"Gun Control" terminology

I am officially worn out from listening to politicians and the media talking about gun control. Don't get me wrong I am all about responsible gun ownership. In fact I believe that all of the existing laws regarding the ownership of firearms should be enforced. But that is not what I am writing about today. My concern is that people in the media and government who speak about gun control have no idea of what they are talking about. What? Don't know what they are talking about? They use terms popularized by their peers without any knowledge of the subject matter. Here is what I mean....


Here are some firearms terminologies used by “pro gun control” folks and more importantly, the actual definitions:

"Gun Control" is a learned methodology which covers every aspect of firearms storage, transport, loading, discharging and unloading. The primary objectives being to maintain continuous physical security, control and retention of the weapon, exercise muzzle discipline, position the weapon and operator in the most stable and safe shooting position for accuracy, discharge the weapon at a controllable rate of fire that the conditions and equipment will safely allow and ensure the safety of fellow shooters and other personnel who may be present within the area.

Magazines are not the same as "clips". A clip is a feeding device used on early weapons to assist in the loading of a magazine. (stripper clip, en bloc clip) a magazine is a containment and feeding device which holds cartridges in proximity to the action and facilitates chambering of the cartridge.

"High capacity" is a relative term. Higher in comparison to what?

A "bullet" is not the same thing as a cartridge. It is in fact one of four components that make up a cartridge. (a cartridge consists of a bullet, case, powder charge and primer) the bullet is the part of the cartridge that acts as a projectile and upon ignition of the powder charge leaves the barrel and travels toward the point of aim.

“Automatic” is very different from semi-automatic.

"Assault Weapon" is an ambiguous term. (a person moving toward my position in a threatening manner with a baseball bat in his hands is carrying an assault weapon)

That being said, an educated spokesperson in the media or politician looking to actually enhance the safety of the general public and curb illegal use of firearms might say something like this:

"I am here today to speak to you about responsible firearms ownership and use. It has come to my attention that firearms, much like other tools, can be dangerous and cause serious injury or death when used improperly. To reduce the danger to yourself and those around you, I encourage responsible firearm owners to maintain strict physical security, control and retention of the weapon and ammunition, exercise muzzle discipline, discharge the weapon only when safe to do so and at a controllable rate of fire that the location, conditions and equipment will safely allow and be mindful of the safety of fellow shooters and other personnel who may be present within the area. This means that in some places such as schools, post offices, restaurants, supermarkets, malls, office buildings and other locations where the discharge of firearms may present a danger to personnel who may be unfamiliar with firearms you will not be allowed to publicly display or discharge your firearms.

Those persons who illegally obtain, illegally use or demonstrate irresponsible firearms security, storage, handling or use will be criminally prosecuted to the fullest extent of existing laws related to firearms ownership, possession, use and any other applicable ordinance.

It is obvious that any device, including firearms, can be used in a manner inconsistent with the laws of the land, morals and common sense. However, the weapon is just a tool and ultimately, the person who chooses to possess and use the weapon (legally or illegally) must be held accountable for their actions.”

Yeah, I know... it will never happen. But doesn't it make more sense than the normal "gun control" news headline?

That’s my opinion. What do you think?

digital written communication

Digital written communication (text messaging, sms, email) is one of the many tools of the devil. You know it is true. These three ways of avoiding face to face communication have caused a steady erosion in the ability of people to communicate over the last 20 years.


Many people are so enslaved by the convenience of text messaging that they avoid having difficult (or enjoyable) conversations with others. Lots of people I meet and deal with can no longer communicate face to face or verbally (on a phone call). People send text messages for things that should never be sent in a text.

Have you ever sat down for a meal with someone who spent the entire time texting? Did it irritate you? I ask myself and sometimes I ask the person: “why did you want to meet with me if you spent all your time paying attention to your iphone5 with the new 6.0 software?”

Real face to face (or phone) conversations have meaning and the ability to express feelings. Text messages, emails and sms send data. Cold, mechanical, unfeeling data.

Here are some examples of appropriate use of text messages:

• Sending gps coordinates to make sure the bomb dropped from a B2 stealth bomber hits the correct enemy bunker.
• You are running 15 minutes late for a meeting and you are in a noisy place.
• Ask your spouse to also get some milk and eggs when they go to the market.
• What was the address for the restaurant?
• What time was the meeting moved to?

Here are examples of when a text message is not appropriate

• Happy birthday!
• Congratulations on the promotion.
• Merry Christmas (Hanukah, Kwanza, etc)
• I’m sorry to hear about your dad passing.
• I just wanted to say thanks for…..

Bottom line: do not let digital communication take over your life. Let it help you when you need to send data. Go ahead and send that report, gps coordinates, pictures from your vacation, or spreadsheets. But do not allow it to take the place of spending quality face time with family, friends, clients or business associates. Some easy things to do to break the i-device cycle:

• Have a no i-device policy when you sit down to dinner with your family or friends.
• Play cards or a board game with friends instead of angry birds alone on your couch.
• Have a beer at a bar with a neighbor instead of checking in on facebook.
• Go to a museum or the park with your kids instead of standing in front of the TV playing wii.
• Make a phonecall to an old friend instead of sending a “happy birthday” text.

You know what you need to do. So do it. You’ll be glad you did. I know I am.

That’s my opinion. What do you think?

guns, assault weapons and people

Are you getting tired of the constant discussion over gun violence? I am. In fact I am sick of hearing about it in the news every day. School shootings are a shameful occurrence. There is no excuse for people using any kind force (gun or otherwise) to intimidate or harm kids in school. That being said, what the heck is wrong with the people who are doing these things. The AR-15 rifle used in the school shootings in Connecticut is not responsible for the deaths of the kids. The shooter is the person who is responsible. And let’s not forget the lady who allowed her mentally ill son to access the weapon. It’s a shame they are both dead. If they were still alive they should receive the death sentence. The mom for being dumb and naive and the son for being sick in the head.

Lots of people die every day. (Innocent ones too) Diseases, suicide, and automobile accidents are just a few of the causes of death that take more lives than “gun violence” every year. But you know why you never hear those stories… that stuff is not exciting enough and does not make for riveting news or grand speeches.

If the media and politicians really wanted to save lives, they would focus on the things that are really killing lots of Americans. (see previous paragraph) But let’s face the facts. Media and politicians want top billing and exciting stories and riveting speeches that polarize people and cause disagreements.

When was the last time any politician said: “to save lives and end the constant stream of needless deaths, Americans need to eat right, stop smoking, exercise and drive safely” (I have never heard that speech.)

I guess the media and politicians don’t really have my best interests in mind. They have their best interests in mind. More viewers, readers or listeners mean more ad revenue and fatter bank accounts for the media. That is why when the story bleeds, it leads. Politicians rely on self serving tactics and run the issue up the flag pole, see who cheers and sells their constituents on the fact that they are the pro-gun (or anti-gun), pro-abortion (or anti abortion), pro-health care (or anti-healthcare) candidate that you should vote for. Their objective is to get re-elected and continue to wield influence and power as they please.

Back to guns. There are already tons of gun laws on the books in every state of this nation. Most of which are just not being enforced. Gun control is not the answer. Enforcing existing gun laws is the answer.

… just my opinion in the 714. What do you think?