Spring Break
MAIL CALL
By: James Lightfoot,
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Opinion
In response to "Guns of tomorrow, laws of today."
It is easier to forgive the author's dismissal of "southern" culture and legitimate firearms recreation than the logical fallacies in his column. So-called "nonlethal" weapons do not exist. Even manufacturers of such devices have abandoned the title in favor of "less-than-lethal" because of legal proceedings. Despite advances in technology, devices like tasers and chemical deterrents can cause permanent injury and death. They remain an exotic option usually reserved for unarmed suspects under the influence of drugs or suffering from mental instability. Pointing to a technology that is unproven does not provide an alternative solution, nor does the advocacy of technology that is not as effective at stopping a violent attack as a firearm. Technology has certainly changed, but fundamental human nature remains the same. I assume the law-abiding response to the threat of violence will continue to be appropriate.
It is easier to forgive the author's dismissal of "southern" culture and legitimate firearms recreation than the logical fallacies in his column. So-called "nonlethal" weapons do not exist. Even manufacturers of such devices have abandoned the title in favor of "less-than-lethal" because of legal proceedings. Despite advances in technology, devices like tasers and chemical deterrents can cause permanent injury and death. They remain an exotic option usually reserved for unarmed suspects under the influence of drugs or suffering from mental instability. Pointing to a technology that is unproven does not provide an alternative solution, nor does the advocacy of technology that is not as effective at stopping a violent attack as a firearm. Technology has certainly changed, but fundamental human nature remains the same. I assume the law-abiding response to the threat of violence will continue to be appropriate.
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