[Jeff Higgins]

I seem to have left a bad impression with regards to how many guns are just laying around loaded in the Higgins abode. So, let me clear that up: None. I do have a revolver in my bedroom, and one downstairs in the garage. Anyone but myself, my wife, and my sons would have one hell of a time finding them. In contrast, any one of us could turn one up fast enough to actually be of help in an emergency. They are not locked up. They do not have trigger locks. By the nature of the revolver, there is always one "in the chamber". There is nothing to do to prepare them to shoot; no magazine to find and insert, no slide to rack, no key to find and turn, no combination to remember; nothing. They are ready to go as soon as one object, the gun itself, is in hand.

I could not imagine the stress involved in a situation where I could actually justify using one. I want as little to do as possible. Nothing else to find; nothing else to do. Retrieve the damn gun, try to stop shaking so bad, try to calm the heart rate, make sure my family is safely behind me with the threat in front. No bull*****. No locks to fuch with. No separately stored clip to first retrieve, then try to fumble into the gun. And it still ain't ready to go; the slide has to be racked. Maybe some bull***** little key has to be inserted into the grip and turned to free up some ill-conceived "child safety" device. No way; not in my house. No ******* way...

Anyone who has hunted much has experienced "buck fever". Stories abound about hunters cycling bolts until their gun is empty, never firing a shot. Wondering why the deer didn't drop, until they calm down and see the still loaded cartridges at their feet. And the deer isn't even shooting back.

We hear stories of professionals - highly trained ones at that - locking up, freaking out, or somehow not functioning when under the stress of an armed engagement. I'm no pro. I'm taught as many of us are: by my dad, my family, and others. I have no idea how I would react to a situation where I felt I needed a gun to defend home and hearth. I'm sure I would be scared *****less. I'm also sure I want as little to do, as little to screw up as possible.

These D.C. (and other) storage requirements are sheer and utter nonsense. One is not well and truly "armed" if there is "some assembly required". The folks writing such law have nary a clue. I do not feel in the least bit obligated to listen to them, or any other hand-wringing ninny that would effectively disarm me for the "safety of my children". Their real motives are all too transparent. And I resent the fact that they are hiding behind my kids.