Laurence, Though I believe in the Second Amendment, I cannot believe this to be an answer to the problem of safety in cemeteries. There is safety in numbers and no one needs to flash a side arm in a cemetery. I can see the headlines now: "Gun Toting Granny Accidentally Shoots Cemetery Lawnskeeper." We are looking to preserve our cemeteries not fill them up faster. Although owning a gun is our right, it should also come with the knowledge of how to care for and use it. Most people I am afraid know neither. Carrying a weapon you are not familiar with for your own safety, puts yourself and others at risk of accidental discharge. I would advocate taking a cell phone and a friend before taking a weapon with you to a cemetery. 'nuff said. Denny Shirer - drdx@neo.rr.com Shirer Family Genealogy Project http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mysong Breakness@aol.com wrote: > This is an example of why there is a Second Amendment, and an equal example > of what happens when the government obstructs that right. > > Some two million times a year American Citizens thwart crime with privately > held firearms. In the majority of those situations no shots are fired. > > Laurence

One time I went to a small church cemetery near a busy city, and had a large dog run up on me, growling its head off. Looked like he was ready to jump me. I was by myself and had to rely on instinct -- I just stared the dog down while its owner was yelling for it to come (owner's house was about 100 yards away). I had a 35 mm camera with a neck strap and if that dog had moved a step closer than 3 yards it would have had a camera upside its head. Eventually the dog backed off. But it sure as heck was a long two minutes. It was only later that I found out I had done the right thing -- if I had turned and ran, the dog would have instinctively attacked me. So it's not just humans you need to watch out for in cemeteries. Maybe in addition to a cell phone, you can take along a small can of mace or something like that. (I wouldn't think a large dog would care much if there's one or two or three people). In these days of pit bull popularity, one can't be too careful. Tom Bishop