HighPlainsDrifter
New member
You are right Yotehunter, I am very pro-gun. I work a part time job selling guns at Sportsmans Warehouse. I have no problem with citizens buying guns for hunting, recreation or for self defense. I also dont disagree with the principle of what you are saying. I honestly wish things were different in this great nation of ours where things could be different. However, do you think our founding fathers intended for you or I or anyone to purchase a permit to hunt deer, elk antelope, etc. etc? Yet we do without batting an eye. Do you consider hunting a right? I do. Yet you willingly buy a license or apply for a permit. Do you think they ever even considered requiring a permit to drive your horse and carriage down the street? We do though. Its called a drivers license. Is it too far off base to compare a carriage to a vehicle as opposed to a flintlock rifle to an M16. Both are probably beyond the comprehension of our founding fathers much like the problems that face society in these modern times. I do not oppose American citizens having the right to bear arms as stated in the Bill of Rights. My point is that some Americans have LOST some of their rights that were granted them in the Constitution by our founding fathers. Their actions and lifestyles have made them a threat to society. Without some sort of system in place, how can we keep evil people from legally possessing a weapon? How do we keep the people who would readily harm you or your family without batting an eye or without a second thought from legally carring a concealed weapon? Or an automatic weapon? I guess you could make an argument and it would be a strong one, that reqiring a permit or applying for a license is a form of gun control. But whats the alternative? Forget about doing background checks? Let anyone walk into Walmart or any sporting goods store and buy a gun without proving somehow that they have not lost the right? Do you believe people can lose their rights through criminal action or behavior? If nothing else, some of you have to see that I certainly view this issue from a different perspective and probably more because of how I make a living than any other reason. The simple truth is that things are not as simple as, "Its our right to bear arms as stated in the Constitution" You really cant argue that anything in our world is simple anymore. Because of that fact, many law abidding citizens have to jump through hoops, be inconvenienced and sometimes even humiliated to excercise a right that our founding fathers granted them. I would be the first to say thats not right. But someone please give an alternative other than everyone, regardless of their background, should retain their right to bear arms without question. That is not an option and you will never convince me that any of our founding fathers ever intended that. At least consider what I am saying before reverting back to this issue being a simple one because it is no longer that simple. Our founding fathers could never have known that American society would be infested with the violence, drug abuse and hatred that it has today.
That being said, I do not want stronger gun laws. I am in favor of relaxing gun laws in as many ways as it is humanly possible. In my home state and the city I live, it is legal for citizens to carry a firearm, in the open, anywhere in the city within reason. Further, it is legal to have a fully loaded firearm, concealed in a vehicle, without possessing a permit. That is unless you are a convicted felon or have been convicted of Family Violence. I have no problem with that and hope it never changes. Concealed weapons on the person require a permit. That does not take away that citizens right to bear arms. It simply permits that citizen to carry his arms hidden on his person and I firmly believe to have that right, you should be required to prove that you have not done something to lose it. As far as automatic weapons go, as long as you are not a felon or Family Violence offender, and can prove it, I believe Americans should be allowed to posses them. If its still shameful and disgusting of me to feel this way then so be it. Also Yotehunter, I disagree with the statement that most of what modern law enforcement does is reactionary although that is a good part of our job. Crime prevention is alive and well and is a huge part of what we do. Ever hear of Community Policing? A simple traffic stop for a traffic violation although appearing reactionary on the surface can be considered prevention in high accident areas. The simple act of patrolling and being seen by the public is the simplest form of crime prevention. There are many crime prevention programs out there that law enforcement is very involved in. DARE and Neighborhood watch to name a few.
Mauser,
In 17 years of law enforcement, I have never seen the code of silence and probably would not know it if I fell over it. As far as the oilfield workers being referred to as oilfield trash, they refer to themselves as oilfield trash. It is not a derrogatory term any more than Redneck is a derrogatory term. In most instances it is a term of endearment especially among themselves. To answer your question, I have never "worked anyone over" anywhere in Casper or Mills. I have however used reasonable and necessary force whether it be hands on, pepper spray, TASER, impact weapons or the display of a firearm to control many many situations. It is what Police Officers do.
That being said, I do not want stronger gun laws. I am in favor of relaxing gun laws in as many ways as it is humanly possible. In my home state and the city I live, it is legal for citizens to carry a firearm, in the open, anywhere in the city within reason. Further, it is legal to have a fully loaded firearm, concealed in a vehicle, without possessing a permit. That is unless you are a convicted felon or have been convicted of Family Violence. I have no problem with that and hope it never changes. Concealed weapons on the person require a permit. That does not take away that citizens right to bear arms. It simply permits that citizen to carry his arms hidden on his person and I firmly believe to have that right, you should be required to prove that you have not done something to lose it. As far as automatic weapons go, as long as you are not a felon or Family Violence offender, and can prove it, I believe Americans should be allowed to posses them. If its still shameful and disgusting of me to feel this way then so be it. Also Yotehunter, I disagree with the statement that most of what modern law enforcement does is reactionary although that is a good part of our job. Crime prevention is alive and well and is a huge part of what we do. Ever hear of Community Policing? A simple traffic stop for a traffic violation although appearing reactionary on the surface can be considered prevention in high accident areas. The simple act of patrolling and being seen by the public is the simplest form of crime prevention. There are many crime prevention programs out there that law enforcement is very involved in. DARE and Neighborhood watch to name a few.
Mauser,
In 17 years of law enforcement, I have never seen the code of silence and probably would not know it if I fell over it. As far as the oilfield workers being referred to as oilfield trash, they refer to themselves as oilfield trash. It is not a derrogatory term any more than Redneck is a derrogatory term. In most instances it is a term of endearment especially among themselves. To answer your question, I have never "worked anyone over" anywhere in Casper or Mills. I have however used reasonable and necessary force whether it be hands on, pepper spray, TASER, impact weapons or the display of a firearm to control many many situations. It is what Police Officers do.