by eric_b » Fri 22 Jul 2005, 01:32:22
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('eastbay', '[')i]I shot a bird with a BB gun as a boy and felt enormous remorse.
PMS,
Me too. I was about 11 years old. I shot a small bird in the eye. I've never fired a weapon at or intentionally hurt an animal since then. And unless it becomes required for food for my family, or if I see some ferocious dog attacking someone, or maybe to end an animals terminal suffering, I never will.
.... back to the topic... self-defense only.
I will without hesitation use a firearm or other deadly weapon to stop a human threat against another. I have assorted weapons continually ready, as apparently do many (most??) others here.
Got a similiar story. I was about 13, and my brother had recently gotten one
of those pellet guns one can pump. We were along the edge of a marsh in the
early fall and there was a red winged blackbird about 30-50 yards away, roosting on
top of some cattails. I remember my brother trying to tutor me on how to hold
the 'rifle' as I lined the bird up.
I shot, and for a second or two nothing happened. I thought I'd missed. Then the
bird dropped straight to the ground. I felt terrible. It wasn't the thought that I'd killed
it so much, as my worry that I may have injured it and caused it suffering.
After that I had to no desire to shoot at other living things with a gun.
Though I imagine if I were starving I'd probably do so just to eat.
So I'm not going to pretend I'm some kind of killer - though who hasn't contemplated
murder during a fit of rage?