I read the Columbus Dispatch daily and the other day there was a letter to the editor about guns, gun control, and the lack of public outrage about gun deaths in this country.  Below is that letter as printed in it's entirety.

As I read Mr. Lybarger's letter I found that I agreed with absolutely everything he had to say. Almost 31,000 Americans die from guns every year!  Again, that's ten times the lives lost on 9/11 - every year!  This is NOT A PROBLEM? 

The Right to Bear Arms, you know, The 2nd Amendment

This is what every gun lover will remind you whenever any argument for gun control is made. The 2nd Amendment reads thusly;

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

A well regulated Militia? Do we have a well regulated Militia in the United States in 2009?

Not that I'm aware of.

We have the various arms of the military which includes the closest thing we have in the modern era to a Militia, the National Guard. Of course, we also have the police.  I have no issue with either of them bearing arms.

But, we're a bit more organized than we were back 1776, we really don't have a need for the citizen-soldier like we did back in the day. 

Not all would agree with that last statement, however.

Animal Slayers and Family Protectors

I admit I am familiar of that portion of the population that finds great joy in going out every year during the various hunting seasons and blasting as many small and medium size animals to smithereens as possible. They call it hunting and it's considered a sport by those that practice the ritual. 

I'm sure our cities would soon be overrun by rabbits, squirrel, turkeys, and God only knows what else if we did not allow these "sportsmen" to spend $35 per small critter in ammo, guns, special clothing, and gear to spare us all the over-population of whatever they're out to kill on that particular day. Some of these people also claim that they're putting meat on the table. You know, providing for their families, like the good old days. Davy Crockett and all.

"Aw, Thanks Pa, you killed me a coon! - Can't wait to dig into that tonight at supper."

Yeah, sure.  Yet, I have nothing against these "sportsmen".  They have a right to their fantasies just like anyone else.

Besides, you're not a real man unless you're packing!

Some have another fantasy too!

You see, many of these gun owners that get off hunting also own their weapons for the protection of themselves and their families.  They don't feel the police and/or the military can get the job done. As a matter of fact, many believe that it's those very forces supposedly engaged in the protection of the populace that are to be feared.

In many cases, they may well be right.

It seems that some form of police abuse is documented nearly every day somewhere. Still, I'd rather throw my lot in with those sworn to serve and paid to strap that pistol on their hips and put their lives on the line everyday than not. 

Again, I have no issue with sane, responsible adults having access to firearms for personal protection.  The problem is that many times it's junior, his sister and Mr. Macho's wife that end up eating the lead, not some imagined enemy.  You know the routine, you've read about it many times, heard it on the radio, seen it on TV. 

Guy systematically kills his entire family with an AK-47 automatic rifle (that he normally hunts rabbit with) then barricades himself in the house and does his damnedest to murder as many law officers as he possibly can before swallowing both barrels of his shotgun.  Sometimes we'll catch a break and he'll simply just blow himself away after finishing off the wife and kids.  You never know.

Guns Just Too Easy to Get

Every so often we get another sad story about some mass murder somewhere. 40 dead at some University, 10 killed here, whatever.  Despite what we call "gun laws" firearms and ammunition are ridiculously easy to get in this country.  Anyone can get anything.  And, not just rifles, shotguns, and other sport weapons.  Military and automatic weapons of all types are out there for sale.

In your town.  To anyone that has the money.  No questions asked.

If you don't believe that you are a fool.  I live in a small Midwestern town and would have no problem at all procuring any type of firearm I wanted short of a 50 caliber machine gun.

Does is Sound Like I'm a Gun Control Advocate?

Well, yeah, I would be if gun control wasn't such an outrageous and impossible dream.

We'll never be able to control guns in the US. I repeat - It will NEVER happen! The NRA and other pro gun factions are simply too powerful.  The clincher is when they remind you that "guns don't kill people, people kill people!"   

Here's another pro-gun slogan I've always loved - "I'll give up my gun—when they pry it from my cold, dead, hands"  I believe that Charlton Heston,  Hollywood actor whose specialty was portraying biblical figures and a 4 time NRA National Chairman adopted this pearl as his own.  Heston passed away in 2008 at the age of 84.

It is unknown if any guns had to be pried from his cold, dead hands at that time.

But back to the claim, "guns don't kill people, people kill people." That's probably true but try doing mass murder with kitchen knife. 

Besides, people just don't care. They're more caught up in the mindless drivel of their pathetic lives. "Oh, another 30 slaughtered?  My my, what a shame, somebody should do something about that!  Honey, is it time for Dancing With The Stars yet?" 

So, Mr. Lybarger, to answer the question posed by your letter

I do care, I am outraged.  But, none of us that do care, do remember the senseless dead, and are outraged can do anything about it. It's as American as apple pie to own a gun.  It's a basic right don't you know!  I have an uncle that has gone so far to obtain a concealed weapon permit!  Guess he wants to pack heat in fear of God knows what.  He's 70 years old.

My personal solution?  Just try to stay the hell out of the way!  My wife works in a public office in social services and I worry that some loony will stroll in there some day blasting away but if she can make just a few more months she'll be retired and out of there.

My father fought in World War II and was not one to talk about himself or his experiences during that time but he forbad firearms in our home.  I don't think he even allowed my brother and I toy guns when we were kids.  It was his personal statement about guns.  My brother and I have followed that tenet as neither of us has ever owned any type of firearm or allowed any to enter our homes.  And, we never will.

Sorry to say but I think that's the best we can do.