I am a big fan of the right to bear arms. It's in the Constitution; it's the law of the land. Besides, it's a damn fine idea. Like Heinlein said, an armed society is a polite society. However, I don't personally own a firearm. Sounds like a contradiction, doesn't it? Let me explain.
Anyone who comes here probably knows what The Better Half and I do. If not, I suggest you read some of the older entries here. Go ahead -- I'll be here when you get back. As you noticed, we foster special needs children and have adopted four as our own. Those children are getting older now, and unfortunately a couple of them still seem to have a hard time differentiating between the real world and the world they see on TV and video games. Let me ask you - if you had children like that in your home, would you take the chance of keeping a handgun around where one of them might find it and use it? If you had any sense, no you wouldn't. And don't tell me to just keep it locked up in a gun safe. You don't know these children; they could break into Fort Knox given half a chance.
Bottom line, I don't dare keep a gun in my house. (And The Better Half is dead set against them anyway. Weird, considering she's a veteran.) However, once the kids get out on their own, and if I'm still around when that miracle happens, I fully intend to get a handgun at least, maybe even a rifle. I used to shoot with my father at the range when I was much younger, and I really enjoyed it. One day I will again.
Labels: Gun Ownership