re: Grandpa of teen killed in OK burglary says AR-15 is unfair advantage.

You know what,

When I was younger, a group of 7-10 year olds spray painted my car with a bunch of vulgar words and possibly "gang" related epithets. This happened in the back of my complex and I heard it all happen. It was at 2AM in the morning. I didn't see it happen but I heard the commotion.

It scared the hell out of me, and it cost me a shite ton of money to fix. Thankfully for me, I had car insurance being paid for me, and Sweet hook up at a body shop with some family friends. They were able to repaint my whole car (it needed some work) and I walked away with my possession. It did cost me a pretty coin though out of pocket.

Turns out I'd seen these kids in the neighborhood before and I had a clue of who they were. They'd pass through our lot and touch people's cars and I'd tell them to kick rocks basically. My neighbor saw the vandalism of my car happen and didn't call the cops (a-hole. I was more pissed at him -- couldn't trust him).

I was pissed that my sense of security was jeopardized. The car sucked and it sucked having that crap on my car -- I thought I was a target while the crap was on my car. But once I got that secured away at a shop, I cared less about the car. Because it could be replaced. And it could be repainted.

I never once held any resentment towards the young boys that did that -- I jut wish I knew their parents so I could talk to them about the risks of their sons deeds. I never once thought about calling the cops on them --- the penal system is too harsh on young black boys and they'd probably get oversentence for what is actually a trivial crime in terms of my property (which again can be replaced and fixed. Thankfully I was fortune enough to have the means). That's what held me back the most. Couldn't throw more young black boys into a penal system that punitively punishes them.

I still hold no resentment towards them and never once thought about getting a weapon after this. I wasn't gonna and won't let that one moment make me an ultra aggressive beta that lets one moment hold him as a prisoner. I actually hope those boy are doing well now and I hope they haven't fallen into a life of crime. I'd be doing myself no good living mylife in fear.

I continued to live at that complex for another year and half,and although I was more cautious, I never once thought about arming myself.

Why would I take another life just for a car? I value myself, my life, my peace of mind, and others lives way way way more than any item that can be replaced. I work hard so that it can be. I would want my son to grow up to be a man that can resolve conflicts with his mouth and mind and not with his fists and guns