Posted on 06/17/2016 4:14:02 PM PDT by nickcarraway
As the debate again ignites across the country over gun control and specifically larger, semi-automatic weapons, a Denton man found a charitable use for his firearm.
Andrew Rozell parted ways with his AR-15 rifle Thursday night, handing it over to leaders from the charity Veterans Xtreme Adventures.
The longtime Denton resident and member of the Planning and Zoning Commission said he had begun reevaluating his ownership of the rifle after the tragedy in Orlando last weekend. "This type of tool is being used to commit atrocities. It just didn't sit well with me," Rozell said.
Rozell got the gun as a Christmas present several years ago to keep for home protection and recreational use. Though he said he hasn't touched it in two years, he owns smaller guns for protection, and with an 18-month-old son he questioned if the rifle was something he wanted in his home at all.
"Over the years it just seems more and more senseless to own an assault rifle, or an assault type rifle just for the sake of owning it," he said.
However, he didn't just want to sell the thing either.
"The main reason I didn't want to sell it is because I don't trust general people. There's no way I could possibly know for certain whose hand that gun was going to end up in," he said.
So, Rozell began researching if there was a better place to send the rifle, and he found the Denton-based nonprofit.
Veterans Xtreme Adventures organizes hunting trips and range activities for veterans, Rozell said, working as recreation therapy for some.
The group told the Denton Record Chronicle that the AR-15 is useful to hunters because of its versatility, allowing a hunter to change the caliber of bullet they're using depending on what they're hunting.
"What they're doing is pretty special," said Rozell.
Showing a similar rifle he borrowed from a friend Friday, an M4, Rozell said he isn't against weapons of that kind and is a firm believer in the Second Amendment.
"I think there are some great gun owners out there, which the need or desire to have this type of weapon makes sense," he said.
He just said that's not him, and he wonders how many others may be in the same position.
He wanted to share his story in order to let others know that donation is an option if that's a path they choose, but also, he said, to add another piece to that important discussion that so many are having right now.
"I think it's worth just having the question, 'Why do I want one,' or 'Why do I have one?'" he said.
“Showing a similar rifle he borrowed from a friend Friday, an M4, “ Wut?
Sounds good to me. If some guy doesn’t want a certain weapon and wants to give it away - that’s his right. And he’s not calling for a ban on them - it sounds like he’s fine with other folks owning them.
Just like folks that don’t care for hunting or eating meat, but don’t mind if other folks do. Although I can understand people not wanting to hunt, or to not to eat meat. But to not want to have an AR-15 in the house, but to not mind having pistols and other weapons in the house - that doesn’t make too much sense.
I wonder if I could have his car. They are implements of destruction!
We sell an AR -15 raffle ticket every year for out youth travel baseball team. — This was our 5th t-year. We raise 15 to 20 k each year for these fine boys.They are now 15 . They ARe-15 HA!!
Do you have a high-capacity magazine for those raffle tickets?
no
Have you guys seen this? This is where we are going to kill bad guys. Every family needs one with women fully trained. http://www.sigevolution.com/sigmpx
Any one that is giving away their AR-15 can just send me a Private Reply and I’ll give them the address of my favorite gun shop where I can pick it up. /sarc (/big-grin)
Shouldn't your proper reaction be WTF???
Either this guy is lying or his "friend" is in violation of federal law...........
Fine, give your rifle away. And of course he had to notify the press.
Watch ATF show up and quibble about the way it was transferred.
Bookmarking...
A+ for a great pun.
WE must smile. Life is short.
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