Originally published on this website August 25, 2000
Rep. Carson,
First, let me state that I have nothing against trigger locks. They serve
their purposes when appropriate. In fact, two trigger locks were raffled as door
prizes at our "Friends of the NRA" banquet last weekend.
(Incidentally, in case you didn't know, the NRA was founded in 1871 as a
marksmanship and safety organization, and is universally recognized as the
premiere source for development of those functions).
Requiring trigger locks to accompany every firearm, however, is not a panacea
for individual responsibility and accountability. How can one presume that just
because someone has a trigger lock, that he is going to be responsible enough to
use it?
Storage cannot be mandated, and neither can responsibility. The vast majority
of gun owners are responsible individuals, and will take appropriate safe
storage measures. However, which storage measure is appropriate must be left to
the individual, and, in turn, he must be held accountable for his actions (or
lack thereof). The foundation of liberty is our Bill of Rights, and that, for
every right, their resides inherently a commensurate responsibility. To attempt
to legislate otherwise is an infringement upon liberty itself.
Freedom incurs risks, as every parent who has turned a teen-ager loose with a
car understands. One can only hope that the teen has learned the lessons of
responsibility and safety well. As one who has lost a child in a completely
unexpected household accident, not related to firearms, I understand risk. The
rest of my children have been raised in an environment in which firearms were a
part of our lives, yet I did not fear an accident relative to that fact, for my
children had been taught responsibility, safety and a respect for firearms
which, in fact, translated to other potentially hazardous tools.
Some people tout legislation as the cure-all, i.e., requiring trigger locks
on all firearms. would that mean that all my firearms secured in my Ft. Knox gun
vault would require a trigger lock? How would that be enforced, by "no
knock, trigger lock police"? I don't think so. In Florida, we have an
accountability law regarding access to firearms by children, which serves notice
that individuals will be held accountable for irresponsible actions, regardless
of storage methods, as it should be. Also, in my case, as it is for many others,
why should I be required to pay for a mandated trigger lock when I have already
taken appropriate storage measures? I regard that as an unwarranted infringement
on my right and ability to own a firearm.
Finally, while I reiterate my respect for trigger locks as a tool, I maintain
that firearm security is ultimately a function of individual responsibility and
accountability according to one's individual requirements, and no legislation is
going to change that.
Respectfully submitted,
"God, Duty, Honor, Country"
Chuck Hoskinson "US Army, Retired
... and still serving proudly"
