GUNS

 I was born a true country boy, raised way back in the sticks as some would say. I had a gun in my hands when I was about five years old. I spent many hours shooting at targets and tin cans. I was taught from the first time that I held that gun that I was to point it at no one. My father was very strict about that and I soon learned that it was something that I would never forget. We had no close neighbors. I grew up in the 1950s and 60s. Our high school even had a rifle team and would have competitions with other schools in the area. Often guys would carry guns in their cars or trucks so they could go hunting right after school.

Oh, how times have changed. I have been saddened with mass shootings ever since I learned about the shooting in Sandy Hook. In the times of today, it is not news anymore, but something that is almost an every day occurrence. As a veteran and someone that grew up being taught how to properly handle a firearm I am shocked about what I am seeing today. I know I will I touch a nerve with a lot of people, but I feel there are to many guns in today's America.  

I am also a firm believer that no military style firearms should be in the hands of civilians. For instance the AR-15 is a military firearm made for one purpose, to kill as many people as possible in the shortest amount of time. Why should anyone be allowed to walk into a gun shop and walk out with an AR-15. Many of those buying are mentally ill or just plain bad people. I have heard some say I need a military weapon for hunting. That is a lie. I hunted deer for many years. I never needed more than one or two shots to down a deer.

Life is tough these days and a lot of people are worried about their safety. I see nothing wrong with someone buying a gun for that purpose. However, I do have a problem with anyone buying a gun and having no idea how to use one. I believe those people should have a class and be taken to a shooting range and prove that they are a responsible gun owner. 

I turn on the news every morning and I hear that someone was shot in the city about an hours drive away. It happens every day. That is an occurrence in about every city. This country has the most gun violence of any country in the world. I don't have all the answers and I don't think anyone does. However, I do know that something needs to be done. To many guns, I think so. Guns in the hands of people that should never be allowed to have one, that I do know.

I don't want to make people think that I am totally against guns. I am not. I think having a gun for protection, shooting target practice, skeet shooting, shooting in competition is fine. This post is my personal opinion. I am fed up with hearing about anyone being killed with a firearm. Mass shootings are as sad as it gets, especially in schools. I have said it before and I will say it again something needs to be done.   

Larry W. Fish