I tend to try and avoid things like this, because it doesn't always go over well in a small town. And, being a heavily Mennonite community where I deal with the public it is best I don't get too fired up in print over guns and such. However, I couldn't resist last week. Our local paper runs a guest editorial called
The Student Voice which is written by students in the Senior Writing Class at our local high school. The young man wrote his opinion on guns, and I needed to respond.
Since Daniel is a student the paper does not put his writings on the internet, so I am just typing the last four paragraphs:
Guns don't kill people; people kill people...
Instead of trying to set up bans on firearms, I think that we should try and stop the illegal sale to criminals. There is no point in banning any type of firearm that is bought legally because people are not going to shoot someone with a gun registered in their name.
One place where people get guns without background checks and three-day waiting periods are gun shows, where anyone can walk in off the street and purchase any weapon that is being sold there. That should be illegal. Either we should let only registered gun owners purchase guns there, or at the very least non-felons.
Whether you are for or against gun control, you have to keep in mind that if there had been gun control back when our country was being formed, we might all be British right now.
Our right to bear arms, along with our many other freedoms, is what makes our country a great place to live. Take away our freedoms and we have nothing.
His first several paragraphs were just as hit and miss with good and bad information. I have tried to find where he received his information, but his teacher will not share this, and Daniel has not chosen to answer or return my calls.
The following is my letter that was printed last week:
Gun shows must follow same laws
I read Daniel *****'s "Student Voice" editorial on firearms and the Second Amendment with great interest last week. And, having an understanding of the politics surrounding the Second Amendment, I understood much of what he was attempting to convey. However, Daniel, you have fallen victim to the Brady Campaign's falsehoods and misinformation concerning gun shows. Gun shows do not allow any special opportunity for individuals or groups to acquire firearms. The same laws that pertain to firearm sales and transfers, are in force at gun shows and in private transfers in homes and businesses. In fact, many gun show organizers and promoters enforce stricter rules at their shows to insure safe and legal transfer of all firearms at their event.
Daniel, I invite you to study the true information on the current state of the Second Amendment, the Brady Campaign, and gun shows.
Michael ****
I expected a number of negative comments, but after a week I have received several calls and been stopped on the street thanking me for my comments. Not at all what I was expecting, but I am pleased to receive this response in this community.
MBTV
Forum Index
Help
Calendar
Contact Info
Register as a member
