Guns, Gore and the NRA

Yesterday the nation was treated to an educational message exposing the minds
of many NRA members, whose lives are dominated by the philosophy of "my way or the
grave way". In Arizona a mentally deranged man used an expanded clip 9mm hand gun
to kill six prominent citizens including a federal judge and wounded 13, some of whom are not likely to survive.
In another venue gunmen killed two and wounded one. In the process many families
were devastated. How a deranged man acquired such a powerful weapon is not difficult to
guess. Caving to NRA pressure so many states allow unlimited rights to acquire and carry guns that they can be purchased everywhere. It appears the only restriction would be if the purchaser was wearing a straight-jacket when entering the gun shop.

Once having the weapon he may openly carry it in saloons, theatres, markets, churches, and even high risk sites for interpersonal conflict. With the gun he can
fulfill his dream of being more powerful than the high and mighty around him. He is
now ready to put to use certain cardinal behaviors typical of NRA zealots:
1. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, as long as it agrees with mine.
2. Disagreement on policy should be discussed in reasonable and rational fashion, and compromise, as long as the compromises are not required of me.
3. If someone gets into a confrontation with me, cool heads should prevail, or I will
blow him away.
4. With a gun I am GOD. I hold the power of life or death over anyone.

I recognize that by publishing these remarks I will ruffle a few feathers and one
of those zealots, in devotion to sacred NRA principles will find a few minutes to "blow me away!"