Cornershot

To submit a CornerShot

The Roanoke Times welcomes CornerShot submissions from its readers. Here are the guidelines:

Length: about 200 words
Topic: CornerShots can run the gamut, but we generally prefer unique and clever observations on the human experience.
No poetry, please.
Email your submission to extra@roanoke.com with your full name and hometown and “CornerShot” in the subject line. You can also mail submissions to Kathy Lu, CornerShot, The Roanoke Times, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, VA 24010.
Submissions are subject to editing.

1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County

2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day

3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys

4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping

5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football

6. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust

7. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen

8. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible

9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli

10. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area

Marie Stewart

Monday, April 15, 2013

What is the etiquette when taking your assault rifle for a walk?

My husband and I were watching our pooches at the dog park recently as we talked with friends. Then one of our group pointed down the hill to a gathering of police officers. “Wonder what’s going on there?” he asked.

There were police cars everywhere, and police walking over every rise in the park. Being dog park people — friendly and incurably curious — we trotted over to the fence and hailed down the nearest officer.

“Hey there. What’s going on?” we asked.

And he told us, quite simply, that there was a gentleman with an assault rifle walking in the park.

“Really?” A collective cloud of incredulity instant ly generated. No one ducked, and no one left, but we were buzzing with questions. “Why do you walk down the street with an assault rifle?” “Why do you go near a public school armed?” And yes, the ugly specters of Colorado and Connecticut were in attendance.

We watched from our perches on the hill as the police stopped and spoke with the man.

Minutes later, the same police officer returned up the hill. He kindly informed us that the man was taking his assault rifle for a walk. The reason was that the man had no way to secure the rifle at the place he was staying. So, instead of risking it being stolen, he was keeping it in his possession and safe .

So, the owner was being responsible. And legal.

But, as dog park denizens we had to wonder, when taking your assault rifle out for a walk, do you have to use a leash?

Monday, August 12, 2013