"Gun Nuts" and "Gun Control Freaks"

Re: http://enquirer.com/editions/2002/01/12/loc_samples_books.html



----- Original Message -----
From: Chris Brose <mailto:krleese@cox-internet.com>
To: ksamples@enquirer.com
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2002 3:46 AM
Subject: "Arming America"

Dear Ms. Samples,

I read your recent column on Arming America, and your hesitant retraction of your previous "starry-eyed" endorsement of the book. A couple of questions immediately sprang to mind when I read it. However, before I ask them, I want to let you know where I'm coming from.

I serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. I have, seven times, taken the oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I've read the Constitution and I take it seriously. My duties include firearms safety and pistol and rifle marksmanship instruction. I also have several guns of my own. I hold a security clearance, and I have never committed a crime. I am on the conservative side of the political spectrum.

First question: Since Bellesiles' work is so demonstrably rife with fraud, why do you still hope he can support his argument? (The extent of his fraud has been exposed in large part by a reporter at the Boston Globe, a newspaper not known for it's conservative stances). Is it a fear of being more thoroughly embarrassed because of being so duped initially? I mean no disrespect, I just don't understand it. Speaking for myself, I'd like to see fraud fully discredited wherever it's found, and the person who attempts the fraud fully castigated. I'd feel the same if it was a conservative caught in fraud. Such people do not belong in positions of trust or authority, and certainly not in instructor positions at universities.

Second question: Precisely what constitutes a "gun nut"? I'm pretty sure I belong in that category, but it would be nice to know what exactly one has to do to qualify. Does owning a gun make one a gun nut? Does speaking out for the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States make one a gun nut? Does exposing gun control fraud make one a gun nut? Although you might sense some dripping sarcasm here, these are serious questions, for which I'd really like answers. And if you can't answer these rational questions with rational answers, then perhaps you should be more open about your biases? (Seriously, I don't ever read about anyone referring to gun control supporters as "gun control freaks")

Thanks for your time,
Chris Brose
krleese@cox-internet.com
915-2xx-xxxx

To Get Your Letters Printed Here
Click here and read submission guidelines.