If Assault Is Illegal, Why Are Assault Weapons Not?

*originally published on 12/17/12*

I have no problem with guns.  I was raised in a house with guns.  When I was of a

reasonable age in the eyes of good old DaddyO (who was then probably in his late 40s), he took me out back, gave me a briefer, pointed me towards a target shaped like a man and my lesson began.  

He gave me quite a talking to about safety and taking care of myself in this jacked up world.  He told me that someday I'd have my own place and "Guns'll save your life if you ain't afraid to use 'em.  You hesitate and somebody'll take that thang away and use it on you.." 

This was the same conversation I had heard whispers of in the very early 80s after my grandpa, Barney had passed away.  Grandma was nervous having never lived alone and wanted a hand gun.  In that case, Dad was the final say and he deemed that grandma was safer without a gun than with one.

 

If Assault Is Illegal, Why Are Assault Weapons Not?

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I clearly recall the first night I was in my own home alone as a new bride with a potential intruder on the front patio.  It occurred to me right away that for the first time in my life I was in a house without a gun and might possibly need one.  I was clever enough to

advise the cat through the door that if that door so much as creaked I'd blow his f*cking head off, as I stood in the middle of the living room in my pajamas, knees not much more sturdy than spaghetti, holding a can of 25 foot shooting Raid, a lighter and keys.  My plan was that if he came through the door I would torch him ... or at least towards him ... and run out the back.  

This past Friday morning just after I had returned from some business out at WMOK, Mom texted, "school shooting...cnn".  I turned on the TV and clicked to CNN.  As the death toll began to rise I scooted back from my work and sat absolutely mortified, horrified and sickened.  

My heart was crushed for the parents who sent their precious kiddos to school Friday morning expecting to see them that night ... maybe with plans to put the Christmas tree up and bake cookies over the weekend.    Instead they've been through and will continue to go through .. the most horrifying trauma a parent could ever imagine.

Would a ban on assault weapons prevent mass shootings? 
It would not.  If someone's mentally damaged and they want to harm people they're going to do it - a ban on assault weapons would surely lower the death tolls.  My "personal gut feeling" on the topic? I feel that "the average person" DOES NOT need a gun that 'goes' rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-etc-etc-etc ... I think that there should absolutely be a ban on assault weapons.

Would taking away guns altogether prevent mass shootings?  
It would not.  Again, if someone's mentally damaged and they want to harm people they're going to do it - What THAT would do is take guns away from those who wish to hunt with them ((I'm not so much for killing Bambi, but I DO like the jerky and I respect one's right to hunt if they wish)) and take the guns away from those who wish to defend their home and family with them.

Criminals don't follow laws, so it would do nothing to hinder their access aside from turning all firearms into "a prohibited black market and whatnot" ... whiiiiiiiiiiich as we all know, only raises prices and creates more crime.  

I don't know exactly what the answer is, but I think out of respect for these people .. and these precious little kids that had their life snuffed out Friday morning we need to all be thinking about it.  I'm going to be "thinking about it" aloud here ... I encourage you to share your thoughts and think with me... but clearly, one main query at which I have arrived is - "If Assault is Illegal, Why Are Assault Weapons Not?"  I hope you'll start asking it yourself...

Have a Grand and Groovy Day!
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May Peace  surround you and be with you ...
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