This is a story about four guns in Flagler County, who uses them, and why.
The gun used in manslaughter
The day his son was sentenced to 25 years in prison for manslaughter, Thomas Merrill stood before a judge and explained where his son obtained the gun used in the crime. His son, William Carson Merrill, pled no contest last year to charges of manslaughter after he shot and killed his wife with an AK-47 assault rifle. When police searched his house on Covington Lane after the shooting, they recovered more than 20 guns. (Click here for the full story ... ) The gun used for self defense When deputies responded to a burglary in progress in October 2011, they arrived on scene to see Daniel Floyd standing in his driveway point a handgun at a man surrounded by blood and lying on the ground. Floyd told deputies that the injured man, Tre’Quan Cobb, came with two other males to Floyd’s house looking for his roommate. When told the roommate was not home, one of the men kicked open the front door, and all three of the men forced themselves into the residence, according to Flagler County Sheriff’s Office documents. (Click here for the full story ... ) The gun used for recreation Greg Eckley has a stressful job. He sees 125 customers per week through his business, Professional Pool Service of Flagler County. But after he leaves the shooting ranges at the Flagler County Gun Club, his stress is gone. “It’s an amazing feeling,” Eckley said. “I go there with my son, and it’s a great way for us to bond. When we leave, we feel like there’s not a thing on our shoulders.” (Click here for the full story ... ) The gun used for everyday life Before the sun comes up, the parking lot of the Quick King gas station on County Road 305 is packed. Men stand in circles near the gas pumps, trading news and making fun of each other. The lighter it gets, the fewer remain. They’re hunters, construction workers, fishermen — or those retired from their trades. It’s informally known as the Coffee Club, and it’s a meeting place for residents of Daytona North from 5 to 7 a.m. daily. Inside, Ray Petersen sits at a booth, one hand loosely wrapped around a Styrofoam coffee cup. “There’s not a truck out there that doesn’t have a gun in it,” he said, looking over his shoulder toward the parking lot. (Click here for the full story ... )
Currently 3 Responses
- 1.
- Dear Editor: I also believe the founding fathers to be very intelligent and had great foresight. But I have a hard time believing that anyone could imagine that the musket would evolve into the guns that are being manufactured in the 21st Century. Regarding the interpretation of the 2nd Amendment, this is probably the one amendment that has caused so much conversation and differing interpretation amonst learned men since it was first written. I do not think we can compare its original intent to the 1st Amendment. How many people have lost their lives due to the interpretation or misinterpretation of the 1st Amendment?
- 2.
- I agree with Mr Salerno who said it very well. I would also add that crimes committed by LEGAL gun owners, reguardless of what type of gun, is very small compared with those people who will acquire guns whatever law is passed.
Also, the gov't is unable or unwilling to enforce laws already on the books such as immigration laws, what makes anyone think that new laws will be enforced.
After using all the numbers, percentages and logic the FACT still remains that the second amendment is not open for interpretation and to quote Mr. Salerno, "the founding fathers were al lot smarter than Mr. Shapiro gives them credit".
NO LAW SHOULD BE PASSED THAT WILL MAKE CRIMINALS OUT OF LEGAL GUN OWNERS.
Michael Fay
- 3.
- Dear Editor:
Mr. Merrill Shapiro, president of the Flagler County Democratic Club, “believes the Second Amendment was intended to protect the right for citizens to own a musket, not fully automatic weapons” and calls for stricter regulations. Fully automatic weapons are already strictly regulated by Federal Law since 1934.
If the U.S. Constitution and its amendments, a.k.a. The Bill of Rights, “Endowed by Our Creator”, not the government, is open to interpretation according to Mr. Shapiro, then would it also be open to interpretation to say that the First Amendment, which is about the Freedom of Religion, Speech and Assembly, should limit us to only pen and paper since radio, television and the internet were not yet invented when the Constitution was written?
I think our founding fathers were a lot smarter than Mr. Shapiro gives them credit for.
Roland Salerno
- May
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21 Marine Corps Meeting
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Premier: Rotary of Flagler County gets thumbs up
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Also, Club President Rick Staly was recognized with a "Well Done" Award. -
Friends of A1A produce videos to promote cycling and safety along the coastal byway
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The Friends of A1A has produced six new videos designed to attract more cycling visitors to the 72-mile Scenic & Historic A1A Coastal Byway that travels through St. Johns and Flagler counties. Also, AAUW awards scholarships and loggerheads have arrived. -
Palm Coast offers summer recreation, tennis, golf camps for children, teens
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