No More Mills Fleet Farm

Let's keep this simple.

• I want hunters to keep their hunting rifles.
• I want homeowners to keep their handguns intended for self defense. Even if it means that statistically they are more likely to be involved in handgun accidents involving their own children. They have a right to weigh the risk/benefit involved for themselves.

I see no legitimate reason for anyone not in law enforcement or the military to possess, much less use tactical weapons (semi-automatic rifles, or any weapon that allows a large number of rounds to be fired without reloading). Count in that any sort of armor-piercing or rounds designed to maximize damage to a person's body (such as soft- or hollow-point bullets). No reason at all. Personal gratification is not a legitimate reason.

Guns and Mills Fleet Farm

I love MFF. For those of you not in the Midwest area of the USA, it's a giant general store of sorts. Lots of good things at great prices. Tools, yard supplies, sporting goods, automotive items. Helpful, friendly staff. I buy my deep cycle batteries there that I use to power my Astronomy gear. Yes, we've even bought a gun case there.

Unfortunately they also sell semi-automatic rifles, tactical rifles and magazines, which is their right under the current laws. And because of that MFF and I am parting ways. I'll be shopping elsewhere until they stop selling these things. Menards and other stores will do quite well at replacing MFF. I've written MFF about this; I don't anticpate a reply.

Guns and John Kline

John Kline is a Republican and the Congressional Representative of District 2 in Minnesota. He has an "A" rating from the NRA. I've never voted for him, and quite possibly never will. I'd like to think that he's a rational man, navigating the messy world of politics by the use of his own moral compass,  and not simply beholden to the NRA and the gun culture. He will probably soon have a chance to participate in discussions about how to move away from the violent use of guns in mass murders. Independents like me will be watching closely to see what he says and does about this problem.

If you're from District 2, write to him; tell him what you think. You have the power, through him, to salvage some shred of good from the evil visited upon the children and people of Sandy Hook.

Guns and Acts of Terror

I doubt the shooters in the many recent multiple homicides see themselves as terrorists, but that is exactly what they are. After the terror attack on 911 people were afraid fly, now they are afraid to send their children to school. At what point do we draw the line against this? Are we so engrossed in our own selfishness that we can't look out for our fellow citizens? Are we so weak that a group of people (the NRA, gun manufacturers, and gun merchants) can pervert the second amendment in the name of their own greed and threaten the safety of all of us?

Many Americans fear for their own lives and the lives of their loved ones because of the profusion of weapons no one legitimately needs. That the NRA supports the distribution of these weapons in our society makes them no better than terrorists.

I thought there was a war on terror. Please don't let the terrorists win.

Afterword:

Poor Fleet Farm! They get it from both sides. I came across a gun advocate forum that was ripping FF for not letting customers carry unconcealed guns through their stores. One person was upset because he couldn't carry his rifle into and through the store to the gun counter for service. The fact that if he had done that he might be taken as an armed robber didn't seem to register with him.