I'm from a hunting family in Texas. My father and brothers would hunt to supplement that what was on the table. There was a time and place for the use of weapons and outside that, they were up on the gun rack ready for the next time.

My father was an uncomplicated man, and that was due to our Native American heritage, and his time spent on the killing fields in Anzio. He said that fire arms should only be used for hunting and protection. To hunt with anything more than a rifle meant you were no hunter; you were in fact opportunistic animal murderer, and should buy your meat at the grocery store like everyone else. That or become a vegetarian - That part he said with a laugh.

He had clear views on gun control, which once again went back to his days as a soldier and as hunter. No one, but no one, should be allowed to own a semi and no one should be allowed to collect (sometimes a huge arsenal) of firearms.

50 years ago he spoke of gun control measures to make it difficult for firearms to get into the wrong hands. Having had to kill for his country, and having to live with that since a young man, he cried when he heard about Columbine. He would be heartbroken today.