Hooknswoop

Some people drink and drive, but we do not put breathalyzers in everyones vehicles. Derek V

You will never forget it, but think of it less and less often. I highly recommend getting your riggers ticket. Derek V

I suppose I was never under the illusion that I wouldn't witness a fatality or that it couldn't happen to me. So when it happened, it didn't bother me. I've long thought that people that change their lives after a near-death experience were previously living in denial about their own mortality. When confronted with it, they started living knowing they would die one day. I get it, no one likes to think about their own death, but seems a bit silly to deny it to yourself. Knowledge dispels fear. Why would witnessing a skydiving fatality create fear? Did you think it would never happen? What do you fear now that you didn't before? Address those issues with knowledge and training. Fear your reserve won't work? Get your rigger's certificate and pack your own. Fear of a free fall collision? Get some tunnel time, be selective with who you jump with and what jumps you do. Fear of landing incidents? Take a canopy course. Fear of a canopy collision? Fly like you want everyone else to fly and read Bryan Burke's article about not turning. Evaluate the risks, mitigate the risks, make honest choices, and get on with your life. Derek V

Well you say that...... Derek V

Sorry, I agree with 99%. Derek V

No, I was pointing out the discrepancy in those that want gun restrictions. They do not feel unsafe walking around, but "we have to do something!". Derek V

Not compared to other cause of death statistics. Derek V

Not when your focus is on guns and not other issues that cause much more deaths each year. Derek V

Kallend December 2007: Yep, as much as people that are anti-gun try and say it is a big problem, it really isn't. It makes for big news, so it alters our perception of the magnitude of the issue. Derek V

I agree with this 100%. Derek V

So it isn't about saving lives, it is about guns. Derek V

You know, maybe we wouldn't argue. I've always looked at it from the perspective that the freedom of speech has (almost) no limitations, therefore the 2nd amendment should not. But to flip that on its head, adding a test of some sort maybe isn't the worst idea ever. I have long been for allowing the freedom of speech, even of I disagree with it and even if it if creates obvious emotional harm. You are right, probably not much. Some people are, some aren't. Age doesn't equal ability or responsibility. Derek V

I'm torn on this one. While an 18-year old can enlist and be sent into war. some 21 year olds shouldn't be anywhere near a firearm. I guess the same I don't believe in the minimum of 6-hours of freefall to attend an an AFFI course, I don't think turning 18 or 21 makes you instantly responsible enough to own a firearm. I am not comfortable with demonstrating competency before being granted a constitutional right. The easy comparison is having to pass some sort of test before having the freedom of speech. The responsibility isn't the same. Yes, one could cause risk to life with freedom of expression, but not the same as the 2nd amendment. I would vote "yes" for a 21-year old minimum old restriction to buy or even own a firearm if there was an exception that anyone in the was military was exempt. Derek V

Make sure it is short enough that it cannot get twisted into your risers on deployment if it comes unstowed in free fall. Derek V

http://www.thedrive.com/opinion/18692/the-truth-about-guns-self-driving-cars-and-saving-lives Derek V

Really??? You really think I am a good example of the NRA's stance? Derek V

I want to clarify, because I'm not sure I am reading your response correctly. You believe that if Canada and Europe had the same gun laws, meaning legal AR-15's etc., that the mass shooting rate would remain much lower? Derek V

I edited out the sarcasm. What has changed? If it isn't the gun laws, then the gun laws are the problem and more are not the fix. I don't that our gun laws are perfect, they do need improvement and more enforcement. But what else is the issue? People in the Europe and Canada have guns. What is the difference in the US? Derek V

Don- Do you think that Canada and Europe would have a similar rate of mass shootings as the US if they had the same firearm laws as the US? Derek V

I think it is the best answer I've seen in a long time. Thank you for this. It doesn't let gun control off the hook, but identifies other issues that need solving as well. Derek V

At the low end, $500.00 Derek V

I haven’t really thought about it, but I’ll do my best to answer the question. AR-15’s are not expensive, easy to operate, and low recoil. There are lots of parts available ke to customize them. I would expect the pistols to be 9mm glocks for the same reasons. I wouldn’t expect the caliber to be .44. More likely .45. The trade off there is how much energy the round has vs. the number of rounds the pistol can hold. The debate of 9mm vs. .45 will probably never end. Derek V

Ya, that is another change that should be made. The point is to be able to make your own firearm. Probably should go the way of bump stocks. Derek V

That is how you hear it. That is not true. I am open to solving the issue. I am not open to gun control that will make little, if any difference. Derek V

Check out 80% lowers. Derek V