Does Gun Control Save Lives or Cost Lives?

Both? -- Gun control of your shots saves your life, but costs the life of the guy assaulting you...

Kennesaw, GA passed a City Ordinance several years ago requiring every head of household to have a gun and ammunition for it. While our crime rate is pretty low the Ordinance is never enforced. Just the thought that a homeowner is armed deters most crime.

Let me tell you a story: I shared a hootch in Vietnam with a group of officers that included a JAG captain. One very rainy night (it was monsoon season) he was sitting on his bunk cleaning his .45 1911 while four of us played cards nearby. I glanced in his direction from time to time to watch what he was doing. I thought I might have missed part of his routine inasmuch as I only saw him brushing the barrel vigorously and occasionally look down it. The weapon was still fully assembled. After several minutes of this, he pulled the trigger and blew a hole in the roof. I laid down my hand and walked to his bunk where he now sat frozen with the weapon still pointing up. I peeled it from his hand and completely field striped it. After dumping the parts on his bunk I returned to the game. He spent the rest of his tour looking for someone to reassemble it for him. None dared. Word had circulated throughout the basecamp that to do so would result in "consequences".

Many of us grew up with firearms. Actually, weapons of all sorts. We were taught by the family inspired by a mutual respect for each one's sense of self preservation. Still, upon enlistment, we met many who weren't so trained. I well-remember my first day on the range as the range sergeant had us place our unloaded weapons on the ground with the barrels resting on a stake and pointing down range, and our feet, at the position of attention, bracketing the rifle butt. We repeated this exercise countless times wondering who was screwing up. No one, actually. He was establishing control.

In Vietnam, I also well-remembering standing at the entrance to the basecamp, inspecting each weapon as my patrol passed by, making sure all were cleared. Again, control.

I now have my Texas Concealed Carry Permit. Despite my experience with firearms, spanning almost 70 years, I still had to pass tests demonstrating my proficiency. I'm glad to know that everyone who has the same permit is similarly tested.

So, count me among the ranks of those who believe that gun control saves lives. However, also count me among the ranks of those who believe that infringements on the right to keep and bear arms costs lives.