I really intended to give you some humor today, at least something that qualifies as gun geeks humor.
You see, a few weeks back, I asked a simple question: why would anybody need an assault weapon?
The simple question got over 150 responses about guns in general, from Broward County, Palm Beach and nationally. A few thoughtful, some vile, many stupid — and yes, some were very funny, even if that wasn't the intent.
Many talked about how the Second Amendment guarantees the right to own an assault weapon and a 30-shot magazine clip, so don't try to stop me.
I went back and read the Second Amendment, and couldn't find that part about owning an assault weapon, but it's real possible somebody erased it by accident.
Others talked about protecting us from tyranny. How patriotic.
Some talked about hunting, although I'd question the sanity of a deer hunter who uses an assault weapon and a 30-shot clip.
One called me an hysterical bigot.
A couple of my favorites — gun geeks have used this dandy a lot — said cars kill more people each year than guns, and we don't talk about banning cars.
Really, must I explain this?
If you buy a car, you need a license. You need to register your car with the state. You have to renew your registration each year. You have to go every few years and prove your competence with a car.
With a gun — well, buy it from the right guy, and it's not much more difficult than buying a pack of gum.
But I like the car argument, because it opens the way for many more NRA bumper stickers.
"When cars are outlawed, only outlaws will have Hondas."
"Guns don't kill people, convertibles kill people."
The arguments from the pro-assault weapon people were mostly NRA gibberish and fear-mongering. I'm used to it.
But the ones I had the most trouble with — the ones I can't tolerate — were the ones that made references to Hitler and the Holocaust.
Several talked about how Hitler took away guns, and Obama will, too.
One said: "Just look at Nazi Germany. I'm sure those boxed into train cars would have appreciated an assault weapon or two."
Another buffoon sent a picture of Hitler with a note: "Obama signs executive order to curtail the 2nd amendment while surrounded by children just as Hitler used children to go after gun rights. It's happening again."
