posted on Nov, 27 2008 @ 08:48 AM
I'd like to say first and foremost that I am what many conservatives would label as a "Liberal" or "Lefty" kinda guy. I know that alot of the gun
legislation that has been passed or proposed comes from liberal reactionaries and often they distort the truth about what it is they are railing
against.
I am also a gun owner and a well trained marksman. I have a few different weapons in semi auto and bolt action. I enjoy shooting my weapons and
imparting knowledge of weapons to those who are curious or misinformed, which, unfortunately, is the bulk majority of liberal America, and those in
between who are just subject to media slant and ignorance. In many cases the two are interchangeable.
I know a few liberals that are like minded believing as I do that an armed population is a safe population, and it is my goal to influence the liberal
way of thinking as far as guns are concerned for the good of America and it's security in the future. I also believe that in trying times the gun of
any style can be very useful in hunting for food. In many cases around America hunting is the ONLY source of food.
I occasionally hunt with an AR 15 semi auto because it is a very comfortable rifle. It is very ergonomic and well balanced and that is the advantage
of the so-called "Assault" style cosmetic shell around the action. Otherwise it is no different than my .270 semi-auto hunting rifle with exception,
of course, of the caliber and other minor things like rifling and barrel length.
Believe me I wish more people knew this. But if we in Nevada, for instance, did what California does, anything with a thumb hole grip or pistol grip
could be an assault rifle no matter the technology involved. This is the kinda crap we have to avoid because that is heavily unconstitutional.
The problem with public policy is that it is informed by reactionary propaganda on both sides rather than facts and figures. The aesthetics of a
firearm will not matter to a criminal. If you ban pistol grip semi-auto weapons then they will just switch to hunting rifles with the same technology
and maybe even modify those with new, custom stocks which is NOT a difficult thing to do if you can work wood. I'm glad that this is a message coming
from a police officer. I always ask people how they would feel if only the cops and criminals had guns, and none can fathom the crime rate...You only
have to look at California's more populated areas to see the result of stringent gun laws. Same with DC and NY. No body ever takes this into
consideration, especially not on the left and it is one of those things that I hate from any political ideology.
The refusal to analyze the data, ALL THE DATA, is a problem that plagues both ends of the legislative spectrum. If we are ever to effectively apply
and enforce responsible public policy then this kinda crap needs to stop and we must demand that our elected legislators and representatives are fully
aware of the facts before allowing them to pass any legislation restricting Constitutional freedoms.