-A moment of Silence for the Tragedy in Tucson, Arizona

Eternal rest, Grant unto them O’ Lord,
And let your Perpetual Light shine upon them.

–

Most of you know,
That I live in the Southern part of The United States,
and I can assure you, people here are very hospitable.
With their great Sense of Humor and
their laid back sense of lifestyle.

There are only three things they take very seriously down here.
Their three “F”s.

1. Football,
2. Fishing,
3. And Firearms

I don’t worry about the first two.
It’s the obsession with Firearms that has always been disturbing to me.

Of course they will tell you that they have the right to have it.
“The Right to Bear Arms.” Which is immediately followed by,
“And the Right to have it loaded.”
Oh and “The right to have that loaded arm nearby at all times.”

Even though it is disturbing, I actually do understand this
fascination with guns and ammunition.
It is a deadly weapon. It is very dangerous.
It gives you a sense of power.
Men like power.

I remember handling one of these weapons when I was younger,
and I swear I grew 10 feet taller and grew a beard when I fired one.
I actually felt my cajones grew into the size of two bowling balls.
The power is intoxicating.

That is why there is a law for acquiring it.
These are not toys. They can and will do damage.
There should be tough laws about it
and even tougher laws to get it.

But there lies the problem doesn’t it?
How easily accessible these weapons are!
You know what I mean, when you start hearing all these gang wars and
drive by shootings and school shootings, and accidental shootings.

How many times have you heard kids getting a hold of these weapons at their home
and accidentally killing themselves or their siblings?
Or Juveniles going to jail for possession of firearms?

Sure, everyone has the right to protect their families and belongings.
And what better way for them to do that than having a loaded weapon
Ready to fire at anytime.

And what do we need to fulfill that?
A Permit license.
Do we have to have training? Hell no!
My Uncle Bubba Jim taught me to hunt when I was a kid!
I can handle them auto-ma-gajic rifles, myself!

Do you need to have the sense of responsibility?
Hell no!
That’s all you really need.
A permit.
And maybe some experience with a BB gun.
Or a Nerf.

Before I conclude this post,
Allow me to tell you this story that made me realize how different these days are.

One of my kid’s school buddies came over for a visit
and his Father drove him to our house.

As we open the door, and before they came in,
The Father said, “I hate to be rude, but before I let my son stay,
Do you have any guns in your house?”
Then he added, “Because if you do, then I can’t have him here anymore.”

That stunned me for a moment.
I totally understood what his intentions are.

He has heard of the stories of kids getting a hold of guns in the house and
knows the possible consequences of it.
He wouldn’t take that chance.

If I would be in the same position, that wouldn’t have crossed my mind.
I guess it would be now that I really thought about.

But you know me.
I would have made sure I ask them something else.
Like if they have the three things I hold most important
while my kid is at their house.

Make sure they have my three “Fs”
1. Food
2. Food and
3. More food.

—
In all seriousness folks.
I do not blame the guns.
It’s the person behind the gun.
I hold them responsible.