I'm sure you've already received a barrage of opinions about the gun control debate, but I thought I would throw in a few thoughts. First consider a couple of statistics:

Incidents involving a firearm represented 9% of the 4.7 million violent crimes of rape and sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated and simple assault in 2005.
According to the 1997 Survey of State Prison Inmates, among those possessing a gun, the source of the gun was from -
· a flea market or gun show for fewer than 2%
· a retail store or pawnshop for about 12%
· family, friends, a street buy, or an illegal source for 80%

84% of inmates surveyed said they would avoid potential victims if they suspected the victim carried a firearm.

Amendment II (Bill of Rights)

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

It seems odd to me that so many members of the media stand in outright defiance of the Bill of Rights. It's concerning that those who rely so heavily on the freedoms allotted them in that same Bill of Rights are willing to stomp and spit on the precedents therein if they don't fit a specific agenda. How can we as the reading public trust any future reporting when a blatant bias reveals a willingness to march blindly to the beat of the liberal drum, conforming so easily to the mantra of the nonconformist cult?

I've read too many "columns" lately from writers who showed no effort to research and discuss a tough topic that America must openly and honestly face. The constant shots at anything white, male, Christian or Republican are obviously polarizing and immature. Violence exists in this country, and the debate must continue in order to find real solutions to controlling that violence. But pigeon-holing me and every other white male in the box labeled, "It's their fault, they are continually oppressing women and minorities," is no answer and comes across as weak minded and whiny.

Why are we always so quick to blame white males for things like the proliferation of guns, but so hesitant to point out the huge statistical margin between white male gun violence and minority gun violence? Black rappers continue to wax poetic about a thug lifestyle, the importance of carrying a gun, how to handle a drug deal gone wrong, and of course the consistent and violent disrespect of women. As soon as they finish we give them a Grammy and a movie deal, then turn around and blame the white man for placing minorities in such dire circumstances.

Yes, something needs to be done about violence. But taking away a person's constitutional right to defend themselves against said violence is no solution to the problem. Making it more difficult or even impossible for someone like me to buy a gun has no effect on the 80% of guns being purchased illegally in this country.

So if you want to help put out the violent fire constantly burning across this country, please don't pour ignorant, uneducated gasoline into the flames.