I lament the times at 13 years old when I could take my single shot .22, and put it across the handlebars of my bicycle, and ride to the river with some buddies for an afternoon of shooting.
Not gonna happen now.
First deer taken was hung in the front yard from a tree. Not many deer in those days, and folks would drive by, and come back later with their kids to take a picture. In those days you could be proud of being a gun owner/hunter.
Not happening now.
So, what changed the publics opinion of gun owners? Was it gun owners themselves, criminals, politicians, or the media?
Now, I'm advised by the wildlife department to cover any game taken so its not in view of the public. Blood/dead animals are not acceptable to the general public.
There have been mass killings throughout history, using everything from clubs, knives, guns or whatever. Have these been caused by the weapons?
Current FBI stats say that baseball bats are the #1 killer other than guns. ( I have that report, and will post it when I can find it. ) I have a "slugger" in the closet by my front door.
I'm not seeing any legislation to outlaw baseball bats.
Politicans only respond to what will get them re-elected. There are a few that term limit themselves, but thats almost unheard of.
So what is it that drives Politicans and a large block of citizens to want gun control?
JMHO, its the media. As society becomes more locked into 24/7 instant access to all of the information they can absorb, they develop opinions based on what they see and hear from the media. Young children are exposed to what the media reports, and their teachers are getting the same. Copy cats wanting infamy in their death choose to follow the path of those before them are doing the same thing.
How many times have you heard from the national media about a crime stopped by an armed citizen? In gun friendly states, you do hear of this on occasion,but in the major metro areas where the news media controlls the networks, they only report the negative crime rates and never the armed citizen taking care of their family.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local_news/article/Two-wounded-in-theater-shooting-4122668.php#ixzz2GOP72zBX
Folks that live in crime ridden areas that fear gangs with guns, and only hear of the dangers of guns, never the benefits of guns don't know the difference, and at times I can understand why they feel that way. Its the lack of education about guns/gun owners.
They fear the gun as a tool to be used against them by criminals. Laws in their city's prohibit individual gun ownership, so they are at the mercy of guns/criminals.
They don't see the benefits of guns we do to defend ourselves and our families, as "The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort,
to protect themselves against tyranny in government - Thomas Jefferson"
How we correct this, I'm not sure. All I know is that we can't quit trying. If I have to cover a deer, or cover a firearm, I'm not comfortable with that, but how do we change a large portion of this country's attitude? We have done a poor job so far, as we continue to fall into the abyss.
