OK, so let us start with the facts. A total of 2,324 emails came in following my post about guns, so far. I responded to every single one of them. This was in the wake of my essay about developing some sort of rational, peaceful, non-confiscatory way of removing guns from the hands of criminals and reducing the drain on our national resources. And, as one concerned about national defense, that is how I think about the issue. I cannot avoid contemplating the drain on our national resources of the 100,000+ Americans who are shot every year as anything but a national defense issue. We are a weakened nation because of this, and I want us to be stronger.

Unfortunately, a lot of people just want to shoot guns.

All of these names, and e-mails, below are assumed to be fake names and addresses, since no rational person would sign their name to a death threat, using their own e-mail. Here is a small selection, for what it is worth, the spelling is as sent. But if anyone wants the e-mail addresses, fake though they must be, I will be happy to privately forward them:

"Kerry Johnston" said, "Are you still in the active military? You swore to God and your cuntry that you would uphold the Constituton. How can you run your mouth about what you aparently know nothing? You are a disgrace and you're days are numbered. There will be no mercy and no place for you to hide. Fool!"

Now I don't mind death threats which claim, "you're days are numbered," in general, but that is one of the only ones which inserted an inappropriate apostrophe. The spelling, well, that is sort of par for the gun-advocate course that I saw these past couple of days. You can infer what you like.

An interesting fellow named Michael Shapiro in New York wrote from Gmail:

"I shall descent upon your house as the Bubonic Plague and will steal your children...."

That one came with a nice, graphic image as well. This is interesting, as few people who threaten violence to little children (mine being six months old) dare to include their email, let alone attach violent graphic images as he did.

But one of my favorites was this one, from a Mister "Montgomery Scott." (Again, this must be a fake name, and I am only assuming "Montgomery" is male, since it is also a popular female name.)

"You, whatever you are, may now go to hell. I shall defend my rights (to the death of you, or anyone else who tries to take away my right [or anyone else's] to defend themselves from mortal attacks on this planet). In closing, I shall witness your destruction, as I live on. Those of your ilk shall be terminated with extreme prejudice from this earth, by THE power that you describe as 'fabled gods', and your memory will be forgotten for all eternity. While you still draw breath, you are able to gain salvation. I pray that you take this matter seriously, as you are getting weak and old, and obviously not fit to continue living on this Earth; and your mortality stares you in the face every day in the bathroom mirror. In the meantime, fat fuck with liver spots, come over and try to take my weapons. SERIOUSLY. Lead the charge. Try it, you might like it, you brave-talking pussified motherfucker. You are a sick and twisted individual, and no sentient human owes you any attention; nonetheless, I forewarn you now, in the name of God. Your MORTALITY awaits you. Do the bidding of your master Lucifer, you SLAVE! Your reward surely awaits you! FOOL! You talk smack. C'mon, boi, let's see you, here and now, and take my weapons, you dickweeded proletariat charlatan traitor to your nation and its' people! FUCK YOU. Seriously, FUCK YOU! I AM MONTGOMERY SCOTT

And then I had this one, a gem from a "Mr. Cline":

"I hope one day a Patriot puts a bullet right through your fucking skull, you disgusting parasite. DIE IN A FIRE.

And then there was this from "Vaughn":

"Keep it up, asshole, your place will certainly be a hole somewhere in the ground. "Military" honors will be optional and doubtful. Veiled threat? No, this is a prediction, a strong one. You are a true disgrace to this country and and don't deserve to be in command of a bowl of shit. Sincerely, your sworn enemy."

I don't know, what do you folks think?

A large percentage of these threats seem to have originated from the National Rifle Association, which posted an essay on their page about me.

So what do you think about the NRA's advocacy? Just curious, since their essay resulted in death threats to me, threats of rape to my wife, and threats of abduction and murder of my six-month-old daughter from the people who read the NRA's column. Personally, I think a little bit less of an organization like the NRA, which incites their members to threaten rape and murder and the abduction of babies. But perhaps, if you are an NRA member, you may approve of some of the messages above. That, of course, is your right.

This is my opinion only, it does not represent the DoD, the Army, or the National Rifle Association. I can be reached at R_Bateman_LTC@hotmail.com.

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