I was anti-gun, until I got stalked

[TPaine7]

I haven't posted here for awhile (though I have lurked), but I though some of you might enjoy this conversion story. It seems some people's convictions depend on a lack of imagination, or a inability to empathize with others in very difficult positions.

Better late than never...

"You need to arm yourself."

I blinked at the Portland police officer in my living room. This uniformed bear of a man -- packing a gun, a nightstick, a radio and who knew what else -- was responding to an ongoing stalker problem that had started several months earlier. I'd received letters, a phone call, a few packages and several e-mails from this unbalanced stranger who'd read a few newspaper stories I'd written and taken a shine to me. When the latest letter arrived -- mentioning my boyfriend, Mike, thoughts on religion, and a trip I'd taken but hadn't told anyone about -- I was seriously alarmed.

But get a gun? Surely, I'd misheard him.

...

As Mike tried to sleep, I fretted out loud. I told him a firearm in the house made me nauseous, that I feared the weapon would be turned on one of us, that there'd be an accident. I told him I believe in compassion and peace. I told him the very idea of a gun was a compromise of my principles.

Mike sighed. "Which would you prefer, compromising your principles or getting abducted by Crazy Man?"

Source: http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2010/10/20/buying_gun_protect_from_stalker/index.html

I'm glad that people like the old Jennifer Willis didn't make unconstitutional laws in Oregon to keep people like the new Jennifer Willis from exercising the human right of bearing arms. I'm also heartened to see articles like this on sites like Salon.

Times are changing.

[jazzhound]

1. If you would have bet me big money yesterday that I'd be

reading an article like this on Salon tonight, you would have won big money. Wow! Never would have guessed.

The times, they are changing indeed.

[aikoaiko]

10. It's true. More Democrats, liberals and progressives are embracing the RKBA

on very practical levels as well as legal and constitutional levels.


I know this map is tiresome to some people, but then the right to carry sweeps over many blue states as well as red, it's because Democrats and other left of center folks wish it so.

[jazzhound]

21. Actually, I never get tired of seeing that map.*

Funny how quiet the antis get whenever this map gets posted. State after state adopting shall-issue with no negative consequences -- demonstrating that their views are out of step with those of state legislators across the nation AND that their "blood in the streets" meme is pure BS.

* Not being entirely truthful here ---- I do get sort of tired of being reminded that I live in a "may issue" (read no issue) state.

[mahina]

2. Yep

Shhh...

I'm pro gun rights and pro death penalty. I know about the cases of people wrongly killed, and donated when I could to help prevent their execution. But the exception does not disprove the rule.

I'm not going to get into why I feel this way but this is a very deeply and painfully learned lesson, leave it at that, and nobody is going to change my mind- nor will I try to change anyone else's.

I'm also as deep blue as they come.

Just goes to show you.

[proteus_lives]

3. Fist-bump.

"I'm pro gun rights and pro death penalty. I know about the cases of people wrongly killed, and donated when I could to help prevent their execution. But the exception does not disprove the rule."

I'm the same way. I always find it amusing when people tell me I can't be liberal and hold those positions. :eyes:

[ChazInAz]

16. I amuse myself with that, too.

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool, flaming, bleeding-heart liberal. Earned some scars in the civil rights movement and got the crap stomped out of me in Chicago at the 1968 convention. I'm also an avid shooter. For some reason, some people can't wrap their little heads around that concept.
As a knifemaker, I quite often exhibit at knife and gun shows. Though in theory these are supposed to be non-political, the facts are the opposite. Conversations with unsuspecting right-wing knuckle-draggers can be amusing at my table.

[jazzhound]

22. Nice photo, mahina........

........is that you in the pic?

I spent half my youth bodysurfing a local shorebreak. Not too big (like The Wedge) but fun nevertheless ----- Marine Street in San Diego.

[mahina]

24. Hey!

Nope, that is our President.

:)

[jazzhound]

25. Damn...........needs me some new glasses!!!! NT

[proteus_lives]

4. K/R.

[davepc]

5. already un-rec'd to death

[dkf]

6. Looks like it wasn't so bad...

[shadowrider]

7. And I betcha it was unrec'd by people who didn't read the article, just the headline n/t

[spin]

13. It recovered. My Rec put it at +5 (n/t)

[StandingInLeftField]

8. Yep, you just don't know how you really feel about RKBA until

you wake up at 3:00 a.m. with two guys in ski masks going through the contents of your closet.

Ask me how I know.

[raccoon]

9. OK, I'll bite. How do you know? nt

[shadowrider]

11. Perhaps because it happened to him? n/t

[raccoon]

12. Seems logical, I'd like to hear what s/he has to say about it. nt

[spin]

14. Self delete. Replied to wrong post.

[spin]

15. My daughter had a stalker for a while ...

Restraining orders are basically useless. Her stalker violated it almost on a daily basis. It appears that the cops have to witness the violation before anything can be done. But my daughter reported every violation to the police and the judge.

My daughter already had her concealed weapons permit and she carries. She had little fear of the fool but considered him a major pain in the ass. She really didn't want to have to shoot the stalker which is why she filed the restraining order. She also realized that if the stalker actually did attack her and she had to use her weapon, the restraining order would help her prove self defense.

Eventually this cockroach pushed the limit too far and was arrested and had to spend several weekends in jail. The judge warned him that if he violated the order again, he might end up in prison for a year. He appears to have learned a lesson.

My daughter still carries.

[spin]

17. WOW!!! Recs are up to +17!!! Way to go! (n/t)

[mistertrickster]

18. Damn right. Armed liberals are their worst nightmare. And I'm one heavily armed liberal. nt

[Carni]

19. Country living also poses its unique problems

I am not a "gun person" per say, but I live in a rural setting currently.

Forget human predators...have a bear on your back porch trying to decide if he wants to fool with the door to get inside and buddy that did it for me (fortunately Mr Bear decided he didn't really feel like coming in)

I love animals and would never harm one unless it was a matter of them or me... but the bear drama changed my tune on fire arms ownership and all that guy wanted was whatever tasty foods might be inside. He didn't have stalking on his mind, or the human cruelty psycho factor going on (and I doubt he was a politically motivated nut)

I am not a gun enthusiast, but I understand the need for responsible gun ownership by people for assorted reasons.

I think the key is RESPONSIBLE ownership by people who are well balanced, documented and trained on how to use a gun properly.

JMO

[PavePusher]

20. "Documented"?

You want to "document" exercise of Civil Rights?

Please, re-think this.

But first, may I see your Thirteenth Amendment papers? Quickly, "please"...

[friendly_iconoclast]

23. Wonder how *these* slight modifications to her last line would go over:

"I think the key is RESPONSIBLE voting by people who are well balanced, documented and trained on how to use a ballot properly."


"I think the key is RESPONSIBLE speech by people who are well balanced, documented and trained on how to express themselves

properly."


I don't imagine those would play too well...