I was dismayed by a local news report last night declaring yesterday "National Ask Day."  The report explained that parents across the Nation were committing to ask neighbors and friends if they had guns in their homes before allowing their children to visit.  The report did not mention safe storage, but seemed to imply that gun ownership in itself was a danger to your children.  I wanted to share this story and my response to it.  

You can read more about the report at my local newstation's webpage: [url]http://www.wtvr.com/Global/story.asp?S=442161[/url]

This propoganda stunt is sponsored by PAX ([url]http://www.askingsaveskids.com/[/url]) and  the American Academy of Pediatrics.  We should tell them how we feel about their political meddling, false statements and irresponsibility to our children's REAL safety.  

Following is my response:

I am writing to comment about your report on "National Ask Day" on August 20th.  I saw this story on the 6:00 news, and was very disappointed in WTVR's willingness to step into the political arena rather than simply reporting news.  Your report cites facts taken directly from anti-gun propaganda which has repeatedly been proven untrue.  Further, your willingness to advance "politically correct" thinking such as this promotes it's misleading effect on the public.  The truth is that crime and accidents have dropped over the past century even though firearms ownership has consistently increased.  

Your report suggests parents ask neighbors if they have guns before allowing their child to visit.  The implication is that possessing a firearm makes you a liability, possibly a danger to children.  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Although we often forget how this Countries' Freedom was won by a few brave men with rifles, we cannot change history.  In fact, America exists today because firearms preserved freedom in this great land and others.  Yet I will go a step further and point out that GUNS SAVE LIVES in America - even today.  I am here today because I took responsibility for my own well-being and carried a firearm.  You see, a house with a gun is a safe home.  It is not at the mercy of some madman with a vendetta like the events in California yesterday (a State with one of the tightest gun control in the Nation).  It is not at the mercy of intruders or other threats.  A home with a gun is a responsible home.  Guns deter crime.  States with high gun control laws (such as DC where guns are not allowed) have much higher crime rates.  States that encourage firearms ownership (such as Virginia) enjoy some of the lowest crime in the Nation.  Aren't you promoting crime and violence by discouraging the legal ownership of firearms?  

In response to your report and the PAX effort, I am beginning "National Tell Day."  Let me be the first to say that I am proud I have guns in my home.  My daughter is safer because of it.  My wife is not at the whim of a rapist or intruder.  Her Glock 30 ensures her ability to defend herself.  I have many guns.  I am a responsible husband, father and neighbor.  I deter crime.  I protect my family.  My firearms ownership ensures this Countries' Freedom.  Virginia has a long history of gun ownership.  In 1658 Virginia required every household to have a functioning firearm.  Your suggestion that a firearm in a home is a danger is preposterous - nothing could be farther from the truth.  

You see, life is precious.  The State of Virginia recognizes your right and duty to defend life by carrying firearms.  The State of Virginia understands that firearms in the hands of lawful citizen's promotes peace and safety.  Yes, I will ask if neighbors have guns before my children visit them.  I hope they do, for my children are safer.  Your story promotes irresponsible parenthood, citizenship and thinking.  Rather than promote feel-good "for the children" reports that actually place our Nation's children and Freedom in jeopardy, your organization should point out the more accurate and historically-supported approach - GUNS SAVE LIVES.

Your answer kind of takes the fun out of "National Tell Day!"  Kind of brings up the whole don't ask don't tell thing, though :)

Businesses in my neighborhood have been posting a sign in their windows.  It has a pictue of a revolver, and says:

"$500.00 reward for information about the location of any illegal or unregistered handguns, blah, blah..."

I've been thinking of making some signs that look similar, but say:

"$500.00 reward for information about the location of any communists or communist sympathizers, blah, blah...."

See who complains.

I sent them another one, thanks Black Fox!

Date line USA....... Day after  National Ask Day is National don't ask or I'll shot your ass day.[X]

Thanks guys.  My problem with the TV station in particular is that they NEVER addressed safe storage - merely the fact that someone owned guns.  This movement brands all gun owners as a threat to the community, plain and simple.  THAT is exactly what we are battling.  This is not about safe storage - it's about demonizing gun owners.  If the people of this Nation view us as a threat, our gov't will be free to pass all the gun control they want.  

Honestly, I have no problem if people ask me if my firearms are secured when their kids come over.  Basically, that person is putting their child's welfare in your hands while they're at your house and trusting you to be responsible.  I would also hope they would ask if I leave alcohol laying around, my car keys in the ignition of my vehicle, have a cover over my pool, etc. (rather than just picking the politically-correct one).  I've honestly never had anyone ask at all.  

Love the jeep, GS.  I've got to get a jeep mount for my 1919 - that looks like too much fun!!

    Black Fox

If some jackass ask you that question, ask them the most privacy invading, offensive question you can think of and see how they like it.

"Do you have porno tapes in your house?"
"Do you have dirty magazines?"
"Do you keep your drugs, excuse me, medicine in an unlocked cabinet?"
"Does you have sex toys and if so are they out of reach of the children?"

"I don't want any of my children exposed to that stuff?"

You see what I'm saying.  Let them get a taste of their own medicine if they're stupid enough to buy this crap.

I'd put up the following:

"$5.00 reward for information about the firms that post rewards for handgun snitches...."  Next, a public listing among NY shooters and a boycott would be in order.

Oh, and this may raise some eyebrows:

"$500.00 reward for information about the location of any illegal or unregistered _____."

Fill in the blank.  Putting "Gays and Lesbians," "Jews," "AIDS patients," "Illegal Immigrants," or whatever in there should do the trick and may even draw media attention.

You'll get a lot of anger from people believing that you're a recist, homophobe, etc.  But, when the media arrives to question you, make sure to mention that the Nazi's gained power by taking a class of people and getting the general public to perceive them as less than human.  Then, go on to question whether or not those handgun signs are making firearms owners into a "sub-human class" and that your sign should be "a wake-up call" that the state is becoming tolitarian and.................

Basically, use their tactics against them.

No one has to ask me if I own any guns, because I've never made it a point to hide them.  I go shooting often and can be seen loading the gun cases and other stuff into the trunk of my car.  I also clean my guns outside on the second story balcony of the house in full view of my neighbors.

My next door neighbor is a cop, so I know he's armed.  Furthermore, we show off our collections or new pieces as we get them.  Just Friday I brought my AR-15 over to his house and showed it to him, as well as my SW99.  And my wife and I have watched his kids before, as well as had our daughter play at his house.  He keeps his guns put up and I do the same.

So anyone who wants to know if I have guns only needs to look at the NRA sticker on my car to know.

God Bless Texas

Don't expect a response to that letter.  I'm just waiting for "National Kill A Politician Day" or maybe "National Kill A TV News Asshole Day"

yes please

didn't have much to add until i read the NRA alert on this topic.

[url]www.post-gazette.com/lifestyle/20010818ask0818lnp1.asp[/url]

an excerpt from the article:


does this mean that it's a waste of time to teach our children "Stop! Drop! and Roll!" or "Just Say No!" or "Don't talk to or go with strangers" or "Dial 9-1-1!"  because it requires "too much" responsibility on the part of the child to protect him/herself?????????

also, while i am not an opponent [i]per se[/i] of asking if weapons are in the house, i think the focus should be less on whether they're there and more on whether they're stored safely/properly.  also, as it currently stands, this policy takes away all responsibility on the part of the parents and the children to learn gun safety  and know how to handle a situation involving a firearm, should one occur.  shielding junior his entire life from firearms is only going to...

a) increase his interest in them.  they're a mystery after all

b) result in his death or severe injury because he didn't know basic gun safety rules and ASSUMED the gun was unloaded.

c) turn him into a scared little boy that always runs to momma when these bad things appear around him.

of course, that last one is probably an actual goal, either of the government or momma herself.

yet another battle front to fight in this war against our rights.  grrrrrrrrrrrr  [:(!]

Mute, that's nice!!

I'll remember that one...