by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
Contrary to what the National Rifle Association (NRA) would like for us to believe, guns have been known to cause crime. Several years ago my father, who was by then a frail little old man, was away from his home for several days when, during his absence, someone tried unsuccessfully to break in. "What in the world do you have that anyone would want to steal?" I asked, incredulous that the thieves had targeted his home. "My guns." he stammered in reply.
I knew another old fellow in the same town who kept guns for "protection." One evening an intruder actually entered his home - a disoriented and lost drunk - and the old codger pulled one of his guns on the man. The drunk, being fearless, quickly snatched it away from the guy, and fortunately, instead of shooting the old fool with his own gun, took the weapon and headed out into the night.
Today there was a story on National Public Radio (NPR) and other news outlets about a young man with a gun - actually a couple of young men with guns - out in the state of Oregon, an "open-carry" state. William Coleman, aged twenty-one, was out one evening this past week openly carrying his brand new Walther P22 handgun which he had purchased that day. William may have felt like he was one tough hombre, what with his new nearly $400 gun and all, right up until the minute he was approached by another young man asking for a cigarette. The smoke-bumming stranger told William, "I like your gun. Give it to me." With that he pulled his own gun to forswear any argument on the matter - and proceeded to relieve William of his weapon.
There was no word on whether he also managed to get the cigarette.
Guns can and do cause crime, and they also bring unnecessary risk of harm to their owners.
Citizen Journalist
Contrary to what the National Rifle Association (NRA) would like for us to believe, guns have been known to cause crime. Several years ago my father, who was by then a frail little old man, was away from his home for several days when, during his absence, someone tried unsuccessfully to break in. "What in the world do you have that anyone would want to steal?" I asked, incredulous that the thieves had targeted his home. "My guns." he stammered in reply.
I knew another old fellow in the same town who kept guns for "protection." One evening an intruder actually entered his home - a disoriented and lost drunk - and the old codger pulled one of his guns on the man. The drunk, being fearless, quickly snatched it away from the guy, and fortunately, instead of shooting the old fool with his own gun, took the weapon and headed out into the night.
Today there was a story on National Public Radio (NPR) and other news outlets about a young man with a gun - actually a couple of young men with guns - out in the state of Oregon, an "open-carry" state. William Coleman, aged twenty-one, was out one evening this past week openly carrying his brand new Walther P22 handgun which he had purchased that day. William may have felt like he was one tough hombre, what with his new nearly $400 gun and all, right up until the minute he was approached by another young man asking for a cigarette. The smoke-bumming stranger told William, "I like your gun. Give it to me." With that he pulled his own gun to forswear any argument on the matter - and proceeded to relieve William of his weapon.
There was no word on whether he also managed to get the cigarette.
Guns can and do cause crime, and they also bring unnecessary risk of harm to their owners.
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