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Over the past couple of days I've seen several news stories in my area involving guns/gun violence. I've also heard those that I work with talking about them in different capacities. Some people are for ownership, some not, some can't figure out why we as people even need them. None of them are experts and I never really talk about it with most of them. As these elections grow closer and as time goes on I worry more and more about our right to own and enjoy these wonderful devices. At some point, something's got to give... so what will it be?
The other day a man drove into a gas station, in the middle of the day, in one of the most affluent areas of my city and shot a woman twice. She was pumping gas, she didn't know him. He shot at another person and missed. Then drove across the street and took his own life. Now I must note that he had a long history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and something else. And from what I understand he took the gun from his parents home. The indoor range that I shoot at was robbed a few nights ago. The thieves backed up a truck loaded up and were off. With them went many cheap revolvers and saturday night specials. They left the high-end customs and semi autos, but took the AK's and maybe a Barrett .50. The funny thing is a few days prior to this event I was there shooting. And upon leaving I passed by one of the cases and saw an AK with a very short barrel, pins through the back and it was being sold as a "pistol". I thought to myself that I would hate for that weapon to fall into the wrong hands. I mean, if you have a gun permit you can buy it, but because you have a permit doesn't necessarily make you smart enough to own it. I can just see someone carrying it around in their car because "they can", legally. Then something happens and they spray 7.62's all over the place endangering other's lives, causing damage, and further damaging the views on guns and gun ownership. Now that gun may be on the streets soon. What's amazing about that is if you or I had that weapon, and put a stock on it, it would be a federal violation... an SBR that is more concealable and thus a threat to everyone. But as a pistol, it's fine.
My goal is not to pass judgement. It's only to look at the facts, the common sense facts that most of us who take this seriously, know. There are many idiots. There are many idiots that can legally own a gun. We've seen them at the shop, or at gun shows. Even at the range. Let's face it. There are many people that should not have guns based on the fact that they are idiots.
So I wonder. No, in fact now more than ever I find myself thinking of a better way. I own several SBR's. I own a full auto. I own a suppressor. I've had to fill out paper work, file prints, sit with my local law enforcement leaders, pay the federal government and give them permission to basically walk into my home at any time.
If it came down to it, how many of you would accept more stringent laws if it meant more scrutiny in acquiring them but it also meant that you could own the firearms you want without restriction? My friend and I always ask the question why can't guys like he and myself get NEW weapons that have a 2 or 3 round burst? Not a full-on auto, but burst... that makes sense. Do you know that that MP5 is really a $600 stamped receiver weapon? LEOs can get new HK UMPs for around $1,300. But an MP5 sells for $20,000 and up to good clean law abiding people willing to go through the process. (By the way I have a living trust now so the process is easier).
What if a system was in place that was as efficient as it could be but you had to interview, then pay a fee, and go through training to obtain the firearms you love so much? Would it suck? Yeah probably. But I rest assured that not too many nut jobs are getting Class III weapons (legally). And last I heard there is only one record of a registered Class III owner committing a crime with such a weapon... ever (correct me if I'm wrong).
Anyway, I try to make sense of all this in my head. But I know there is no sense to some of it. Just like banning weapons with folding stocks and flash-hiders or people thinking that a Tec-9 is more deadly than a Glock 19. I mean which one would you bet your life on? Oh yeah the Tec cause it "looks" deadly.
How can we improve our situation and get closer to having these things when my kid's kids want to enjoy this activity? What are you willing to do? ???
The other day a man drove into a gas station, in the middle of the day, in one of the most affluent areas of my city and shot a woman twice. She was pumping gas, she didn't know him. He shot at another person and missed. Then drove across the street and took his own life. Now I must note that he had a long history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and something else. And from what I understand he took the gun from his parents home. The indoor range that I shoot at was robbed a few nights ago. The thieves backed up a truck loaded up and were off. With them went many cheap revolvers and saturday night specials. They left the high-end customs and semi autos, but took the AK's and maybe a Barrett .50. The funny thing is a few days prior to this event I was there shooting. And upon leaving I passed by one of the cases and saw an AK with a very short barrel, pins through the back and it was being sold as a "pistol". I thought to myself that I would hate for that weapon to fall into the wrong hands. I mean, if you have a gun permit you can buy it, but because you have a permit doesn't necessarily make you smart enough to own it. I can just see someone carrying it around in their car because "they can", legally. Then something happens and they spray 7.62's all over the place endangering other's lives, causing damage, and further damaging the views on guns and gun ownership. Now that gun may be on the streets soon. What's amazing about that is if you or I had that weapon, and put a stock on it, it would be a federal violation... an SBR that is more concealable and thus a threat to everyone. But as a pistol, it's fine.
My goal is not to pass judgement. It's only to look at the facts, the common sense facts that most of us who take this seriously, know. There are many idiots. There are many idiots that can legally own a gun. We've seen them at the shop, or at gun shows. Even at the range. Let's face it. There are many people that should not have guns based on the fact that they are idiots.
So I wonder. No, in fact now more than ever I find myself thinking of a better way. I own several SBR's. I own a full auto. I own a suppressor. I've had to fill out paper work, file prints, sit with my local law enforcement leaders, pay the federal government and give them permission to basically walk into my home at any time.
If it came down to it, how many of you would accept more stringent laws if it meant more scrutiny in acquiring them but it also meant that you could own the firearms you want without restriction? My friend and I always ask the question why can't guys like he and myself get NEW weapons that have a 2 or 3 round burst? Not a full-on auto, but burst... that makes sense. Do you know that that MP5 is really a $600 stamped receiver weapon? LEOs can get new HK UMPs for around $1,300. But an MP5 sells for $20,000 and up to good clean law abiding people willing to go through the process. (By the way I have a living trust now so the process is easier).
What if a system was in place that was as efficient as it could be but you had to interview, then pay a fee, and go through training to obtain the firearms you love so much? Would it suck? Yeah probably. But I rest assured that not too many nut jobs are getting Class III weapons (legally). And last I heard there is only one record of a registered Class III owner committing a crime with such a weapon... ever (correct me if I'm wrong).
Anyway, I try to make sense of all this in my head. But I know there is no sense to some of it. Just like banning weapons with folding stocks and flash-hiders or people thinking that a Tec-9 is more deadly than a Glock 19. I mean which one would you bet your life on? Oh yeah the Tec cause it "looks" deadly.
How can we improve our situation and get closer to having these things when my kid's kids want to enjoy this activity? What are you willing to do? ???