From: altheimm@nextnet.csus.edu (Murray Altheim)
Subject: Re: the US elections...
Organization: California State University Sacramento
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1992 02:37:33 GMT

In article <1228@abb-sc.abb-sc.COM> ksm@abb-sc.abb-sc.com (Ashley) writes:
>>(Murray Altheim) writes:

[I responded to a defense of owning assault and automatic weapons, which
 stated that the poster felt the need to be able to stand up to the US
 government...]

>>IMHO, the only reasons for owning a gun in the United States are for home 
>>and personal protection, target and sport shooting, and hunting. Anyone
>>who thinks they can stand up to the might of the entire US police and
>>military establishment is delusionary.
>> 
>>Blessings,
>> 
>>Murray
>
>	Your words have moved me to write, Murray. There's no real 
>conclusion I want to make here, just to let those who wonder know what it 
>feels like to be a new handgun owner.
>
>	I just got a handgun. It doesn't feel good. It feels creepy. And it 
>made me think of all the people I have known who owned guns like the one I 
>have. Guns that where designed for no other purpose than to kill people.
>
>	I knew a survivalist type who had all sorts of weapons, some leagal, 
>some not. He seemed to be perpetually angry. All those weapons. It really 
>made me feel really edgy. He was always angry at someone and convinced 
>someone was out to get him. He had a lot of guns. I'm glad I don't know him 
>anymore.

[...]
>	Now I own a handgun. I look down at the piece of cold metal and 
>rubber resting uncomfortably in my hand and I feel sick. This thing was 
>made for the express purpose of killing human beings. I don't like it. I 
>don't like it at all. But the other night the police gunned down a man who 
>was out of his mind on drugs and very well armed just a few blocks from 
>where I live. It's a dangerous world out there, and it keeps getting 
>smaller all the time. I own a handgun. I don't like it, but I own a 
>handgun.
>
>
>			- Ashley

My condolences, Ashley. I don't look forward to the day I feel the need to
buy a gun, and I admit I see that day sometime in the future. I actually
have always admired pistols from an aesthetic point of view, both from
their sculptural strength and their immense power-per-ounce. But the 
thought of actually owning one, or firing one at another person, frightens
me because I can also see that day in the future. At least as a possibility,
if not probability.

Now I'm sure there is some gun owner out there saying to himself (and I am
being gender-specific), "what a wimp!" or "Christ, I've owned guns all my
life and I'm a responsible gun owner, etc." ad nauseum. Yes, I know all the
arguments, and I'm a pretty good shot with a rifle (I grew up around 
Canadian ranchers with plenty of guns), but, 

Owning a handgun in the city is for one real purpose: shooting people. Yes,
we can all talk about sport shooting, etc., but it all comes down to 
shooting people. If it was just sport shooting, then I suggest we change
all the legislation to force pistol owners to leave their guns in storage
at the pistol range. Do I hear the hackles rise on gun owner's necks?

Shooting people. What pistols were designed for. Yes, Ashley, a pretty
ugly thought.

Blessings,

Murray

-- 
Murray M. Altheim      "Ils ont l'orteil de Bouc, & d'un Chevreil l'oreille,
Instructional Consultant    La corne d'un Chamois, & la face vermeille
CSU, Sacramento          Comme un rouge Croissant: & dancent toute nuict
altheimm@csus.edu       Dedans un carrefour, ou pres d'une eau qui bruict."
From: radzy@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (Lynne Radzykewycz)
Date: Thu, 29 Oct 1992 21:50:30 GMT
Subject: Re: "Are you ready for the Rapture?"
Organization: the HP Corporate notes server