Wednesday, March 30, 2011

I Don't Love You Anymore--Bang!



In Saturday's PLAIN DEALER, I read Man, 86, Charged With Shooting Wife. This made me feel so sad! They were married for 66 years but argued that day. The wife, age 83, told him she no longer loved him so he shot her in the face when she was lying in bed. (No wonder she didn't love him anymore if that's how he treated her!) Then he called 911 for an ambulance and said he was going to kill himself too. The cops arrested him and the wife died about 15 hours later at the hospital.

I think this is horrible! How can someone be married for 66 years and then just shoot their spouse? I think having a gun in the house just makes it so easy to kill in the heat of an argument. If they didn't have a gun in their house, this would not have happened. Guns make me so nervous. Even when it's a security guard or policeman that is wearing it. Just on the bus Friday, there was a security guard with a gun that I noticed when he was getting off the bus. I am glad neither Gerard nor I have a gun and we never will!  At least I know my husband won't shoot me!

When I was a teen, we even moved when my mom saw our neighbor cleaning his rifle in his driveway. You can read all about it at my Writer's Workshop post for this week over at "My Funny Dad, Harry" blog: A Memorable Neighbor Who Scared Us Away.

What are your thoughts on this?



Check out Saturday Samplings for best posts of the week and link up yours!

14 comments:

Daisy said...

What a tragedy! We would never, ever have a gun in our house either. Guns are skerry!

The Silver Age Sara said...

I am so very sorry this happened. Sometimes elderly people take so many medications and suffer from clinical depression too and horrible events like this can occur. Or perhaps he was just an awful man who has been mean for years. I don't know.

We have guns. I stay away from them but we are out in the wilderness and as my encounter with a bear taught me last year, they have a place and purpose. It was only the sound of gunfire that got him to move along (we didn't hurt him or shoot at him) and nothing else worked and I tried EVERYTHING!

I used to despise guns too and thought they all should be destroyed. I've learned there is a place for them.

My heart goes out to this man's poor wife and to him as well if he was suffering due to dementia, etc.

Empty Nester said...

I am not a fan of guns either. Especially when in the hands of a moron...or a redneck...wait, same thing.

Sandee said...

Guns don't kill, people kill. We are well armed here and shall remain so. Living in a high crime area (as we are) we will protect ourselves and our property. If you want someone dead you don't need a gun. How about a kitchen knife? People kill. Period.

As for this couple? He had a hunk of cancer where his heart should be. Can't do much about that.

Have a terrific day. :)

Anonymous said...

I don't think my wife would ever shoot me. I hope not :-)

Your quiz?....Do you go back to check comments on posts a day or two after you leave one?

I spend a lot of time every week returning comments. There are simple not enough hours in the week for me to go back. Although I do love to get email replies to my comments but sadly most bloggers don't respond back that way :-)

BeadedTail said...

How horrible! I can't imagine ever doing such a thing but yet I hate guns and would never have any around.

Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" said...

Daisy:
So glad to hear you don't have guns in your house either! Stay safe! You sure were giving Harley a dirty look today!

Sara,
I remember you banging the pans to try to get that bear to move along! I agree, out in the wilderness where you live, one would need a rifle. I doubt if this couple had the hand gun to protect them from the wildlife in Akron though. Poor people.

The PLAIN DEALER just had statistics about gun owners in the US and it said 49% of males own handguns! I was shocked. It's almost like the Old West!

Empty Nester: Now, now, no name calling. Anyone can get angry and lose their temper. If a gun is handy when this happens, watch out. That's all I'm saying.

Sandee,
I know it's people who actually kill, but giving them guns sure makes it easier. Maybe if I lived in a high crime area like you, I'd feel differently. It just seems like every day I read in the paper about someone getting shot.

Ron Joe White,
Ron,
I hope your wife never shoots you too!

As far as the comments go, I always respond by email if the commenter leaves an email for me. I seldom take the time to go back to look for responses to comments I leave unless I know that particular blogger responds that way like Kathy The Junk Drawer. It's fun to go back to that one because she gets so many comments and her responses are sometimes as funny as the original post!

Beaded Tail,

I see you agree with me. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

Sandee said...

More people die in car accidents. Everyone is still driving. When the riots broke out in southern California in the early 90s the only folks that didn't get looted were the Korean shop keepers. They stood watch on the tops of their stores and they were armed. Everyone just passed them by. Yes people get shot all the time. Here it's the gang bangers who shoot innocents most of the time. I see your point, I just don't agree with it. We blame things too often when we should put the blame on the offender. Just my two cents.

Have a terrific day,
Sandee

Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" said...

Sandee,
You make a good point! I think discussion is good and really do appreciate your comments, even if they are a different view than mine.

Sandee said...

You need to remember that I was a cop for 25 years. Cops and guns just go together. I don't carry one now, but hubby is always armed. Always.

Hugs,
Sandee

Bill Lisleman said...

like so many things in the world they are subject to being misused.
I grew up in a family of hunters and have enjoyed hunting myself but not that often. But I admit a thrill in shooting targets.
But I agree completely with you about guns in the house. I don't own one. The target practice was either my brothers or during my Air Force career. I always thought having a gun in a house with children is asking for a tragic accident. I also DON'T believe guns offer much personal protection.

Nickie said...

@EmptyNester... comments like that make you look like a moron. You shouldn't use such a blanket statement, especially when you have no clue what you're talking about.

Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" said...

lisleman:
Interesting comment. Glad to hear you don't think guns in houses with children is a good idea.

Mrs4444 said...

That story is horrible. I'm guessing it wasn't a happy 66 years....

Post a Comment