Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Time to get a gun?
Chicago Tribune ^ | 09/06/2005 | Eric Zorn

Posted on 09/06/2005 5:57:55 PM PDT by Jack Wilson

Time to get a gun? Along with our powerlessness against nature and the fecklessness of the government's response to a crisis, a third frightening aspect to the tragedy of New Orleans has been the breakdown of civilization in the disaster zone that accompanied the snapping of the so-called thin blue line.

Among the questions it prompts in my mind is one that is old and unresolved: Should I own a firearm?.

Thirteen years ago, when Los Angeles was up for grabs during the rioting that followed the acquittal of police officers charged in the Rodney King beating, the images of shopkeepers unprotected by police staving off looters with rifles knocked me off my comfortable anti-gun perch. Who wouldn't want a firearm under those circumstances? And who knows where such circumstances will occur next? .

It's hard to bring this up again without sounding like one of those cackling vigilantes who would gladly shoot someone swiping a bicycle out of his carport, or one of those basement-bunker survivalists besotted by paranoia..

I resisted back in 1992 and still rely on 9-1-1 and a pitching wedge under the bed to protect my family. But the rapid descent from crisis to chaos to anarchy in New Orleans was another reminder that paranoia can come to look like prudence in hindsight.

(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bang; banglist; guns; katrina; liberals; looting
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 221-226 next last
To: Jack Wilson
Who wouldn't want a firearm under those circumstances? And who knows where such circumstances will occur next?

I'll never live anywhere without my guns, but there are a lot of places I'll never live for fear of what it could be like if the SHTF. These places would include large and small blue population centers such as Chitown, Detroit, L.A., etc.

41 posted on 09/06/2005 6:22:17 PM PDT by umgud (Comment removed by poster before moderator could get to it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: muir_redwoods

"Either way, you will dissuade most malefactors with a shotgun"

The sound of a shotgun being racked is a sure attention getter.


42 posted on 09/06/2005 6:22:48 PM PDT by dljordan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Cobra64

"GO TO THE RANGE EVERY DAY, AND LEARN HOW TO USE THE WEAPON!"

I was wondering about that, how do I find out about local (public access) ranges that I can go "practice" at?


43 posted on 09/06/2005 6:23:31 PM PDT by VastRWCon
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: Jack Wilson

Eric will buy a gun and later advocate for yours to be taken from you.


44 posted on 09/06/2005 6:23:32 PM PDT by satchmodog9 (Murder and weather are our only news)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Harmless Teddy Bear

I unloaded 2, 3 in Magnum 12 ga 00 buckshells from a pistol gripped Ithaca clone 3 weeks ago and I braced for it.

My thumb is still sore. It could be fractured L0L. Id hate to think what would have happened if I wasnt ready for it.

A 20 seems like a nice choice for average home use for all builds


45 posted on 09/06/2005 6:23:56 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Cobra64

I was raised around guns...but I would need a refresher course...thanks for the suggestion.


46 posted on 09/06/2005 6:24:32 PM PDT by mystery-ak
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: umgud
there are a lot of places I'll never live for fear of what it could be like if the SHTF. These places would include large and small blue population centers such as Chitown, Detroit, L.A., etc.

Rule 1. Don't live in a city.

Rule 2. Don't ever forget Rule 1.

47 posted on 09/06/2005 6:24:50 PM PDT by Coyoteman (Is this a good tagline?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 41 | View Replies]

To: Jack Wilson
I resisted back in 1992 and still rely on 9-1-1 and a pitching wedge under the bed to protect my family.

Good luck. Hope your phone is on speed dial and you got a great arm.

48 posted on 09/06/2005 6:25:35 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: RightWhale

Isn't taking a pitching wedge to a gunfight a tactical error?

In his case I believe it IS his parents fault. Every child should be taught gunmanship as part of them becoming an adult.

Never know when it will come in handy.


49 posted on 09/06/2005 6:25:54 PM PDT by Dudesdad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: ButThreeLeftsDo
"...who would gladly shoot someone swiping a bicycle out of his carport..."

You mean to tell me that there are places where this is considered wrong?

50 posted on 09/06/2005 6:26:26 PM PDT by skimbell (Now in its 42nd year and still no Exit Strategy for the War on Poverty.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: Jack Wilson
I mentioned this very thing to a patient of mine the other day.....

If this doesn't make some people think about arming themselves....they don't have brains.

51 posted on 09/06/2005 6:26:31 PM PDT by Osage Orange (PC is BS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Squantos; Travis McGee

Piching wedge?

Everyone knows home defense calls for a one iron.


52 posted on 09/06/2005 6:29:00 PM PDT by razorback-bert
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dudesdad

It would be poor strategy in an O K Corral situation. In close quarters in the dark the home turf advantage may compensate.


53 posted on 09/06/2005 6:30:11 PM PDT by RightWhale (We in heep dip trubble)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 49 | View Replies]

To: razorback-bert; Eaker; TheMom

Eaker says his wife uses an Old Bat.....or did I hear him wrong ???


54 posted on 09/06/2005 6:31:21 PM PDT by Squantos (Be polite. Be professional. But, have a plan to kill everyone you meet. ©)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]

To: Harmless Teddy Bear

I gave a 410 ga AK47 to a female freeper and loaded it with 4 shells containing 5 pellets each of 000 buck.

She handled it nicely sending 20, 30 cal pellets down range in short order..Blam blam blam blam..with little recoil.

I would not discount the lowly 410 for the ladys. The only real gripe I have about it is that the shells are pricey


55 posted on 09/06/2005 6:32:55 PM PDT by mylife (The roar of the masses could be farts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Jack Wilson

I used to be a Duck hunter in my teen age years, but have not owned a gun in years. The Gov can't protect us I've seen. I am going out and get a gun or shotgun.


56 posted on 09/06/2005 6:33:05 PM PDT by tennmountainman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jack Wilson
Question: "Time to get a gun?"

Answer: Yes.

Comment: I'm updating and will buy two shotguns. In addition, and this is the hardpart for people living in large urban areas, try to form squads of neighbors that will arm themselves and suppress looters.

57 posted on 09/06/2005 6:33:16 PM PDT by AEMILIUS PAULUS (It is a shame that when these people give a riot)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: somemoreequalthanothers

For the first time in my life I really feel I need a gun ..Anyone know about gun laws in NJ ? I know for sure if a disaster hit my area the "gansta" crowd will be looting like mad.


58 posted on 09/06/2005 6:35:14 PM PDT by hoboken109
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Squantos; Eaker
Eaker says his wife uses an Old Bat.....or did I hear him wrong ???

You heard him wrong . . . he said his wife was an Old Bat.

59 posted on 09/06/2005 6:36:57 PM PDT by TheMom (My husband rocks!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: Squantos; razorback-bert; TheMom
Eaker says his wife uses an Old Bat.....or did I hear him wrong ???

Uses = is.

Glad I didn't ping her.

60 posted on 09/06/2005 6:37:01 PM PDT by Eaker (My Wife Rocks! - I will never take Dix off of my ping list as I have been asked to do.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 221-226 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson