SteyrAUG
12-17-12, 00:58
For decades now I have tried to explain to those who don't understand that firearms are neither good or bad, they are simply a tool or object that can be used for good or bad depending upon the intentions of the user.
But with all this talk about possible bans and concessions that we must make in order to placate those who want to get rid of all guns and possibly keep some of what we have I realized it simply isn't true. Firearms are NOT just a tool.
If there was some kind of massacre involving just "tools" where some mentally broken person ran around killing people with a hammer, screwdriver or any other "tool" I might actually be willing to surrender those items from my toolbox deemed "offensive." It would of course completely mystify me that I would have to surrender such an item due to the misuse by mentally broken person but I'd probably go along with it.
And of course I'd bitch and complain every time I had to work on a project that would be done more efficiently with the now banned item as I tried to complete the job with the more "safe and compliant" version of the tool I was no longer able to own.
But firearms simply aren't "just a tool."
They are also a heritage, a way of life and for some part of who we are.
I grew up with guns. I had my first handgun by the fourth grade and it wasn't a .22. By the age of 10 I was shooting my .357 (usually loaded with .38s) once a week with my father. I was a shooter in the same way that professional baseball players play baseball with relative skill level being the only actual difference, that and I didn't get paid to do it.
By the time I was in Junior High I had more guns than many of the adults I knew and I was focused on completing a collection centered around WWII and acquiring historical knowledge of every firearm involved. While other kids could quote baseball stats, I knew who made Lugers in 7.65mm and who made them in 9mm.
And I certainly didn't become a FFL because it was an easy path to getting rich. You are lucky if you get to do a job that you that you are truly interested in and knowledgeable about, but doing what you are good at is hardly a guarantee of financial rewards. Some jobs you just have to want to do despite the challenges. I could have possibly done something else and made quite a bit more money, I decided I wanted to work with guns for a living.
I have firearms for many, many reasons.
I have firearms that I enjoy shooting recreationally.
I have firearms that I own for personal defense.
I have firearms that I own for the same reason people buy works of art.
I have firearms that I own for the same reason people buy rare collectibles.
I have firearms that were once owned by family members who are now gone.
I have firearms that I own because I feel my Dad would have been proud to see me finally get one of them.
I have firearms that I own for the same reason people buy things that make them feel they have achieved some measure of success.
I have firearms that I own for the same reason people buy things that make them feel complete.
I only feel that way about a single tool I own and that would be a wrench that belonged to my Grandfather. I suppose if legislation were passed I would surrender all my tools except for that one. That one I would fight for, because it too is more than just a tool.
But my firearms are still more than just that.
My firearms ARE my chosen religion. My firearms ARE my free expression and speech. My firearms ARE my right to redress government. My firearms ARE my protection from being forced to quarter troops. My firearms ARE my protection from unreasonable search and seizure. My firearms ARE my protection from having private property seized.
My firearms are a means of making sure all my rights are respected. I'd have a hard time doing that with just a hammer or screwdriver.
I have firearms because that is simply who I am and asking me to surrender them would be like asking a peaceable Muslim to surrender his Koran because it has been misused by others.
So perhaps we should simply focus on addressing all the people who are an actual threat to others because they are mentally broken and figure out how to protect society from them rather than believing we can simply take away their "tools" and they will no longer be a threat.
But with all this talk about possible bans and concessions that we must make in order to placate those who want to get rid of all guns and possibly keep some of what we have I realized it simply isn't true. Firearms are NOT just a tool.
If there was some kind of massacre involving just "tools" where some mentally broken person ran around killing people with a hammer, screwdriver or any other "tool" I might actually be willing to surrender those items from my toolbox deemed "offensive." It would of course completely mystify me that I would have to surrender such an item due to the misuse by mentally broken person but I'd probably go along with it.
And of course I'd bitch and complain every time I had to work on a project that would be done more efficiently with the now banned item as I tried to complete the job with the more "safe and compliant" version of the tool I was no longer able to own.
But firearms simply aren't "just a tool."
They are also a heritage, a way of life and for some part of who we are.
I grew up with guns. I had my first handgun by the fourth grade and it wasn't a .22. By the age of 10 I was shooting my .357 (usually loaded with .38s) once a week with my father. I was a shooter in the same way that professional baseball players play baseball with relative skill level being the only actual difference, that and I didn't get paid to do it.
By the time I was in Junior High I had more guns than many of the adults I knew and I was focused on completing a collection centered around WWII and acquiring historical knowledge of every firearm involved. While other kids could quote baseball stats, I knew who made Lugers in 7.65mm and who made them in 9mm.
And I certainly didn't become a FFL because it was an easy path to getting rich. You are lucky if you get to do a job that you that you are truly interested in and knowledgeable about, but doing what you are good at is hardly a guarantee of financial rewards. Some jobs you just have to want to do despite the challenges. I could have possibly done something else and made quite a bit more money, I decided I wanted to work with guns for a living.
I have firearms for many, many reasons.
I have firearms that I enjoy shooting recreationally.
I have firearms that I own for personal defense.
I have firearms that I own for the same reason people buy works of art.
I have firearms that I own for the same reason people buy rare collectibles.
I have firearms that were once owned by family members who are now gone.
I have firearms that I own because I feel my Dad would have been proud to see me finally get one of them.
I have firearms that I own for the same reason people buy things that make them feel they have achieved some measure of success.
I have firearms that I own for the same reason people buy things that make them feel complete.
I only feel that way about a single tool I own and that would be a wrench that belonged to my Grandfather. I suppose if legislation were passed I would surrender all my tools except for that one. That one I would fight for, because it too is more than just a tool.
But my firearms are still more than just that.
My firearms ARE my chosen religion. My firearms ARE my free expression and speech. My firearms ARE my right to redress government. My firearms ARE my protection from being forced to quarter troops. My firearms ARE my protection from unreasonable search and seizure. My firearms ARE my protection from having private property seized.
My firearms are a means of making sure all my rights are respected. I'd have a hard time doing that with just a hammer or screwdriver.
I have firearms because that is simply who I am and asking me to surrender them would be like asking a peaceable Muslim to surrender his Koran because it has been misused by others.
So perhaps we should simply focus on addressing all the people who are an actual threat to others because they are mentally broken and figure out how to protect society from them rather than believing we can simply take away their "tools" and they will no longer be a threat.