" You and I don't agree on much, but I do applaud and agree with your excellent comment. Dead on. "

" Civil discourse seems to be a lost art. Perhaps the days of differing opinions without nasty diatribe and vulgar displays of offensive ignorance are a thing of the past; or perhaps we should just practice more.

I am going to suggest, without venom or name-calling, a possible way for each side to look at this issue.

For those who would ban guns in ANY form, do you not see the analogy. If the government (any government) can ban a gun, they can ban anything. It is a given that no where in history has a government ceded a right, taken away,back to a populace. If anything can be taken away "for your own good", then everything can be.

If you believe, "They can't take everything away from me!", you have not considered the many, many in jails (or dead) who should not be there.

And for those who are "afraid" they will lose their gun rights, may I make this suggestion? Be responsible; make the fight a rational and procedural one. But, if the day comes (and I do not credit the intent or the guts) I will hand over my weapons and I will know, then, where the enemy lies and no longer will that entity receive truth or cooperation, up to the day its tyranny is abolished.

Enjoy your day. The Obama monster is a figment of someone else's twisted imagination and you need not stress. If you are one who chooses to stop the thoughts at name calling and xenophobia, I won't ask you to watch my back, even as I attempt to watch yours.

Thomas Jefferson said of our country and its predilection to arms (tool usage): No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

As long as it isn't pointed at me, I support the ownership of any and all guns, without exception, even if I don't necessarily understand the reason why.

Isn't THAT freedom and respect? "

" Re: Oregon Transplant "Also: This is only reinstating a previous ban that was law previously, then Bush let it lapse. Gun owners: did you loose you weapons of choice then when it was law before?"

1. The law was allowed to expire by Congress. The President repeatedly said that he would sign it if it came to his desk. The man has a lot to answer for, but this isn't his problem.

2. The current proposed bill greatly expands the list of "scary looking" guns and would result in confiscations and loss of personal property. Stop being facetious. "

" Oregon Transplant, sorry that you chose Klamath Falls to relocate! There are so many other places in OR where the residents are progressive, better educated, Interested in outside events, and eager to participate in our global world. Unfortunately, KF persists as a depressed, repressed, un-informed, angry, and ignored corner of a beautiful state. The attitudes expressed in these comments will tell you why! I keep hoping it will improve but I don't think it will... so sad. "

" I have guns in my home, several rifles and shotguns, used for hunting purposes to provide food for my large family. I believe in my right to have these guns, and the rights of other people to have guns as well.

That being said, I am for increased gun control, becuase I was taught how to respect and care for a firearm. I was lucky, my dad took this very seriously. The problem is, these days, not everyone is as well educated. And the reality is, assault weapons do fall into the hands of people who do not respect them.

The mob (yes, the real mob) makes a pretty penny buying and selling arms on the black market. These arms don't fall into the hands of responsible gun owners. They fall into the hands of people who are only using them to harm other people.

I don't want to take peoples guns. I need mine and I'll be d-mned if I give them up. But I don't think background checks or regulation of semiautomatic weapons is infringing on my right to bear arms. It's making the statement, that ALL gun owners should be behind, that gun ownership is about responsibility. "

" Oregon Transplant.

1. You are showing you ignorance by inferring that an Arab can't be a Christian.

2. The misnamed 'Assault Weapons Ban' you support is what we in the business call an infringement. That makes it unconstitutional. Slavery was once legal, but it was immoral and unconstitutional, so we let that law lapse, too. I hope we don't have to have another civil war to bring that point into sharp focus.

3. Are you going to enforce your will on us by going house to house yourself? Or are you going to rely on 'A MAN WITH A GUN' to do your dirty work for you?

The Founders were all too aware of well meaning fools and their 'great ideas'. You are a perfect example of why the 2nd Amendment was originally enshrined in our Constitution. Your lack of understanding on human nature is your fatal flaw. "

" G. Bailey: you almost got me encouraged with an actual reference to a senate bill, that someone here can read and research to find out for themselves.
That is until the "Arab" reference, maybe you are not as informed as I might have thought. Geez people. what's with the continued Arab reference? Remember all the controversy about his preacher? He is a CHRISTIAN preacher that everyone was so upset about Obama attending church there, never mind that Oprah and other prominent Chicago people have attended. Can't have it both ways, he's an Arab and I hate his Christian church preacher.

Anyway: for anyone interested I found a website so that you can read for yourself what the assault ban bill contains. Then see just what parts you actually disagree wtih or if your precious gun(s) is listed.

Also: This is only reinstating a previous ban that was law previously, then Bush let it lapse. Gun owners: did you loose you weapons of choice then when it was law before?

Here's the website:http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h110-1022 "

" i relocated to here from iowa in 2001. i joined the infantry and played with muqtada al-sadr and his croniesfor 15 months. yay rte gold! most americans have never been witness to such conditions as sadr city, or any place that doesnt have a mall. from what i have experienced, many americans have this holy than thou attitude tward the rest of the world. well times are a changing. funny how in WWII people had to skimp, save, and help with the war effort. today they government gives out cash to keep the populace complacent. i truly hope such depravity, as in sadr city, never comes to this country. if the madness does come here, you will definately want to be armed. also, i love it here and im not leaving! see you all 1st weekend of december at the fair grounds! "

" Archarit haymin!
The Second Amendment-the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
There are many U.S. citizens who are upset about the possibility of their guns being taken away. How will they protect their families and homes?

Yes, the right to keep and bear arms is a very important issue, but we as U.S. citizens have stood silently while a whole generation has been murdered through the so-called freedom to choose-abortion!

The president-elect has his pen ready to sign a bill that will reverse partial birth abortion. When will the people become so upset they make their stand for the innocent babies who are violently taken from the safety of their homes?

When will the people make their stand for the the unprotected and silent cries of the babies? "

" Ever heard the phrase "What part of Shall NOT Be Infringed do they not understand. The Second Amendment is NOT about duck hunting, to borrow another phrase. The Founding Fathers wrote that into the Constitution specifically to protect firearms suitable for military service. Not just flintlocks, any gun suitable for military service. And they did so to protect "We The People" from an over-reaching Government. "

" Sarge:

You are right on. The transplant is probably too busy driving his Prius to abortion clinics pushing teenagers into the clinics as a form of birth control to see the what America is truly like. After he's done pushing teenagers into abortion clinics, it's back to the tree to hug.

Come on Transplant, who is the real hillbilly here? With your wording, I would truly suggest that you order the series of "hooked on phonics" soon. It's people like you that give Jeff Foxworthy his material for "you must be a redneck".

I think it is time to put the signs back up on the border that one of our fine Govenors use to have.

"Welcome to Oregon, Now Leave". "

" Sam, you say you know of no list--you and your ilk are the ignorant ones. You can see the list by looking up sb1022, which makes common ordinary shot guns and hunting rifles--.22s--illegal. I am sure the Arab will sign it. "

" First of all, our rights do not depend on a public vote or popular opinion. The 2nd Amendment isn't about duck hunting. In fact, in the Miller case, the question of gun ownership was based on a firearm's MILITARY utility!

That said, I think there needs to be a greater dialogue between the gun owner / enthusiasts and the general public. And by "dialogue," I mean 2-way conversation!

It might surprise many on the other side of the issue to know that most NRA members and gun owners are also anti-violence. We may like to shoot, but NOT at people, as that usually means that somebody is shooting back! No sane person ever wants to be in a real gun fight!

But what the public doesn't really understand is that there are extremists on the OTHER side of the issue, too! Their goal is to ban ALL firearms. So they spread around things like the term "assault weapon," which is really a bastardization of the term "assault rifle." Anyone with military service understands that true assault rifles are machineguns, or select-fire weapons that can be switched to a machinegun!

A so-called assault weapon is NOT. It is no more powerful, accurate or deadly than a legal deer rifle. During the Clinton ban, Congress simply made-up a list of various cosmetic features that the guns couldn't have in multiples. So, for instance, if your rifle has a folding stock, that's OK. If it has a forward pistol grip for better control, that's cool. But if it has BOTH of them, it's a crime!

That's pure silliness!

I do think there's a lot more that we can do to prevent violent crimes and firearm accidents, but we can only do it by WORKING TOGETHER. We need to end the tricks and the talking past one another. And we most certainly need to get off the idea of keeping honest, law-abiding citizens from owning any firearm they have a need for. Let's instead focus on real solutions to real problems. "

" Someday I will wake up in an America which embraces all points of view, does not fear that which it does not understand, does not threaten those who do not share an opinion. It may not happen, but it is my hope. You fear mongers, who worry about you guns, do nothing to help you cause by your hyperbolic platitudes.
I will repeat again; If you are concerned about the state of our Constitution, now is the time to take your arms and ammo, go to the White House and demand the rest of the Bill of Rights back. A real American embraces and defends the entire constitution, not just the parts with which they agree.
I support your right to bear arms, I support your right to free speech, but I do not support your lack of respect for people like Mr. McKeen.
Please keep your ammo dry and your sights clean, we have to do all we can to keep the Queen of England out of our business. But also, most importantly, remember this is Our Country. All us are Americans. Even Fireye.
I pledge allegiance to the USA. I hope you do, too. "

" You see it is like this Transplant: I view ANYONE who even dares to come near my RIGHT to defend myself against naughty humans be they individuals or in herds as either uninformed or evil intended. I am a history buff. The lessons of history clearly and unequivocally state that those who cannot defend themselves by giving up their weapons be they swords, spears or guns will inevitably become victims of those who do have them and the only way to really prevent this is if EVERYBODY is armed because it forces a state of mass respect.

They will attempt to disarm us when they declare martial law for any of a number of events either man made or "natural".
I view people like you as a major threat to my existence because you would have me at the mercy of my enemies with no chance of survival at all. Just read all the gory details about Hurricane Katrina and if you don't own a firearm now after reading that you might change yer mind. I'd rather have it and not need it then to need it and not have it.
Me myself i'd just prefer to tar and feather you and run you out of the county.....thats IF you are anti-firearms for citizens.
Knowing that my neighbors are armed gives me far more peace and security than any police force or army ever could. "

" Commies? Really?

WOW. Thanks for making my point in a such eloquent way!

This is amazing dialogue for 2008.

See my point everyone? ;-) "

" When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Sam McKeen fits in well with the Marxist President elect Obama and hist elitist minions in Congress, Schumer, Feinstein, Boxer, Reid, Kennedy, Pelosi...etc. They have all violated their oaths of office to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Let this be the main issue to declare the need for a restoration of this country to the intent of the founders. That intent was certainly not the Communism, Marxism, Fascism and Socialism that we've been subjected to over the last couple of years. Years in which they promised they would return ethics and remove corruption. Nothing but lies! "

" "if you already live here then please move away before it is to late for you. "

What does that mean? Too Late for what?
That sounds kinda threatening.

Also: with all this biz about Obama taking guns away, have any of you actually read up on his proposals? I've never heard any such talk of taking guns away, just reinstating assault rifle ban.

REINSTATING means that it used to be a law but was allowed to lapse with Bushie. So if it was law before, who took your guns away then?

Oh that's right, no one did... All you gun owners (that's right I used to have a pistol myself) always let the Republicans scare you about this gun taker-awayer mentality. It won't happen. All the hunters and people who want to protect their families and property will have access, but maybe some of the gang bangers will find it a bit harder to knock out dozens.

Some of the people in this town need to get educated with real resources, not the just spouting what they heard at the bar or feed store. "

" Awesome Responds ! "

" Oregon transplant: We are the voice of reason. If you are anti firearm then please do us a favor and don't move here and if you already live here then please move away before it is to late for you. "

" Anyone that shows up on my doorstep to violate my Constitutionally protected Rights will find that they will have to kill me to do so. Should I survive the encounter, I will be forced into a war against my will. I served 23 years in the Infantry, and my Oath to support and defend the Constitution is still in effect. I see now why they included the phrase, 'against all enemies, foreign and domestic.'

Change has come to America, but the Civil War that the 'domestic enemies' are determined to spark may not be the change they had envisioned. "

" I moved to this town 4 years ago from the midwest (Iowa), thinking that on the west coast people are free-thinking and forward thinking.

Never would I have guessed that this town is not only not progressive but a mixture of "King of the Hill" and the Redneck Comedy tour. Except that it's not funny here at all....

This community is the most backward thinking, small minded place I've ever lived in. I'm glad I didn't have the opportunity to read the paper and quotes like these before moving, or else I would opted out of the time machine and stayed put.
Since this is a public forum, I wonder how many people are turned away from moving here by reading the community member's quotes about the "commies" and "their gonna take my guns away" mentality.

Please community members: I know voices of reason are here. Speak out so we know we are not alone and so that people might want to move here some day! "

" Sam, humility & graciousness are obviously 2 character traits that you were not blessed with(tee hee & la de dah). Congratulations that the presidential candidate that you backed won the election. "

" The lefties out there so love government, or at least their idea of government, that they refuse to recognize history. They cannot fathom ever having to defend THEMSELVES against a tyranical government because they believe that the government is the solution to every problem out there. They do not understand that the 2nd Amendment was put into place to keep our government from overstepping its boundaries. Semi-automatic firearms are the most effective means of resistance if the sad day ever comes when "We the People" have to say no more. If that day ever comes, the lefties in your family will be banging on your door and crying out for you to give them shelter and protection from the troops coming down mainstreet. Our founding fathers understood that the people must keep the means to defend themselves from oppressive government and they would not approve of the step by step law-making that is slowly disarming us. Gun-control is people-control, it does nothing to curb crime as can be shown by the cities and states with the strictest controls have the most crime. Wake up people, gun-banners that talk about "reasonable" gun control are merely trying to advance the agenda one more small step. Call your congressmen and tell them that you will not tolerate such steps and will not vote for them at the next election. "

" anyone want to go do some target shooting at sportsmans park? good times! "

" MOLON LBE! MOLON LABE! MOLON LABE!

I am among the members of the military who WILL NOT only NOT confiscate weapons in the hands of civilians, but will aid them if they ever have the backbone to rise up and sieze back the government "

" Hey Sam,

Might want to buy up some of them guns yourself. After all, we're craaazy! Wouldn't want us to be the only ones armed, now, would you?

Oh, that's right, it's going to be too late soon, for you anyway. Your right to buy them was the big loser in the election (tee hee), and the manufacturers will be broke soon (la de dah). Better hurry, you don't have long to try to catch up. "

" The biggest problem is that Obama, Schumer, Feinstein, Boxer and all the other 'anti-liberties they don't like' leftists won't come to collect the firearms themselves. They'll send our Military or more likely, since most of the Military won't comply, U.N. soldiers. Many of those soldiers will die in the name of the left destroying parts of the Constitution they don't like.

Molon Labe "

" Molon Labe (tee hee) "

" When a Right becomes seen as a Priviledge, it is no longer a Right. If THIS Right goes away, how long do you think it will be before the Right to Free Speech or the Right to Peacably Assemble go away too?
If the Majority get to decide what is a Right, then it has become a Priviledge. "

" Well, Sam,
1. I'm not concerned that Obama will end protections of gun owners. I'm concerned that Obama will further violate the Constitution and the rights of sovereign American citizens.
2. I didn't vote 'against' Obama, I voted for freedom. I voted for Chuck.
3. What you and Obama are calling 'assault weapons', aren't assault weapons. They look like assault weapons, but they aren't. They are just semi-automatic rifles that have been around for about 100 years. Try to understand the subject before jumping into the conversation.
4. I AM purchasing guns, and I don't intend to cooperate with ANY administration or government which is more interested in violating my rights than securing them. "

" "He should just buy up as many guns as possible, as so many gun lovers are doing, and refuse to cooperate with the new administration." Damn straight! "

" For "the millions of us who can see no public need to put assault weapons within the reach of civilians:" In the twentieth century, somewhere between 160-200 million innocent people were murdered by "their" governments worldwide . . . and in virtually every case, those "governments" preceeded the genocide with strict laws against civilians owning military style small arms. The people who were murdered were left totally defenseless as jack-booted tyrants slaughtered their families and children. So for those of you, who "agree" that the American citizenry should be disarmed by "our" government . . . consider what you may be asking for in this country. . . . Oh yes . . . please don't say "it can't happen here" . . . that is precisely what those people said in their countries before it did. "

" I posted Sam McKeen's anti-gun letter
at the KABA (Keep And Bear Arms)
web-site at www.keepandbeararms.com. Under
"Newslinks for 11/24/2008" there no
doubt will be comments forthcoming.
Again, I respect a citizens Second
Amendment right to own their choice
of a semi-automatic version of a military
assault rifle: M-16 (Colt AR-15), Soviet
AK-47 (AKS) or whatever. For me I'll
continue to stake my life, security, and
protection on a simple double-action
revolver (.38 Special/.357 Magnum)
with six shot, swing out cylinder. I
embrace the classic .357's: Smith and
Wesson's (K-Frame) Model 19 .357
Combat Magnum or it's stainless version:
the Model 66. Or the heavy N-Frame
Smith and Wesson .357's: the Model 27
and Model 28 Highway Patrolman,
respectively All now long discontinued
from production. "

" Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Mussolini and many other tyrants would agree with you totally Sam.

Lets all do what Obama and the anti-firearm commies want then we can be like their heroes above. They all thought disarming the people worked quite well. Those with the guns were able to slaughter millions who didn't have any guns with impunity. Never mind the local criminals that had a heyday as well with all those unarmed and easy targets made available thanks to the great men above who did exactly as Sam and friends propose to do.
But then again as brain dead and apathetic as Americans are they probably won't even notice the loss of their country let alone their firearms.
All one has to do is watch the videos of Americans being questioned as they left the polls and it is easy to see why we are in the mess we are in. Not even one person questioned realized that we do not have 57 states in the union....that is bad....people that ignorant are dangerous and here they are voting.
Democracy is in fact mob rule and that is why we were founded as a republic which nobody seems to ever mention anymore especially in the controlled media.
Everything for the state and nothing for the individual. That is where I see u.s. headed.

Maybe when that retirement check stops coming or your paycheck won't cash because the banks are closed a few more will wake from the stupor of their media induced hypnosis. "

" Guns don't kill people- people kill people, Gun control is using both hands. we have the right to keep and bear arms, it dosen't matter what small arms have been invented over the years since it's writing, a handgun,rifle of different shapes and sizes. "