The pros and cons of keeping guns in the house
Dear Beth:
I've never seen a gun get up and shoot someone. It takes a human to aim and pull the trigger. My kids grew up with firearms in the house and never ''played" with them. They were taught how to handle a weapon safely, that it does kill, and people don't come back to life like on TV. Our weapons were always locked in one place and the ammo in another.
Guns don't kill. People kill.
ANONYMOUS
I respect your opinion. But if someone is upset, angry, disturbed, and wants to take it out on someone, he or she will use what's available to do that. If he has access to lethal weapons, he can commit lethal acts.
If he doesn't, the chances are greater that he'll not be able to inflict as much harm and might even have more time to think about what he's doing.
Our culture now provides a primer for young people on how to kill. They've seen it done thousands of times. Gun control doesn't prevent disturbed or criminal people from wanting to inflict harm. But easy access to lethal weapons makes it more likely they'll do far more serious damage.
Dear Beth:
I, too, wish to keep guns away from kids and stop the senseless killings that occur, but I advocate a loaded gun for protection from home invasion or other life-threatening circumstances. I speak from experience.
One fateful night there was a crash in front of our house. I thought they had hit my car and went out to assess the damage. The driver was attempting to drive away, and I stopped him. His girlfriend suggested he hit me, and when he got out of his car, I ran into my house.
Then I heard others say, ''No, don't do it!" and realized he had a weapon.
I managed to keep him from entering, but he broke a window and shot me in the leg.
If I'd had access to a gun, I could've let him enter and then had a legal right to shoot him. I vowed to never allow this to happen again, so now my guns are loaded and locked in my bedroom.
Once the bad guys realize their lives are threatened, crime will decrease.
NORMAN POYNETTE, WIS.
What a traumatic experience. I understand that people living in areas of high incidence of criminal activity are fearful. But I believe violence escalates when there's a threat of violence.
Once escalation starts, it's difficult to turn back, and you've increased the likelihood of more dangerous encounters.
Beth can be reached at askbeth@globe.com.
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