I own several guns. I own a very nice Schutzen Rifle made strictly for target shooting by a german gunsmith in Syracuse New York in about 1890. It is a muzzle loading black powder rifle which was very rare at that time. I own a side by side Parker Double 12 and a very nice Steven's Model 12. I have a 45-70 trap door Springfield with the 1884 modifications. I also have a model 1897 Winchester .32 special. They are all brilliant in design and prime examples of a unique artform.

Do I need to own them? No. But I don't need to own 6 guitars, 4 banjos, seven autoharps or 3,445 comic books.   They are owned by me and it is my right to own them. Just as it is my right to freely own the land beneath my house.

    I belong to no militia and have no intention of joining any militias. I don't belong to the NRA or the IRA or the NBA or the FHA.

    What is the relevance of this thread? The sniper? He would have figured away to kill people what ever weapons where at hand. Remember Tim Mc Veigh used no weapons at all. He used fertilizer and motor oil. He was lucky he was able to buy that rifle he did. He should have failed the back ground check. The system failed. Enforce the laws we have in place and he would have not been able to by that .223 Bushmaster.

I disagree that anyone who wants to should be able to own a pistol and carry it on the street openly and shoot badguys to protect old ladies and small dogs. You need a liscense and insurance to drive a car, there ought to be at least minimal training to own a pistol and I think pistols should require insurance.

   Long guns are different deal. I used to hunt these guns. Now they are antigues and pieces of art. The Zenn oftarget shooting is interesting to study. And it can be relaxing.

If the government and a bunch of well meaning ninnies want to take away my guns they can and I can't stop them probably. But with the training and skills I have I can make my self another about as quickly as I can build a guitar.

Don