Reply #86: OK, let me try once again to explain my position on guns

[Starboard Tack]

1. I am not against guns or gun ownership by anyone.
2. I do not oppose police and LE in general from having access to guns.
3. I support the basic right of anyone to own a gun for hunting, sport and defending home and family.
4. I support the rights of democratically elected local governments to enact laws allowing or prohibiting the public use and carrying of guns.
5. I support the police using firearms to protect the populace when necessary. An example would be when apprehending a person who is actively a threat to the life of a citizen, including police officers.
6. I oppose the routine carrying of firearms on one's person, be it a police officer or citizen.
7. I subscribe to the UK model regarding arming the police, imperfect as it may be. It works better than any other I have seen. I think it is essential to good police work that officers on patrol have a close relationship with those who live in the community in which they serve. This is severely hampered when your average cop is carrying a loaded weapon.
8. I have zero interest in banning guns of any type. As is said so often "Guns don't kill. People do."
9. I do have an interest in working to find solutions to problems and I find 100,000+ injuries and deaths caused by gun use to be a huge problem. I also find the associated costs to be a problem.

I hope that clarifies my position somewhat.