Comments on: Why I’m up in arms

By: Single Mom With Something to Say « The Drool Buster Diaries

Single Mom With Something to Say « The Drool Buster Diaries — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:06:28 +0000

[...] called Single Mom Seeking. Thoughtful, smart and on target, Rachel tackles the big issues (her post on the recent Supreme Court decision about the right to own guns was spot on), but she clearly also [...]

By: Melissa LaMunyon

Melissa LaMunyon — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:27:41 +0000

I think the point of people obtaining handguns whether or not they’re illegal has been made, along with the point that the Supreme Court can’t just “decide” to nullify part of the constitution.

The problem isn’t guns. The monster who attacked your friend could have just as easily used a box cutter that he bought at Wal-Mart.

The problem is that someone, in our society, thought that he had the right and the ability to attack your friend and her family–that’s the probelm.

And, I think the point’s been made that there really isn’t an easy answer to this issue.

I’m so sorry that your friend was hurt–my best thoughts towards her healing and recovery…and for yours. That’s the thing about violence…it has this awful ripple effect.

By: Jim Glasser

Jim Glasser — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:18:22 +0000

Many of you out there offer a number of quick fixes to curbing violent crime; however there really is no “magic bullet” to solving this complex problem which plagues our society. And the rhetoric offered by our politicians sounds good, but they have no more concrete solutions than I. I do agree that our legal system is inefficient and largely ineffective. Gun control is definitely not the answer even though there is rampant abuse and way too many gun related tragic accidents. Vinnie, it is clear by your comments that you live in a fantasy world. I could take you on a harrowing joy ride into the ghettos of any American city with money and drugs as our currency and within a few hours (if we live through it) we could amass enough black market guns to start our own militia! I don’t believe that all the “bad guys” will have guns, just the really crazy ones who intend to use them for all the wrong reasons like terrorizing people in their own homes! Wake up… “bad guys” getting guns on the black market is not even our worst nightmare; our worst nightmare is that the “really bad guys” will get their hands on a nuke or dirty bomb (big big really really bada bang big gun) on the black market and render 9/11 a minor historical first strike incident! And the government you describe which throws enough money and police power at gun control, banning illicit drugs, and stopping illegal immigration, is no country any of us enlightened, freedom loving, bleeding heart liberals would want to live in. Just imagine living in one of the places which has successfully implemented what you suggest: Libya, Iran, Taliban run Afghanistan, Saddam run Iraq, Syria, North Korea, Nazi Germany, etc., etc.. Get caught breaking the law and either be executed on the spot or taken away, never to return! And they have no legal or illegal immigration problems… no one gets in and no one gets out! Vinnie, I don’t own a gun or encourage anyone to get one without very careful consideration or proper training, but I still very much believe that empowering women to better protect themselves and their families is a good idea… a very very good idea, even if this means arming them all with semi automatic guns. And consider that women will most likely be more cautious, better trained, and more competent with their guns than most men. SMS, your friend is very brave and lucky to be alive, I’ll bet she is following this blog closely and seriously thinking of joining you and the other ass kicking single moms at the gun range soon. And ladies, Kevlar is the newest fashion statement in all the hottest spots! And I kid you not; my single mom girlfriend wears a pink mother of pearl handled gun with her designer Dolce & Gabbana boots making the fashion statement of the millennium!

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 01:07:10 +0000

Rachel, just back from a weekend trip. I’m so sorry your friend and her family experienced that. My thoughts and white light to all of you.

By: Legal Editor Mom

Legal Editor Mom — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:34:20 +0000

These are all interesting comments and valid viewpoints. Thanks, Rachel, for posting this thought provoking issue.

Interestingly a whole section of my Sunday newspaper was devoted to this issue, with a caption entitled “Protection or Menace: Court Ruling highlights the bitterly split views on the role of handguns.” The articles varied from “wondering whose child will die next” to “I wouldn’t be here if not for a gun.” Although I’m still torn over the issue, I agree that criminals already have guns or atleast have easy access to them (and need to be stopped or when caught more severely punished), while law abiding citizens should be allowed to protect themselves when they or their loved ones are threatened. It’s the other stuff like irresponsibility of some gun owners and senseless tragedies that make them more dangerous.

By: singlemomseeking

singlemomseeking — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 01:40:32 +0000

I’m completely overwhelmed — in the best way — by your comments. Thank you. I have a child pulling on me right now… I’ll digest and get back to everyone this weekend. Thanks again.

By: Lori

Lori — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:46:17 +0000

Wow Rachel, I didn’t read that post. I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I’m so thankful that she was able to stop him and protect the others in her house.

Guns aren’t the issue. It’s the justice system that is so screwed up. We are in a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation now. You tighten gun laws the criminals still will get them and the law abiding won’t.

Something needs to happen first to the criminal courts. Stop giving those ‘people’ rights! They are terrorists in their own right. They inflict terror and pain on the unsuspecting. The man who did that to your friend is no better than the a$$h*les who flew those planes.

Sorry for the language, but it gets me fired up when I see law abiding people have to pay while criminals get rights.

You have written a great post here…lots of comments all over the board…

By: Brad

Brad — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:11:54 +0000

Whew!

I have always be of the opinion that “If you want a gun, you can get a gun… somehow, someway”

As a kid, I saw guns in high school… and no, these kids’ parents weren’t the owners.

They were getting them through illegal means…

I don’t personally own a gun for one reason: I don’t know if I could pull the trigger.

Because I do know this, when TWO guns enter the frey… somebody’s gonna die… you… or them…

By: Chatanika

Chatanika — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 18:19:05 +0000

Reiterating some of the above comments…

Criminals, by definition, do not care about laws. My father gave me a gun last fall when I had a drunk man repeatedly try to get into my house. I live four blocks from the police station, called 911 three times (each time letting them know that I am a single woman BY HERSELF), and yet it still took an officer over four hours to respond. The gun that I now own was one that my (single mother extraordinare) grandmother slept with under her pillow for over 40 years. As Jim says above, I do feel empowered that I have an additional tool to protect myself and my children if need be.

I am pretty liberal, but I also realize that laws mean nothing to criminals. SM, your friend would have been looking into the barrel of a gun no matter what the law was. I think the real place for anger is with the clogged criminal justice system and the lack of appropriate and effective juvenile intervention. Not to mention our society’s fascination with violence in all media….

By: BABarnes

BABarnes — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 15:22:52 +0000

Statistics and studies can be made to show just about anything you want them to say. As a gun owner and a law enforcement officer I see both side of this debate. But the truth of the matter is that Washington D.C. has the MOST restrictive gun laws in America and yet still leads the nation in murder and other violent crime. Banning gun ownership from law abiding citizens guarantees that law breaking criminals will have easy prey. Listen, these folks break the law for a living. The only people that abide by the gun laws are the people that abide by all laws. In Florida, where concealed hanguns are legal, violent crime dropped 40% the first year. The bad guys know that if the odds are higher that a homeowner may have a gun in the house, they will be very hesitant to break in. They seem to be addicted to breathing. I’ve owned guns since I was very young and have always taken care to educate my children about the dangers of guns. My kids are older now and we often shoot and hunt together. And having been taught the dangers of guns and now having thier own rifles and shotguns, they are always safe in handling thier firearms. But it was up to me to educate my kids. Not deny that guns exist in the world. The old saying curiousity killed the kat works for kids as well. Educate your kids and they won’t get curious about the strange box in the closet. Avoid disaster through education.