Unitarian church shootings

[Cataholic]

Well, the chances of you being murdered by a person with a firearm are WAY, WAY lower than that of being killed by a drunk driver. Yet, I bet you don't fear my 'right' to drive.

Actually, if you are drinking and getting behind the wheel of the car, I DO fear your "right" to drive. (Driving is actually a privilege in the US, and not a "right"). And, I take the necessary precautions in that fashion- I avoid the streets during what seems to be a high probability time for OVIs- holidays and weekend nights.

That example doesn't exactly fit with the topic much, anyhow. Many, if not most, of us require a car. That same thing can't be said of carrying a gun.

Finally, I love my family too much to put their safety into anyone's hands but my own. You are free to choose otherwise, but it would be wrong for YOU to make that choice for me.

What exactly happened in a city that caused you to need to pull your weapon? I can't imagine carrying a weapon with a child.

I love my family in a similar fashion, I can assure you, and feel the same way- I don't want YOU to make the choice for ME, either. It is an argument that works both ways.

[Puckstop31]

What exactly happened in a city that caused you to need to pull your weapon? I can't imagine carrying a weapon with a child.

It was about 12 years ago, when I lived in Florida. So this was before we had our child. Still, now that I have a child, it is even more important for me to be able to protect them.

As for not imagining carry a weapon with a child, that just proves you are a hoplophobe. Nothing wrong with that, but it just means you do not understand what it means to be a RESPONSIBLE gun owner. I was raised with them. From a very early age my father taught me that they are not toys and to respect them for what they are. I was taught how to SAFELY handle, operate and maintain them. I plan on doing the same with Hannah.

If you make them not a taboo thing, take away the curiosity... Perhaps if you educated yourself a little about firearms, you might be a little less apprehensive about them. I mean, it is the first thing I do when I don't understand somerthing, I try to educate myself about it first.

I love my family in a similar fashion, I can assure you, and feel the same way- I don't want YOU to make the choice for ME, either. It is an argument that works both ways.

Thats the thing. You DO have the CHOICE to not own a firearm. But I am pretty sure you would advocate to take away my choice, no, my RIGHT to own them. Now, my owning a firearm is in NO way a threat to you. Unless of course you ever posed a threat to me.

It is a shame that law abiding Americans cannot trust other law abiding Americans and assume good before evil.

"No free man should ever be denied the use of arms. If for no other reason than to defend himself from tyranny of government."
Thomas Jefferson

Finally, let me make one thing abundantly clear. I pray without ceasing that I will never have to use my weapons to protect myself or my family. But I will be damned before I put my and my families safety into anybody's hands but my own. That is not a matter of trust, as I know we have generally excellent law enforcement here. The issue is they are 99.9% likely to NOT be there at the moment I need them.

[Cataholic]

Why does not agreeing with someone mean I don't understand something? I am reasonably intelligent, and have an ability to comprehend- even if I don't support- someone's opinion.

I am a HUGE breastfeeding advocate. Does that mean everyone that doesn't support MY position is ignorant about the benefits of breastfeeding? That they are wrong, or, a bad parent if they don't follow a child-led approach to weaning? No, it means they don't support my position, that they feel differently.

I don't like guns (as much as one can affix a human emotion to an inanimate object). I don't agree with hunting, I don't agree with carrying a weapon, I don't agree with your interpretation of the 2nd amendment...that doesn't mean I don't understand, though.

[Puckstop31]

Why does not agreeing with someone mean I don't understand something? I am reasonably intelligent, and have an ability to comprehend- even if I don't support- someone's opinion.

I am a HUGE breastfeeding advocate. Does that mean everyone that doesn't support MY position is ignorant about the benefits of breastfeeding? That they are wrong, or, a bad parent if they don't follow a child-led approach to weaning? No, it means they don't support my position, that they feel differently.

I don't like guns (as much as one can affix a human emotion to an inanimate object). I don't agree with hunting, I don't agree with carrying a weapon, I don't agree with your interpretation of the 2nd amendment...that doesn't mean I don't understand, though.

Fair nuff'. I see your point. So, I suppose you do not have to agree with those things. Just understand that I am a HUGE advocate of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. When you really research it, the intent of the Founders was and is crystal clear.

So, while it is perfectly fine for you to feel the way you do, the 2nd Amendment IS the law of the land. And, as the recent Supreme Court decision has said, it is a individual right. So, I would prefer if you not try to impose your will upon we law abiding gun owners. Just as I strive to live my life in a way where I do not impose my will on you.

Instead of gun control.... How about we focus on CRIMINAL control?

We could get into hunting and how controlled hunting is actually a good way to keep animal populations healthy... Or how hunting groups do more to preserve habitat and maintain healthy animal populations than PETA or the USHS could ever dream of... I am sure that is WAY outside of the scope of this discussion.

[Cataholic]

So, while it is perfectly fine for you to feel the way you do, the 2nd Amendment IS the law of the land. And, as the recent Supreme Court decision has said, it is a individual right. So, I would prefer if you not try to impose your will upon we law abiding gun owners. Just as I strive to live my life in a way where I do not impose my will on you.

It is the law of the land...and there has been, in the past, other laws that were challenged and sucessfully overturned because of people with differing opinions.

So, while I will respect your will, I cannot agree to not challenge the law, your will, my neighbor's will, etc, by voicing my opposing opinion.

A lemming I am not. And, I recognize that about you, too.

[Puckstop31]

It is the law of the land...and there has been, in the past, other laws that were challenged and sucessfully overturned because of people with differing opinions.

So, while I will respect your will, I cannot agree to not challenge the law, your will, my neighbor's will, etc, by voicing my opposing opinion.

A lemming I am not. And, I recognize that about you, too.

I would almost welcome an attempt to "repeal" the 2nd Amendment. Perhaps we could, once and for all, be done with it. One way or the other...

I say this because there are simply WAY too many gun owners who would not stand for it. It would quite literally, IMHO, spark another revolution/civil war.

As a side note, I would like to thank you for keeping this civil. Most of the time when I debate this topic, it gets ugly and I get called names. LOL

[Cataholic]

As a side note, I would like to thank you for keeping this civil. Most of the time when I debate this topic, it gets ugly and I get called names. LOL

The only name I can think to call you is "Annie" as in "Annie get your gun".

[Ginger's Mom]

As a side note, I would like to thank you for keeping this civil. Most of the time when I debate this topic, it gets ugly and I get called names. LOL

I have to agree, I think that was one of the most interesting and civil debates I have seen on this board. Well done, both of you.