In the summer of 1989, I walked into a small liquor store on 291 Highway just south of 24 Highway in Independence, Missouri. I walked to the front of the store as I secured my beer in one hand while fishing for my wallet with the other. I distinctly remember looking up as I neared the register. A slender 20 something man held a gun inches from my nose. I remember looking straight down the barrel of that gun. I could see the curvature where the light met the shadow inside the barrel. I could see the man's sweaty hand. I could see his unobscured and unadorned face. Before I could raise my hands in surrender, the man took off out the door.
When I spoke to my girlfriend outside later as I walked to the car, she said "They were sure in a hurry." Luckily, no one was shot that day.
Unfortunately, that man and his friend killed two police officers in northern Arkansas two days later. Shouldn't have happened. Two unarmed sitting ducks in a liquor store, and an unarmed woman in a car escape. Two trained peace keepers with weapons die at the hands of this shaking, sweaty nervous criminal. I could only ask why.
That was not my first and last experience. with guns. I grew up with guns. Mostly rifles, but I have fired many weapons. I religiously read Zane Grey and Louis Lamour as a kid and spent many a day wandering through the woods with my rifle pretending I was in Dodge City.
However, after a couple of near life altering experiences involving drunk individuals brandishing weapons, several friends committing suicide and the above robbery I decided guns were more trouble than they were worth. I haven't owned a gun since. I just don't like them around. If it comes to that, I would rather die with courage of my conviction than take the chance I might injure someone innocent because I am afraid or chemically mentally impaired. That's just me and my "right".
So, In other words, if you want to own an Apache Helicopter and kill deer with hellfire missiles, then knock yourself out. Good luck finding the meat.
However, there is a caveat to said individual owning said Apache Helicopter. 1) You must demonstrate that you are competent in the operation of that helicopter. 2) You must complete a mental examination. 3) You must undergo a criminal background check. 4) Finally, you can only USE the helicopter and missiles if your actions do not in anyway, either through noise, smell, destruction of property or injury to others infringe on the right of others to peacefully exist.
Obviously I am being somewhat facetious, but this is basically my opinion. Universal background checks inconvenience no one other than criminals, mentally unstable and gun manufacturer's bottom line. Oh, so THAT's why Wayne LaPierre is trying to scare the crap out of everyone?!
Yeah. It's about money. It always is.
Regulations may not end unnecessary gun violence, but if it can curb it then it must be done. A responsible. law abiding gun owner has nothing to fear from a competency and background check.
