I, too, have a similar background, with the exception of having access to more remote areas starting about age 8. I had BB guns, then .22s and then moved into pistols at age 18. And of course the military. As a child I used to roam the countryside, wade the creeks, fight the tall grass and shoot everything that moved. I had no doubt that the slightest infraction of the safety rules would result in immediate and forever removal from access to guns. The adults had to trust me and if they couldn't they would see they didn't have to.

And I have guns to this day, including the poorest excuse for a gun I've seen. Miserable little 9mm semi-auto that does sling lead and go "bang".

I don't think that anyone objects to folks like you and me. I think we object to folks that want guns which have no legitimate purpose, and folks who are unstable having any kind of gun.

The idea of roving bands of morons trying to get your stuff in a disaster is BS. In Britain during the blitz the folks in nearby bomb shelters invited the survivors in. There wasn't any need for a gun. I think that's far more common than mowing down anyone other than one's own family.

It's unfortunate that normal gun owners get lumped in with gang members, psychopaths and the mentally ill. The NRA does that, has created an organization which doesn't represent your interests or my interests but allies us with the worst society has to offer. The ignorant and the arrogant benefit most from what the NRA supports.

Frankly, I haven't seen a gun law yet which would affect me or you. I don't want automatic weapons. I'm not afraid of background checks.

The NRA doesn't represent you. Folks like you are safe, as are your guns.