Deadly Weapons

Let’s talk about weapons.

Legally speaking, a vehicle is considered a “deadly weapon”. If you really want to get nit picky about it, a lot of things can go on that list (the hands/feet of a black belt martial arts master, sharp knives, bats, etc.) But we will stay with these two for clarity of this discussion. It will also cut down on confusion.

Basically, anything that can be used to hurt or cause enough bodily injury so as to inflict fatal harm to someone else is termed a “lethal weapon”. Since a vehicle can be used like that and are commonly in use by the public, society has imposed certain limits on their use by individuals who may be impaired in some form or fashion, e.g. being intoxicated with alcohol or some other substance, road rage, certain medical conditions, physical problems such as limited eyesight, hearing problems, physically not being able to reach the controls, cognitive limitations, and so forth. A driver must be trained on how to drive, pass a written test on the laws that govern the road, then go out and pass a practical test. There may be some sort of health test as well. At minimum, a screen for vision will be done. In other cases, a medical exam by a physician is necessary. Liability insurance is required on each vehicle to cover the medical costs of all parties if an collision occurs. Renewals and inspections are done on a periodic basis.

What have we got for firearms? Essentially, nothing. The NRA lobby has furiously protested the 2nd Amendment for DECADES now as if it were some magical shield that absolves every gun owner of responsibility and liability of ownership and actions in how s/he keeps, uses, and stores every weapon in their possession. This is the mindset of the seagulls in Finding Nemo. “MINE, MINE, MINE”. It’s childish, immature, and irresponsible. It completely ducks out on their global responsibility to society when they decide to own a gun. If you want one, fine. Go get one. Everybody has their own little hobby that somebody else would say is a waste of time and money. (Mine is horses. I admit it.) All I’m asking for is the maturity to accept the responsibility and accountability to do this correctly. It’s like everything else in life.

I propose a system much like what we have for vehicles. Yes, as you go up in firepower, you’d have to get additional training and licenses. You have to get a special license to drive a motorcycle, right? Or a bus, CDL truck, HAZMAT vehicle? Those drivers take extra training and command better wages because of it. A person who can demonstrate the ability to properly handle, clean, and store larger weapons and get the proper liability should not have a problem.

But here come the conspiracy folks who will claim that “the government will know about our arms and where we have them….” Buddy, I feel sorry for you, I really do. Because you live in fear all the time. However, if that was true, they have more and bigger toys to play with than you’ll ever have. They’re over proving that right now in Ukraine and beating Russia’s ass by proxy. You would be no problem at all. No, I don’t buy that argument.

Our citizens are dying and being terrorized by guns every single day. We are the single biggest gun dealer in the world. That’s not something to be proud of. We deal in death. We have more deaths by shooting (accidental, suicides, murders) than the entire world COMBINED. Our schools are now being constructed so that a shooter cannot have a “line of sight” to shoot our children. People are thinking twice about going to fairs and festivals because they could be killed. This is insane. It has to stop. Contrary to the beliefs of the gun lobby, no, putting more guns on the streets will not make the streets safer. It just means more bullets flying, more innocent victims, more ricochet, and more heartbreak.

The statistics are real, but their bulls**t never stops. The reality is that only 0.01% of all shooters is ever stopped by a good gun with a gun. In case you have a hard time visualizing that, it means that 1 incident in 10,000 is stopped by a good guy. Yet all these wannabe good guys are walking around strapped, ready to shoot themselves in the foot getting the gun out (if they’re lucky-I have known of guys hitting themselves much higher.) Then getting so amped up, they can’t hit the broad side of a barn with the thing. That means collateral damage, and who knows how many lives ruined.

Before anyone yelps, we own guns. I’ve had them my entire life. Can I shoot worth a hoot? Depends. I’m better with long guns. Don’t particularly like shotguns. I’m not bad with a handgun. Prefer a .38. Nines are too big for my hands. Would we comply with this? Yes. Could I draw down on somebody? Well, I have a long time ago. Did that answer your questions?

I don’t “want” your guns. I want you be responsible for and be accountable gun owners. I want you to accept liability. I want you to accept that your guns can be traced back to you if stolen and that you could be held liable for deaths or injury they cause because you did not report the loss. Now how you decide to handle this would be up to you. Your choice. Not mine.

That’s one of the reasons I want to go to the Georgia State Senate. I want Georgia to STOP being one of the major states for the purchase of guns on the way to other states for the cartels. This has to end. This is one industry we can do without. Vote blue on November 8 and send me, Ellen Wright, to the Senate so I can help support Stacey Abrams, Charlie Bailey, Jen Jordan, Bee Nyugen, and the rest of the Democratic team in making this ONE GEORGIA.