Outlined below is a communication I shared with an “old” aquaintant from High School. We had not communicated in over 40 years but due to the miracle of FaceBook, there he was. However, it did not take long for me to realize that although we went to the same High School in Kingston, Jamaica, we were diametrically positioned on opposite sides of the political platform. The communication below has been edited to remove any personal references to this person but a recent encounter brought this piece back into view – thought I’d share it; thoughs and comments are always welcome.
… There’s a wealth of information that challenges the far right view – all together too vast to address here. None the less, I will address the issue of guns – more to the point of your response to my comment.
Like you, I grew up with guns. My father introduced me to weapons at age 7; he taught me how to shoot and how to engage and execute in safe handling of a firearm; at Wolmers, I was on the rifle team and enjoyed competing; as a teen, I hunted birds, first with a .22 cal and later with a shotgun. Currently, I own 4 firearms – 2 rifles and 2 pistols; all appropriately permitted and registered, in accordance with the rigid laws of the State of NJ.
Clearly, I am not against firearms. However, it is also clear that nationwide, there is insufficient control and oversight of gun owners and the use of firearms. Firearms should be placed in a very stringent and well regulated/control system – to include background checks, permits to purchase and a registration system that mirrors what currently exists for automobiles. I’m sure you know that a police officer in Seattle, Washington can run a search on a licenses plate issued in Florida and within minutes, maybe less, have a complete history on the vehicle to which those plates are attached, as well as a complete profile of the owner of that vehicle. Why is this acceptable for automobiles but not for firearms? Registration of an automobile does not mean that the government is going to come to your home and seize your car; why then should that stupid logic be applied to firearms. Fact is, it does not; it is used only as an emotional ploy to keep the Right rev’d up.
The gun lobbyists use the 2nd amendment as a shield to support their position, even though every reason they site is preposterously incorrect. The 2nd amendment was crafted during the country’s infancy. The government was fledging, at best and there was very little in the way of a regular army. The government looked to the farmers and the town’s people to provide military support in the event it was needed. Reference to rebellious and/or overzealous governments pointed not to the government of the United States but to foreign governments – having just completed the Revolutionary war with England, there was always France, Spain and Portugal constantly showing a presence.
The United States Government and the US armed forces developed over the decades, both in strength and stature. However, at no time since the revolutionary war was there ever a need for citizens to take up arms against our government – NEVER, yet we continue to use that as an argument against the licensing and registration of firearms. There are really no federal firearm regulations in existence today – National Firearms Act and the Brady Bill, notwithstanding, and they are sorely needed. States are responsible for this task; some States do a good job, others, not so good. NJ has a solid set of laws governing the ownership and use of firearms. However, cross over into Pennsylvania and those laws don’t exist. There, anyone can purchase any number of weapons at gun shows – which are as prevalent as farmer’s market roadside stands. Almost anyone can obtain a permit to carry a weapon and the loop holes in what few laws they have, make the system all but useless. Philadelphia is currently one of the most violent “death by firearms” cities in the nation – right up there with Chicago and Washington DC.
You talked about current laws and the need to enforce them – these are State laws and enforcement is difficult, as best because – a) cross the State line and the laws disappear; b) they are rendered useless due to the extensive lobbying that takes place, constantly; c) there are too many people (like you) who protest against any control of firearms, regardless of the consequences. Nonetheless, the old adage holds true – “more guns, more death by guns” How many innocent women and children have been killed because a husband/father/boyfriend became enraged (for whatever the reason) and started shooting, simply because a gun was readily available – invariably, regrets the act for the rest of his life.
Here’s a clip from the FBI.gov website on gun violence statistics.
… In 2009, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 66.9% of all homicides in the United States were perpetrated using a firearm.[5] There were 52,447 deliberate and 23,237 accidental non-fatal gunshot injuries in the United States during the year 2000.[6] Two-thirds of all gun-related deaths in the United States are suicides. In 2010, there were 19,392 firearm-related suicide deaths, and 11,078 firearm-related homicide deaths in the United States.[7]
… and of that 11,078 non suicide, firearm related deaths, only 270 – less than 3%, were related to incidences where a private citizen shot and killed an assailant in defense of his/her property or life. Now, you can say that the statistics are incorrect, the result of a left wing conspiracy and you’ll be right at home with the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Alex Jones, Glenn Beck and Ted Nugent, to name just a few. However, it does not and will not alter the reality.
My reference to Christians with guns highlights the religious right, who thinks it’s justifiable to attack, shoot and kill doctors who are doing nothing more than providing a service to women who are exercising their “right to choose”.
To wrap up let me say that the conservative Right has maligned Barrack Obama, continuously for 4 ½ years. He has had the toughest Presidency of any, save maybe Lincoln and FDR. And despite the conservative venom and hatred, history will ultimately judge him as a Great President. He is, after all, an honorable man trying to do the best job that he can, despite tremendous resistance from his opponents.
Like you, I grew up with guns. My father introduced me to weapons at age 7; he taught me how to shoot and how to engage and execute in safe handling of a firearm; at Wolmers, I was on the rifle team and enjoyed competing; as a teen, I hunted birds, first with a .22 cal and later with a shotgun. Currently, I own 4 firearms – 2 rifles and 2 pistols; all appropriately permitted and registered, in accordance with the rigid laws of the State of NJ.
Clearly, I am not against firearms. However, it is also clear that nationwide, there is insufficient control and oversight of gun owners and the use of firearms. Firearms should be placed in a very stringent and well regulated/control system – to include background checks, permits to purchase and a registration system that mirrors what currently exists for automobiles. I’m sure you know that a police officer in Seattle, Washington can run a search on a licenses plate issued in Florida and within minutes, maybe less, have a complete history on the vehicle to which those plates are attached, as well as a complete profile of the owner of that vehicle. Why is this acceptable for automobiles but not for firearms? Registration of an automobile does not mean that the government is going to come to your home and seize your car; why then should that stupid logic be applied to firearms. Fact is, it does not; it is used only as an emotional ploy to keep the Right rev’d up.
The gun lobbyists use the 2nd amendment as a shield to support their position, even though every reason they site is preposterously incorrect. The 2nd amendment was crafted during the country’s infancy. The government was fledging, at best and there was very little in the way of a regular army. The government looked to the farmers and the town’s people to provide military support in the event it was needed. Reference to rebellious and/or overzealous governments pointed not to the government of the United States but to foreign governments – having just completed the Revolutionary war with England, there was always France, Spain and Portugal constantly showing a presence.
The United States Government and the US armed forces developed over the decades, both in strength and stature. However, at no time since the revolutionary war was there ever a need for citizens to take up arms against our government – NEVER, yet we continue to use that as an argument against the licensing and registration of firearms. There are really no federal firearm regulations in existence today – National Firearms Act and the Brady Bill, notwithstanding, and they are sorely needed. States are responsible for this task; some States do a good job, others, not so good. NJ has a solid set of laws governing the ownership and use of firearms. However, cross over into Pennsylvania and those laws don’t exist. There, anyone can purchase any number of weapons at gun shows – which are as prevalent as farmer’s market roadside stands. Almost anyone can obtain a permit to carry a weapon and the loop holes in what few laws they have, make the system all but useless. Philadelphia is currently one of the most violent “death by firearms” cities in the nation – right up there with Chicago and Washington DC.
You talked about current laws and the need to enforce them – these are State laws and enforcement is difficult, as best because – a) cross the State line and the laws disappear; b) they are rendered useless due to the extensive lobbying that takes place, constantly; c) there are too many people (like you) who protest against any control of firearms, regardless of the consequences. Nonetheless, the old adage holds true – “more guns, more death by guns” How many innocent women and children have been killed because a husband/father/boyfriend became enraged (for whatever the reason) and started shooting, simply because a gun was readily available – invariably, regrets the act for the rest of his life.
Here’s a clip from the FBI.gov website on gun violence statistics.
… In 2009, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 66.9% of all homicides in the United States were perpetrated using a firearm.[5] There were 52,447 deliberate and 23,237 accidental non-fatal gunshot injuries in the United States during the year 2000.[6] Two-thirds of all gun-related deaths in the United States are suicides. In 2010, there were 19,392 firearm-related suicide deaths, and 11,078 firearm-related homicide deaths in the United States.[7]
… and of that 11,078 non suicide, firearm related deaths, only 270 – less than 3%, were related to incidences where a private citizen shot and killed an assailant in defense of his/her property or life. Now, you can say that the statistics are incorrect, the result of a left wing conspiracy and you’ll be right at home with the likes of Rush Limbaugh, Alex Jones, Glenn Beck and Ted Nugent, to name just a few. However, it does not and will not alter the reality.
My reference to Christians with guns highlights the religious right, who thinks it’s justifiable to attack, shoot and kill doctors who are doing nothing more than providing a service to women who are exercising their “right to choose”.
To wrap up let me say that the conservative Right has maligned Barrack Obama, continuously for 4 ½ years. He has had the toughest Presidency of any, save maybe Lincoln and FDR. And despite the conservative venom and hatred, history will ultimately judge him as a Great President. He is, after all, an honorable man trying to do the best job that he can, despite tremendous resistance from his opponents.
A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of participating with a friend at a private gun club. This friend easily owns 10 – 15 firearms – an assortment of rifles and pistols, all legally acquired according to the laws of New Jersey, and used responsibly and within the boundaries of the law. Albeit a firearm owner, I have no personal desire to own 15 guns; but that’s a personal decision. However, what is obvious is that, contrary to the rhetoric of the NRA and other ultra right wing organizations, gun ownership and well regulated gun laws are not on a collision course with each other. Sadly the fight to eliminate gun laws is not about the 2nd amendment or the rights of citizens to own and enjoy the use of firearms. It’s all POLITICS .
It can be and is a lot of fun, when executed safely and within the boundaries of solid regulatory and operating guidelines and laws.
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