simple truths

after considerable thought, and going from one side to the other, and not being a gun owner myself, I have come to the conclusion that tougher gun laws are not the answer. VA Tech, Columbine, Ft. Hood, Newtown, Oregon, etc--it all comes down to the last line of defense--kill or be killed. If one person with a gun in any of these mass shootings had taken the terrorist out, then lives would have been saved. A terrorist is a terrorist--domestic or foreign, sane or not.

During his homily a month or so ago Fr. Gould (pastor, St. John the Evangelist in Warrenton) mentioned how the sheriff asked to meet with local pastors following Charleston. When two black pastors were asked what they were going to do, they said "We're going to arm our congregation". Fr. Gould found that surprising. I don't find it surprising at all.

"I solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, so help me God." 
oath taken by members of Congress and commissioned military personnel. 

The last line of defense from those who murder innocent citizens is to take out the terrorist(s), foreign or domestic. It's called "self-defense". The right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness", as well as the right to defend ourselves against enemies foreign and domestic, are clearly spelled out in our founding documents and in common law. 

(BTW, those in Washington DC, Chicago and other locations who shoot and kill anyone, including innocent children, in drive-by shootings are domestic terrorists.)

60 years ago grade school children were taught to crouch under their desks in the event of a nuclear bomb. Look around. Government can't pass laws that will make you safe. Every day could be your last. If you don't have anything more than government to cling to, then you've got nothing.