Increased guns a worry

Published 9:39 am Saturday, November 22, 2008

By Staff
To the editor:
I read the front page today and saw, once again, where panic is turning people to buy guns. My question is why? if you are an avid hunter you take time in purchasing a firearm. You talk to your buddies, you check magazines and you go to numerous gunshops and check them out, much like you would if you were going to buy a new car.
No one who is a law-biding citizen would run out and just start snatching up guns. This trend worries me. There are numerous stories about children being killed with guns they found around the house and I fear this will cause more.
If the President-elect decides to limit sales of firearms to 1 per month,, that is acceptable. the responsible person takes that long to decide what he wants to buy and, besides, they aren't cheap and where is everyone getting all this sudden cash? To buy a good shotgun it is well over $200.
I am not saying don't buy guns, just take your time and be reasonable. I am also afraid that some of these guns will make it to the street where, heaven knows, the crime where guns are being used is in the paper or on TV every day. Do we really need more guns out there?
This paranoia is what I wrote about earlier. Someone decides that the administration is out to get him or her and starts a hate streak and the ones who have nothing else to do, jump on the bandwagon and here we go. Just because one person translates something one way doesn't make it gospel.
So, before you run out to buy that carload of guns, stop and think. For first time buyers, there is a background check in most states and that takes a couple of weeks, along with taking your time to pick out that "perfect" firearm, your month will be used up in no time.
You are not losing a thing, but proving that old adage, "A fool and his money are soon parted." use common sense and take your time. You will be much happier in the long run. I took a long time to pick out my firearm of choice and it was stolen in a home burglary, so don't think that you are safer with them in the house. They just give thieves one more reason too target your home.
The same idea translates to stockpiling ammunition. It is not necessary and if there is a fire it will hamper the fire department in saving your home. A recent news story told of just such a situation south of here.
Niles