At least then they would have been able to defend themselves rather then be slaughtered.

After the Va. Tech. massacre I bought my child a 9mm and sent them to class to learn the proper way to use it.

And yes, my child was there when it happened.

With all due respect, to make the statement that “I still think that handgun ownership is a way of telling the world that you are a fearful person and are lacking the common sense to avoid unsafe situations for both yourself and your family.” Is a huge slap in the face to anyone that was a victim for doing nothing more than going to work. My family’s business was robbed and if not for my uncle being armed we (Myself, Uncle, and Dad) may all be dead.

As for the rest of your argument may I suggest you purchase and read “More Guns, Less Crime” by John R Lott Jr. senior research scholar, School of Law, Yale University. One of the things he points out is that gun accidents among properly trained people, such as police officers, are almost non existent. He also notes that a properly trained law abiding citizen is a large deterrent to crime just by being on the street. The criminals don’t know who is armed and who isn’t. Therefore violent crime drops. And you are safer.

Surviving a gunshot wound certainly alters one's view of gun ownership(we share that experience). I would challenge the assertion that the vast majority of handgun owners are conservatives, when I would assert that it is the criminal element who maintains the highest percentage of handgun ownership. Further, it is fact that they are doing much more than their share of culling.

I've never incurred a gunshot wound, but did bury my grandmother because of a fatal gunshot wound to the head. I guess we all bring our own baggage into our beliefs.

I forgot all about that but several years ago Kennesaw passed an ordinance that required everyone to have a gun (or carry a gun). Naturally the libs went nuts, but the result was that criminals didn't know for sure which citizen or which house had a gun, so they simply went to another town. I don't think Kennesaw made any effort to enforce the law or punish citizens who didn't have a gun, but that doesn't matter. What mattered was that the lowlife scum that preys on others avoided Kennesaw.

What a great idea!

This would be a great idea for Peachtree City. There are only 4 ways in and out of Peachtree City so we would only need to post 4 signs and of course there's already a plan to shut down the city if a criminal is located inside the city, so it is a perfect deterrent. Can you imagine a criminal who has done or attempted a break-in or robbery and he is trapped in a city with all ways out blocked by the police and 36,000 potentially armed citizens roaming around looking for him? What does he do except wet his pants and give up? This is a perfect addition to the police crime warning via. e-mail and text message program that they already have.

Let's get this on the agenda next month.

Mr. Haddix - this is a real good idea. Push it now. If it doesn't pass then the proposed law would be the centerpiece of the election next November. Mayor and 2 council seats. That would at least be interesting unlike the last couple of elections.

Plus, we would be debating law and order and safety. The hand-wringers who masquerade as liberals (or are we supposed to call them progressives now) are not a major influence in PTC - or even the county, so we could debate this on its own merits without the whiny distractions.

Speaking of safety, the new ordinance should require and provide a safety course and training for those that will be keeping any type of firearm. That makes it even more of a deterrent for criminals - 36,000 armed and trained citizens.

What say ye, Mr. Haddix???

for continuing to display a level of ignorance to which many of the readers of this blog can only dream of attaining. "There are only 4 ways in and out of Peachtree City...". And is it any wonder that our politicians have so little regard for the intelligence of the voters in this county? Keep the faith

Democracy in not a spectator sport

When Kennesaw developed that ordinance and made it law their crime rate dropped by 76% in one month. They don't enforce the ordinance on liberals.

I think it would be a great county ordinance as well. Make sure all of the local news stations and papers talk about our new measures to deter crime. I wouldn't take long for the criminal types to get the message.

Instead of the next "citizen police" class our police could offer a gun safety course. Autreys in Fayetteville offers NRA safety classes now, for a low fee.

For what it's worth, Peachtree City has a substantially lower rate of both violent and property crimes than Kennesaw, according to FBI stats for 2007.

Maybe the crooks are afraid we'll run 'em over with the golf carts we're so famous for...

You very well may be onto something, but let's put a little more thought into the process. As an example, just how many guns are to be authorized for individuals with multiple personalities? Give me a few minute$ and I'll give an example.

Would we have to go through the process of locking away guns during "certain times of the month" so as to protect the innocent sexist among us? How many additional police officers would we need to hire so that our guys in blue can adequately "cover" their compatriots when conducting routine traffic stops? Do we get to wear sidearms during the debates? Some current politicos would vehemently object.

It surely would put pressure on those two dollar nassaus being played at Flat Creek, Braelinn and Planterra however.

I stand by the idea as being a major step forward to enhance the safety and welfare of Peachtree City.
It will also get us some much-needed publicity.

Maybe John Wieland would include a shotgun and 2 handguns as a move-in gift to those that purchase his homes.

It's Friday and a bit of humor was where I was going with this. The city of Kennesaw does enjoy a really low crime rate and can be attributed to their gun ordinance.

I know I'm going to take some heat from our feminine bloggers, but maybe some will give me a pass.

Under your Wieland proposal, do we get to choose the guns?

You are afraid of an inanimate iron object, instead of being afraid of the worthless criminal carrying the inanimate iron object. Why not be afraid of the criminal who thinks that the whole world owes him a living and uses that inanimate iron object to get what he wants.

Say hello to the "kettle" when you catch up to him.

No guns needed in Maple Leaf Land. Now let Maple Leaf show us how to handle ourselves among dangerous criminals. Hey! If it's good for Maple then it's got to be good for us.

I love it. I just love it. Yes, I saw myself in there. (Hey, I am not a bad dancer at all, and I can ride a bike!) I’d love Pee Wee’s bike (with the rockets in the back).

You guys make it sound like we are all surrounded by bad guys with guns, out to get us. I am more and more convinced you’re all neurotic and off your meds. Tough economy out there when you’ve got to go off the meds.

Anyway, Fayette County has not felt all that dangerous. Not until you guys showed up. Next thing you know you’ll be suggesting pre-emptive strikes. Instead of giving our cops bulletproof vests for themselves, why don’t we give them straight jackets for you guys?

That is exactly how I picture maple....

Git, up until now a had great respect for you. Anybody that hunts coyotes with a .270 was alright in my book.

But now that I see you're really a closet Pee-Wee Herman fan; well let's just say now I have some doubts.

Git and I run the local Pee Wee fan club!!! I sure do like that bike.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

The bike is way cool.

Too coool for pee wee.

CLICK HERE To See Cy Try To Buy Maple Leaf's Bike

Cy, Maple called me a Bubba. Please kick me out of his fan club. Pleeeeezzzee....