Lock and load
By BOB PALMER - Tribune Editor
Saturday, November 29, 2008 1:11 PM CST
This Christmas, Suzie wants a dolly. Junior wants a skateboard. Momma will settle for a new dishwasher. And Dad expects an AR15 with two 20-round banana clips and enough ammo to defend the Alamo under the tree.
It seems nearly everyone is making a run to the local gun store to stock up on powder and thundersticks before liberal Democrats come to take their toys away.
I'm still not sure the Democrats are interested in halting or placing unreasonable restraints on gun sales. This entire panic is based more on years of National Rifle Association propaganda than any reality.
The only restrictions I heard Barack Obama espouse during the campaign was to attempt to get automatic weapons out of the hands of urban drug lords. Unless you want Dallas to look like Juarez, you should support him.
No one wants to stop you from owning a deer rifle or a shotgun. You don't need a machine gun. A .12 gauge at the top of the stairs is a much better choice for home defense. If you want to play with a weapon that can go to rock and roll, the Army or Marine recruiter will be happy to talk with you.
The Supreme Court in the Heller decision this year has even reaffirmed your right to keep and bear arms, making it even more unlikely Obama, Pelosi or Reid will tamper with your Second Amendment rights.
In your rush to stock your arms room, I just hope you act responsibly. The weapons and ammunition, when not in use, should be locked up. If you keep a weapon by your bed, a trigger lock should be a must. It's not that difficult. The last thing you do before turning out the lights and saying your prayers is taking the lock off. The first thing you do after turning off the alarm is put the lock back on.
Just remember your children or grandchildren are more likely to encounter that pistol than any home intruder.
I own guns. I enjoy hunting and shooting. Now is as good of a time as any to buy a new one, if you want, even if I don't think there is an emergency.
The Army convinced me, however, of the necessity of treating these weapons like they are an accident waiting to happen.
