C-pher said:
Oh, and I would love to see your letter, so I say post it here.
Done:
Mr Bailey,
It was with great interest that I read your column from November 30th, 2005.
I take issue with several of your points and would like to discuss them with you.
By the slant of your column I assume you are vehemently against guns and gun owners. Let me give you a quick idea of my background. I am a 31 year old white female, and yes, a gun owner. I follow the very rigid MA laws to their fullest extent. Because of my involvement and interaction with hundreds of other gun owners I know for a fact that I am the rule, not the exception.
Now my issues:
1) You said, "There were military sniper rifles and an M-16-type ''machine pistol" capable of firing off 100 rounds before reloading -- the kind of gun only an angry high school student could love."
Since the majority of us gun owners are not legally allowed to possess the fully automatic M-16 we have AR-15s. I have one upstairs right now. In a locked container, as required by law. It is a very enjoyable gun to shoot and I dare say, as possible as it is to love a thing, I love that rifle. I'm neither angry, nor in high school.
I imagine you have never shot an AR-15 so please allow me to extend the invitation. I am allowed to have guests at my gun club and since I am certified to be a firearms safety instructor I feel I am more than capable to assist you in your research. Which should include firing one of the guns you maligned.
2) You said, "It took Belair, a former prison guard, less than 20 minutes to fill out the federal forms and get approved over the phone. It took me longer to buy a refrigerator at Sears a few weeks ago."
I do hope that you removed the doors from your old refrigerator before disposing of it. Through ignorance, laziness or sheer stupidity people often leave refrigerator doors on their old appliances. They then become deathtraps for our innocent young. It just takes one simple game of hide and seek for true terror to ensue...
Point being that anything can become a "weapon" or an "implement of death" though we time and time again choose to vilify guns. Yes they can be used in wars and defense. Though of my hundreds of contacts only a handful have seen active duty. None of the others have used their guns in defense. The last thing I killed with my gun was a piece of target paper.
3) You said, "Massachusetts has the toughest gun laws in the nation, but the streets of Boston haven't felt this dangerous in years."
Have you done any research on crime in states and cities where gun ownership is not typically denied to the law-abiding citizen? I think you will be shocked to see that if criminals feel that their prey may be armed, they move along to an easier target. I think Boston is becoming that target, so why would you feel safe?
4) You said, "Dramatically reducing the flow of illegal guns would be a relatively straightforward matter if it were not for the lunatic gun lobby and its political enablers."
Where is the lunacy in protecting our freedom? It is specifically stated in the Second Amendment that we have the right to keep and bear arms. Though this column appears to me to be lunacy, it is your right, protected under the First Amendment, to publish it.
The stricter the laws the higher the amount of illegal sales. If guns become outlawed, they will still be found. Just now no decent citizens will be able to protect themselves against the criminals.
5) You said, "Question: How many legitimate buyers need more than a dozen guns a year?"
Answer: All of us! Serious and avid collectors and sportsmen alike need the freedom to do what they want. We are not villains, derelicts or lunatics. We are your next door neighbor, the woman you just passed on the street, the man behind you in line... We are law-abiding citizens pursuing our hobbies and interests.
How many record collectors need more than 12 albums a year? How many carpenters need more than 12 box cutters (the very same weapon that began the 9/11 attacks!) a year? Who am I to judge? Who are you?
In closing, I in all seriousness invite you to join me at the Massachusetts Rifle Association in Woburn, MA. I will neither intimidate nor attempt to offend you. I would like you to have the chance to experience the simple pleasure of shooting a gun. The hypnotic rhythm of firing and the feeling of accomplishment when you shoot well should be experienced. Consider it for the sake of research. Come talk to responsible gun owners; get a feel for the community before you become jury, judge and executioner.
With a little more research your writing can become fair, balanced, logical and intelligent.
Please respond via e-mail to my invitation. It is open ended.
Thank you,
Jennifer Scott
Melrose, MA
excellent!!!!
