HotGuns

Not really Thanis.

Having been to El Salvador,North Yemen, Iran,and Afghanistan,when most Americans couldn't even locate them on a map and seen first hand what happens to men,woman and children that were slaughtered by evil men with guns, I just happen to have a different perspective or self defense than most.Having seen first hand what happens when citizens are disarmed or disallowed the ability to protect themselves and their families, I have a tendency to balk at any so called "reasonable restriction" because I know what the end result is.

I still bear the scars to help me never forget what happens when evil prevails.

If you think that I am no different than an anti-gunner, that is your mistake and I don't really expect you to understand, so we'll just have to leave it at that.

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AR. CHL Instr.

To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

aznav

There are more holes in that piece of journal fluff than a slice of swiss. What is sad is that he's given actual space to print that stuff.

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"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." Eccl. 10:2

Thanis

I think there is every reason to balk at all but a few firearm restrictions. In no way am I suggesting drive-by shootings or guy in a bell tower justifies restrictions.

There are going to be people on both sides of the issue that have had experiences with firearms (good and bad). However, just because you, I, or the other guy has a personal experience, it does not justify unconditional pro or anti view points.

Sometimes living in a society with easy access to firearms will result in some unfortunate consequences. I don't even think a lesser of evils argument is valid. It is the consequence of any choice an individual, a minority, or even majority might make in a free society, that is harmful to the common good.

To use events like what happened in Alabama last week or Charles Whitman to support firearm regulation begs the all so often used quote, "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."

It is undoubtly valid to examining the media's treatment of events like in Alabama. It is also valid to call into question an ultra pro-gun view point that more guns would have been the solution.

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NRA Member
S&W 642 (no-lock) with .38 Spl +P 135 GR Gold GDHP
Glock G31 & G33 with .357 Sig 125 GR. SXT Winchester Ranger

rteam2

I'm pretty sure AMERICA is a good thing that was created by the use of the gun!! He enjoys his freedom to write such nonsense AS A RESULT OF A GUN! What a revisionist.

Samson1

I also wrote a response to Mr. Stein's article. I sent it via email to the editorial page editor, a Mr. Antonio Fins. Its fairly long but hopefully gets the point across.

Hello, I am writing in response to the article written by Gary Stein. It was entitled Nothing Good Ever Comes From A Gun. I'm not sure if you are the proper person to receive responses of this kind but I trust that you will make sure the right people see this letter.
It appears to me to be just one man's opinion on an issue that no one man can be an expert on. Mr. Stein states that "Nobody needs a gun for self-defense, because nobody ever uses a gun for self-defense". This, unfortunately is absolutely untrue. I understand Mr. Stein has a right to express the opinion he has developed through the course of his life, but in the interest of presenting the truth of the matter shouldn't at least one of the thousands of people who have used guns to defend their lives be allowed to refute his statements? Within the space of about 20 minutes I can find at least half a dozen stories of people defending their lives with a legally owned firearm. In my own life I've been witness to situations where, if firearms had not been involved, people would have suffered serious harm or death. Here is a link to several stories of armed citizen defending themselves. Armed Citizen
As a final point, Mr. Stein mentions "Every time you hear about somebody like the lunatic in Alabama who went on a shooting spree last week that left 10 dead, the gun lovers will tell you that the gun had nothing to do with it, it's the gunman at fault. So blame him, not the gun. Of course, such a rampage would have been impossible if the guy weren't using a gun, but the gun lovers don't want to hear that."
In response to this statement I would only ask that Mr. Stein read the following article. Belgium links day care killer to other murder - Europe- msnbc.com This article tells the story of a man in Belgium, which does not allow gun ownership, who killed a 73 year old woman, two babies and a caregiver at a daycare. In addition the man seriously wounded 12 other people including ten children. He did all of this with not an assault rifle, not a high power long range weapon, not a high capacity semi-automatic handgun, but an ordinary KNIFE! Now I don't know about you, but this seems to be one of those situations where a citizen legally armed with a concealed carry handgun could have prevented the death and maiming of well over a dozen people. Yes, in my scenario this would likely result in the death of the attacker. My only question in response to this is; would you rather see a dozen dead or dying BABIES or would you rather see one dead guy who had unsuccessfully made a premeditated assault on a daycare! This letter is not meant to be an attack on Mr. Stein, nor is it an attack on anybody who believes that guns are a bad thing. It is meant to be a logical response to Mr. Steins opinion letter. If at all possible could you see that Mr. Stein is able to read this email? I would appreciate the opportunity for my opinion to be heard. I'm not intending for this to become a debate or asking that it be published in your paper, just hoping that Mr. Stein will be willing to view this issue from another angle for a moment. Thank you for your time and consideration.


Sincerely,

BikerRN

After reading five pages of post I have only one comment, both on the article and others participating in the discussion:

YOU CAN'T FIX STUPID!

Please note that I did not single anyone out. If they think the shoe fits, they are free to wear it.

Biker

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If I knew I was going to get in to a gunfight I most ceratinly wouln't bring a handgun or two, and I don't know any smart person that does.

oldnonry

Many people don't believe flood insurance is necessary until there's a swimming pool in the living room.

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"The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government" - Thomas Jefferson

"The patriot volunteer, fighting for country and his rights, makes the most reliable soldier on earth." - Stonewall Jackson

gwhall57

The column is just one man's opinion... one man's idiotic, inane, discombobulated, head-up-his-_ss opinion. I just consider the source. And then, I ignore him.

Hopefully, the criminal element in his area doesn't read the papers and take note of non-gun-owning people to victimize...

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"Bad spellers of the world - untie!"

DAV Life member, NRA Life member

Springfield XD 9mm Sub-Compact
Taurus PT111 Millennium Pro 9mm

aznav

Did my own two cents to the Sentinel. Probably have no more affect than spitting on a forest fire.

"I am sure Mr. Stein has received numerous responses regarding his editorial, "Nothing Good Ever Comes From a Gun" that are both pro and con. He concludes that living in a tough neighborhood in Chicago, he was never in danger and slept quite well.
One reason Mr. Stein never hears about guns defending anyone is because the media, in general, frown on any mention of firearms used in foiling robberies, murders, etc. It's documented and, no, it was not funded by the NRA.
I congratulate you, Mr. Stein, on your good fortune to never having been attacked. I will pass that on to our neighbors five doors down. With your clout, you might even be able to get 911 to release the screams and begging for mercy before the bloodshed began. Meth heads have never been known for having an even temperament though they do blubber to the judge the next day how sorry they are.
You are a foolish and naive man, Mr. Stein. Even the fiercely anti-gun alderman in Cleveland did an about face after getting off with only having his face smashed into the concrete while being relieved of his wallet.
I am not a gun nut, honest, but I vow that I will literally go down shooting before watching my wife raped and my children's throats slit. Hyperbole? I only wish, Mr. Stein.

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"The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left." Eccl. 10:2

BikerRN

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If I knew I was going to get in to a gunfight I most ceratinly wouln't bring a handgun or two, and I don't know any smart person that does.