Firearms Lawyer writes extremist column | Federal Way letters
Published 11:44 am Tuesday, January 12, 2010
For some time now, I have been puzzled as to why the Federal Way Mirror would be providing prominent voice for the extremist column written by Mark Knapp, the Firearms Lawyer. Saturday’s column (“Who is John Galt?”) was over the top.
Perhaps The Mirror believes the way to success is to become the local version of “FAUX news” with your screaming mimi equivalent to the vile, contempatable and ignorant Glenn Beck. If that is the course you take, it is your choice as a private enterprise. If you believe Knapp’s views are representative of the character and beliefs of this community, then that is indeed a sad commentary. You could be right, but I doubt it.
As for me, I can only hope sane, rational people would recognize that solutions to our complex problems are inconsistent with the simplistic Neandertholic views of a gun-toting macho bravado cowboy like Knapp. We are all concerned with crime and safety. However, if six highly trained, equipped and armed police officers have lost their lives in the carnage, it raises serious questions about the ability of marginally trained hobbyist target shooters to perform when faced with a lethal situation.
An even larger question is if the hobbyist did respond, would they make the situation better or worse? The probability falls on the side of the latter. It is easy to pump up your chest and proclaim: “By God anybody who messes with me will be sorry. I’m armed and not afraid to use it!” It is quite another to respond in the face of sheer terror when you are gripped with fear and confronting an individual who does not have a sense of right or wrong or even care if they hurt you. The hesitation you might experience because you do have a value system may be the time it takes for the bad guy to kill you or disarm you and use your own weapon against you.
I am not advocating everyone’s gun be taken away. There are those who have extensive military or law enforcement training and experience who probably could respond effectively. I am, however, concerned with the fear mongering that encourages people to go out and get guns, stockpile ammunition and prepare for the impending collapse of civilization. The paranoid delusional Mark Knapps and Glenn Becks of the world are a very dangerous lot.
Jerry Vaughn, Federal Way
