
Originally Posted by
Gepeto
The numbers don’t quite support the drama you’re pushing.
From the FBI database, Murder (by gunshot) in 2010
Colorado 65
Florida 569
New Jersey 446
New York 617
Pennsylvania 457
Texas 805
I have skipped the other 44 states but it is worth mentioning: Vermont, 2 murders by gunshot.
A tip of the hat on your observation of the intelligence level in Texas of course and it’s obvious that Florida isn’t too far behind.
As for checking the exits at the movies in Colorado; you now have a fear. Fear is good as it makes you more cognizant of your surroundings. In the military its formal name is “situational awareness”. Once you own it, when it is second nature, we call it having your head on a swivel. It becomes second nature after you’ve made a few skid marks in your shorts when shots come from way out outside of your line of fire. I would add that “head on a swivel” is a bit of a misnomer as it commutes site as the important tool, but sound is an equally important aspect of being aware of your surroundings. Do to this permanently imbedded attribute; I can hear snow land. It’s pretty cool.
I believe police forces in the US call it “totality of the moment”.
But back to your misinformed retort. I’m happy to know you’re paying more attention to your personal safety. As to gun laws, I would point to statistics and say that Australia and Great Britain are getting it right. I would give up my 2nd Amendment right to make our children’s future safer. That’s coming from an ex US Army Ranger {11B2V} with small arms as one of my areas of expertise, along with chemical, biological and radioactive warfare. Give me the chance and I can wax on and on. My point is, letting someone take my guns away from me permanently is not something I take lightly but, it's the intelligent thing to do.
As to urban jungles back east having less gun ownership because of sensible laws and strong enforcement… Bullshit. I forced my wife to carry a cheap ruger 380 on the train each day into manhattan. Thankfully, she no longermakes the commute. I still crawl into one of the five boroughs a few times a month and gun shots in broad daylight is still not that out of the ordinary.
When a heated argument erupts anywhere within earshot, you’re always waiting to see how it will escalate. A case in point, a few years ago I’m on the NE corner of 93rd and Amsterdam, 1pm in the afternoon. Two pops; a small caliber weapon for sure. On the SE corner of 94th lay the deceased. This is not considered “out of the ordinary” in Newark, Trenton, Camden, Paterson, Harlem, Queens, New Haven, Hartford, etc., etc..
You should try and communicate more like your avatar implies…
He was a great spirit and a peaceful man.
As a side note: I want my 4th Amendment back, but that’s water under the bridge.
RLTW
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