Bad choice of words "Christian Platitude"? Although I would agree with all the other things, lets not confuse those who are Christians ok?
Certainly, Americans understand the desire of some to bear arms for protection of property and family, as interpreted under the Constitution.
However, to take those weapons into restaurants, public parks and public transportation is a bit much. The extreme right will argue the reason is for protection. So I ask you: When was the last time you were physically threatened at Red Lobster? Or experienced a life-threatening fear from Ruby Tuesday's salad bar?
Life is not meant to be lived in fear, nor is it meant to be that difficult. However, it appears that extreme conservatives with their Christian platitudes have forgotten the art of simple human courtesies -- treat others the way you want to be treated and live life well. Most importantly, "For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
So let us leave the weapons at home. Take them on hunting trips or to gun ranges, or carry them when the very real need presents itself. But remember that killing humans is a sin, even if it is an accident from a heated moment. Further, do not take weapons into restaurants where families, couples, singles and coworkers are there to have fun and enjoy. Do not take them to public parks where people go to relax, play with their pets, listen to music or just share a romantic moment.
While the Constitution gives us "the right to bear arms" the Declaration of Independence endows us with "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." So let us make sure that each one of these rights and privileges are honored and all citizens are respected.
Vicki Knox, Evans
Comments
Bad choice of words "Christian Platitude"? Although I would agree with all the other things, lets not confuse those who are Christians ok?
Don't have car insurance in areas where there aren't many accidents! For god's sake, don't protect yourself unless you are in a war zone. How on earth is Ms Knox affected of someone is armed in Red Lobster.....unless she attacks them? The hatred of the second amendment knows no bounds.
Luke 22:36 (the words of Jesus): "He said to them, 'But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'" Jesus was not opposed to the right of an individual to protect himself with lethal force. It's odd that the writer quotes 2 Timothy about fear but then uses her 300 words to express her fear of concealed weapons. The people she should fear are not those with concealed weapons permits but those who carry weapons illegally. That's the reason I have had my weapon with me every time I frequent Red Lobster or Ruby Tuesday. I have never brandished it nor ruined anyone's romantic moment. It is there for myself and peaceful people like Ms. Knox in case someone not so peaceful decides to do something stupid. I guarantee, if things turn deadly in one of those peaceful places, Ms. Knox will thank God that someone with a concealed weapon saved her life. Thankfully, it has not occured and we all pray it never does. Being ready is not asking for trouble it is just being ready for it.
The students at Virginia Tech had never known the need for protecting themselves and were unprepared to do so. Many lives were needlessly lost. Just because law abiding citizens aren't armed doesn't mean the lawless aren't. Vicki's letter displays a naivety way beyond fantasy. Being prepared is always the best insurance. Closing ones eyes doesn't qualify.
First you need to read the story of George Hennard and Luby's in Killeen Texas
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Hennard
Then the testimony of Suzanna Gratia Hupp
http://www.wmsa.net/gratia-hupp_1992.htm
Perhaps this will give Ms Knox a little perspective
How many times have resteraunts been robbed in the last few years? You never know when some kook is going to go off the deep end or decides they like your watch. Thats the point. No one with a weapons permit is going to start shooting the place up, but they just might be able to fight back when a bad guy shows up. It would be nice if our society was peaceful all the time like it is in Mz. Knox world, but unfortunately its not.
Ah, yes......"carry them when the very real need presents itself". What a wonderful piece of advice this is. And how simple life would be if we only knew "when the very real need would present itself". I would then arrange to be in a hospital emergency room at the very moment my impending heart attack began, I'd only pay for home insurance on the day it would burn down, only order auto insurance on the morning of my accident, only carry life preservers in my boat on the afternoon it was due to sink and only carry my weapon at the instant some drug addict criminal decided to murder my family!!!
THats right...and we don't need Medical equipment in places where people don't get sick...or we don't need Public Safety in places that aren't dangerous. We especially DON'T need government FREE MONEY programs for people who are able to work. Vicki, go back to baking cookies let mature people do the thinking.
Writer of above article, how many people have been raped, kidnapped, robbed, asaulted or murdered in public parks and other public places. How many people have been shot up in resturants or drive thrus? There are no safe places, not even your own home. Mam you need a reality check. Sounds like a far left obama supporter to me.
Sorry to disagree Vicki but some of the most violent mass killings have been in broad daylight where people go to relax and dine...The people who commit these acts will continue killing at will simply because no one was there to stop them..Most of the time the body count including the killer has sky-rocketed by the time the police have arrived...Good decent lawabiding people will use restraint under normal circumstances. Being allowed to carry a weapon, in my opinion, will just serve to help protect themselves, their families and in many cases innocents who were just in the criminals path....
Vicki must be on new meds
I saw a bumper sticker that said it best, "No One Ever Raped A 38"
I agree, Vicki. People get into fights and what do they do? They settle the arguments with guns, that is exactly what happens. For all of you who are critizing Mrs. Knox, you are the ones who are not mature. We have had far too many incidences of gun-toting people kill another human being because the the armed person was involved in a heated argument with the deceased, not because the deceased was committing a crime.
JesusIsComing has got it wrong. The purpose of the swords in Luke 22:36 was not self-defense. Luke 22:37 plainly states that the purpose of having the swords was to fulfill the prophecy in Isaiah 53:12 that Christ was to be seen as a law breaker. In fact, Jesus chastised Peter for acting in defense of Jesus. When Peter struck the High Priest's servant with his sword, Jesus healed the servant's ear. Please don't quote the Bible out of context to serve your own purposes.
willistontownsc, you are very correct that people with guns typically are the same people who kill people with guns....thanks for stating the obvious. Now, do some homework and learn the facts. It's the CRIMINALS who are the people who kill other human beings with guns whether it's for money, drugs, sex or purely for their sick enjoyment. The people Vicki has addressed this editorial to are the most law abiding citizens in our state and have a track record of good conduct, honesty, integrity and good citizenry well above the population of our state police forces. Get your facts straight and please learn to delineate between criminals and the good guys! It's time for you and others like Vicki to learn that the reports you hear on the news every day about criminals murdering people with guns are about CRIMINALS. We who have Georgia Firearms Licenses have a virtually unblemished historical record of good citizenry!
What some of you don't realize is the fact that law enforcement officers commit more crimes than Georgia Firearms License holders. I carry because I have a GFL and decide to do so. If people don't want to carry a firearm fine, but don't berate and belittle someone that does. I CHOOSE to protect myself and my family from the scum that seems to be taking over this country. I refuse to become a statistic on some police report and have to live with the fact that I didn't do everything in my power to save my family. And before you say it, I speak from personal experience that carrying a gun works.. remeber, GUNS SAVE LIVES!!!!
Who needs to quote the bible for self defense? How about just quoting the US constitution or the Ga constitution? Or the quotes of the Framers in regards to the 2nd amendment? Vicki Knox I will carry my firearm to peaceful places, because at anytime a criminal will ill-intent can make it into a unpeaceful place. "Chance favors the prepared mind". I guess chance is not in your favor.
The only issue I have about people carrying guns is that the background check is for "arrest records" not mental health issues. You could be a lunatic, with or without medical background indicating such and you will allowed to carry or possess a weapon. Until the gov't. can share info re: mental imbalance as well as arrest records- I don't beleive that this is a good thing, the kid in VA. had the legal authority to possess or carry a weapon and look what happened.
I think the ones that carry a gun with them (like the people posting on this board) would carry them regardless of the law. I know my Father carried his weapon everywhere he went long before this law went into effect. I felt better that he was carrying and I know he would handle himself acordingly if anything would've happened.
The shooter in Va was not a registered gun owner. He was an outlaw that shot unarmed people. The innocent were unable to protect or defend themselves because of the law.
I have never carried my firearm into a place that is off-limits by law. Then again I never goto a place that is prohibited by law except for when I am working.
carrying guns... i have very torn thoughts on this issue. I would just like to advise some people carrying items like this for protection, that it is more likely for it to be used against you. Women would be better off taking self defense courses, rather than toting around a knife or gun.
Why would women not be better off taking a self defense class on toting around a gun? ;]
How quick we forget...
Shooting at Academy Sports(http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/latest/lat_052308_FATALSHOOTING.shtml)
Grand China Buffet Armed Robbery(http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/19011654.html)
Both of these have been in the past few months and are in Augusta's "peaceful places"...
In Georgia you have to pass the background check, including mental, before you can legally carry a firearm. You are finger printed and ran through the FBI, GBI, and many other agencies.
Ok people look at the history. In places where people carry weapons legally crime is down, murders are down and the places are safer. It would take a true IDIOT to walk into a place to rob or assault someone knowing that any 25 people out of 100 could be carrying a weapon legally and know how to use it. If I intended to commit a robbery and knew that no one could legally carry a weapon I'd be very brave, but if I knew that it was legal for people to carry weapons concealed I'd find another location. Criminals are cowards with big egos on a power trip. Take away that power and they disappear.
Rocky if I had to face a woman who was empty handed or a woman who was holding a 38, I'd choose the empty handed one.
I think the self defense courses would benefit both male and female alike. The reality is most criminals attack from behind, there is no time to pull your weapon in self defense. Most victims can't identify the suspect b/c they never saw them...so what, when you get a chance, just randomly discharge your weapon, hoping you hit the nutcase?? As a passerby, who am I to determine which one is the victim or criminal when two men are in a brawl, so what do I do...hold my gun on both of them until the police arrives?? Yeah, watch the victim with the gun when you try to do that. Protect your home, your property, but on the streets, in public places like restaurants, arm your mind with awareness. By the way, my weapons are always in my cars and both myself and my wife have take courses on how to use them...I encourage all to do the same. So I'm all for carrying, but not everywhere.
How many restaurant customer have been robbed walking to or from their cars? This woman needs to stick to cookie baking.
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