‘Hamas’ crack awful
I cannot believe that Sheriff William Frangis of Elbert County compared the Boy Scouts target shooting to terrorist training.
In the article “Scouts’ firing range irks residents” (July 7), the sheriff stated, “It sounded like Hamas had a training camp next door.”
If this is the attitude of law enforcement in Elbert County, it’s no wonder the citizens panic when they hear gunfire. Why didn’t the sheriff say something like “It sounded like citizens enjoying their right to own firearms”?
It would appear that in Frangis’ mind we are all nothing but potential terrorists.
Ron Coleman, Colorado Springs
This is nothing new. As for years certain organizations from the left have been attacking boy scoouts. From the ACLU to gay organizations. Anti religious organizatiopns have spoken out among others who want to change and destroy what Lord Baden Powell started a century ago.
Scouting teaches morals, family values. Teaches life leasons and skills. Developes leadership skills and qualities. Scouting teaches life lessons like life is not fair and equal all the time, but one can ovedrcome diversity.
Plus Peacful Valley is some prime realistate and if they can force the scouts out , alot of money can be made on developing that land.
Posted by on July 19, 2007 04:36 AMsure seems like the city folks who moved to the country should move back.
Posted by on July 19, 2007 05:12 AMI guess when 90% of your job is intimidation by the display of firearms,it's hard not to get just a little spooked by the thought that there is a small but non-zero percentage of people out there who respond to police threat displays with lethal force.It'd seem that law enforcement knows better than anyone else that living by the gun can also mean dying by the gun.
Cut Sheriff Bill a little slack.He's just worried for his own safety.He'll get back to worrying about yours any day now.
Jimminy..you are a moron...
Posted by on July 19, 2007 07:29 AMBoys like to throw rocks, shoot BB guns, Bows etc. It is nice that a wholesome environment is provided. Gun safety is taught and enjoyment paired with responsiblilty. I feel sorry for today's youth. With so many nanny laws restrict the fun and learning that I had available as a boy. Eliminate experiencial learning, trash any organization that teaches morality, and park the kids in front of the TV and video games. Then wonder "what is wrong with todays youth"? Let the Boy Scouts have some fun. Hell, go join them and help a boy become a man. A little tolerance for children having some fun learning would model adult behavior. As for the Sheriff, he obviously grew up in the burbs: no common sense.
Posted by Tom on July 19, 2007 09:11 AMI think, from the original article, he was quoting one of the neighbors who complained.
Posted by RickyLee on July 19, 2007 09:52 AMI have to respond to Mr. Coleman and others who did not bother to investigate before expressing their opinions. The Sporting Clays event was not Boy Scouts shooting. They were prohibited from participating. The " charity' event involved a sporting clays club from Broomfield which is owned by a gentleman who is in the Boy Scouts hierarchy in the Denver council. There were over 1000 shooters and spectators. No permit was ever applied for or issued. The Hamas comment was made by officials from another nearby camp. The Sheriffs office fielded over 60 telephone calls and the shooting was so loud that it was audible during some of the phone calls. Guns and ammo were left unattended and basic safety procedures were not followed. Last week, a temporary permit was issued by the County Commissioners for 2 future events even though the planning department and the Sheriffs Office recommended against the issuance. As usual a standing room crowd against the issuance were unable to sway or prohibit the Commissioners from issuing the permit.
To reiterate, the boy scouts are not involved in the shooting, The event is for competitive sporting clays participants. I would be willing to bet that if a similar event was held without notice in Mr.Colemans neighborhood he would not appreciate it either.
The County Sheriff's Office has better things to do than baby sit the traffic and noise complaints generated by a private organization whose leader is using his position on the Denver BSA Council to further these shooting events
To Dick.I think your beef is with the newspaper not Mr. Coleman.They are the ones that reported the story.Are you afraid to go after the MEDIA?
Posted by Ed on July 20, 2007 12:58 PMTo Rickylee.He was not quoting any neighbor in the article.It was the Sherrif's quote.
Posted by Ron on July 20, 2007 01:03 PMA guy makes kind of a funny comment, and everyone jumps on him. Grow some thicker skin, or move to a commune...your choice.
Posted by on July 21, 2007 08:32 AMThe last guy did not leave his name is he a coward?
Posted by Ron on July 21, 2007 10:13 AMRon Coleman, if you own a firearm, you are a potential terrorist. When a usually law abiding gun owner loses control and opens fire on unarmed civilians, maybe an ex-wife or the kids caught in a custody dispute, or maybe co-workers or a store manager or a bunch of unarmed students sitting in class...heck, I don't need to recite possible scenarios, read the papers; gun owners ARE potential terrorists and resort to terrorizing innocent people in the US daily. That much is a fact.
Posted by hikingartist on July 22, 2007 10:29 PM