Posted on 07/17/2002 2:35:06 PM PDT by Sandy
I worked in a motorcycle shop for many years and the way you feel is exactly the reaction that people had when loved ones died in accidents while riding their motorcycles.
It is anyone's right to destroy something that belongs to them or a family member, but for one person to be instrumental in passing a law that the entire state will have to obey is another thing. The family is acting out of pain, but I always have a problem with laws being passed based on feelings and emotions rather than sound judgment.
However, I think we are missing the point here.
What's really at issue here is the continuing manipulation by the press on this gun issue and many others. The continual, never ending creeping of political correctness into every aspect of our society. The continuing trend that NO one needs to take personal responsibility for anything they do, OR, anything that ever happens to them.
All these stupid attempts to physically demonstrate ones "feelings" - the silly plastic flowers and crosses on street corners and accident sites, the toy stuffed animals shoved into a fence, the cutting up of a evil gun - do nothing to address the real problems or issues.
It is just like when I lived in Mexico City for 2 long years. Each week, the local government passed one stupid law or rule - each one more inane or ineffective than the next. Everyone knew that they would have no affect or even remotely address the root issues of the problems. But each week, the silliness continued.
It was all an attempt to make people think that they were actually trying to solve the problem without addressing it. They knew that people might think that they were actually doing something if in fact they just kept pumping out rules - laws or edicts. People laughed at each and the continuing total farce just allowed the problems to grow bigger and bigger - whether it was the horrendous pollution or the 2 corrupt police forces.
Eventually, someone has to actually lead - to actually make the hard decisions, and only then will we make progress. Unfortunately the trend seems to be toward the easy way out. Ignoring that and focusing ones efforts on silly inconsequential acts seems to ne more than a waste of time.
It took me about three years to get past the dreams, EVERY night. Around six or seven years I quit paying private detectives, bothering the cops, and buying drinks for motorcycle gangs and dope dealers looking for info. I also noticed I didn't think about it every day and could once again watch a movie in which people were shot without it making me sick.
Now I only think about it a couple of times a week and when I read something that brings it up. Heck I've only had the file reviewed once this year, though this time I had a judge friend of mine look at it!
However given that most guns used in a crime like this belong to either the victim or the murderer, I have no problem with the victims family demanding it be destroyed.
If it was stolen from a third party, it should be returned. Given what we've been through however I would not want a murder weapon, stolen from me, returned.
Please don't do that. I don't understand how you feel but having it destroyed isn't the answer. Transfering your feelings toward an inanimate object isn't the way to go.
Thanks for not wishing this on me. I understand what you meant.
What point would I argue? That you want the gun destroyed? I can hardly mount much of a critique against your personal feelings. As to their VALIDITY, I suspect that psychologically, you are substituting an inanimate object as the target for your grief and your anger. You are endowing that object with a power it does not have in and of itself. If that satisfies your need to vent your emotions, who am I to judge? But the gun was only a tool in the hand of a criminal; it is the criminal who should be the focus of your rage.
If your house was burned down, would you blame the match?
And for what it's worth, you have my sympathy on the death of your father.
If someone used a blow torch to burn my house down, I would want the guy jailed and the blow torch steam rolled. I do not care if it's logical, but would want it done. I don't blame the gun, nor the match I just want them gone! It in no way lessens how I feel about the murderer, I've spent a fortune looking for him.
If Japan attacks Hawaii, I don't want them beaten I want unconditional surrender. I don't want OBL in jail, I want him dead and all his wealth, bases and homes destroyed. When they find the guy who's killing kids out west I would like him beaten to death, his car and home burned and the ashes urinated on. Logical? No, but I would feel better!
I very much suspect that most people in my shoes feel the same way. If the gun belongs to the victim or the murderer, why would you object to it being destroyed? Does one less gun matter? Is any third party hurt by this?
Yours is the only post that has offended me.
I am well aware I am not the only one this has ever happened to, show me where I say that. If you have not been there however how would you know how I feel? It's like people who tell you how to raise children who don't have any, or a business prof. who wants to tell you how to run a business though they have never been in business.
Have you lost a family member like this? If so do you feel the way I do? If you don't feel that way, way not? My mothers first cousin is a doctor and 40 years ago his youngest child a two year old climbed on the kitchen counter and pulled his medical bag off the top of the refrigerator. She poisoned herself and could not be saved. After the funeral he got drunk and burned the bag. No one seemed to think that was very odd, nor do I.
I'm sure however that in your opinion this was foolish. Seems after your uncalled for statement I just don't care what you think and will go back to discussing this with the others.
Thank you for your time.
Ah if only I knew who to shoot. I have a female second cousin who is a Houston cop and is married to a Houston Cop. I also have a couple of judge friends and know some Harris County Constables and one of my brothers-in-law is an Austin cop. They all tell me that the HPD knows who did it but can't prove it. A few of them also say the file says not to tell ME because someone in the department thinks I would off the guy if I was SURE who did it! Interesting is it not?
You don't owe me any explanations, by the way.
As hard headed as I am if I OWED you one, you might not get it!;-) I enjoy the difference of opinion ........ well with those who can state theirs while at least listening to mine, and not be patronizing.
I read your post again, and must add one more thought. After all these years, rage has given way to being resigned to the fact. Just stop and really think about the situation though. Say the gun was returned to me, would I want THAT gun in my home? Would my brother or sister? Could I really give it to someone, and if so who? What would I say "I want you to have this because I can't keep it because it was used to kill my dad?"
I have BTW given away several guns in my life, a 20 gauge Charles Daly over and under, a 30-30, and just this year both a 20 & 28 gauge Remington 1100. I just can't get my mind around giving THAT gun to someone and I damn sure don't want it.
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