Like another one of your commenters, I am definitely biased. I have been shooting for more than 40 years and I've carried some form of firearm almost everyday of my adult life.
I am a staunch supporter of a person's right to bear arms and defend themselves or others. Even if that means that some people will not make it a priority to train just like some horrible drivers buy a car and curb the tires at every corner.
The biggest issue I have seen personally and professionally is the carelessness of some gun owners with regards to training, safe handling, and storage of their weapons.
Even with my decades of experience, I still have the highest respect for gun safety and treat every weapon as if it's loaded. Too many people shoot a little and become complacent in their ownership with regards to safety and storage. If someone like me, with 40+ years of experience, carrying one everyday, a firearms instructor, and a range master can have an AD, you better bet anyone can.
I guess I went down a rabbit hole a bit...lolol.....but, in closing, I support someone's right to be armed and the punishment for violations of gun laws should be much, much more severe than they currently are.
Great discussion topic, friend!
There are laws that contradict and infringe on the Second Amendment though, which in a world where the Supreme Court did their job thoroughly and perfectly, would be struck down.
Oh I agree 100%, it is definitely an imperfect system for us in the U.S., but better than many parts of the world. I was referring to laws in place that restrict the use and possession of firearms during the commission of a crime. Far too often lawyers and judges find loopholes to sentencing guidelines and I have seen multiple count offenders walk out with just 10 years probation, no jail, and then get convicted again in 18 months and the probation just extended another 5 or 10 years with STILL no jail time.
I personally support constitutional carry as it was intended by the founding fathers. I live in Georgia and I think we will get there with 5 years or so.
Agreed. And depending on what the Supreme Court does, we might all have Constitutional carry soon.
Training, safe handling and storage, three most fundamental aspects of gun ownership and three elements that are, unfortunately, not always affected properly. I've seen it all over the years and my mind is often boggled. It's interesting that it's the operator that needs the training. The operator that has to apply safe handling and the operator that needs to safely/responsibly store the firearm. The firearm itself...well, it's no different to a power outlet sitting on the wall...just a tool. Add a finger and electricity and there's problems. Same as a gun, ammunition and a human.
Education is one of the key elements, along with mental stability and common sense.
What's weird is even with all my experience and dependence upon guns in my job, I've never considered myself a "gun" guy and I don't really enjoy talking about them that much either. Same as a mechanic I guess, I doubt my mechanic is at the gym talking about carburetors with everyone lolol
I find it boring to talk about guns mostly. A lot of the people I know only talk about guns and when not talking about them have nothing else to talk about. Boring.