I in no way endorse strong gun control
A seeemingly reasonable position on the surface it depends on what sort of non-"strong" gun controls you are willing to endorse. To me the whole gun control movement is a farce, and even worst a hinderance to achieveing meaningful and effective gun control.
The various gun control Incs. are organizations established to promote themselves as organizations. As long as they continue to garnish free media time they will continue to collect funds which are then used to pay the salaries of the organization. The same can be said of the NRA. Unfortunately, they have managed to raise an issue of public policy and to position it as a philosophical division between two hostile intrest groups. Perhaps I am an optimist, but, I seriously doubt that the devide between pro and anti gun supporters is anywhere near the chasm that these organizations portray.
None of us want to be hurt, or to see others hurt, by any means including guns. Unfortunately the fear and conflict created by these organizations is preventing a constructive dialog on the issue. There are valuable things that can be done to promote firearm safety:
1) We can create a uniformed national firearms policy. Right now every state and community has its own set of rules. As a gun enthusiats I should be able to enjoy my hobby legally throughout the country. I should be able to own, use, transport, or sell my property irrespective of where I am standing anywhere within the country. Right now, if my employer were to move its operations to another state I might have to choose between quiting, giving up my hobby, or risking a felony conviction. There is something fundamentally wrong with that picture.
2) Despite popular opinion gun owners are not the scum of the earth. They are your neighbors, in every walk of life, and fellow supporters in whatever else you do. I would like to register ever gun in the country in the same way we register automobiles, real estate, and other major property items. I just don't know if I have the guts to do so. By the same token I would like my property rights with respect to guns treated with the same respect alloted to other property rights. If my gun is stolen I would like to know that it will be returned to me when recovered and I should be given the opportunity to take civil action against the person(s) who stole my property. Right now my prized collectible may turn up someplace only to be melted down into slag for propaganda purposes. Cooperation is a two way street.
3) The fearmongers have to be realed in on both sides of the issue. It is pure folly to attempt to childproof the world. People will get hurt, accidentally or intentionally, irrespective of anything we do - this has always been the case with all products. We can potentially reduce the number of gun injuries through training, and by encouraging people to make more informed choices.
No, everyone does not need a gun. If you are fortunate enough to live in a relatively safe area, and you do not enjoy guns sufficiently to make the commitment to learn about operating them safely, then perhaps you should not own a gun. By the same token we need to remove the negative stigma associated with gun ownership. I am convinced that there are many gun owners out there who own a gun for self defense, but are so self conscious about having one, that they are afraid to go out and obtain proper instruction in its use. No, criminals do not lurk behind evry tree; and, No gun ownership is not indicative of a low life borderline crackpot.
4) Clearly the media has to develop some maturity. Our First Amendment rights have never given us the right to "yell fire in a crowded auditorium". Yet, that is essentially what they are doing by creating a near panic over criminal activity. If you are like me then you probably invest less than a fraction of a percent of your day in concern over personal criminal risk. But the media somehow manages to invest most of its air time to sensational criminal activities. It might sell, but it distorts reality, and fosters unrealistic and dangerous level of social anxiety.
We have the opportunity to grow. And, we will do so once we take steps to tone down the rhetoric.
==========================================
Oh, and yes, I was a born gun knut long before I became an official knife knut. There is nothing like a well tuned Colt Gold Cup 45, and it goes so well with my Randall.
N2S
, and most times, just plain nuts. At one point, I was also a motorcycle nut. In a lot of ways I still am a MC nut, but havent been on one in years. My best friend, a fella that really was my best friend, more of a brother than a friend since we really were that close, was killed on a MC. It was partly his fault since he was fairly boozed up at the time (three guesses who introduced him to that?), riding a motorcycle that was just too damned much for him to be on,(750KAW) with as little exerience as he had (again, three guesses who introduced him to MCs?) Now, i could dismiss the whole thing by saying that motorcycles are dangerous, too powerful not really meant for anything but thrill riding and a whole lot of other stuff. Heck, if I say it often enough it might even make that feeling I get once in a while that I was largly responsible for his getting killed go away. Ain't true though. A motorcycle, like a .44magnum is just a piece of metal. It's always the person in control of it that carries the ultimate responsibility for how it's used.