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Member Of Gun Lobby Defends Gun Laws Or: An Interview Of Sheer Exasperation
A member of the gun lobby who asked to remain anonymous spoke to our Barking in the Dark reporter today about the latest mass killings in Orlando Florida.
Our Reporter: “In light of this latest tragedy do you still defend the N.R.A.’s continued blockage of more stringent gun laws – especially as they pertain to assault rifles?”
Gun Lobbyist: “Of course.”
Our Reporter: “You say that quite matter-of-factly.”
Gun Lobbyist: “How else should I say it?”
O.R. “Even though fifty innocent people were shot and killed and fifty-three others wounded?”
G.L. “Perhaps the good Lord thought it was their time.”
O.R. “Excuse me…the good Lord?”
G.L. “Speaking as a Christian we know He does work in mysterious ways.”
O.R. “Do you think this could have happened if this killer wasn’t armed? If he didn’t have an assault rifle?”
G.L. “The second amendment to The Constitution of these United States of America gives him, and everyone else that right. The right to bear arms.”
O.R. “Hmm…Why don’t we get back to that point later? Agreed?”
G.L. “What – you’re going to tell me that the second amendment only pertains to a well-regulated militia?”
O.R. “Well…now that you mention it…”
G.L. “Are you suggesting we take away this God given right to bear arms?”
O.R. “I’m suggesting that someone on the terrorist watch list should not have been able to legally purchase an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle and a 9mm handgun. Do you think that this particular individual should have been able to legally purchase these weapons?”
G.L. “And thus begins the slippery slope towards taking away my God given right to protect myself and my family from an armed intruder.”
O.R. “But if guns were banned completely wouldn’t the odds of that happening be lessened considerably? And, again I ask you; do you think that someone on the terrorist watch list should have been able to legally purchase an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle and a 9mm handgun?”
G.L. “But if you take away his right to own a gun then you can take away my right also. Just because he’s a so-called terrorist he still has a second amendment right – doesn’t he? It’s the same as all these bleeding heart Liberals who want to legalize abortions. And, if you make an exception in the case of a woman who’s been raped by her father or an uncle or like that and she doesn’t want the baby then it’s that same slippery slope and then every woman will want an abortion just because she can.”
O.R. “Then you believe that a woman who’s been raped by a relative should still have that baby.”
G.L. “Of course. It’s her duty as a Christian. Also, I’d like to point out that the Bible has much to say about weapons. The word “sword” appears in over 400 verses in the Old and New Testaments. And Jesus Himself upheld the right of His disciples to carry a weapon. The right to keep and bear arms is not only a basic American right. It is a right given by God in this sinful world. It is assumed in the Bible.”
O.R. “Even if in only 165 days so far in 2016 there have been 133 mass shootings and 207 innocent people slaughtered? And don’t the Ten Commandments include one that says thou shall not kill?”
G.L. “Which is why abortion in all cases should be illegal.”
O.R. “And selling guns to someone on the terrorist watch list shouldn’t be illegal?”
G.L. “Apples and oranges.”
O.R. “I see…Let’s get back to that well-regulated militia that gun rights advocates always use to defend their ownership of handguns and assault rifles. The word militia as defined in The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition, refers to “an army or other fighting force that is composed of non-professional fighters; citizens of a nation or subjects of a state or government that can be called upon to enter a combat situation.” Do you believe that all these mass murderers are members of such a militia? Are most people these days who purchase a gun members of an army or fighting force?”
G.L. “They could be.”
O.R. “But, are they? A militia as defined in The Articles of Confederation, shall “provide and constantly have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage.” And again, this comes from The Articles of Confederation, formally the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, the agreement among the 13 founding states that established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution. Do you think these killers – any of them – belonged to such a group? Do you think most people who purchase handguns and assault rifles are members of such groups? Do you think they have ready for use, in public stores, a due number of field pieces and tents, and a proper quantity of arms, ammunition and camp equipage?”
G.L. “I bet some do.”
O.R. “Why do you believe it’s necessary for someone to possess an assault rifle?”
G.L. “As I said before; to protect oneself and family from a home invasion.”
O.R. “Why wouldn’t a handgun be enough to defend against a home invasion?”
G.L. “And also for hunting.”
O.R. “You need an assault rifle to bring down a deer?”
G.L. “Makes it easier – doesn’t it?”
O.R. “Ok…I think we should wrap this up. So, as I see it, your position is that someone on the terrorist watch list should be able to legally purchase an assault rifle such as the one used in Pulse in Orlando.”
G.L. “Of course. Second amendment…protection…home invasion…slippery slope.”
O.R. “And a woman raped and impregnated by her father must have the baby?”
G.L. “That’s correct, and as it should be. Abortion is against God’s law – and ours. And, I may add, homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of God.”
O.R. “So the people who were slaughtered in Orlando…what?”
G.L. “Put it this way…they won’t be going up to Heaven.”
O.R. “Ah…I see…One last thing; would you be comfortable if someone on the terrorist watch list was allowed to board a domestic flight that you were on?”
G.L. “Of course not.”
O.R. “But the same person should be able to legally purchase an assault rifle.”
G.L. “The second amendment says they can. Case closed. I have to go to a meeting.”
O.R. “It was interesting speaking with you. Very revealing. Barking in the Dark thanks you.”
G.L. “My pleasure. I’ll pray for you.”
© tony powers and Barking in the Dark, 2016. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to tony powers and Barking in the Dark with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Filed under: Cautionary tale, Fiction, politics, satire, writing Tagged: Abortion rights, Assault rifles, Gun lobby, Mass shoothings, N.R.A., Orlando 
Barking in the Dark is run by Tony Powers, a writer/actor/musician.
Source: https://barkinginthedark.com/2016/06/15/member-of-gun-lobby-defends-gun-laws-or-an-interview-of-sheer-exasperation/
