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David More: Blame the operator, not the tool

In light of recent tragic events around the country and the push for more stringent gun control, I feel obliged to argue my side. I think that people need to hear this message, even though I am afraid that not many will listen to it.

You see, those of you who are screaming for tighter gun control do not understand that more laws will not stop our problem.

It’s already illegal for a large slice of the population of the United States to own or possess firearms (convicted felons and those deemed mentally incompetent are just two examples.)

It’s already illegal to take a gun of any kind into a school. It’s already illegal to be in possession of a gun of any kind if you are under the influence of alcohol or any other controlled substance.

It is already illegal to conceal a gun if you have not taken the training and received a concealed weapons permit from the sheriff in the county in which you reside.

It is already illegal to take a gun into a gun-free zone. It is already illegal to purchase and/or possess high capacity magazines in Colorado and at least seven other states and the District of Columbia.

Murder, by any means, is already illegal. I could go on and on.

We already have a background check system that asks questions about your mental health, domestic violence history, and my personal favorite for Colorado, “Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance?

Read the BATFE form 4473. The background check form every lawful purchaser of a firearm must fill out for every single transaction at any Federal Firearms Licensed dealer.

So you see, we have all these rules and checks and balances in place to stop bad people from obtaining firearms legally. So what is the problem? Why is America having this problem with gun violence?

It’s because a significant portion of the population is blaming the tool and not the person operating it. The problem is that criminals don’t give a damn about society’s laws.

You didn’t blame the truck for “rolling coal” at your demonstration Saturday afternoon did you? No, you blamed the operator.

Please take some time and do your research before protesting for further gun control. I admit that we do have our problems that we need to find solutions to. But taking my rights away and making my firearms and firearms I may want to own in the future illegal is not the way to go about it. The Second Amendment is the one that I will die for if the need arises.

“Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.” — Thomas Jefferson

David More

Oak Creek


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