On gun control .....

I am a Vietnam veteran and I have used many different weapons: .38 caliber Smith and Wesson combat masterpiece, M-2 rifle, M-16 rifle, M-79 grenade launcher, .30 caliber machine gun and riot control shotgun. Today, I own no weapons and am not interested in doing so. That is my personal choice.
For those who want to own weapons that is their choice, and as long as they are responsible gun owners I support them in their decision.
I do not believe that gun control as it is now being debated is the answer to the problems that have been widely reported by the international media. As many people have said "Criminals don't obey the law so the law is not going to stop them." I believe that nothing is going to stop the people who want to use guns to harm or threaten others. Since we can't stop them what do we do?
My suggestion is straight froward: Make the punishment so severe that some people will think twice about how they use a gun. And for those who don't think about it (.i.e. "I didn't think the gun was loaded" ) or just plain don't care: Make the punishment twice as severe.
Responsible gun ownership comes with responsibilities. If a gun owner is irresponsible with how they handle, display, store or secure their guns, their punishment should also be severe.
In conclusion, I don't believe you can regulate guns or people with laws without causing more problems that it solves. I say take the people and the offending weapons off the streets for good. Let's stop the madness now.

Here I go again ....

It's time for another trip back to visit friends and family in the great north-wet. The weather looks promising for the first week (25th to 30th) and I hope that the change will be good for my inner balance. There is not a lot that I miss about Oregon except family and friends but I am looking forward to enjoying some non-Mexican delights.