Comment from K.L. Rockquemore

Excellent

I appreciate this post!
I have a heavy heart watching the news nightly only to see the next mass shooting.
I don't know if we will ever figure out a way to keep this at bay.
If a person wants to buy a gun, no matter what laws are in place, they can easily buy one on the black market. How do we combat that??
I feel the sorriest for the young children who don't know a life without masks and mass shooting drills in schools.
Thanks for sharing.

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2022

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

I appreciate your response and your thoughts. We do know for an undeniable fact that mass shooting were reduced dramatically during the assault weapon ban and that they have increased just as dramatically since that ban expired. We must not let this issue become political. It is about saving lives and creating a safer environment for all of us - including responsible gun owners.

I appreciate your review. ann

Comment from robyn corum

Excellent

Ann,

The very first thing I need to say is that I was supposed to leave five minutes ago! So I don't have time to say what I want to. In your reply I will try to say more. SOOOOO sorry! I did see some nits and have noted those below. I'm really sorry tey are not cleaned up and presented nicely. Please forgive me.

than the vast majority of the total 268 mass shootings, recorded so far in 2022
--> no comma

People will continue to be filled with hate, love and the fight will continue on every level.
--> this line is confusing. Are they filled with this mixture?

The pandemic has exacerbated the problem.
--> you can't really just state something like this without offering something to back it up. See what I mean- at all?

Without weapons of mass destruction, that person cannot become a mass shooter.
--> they would find it more difficult

There may be other ways, the evil, even the murder plays out and, should that occur, that situation would need to be addressed.
--> consider simplifying this sentence/streamlining

The Banning of all large(-)capacity mag(a)zines for automatic weapons.
--> also, the rest of the post is in BOLD - this is not
--> I would also add that there should be some way to check for mental illnesses
--> under 'background check' make it clear that no felons are allowed to own firearms

As a moral nation dedicated to the right (of) life and liberty,

In your notes -one amendment does not take prejudice over another.
--> precedence?

Thanks!!

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2022

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

Thanks so much for your wonderfully helpful review. Corrections will be made immediately! ann


I made changes in my posts based on your suggestions above. The only one I did not address was the love/hate reference. My answer there is, 'Yes, we are all consumed by a mixture of love/hate and the battle is daily. I would love you to check out the areas were changes were made and left me know if it reads better to you. thanks.
ann

reply by robyn corum on 03-Jun-2022

Sure! I'm happy to stop back by.

But - referring again to the love/hate line. *smile* I was saying the current line was confusing. The line you sent to explain was great.

--> Yes, we are all consumed by a mixture of love (and) hate and the battle is daily.
--> use THAT

reply by robyn corum on 03-Jun-2022

Everything looks really good - nice!! Except the following need for corrected misspelling:

The Banning of all large(-)capacity mag(a)zines for automatic weapons.

Looks great!

reply by the author on 03-Jun-2022

Oops! Will b corrected

Comment from tfawcus

Excellent

A well-reasoned essay on the subject of gun control. The answers seem so simple, yet they are continually rejected. If two boys fight with sticks, it may be the sticks that inflict the injury rather than the boys. Nonetheless, a responsible parent takes away the sticks.

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2022

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

That is simplicity!! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing. ann

Comment from Theodore McDowell

Excellent

This is a well-reasoned argument for gun control that is not over-reactive or offensive to those with differing opinions. I loved it. I wish it would happen, but I doubt it.

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2022

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

We must continue to work toward a reasonable consensus of opinion to save ourselves. thanks so much for reading and commenting. I really appreciate your time and your encouragement. ann

Comment from royowen

Excellent

Yes at the time of the second amendment there was an enemy on the shores of America, and they had muskets then, not the assault rifles which could wipe out a bull elephant, guns are made to kill as you rightfully say, no other reason, if you want a metaphor, "He who lives by the sword will die by the sword" Matthew 26:52. We had a mass shooting here in 1996, 36 people perished, within 15 days, legislation was passed, many, many guns were handed in, no mass shootings since, the answer is as plain as the nose on your face, thank Ann, blessings Roy

 Comment Written 02-Jun-2022

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

I appreciate your time in reading and commenting. I truly believe it is fear that keeps our populace from taking reasonable measures to save ourselves. On some ridiculous deep level, there are those who still believe another civil war is in our future and they want to make certain they are armed! It's foolish, but it is. The rest of us must keep preaching 'love - not fear - your neighbor' I love my country and I know we will get there in time. ann

reply by royowen on 02-Jun-2022

Amen

reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

Thanks so much! Where do you live? I'm thinking about doing a little research as to how the rest of the world handles such problems. thanks.

reply by royowen on 02-Jun-2022

We don?t have this sort of problem, Ann, I live in Australia, everyone I?ve talked to here, sees it clearly, that guns are the problem, they are flabbergasted that America associates guns with freedom, it?s the deceitful heart syndrome, we have problems, but not shootings. I think you?ll find it?s similar thinking in most western democracies, and probably eastern ones. Good on you for having the scales fall from your eyes, that?s the prayer. Bless you

Comment from mermaids

Excellent

Your article is well written and worthy to be published. I agree with the list of requirements to own a gun. I think this is a good idea, especially taking classes to maintain the license. I also agree with that there is evil in our society that needs to change.

 Comment Written 01-Jun-2022

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

thanks so much for reading and for commenting. Your reviews are always positive and encouraging. I appreciate that. ann

Comment from pome lover

Good

I beg your pardon, but guns are bought by citizens who want to be able to protect themselves if needed and would only be used if their life was threatened. If you don't care to have protection that is your business, but don't sic the gov't on respectable, responsible people who have the right to self protection, or minimize our concern for the need of it.
And if there's one thing we do not need, it's more government control. We've already got enough to choke a horse.
There are different problems in different states which are not solved by taking decisions for their own people away from them. Chicago, New York, & LA have horrible records of violence, but that doesn't mean every state does. DO something about the states that do!
If designated people like retired military personnel had been in the schools where shooters killed children and adults, they could have prevented these despicable acts of murder. Also the lax laws regarding people known to have mental problems and who have said inflammatory things about killing - should be addressed and corrected. and for heaven's sake, look at the violent people arrested and let go the next day.
And if that isn't proof enough, look at all the lootings and shootings in the states run by Democrats which are STILL going on. If anybody is being infringed upon it is the American gunowner like myself who feels a little safer for having one. It the gov't started making national laws against owning one kind of gun, before long it would evolve to covering all guns. I do not trust our present government about anything. A President who leaves our border wide open, encouraging any and all to come in, and God knows they have, and who isn't the least concerned about it, should be impeached, as should his whole cabinet. He and his son have been raking in millions from China. He has ruined this country and wants to get our oil from enemy countries while closing down our Keystone pipeline. These are the things that should be addressed.
And if you want to talk about money being the basis for actions or non action, look no further than the owners of the fake media, the Tech giants and most important the big drug companies making millions on vaccines that have not been thoroughly tested and that have caused irreparable harm and death in many, and doctors who disagree with them are censored and had their practices shut down - but the fake news doesn't cover that.
And re the ability to forgive - forgive whom? the shooters? the looters?
Who should we forgive? I will never forgive Joe Biden for what he has done to this country. It is totally reprehensible. I'm aware of his string-pullers. They should all be in jail.
Good people who want the security of being able to protect themselves and their families have a right to buy a gun without being harassed by non-gun owners. It is also a right under the Constitution. The 2nd amendment may not be the only amendment, but it IS IMPORTANT and exists for a reason.. to protect us from people who want to disarm us.
I did not read your whole piece, but what I read was enough to feel the need to state my case, also.
Katharine

This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.

 Comment Written 01-Jun-2022

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reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

When I first read your review, I thought you must be angry with me -- and just because we have some different approaches to the best ways to protect our families. Then I read it again and now I think you are just angry and, most anger is born of fear. My wish for our world is that no one lives in a state of fear and my heart hurts for those who do. I am not saying you do, but your review comes off that way to me.

The truth is that, evil exists in our world, bad things will happen and we cannot protect ourselves or our neighbors or our children from all of them. Our job is to mediate those bad things to the best of our personal ability.

Based on your review, I assume you believe the ability to purchase an assault weapon by an 18 year old or any other person is a good way to mediate the danger and protect those we love. I believe military grade weapons belong only in the hands to military-trained personnel.

That is the rock-bottom controversy between you and me. It is not the 2nd amendment -- or any other amendment. It is not who is a Democrat and who's not. You might find it interesting to check out the murder rates in Chicago, New York and L.A. NONE of those 3 cities even make the top ten for highest murder rates in the country. Just google -- US cities with highest murder rates. You will likely be surprised by which cities do make the list. Our difference is not defined by what politics I have or you have. My post is apolitical as the only politics that should play any role in gun safety is the politics of good citizenship.

Reacting violently to violence has never -from the beginning of time- been a deterrent to more violence. And, yes, forgiveness is important. First and foremost, forgiveness is a gift one gives themselves. Holding a grudge, being angry, refusing to forgive, most harshly punishes the person holding on to the hurt and/or the anger. So, yes, I forgive the shooters, the looters, and everyone else that has committed some injustice. That forgiveness allows me to see the situation more clearly and to work toward a place where the laws of a just state can help to prevent future acts of violence. Gun safety is a good place to begin.

I am sorry, Katharine, you did not read my entire post, but I'm pleased you took the time to share your opinion with me. It is only through shared opinions and open minds that we can ever reach that elusive common ground we need to move forward as a united people in search of protection, peace and love for our families and our neighbors.

One last thing: I assume the 4 rating was for content, not for writing acuity? Is that correct? If not, please let me know what I could have done to earn a 5. Fanstory is a place where I work toward improving my writing talent. thanks. ann

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reply by pome lover on 02-Jun-2022

First of all I apologize but It was my side of a debate responding to your side, and I was angry. I am angry. There are people out there who ARE Democrats who want to take our guns from us and leave us in the wretched, helpless state as those in Australia, etc. That is what the World Organization wants, helpless robots who depend on their handouts to live and do as they're told. I saw a video of some woman from Sweden who is some big muck in that organization say as much on TV.
Also, I'm sorry, but Biden and his administration are totally ruining this country and it gets worse by the day, I am angry and sick at heart. We were a proud nation before he came in and undid all the good Trump did. Now we are a pitiful laughing stock. I think the majority of Americans are angry, too, and sick of them putting us in the ruinous condition we're in.
And I will not forgive them or anyone else who lives here, enjoying the privileges and yet doesn't love their country.
As for 18 yr olds being able to buy assault weapons, that is not good, but thank God for the NRA!
We ARE BEING STRIPPED OF OUR FREEDOMS. Look at The Social Media moguls banning free speech, Look at that crook Fauci, mandating vaccines and masks, and though the vaccines have never been properly tested and there have been some horrible results and deaths from them; people are being denied access to travel, etc if they are not vaccinated. Control, control, control and money, money, money - that's what it's all about. Do you forgive Fauci what he has done to children? He should be tried for treason. No ma'am, I d not forgive evil people. Why should evil be forgiven?

reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

No apologies necessary. Speaking one's mind is good for the soul, as well as good for building a basis from which to build a consensus. Nobody can get everything they want -- compromise is a fact of life with other people.

You and I have one very solid place of agreement: You said: As for 18 yr olds being able to buy assault weapons, that is not good. Let's start there: What would you do to prevent that from happening in your community, state, country?

Gun safety is NOT a political issue and I find it difficult to apply the logic behind your anger with Fauci, Biden and other Democrats to the need for responsible gun safety laws.

To answer your question regarding forgiving evil and why do so. I can't answer for anyone else, but myself. I forgive evil because I believe it is clearly a Jesus' taught principal from his 'turn the other cheek' message to the 'Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy' to the Lord's Prayer where Jesus explicitly requires that we forgive those who sin against us in accordance with our request to be forgiven. So, bottom line, I forgive because it is to my benefit to do so. It feels good and it has allowed me many times to get to know someone I would have written off as a 'bad' person, only to find out a mile in their shoes changed my mind.

I am not a 'churchy' person and do not attend church. I process to be a Christian and I believe in the in the Christian principals as taught by Jesus and shared by his disciples. I have also spent some time studying Buddhism and Hinduism, both of which I find to be offer much wisdom. i have even spent a little time looking at various Muslim tenets -- I have some Muslin neighbors and, after their children delivered gifts to me in conjunction with some religious celebration, I wanted to be more familiar with what they believe.

What I have found in my limited study is that most world religions are built on peace, forgiveness and love. I want to be a part of that group.

Again, never apologize to me for speaking your mind and I request the same courtesy from you. I am most appreciative of your reply and your time to share your opinions.

Thank you. ann

reply by pome lover on 02-Jun-2022

Ann, I brought Biden, et al into the conversation because they're all in this business together and the gun business is part of it - subdue the populace, make them dependent, then they can be controlled - if not by taking our guns, then bringing in another virus, no matter the lack of severity, mandate more staying home and more masks, anything to keep people from voting. The business of guns is very much a political issue. Look at Australia, Italy, Germany, etc. Their governments have their own people by the short hairs. I don't think Americans would stand for that - I know Texas wouldn't.
If we are ever going to get out of this mess Biden has gotten us into, it's going to take strong, smart, patriotic, brave, angry men and women to do it - gun owners to protect themselves from those who think Socialism is so great. I cannot, for the life of me understand why any American would want Socialism unless they're too ignorant to know what it really is.
Also, those three states I mentioned are constantly on the news (every night) with killings.
If forgiveness of horrific acts makes you feel better I'm glad it does. I am not a turn-the-other-cheeker to bad people.
Did you know that Biden has been giving our tax dollars to Catholic Charities to pay for illegals to come into the US? It is reported in the May issue of Judicial Watch. Tom Fitton is a very good man who is doing his best to protect us against things like that. We are in a world of hurt - deliberately planned and executed, and you're right, I am angry - at the sneaky people who rigged the past election and who are doing their level best to do it again.

reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

Okay. You have made some points of which i am unaware and certainly will research.

However, NONE of those things give any credence in my mind to not supporting gun safety. To me, one cannot get much more conservative than supporting the right to life and liberty without fear of some nutcase with a repeating assault weapon showing up. 8 mass shootings since Uvalde. That makes be sick to my stomach! What are our children learning today -- from us, as parents, as grandparents, as politicians that we will allow this to continue and not even try to make it better?

Maybe we cannot stop it. Maybe someone will build a bomb and destroy= some auditorium filled with people. Maybe this, maybe that. None of those possibilities give us the right to ignore a problem we can mitigate.

We can and we must join together to do whatever we can. Maybe we can't do it all and maybe we are stepping to the edge of a slippery slope. I'm willing to take that chance to do whatever I can and that includes voting against every politician on every level, local, state, federal who is willing to sacrifice another life in favor of some political agenda... and, on top of that, has so little respect for their constituency, they will brag about it. That includes every politician who will not stand up for gun safety via reasonable and rational laws surrounding the purchase of assault weapons.

Background checks, red flag laws, waiting periods, higher age limitations, bans on assault weapons -- these are reasonable regulations. They are not the dream of some liberal, leftwing, extremist. They are my dream and I am a patriot who loves my country --and my fellow citizens. I believe I am in the majority on this issue and that majority consists fo Republicans, Democrates and Independent.

ann

Comment from Elizabeth Emerald

Excellent

Well said. You're preaching to the choir with me as a reader, notwithstanding which your powerful piece may well change the minds of some on the other side. We can only hope. Masterful essay.

 Comment Written 01-Jun-2022

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reply by the author on 01-Jun-2022

I love preaching to the choir and am always looking for more members!! lol. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. It is import to me ann

Comment from Judy Lawless

Excellent

I wish I had a six star left for you, Ann. This is a very passionate piece of writing about something that is eating at you, the same way it eats at me, and I'm not even living in the US. I tear up every time a read or hear anything about this shooting. I yell out in frustration. You are absolutely right in every point you've made. I'm sure you'll have many who disagree with you, and that breaks my heart too. Thanks for sharing. Hugs.

Not that it matters much given the content, but I found a couple of little typos: "have gained a great deal more attention that(than) the vast majority"
"Today's fight between good and evil is much different that(than) the fight of one hundred years ago"

 Comment Written 01-Jun-2022

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reply by the author on 01-Jun-2022

You have such good attention to detail!!! Thanks so much for pointing out the spag which will be immediately corrected.

I appreciate your kind words and your encouragement. Even the thought of a '6 ' is a ton of fun - thanks.

I'm cautiously optimistic that we are going to make some -at least- rudimentary changes in the rules. Ann

reply by Judy Lawless on 01-Jun-2022

You're post, and responses, got me thinking about how many "mass" shootings we've had in Canada, and I looked it up. I might write a piece about it, since many seem to think countries with better Gun Safety laws still have increasing numbers of mass killings. It simply isn't true. I'm glad to see you got a lot of positive feedback, Ann.

reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

I look forward to your piece! i think it would help us to see what is going on in the rest of the world and what works and what doesn't. Thanks.

reply by Judy Lawless on 02-Jun-2022

I?ll see what I can do, Ann. I have a chapter in my memoirs waiting to be posted first.

reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

Sounds good. i love your memoir writing ann

Comment from Susan Newell

Excellent

Ann,

You have presented many reasonable arguments in the debate. You are aware that I don't agree with you on gun control, so I shall leave that for my own essays. There is a great deal of confusion, and many lies, being spread by the president and the media. I will remind you that the definition of "arms" is, and has always been, "weapons of war." "Assault rifle" is a coined term designed to make it seem that a tool (rifle) has a specific purpose. Biden stated that people couldn't own cannons, back in the day. They could, can and do. People also own tanks and other artillery.

I will here provide a counterargument to your licensing/training suggestions. Aside from being unconstitutional, do you really want to train these wackos to be better at using their weapons of choice?

I would close by saying feeling safe and being safe are two distinctly different things.

Well written and thought provoking.

Sue

 Comment Written 01-Jun-2022

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reply by the author on 01-Jun-2022

We do have some common ground in that we both want a safer America; we just have different ways of getting there. I was so disappointed with the ban on assault rifles was lifted sine 10 years agi and it hurts my heart see how quickly the mass shootings increased once that ban was no more.

You are correct that the definition of 'Arms' has not changed. What h as changed is the reality of what 'Arms' are today versus what they were even few years ago. When vehicles were first available, no licenses were required, no age limits were imposed, etc. BUT the vehicles, -- not the drivers and not the definition of vehicles,-- changed and laws had to be implemented to protect the public. Maybe not the best analogy, but the first one that popped into my mind.

I am not anti-gun and have never been anti-gun. I am anti-violence and I am pro sensible gun regulations. We have the right to free speech too -- but that right ends when one yells 'fire' in a crowded building. We have a right to own guns, but that right must be bound by and securely planted in reasonable rules to keep our friends, neighbors, our children and ourselves safe.

Susan, I enjoy discussions on subjects where there are reasonable people with honest beliefs and open minds. I enjoy talking with you and thank you for the opportunity to do so. I will look forward to your posts. ann

reply by Susan Newell on 02-Jun-2022

Ann, I, too, appreciate reasonable discussions. Problems are never solved by screaming and shouting.

reply by the author on 02-Jun-2022

AMEN!