Thursday, November 26, 2009

Opinion

NRA to Blame? Should Gun Control Advocates Use Shootings to Further the Cause?

Posted April 7, 2009

Commenting on the recent slew of tragic shootings, principally the cop killings in Pittsburgh, Bonnie Erbe writes: "If you listen to the NRA, guns don't kill people, people kill people. Could Poplawski have killed these Pittsburgh police without all his sophisticated weaponry? Heck no!" Is it right to use tragedies like the Pittsburgh shooting to argue for gun control? Post your thoughts.

Previously: Who Do You Trust More?

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Reader Comments

Gun Owners: How many will turn their guns on their fellow humans?

We are a nation of gun owners. Millions of guns in the hands of both legal and illegal gun owners might not be so bad if all gun owners were persons of high morals. Sadly, this is not the case. During the End Times so vividly described in the Bible, gun owners, in their fury, frustration, and helplessness will turn upon each other. American will become a battle ground with the strong against the weak. Gun owners will savagely kill anyone who dares to stand in their way as they search for food, water, and anything else that will help them say alive.

This planet will once again demonstrate the truth of the divine law: The wages of sin is death.

Binghampton shootings

The reporst from Binghampton seem to sensationalize the tragety with some untruth. The statements from authorities says 98 shots were fired in "a little over a minute".This would mean the gunman reloaded his pistols probably four times each (with 15 rounds per clip). One would usually use two hands for this task which would require setting down one gun, ejecting an empty clip,pushing in a loaded clip,releasing the slide to load and begin fireing.If this could be done in 5 seconds at four clips per pistol, makes 8 X 5 sec =40 seconds. This leaves "a little over" 20 seconds to fire 49 shots from each pistol and make it possible in "just a little over a minute".No production pistol I know of on the market can fire 49shots in 20 seconds. Never mind the task of aiming enough to kill 13 people and be under the stress the gunman was under in doing this horrible act.This reporting makes good honest,lawful gun owners and sportsman look bad. The poor reports of information like this comes from people not being educated in gun use and their capabilities.I don't think any malace by the authorities is intended but misrepresentation of facts can lead people to believe and fear guns instead of resprcting them and using them safely and properly.More people need to be educated and taught to shoot so they realize the privilage we hold thanks to our second ammendment. I suggest they enroll in hunters safty courses or join the N.R.A.. Visit a local gun club and show an interest in shooting. The people at any local gun club will be happy to talk to you and lead you to the proper way to learn to shoot and respect firearms.Gun Control in New York is one of the toughest states in the country,yet disturbed people still do these terible things.More laws are not the answer, more education is the way to safe and proper use of a priviledge we've inherited from our past leaders. If you don't know anything about guns, don't just fear them,learn about them.You may be surprised at your interest in guns if you try shooting the proper way.You will realize what what the whole gun control situation is and you can make a proper decision on your own.

Your heading betrays your bias

"...further THE cause", oh please why not just aqdmit that the editorial position of the magazine is pro-gun-control and dispense with the illusion that this topic is discussed in an even-handed manner.

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