Washington State Coach Mike Leach Gave His Take On The Gun Issue In America

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Washington State head coach Mike Leach recently weighed in on the controversial topic of gun violence in the U.S. This is a particularly delicate issue in the Northwest as the Umpqua Community College tragedy that took place last week is fresh in our minds.

And while we are still struggling to grasp the appalling acts committed, solutions to prevent these all too familiar occurrences are being provided by seemingly everyone.

Even Mike Leach. On Monday, Leach revealed his opinions on firearms to Oregonian columnist John Canzano. Per usual with Mike Leach, his sentiments were interesting to say the least.

"I think there’s an incredible number of people who don’t know how guns work to begin with. We need a way to enforce the gun laws that exist now.Whether it’s a car or boat or motorcycle, it’s a dangerous item, so you have to show a level of competence and get a license before you’re allowed to operate something that’s dangerous. Guns are dangerous but you don’t have to get a license to operate guns. I think in order to operate a gun, you should have a license that means ‘I know the difference between a pistol and a revolver, a shotgun and rifle, I can load and unload one and shoot it with some level of competency at what I’m aiming at.’ And until you can do that, you’re not allowed to operate a gun.I’ve had players and stuff, they see some video on TV and they go to Walmart and buy a gun. Well they don’t know how to load it, they shoot it sideways. That’s absurd. That’s insane. So because of this failure to teach and educate, there’s accidental shootings."

Widely known as a history buff, Leach revealed his life-long connection with guns.

"When I was between 10 to 12 – and this probably isn’t a good idea — my dad would toss me the keys to the gun cabinet and say, ‘Go shoot and practice but I don’t want you to use the .03-06 (big gun) because that goes a long way and I don’t want you to hit the house.’ And I’d go outside and shoot cans and bottles."

Oh, and Mike Leach keeps a Viking axe by his bed because of course he does.

"I keep my guns on one part of the house totally locked up, and I keep the ammunition in another part of the house. Because if you think about it carefully, statistically, you’re more likely to shoot yourself, a loved one or a relative. There’s this (absurd) notion of ‘if you come in my house I’ll shoot ya.’ I do have a Viking axe by the bed if I need to whack someone. … My wife bought me a Viking axe – the axe side curls down so you can grab the adversary around the neck and you can use it to climb walls, as a grappling hook."

Leach summed up his thoughts with a more clear recommendation.

"I don’t think people should be allowed to shoot guns unless they have a license. I also think I would sift through some whack jobs too, in the process of getting a license."

Although Mike Leach is a perplexing and amusing figure, gun-violence is no laughing matter. While everyone holds different opinions on the issue of gun rights, we are united in our longing to never experience a Columbine, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook, or Umpqua Community College ever again.

Mike Leach and his Washington State Cougars head to Eugene this weekend to take on the Oregon Ducks.

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