I don't want to pontificate for or against guns. Let's just say that I don't and never will own a gun, but I do enjoy target practice. I look at it as playing golf or music, simply as a challenge to myself to do better. But the indiscriminate use of guns by the public is something I find very scary and I really want no part of.

For those Canadians who look to Canada as a safe haven, keep in mind we're not immune to the use of guns. Aside from the recent copycat high school shooting in Taber, remember the bicycle shooter in Halifax from the early 1960's, the McDonalds murders in Sydney, the kid here in St. Albert who killed his father, mother and step-sisters in the 1980's. That last one hit home as two of the little girls killed were schoolmates of my youngest son.

I do feel safer in areas where there are fewer guns as, apparently, did Mike Sadava, one of our local musicians, when he penned the following tune:

Bob

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NEVER BEEN TO TEXAS

(Music and Lyrics (c) 1997 by Mike Sadava, SOCAN/ASCAP)

Well Texas brought us western swing from Bob Wills and the boys
Hank and Lyle and Ernest Tubb made a joyful noise
From the Alamo to the Astrodome from Paris to Galveston
Texas has a lot to offer including lots of guns

No I've never been to Texas
No I've never owned a gun
No I've never been to Texas
Sure as shootin I'm never gonna come

They got shotguns, handguns, snub-nosed, magnums, guns for the little lady too
There's 50 million guns in Texas and one that's right for you
You can take one off to church with you; If you want you can take two
You can even wear one in your underwear and the cops there won't say boo.

No I've never ...

There's one thing I don't understand; I'll admit it bothers me some
Why people of such calibre need to own so many guns
They got shot guns handguns, snub nose, magnums, guns for the little lady too
There's 50 million guns in Texas and one that's aimed at you.

No I've never ...

No I've never ...