KEEP AND BEAR ARMS .ORG REPORT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copyright © 2000 by KeepAndBearArms.org
Republish anywhere with the following statement:
"Reprinted from the KeepAndBearArms.org Report
available at <A HREF="http://www.KeepAndBearArms.org"" TARGET=_blank>http://www.KeepAndBearArms.org"</A>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gun Owners - Bridging the Gaps
Moving to Higher Common Ground
By Angel Shamaya http://www.KeepAndBearArms.org
webmaster@keepandbeararms.org
This is not an easy essay to write. With such
wide division amongst gun owners on the issues
addressed below, expressing what needs to be
said succinctly, covering pressing sides of this
ongoing debate, and taking care to not unnecessarily
offend anyone is a tough chore indeed. I believe
I found a way to make it easy.
Our subscriber list has grown considerably over these
last months, and it has grown in chunks. Some were
drawn to us through talk of gun ownership as a means
to peace. Others dropped in by way of our telling
the government to back off. And others came by way
of our reporting events where guns were used to save
lives. Still others found us by receiving convenient,
gun news briefs from a friend. In short, we've got a
diverse breed of people tuned in to our broadcasts-and
this message needs to be plainly expressed. Let's see
how we do...
THERE ARE 3 CATEGORIES OF GUN OWNERS
Basically, there are really only three groups of gun owners:
hunters/sportsmen, self-defenders, and defenders of liberty.
While some of us fit into all-of-the-above or variations
thereof, these are the three reasons most commonly given
for owning guns.
GUNS FOR SPORT
The majority of the people in this category rarely if ever
consider using their gun/s to shoot another person. They
love their sport and are very fond of their guns as tools
for sporting use. While most folks in this group come from
a background steeped in Tradition, many are also newcomers
just beginning to understand the rich sport shooting heritage
in all its glory.
And, even in this group it is hard to find someone who would
not take another person's life if it were in defense of a
loved one. It is also good to be aware that most people
in the GUNS FOR SPORT family don't give much thought to
the fact that their brethren in Britain and Australia were
forced to turn in their sporting guns. They commonly say
things like, "that could never happen here," just like the
Brits with 800 years of arms heritage behind them once said.
GUNS FOR SPORT people are very good, proud people and deserve
respect for where they stand.
GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE
People who support disarmament of the law-abiding are often
heard saying things like, "guns are only meant for killing."
They say it in ghastly tones and are shocked at the truth in
what they are saying. And they are almost correct. While
there are thousands of cases annually where guns safely avert
crime without a shot being fired, the fact that the shot is
about to be fired and the very real fear of dying is exactly
the force that averts those crimes. Guns are often meant for
frightening, as well. And, yes, guns are efficient tools for
killing. Granted. In fact, handguns are the safest, simplest,
cheapest, easiest-to-use, most-concealable, and most efficient
tool for killing we have. GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE people tend
to think it better to kill a criminal than to be victimized.
And still I am amazed at how often I ask a GUNS FOR
SELF-DEFENSE gun owner if he or she is prepared to kill
and am met with a bewildered and even accusatory look.
They have the tool, it's design and function is clear,
and yet they have not even considered the real possibility
of putting it to use. Many a long-time gun owner has
thanked us for our Self-Defense Quiz for a reminder (primer)
of why they own a gun. http://www.keepandbeararms.org/self_defense_quiz.htm
A more prepared group of people exists in the GUNS FOR
SELF-DEFENSE family, however, and their numbers are
growing by the day. This is the group of people who
carry a gun wherever possible. Here we find the
concealed carry permit holders and the "open" carriers.
Here we find the people who are aware of what is going on
around them when they are out and about. They pay closer
attention to the news and realize that they are not
necessarily immune to the will of other people--some
not-so-good people. GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE people of
this mindset are usually fully prepared at any moment
to defend themselves or the people around them--with
their handy tool. Most people in this group are also,
to some degree, members of the first group, as well.
GUNS FOR LIBERTY
The people in this group seem to be growing in numbers
here lately. Here we find the people who've finally
caught on that various taxation schemes are beyond
excessive. Here we find the people who take Waco,
Ruby Ridge, Scott, Drago, and the host of illegal
searches and seizures as personal assaults on their
liberty. Here we find many veterans of wars-0people
who fought and nearly lost their lives defending a
nation they feel is now turned against them as sovereign
citizens. GUNS FOR LIBERTY people are usually well
educated in history and a host of newsworthy events of
late that never made the mainstream news.
Even a conservative estimate of the numbers of people
in America alone who believe they will need a gun to
defend our country from within is startling. A quick
search of the internet yields hundreds of web sites
with intelligent people (and a fair number of
babbling idiots) suggesting that a war with our
government is unavoidable. (Some even cite multiple,
patient examples of how a war is already very much
underway.) The justifications for such a belief range
from mild to wild, depending upon how much information
you have and how much Reality you can digest and still
function.
GUNS FOR LIBERTY people can usually point you to a great
many web sites offer startling evidences of all shapes
and sizes pointing to a New World Order and an intended
Police State in America. Entire essays and even books
have been written detailing thorough, even exhaustive
support for such beliefs. GUNS FOR LIBERTY Gun Family
members cite countless historical precedents and hosts
of scholarly works soundly validating their concerns.
And even in this group of people there are many who
still haven't confronted the question of true
preparedness when it comes to actually using their
weapons.
Thank goodness we're all open to learning and can find
new ways to solve problems. Before I turn you on
to some conversations worth passing around, I have one
important thing to say: I have over 600 links
to sites representing groups of people who are working
hard to preserve/return gun freedom to America
alone--and a large portion of these good folks are concerned
at how much work it takes just to slow the pace at which
they lose ground. A whole bunch of them are even
beginning to fear that the GUNS FOR LIBERTY folks
might be right. Why might that be? And, more importantly,
what if they are?
Fortunately, we gun owners are all unified in some good, solid
common ground and can openly communicate our thoughts, desires,
and ideas to one another respectfully, as follows....
What GUNS FOR SPORT people say to GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE people:
"You guys seem a little bit 'out there,' but I have seen
a few shady characters around from time to time, and I
am aware of violent crimes that have happened around here.
I'll pay attention and think about where you're coming from.
A pistol doesn't weigh that much, and I kinda like the feeling
of safety and being able to protect myself and my family, just
in case."
What GUNS FOR SPORT people say to GUNS FOR LIBERTY people:
"You guys seem way out there, but the government sure is
moving quickly here lately to enforce more and more gun
control. Hmmm. I don't really like thinking about this
stuff, but I guess I should probably give it some thought
and maybe look at some of those web sites, especially the
ones about history and gun control."
What GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE people say to GUNS FOR SPORT people:
"I respect your deep enjoyment of your sport and always have.
I also respect YOU and would hate to see you or your family
be victimized. You already know how to shoot, and a
lightweight pistol weighs a pound or two. You're worth
it, even if you never use it. I'd feel better knowing
you had one with you. Maybe I'm being selfish--I just care
about you, that's all. Better the criminals go down than
the good guys if something should happen..."
What GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE people say to GUNS FOR LIBERTY people:
"I know, I know. It's just scary to face that stuff. I've
got so much going on these days. All right, I'll read the
site. What is the web address? I appreciate you staying
on me about this, and my gut tells me I should at least be
informed."
What GUNS FOR LIBERTY people say to GUNS FOR SPORT people:
"I'm glad you're a good shot, and I darn sure hope I'm wrong,
but would you mind storing up a little extra ammo? For your
family's sake? Just in case? You might also find this
article interesting..."
What GUNS FOR LIBERTY people say to GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE people:
"I'm really glad you're set to take care of yourself; I'd
hate to lose a good guy to a criminal. But what if I'm right?
Just in case, could you tuck a little extra ammo away and maybe
ask a few of your buddies to do the same? And read Unintended
Consequences by John Ross, would ya? You don't have to change
your beliefs to read it, you'll learn a bunch of historical and
factual stuff the government darn sure doesn't want you to know,
it's very entertaining, and it might just save your life.
Here is the link to go buy it, and you can read some reviews
right on the site:" http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1888118040/keepandbeararmso
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Copyright © 2000 by KeepAndBearArms.org
Republish anywhere with the following statement:
"Reprinted from the KeepAndBearArms.org Report
available at <A HREF="http://www.KeepAndBearArms.org"" TARGET=_blank>http://www.KeepAndBearArms.org"</A>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Gun Owners - Bridging the Gaps
Moving to Higher Common Ground
By Angel Shamaya http://www.KeepAndBearArms.org
webmaster@keepandbeararms.org
This is not an easy essay to write. With such
wide division amongst gun owners on the issues
addressed below, expressing what needs to be
said succinctly, covering pressing sides of this
ongoing debate, and taking care to not unnecessarily
offend anyone is a tough chore indeed. I believe
I found a way to make it easy.
Our subscriber list has grown considerably over these
last months, and it has grown in chunks. Some were
drawn to us through talk of gun ownership as a means
to peace. Others dropped in by way of our telling
the government to back off. And others came by way
of our reporting events where guns were used to save
lives. Still others found us by receiving convenient,
gun news briefs from a friend. In short, we've got a
diverse breed of people tuned in to our broadcasts-and
this message needs to be plainly expressed. Let's see
how we do...
THERE ARE 3 CATEGORIES OF GUN OWNERS
Basically, there are really only three groups of gun owners:
hunters/sportsmen, self-defenders, and defenders of liberty.
While some of us fit into all-of-the-above or variations
thereof, these are the three reasons most commonly given
for owning guns.
GUNS FOR SPORT
The majority of the people in this category rarely if ever
consider using their gun/s to shoot another person. They
love their sport and are very fond of their guns as tools
for sporting use. While most folks in this group come from
a background steeped in Tradition, many are also newcomers
just beginning to understand the rich sport shooting heritage
in all its glory.
And, even in this group it is hard to find someone who would
not take another person's life if it were in defense of a
loved one. It is also good to be aware that most people
in the GUNS FOR SPORT family don't give much thought to
the fact that their brethren in Britain and Australia were
forced to turn in their sporting guns. They commonly say
things like, "that could never happen here," just like the
Brits with 800 years of arms heritage behind them once said.
GUNS FOR SPORT people are very good, proud people and deserve
respect for where they stand.
GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE
People who support disarmament of the law-abiding are often
heard saying things like, "guns are only meant for killing."
They say it in ghastly tones and are shocked at the truth in
what they are saying. And they are almost correct. While
there are thousands of cases annually where guns safely avert
crime without a shot being fired, the fact that the shot is
about to be fired and the very real fear of dying is exactly
the force that averts those crimes. Guns are often meant for
frightening, as well. And, yes, guns are efficient tools for
killing. Granted. In fact, handguns are the safest, simplest,
cheapest, easiest-to-use, most-concealable, and most efficient
tool for killing we have. GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE people tend
to think it better to kill a criminal than to be victimized.
And still I am amazed at how often I ask a GUNS FOR
SELF-DEFENSE gun owner if he or she is prepared to kill
and am met with a bewildered and even accusatory look.
They have the tool, it's design and function is clear,
and yet they have not even considered the real possibility
of putting it to use. Many a long-time gun owner has
thanked us for our Self-Defense Quiz for a reminder (primer)
of why they own a gun. http://www.keepandbeararms.org/self_defense_quiz.htm
A more prepared group of people exists in the GUNS FOR
SELF-DEFENSE family, however, and their numbers are
growing by the day. This is the group of people who
carry a gun wherever possible. Here we find the
concealed carry permit holders and the "open" carriers.
Here we find the people who are aware of what is going on
around them when they are out and about. They pay closer
attention to the news and realize that they are not
necessarily immune to the will of other people--some
not-so-good people. GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE people of
this mindset are usually fully prepared at any moment
to defend themselves or the people around them--with
their handy tool. Most people in this group are also,
to some degree, members of the first group, as well.
GUNS FOR LIBERTY
The people in this group seem to be growing in numbers
here lately. Here we find the people who've finally
caught on that various taxation schemes are beyond
excessive. Here we find the people who take Waco,
Ruby Ridge, Scott, Drago, and the host of illegal
searches and seizures as personal assaults on their
liberty. Here we find many veterans of wars-0people
who fought and nearly lost their lives defending a
nation they feel is now turned against them as sovereign
citizens. GUNS FOR LIBERTY people are usually well
educated in history and a host of newsworthy events of
late that never made the mainstream news.
Even a conservative estimate of the numbers of people
in America alone who believe they will need a gun to
defend our country from within is startling. A quick
search of the internet yields hundreds of web sites
with intelligent people (and a fair number of
babbling idiots) suggesting that a war with our
government is unavoidable. (Some even cite multiple,
patient examples of how a war is already very much
underway.) The justifications for such a belief range
from mild to wild, depending upon how much information
you have and how much Reality you can digest and still
function.
GUNS FOR LIBERTY people can usually point you to a great
many web sites offer startling evidences of all shapes
and sizes pointing to a New World Order and an intended
Police State in America. Entire essays and even books
have been written detailing thorough, even exhaustive
support for such beliefs. GUNS FOR LIBERTY Gun Family
members cite countless historical precedents and hosts
of scholarly works soundly validating their concerns.
And even in this group of people there are many who
still haven't confronted the question of true
preparedness when it comes to actually using their
weapons.
Thank goodness we're all open to learning and can find
new ways to solve problems. Before I turn you on
to some conversations worth passing around, I have one
important thing to say: I have over 600 links
to sites representing groups of people who are working
hard to preserve/return gun freedom to America
alone--and a large portion of these good folks are concerned
at how much work it takes just to slow the pace at which
they lose ground. A whole bunch of them are even
beginning to fear that the GUNS FOR LIBERTY folks
might be right. Why might that be? And, more importantly,
what if they are?
Fortunately, we gun owners are all unified in some good, solid
common ground and can openly communicate our thoughts, desires,
and ideas to one another respectfully, as follows....
What GUNS FOR SPORT people say to GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE people:
"You guys seem a little bit 'out there,' but I have seen
a few shady characters around from time to time, and I
am aware of violent crimes that have happened around here.
I'll pay attention and think about where you're coming from.
A pistol doesn't weigh that much, and I kinda like the feeling
of safety and being able to protect myself and my family, just
in case."
What GUNS FOR SPORT people say to GUNS FOR LIBERTY people:
"You guys seem way out there, but the government sure is
moving quickly here lately to enforce more and more gun
control. Hmmm. I don't really like thinking about this
stuff, but I guess I should probably give it some thought
and maybe look at some of those web sites, especially the
ones about history and gun control."
What GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE people say to GUNS FOR SPORT people:
"I respect your deep enjoyment of your sport and always have.
I also respect YOU and would hate to see you or your family
be victimized. You already know how to shoot, and a
lightweight pistol weighs a pound or two. You're worth
it, even if you never use it. I'd feel better knowing
you had one with you. Maybe I'm being selfish--I just care
about you, that's all. Better the criminals go down than
the good guys if something should happen..."
What GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE people say to GUNS FOR LIBERTY people:
"I know, I know. It's just scary to face that stuff. I've
got so much going on these days. All right, I'll read the
site. What is the web address? I appreciate you staying
on me about this, and my gut tells me I should at least be
informed."
What GUNS FOR LIBERTY people say to GUNS FOR SPORT people:
"I'm glad you're a good shot, and I darn sure hope I'm wrong,
but would you mind storing up a little extra ammo? For your
family's sake? Just in case? You might also find this
article interesting..."
What GUNS FOR LIBERTY people say to GUNS FOR SELF-DEFENSE people:
"I'm really glad you're set to take care of yourself; I'd
hate to lose a good guy to a criminal. But what if I'm right?
Just in case, could you tuck a little extra ammo away and maybe
ask a few of your buddies to do the same? And read Unintended
Consequences by John Ross, would ya? You don't have to change
your beliefs to read it, you'll learn a bunch of historical and
factual stuff the government darn sure doesn't want you to know,
it's very entertaining, and it might just save your life.
Here is the link to go buy it, and you can read some reviews
right on the site:" http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1888118040/keepandbeararmso