re: #39 Absalom, Absalom, Obdicut

I walk them through a process and ask them to decide very carefully. My strongest recommendation is great care on their part as long as they live. But let me try to flesh my position out with a hypothetical.

-A guy who lives in a lightweight gated but not well guarded community. The security is so so. He has a gun, has it stored properly and legally. His practice is occasional, not a sport enthusiast. I am not going to call him up and suggest he get rid of it based on the unlikelihood of needing it. If he asks me if I think he needs it I’d say no. He might disagree based on his perceived risk of a home invasion or some other unexpected circumstance. If he asked me if he had any obligation to get rid of it I’d say no, as long as his circumstances remain legal and proper. If he became a drunk I’d be one of the first to ask him to get the gun out of his home. If he asked how to best be rid of it I would help him sell it through a licensed dealer. If the guy never practices, I’d suggest he start or get rid of it. If he just wants to be a collector I’d suggest rendering the gun inoperable. Plug the chamber.

See I have no problem with simple responsible gun ownership, even if it is just to collect that gun. I don’t see the burden of proof to have one you do. I’m not sorry some Koren merchants had guns when rioters went to burn down the strip mall in the King riots. Did the need them the day before? Nope. Today? No. Next month, nobody really knows.

Geez this feels like we should be on email, it’s just about just you and I.