I realize most of you aren't old enough to own a gun, but I'm curious if any of you are, or do.  I was brought up around guns.  Not only for hunting but sport shooting and enjoyment.  I happen to own my fair share of firearms, from an assortment of different caliber hand guns, big bore revolvers, hunting rifles, shotguns and even a couple of assault rifles.  Some of them were handed down through my family, but most of them I've purchased on my own.  I'm also an NRA certified gun safety instructor, and a member of the Maricopa County Sherrif's Posse.  Owning a gun is a huge responsibility.  Two years ago I went through the course required to obtain an Arizona Concealed Carry Permit.  Most of it was class room, but part of it was on the range.  I was astonished by the incompetence of a handful of people in this course, who's goal was to carry a weapon on them for self defense.  One woman attempted to load her magazine backwards, and another "accidentally" discharged several rounds from a small revolver into the ceiling of the indoor range.  About half the class of close to 50 people failed to put 7 out of 10 rounds at 10 yards into a 35x45 paper target under no duress!  In the state of AZ anyone 21 years of age with no prior felony convictions and no history of mental illness can walk into a gun shop and walk out 15 minutes later with a gun.  Regardless of whether or not they have ever even held one in their hands.  Something does need to be done to educate those who chose to excercise their right to own a firearm, but never should that right be taken from us.
    Everyone knows the security issues with our borders, and anyone who lives in the Southwestern US deals with it on a daily basis.  I work hard to afford my home in a decent neighborhood, but the area I work in is certainly less than desireable.  The violence in the Mexican border towns caused by drug and human smuggling operations is spilling over into US cities.  It's the first thing I see every night on the news.  Every day there's another "drop" house busted, or another shooting.  The Democrats want to take the guns away from responsible gun owners like myself which will solve nothing.  I sleep peacefully at night knowing that when the time comes and some crack fueled intruder decides to chose my place to rob, I'll have the necessary "tools" to defend myself, my girlfriend, and my belongings until law enforcement arrives.  By disarming the law abiding citizens, all you accomplish is to allow the criminals to operate with impunity.