In Praise of SUVs and Guns
Saturday night was Jeremy's bachelor party. It came as no surprise that I enjoyed the meat and poker portions of the evening. What came as a bit of a shocker was the marvelousness of our rented Infiniti QX56, and the brilliance of our trip to the L.A. Gun Club.
I should get this right out front: I'm as liberal as the next lefty. Moreso, in all honesty. I'm hardwired in the belief that SUV owners are penis-compensating pricks and people who own handguns are dangerous lunatics. And that's why it was so shocking to love driving the Infiniti, and enjoy the hell out of shooting handguns.
I draw two important lesson from the experience, though neither of them is that I gotta get me some trucks and guns.
First, everything has its place. SUVs should exist in the world so six guys can rent one on a special occasion and travel in style ó and in the same vehicle ó for the evening. Should they be taxed to hell and back? Yes; they put a disproportionate strain on the roads and environment. Likewise, handguns shouldn't be illegal. Aside from their military and law enforcement necessity, and quite aside from second amendment issues, people ought to be able to have them if they want. Should criminals and lunatics be able to get them? No. Should their purchase and ownership be registered? Absolutely.
The night's second lesson is a well-worn one: Don't knock it 'til you try it. On this topic, further elaboration seems unnecessary.
Thanks to Eric Lichtenfeld for organizing the evening. A truly great time was had by all.
Comments
Jeff, we must have gun-type debates at some point, if just for the intellectual stimulation.
I firmly believe everyone who thinks all guns must be banned should be required to go out to a sandy ridge or gun range and shoot the hell out of some targets and stuff. But, then again, I also think everyone who thinks there can be no gun regulation should go to the gunshot ward of their local hospital and ask to be shown a few of the wounds. Gun Rights and Gun Laws are not mutually exclusive much like Evolution and Creationism are not mutually exclusive.
Jeff's message, when compared to my views, presents an interesting confluence of liberal and conservative views. It demonstrates, I think, why issues should be resolved through dialogue rather than the "I'm right - you're wrong" approach which seems to predominate in the political arena at present.
I agree on the general opinion of SUVs. I never quite understood what it was about SUVs that seemed to bother so many liberals.
I disagree on the taxing of SUVs. The gasoline tax (30 to 50 cents combined state and federal tax per gallon) already serves to tax SUV use more per mile than compact car use. This seems fair, and I don't see the need for more punitive taxation.
On handguns, some clarification of terms is perhaps required. I assume that Jeff means "handguns" solely as pistol-type weapons. If Jeff means "handguns" as small arms (handguns, rifles, shotguns), then I have more permissive views towards the latter types.
I do not agree with the blanket statement that handguns shouldn't be illegal. Some types, most notably small concealable pistols, perhaps should be illegal or subject to stringent restrictions - they serve no particular purpose other than to kill people, often by surprise, and any self-defense use which they serve can be met by other types of handguns. But, most handguns should be legal.
On registration of purchase and ownership, however, I generally disagree. My opinion is complicated, but a strong component is an NRA-style view of the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that the people preserve to themselves the right to hold weapons and that the Declaration of Independence states the right of a people to alter or to abolish their government and to institute a new government. I readily concede that it is difficult to do so with small arms, but I am not willing to concede to the government any more power over firearms than necessary (perhaps for no other reason than the symbolic statement that final authority rests with the people, not a government).