The Sandy Hook tragedy may be the breaking point when it comes to gun violence. Never has such carnage divided gun owners from advocates.
Having been a hunter, I am torn. It is hard to defend assault weapons, but I am skeptical of an outright ban.
Being born and bred in Appalachia, guns are a part of me. And like many who live in gun country, it doesn’t seem American to alter this right that our Founding Fathers granted. It explicitly says, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. Like the NRA and survivalist groups I am skeptical about limiting my rights to the government.
While tragedies such as Sandy Hook and Aurora get the press let’s not forget gun violence occurs everyday places like in Baltimore and Prince George’s County, sometimes precipitated by the agencies who vow to protect us. While spree killings in the suburbs may be a new phenomenon, this is standard procedure in the inner cities via gangs, guards or the police.
Although I am not in the camp with the NRA or right-wing survivalist groups, I believe they raise valid points. Guns are here; they are being produced and trying to curb purchases is futile. Criminals are criminals because they break laws, and history has shown bans are mere advertisements that announce civilized people are unarmed.
Guns and violence are a sad price to pay for a presumed democracy. But in a world based on standards, accomplishments and abundance our nation shouldn’t be shocked that people become envious, lustful and jealous enough to harm others.
Because of these conditions and the atmosphere of rage they create, it is foolish to limit resources that could protect against those who want to harm us. One of those options is firearms.There are some who believe that you can live in a non-violent world, and these people frighten me.
Being an Afro- American Indian means being subjected to a hostile world where confrontation is unavoidable but inevitable. When these dangers are faced I hope I won’t be limited to defend myself.
I make no illusions that guns are a dirty business. However, guns have not harmed me. When I lived in the Appalachian hills my rifle fed me and my family. It allowed me to survive and be self-sufficient.
There are hazards and dangers, which means irresponsible use can be lethal. There are some who will not learn these lessons, which means that accidents and violence will occur.
Despite the ugliness of guns I am skeptical about sacrificing any liberty granted under the constitution. It is naive to think criminals care about bans, background checks or ammunition capacity.
Wolves don’t attack other wolves, they attack defenseless sheep. So I get nervous when gun control advocates suggest grazing while wolves take advantage of all the latest sheep shearing technologies. In the end I believe it’s upside down thinking that the way to end mass killings is to restrict gun owners from purchasing firearms.
Thomas Jefferson once said, “A government works best when it works the least.”
Like many others, I would like to see an end to senseless killings. However I am not willing to swap my constitutional rights in return for an overreaching intrusive government. This is too intolerable to support.
