Forum/dp1st/mark2nd
Last week’s vote by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors to ban the sale of guns and ammunition on county property sparked considerable debate about the ease of buying a gun. So the Business Journal asks:
Do you own a gun?
Chris Morris
President and Chief Operating Officer
Soap
I don’t own a gun. Why? Because they’re made for killing people. It’s not like we’re defending this country against the Redcoats. For people to stand behind the constitutional guidelines made 250 years ago Jefferson would be rolling over in his grave. We’re using a document that was great when it was created, but that was a very different time. Police need guns, the military needs guns, but citizens should not need guns. It just makes them feel better about their own insecurities.
June Shelby
Manager of Voice Communications
Neutrogena Corp.
Yes, I do have a gun for self-protection. I would not hesitate to use it in self-defense if someone broke into my home. But first, I would have to find my glasses.
Susan Schomburg[pic8-30nm, but not used]
Director
Edenhurst Gallery
I do not own a gun. I’m not a believer in violence, and there are too many guns in L.A. already. I personally don’t think I could shoot someone, so there’s no reason to have a gun. I respect that there are people who use guns to hunt for game or go duck hunting or for protection purposes. But I would not want to shoot another human being.
Katie Jacobs
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
We don’t own a gun because we have a baby I would be scared to death of the baby finding the gun. I’m very against guns, and I think too many people have too much access to them. At the same time, I understand why people have guns. It’s a scary world we live in, and people want to protect themselves. I’m very pleased about the vote (by the supervisors).
Ollie Lee
Parts Supplier
Yes, I do own a gun. We have a business in San Fernando that’s in an area where we feel we need to have a gun on the premises. I’ve had my gun for over 20 years. I was never in the military I took private lessons to learn to use and operate a gun. I didn’t think it was right to have a gun if you don’t know how to use it. Both my brothers have guns for personal protection at work. I don’t make a point of using it. Thank goodness I’ve never had to use it.
Charles D. Kerns [pic6-14nm]
Director of Organizational Consulting
Healthcare Advisory Services Practice
BDO Seidman LLP
No, I don’t own a gun. I have small children, and the probability of something unwanted happening is a lot higher with little children and with their friends coming over. We take care of our security with alarm systems. I hear that the crime rates are much lower in an environment where people are allowed to carry concealed weapons. As a psychologist, I call it intermittent reinforcement. The criminal thinks, is this going to be the time I’ll be unlucky?
