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My apologies—right up front. I promised myself I wouldn’t be political, but I can’t remain silent. I can’t for the life of me understand why any civilian needs an assault weapon in their home. Defense against invasion? Our cabin was deluged by mice, and we defended it with plastic traps. When we were invaded by sugar ants, it seemed overkill to go after them with my AR-15. Especially since I don’t have one. Terro to the rescue!
The world was safe when I was young. I’d come home from school, change clothes, then head out to play until Mom called us in for dinner. I lived an idyllic childhood—safe and secure. We even snuck out at night, diving into ditches when cars came. We weren’t afraid of danger—just of getting caught. But the world has changed. My sister, raising children in the early 2000’s, worried about their safety; her kids never enjoyed the freedoms we knew.
One of the big changes, sadly, is the prevalence of violence in America. Disagreements once resolved with fists are now settled with guns. I understand there are six guns for every five people in America, which must mean a lot of folks keep arsenals. Well—collections.
Hunting rifles? Fine. Handguns? OK. But I absolutely cannot understand why anyone needs an assault weapon. My friend Laurie suggested they fear government attack. Really? Afraid the city council might storm your home? 50 governors breach your front lawn?
Nine mass shootings in two weeks ought to be evidence enough, shouldn’t it? What in the WORLD is wrong with us? Look at the statistics, my friends:
America’s former ban on assault weapons lasted ten years, expiring in 2004. At the time of the ban (according to an article in the Washington Post) there were around 400,000 AR-15 style weapons in the country. Since the ban expired, that number has increased over 50 times to 20 million. WHAT??? Two assault weapons for every three people in the country, including babes in arms. (U.S. population = 330+ million.) After the ban was lifted in 2004, “the death toll from mass shootings went from an average of 4.8 per year during the ban to an average of 23.8 per year in the decade afterwards.” (PolitiFact) Let’s see…what does that tell us?
“It’s not the guns, it’s the people.” Well, of course! But what if those people didn’t have guns? They’d have to work out their anger without staging a shoot-out. At least with a single-shot rifle or a handgun, they’d only kill one person. Heck, maybe they could even TALK things through! (I know, ever a Pollyanna.)
Did you know that according to federal law you have to be 21 to buy a handgun? You can buy a rifle at 18, though, and that includes assault rifles. Hmmm… Seven states have bans on assault weapons. That means we have 43 to go. Well, maybe 42. Texas will never cave.
I had a frightening experience in my last year of teaching here. A student in my creative writing class crafted a story about killing me, which sent me for a loop. Our principal passed the piece on to law enforcement, and they brought him to Duluth for a psychological evaluation. Fitting. The situation was controversial in both the community and the school, though (freedom of speech). Publicized across the state, it strengthened public policies about dealing with aberrant threats.
If nothing else, I think we ALL need to make it our responsibility to report any threats we hear of, whether online, in person, or second hand. It’s our responsibility to protect ourselves, our families, our friends, and the people around us. Isn’t it?
But where’s the line between freedom of speech and safety? Where’s the line between freedom to bear arms and safety? Are they so different?
It’s against the law to drive without a seat belt. Safety above freedom.
Does the right to bear arms give us the freedom to kill scores of innocent people with an assault weapon? What else would you use an assault weapon for?
This is clearly another case where safety should trump freedom. Whatever your opinion, it’s time to make your voice heard. This is a big deal.
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