Yesterday I posted some thoughts on gun control, and thought it interesting to be reminded that today is the anniversary of the shooting of Ronald Reagan. Reagan was one of my favorite Presidents, and I know I’m not alone in that assessment.

As most know who follow recent history, he was shot by John Hinckley, Jr, after he spoke at a labor meeting in Washington, DC. At the time of the shooting, Reagan wasn’t even aware he was shot, and was driven by secret service to the hospital, where he walked himself into the hospital, later to find out that he had been shot in a lung, which collapsed…the bullet had missed his heart. He was a positive healthy man, 70 years of age at the time, and in good spirits through the ordeal. The next day he carried on his presidential duties from his hospital bed.

Others were shot as well, and recovered from their wounds; but it was the White House Press Secretary James Brady who received the most critical injury, and almost died after being shot through his eye. He sustained brain damage, but went on to be a great advocate for gun control. In 1993 the “Brady Bill” passed through congress, which required a 5 day waiting period and background check for gun buyers. It was President Clinton that signed this bill into law.

I’m kinda bored with the news lately, tired of the same old things about Hillary and Obama, and wonder when it will ever end…sometimes it’s actually kind of funny, it’s almost like the Democratic Party is imploding, but that’s not what I want to talk about.

I thought I’d fill in this long gap between now and the REAL campaigning with some of my own feelings about some of the “hot button” issues. Gun control is one of those issues, and it’s one I have feelings about, but am not passionate about. I hate guns, I really do. Can’t stand watching the violence in movies, can’t stand hearing what’s become all to frequent reports about guns and shootings in schools, oh and that accidental shooting by a pilot last week? I didn’t hear the full story, just one of those things I heard in the background while working.

My husband doesn’t hate guns.  He’s not a member of the NRA, but he does have a nice antique Cavalry rifle that his Dad gave him, a 30/40 Craig, and a couple of shotguns. He believes in our right to bear arms, that people should be able to have a gun to protect themselves. He keeps the ammunition stored far away from the gun, which is smart, but if anyone broke in and I were to even think of using the gun to protect myself, I’d have to say to the intruder, “oh, could you hold on a minute, I have to run into the other room and get some bullets to load the gun if I can find them in my husband’s drawer…just have a seat, I’ll be right back”….so I really don’t think the gun will do much good to protect me. Of course there’s hunting, and an occasional venison steak is pretty good, hunting season brings a lot of guns into our area as we are surrounded by forest.

So, this is an issue I’m conflicted on…not real passionate about…the next “Where I Stand” will be something I AM passionate about.