Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-10-12
CARELEss USE OF WEAPONS,

In sensible article on the frequency of
accidental killing with guns and pistols in
the hands of children or inexperienced
adults, or in the excitement of "hurry,"
and under the attacks of fear, the San
Francisco Aka suggests that it viii be wise
for the people to disarm, to the extent at
least of keeping firearms in the household
under lock and key, controlled by the
heads of the house There can be no cues
ton whatever that the recklessness with
which we permit firearms to be used is
not only disgraceful to our reputation as
civilized and reasonably cautious people,
but it is bringing reproach upon Ameri-
cans as a class. 1t suggests the thought
that it may be necessary, to prevent the
exposure of the lives and bodies of the
people to the careless use Of such arms
to set up barriers TO the free sale of weap-
ons of that kind, and to make some more
stringent law than that against carrying
concealed weapons, and which, by the way,
is defantly disregarded by the very class
against whom it should be most rigidly
enforced. We concur in the remarks of
our contemporary when it says:
The carrying of weapons habtually on the
person is deSpicsble. Having them around the
house is dangerous, and this eowardce and
carelessness continually furnish reasons for a
general disarmiug. The Rev. Mr.. Pentecost re-
Gently went TO great extremes in telling what he
would do If he should find a burglar in his
house. But after all, be was leading thought in
q wiser direction than il he had advised the use
of weapons Burglars enter house sober and
alert, and armed. They ale ready tor emergen-
cies, and resistance By weapons usually ends in
harm to the resistant. AS modern methods go,
there is not often such properly stea able in 2
house as a man should risk his life for. aud
keeping an arsenal on hand for robbers, simply
prepares means of accident Or death to mem
bers of the family. We by no means discour-
age knowledge of the use of firearms, but there
is proper and improper use. The need is fol
encouragement of the idea that they are TO be
Kept and used as a means OF personal defense or
offense. If boy have a taste for target shoot
ing or for hunting, either with rifle or shot
gun, its proper indulgence should not be denied
to him when he reaches the age of judgment
The chase is manly and induces outdoor life,
and the skilled eye and steady nerve required
for excellence in target practice may be properly
made so desirable as 10 serve as an inducement
to abstinence from vicious indulgence in harm
full appetites which blear the vision and I'M
steady the hand But the huntsman's rife or
lowing piece and the target gun should never
be kept in house except under lock and key
controlled by the parents or the head of the
house, and they should never come into il
loaded nor should they be inferior arms The
breech- loading guns can be made harmless by
removing the shells, and they should always be
handled as if the shells were not removed
Under these proper conditions can be furnished
all the opportunities required TO satisfy the de-
sire for burning powder and for training 70 the
skilled use OF firearms 1t is better than pokiug
billiard balls with a hickory stick but it should
not be permitted to assume the form of using
arms TO defend or offend in personal encounters.