Posted on 12/02/2005 9:44:30 AM PST by kiriath_jearim
Posted on Thu, Dec. 01, 2005
Letters | Gun ownership not at heart of being American
Re: the Nov. 29 Inquirer articles "About 500 mourn devoted young father," "Phila. man, 23, found fatally shot in Nicetown," and "Packing heat - and political punch."
Guns are making a combat zone of our streets. Shootings wreak havoc from the inner city to the rural communities of Pennsylvania. As a medic with the Marines in Vietnam, I tried to save the victims of guns and other weapons.
In "Packing heat - and political punch," I am appalled by Tammy Bruce's comment, "Owning a gun is at the heart of what it means to be an American." Many of us who have experienced the results of gun violence do not equate owning a gun with being an American.
As a veteran, I want to see the dying stop.
To stem this appalling violence, it is important that we have legislation, not influenced by the gun lobby, that addresses the plague of handguns in our streets. As a start, it is imperative that in Pennsylvania handgun purchases be limited to one per month.
The death and injury caused by guns are unacceptable and unnecessary. We must do all we can to stop the carnage.
Mike Felker
Philadelphia
I would tell Mr. Felker and his ilk "I am pro choice on the 2d Amendment. Nobody will force you to buy a gun".
Even if they did get rid of their guns, it wouldn't do normal citizens any good. These scum bags go to jail for a few years and work out everyday, think about how they got caught and talk with other criminals about crimes. When they get out they are more dangerous than when they went in. The public needs guns to protect themselves from these predators.
Guns are not making combat zones of our streets. Coddling gangs (urban terrorists) and criminals is. Allowing moral societal decay is.
Owning a gun is for self defense. Taking things into your own hands, accepting responsiblity to take care of yourself. THAT is at the heart of being an American.
Only the military and police need them!
The second amnedment is the recreation amendment. It exists to insure that future generations will be able to go hunting and target shooting. Everybody knows that.
What an ass! 99.98% of all LEGALY owned firearms are NEVER involved in a crime. So he wants to punish the 99.98%, what an ass.
And some of us who've defended ourselves against violence using guns do!
As a veteran, I want to see the dying stop.
I think God needs to make that decision. Dying happens.
...it is important that we have legislation, not influenced by the gun lobby,
Oh, please, no, do not listen to the millions of Americans who are pro-gun and belong to the NRA. They don't have the RIGHT to be heard!
it is imperative that in Pennsylvania handgun purchases be limited to one per month.
In a way, I'm for it as it creates a bottle-neck for guns to fall into criminal hands, but wouldn't a better way be to throw people in jail who buy guns to sell to criminals??
The death and injury caused by guns are unacceptable and unnecessary.
And how many people are saved by guns?
We must do all we can to stop the carnage.
And how many deaths are caused by automobile accidents, swimming pools and alcohol (let's pass a one beer a month law)?
Besides, we all know that criminals will snap to attention and obey the law for the first time in their lives.
"Hey, man, got some five-finger discounted Glocks here. Want a couple?"
"No way, bro. I already hit my quota for gun purchases this month."
If you believe gun laws will change the crime rate, you are either on the take, a fool or a lefty. All three are possible, of course.
You stop the dying by stopping liberalism, victimhood and crime
As a medic in the Marines (if in fact, you ever were such) you tried to save those injured by the Viet Cong and the NVA.
USMC may have taught you how to treat battle wounds, but it apparently didn't teach you how to think. Nor, apparently, did anyone else.
That was the first thought that went through my head, too. I've never even had the honor of performing military service, and I still know the titular difference.
Another liberal liar busted by their own ignorance.
Havoc in the rural communities? There are unpublicized aspects of Pennsylvania that I was unaware of.
Maybe he was treating VD cases ... ;')
I was hoping you were being sarcastic, ut it wasn't clear to me.
A walking cliche.
I am appalled that a "Doc" who once served with Marines in Vietnam would issue such a blatantly treasonous statement.
A statement that is in direct violation of his oath to uphold and defend the constitution of the United States against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic.
Great idea! Let's require all citizens to be trained in firearm use, and armed at all times. This would greatly reduce the carnage of criminals!
yeah, sure, we need more laws. its ALREADY easier to get a gun illegally than it is legally, and usually cheaper.
for example, to legally get a handgun, i have to fill out a request, wait 24 hours for it to be processed, take and pass a test, then take the permit to purchase to a notary, get it notarized, go fill out and submit a yellow form, THEN i get the gun. at which point i have to have the gun BACK to the police before the 10 day permit expires for a gun history check, and safety registration.
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