Gun buy-back and Boy Scouts
I read the comments published in Thursday’s paper regarding the gun buy-back program Columbus has approved, with interest. This program has been done in many major cities across America, with varying results, mostly it’s illegal guns, stolen guns, non-functioning guns, or such that gets “bought-back” without question. The fact that it does get some guns off the streets is good, BUTT (there’s a big one always around) there’s another effect also.
I recently read of a case in another city, where an elderly widow decided to “sell-back” an old gun her husband brought home from Germany in WWII. She knew nothing else about it, except that she was afraid of it, so she turned it in, or tried to. Unfortunately, the policy in that city was “no questions asked, all guns “bought-back” WILL be destroyed. The top “pay” was just a couple of hundred dollars.
Fortunately, one of the officers working the project that day knew his stuff, and refused to “buy-back” this particular weapon. It was a non-functioning (probably de-milled) early prototype of the German “burp” gun, valued at many thousands of dollars. The officer advised her to take it to a reputable gun dealer and get what it was worth.
That’s what I would advise people to do. If you have a gun you don’t want, sell it to a reputable gun dealer, especially if you own it legally. You’ll get more money for it and a desirable gun, wanted by a collector, might not get needlessly destroyed.
I’m probably going to catch a lot of flack for this, but I think the Boy Scouts should admit homosexuals to their ranks. Here’s why.
Scouting teaches many good qualities to young men and boys, regardless of any labels like skin color or ethnicity or religion or anything else except sexual orientation. I think the big fear is that homosexual leaders or Scouts will molest other Scouts. While that might happen, I highly doubt a Scout would allow such.
Homosexuals exist. They’re everywhere. We have to learn how to interact with them sooner or later. They’re not boogeymen or ogres to be feared, just humans who are a little different from others.
I don’t condone homosexuality or actions. The Bible says it is an abomination in God’s eyes. The Bible also teaches me to hate the sin but love the sinner. I like that part because I am just as much a sinner as everyone reading this.
Safeguards can be taken to help ensure the safety of the troop members, and should be. The best way to protect young people from danger is to teach them about it, not hide them from it. Children should be familiar with fire, water (swimming), guns, drugs, and sex, WHEN they’re ready to learn about such. Knowledge is power, and the best protection from danger. Protect your children the best way you know how.
Cameron Triplett
Brooksville
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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