header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 29
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Tuesday, May 6, 2014

darrylmanzer021014The Marines were poised for attack at the bottom of the hill. Recent rains had made the hillside as slippery as a ski slope. A group of four started up firing rifles and lobbing grenades at the enemy. They had to take that castle on the hill.

Dodging through the tall brush, each Marine pushed ever upwards until they overcame all the resistance of the enemy. Muddy and tired, they rested at the peak and waited for a counter attack that would come from below them.

Oh, another day for some 10-year-old boys at Hart Park. Funny how we never played cowboys and Indians there. We always had battles from World War II. Sometimes our “enemy” was Germany and other times Japan.

The charge down the hill was even more fun. We would pull the tall grass from parts of the hill and throw it down as make believe hand grenades. We got very muddy and very tired. We had fun.

None of us grew up to be serial killers or mass murderers in a school or theater. We had toy guns that looked very real and surplus helmet liners, web belts and canteens. Funny, not a one of us became Marines either. Guess we got tired of mud.

We knew what real guns could do because we had been shooting real guns and BB guns for many years by that time. We had some simple rules that were taught to us by our parents. Those rules are:

  1. Consider every gun loaded until you make sure it is empty of any ammunition.
  2. Don’t point a gun at a person EVER. (Even when you know it is not loaded).
  3. Guns are not playthings. They are not at all dangerous until someone picks them up and holds them.
  4. Once in human hands even an empty gun is dangerous.

We hunted and shot at targets. We became pretty good shots with just about any weapon we fired. We were not dangerous because we followed those simple rules.

I saw a Hart High Yearbook for the 1950s that showed the ROTC Cadets in a Hart High classroom learning about a real .30 caliber machine gun. Yes. Right in a classroom.

I remember a couple of plays where real guns were used as props. I think the musical “Oklahoma” was one such production again at Hart High. No bullets in the guns but there they were.

Nobody panicked when we made our hand to look like a gun and said, “Bang.”A drawing of a gun wasn’t a big deal unless you got some details wrong.

There were gun safety classes taught by local members of the National Rifle Association that many of us attended. We learned a lot in those classes. Now we can’t even get a member of the NRA on a campus because we fear guns.

I think that fear is misplaced. I don’t fear guns, I fear those idiots that are not qualified in any way, shape or form to be anywhere near a firearm. If we want to regulate something, let us regulate the crazy folks that may get a gun.

I’ve worn a pistol on my hip in downtown Newhall many times. I was on a horse at the same time. Nobody called the deputies to come get me. Heck, I had just left Newhall Hardware after getting some ammunition. I once had a deputy ask to look at my pistol. He told me it needed cleaning as soon as I got home. I was in my early teens at the time.

I’m not advocating removing all measures to control guns. And a criminal will just shoot you when you tell him that it is illegal for him to have that gun. Point the law book at the person pointing the gun at you. See how effective that is in protecting yourself?

Outside of the great Castaic Range war and that terrible day when four California Highway Patrolmen died, we had very little gun violence. We had some people shot with guns by accident. Our little valley was prone to use knives and fists and automobiles as instruments of death.

Times have changed. Lack of education has made a gun a somewhat sick fantasy for youth that don’t really know the power and danger of a gun. The first time they see one is when another gang member shows it to them or maybe when a friend’s father left the gun safe open.

Lack of education and knowledge spreads fear but gives a gun the form of a tangible and terrible myth. That, when in the wrong hands, creates a danger we don’t need. We don’t need more laws or the stripping of our rights as Americans.

The fact remains that when the government starts to control guns and take guns, it takes away the right of the people to protect them from that very government. If any of us can remember our history lessons we have to remember that the British troops were headed to Lexington and Concord to get the weapons stored in those villages.

You may argue that we have no defense from our super well-trained and equipped military should we have to protect ourselves from the government. I’m not worried about the Army or Marines coming to get my guns. Our sons and daughters wouldn’t do that. I am concerned about those agencies that seem to have agents, officers, rangers and other officials that have the arms and armor to try and do it.

But still I fondly remember the days when we had our shotguns, rifles or pistols in the trunk of our cars in the parking lot at Hart High. It was hunting season. That would make us criminals today.

Times have not changed for the better.

 

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com and his commentaries, published on Tuesdays and Sundays, are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
SCVNews.com