Published: October 01, 2008 01:48 pm      

Be responsible

Admit it. Guns are a way of life for many Oklahomans. The tradition of shooting and hunting has been passed down through the generations.

An organization recently met to help perpetuate American shooting sports hunting tradition.

Ada Friends of National Rifle Association held a fundraising event Thursday night for funds for the NRA. Participants enjoyed socializing, games, drawings, catered dinner from Blue Moon and a live auction. The funds raised go to important projects such as youth shooting programs, hunter education, range development and improvements, safety and marksmanship training, wildlife conservation and endowments for the future of the shooting sports.

Despite organizations such as Friends of NRA, many want gun control and to take away the guns and the sport handed down through generations. True, a great amount of gun crimes exist. But here’s the catch. If a person wants to do harm to another person, he’s going to find a way, even in the passion of the moment. Anything can become a weapon, a beer bottle broken over the bar, a pencil, letter opener, vehicle, knife, fork, anything.

A man who was obviously unarmed said, “I don’t need a gun, I have to very lethal weapons right here,” and he held up his hands. That person had trained in Martial Arts and is very skilled and possibly deadly if need be. But he has a responsibility with that knowledge.

That same responsibility is also required with guns. Many responsible gun owners were raised around the weapon, knowing that all times, whether the weapon is loaded or not, the barrel is to be pointed up or directly down at the ground, never at eye level and never at another person. If the person wasn’t raised around them, the responsible gun owner educates himself or herself and goes through proper procedures.

The Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States protects the right to own and use guns. With that and all other freedoms, comes responsibility. Organizations such as the NRA and Friends of NRA supports that responsibility. How is it said? “A man who gives up freedom for security has neither.”

If you are an owner of a weapon, be responsible. Keep it away from children’s reach, don’t leave a loaded gun around the house, and if you ever pull a weapon on another human, be prepared to take charge of that person’s life and whether he lives or dies.

Are you ready for that burden?