I am a 69 year old female, live alone out in the country outside of Portland, Oregon. I have never had a gun and never will. I will not use an instrument of death under any circumstances.

I grew up in the suburbs. No one in my extended family has ever had guns. No one hunts. In my current life, I have good fencing, a gate, three big dogs (and cats, goats and llamas.). And I have friends.

My ex-husband brought a handgun into our marriage. I made him hide it and told him I never wanted to see it. When we were getting divorced, he got it out and was cleaning it. I moved out the next day.

I think we should have Canada’s system. No handguns at all, no weapons of war. Military weapons for the military only. Weapons allowed for law enforcement. Only hunting rifles allowed for the general population.

My two cents. Oh, and I’m new here, although I’ve been following DU since Bush.