(Photo courtesy of Oleg Volk)
According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, on February 16 of this year, at 1:50 AM, 22-year-old Robert Tomlin decided to invite himself into the home of Heath Miller a “popular music teacher at Howell L. Watkins Middle School.” Mr. Miller, like most working folk, was asleep with his wife, but awoke from the noise. When Miller “saw the silhouette of an individual with a handgun coming through the bedroom door,” he used his own handgun to protect himself and his wife. These are the facts of the story, but how the story was reported is a story in itself.
Comments
I cannot comprehend how supposedly educated and intelligent people (politicians, journalists, community leaders, etc.) can be so blatantly stupid, ignorant, and unfair concerning the issue of gun ownership. I admit the Second Amendment is poorly written and a new one should be passed into law. And I will NEVER advocate or even utter the words that if authorities come for my guns, I will harm them. That is the last thing gun owners need to say and it will only harm our cause. How many innocent people must die before the statistics showing that "an armed society is a polite society" are believed by all citizens? Do these gun grabbers actually believe that a total ban on all guns will stop criminals from finding them somewhere? Has the Mafia been eliminated? Has a zero policy on drugs stopped ALL drug use in this country? It can't even stop the importation of drugs and hardly makes a dent even after billions of dollars are spent. I will say that those who try to restrict our rights to own and carry guns will be removed from office the most painful way they know. They will not be re-elected and some will be impeached where possible. Many of you politicians forget that you work for ME. Your work performance is judged by ME. You don't judge MY life, I judge YOURS. If that is unacceptable, we can and will be "fired". (No pun intended.) You don't own this country, all of us do. I'll give up my guns when and if you make ONE simple promise. IF myself or my family are EVER harmed by a criminal with a weapon and I was unable to defend these people, you will be sued and will pay $1 trillion dollars per person. That is their value to ME, if not more. Police forces currently cannot be sued for not preventing crime. If you take my guns, they WILL be able to be sued, and they will pay dearly for their poor protection skills. Every officer on the force will be fired and lose his/her pension for life in ANY town that has a crime where the victim was unable to defend himself due to not being allowed to have a gun. I can hit a dime at 30 feet with any pistol in the world and I NEVER miss. You should be thankful to have me here carrying a gun since I can shoot better than 99% of all law enforcement people in the USA. Please consider these issues before you do something very stupid when you vote. Thank you.
But Thomas why should they believe you or listen to you if you don't warn them of the consequences? Not being a smartass here, that is a serious question. At the point one must state "And I will NEVER advocate or even utter the words that if authorities come for my guns, I will harm them", is the very reason he should warn them. If such wasn't a real possibility the thought about harming them, whether or not uttered, would never have occurred to you.
Would not your silence encourage them to even further trespass? Serious questions.
Great article, well done.
Miller's gun was not registered.
No guns in Florida are registered unless they're registered in some other state.
Frank good catch on the "registered" thing.
Thomas there is nothing wrong with the Second Amendment and it would be wise to rethink the idea of replacing it with something else. It's just not something we'd want to see played out in any Congress (at least any I have seen in my lifetime), much less the media.
As for what might happen should "authorities" come for my guns, it's my business. I have lived half a hundred years and believe I have soundness of judgment to act appropriately for whatever circumstances may exist at the time. I do have a known history of standing on principle including open defiance of authoritarians from the left and the right, including their agents in law enforcement when it's called for, and for the most part that ethical position has served me well over the years through proper choosing of battles.
But the phrase "Molon Labe" comes to mind.
Straight Arrow, I believe Thomas has the right idea about not making a statement that could be interpreted as a threat.
I would cite a lesson from nature. The rattlesnake usually always rattles before biting, and quite often gets his head stomped before he gets his bite. The copperhead, on the other hand, doesn't rattle. He may get his head stomped, but not before he gets his bite.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!