Posted by Hogryder on April 22, 2000 at 05:43:56:
In Reply to: Disgusting posted by Linnette on April 22, 2000 at 03:56:54:
Columbine was a tragedy but why do you blame the guns? When a drunk driver mows down 15 people at a bus stop do you blame his Chevy? A gun is merely a tool and any tool can be misused. Why do you want to take away my right to possess a firearm? Because someone else broke dozens of existing laws? Why do the three cities in this country with the most restrictions on gun ownership (New York, Chicago, L.A.) have the highest crime rates? Australia made private ownership of handguns illegal and confiscated all handguns and most rifles and shotguns. Why did their crime rate go up in all catagories? Murders. Rapes. Assaults. Even murders and assaults with guns. For some reason only the law abiding citizens turned in their weapons, not the criminals.
If you don't want to own a firearm, that's just fine. I hope nothing ever happens to you. But don't take away my right to own one. Our founding fathers were very intelligent men and they placed a great deal of importance on the right to bear arms. It's the last line of defense against a tyranical government.
I doubt I'll ever change your mind. I know you won't change mine. I can still respect you as a person and will be happy to ride with you if we ever meet up.
Ride Free