An official state GUN? Really?? God save the official state BIRD.
Even with our nation's tendency towards xenophobia, it's not hard to imagine why the majority of the world sees us as a bunch of trigger-happy cowboys.
I should mention that I'm a multi-gun owner as well so my opinion isn't based upon any "anti-2nd Amendment" rhetoric.
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12:28 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Originally posted by Doni Hagan: Even with our nation's tendency towards xenophobia, it's not hard to imagine why the majority of the world sees us as a bunch of trigger-happy cowboys.
The world sees us as "trigger-happy cowboys" when they don't need our help, and well armed policemen when they do. Kuwait didn't have a problem with our cowboys when we liberated them from Saddam Hussein. France didn't have a problem with our cowboys when the U.S. and allies liberated them from Germany.
I stopped caring what the rest of the world thought a long time ago.
The world sees us as "trigger-happy cowboys" when they don't need our help, and well armed policemen when they do. Kuwait didn't have a problem with our cowboys when we liberated them from Saddam Hussein. France didn't have a problem with our cowboys when the U.S. and allies liberated them from Germany.
I stopped caring what the rest of the world thought a long time ago.
The world view of our Nations military versus the world view of its citizens is not a direct comparison. As a responsible gun owner myself, I feel that public impression is very important when it comes to making wise decisions regarding gun ownership, and the laws that allow me to own one. I fully support the right for U.S. Citizens to own guns, but I realize how important public opinion is to the people who support those rights at the governmental level.
Yesterday, after reading the article below posted on CNNs website, my wife and I discussed how incidents such as this don't look well for those of us wishing to protect our Second Amendment rights. It is another example of a dumbass gun owner, who is doing his part to sway public opinion against those of us that are responsible. Public opinion is very important. It may not matter so much what the rest of the world thinks, but when enough U.S. Citizens feel that gun owners are nothing more than "trigger-happy cowboys", the rights of gun ownership we currently have are bound to change. You may not like it, but that is how democracy works.
(CNN) -- Florida police are trying to figure out how a 5-year-old boy came into possession of a loaded handgun that he dropped inside a pre-kindergarten class.
A female pre-kindergarten teacher at Moseley Elementary School in Palatka was giving a music lesson Tuesday morning when she noticed the small, .22-caliber handgun fall out of the boy's pocket, Assistant Police Chief James Griffith said. The firearm did not go off, and no one was hurt.
But the boy, along with the gun, were promptly brought to school administrators. They alerted school security and police at 9:25 a.m., having determined that there was no immediate danger to the school, which is in Palatka in northeastern Florida.
"The boy is both initially a suspect in this thing, but also a victim," said Griffith. "This is very rare."
The boy told authorities that he found the firearm inside the vehicle that he had come to school in -- one which Griffith said belonged to the youngster's stepfather. Neither the boy nor stepfather have been named, the assistant chief said, in order to protect the identity of the child, who is a minor.
Police say they have no indication that the boy made any threats or showed the weapon to anyone during his 30 to 45 minutes in school before the incident.
"There was nothing that transpired, as far as threats, showing the weapon off, anything like that," Griffith said. "At this point, we are trying to determine where the child got the gun from, and if any adult was negligent in allowing him to gain access (to it)."
The student was immediately suspended and barred from coming on school grounds pending the outcome of the investigation, while the state's Department of Children and Families is also looking into the case.
Putnam County Schools Superintendent Tom Townsend told CNN affiliate WJXT that the problem extends well beyond the youngster.
"This isn't the fault of the 5-year-old," Townsend said. "Someone is responsible for leaving a gun where a 5-year-old can access it, and that's a tragedy and it's inexcusable."
The police investigation could take "anywhere from weeks to months," the assistant chief said, while authorities look at evidence and conduct interviews. The boy's youth isn't much of a complicating factor, with Griffith saying that he "seems intelligent (and is) able to communicate well."
"You're trying to verify their version of what occurred," Griffith said of the child and others central to the case. "Do we have any witnesses to back up what they're saying, those types of things."
While authorities are investigating the case as a serious matter, they're also thankful that it did not turn out worse.
"That's what you always worry about, when a child gets their hand on a gun and its loaded," Griffith said. "The chances of an accidental discharge and someone getting shot by accident -- it's not good."
I dont carry one but I have before. I carry a 40cal instead of a 45 though so. We had a Kimber 1911 that was nice. I think we are looking at the Night Hawk now.
I dont know why they were so upset over them deciding that they would carry a 1911? It was for their police not like they were handing them out on the street... people amuse me so
But then I guess they will find anything to gripe at...
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02:00 PM
PFF
System Bot
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Originally posted by KidO: The world view of our Nations military versus the world view of its citizens is not a direct comparison. As a responsible gun owner myself, I feel that public impression is very important when it comes to making wise decisions regarding gun ownership, and the laws that allow me to own one. I fully support the right for U.S. Citizens to own guns, but I realize how important public opinion is to the people who support those rights at the governmental level.
The world view of our Nation's military vs. the world view of it's citizens is not a direct comparison, but they both can be summed up as them not having much use or respect for either until they want something. Public opinion vs. world opinion are also not a direct comparison.
quote
Originally posted by KidO: Yesterday, after reading the article below posted on CNNs website, my wife and I discussed how incidents such as this don't look well for those of us wishing to protect our Second Amendment rights. It is another example of a dumbass gun owner, who is doing his part to sway public opinion against those of us that are responsible. Public opinion is very important. It may not matter so much what the rest of the world thinks, but when enough U.S. Citizens feel that gun owners are nothing more than "trigger-happy cowboys", the rights of gun ownership we currently have are bound to change. You may not like it, but that is how democracy works.
I agree. My original comment had nothing to do with U.S. popular opinion.
An official state GUN? Really?? God save the official state BIRD.
Even with our nation's tendency towards xenophobia, it's not hard to imagine why the majority of the world sees us as a bunch of trigger-happy cowboys.
I should mention that I'm a multi-gun owner as well so my opinion isn't based upon any "anti-2nd Amendment" rhetoric.
Personally i don't care what the rest of the world thinks about us.
I would suggest one not confuse hatred with disregard, disrespect or disdain.
In any dis-appropriate measure, of course.
I don't confuse those too often. I have confused them before obviously.
I know I though you had said I was a racist before, and you corrected me. Then I thought you had said that we all hate Muslims, and you corrected me.
Now I hear you saying you don't like the same actions in this country that allowed you to get to the status that you are at now. At least that's how I am reading this.
I don't confuse those too often. I have confused them before obviously.
I know I though you had said I was a racist before, and you corrected me. Then I thought you had said that we all hate Muslims, and you corrected me.
Now I hear you saying you don't like the same actions in this country that allowed you to get to the status that you are at now. At least that's how I am reading this.
Brad
Well, Brad, all I can reply to that is "interpretation is relative to the individual."
I'm sorry you feel that way.
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07:19 PM
PFF
System Bot
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
Originally posted by KidO: . . . It is another example of a dumbass gun owner, who is doing his part to sway public opinion against those of us that are responsible. Public opinion is very important. . . .
OTOH, how many people will remember this story in a week? Does anyone who lives in Utah know what the official state anything is, or care? Not many, I'd guess.
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09:16 PM
craigsfiero2007 Member
Posts: 3979 From: Livermore, ME Registered: Aug 2007
Pretty Cool to have an Official State Gun, good choice too, nice weapon. I would have to agree with FIEROPHREK, it is sexy in Stainless!
I hate that in the article they mention the shootings that happened, they are just fueling the anti-second amendment groups. People Kill People! Not Guns! I take Weapon Safety seriously.
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09:37 PM
Formula88 Member
Posts: 53788 From: Raleigh NC Registered: Jan 2001
I hate that in the article they mention the shootings that happened, they are just fueling the anti-second amendment groups. People Kill People! Not Guns! I take Weapon Safety seriously.
Well, the article is more about the outrage at Utah naming an official gun than the naming itself. If they weren't talking about the outrage, I doubt it would have been considered newsworthy.
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09:48 PM
craigsfiero2007 Member
Posts: 3979 From: Livermore, ME Registered: Aug 2007
Well, the article is more about the outrage at Utah naming an official gun than the naming itself. If they weren't talking about the outrage, I doubt it would have been considered newsworthy.
You make a good point Sir! We will send all of the Anti-Second Amendment Groups to Afghanistan without any kind of weapon, see how far they make it.
OTOH, how many people will remember this story in a week? Does anyone who lives in Utah know what the official state anything is, or care? Not many, I'd guess.
I've looked things up. The one I find the funniest is our state bird... The California Gull .
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10:25 PM
Jan 29th, 2011
hairballrm Member
Posts: 768 From: Philomath Oregon USA Registered: Nov 2009
We have always had state birds, state flowers, state rocks? Whatever.... Sounds like politicians with too much time on their hands.
I have only owned one handgun, for the last 25 years. Colt, Series 80 government model 45 acp. Had a Pacaderm grip the whole time. Got a compensator bushing a decade ago, bulky but works.
Wasn't one of the reasons that Japan didn't continue further and invade Hawaii and the US was because of our armed citizens?
quote
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto - “You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass.”
If I had my way about it, it would still be that way. A country with pride in who we are, and the want to protect it at all costs regardless of whether you're in the Armed Services or not. Screw the rest of the world, I take pride in my country and will defend to the death our freedoms.
Back on topic: I wish Indiana would name a state gun. Hell, I think they all should.
Me too. One day when I'm no longer a poor college student I will have a nice 1911. I have my eye on either a Kimber or a Colt.
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