At Home in Mississippi
Viewing comments for Chapter 37 "The Gun and I"Growing up in the 40 and 50 in MIssissippi
22 total reviews
Comment from Debbie D'Arcy
Wow, Beth, what a strong, compelling chapter this is, should anyone be undecided about the horrors of gun ownership! This is all alien territory for me having always lived in the UK and never seen a gun in my life let alone known of any friend or relative injured by one. Those shootings and near-misses you refer to are actually beyond my comprehension, although I feel very naive admitting that (and I've worked in the Probation Service). This is vividly expressed and full of impact. A virtual six from me. Small edit: Not wanting to ri(s)k an unpleasant odor... Well done! Debbie
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2024
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Wow, Beth, what a strong, compelling chapter this is, should anyone be undecided about the horrors of gun ownership! This is all alien territory for me having always lived in the UK and never seen a gun in my life let alone known of any friend or relative injured by one. Those shootings and near-misses you refer to are actually beyond my comprehension, although I feel very naive admitting that (and I've worked in the Probation Service). This is vividly expressed and full of impact. A virtual six from me. Small edit: Not wanting to ri(s)k an unpleasant odor... Well done! Debbie
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2024
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Thank you Debbie. It is hard to believe you've never seen a gun. Growing up where I did, I thought they were standard equipment in every home. We would definitely be better off without them.
Beth
Comment from jim vecchio
When my daughter was young, my wife and I with her went to some "Wild West" theme parks, which do not exist any more. Everyone had cowboy outfits and holstered (toy) guns. There was no public outcry. This was a depiction of an America of the past. We always played cowboy and Indians, not wishing harm to anyone. Somehow Americ has lost the knowledge of handling things with responsibility rather than outlawing them.
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2024
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When my daughter was young, my wife and I with her went to some "Wild West" theme parks, which do not exist any more. Everyone had cowboy outfits and holstered (toy) guns. There was no public outcry. This was a depiction of an America of the past. We always played cowboy and Indians, not wishing harm to anyone. Somehow Americ has lost the knowledge of handling things with responsibility rather than outlawing them.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 08-Aug-2024
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Thank you Jim. My husband and I and the kids went to one in Oklahoma. It was Gunsmoke with actors. We also went to one in South Decota.
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I wonder if they're still around. Most of them have closed down, especially with the issue of guns today.
Comment from royowen
I can remember going hunting for rabbits with my father and his friend, who obviously owned the guns we used, i shoota few rabbits, but lost the desire to shoot anything living very soon, they were low powered .22 caliber, nothing like the rifles that are used for mass killing, and can probably kill an elephant, these were the days before some fool used a rifle to gun down 35 + people, killing those 35, our prime minister moved quickly to have tough gun restrictions installed in 1996, there hasn't been an mass shooting incident with guns ever since, you've seen what liberal gun laws do, it frees some, and binds others, if Jesus thought weapons a death sentence, then I don't understand why they are allowed. Nicely written,blessings Roy
Typo :Neither were my grandfather(')s
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2024
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I can remember going hunting for rabbits with my father and his friend, who obviously owned the guns we used, i shoota few rabbits, but lost the desire to shoot anything living very soon, they were low powered .22 caliber, nothing like the rifles that are used for mass killing, and can probably kill an elephant, these were the days before some fool used a rifle to gun down 35 + people, killing those 35, our prime minister moved quickly to have tough gun restrictions installed in 1996, there hasn't been an mass shooting incident with guns ever since, you've seen what liberal gun laws do, it frees some, and binds others, if Jesus thought weapons a death sentence, then I don't understand why they are allowed. Nicely written,blessings Roy
Typo :Neither were my grandfather(')s
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2024
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My husband lost the desire to kill anything as well. I was glad but I left it up to him, he had been raised to hunt.
Beth
Comment from lyenochka
Thank you for this very personal account about guns in your life. How scary that your dad almost as accidentally shot your mom! How horrible that your cousin died so tragically playing with a loaded gun.
Those people misquote the Second Amendment ignoring the news for well ordered militias to hold responsible every gun owner!
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2024
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Thank you for this very personal account about guns in your life. How scary that your dad almost as accidentally shot your mom! How horrible that your cousin died so tragically playing with a loaded gun.
Those people misquote the Second Amendment ignoring the news for well ordered militias to hold responsible every gun owner!
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2024
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Thank you Helen. I'm amazed there are people who have never seen a or touched a real gun. Those in countries where there are stick laws and Australia and England tell me how safe their country is compared to ours. Yet we here that you can stop criminals but we could sure slow them down.
Comment from LJbutterfly
This was a gripping chapter in the story of your young life. My father was a hunter and had many riffles and shot guns. He built shelves near the ceiling of a closet where he stored his guns. You had far more exposure to guns without your father being a hunter.
It was a tragic accident based on carelessness when your cousin decided to play with his father's gun. I know the family was devastated. I wholeheartedly agree with your final statement about gun ownership.
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2024
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This was a gripping chapter in the story of your young life. My father was a hunter and had many riffles and shot guns. He built shelves near the ceiling of a closet where he stored his guns. You had far more exposure to guns without your father being a hunter.
It was a tragic accident based on carelessness when your cousin decided to play with his father's gun. I know the family was devastated. I wholeheartedly agree with your final statement about gun ownership.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2024
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Thank you for the review, My husband was country boy who grew up hunting. He had lot of guns but her eventually lost the desire to kill anything. He build a gun cabinet which he kept locked.
Comment from patcelaw
This is a very well written story about your experience with guns and I appreciate it hearing your words. I wish you the very best with your writing. When I was young, had an age of about 13 I experienced my first handling of a gun and it was a BB gun. I careless leaves shot at a window in the neighbors house across the way and it broke the window and I was responsible for that broken window and I had to pay to have it repaired. The only other time that I really experienced guns was when I was in the army and we had to go to the firing range and learn how to use a more powerful gun. I was a good marksman, but I didn't find a real pleasure to be firing so I didn't follow along and do that after I left the military. Patricia.
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2024
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This is a very well written story about your experience with guns and I appreciate it hearing your words. I wish you the very best with your writing. When I was young, had an age of about 13 I experienced my first handling of a gun and it was a BB gun. I careless leaves shot at a window in the neighbors house across the way and it broke the window and I was responsible for that broken window and I had to pay to have it repaired. The only other time that I really experienced guns was when I was in the army and we had to go to the firing range and learn how to use a more powerful gun. I was a good marksman, but I didn't find a real pleasure to be firing so I didn't follow along and do that after I left the military. Patricia.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2024
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Thank you Patricia. I find it hard to imagine a feminine lady like you joining the army. Not that there is anything wrong with it. It just doesn't work with my image of you.
Beth
Comment from Marilyn Hamilton
There has to be a sane answer that everyone can live with, I certainly hope we figure it out soon. Your stories are always interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing.
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2024
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There has to be a sane answer that everyone can live with, I certainly hope we figure it out soon. Your stories are always interesting and informative. Thanks for sharing.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 28-Jul-2024
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Thank you Marilyn. Until the Gun lobby loses it's power they will make sure we don't have stick laws. They contribute too much the congressmen can't afford to lose.
Comment from karenina
I suspect some will have strong feelings about any rights to guns being hindered. You write a sane, comprehensive, true tale about the hazards of guns, the accidents and near accidents. I agree the NRA has too much sway (as in money) and buys its way into preventing semi-automatics from being banned. Nonetheless, I agree with you. Absolutely no need for a civilian to own such weapons. Certainly, no need for the loopholes that exist in background checks. Guns used for hunting, or "regulation" handguns to protect one's home (with safety locks, proper safe place to store them, etc.) makes so much sense I fail to see how anyone can state this is some violation of rights. Good essay. It's July and already there have been 18 deaths by "accidental shootings" in the US. That's 100% too many!
Karenina
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2024
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I suspect some will have strong feelings about any rights to guns being hindered. You write a sane, comprehensive, true tale about the hazards of guns, the accidents and near accidents. I agree the NRA has too much sway (as in money) and buys its way into preventing semi-automatics from being banned. Nonetheless, I agree with you. Absolutely no need for a civilian to own such weapons. Certainly, no need for the loopholes that exist in background checks. Guns used for hunting, or "regulation" handguns to protect one's home (with safety locks, proper safe place to store them, etc.) makes so much sense I fail to see how anyone can state this is some violation of rights. Good essay. It's July and already there have been 18 deaths by "accidental shootings" in the US. That's 100% too many!
Karenina
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 25-Jul-2024
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Thank you Karenina. I don't mind listening to other's opinions but I think there has to be some room for compromise without hitting a nerve. Everyone is nice about it and more would like to see some better control. Our country seems the most violent for a country that isn't at war.
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Compromise! Yes... Wouldn't that be refreshing?
Comment from Pamusart
Hi, Beth
So far, it sounds like an idyllic childhood. I know there was this problem with the cousin dying, and the boy who was blinded by a BB gun. But, it sounds like both of your parents were caring parents, and that's a lot more than most of us had
I agree with your stance on assault weapons completely. They have no business being in the general population because there are too many psychos and weirdos out there who want to kill people with them becsuse it makes them famous and that's what they're after ,'fame , even if they die.
Your story is very well written and tugs on the heartstrings
I don't think this is autobiographical because you seem to be telling this from the standpoint of a boy
Maybe your dad taught you to shoot in spite of you being a girl
Here perhaps you meant risk?
"from a stomach flu. Not wanting to rick an unpleasant odor, she "
I enjoyed reading your book chapter
Good job. Thank you for sharing.
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2024
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Hi, Beth
So far, it sounds like an idyllic childhood. I know there was this problem with the cousin dying, and the boy who was blinded by a BB gun. But, it sounds like both of your parents were caring parents, and that's a lot more than most of us had
I agree with your stance on assault weapons completely. They have no business being in the general population because there are too many psychos and weirdos out there who want to kill people with them becsuse it makes them famous and that's what they're after ,'fame , even if they die.
Your story is very well written and tugs on the heartstrings
I don't think this is autobiographical because you seem to be telling this from the standpoint of a boy
Maybe your dad taught you to shoot in spite of you being a girl
Here perhaps you meant risk?
"from a stomach flu. Not wanting to rick an unpleasant odor, she "
I enjoyed reading your book chapter
Good job. Thank you for sharing.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2024
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I do think I had a pretty idyllic childhood in many ways but of course children worry more than their parents realize. This isn't totally autobiological, but it is biological. In the beginning, some of it was from my mother prespective and even my grandmother. This part was mostly from my perspective. I'm not sure what sounded like a male prespective until it was when my cousin killed himself. My dad didn't have any problems teaching a girl to shoot. I was his only child. I just observed that boys like guns more than girls. I appreciate the review and comments.
Comment from Wayne Fowler
Well done.
You are absolutely right - the gun lobby has far too much power.
You might also be right about boys' DNA regarding guns. But with respect to guns being a southern culture thing, I think it's more rural vs city (generally). I grew up in Michigan (14 yrs) and every rural family I knew had guns, whether they hunted or not. In California, the same. Now in Arkansas, where my family lived since the 1870s, it's the same. Just about all rural folk have at least one gun in the house (except for the city folk who moved to the country).
Best wishes.
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2024
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Well done.
You are absolutely right - the gun lobby has far too much power.
You might also be right about boys' DNA regarding guns. But with respect to guns being a southern culture thing, I think it's more rural vs city (generally). I grew up in Michigan (14 yrs) and every rural family I knew had guns, whether they hunted or not. In California, the same. Now in Arkansas, where my family lived since the 1870s, it's the same. Just about all rural folk have at least one gun in the house (except for the city folk who moved to the country).
Best wishes.
Comment Written 24-Jul-2024
reply by the author on 24-Jul-2024
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Thank you Wayne. I sorr of suspected that all rural families had guns but I've only lived in the South. I really appreciate the nice review and the six stars.
Beth