General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAP: Guns blamed for starting wildfires in parched West
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Campfires, fireworks and even lit cigarettes can spark wildfires. In the tinder-dry West, there is growing concern about the threat from guns.
This year, officials believe target shooting or other firearms use sparked at least 21 wildfires in Utah and nearly a dozen in Idaho. Shooting is also believed to have caused fires in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico.
Those concerns come as states grapple with ways to cut the risk of new fires ahead of the Fourth of July holiday when many people fire their guns to celebrate the nation's independence.
Officials have been asking the public to scale back shooting as legions of firefighters contend with one of the busiest and most destructive wildfire seasons to ever hit the West.
In Utah, Republican Gov. Gary Herbert took the unusual step of authorizing the top state forest official to impose gun restrictions on public lands after a gunfire-sparked fire. The official is expected to do so within days.
-- snip --
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_WESTERN_WILDFIRES_GUNS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-07-03-16-48-27
longship
(40,416 posts)I am being deliberately provocative here for a purpose. It is not to bait the 2nd amendment purists into an argument. Regardless, I have no intention of responding to responses to this post.
Suffice it to say that I support a liberal interpretation of the 2nd amendment, meaning a broad interpretation of the amendment in favor of the right to bear arms.
But when your right conflicts with the overwhelming mandate of promoting the general welfare, I draw the line, as we all must do. There is some line between a sling shot and a thermonuclear weapon where the 2nd amendment does not apply and the general welfare phrase overrules.
I will not judge on this post. But I will point out to those who would interpret the 2nd amendment broadly, as I generally do, whether it might be in the state's interest to ask people to watch out and refrain from exercising their rights this week.
It is common sense. Only a 2nd amendment asshole would not listen to common sense. Nobody's taking anybody's guns away. Just be careful. You may burn down your neighbor's property.
Thanks much.
kestrel91316
(51,666 posts)property. Their own rights, gun rights included, are the only rights that matter.
ProgressiveProfessor
(22,144 posts)Then why post at all on a discussion board? Why not just log off, perhaps permanently
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)gregoire
(192 posts)These people are violent and obviously don't give a damn about other people.
TheCowsCameHome
(40,163 posts)Who's gonna be the first to whine and bitch?