General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Well all the talk has made it too the NRA... [View all]MineralMan
(146,441 posts)to the polls, if that's your concern. The NRA uses vague threats to stimulate voters. How about you and the rest of us using actual hope and plans for change to do that?
As far as I'm concerned, the NRA and other right-wing firearms organizations are a major part of the problem with firearms we currently have in this country. Like you, I have owned firearms all my adult life. I used to hunt with them. I no longer hunt, but they're still in my home. I understand people's need for self-defense, too.
Firearms and ammunition need regulation. That's very obvious just now. It has been obvious for years. I find it alarming that I, or any other non-felon and everyone else who has not been hospitalized for mental disorders can walk into the local Fleet and Farm store or any sporting goods store, hand over their credit card and walk out with any long gun that store sells. They can also buy as much ammunition for that or any other firearm they own as the store has in stock.
I find that alarming, to say the least. I don't like it one damned bit. I want better controls over firearms and ammo, along with modifications that, psychologically, turn some rifle patterned after a military assault rifle into something that looks and feels just like one, missing only the select fire lever and function. I don't want "tactical" to be the operant word used to sell those accessories.
Yes, I own firearms. I could use them for defensive purposes, too. The 12 ga. Remington pump-action shotgun leaning inside my closet has five rounds of 00 in the magazine and the action is already released. In the extremely unlikely event that someone was breaking into my home in the middle of the night, it might save my life and my wife's. It's an ideal defensive weapon for that rare situation.
I have no desire or need, though, to carry a firearm around as I go about my normal affairs, though. I know the odds of ever having a need for such a thing, and I'm not concerned.
I specifically do not need a military-looking semi-auto rifle equipped with high capacity magazines. I have a .30-06 scoped rifle locked in a gun cabinet, just in case I ever decide to go deer hunting again. It's based on an old Springfield military action. I doubt I will ever fire it again, but I have 20 rounds available for it, just in case this country is invaded and a need for a sniper rifle exists. I sort of doubt it will be needed for that purpose, though.
I have an expert marksman ribbon from the USAF, earned by firing a perfect score with an M-16 in basic training. I can't imagine why I'd want a civilian version of that rifle. I can't think of any useful function for it. I don't feel the need to own a quasi-military firearm for any reason at all. If I did own one, I certainly wouldn't dress it up with "tactical" accessories to make it look more military or be capable of firing more rounds than the standard magazine holds. Useless waste of money, it seems to me. I don't have fantasies of being some sort of super soldier. I'm not interested.
You may have other ideas. I don't give a damn, frankly. Others (not you, of course) might enjoy the super soldier fantasy. Those folks can kiss my grits. I don't like people with war fantasies. Not one bit, and I'd rather they weren't armed in that way. I don't know them, and have no idea of their mental stability or lack of same.
The NRA can threaten and warn all it likes. My opinion remains the same. We need better firearms controls. Period.