Guns

Attention Facebook Friends:

Regarding guns (and lots of other things). 

I do not mind a difference of opinions, or an exchange of opinions.
What I mind is a refusal to hear facts. And name-calling. And motive-guessing. These things aren't right, especially between friends, and presumably this is what we are supposed to be on Facebook.

Regarding guns (specifically):

I appreciate the right to own guns in the USA, where so many are already floating around.
Randy and I own a couple - his duty weapon (a 9mm?) and a shotgun that makes a scary noise should anyone break in, with the intention that it scares anyone off before I ever having to think about shooting. Now that our Diego-dog is gone, I think I'll have to re-learn that trick.

Speaking as an American...

I do not know what works best in other places that have already been mostly disarmed. I do know people get killed in all countries, by killers, not guns...and we haven't found a way to get rid of killers. Still, if you like your disarmament, fine. I don't vote there and I am not informed enough to tell you what works in your country. We are a bit of a different animal here, and even Americans disagree on what is best here.

I'm for us keeping the right to bear arms, and I want people to be responsible, trained, and calm citizens with that right--just as I am not for prohibition of alcohol, but I'm pretty sick of drunkenness, drunk driving, resulting domestic violence, etc. It cannot be denied that an armed guard at Umpqua Community College would likely have made a difference. Armed military personnel on Ft. Hood would have put an end to the shooter there in no time. Guns have their place and their uses for good. In and of themselves, you will not convince me they are evil.

Because I believe this, and despite the fact that many studies have shown that violent crimes such as murder and suicide decrease in areas of the USA where gun ownership is legal,  my "friends" have posted things in recent days that would imply (or outright state) that I am not a Christian, that I am "obsessed," or that I "don't need a gun for protection. I just like it."

Speaking for myself personally...

Last year, Randy actually did find himself out in the front yard with his gun ready until the cops came (it felt like a long time) to watch out for our neighbor whose life was actively being threatened by a gang member in the middle of the night.

He broke her door, and was screaming death threats and gang related stuff as he tried to get into her home. It was dark  and it was scary, and thankfully, he didn't have to use the gun, but I'm glad I wasn't relegated to sitting there feeling helpless, and I'm glad I could call her (after 911, of course) and tell her that Randy was there while she hid in the basement waiting for the cops. She was glad too.

In the days that followed, I was also glad that of the shotgun in the closet as Randy was the only neighbor willing to give a testimony to the cops against the gang member threatening our neighbor. This guy saw full well whose home the cops were in to get the report as he was bent over the back of the cop car, and he was released the very next day to his home less than a block away from ours.  I am alone most nights while Randy is at work.

I lead a pretty charmed life - fairly safe, and this was in an "up and coming" neighborhood, but anything can happen anywhere. Years ago, as a child, my sister's life (and mine) was threatened by a Black Panther activist who followed my sister and me for some time before threatening my father. This guy was armed to the teeth, and went to jail for all the illegal weapons he had stored in his apartment. I'm glad my dad was armed too. And there are those surrounded by much more danger than I have been or ever will be, God willing. I do not want their rights taken away.

Before you post that snarky meme or say flippantly that gun owners are nuts, obsessed, idiots, clinging for no good reason, people who don't need protection, etc. you might want to take a moment, recognize that you are entitled to your vote on the matter, but also recognize that you do not know whether others are coming from, and you have no clue why they may be interested in owning and carrying a gun.

I want truth and safety and an end to violent crime just like those who disagree with me--I want this more than I am for guns. In my quest thus far, I have found much evidence that shows violent crimes go down where citizens are armed. I don't personally carry a gun, nor do I want to, but I see too many people who are for total disarmament regardless of what truth they may find out about safety and crime statistics. I am sure I have things to learn too, and feel sure there are things--things we agree on--that we can all do to better the situation in a culture that continues to see such violence.

Let's seek truth together, and make sure to voice our opinions, views, and desires in a way that does not judge the character or the motives of our friends..or strangers for that matter.