more inclined to focus on the second amendment. "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." It is more of a topic in my part of the world than anything else right now.
We are not card carrying members of the NRA (National Rifle Association) but my hubby and I both grew up handling and shooting hand guns and rifles. He of course is a lot better at it than I am but it also a part of his livelihood. Rumors have been around for years that the government wants to take away a citizens rights to keep and bare arms. Again it is just rumor and the Constitution is fairly blunt on this subject, however it has not stop law makers from imposing laws and taxes on firearms and who is allowed to legally carry them.
It is a fact we need laws that govern firearms and it is not necessarily the current laws that I have issue with. It is the increase of rumors that threaten gun owners with higher taxes, the talk of making homeowners carry liability insurance for accidental discharge and the banning of ammunition that troubles me. Again these are all mostly rumors but based on current and past legislation in our United States that have touched on all these issues.
I am pro hand gun safety. I have had guns in my before I had children. Our children have grown up shooting and handling guns as soon as they were old enough to hold a gun. Like many children in the U.S. mine too have been desensitized by T.V. and video games but they have a healthy sense of respect and awe when it comes to guns and gun safety. They know the power and understand the damage a firearm can cause and it has made them cautious. Knowledge is the key to gun safety. It worked for me and my parents as I grew up in rural America and it works for me and my children in the Suburbs.
My worry at the moment at least is the price of ammunition. It's not that we can't find ammo to purchase however the price is ridiculous. Peoples fears have them stock piling the stuff. We enjoy target shooting every once in a while but with the price of ammo we can no longer afford it. Shotgun shells are still relatively cheap but even those prices have gone up. Thankfully I can hit the broad side of a barn so I really don't need that much target practice. I like clay shooting but I wont be doing much of that until I get the proper equipment.
My point is that millions of Americans are responsible arms owners. There are a few people who spoil the privilege for every one else by being careless. I however do not blame the vehicle for the accident. It is the driver that is to blame. I am not saying that sometimes there is a mechanical failure but a skilled driver can usually overcome the handicap. I firmly believe that guns do not kill people do. If guns did not exist people would find something else to use as a weapon. I should know I see it almost daily what people will use to harm themselves and others. It is usually not a gun although people in general use the threat of guns very often. In my experience, the most common form of death is old age or disease.
Unfortunately, the only cure for violence would be the dissection of aggression from human nature. I know this sounds cliche but it has always made sense to me. If the government manages to legislate and tax its citizens out of the ability to own arms; the only people who will have guns will be the police/military and the bad guys. I personally do not want to rely on the response time of a police officer when the bad guy is busting down my door.
A nations whose citizens can not protect it self from its government is usually referred to as a military state or a dictatorship.
Just some food for thought.
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