Have You Ever Lost Someone To Gun Violence?

I understand your feelings about firearms and this is not meant to change your mind. It is only a different perspective.

No I do not know any one personally that has been killed by a firearm (other than in war), but do know a few that have been accidently shot. I taught a 12 year old girl how to swim after she was paralyzed from the waist down after being accidently shot by a classmate. Another friend gave up hunting after being accidently shot in a hunting accident.

I do know many individuals that have been killed in traffic accidents including one classmate that was hit by a car while sledding across a road. This does not keep me from driving nor does it make me want to ban vehicles. I still went sledding with my sons when they were growing up. It does make me more careful and supportive of safety procedures.

The same beliefs hold true with firearms. When my sons were growing up they were taught to treat every gun as if it was loaded. They were also taught that if they pointed a gun at something they better intend to kill it. The only gun loaded in my house at that time was my pistol and it was always with me. The guns were not locked up, but the ammunition was. The case of the young girl was a loaded gun left unattended that another minor was showing off. The case of the hunting accident was someone did not unload a gun when they got into a vehicle and it went off. Since my sons have left the house, all guns are loaded. If we ever have grandchildren, hours will be spent unloading guns and locking up the ammunition.

The irony of my situation, one of my sons is a gun rights supporter and lives in Wyoming. The other is in favor of gun control and lives in a metropolitan area on the east coast. Therefore I am respectful of both views and understand the views are based on upbringing and environment.

No I have not. I have seen some footage of civilians saving others, but I have not personally. Both of my parents are in there 80's and I am proud to say they both have CC permits, carry loaded guns in their vehicles, and I feel much better knowing this. It will be easier to take away their drivers licenses than their guns.

I knew a kid in high school who committed suicide with a firearm. Other than that, nope.

I don't concealed carry, but it's nice to have a gun around. If there's a skunk or racoon in the yard, a gun can solve that quickly.

Ditto on the cars- my grandfather always used to say that you should treat a car as if you're steering a V8 powered bullet.

Here in Wyoming, almost everyone has a gun. Gun crimes aren't bad at all in our area. It's the people, not the guns.

I can only explain it from my perspective, but I would like to refer you to an article Olddude mentioned in another post. I think he was referencing Gun Ownership Mandatory In Kennesaw, Georgia. If not I apologize, but I think it is along the same lines and something the news media does not care to cover. If you have interest just Google it.

Most laws state that if a firearm is not clearly visible from all directions, it is considered concealed. Therefore if it is under the seat, glove box, under a newspaper it is considered concealed. When I am away from home, I do not want a gun visible in my vehicle because it would invite theft. The same as a cell phone, computer, etc. would create. Since I never know what vehicle I might need, guns are kept in each out of eye sight. If I was pulled over for a traffic violation, a ticket could be issued for not having a permit (although I doubt that would happen in this part of the country.)

States have different requirements for issuing a permit, but most have some sort of training before they will issue the permit. This increases the safety of those holding the permits. Here you have to be approved by the sheriff. That might require a back ground check, interview, or in my case a cup of coffee.

Anyone can carry a weapon in open carry cities, counties, or even states. Most locals restrict rights around schools, government buildings, and specific structures. That means someone without knowledge of a firearm can carry a weapon in the open. This is great for hunters but I think it promotes problems within communities. From this perspective, people that advertise by carrying a weapon in plain sight are asking for trouble. The open carry activists from the other post that were removed from the restaurant is an example. I thought it was a stupid act on their part and because of their actions the business was robbed the next night. I do not believe showing off your guns reduces trouble, it begs for it. If the business had been robbed the night before, the open carry activists would have been the first to be shot, just like a guard in the old banks.

On the other hand the two businesses that welcome concealed weapons have never been robbed. Why? A robber would not know who is armed and who is not. Now imagine your mother is in this business and it is robbed. Do you think a criminal would give a second thought that she could be a threat. My mom would be and would not hesitate to step in.

Long story short, I do not believe open carry like the old west would benefit our society. The permits create an unknown that decreases crime. The one thing I do not like about permits is there is a record of who has them. I hope others chime in from both sides. As pointed out before, these discussions makes me reconsider my position, or learn to defend it better.

After reading the updates, I have to correct a previous statement. I have known individuals that have taken their life with a gun, but I also know others that used other methods.

Got to agree with you Patriot76 on pretty much everything on your last post. There is a push here in Texas by some folks for open carry, and the newly elected governor said he would sign it if a bill came up and was passed. I have to agree with you though, I cannot see any good coming of it, especially in a town or residential area. If I am out in a wooded area I will carry one (snakes, etc.). The vast majority of law abiding gun owners I have known have one very outstanding trait, and that is an huge abundance of common sense.

Wayne1956 - I would like to make one clarification, I like the open carry law, just not the idiots that abuse it. I am surprised Texas is not already an open carry state. I would have thought it would have been one of the first.

Originally Posted by AdmiralAluminum

Thank you all for your input and opinions. All I wanted was a learning experience and I got one.

You mean everyone in Texas doesn't walk around with a gun on each hip??? Oh, how the media has deceived me yet again! JK LOL

You better smile when you say that Pilgrim!!!


Gotta love John Wayne

Originally Posted by Patriot76

Wayne1956 - I would like to make one clarification, I like the open carry law, just not the idiots that abuse it. I am surprised Texas is not already an open carry state. I would have thought it would have been one of the first.

I would be a more enthusiastic supporter of it if it would not cause a lot of apprehension among folks. That is my main concern

Known anyone who's been shot? Yep. Quite a few actually. Some made it, some didn't.

Some shot while doing something stupid while young. Some shot for no reason. I've also known people who've been stabbed, killed in car crashes, beaten to death, or committed suicide.

So curious...why not ask all this about knives? Or regular violence? People die every day to various means. Gun control will not stop that.

Not picking a fight. I'm just curious. always about guns, no questions or bans about any other way people die by violent means.

Sirscrapalot - Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean. - Christopher Reeve

When ever I go out on the road I take a great deal of comfort knowing that my "co-exist" bumper sticker will keep me safe. Personal safety is a personal responsibility, "the police always come late if they come at all". I forgot who sang that song long ago; but it's always the same story.

I like the discussion, AA.

I was just curious an didn't mean that question to just you..but the mainstream in general. A good example, when Sandy Hook went down, everybody an their brother just about jumped on the ban gun bandwagon. When the college girl at Virginia Tech had her head chopped off in a cafeteria by a fellow student with a sword/knife(I forget which)..not a single word about banning knives or swords.

Dude runs around with a sword in Cali. Stabs 3 people. Nobody says a word.

I shoot a squirrel, everyone freaks the eff out. What a weird world we live in.

Anyhoo..Carry on. Pun not intended. LOL

Sirscrapalot - Laugh, it works wells in defusing a situation.