I know you're being sarcastic but, in the society many of us grew up in, we carried guns very early on, learned to respect them, and gun crimes were very rare. Of course not everyone was interested in hunting and so on, but hardly anyone thought about solving their conflicts with guns. What has changed? It seems to me that constant indoctrination by the so-called news, have made guns a Boogeyman, where before they were just a tool, like a shovel or an ax.
Yes there was a level of sarcasm in that response. However, it's only a modest exaggeration of some gun advocates.
I grew up in rural Tennessee. When others make jokes about black powder muzzle loaders... I have one, a 45 calibre that was a gift when I turned 13. I've made my own mini-balls for it. I own several guns. My extended family was involved in law enforcement. My first job away from my dad's construction business was dispatcher for fire and police in the small town where my uncle was sheriff.
I have no desire to carry one, because I know what that entails. I've also had a gun pointed at me more than once. I'm not ignorant when it come to guns.
So when someone says a gun is just a tool like a shovel, axe or a hammer, I see it as a disingenuous insult to my intelligence.
A shovel is a tool, designed for a general constructive purpose. You use it to dig holes or move small debris, dirt, gravel etc from one place to another. An axe is used for cutting trees, splitting logs etc a hammer for driving nails. They were designed for a specific jobs. Yes, they can be utilized as a weapon but that is a misuse of their intended purpose.
When it comes to guns, they were designed for killing. They are a tool of death. I suppose one could drive nails or cut down a tree with one, but that would be a misuse of its designed purpose. When it comes to some guns, like the AR 15, it was designed for the express purpose of killing human beings. It began its life as the m-16 military rifle. Yes, I know the difference between semi-automatic and select fire. There's no need to argue that point. I'm also well aware of the changes made for the civilian versions. There's no reason that weapons of that type should be on the streets.
My personal opinion, speaking only for me, is that we need to go beyond 'red flag' laws and go to 'green flag' laws
similar to those in countries like Israel. Instead of waiting until one is a criminal and removing their ownership rights; those wishing to own should first prove their eligibility. Guns, of any kind/type are not prohibited - but the individual has to register, license and demonstrate their need for it. I think gun owners should be required to carry liability insurance on them. LEO would have the right/obligation to disarm anyone with a gun that is not authorized to have one.
If this were implemented I would either comply or turn mine in.
I know that the current, fundamental understanding of the 2nd Amendment would have to be altered before my view could ever be made law. otoh, I'm also well aware of why the 2nd Amendment is in the Bill of Rights and why the first half is worded the way it is.
That's where I stand. I'm done.
