Guns

[karlhenning]

I can understand, accept and respect that Gurn.

Aye, Gurn's approach is much more reasonable than the bumper sticker I saw today:

I'll keep my guns, my freedom, and my money. You can keep the "change."

(The other bumper sticker on this SUV read:)

Don't mess with Texas.

The SUV bore Massachusetts plates, FWIW.

[ChamberNut]

Karl, perhaps the thread could be renamed "Gurns' Guns" ?

[ChamberNut]

I live well out in the wild. One never knows what will be on the front porch in the morning...

Darn.....there goes my plan for showing up next Friday on your doorstep in a large rodent costume. 

[WI Dan]

What is this obsession with America (United States) and guns?  It's really mind boggling.

Our obsession isn't with guns, CNut.  Our obsession is with "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".  

Our forefathers fought against a tyrannical government (in the Revolutionary War) in order to secure those things for themselves, for their families, and for future generations of Americans.  We, as a nation, are greatly in their debt, and we aim to hold on to those liberties.  An unarmed citizenry can not realistically hope to do that.



"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
- Thomas Jefferson


“Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe.  The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any bands of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States.”
- Noah Webster


"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the people's liberty teeth keystone... the rifle and the pistol are equally indispensable... more than 99% of them by their silence indicate that they are in safe and sane hands. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference. When firearms go, all goes, we need them every hour."
- George Washington


"Those who would give up essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."
- Ben Franklin


"Arms in the hands of citizens (may) be used at individual discretion...in private self-defense..."
- John Adams


"To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them..."
- Richard Henry Lee


"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing."
- Edmund Burke

Edited to correct my first sentence. 
(Replaced "freedom" with "life", although "life, liberty and property" would work just as well.)

[WI Dan]

Like 'em? Don't like 'em? Own one? What's it for? Fighting off Indians?

I own several, my wife owns several, and each of my kids owns several, so I guess you could say that we like 'em.

Some are for self-defense, some are for hunting, and some are just for fun.

I've been a state-certified Hunter Safety Education instructor for more than 20 years.  My wife and I have both done some competitive big-bore handgun silhouette shooting, trap shooting and muzzle-loading rifle shooting.  We gave up those games when the kids came along, but hunting has been a family tradition for several generations, and continues to be.  The whole family enjoys fresh venison, turkey and grouse, not to mention fresh-caught walleye, perch, trout, etc.. 

Ain't fit no Injuns, though.  We seem to get along.   

[DavidW]

not to mention fresh-caught walleye, perch, trout, etc.. 

You're an excellent shot.

[WI Dan]

You're an excellent shot.

The trick is to use enough gun.    

[karlhenning]

Our obsession isn't with guns, CNut.  Our obsession is with "freedom, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".

"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," reads one way.  The following reads quite another:

I'll keep my guns, my freedom, and my money.

[WI Dan]

"Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," reads one way.  The following reads quite another:

I'll keep my guns, my freedom, and my money.

Well, my thrust is non-partisan, because both major political parties make me sick.
Is that what you mean?

(However, .. I, too, would like to keep my guns, and my freedom, and my money.) 

[Gurn Blanston]

I can understand, accept and respect that Gurn.

Thanks, Ray. I know we have no disagreement. And even though I am one who considers guns to be useful tools and I take pride in being rather accomplished with mine, that doesn't make me uninhibitedly pro-gun. I never take my guns to town, for example. And I still can't, for the life of me, figure why the people who live in cities need guns, when in fact many have more and bigger guns than I do!   Here is the much-trumpeted Second Amendment:

"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."

Now, right off the bat the pro-gunners lose me, because the only well-regulated militia we have is the National Guard. My real concern is that in regulating what goes on for the majority who have no need of guns, the minority such as myself and others who live in the countryside and use guns as legitimate tools will be equally hampered. There has to be some compromise in regulation that takes into account that one cannot generalize about legitimacy, and until that comes about, guns are here to stay.



----------------
Listening to:
Northern Sinfonia \ Hickox - Op 125 Symphony #9 in d 2nd mvmt - Molto vivace

[MN Dave]

Isn't "Gurn, Don't Take Your Gun To Town" a country song?

[Gurn Blanston]

Isn't "Gurn, Don't Take Your Gun To Town" a country song?

Sounds like it oughtta be.



----------------
Listening to:
Northern Sinfonia \ Hickox - Op 125 Symphony #9 in d 3rd mvmt - Adagio molto e cantabile

[karlhenning]

Isn't "Gurn, Don't Take Your Gun To Town" a country song?

No; it's going to be a trio for flute, clarinet & piano.

[Gurn Blanston]

No; it's going to be a trio for flute, clarinet & piano.

in d minor...



----------------
Listening to:
Franz Schubert - Frans Bruggen - Symphony #6 4. Allegro

[karlhenning]

in d minor...

Yes!  That gives the clarinet flexibility . . . clarinet in B-flat would read the key of e minor, clarinet in A would read f minor . . . .

[Gurn Blanston]

Yes!  That gives the clarinet flexibility . . . clarinet in B-flat would read the key of e minor, clarinet in A would read f minor . . . .

Well, go with the Bb, since we will be playing in the chalumeau register in the refrain...



----------------
Listening to:
Schubert, Symphony No. 6 in C, D. 589 - Adagio - Allegro

[secondwind]

Darn.....there goes my plan for showing up next Friday on your doorstep in a large rodent costume. 

Just don't forget, under the rodent costume, to wear your body armor and bullet proof underwear.  For self defense, take a clarinet--it can be lethal in the wrong/right hands (and so far, doesn't require a permit)!

[karlhenning]

For self defense, take a clarinet--it can be lethal in the wrong/right hands (and so far, doesn't require a permit)!

I shall keep friends with you, lady!

[Florestan]

Our obsession isn't with guns, CNut.  Our obsession is with "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".  

Our forefathers fought against a tyrannical government (in the Revolutionary War) in order to secure those things for themselves, for their families, and for future generations of Americans.  We, as a nation, are greatly in their debt, and we aim to hold on to those liberties.  An unarmed citizenry can not realistically hope to do that.



"No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms."
- Thomas Jefferson


"Before a standing army can rule, the people must be disarmed; as they are in almost every kingdom of Europe.  The supreme power in America cannot enforce unjust laws by the sword; because the whole body of the people are armed, and constitute a force superior to any bands of regular troops that can be, on any pretense, raised in the United States."
- Noah Webster


"Firearms stand next in importance to the Constitution itself. They are the people's liberty teeth keystone... the rifle and the pistol are equally indispensable... more than 99% of them by their silence indicate that they are in safe and sane hands. The very atmosphere of firearms everywhere restrains evil interference. When firearms go, all goes, we need them every hour."
- George Washington


"Arms in the hands of citizens (may) be used at individual discretion...in private self-defense..."
- John Adams


"To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them..."
- Richard Henry Lee

These are fine words but unfortunately they are outdated. Do you really think that, with today's ultra-sophisticated means of control, surveillance and coercion, is there any government on the face of the Earth, US included, that really fear a bunch of armed citizens bent on resistance?

[DavidW]

These are fine words but unfortunately they are outdated. Do you really think that, with today's ultra-sophisticated means of control, surveillance and coercion, is there any government on the face of the Earth, US included, that really fear a bunch of armed citizens bent on resistance?

Highly disagree, these "ultra-sophisticated" methods are ineffectual.  The Taliban has mostly retaken Afghanistan back, and since we are the invaders they are the resistance.