What is your name?
Mike
Where were you born, how where you raised?
South Carolina. Spent time in the country when with my dad, time in the city when with my mom. Was taught to value life, and was (unfortunatly) raised Christian, though I have since broken from the mold to decide my own morals.
What do you do for a living?
Electronics Technician, US Navy
Have guns played any significant part in your life? (hunting, shooting, ever get shot? friend get shot?)
I can't remember a time when I couldn't shoot a rifle growing up. I was taught how to shoot at a very young age, and have great respect for firearms and how to use the safely. I had several friends shot when growing up. 1 was shot to death by some kids who had just found a handgun and wanted to kill someone (this was when I lived in the projects), and the other was a friend who was shot close range with a shotgun in a gang related shooting, though it only clipped his shoulder and he lived. Being in the military I also handle various types of guns very frequently, from 9mm handguns, shotguns, assault rifles, up to M-60's and .50 cal machine guns.
How has this experience affected your view of guns?
It showed me that guns aren't the problem, its restricting access of guns to the right people. I have used and seen guns used thousands of times with no incidents because things were done properly and not carelessly.
In context of this experience, do you believe we should restrict access to guns?
Doing background checks to keep guns out of the hands of violent criminals and mentally unstable people is a great idea. Current gun laws need to be enforced to a greater degree, with much stricter penalties inflicted upon those who commit crimes using guns. Guns also shouldn't be banned over physical features like a pistol grip or folding stock. Banning guns because they look scary is stupid.
Why or why not?
Because guns aren't the problem, the dumb people with guns are.
Do you have any proof to reinforce your claims?
Plenty of incidents out there to quote, as already shown by some of our posters.
Final question, what's for dinner tonight?
Pizza
