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Shooting ranges need to review gun rentals

 
Published Dec. 2, 2013

A man renting a gun at the Shoot Straight range in Pinellas Park committed suicide Nov. 23 in front of others, including two teens and a father who told the Tampa Bay Times' Claire Wiseman he won't return to the range. It wasn't the first shooting to occur at a range with a rented weapon. But even if it was, the practice of renting guns without a background check cries out for a review. The ranges should police themselves instead of letting the problem fester and inviting a possible legislative solution. We're talking about lives being lost. …

Giving Tuesday stands as a relatively new concept compared to Black Friday, but the so-called "National Day of Giving" is no less meaningful. Instead of a video of two women fighting over a television set, maybe someone will post footage of volunteers delivering needed toys for teens 13 to 17 at Metropolitan Ministries. You can learn more at facebook.com/tampabaygivingtuesday. …

Seen on a bumper sticker: Think While It's Still Legal. …

Ran into Bucs and former Florida State linebacker Dekoda Watson last week while wearing my orange-and-blue Gators jersey. It was the perfect time for Watson to rub it in about Florida's woeful season, but he actually offered some empathy, recalling that FSU struggled not too long ago. There's a lesson there. …

When I asked my son to tell me the best way to reach him, I wanted him to distinguish between text, email or Facebook.

But he said to get his attention, I should simply not transfer money into his account and he would contact me. Immediately. Apparently, he's learning a lot in college. …

That's all I'm saying.