Quote by CuriousAnnie
Congratulations to Amusebouche, Lupus, and ShyThespian (see you shouldn’t have stayed away from comps, you write so well) for their podium excellence. So many great stories inside and outside the top ten. Wonderful competition-thanks to all those who read commented organised and judged.
Pride theme next, Jen?
Prude theme would be fun, too, yeah? 
Quote by AmuseBouche
❤️ He is the King of the Divan. Thank you for the lovely words and all your understanding (especially that one story that I sent in for approval about ten times), most of all, for your punk attitude. Love you! 😘
i actually have An 1 on vinyl. 
love your right back lol
Quote by ElCoco
Where did I say I think anyone and everyone should be able to own a gun without knowing even the basic safety rules of handling one? If you want an adult discussion, don't try to put words in other people's mouths.
I think there are other situations where a convicted felon can petition a court to restore your right to possess a gun in the case of a domestic violence conviction.
I asked you, remember?
"You're assuming what you think is responsibly is what everybody else should think is responsibly.
So let's work that angle. What do you think is "responsibly"?"
"Well, I don't think the licensing and relicensing ideas have a chance. Gun ownership is a right, not a privilege"
i am having an adult conversation. don't be such a reactionary and it will continue.
yes, there probably are other situations. That one happens to the one i can state off the top of my head, seeing that it falls under my wheelhouse/profession.
i just stated what i think is "responsibly". yes, that is what I think is responsible gun ownership. now am asking you what YOU think is responsible gun ownership.
an addendum: if you own a gun, you should never allow anyone else to use it or leave it in a place where anyone else can gain access to it. also, guns are not toys. don't use them as such. a gun should have exactly three functions. 1) self defense. 2) hunting. 3) shooting for sports ie target shooting. it should never be used as a show of force, a way to say 'look at how tough i am' or as an intimidation factor.
Quote by ElCoco
Well, I don't think the licensing and relicensing ideas have a chance. Gun ownership is a right, not a privilege, like a driver's license.
Losing the right to own and use a handgun after being convicted of a crime when using one is one of the ideas that I think is already in place.
so you think anyone and everyone should be able to own a gun without knowing even the basic safety rules of handling one?
also, you can, after 5 years, petition a court to restore your rights to possess a gun in the case of a domestic violence conviction.
so... what about my other points then? and i'd like to second Noll's query on what you believe responsible gun ownership should look like.
Quote by ElCoco
You're assuming what you think is responsibly is what everybody else should think is responsibly.
So let's work that angle. What do you think is "responsibly"?
ok, so, in the past, when i laid out what i considered to be common sense laws, i was met with resistance (name calling, screaming, insults, etc) so i stopped. gonna try this again, see what happens.
how i think the gun laws in the US should read.
1) private citizens should not have access to certain guns, ie assault-style weapons, ghost guns, guns modified with kits to increase the amount of ammo they can hold, the rate of fire, etc.
2) all guns should be licensed and attached to either a singular owner, or a gun seller/store, who is responsible for that gun. if i+56+98t is sold, that license should be transferred to the new owner.
3) there needs to be a waiting period to buy a gun. no walking into a store, plunking down cash, and walking out armed. the time can be negotiated. personally, i think 2 weeks is reasonable. others may have differing opinions.
4) any one buying a gun needs to be background checked.
5) any one committing a violent crime, or a crime using a gun revokes their right to own a gun
6) first time buyers should be required to take a gun safety training course.
7) any gun owner should be required to renew their license every 4 years by repeating the safety course.
8) when not in use, guns should be kept in a safe. they should also be transported in a portable gun safe. guns should only be in an unsecured location when in use.
ok, does that seem unreasonable to anyone?
Quote by AmuseBouche
😳 I have been staring at the screen for a while. First, everyone who entered, wow! There were some wonderful, wonderful stories that showed such imagination and flair.
To be recognised like this by you all, it is a very special honour, and I am very humbled.
A very special thanks to AvidlyCurious, who helped to get this submitted. To the moderators, who are always very helpful, I wish I had your patience. To all the competition entrants who I look up to and inspire me to try my best, for the readers who always encourage me. My husband is my editor and dialogue guru. Thank you! ... oof, such a shock!
To Kimmi: you asked how do you know if you wrote a great story? I still don't! This... this is very special to me.
So, I shall leave it to Plastic Bertrand - there are references to his lyrics in my story.
Merci encore, mes amis. Merci encore!
extra points, btw, for Plastic Bertand 
ok, true confession. i haven't had time to read all of them (yet - i plan to!). that said. congratulations to anyone who entered, to all the top 10, and especially to the top 3...
not a surprise, honestly, at least to me. I modded one of AmuseBoshe's stories early on - the girl has magic in her words, seriously. when i saw her name in here i had a feeling she'd be up on top. i don't think it'll be the last time, either.
Lupus... is brilliant. i give him a hard time for not writing often enough. it's heartfelt. one of our best writers.
ShyThespian. one of my favorite things to see in a comp is when the usual heavy hitters get beaten out by new talent not that ST is new, but this is their first time in the top 3 after i think about 6 or 7 entries. i am seriously more excited about that than if i'd won a top spot, so YES! awesome job and well deserved, all 3 of you.
Quote by ElCoco
I agree, and I agree! That's why the lady from Virginia will soon have a federal weapons charge added to her CV.
.
I think most people agree that everybody who owns weapons should own them responsibly.
then how come the GOP and the NRA are so deadset against laws that ask just that?
Quote by AngelEthics
What is that flaw? That they didn't exclude enough of a red state to make homicide rates on a par with blue states?
this is what he does. it's his MO. he just tells you that you're wrong regardless of the facts and refuses to explain why. get used to if it you're going to hang out in here.
Quote by Chryses
Those judges, as Originalists, would (IMO) take the position that the Second Amendment should be read as it was written and understood when it was ratified. The Militia Act, to which I think you are referring, was not part of the Constitution, was passed four years after the Constitution was enacted (1792 vs. 1788), and failed to include armed youngsters and elders.
While I am confident some people agree with your assessment, as the Militia Act(s) were legislation and not part of the Constitution, I hope the above will help explain why those justices can be reasonably be described as unbastardized Originalists.
If we agree a Constitutional amendment addressing the Second is not currently in the cards (I suggest that is true), then as there appears to be a real problem, we should seek out and implement available alternatives.
or women.
Quote by JamesLlewellyn
Rach, do you happen to have a smaller rainbow flag we can put up after June is over? Sort of a full-time thing? I mean the big flag is great, but it covers the mirror, and how else am I going to tell when a vampire walks in?
i could probably find 1 or 2 (dozen) around the house, i mean, we even bought pride toys for the cats, so the chances of having lots of rainbow shit right now is pretty high
