Gun Control

When issues of gun control arise, I always remember a young Seabee who served with me in Vietnam. He was a handsome, personable young man about 18 years old and determined to make the most of his experience.

He was killed in Vietnam, but not by the mortar rounds that went through our camp during the Tet Offensive, or the stray rounds when we replaced overstretched Marines on a perimeter. He died when someone outside his sea hut was playing with a pistol, and it went off. The .45 caliber bullet went through the wall and struck him while he was sleeping.

A conversation on a bus stays with me as well. A man was telling what he thought was a funny story. He sleeps with a pistol under his pillow and one night he was startled by a shadowy figure in the bedroom. He fired a shot, just missing his wife, and hitting a bottle of hand lotion splattering lotion all over the wall and around the bullet hole. He laughed about it and said he still kept his pistol under his pillow.

These are just my stories. We all know many, many other instances of tragic deaths and near injuries caused by irresponsible people.

There are people who should not have guns and local sheriffs know a lot of them. We need stronger gun control laws, not weaker ones. The burden of proof should be on the potential owners as to whether they will be responsible gun owners. Safety training and gun locks should be a requirement.

The “right to bear arms” in the Constitution refers to the need to have a militia, not the desire to be a cowboy. The general public has an over-riding right not to be killed by a stupid person.

Karl Schilling
Des Moines

Posted on Thu, March 15, 2012 by Karl Schilling

6 comments (Add your own)

1. Karl Schilling wrote:: A person sent in a comment but did not post it. However, the argument is such a common one that I thought I would address it anyway. The comment was that the right to bear arms has nothing to do with a militia and that accidents happen with cars, kitchen knives, and basketballs. It said that I didn't have my facts straight and didn't make a case to take away anyone's right to bear arms.

First of all, if the second amendment had nothing to do with a militia, why does it say it does? People against gun controls always say there is a right to bear arms, but saying it doesn't make it so. Accidents do happen with the items he mentioned, but all of those things serve a purpose other than killing something. And drivers are licensed, must be proven able to drive, and must have registration and insurance. That's really all most gun control people want. I never said that people who could pass a gun safety test, show that the guns are stored properly, have their guns registered, and haven't been convicted of violent acts can't have a gun. I just don't want somebody on a bus thinking they are Wyatt Earp responding to a mugger by throwing lead around innocent people. The new gun legislation would allow for just that.
Thu, March 15, 2012 @ 5:19 PM
2. Paul French wrote:: I beg to differ with Mr. Schilling's observations regarding gun control. I am a firm believer in the right of every individual to protect themselves and loved ones from harm perpetraited by individuals bent on rape, home invasion, acts of violent rage. Gun locks are great if you have kids. But are worthless in preventing a home invader from harming you. The idea of the 2nd Amendment referring to a militia is, in my opinion referencing the people. In 1776 WE each of us was the militia. WE are responsible for being the protectors and being sufficiently well armed as to effect our preservation. YES, there are instances of a gun going off accidently and doing harm. But these instances must not be a deterrance from each of us being a responsible citizen and being able to protect ourselves.
Thu, March 15, 2012 @ 11:45 PM
3. Ron Clayman wrote:: The sad truth is, if you own a handgun, you are most likely to use it to commit a violent crime! when was the last time you saw an article in the news about someone using a hand gun to protect themselves? while our first amendment rights are tethered to responsibility, there is a great resistance to doing the same thing with the second.
Fri, March 16, 2012 @ 9:22 AM
4. Mark Challis wrote:: Your point is all the more relevant in light of the Vigilante shooting in Florida. There are far too many crazy people with access to hand guns. I believe from hearing the 911 tapes that the young seventeen year old was chased down and killed in cold blood. The "Stand Your Ground Laws" are a misguided rationale for murder of minorities.
Tue, March 20, 2012 @ 8:00 PM
5. Rick Smith wrote:: The tragic and apparently preventable killing in Florida this week of a 17 year old unarmed teenager should be a wake-up call to the proliferation of “stand your ground laws” now in effect in 21 states. Florida’s “stand your ground gun law“grants immunity from prosecution or arrest to suspects who can claim self defense. This case appears to be an example of the way the new law has escalated actions of self defense to a much more aggressive use of deadly force. This law expands the previous defend your home or “castle doctrine” to a much larger area. Apparently, the police are reluctant to make arrests in these cases due to the inability to successfully prosecute without witnesses. This case should be a warning to all Iowans about similar new assaults on Iowa gun laws. The Republican controlled Iowa House this year passed “stand your ground “HF 2215 but it failed to gain support in the Senate. Iowans should be concerned that in light of the Florida case weakening Iowa gun laws can result in greater danger from untrained gun toting vigilantes.
Thu, March 22, 2012 @ 11:38 AM
6. Gembot wrote:: Where I live asking soenome if they own a gun would get a "yes" about as often as asking them if they owned a car. The truth that when secnds count the police are ony minutes away is quite obviouis in rural America.I bought my first pistol a few weeks ago, primarily for home protection and to carry on walks and bicycle rides. You never know what kind of animals my pop out of the woods. Bears and mountain lions have been reported in my county. I've seen a bobcat on my back porch and in my front yard. Plus a wild dog or coyote is always a possibilty.As for doctors, my doctor made enough mistakes in my treatment for me to go elsewhere. Simple stuff like incorrectly running glucose test and such. We could save a lot of lives if doctors policed themselves better.I think I'll use Trey's response if asked. I keep my gun unloaded but the clip and gun within reach of each other.
Fri, May 25, 2012 @ 10:10 PM

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