I fought for many years, recent wars, because I made an agreement and upheld my obligation to our elected leadership, regardless of my own opinion. I did so in belief that our forefathers might have had an idea or two that has worked a few hundred years. Do bad things happen to good people; sure. Even though we are animals, as humans, we should have the intellect to know that knee jerk reactions, and taking our tools away (and our freedoms), is not the answer....political gain maybe, but not the answer. We should continue to educate, hold people accountable for his/ her actions, and remember the documents and following that has allowed us to make it this far. This is our freedom, for which I should continue to enjoy and for which you should remember the many that have died because they supported the idea of a free country and people. That does not mean you have to agree with every idea, but you must think bigger than yourself, for the good of the people, and support the documents that give you these freedoms, as they were written.
I would like to say that I can support our government without question moving forward, but if they continue to make changes to the ideas and laws that have made our country great, I will have some hard choices to make. And on the same hand, I support you for having the freedom to form your own decisions and opinions against firearms, but I can tell you that more control is not the end all answer to peace. I can kill you with my thumb, my foot, my elbow, the list goes on, so at what point do we realize it is the person who makes the choice to unlawfully take a life and not the manner in which they do it. I wish the government and it's people would focus this energy behind the Veteran's benefits and promises that were made to me and my brothers, because there are brutal in your face facts that no one can contest. Yet, the average veteran has to wait almost two years for help (if you can even call it that), and if you make over $34,000 per year, regardless of the cost of living, and even though you gave 12 years of your life in the Army, the government says you aren't eligible to receive benefits for your ailments that were caused fighting for your country and your freedoms. My lifespan and quality of life has been cut short because of this country and it's decisions, and rarely do I stand on my soap box because it is not my character, but after this latest issue, I needed to vent. Hell, I am only on this forum because I find it hard to stand up some days, and others I can't close my eyes because of the memories. Ever have your buddies brain matter on your face? But due to the lack of benefits from my country and the fact I don't want to be a slobbering invalid on pills, I have educated myself on medical mj and am trying that route. If Uncle Sam isn't going to uphold his end, at least let me die a soldier with my firearm. It is my choice.
-Former Army Officer, Army Ranger. Be thou at Peace brothers.