Mike Luckovich for January 10, 2010

Oh, oh….INCOMING !!!

I dunno ‘bout that, Human…I LOVED my C-4 back in ‘Nam

I loved the old anti-aircraft guns, was a gunner on Quad 50’s in the 1950’s. The US Military is using the old Browning 50 calibre Machine guns again.

Claymore !

Track mounted twin 40s! Let’s escalate! C-4 also makes an excellent camp stove- just don’t stomp on it while it burns!

You guys use the Jane’s Weapons Systems Book as your Christmas Wish book instead of the old Sear’s catalog, don’t you? I understand, though–my father, “Sir, yes, sir!”, was a Marine.

Boy! They all thought that they had to keep an eye on Ron Artest. Boy! Were they ever wrong again!

Statistically, you’re more likely to shoot someone in your family…

“do you know ANY firearm safety?”

I don’t really need to, because I don’t handle firearms. Of course, most who DO handle firearms don’t need to learn any firearm safety, either. It’s merely “suggested.”

I read once that something like 80% of licensed drivers believe that they’re “better than average” drivers. At least they have to be licensed, and are tested for the privilege. Not so with gun owners.

You’ve murdered, and yet typing it freely. Curious as to when Obama is going to get around to locking you guys up in jail. Murder is a crime and against the law.

<====== Guns don’t kill people, I kill people. Give me another term and I’ll prove it!

Doc, I assume that you have a problem with hunting?

Actually, I’d have no real problem with a modified version of the Swiss model, I think. Any household (may (but not must) maintain arms, with the explicit understanding that they can and will be called upon in case of a national emergency. Basically, if you own a gun, you’d have to be in the National Guard or on acive military reserve (including the potential of being called up), with regular training and military discipline and so on. A “well-regulated militia.”

If you’re found carrying a gun for any reason, and you can’t show that you’ve reported for regular training, you’d be subject to fine and/or imprisonment.

I think anyone who has been beaten by a group of thugs might, just might change their mind about owning fire arms. Of course youd have to allow for pacifism and stupidity, (one and the same ). Or just go back to cave man rules and dictators.

Possible. Then again, just because you own a gun doesn’t mean you can’t get shot with one, and then you might change your mind about firearm laws.

Sure, it could be that you don’t change your mind, or don’t have a mind to change. As you said, it’s a “just might” case.

Doc, I know a number of female hunters around here that would disagree with your masculinity assumption. The rest of your statement makes it obvious that any dialog on this subject would be a waste of my time.

I’m not trying to lump you in with the criminal element, Bruce, it just puzzles me that responsible gun owners don’t take more interest in keeping guns out of the hands of those who aren’t responsible. Licensing and registration (and mandatory insurance, perhaps) seem to me to be eminently sensible requirements for gun ownership/operation, as they are for automobile ownership/operation. It’s true that an automobile in irresponsible hands can be a far more dangerous weapon than anything other than combat weaponry, but then again automobiles have a purpose other than to cause grievous bodily injury to others. A handgun, if used strictly in accordance with its design, puts holes in human beings. That is the why of this particular what.

The laws which are already on the books have proven only partially effective in keeping guns out of the hands of people who have already proven themselves to be dangerous. But if some guy with no criminal record gets into a fight with his wife and somebody (either party) decides to unlock the gun case, all we can do is say “Well, THAT person won’t be allowed to buy another gun!” after the fact. And kids are notorious for being able to find out where their parents have hidden things; you may be a responsible parent and keep your liquor in a locked cabinet, but that’s no guarantee that you won’t come home one evening to find your thirteen year-old passed out drunk on the sofa. Liquor cabinets can be gotten into, and so can gun cabinets, and I hope you never find yourself dealing with Morning-After regrets after that Night-Before. As I stated, a gun in the home is more likely to be used against someone in the household than against an intruder.

“4”, records show that over 90% of people “defending themselves” with guns AGAINST GUNS- end up getting shot. Even WITH training, few gun owners can actually defend themselves. Combine training with actual EXPERIENCE, such as combat, or getting shot at, and the odds go up considerably- it is the psychology of the person in contact situations, not just the weapons (or lack thereof) that makes the real difference.

My other brilliant idea is to reignite the romance of sword-fighting among street gangs. Let prowess with a foil or rapier be the new way of proving your Alpha status in the ‘hood. Instead of Midnight Basketball leagues, institute Midnight Fencing. There’d still be bloodshed over turf, but it would be more easily limited to the participants rather than the bystanders.

Doc, Your post was typically provacative. Retreat is incorrect. From your phrasing, your mind is closed. It is a waste of my time. If I wanted to insult you, the post would have been much longer.

I knew someone who accidentally killed someone with a hunting gun. (No, I’m not friends with Dick Cheney.) So I’m wary about guns.

Even though I would never hunt, I can’t criticize those who do, since I happily eat meat. Yes, I want the killing to happen at a distance, but perhaps it would be more honest if I were part of the whole process, not just at the grill. And I grew up in the country, so I knew the animals we ate.

A cousin of mine almost killed himself with an “unloaded” rifle when he was a teenager, but after months in the hospital and years of rehabilitation he’s now able to live a full life.

As far as domestic violence ,think a minute, Knifes,lamps, bottles, bricks , rocks, sharp sticks heavy books have all been used to kill partners of both sexes. Sometimes a gun has saved the life of someone on the recieving end. Ah but you dont hear about those do you? Our media is complicit with trying to take our RIGHTS away. Accidents happen ,more with cars than guns. More poeple die from falls in the home than guns, are we going to bubble wrap our homes? OOps shouldnt have said that they will probably try to pass a law on that to.

Bruce, if more people who own guns sounded like you, I’d be less worried. Then there are people like dave,* who clearly has not read anything that anybody who disagrees with him is saying.

To quote myself, “It’s true that an automobile in irresponsible hands can be a far more dangerous weapon than anything other than combat weaponry, but then again automobiles have a purpose other than to cause grievous bodily injury to others. A handgun, if used strictly in accordance with its design, puts holes in human beings. That is the why of this particular what.”

If you have electric clippers in your house, chances are good that someone’s going to end up with a haircut.

When I was in grade six, the father of a student in my class got into an argument with a “friend” at work, and that night the “friend” knocked on his door and blew him away in front of his wife and two kids.

I know this and my earlier story are just anecdotes, and anecdotes are not evidence or argument, but these experiences sort of stick in my mind.

I don’t like cars much either, and I try to avoid them when I can. And I sure think people shouldn’t drive when they’re drunk or distracted.

Those who feel that present legislation concerning control of firearms in the United States is optimal might wish to ponder the statistics presented in this table in the English-language version of Wikipedia : http://preview.tinyurl.com/2wd4ta….

Henri

^ Note South Africa’s position. It was the reason I left it for the 2nd time in ‘99. (sorry, M Henri, I always backtrack and check your posts whenever I see you’re posting as you invariably always make excellent informative points but unfortunately I suspect most people rarely read them when they’re even just a few days later) On another note, I’m a little surprised at the exchange between 2 posters I respect & like here.