Dedicated to all those who hunt, and care for our environment.
-
Michael Carmichael
- Male
- Chapel Hill, NC
- United States
- Share
- Blog Posts
- Discussions
- Groups
- Photos
- Photo Albums
- Videos
The art of the gun and new legislation
About
© 2009 Created by Colin Rogero on Ning. Create a Ning Network!
Comment Wall (2 comments)
You need to be a member of Hunters and Shooters to add comments!
Join this Ning Network
As a native American, my upbringing in the South and Midwest educated me in the use and appreciation for firearms as tools, recreational equipment and -- in rare cases -- objects of art. My grandfather was the champion rifle shot of the British Empire, and he could shoot birds on the wing with a rifle. My own marksmanship was limited to target practice and a short period of hunting birds -- that led me to the same conclusion as Charles Darwin -- that wild animals were the most beautiful dimension of nature, and it was wrong for me to destroy them. Guns should be used for target practice, tests of skill and in some rare cases -- self defense. That said, the martial arts are a much better form of self defense under most conceivable circumstances. That America still suffers with a massive number of guns in the hands of people who intend to use them for intimidation under the guise of self-defense is deeply troubling. After living in Great Britain for 22 years, I urge the members of Hunters and Shooters to consider the gun and firearm practices of other civilized nations. Guns should always be locked in cabinets -- either in the home of the licensed owner or at the gun club where they are to be used. There should be massive fines for wielding guns in public places, and carrying concealed weapons should be very tightly restricted to a few police who really need them -- ie. undercover agents who have infiltrated organized crime. While carrying unconcealed weapons is still legal in the USA, it strikes me as a potentially dangerous anachronism that might facilitate tragedies like the dreadful madness of Columbine. Any member of Hunters and Shooters who chreishes the tradition and art of the gun and marksmanship will support the need for new legislation to restrict gun ownership to the legitimate sporting enthusiasts in our society -- only and exclusively. Knives can present a problem for society as well, when they are abused as implements of terror or intimidation. While knives are useful tools for an amazing spectrum of purposes, carrying them in public and wielding them in public should be restricted to genuine sporting enthusiasts. It is my hope that Hunters and shooters will become a vehicle for better legislation. That will be a legacy to be proud of.