This is one aspect of visiting the United States that I absolutely abhor.
Seriously, what reason could anyone have for bringing a loaded firearm to a dog park – let alone at Lake Havasu in March, which is populated primarily by college students who are just there to have fun and let loose?
Let me backstep a bit.
I didn’t even know that this guy was carrying a weapon.
While at the park, I stopped by the table at which he and another lady were sitting and spoke with them about their ‘little’ dogs… primarily to inquire about their breed types and characteristics as Ed and I want to add another dog to out family that is smaller than our chocolate Labrador, Jasper.
In speaking with him, I sensed nothing (too) much awry, other than he wasn’t overtly friendly or forthcoming.
Which would normally be fine.
But on returning to where Ed and my cousins from the Netherlands were sitting at the dog park and having them point out to me that the man was open-carrying a weapon – NOTHING in my mind was ‘fine’ about this man.
Seriously, WHY would anyone bring a firearm to a dog park at Lake Havasu in March?
Would he kill my dog if it advanced on his tiny mutt?
Would he kill me if I said something he didn’t like or agree with?
Who knows?
Laws in the States permit him the ‘freedom’ to carry a weapon with which to kill me or my dog regardless of what we might say or do.
As a Canadian, my thought remains, “where is my freedom to protect myself from idiots who are so fearful in public spaces that they feel the need to open-carry weapons and could kill me with no justification other than ‘I thought she was going to harm me’ to kill me”.
Seriously, laws pertaining to gun access and use in the U.S. are so weird as to be troubling, especially when contrasted with the ‘peaceful’ society in which I was born and call home – Canada.
If not for the benevolent climate, we would choose not to spend our winters in the United States for the very reason that their version of ‘freedom’ according to the NRA’s versions of 2nd amendment is completely bogus.
The NRA wants nothing more than to support its industry – gun sales – and NOT the 2nd amendment, which the NRA fully comprehends was never intended to allow ALL the nitwits access to guns – but is more than happy to support that notion because it means much more money in their pockets.
The NRA doesn’t give a shit if you, I or our family members are killed in the process.
The NRA’s reaction?
Buy MORE guns to ‘protect’ yourself, (and don’t trust local law enforcement to protect you)… 2 ideas which are bizarre beyond the extreme in more ‘civilized’ societies which experience 90% LESS gun violence, primarily due to restrictive access to guns and an appreciation for law enforcement.
All that the NRA’s mis-interpretation of the 2nd amendment has served to do is kill 10 times as many people every year in U.S. as would be harmed if there were proper legislation in effect to restrict access to firearms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_violence_in_the_United_States
Anyway… the old coot can carry what he wants. I would have poked out both his eyes LONG before he had a chance to pull his weapon and shoot my baby, Jasper. (Sadly… so could anyone else who wanted access to his weapon.)
I could go on and on and on… but PLEASE, feel free to leave your comments. Let’s have a discussion that informs and improves the situation, i.e. gets RID of a-rated NRA politicians in the U.S.A. who don’t give a shit about whether you or I live – just that they survive yet another term.
I agree with you 200%.
Thanks melody!
Ros,
I hope you come to your senses soon and learn to go into Mexico for the winter and cruise right back up the coast and over to Penticton.
Last time I checked, Mexico has much sunshine, lots to see and do and for the most part the locals are friendly. Spend you cash where it do some real good.
Either that or stay home and buy a real good fancy Far Infrared Sauna. Besides, you seem to look forward to all the work you need to do back at the house in Penticton. Unless, of course, you decide to RV full-time. What a concept.
Hey Grant,
I hear ya, guy. 🙂 and definitely appreciate your take.
We were planning to head down there last year when our friends’ backed out on the planned convoy.
Next thing you knew, it was March, the relatives were joining us and it was time to head north again.
But yes… in many ways I would much rather spend my winters in Mexico.
Cheers,
Ros
Rosalind,
I think you “nailed it!” The NRA is no more than a “mouth piece” for the big gun manufacturers. Profits have replaced their morality. (assuming they ever had any) I have a couple of friends who belong to the NRA (they’re actually considering giving up their memberships) and even they say that the NRA leadership has “sold out!” I’m told that the NRA use to be about teaching gun safety, now they’re “lobbyists” for the gun industry. PROFITS, it’s all about the PROFITS and the innocent victims of gun violence be DAMN!!
Hi Rosalind,
I agree…kinda weird looking (wearing a gun). Even more weird is he’s probably less likely to be a threat with his gun than those packing heat, discreetly. Generally, if someone is up to no good then they are hiding something. Lots and lots of unregistered guns in the country.
“Freedom” is getting stranger the longer I live. What’s acceptable and unacceptable is definitely changing.
We don’t seem to like being registered for anything: voting or guns. It has turned into a free-for-all.
Kinda messy
I’ve been to Canada once (1980). Seen Niagara Falls – an Amazing Site!. My lasting imagery of Canada is its cleanliness. No litter anywhere back then.
Elwin,
Thanks for sharing and you should come back and visit our Rocky Mountains (Jasper and Banff, Alberta)
By the way, we’re still clean. LOL
Cheers,
Ros
Hi Rosalind,
You seem to dislike many things within the United States (Health care, gun laws) and speak as though you are in a perfect place…. With that in mind, maybe you should consider Grant’s suggestion.
No one likes gun violence wherever it occurs!
Jim
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/06/04/royal-canadian-mounted-police-shooting/9995303/
Hi Jim,
Yes, we have crazy people here in Canada too and what happened in Moncton just recently is a tragedy beyond belief… for we Canadians, anyway. Seems that Americans just take mass shootings as a way of doing business, i.e. NO changes to gun laws since Sandy Hook, thanks to the NRA… and that speaks very loudly to underpinnings of U.S. culture.
Fortunately, our crazies are much less likely to kill with guns because we have so many restrictions that actually seem to work… as opposed to what happens every day in the States.
As for what Grant said… I agreed wholeheartedly… the Mexicans would be much more appreciative of the dollars we spend over 6 months and we’d feel safer there too.
Cheers,
Ros