May I start by saying that I recognize many people are responsible gun owners, and as a proud American, I also recognize how much our constitutional rights make us who we are.
The problem is, we’ve become rotten spoiled children who believe that our rights are sans responsibility. Does anyone remember that teenager who killed 4 people in a drunk driving accident, and his lawyers argued he suffered from Affluenza? Meaning, he was so jaded and spoiled in his wealthy upbringing that he “failed to grasp that there are life consequences for which money cannot fix.” Well, America is the condition of Affluenza. We are so caught up in our capitalist, “me first”, “money solves problems” agenda, that we have systematically and collectively become a society who fails to recognize the consequences of our gun rights and it has has rotted away the safety, security, and faith we parents have when sending our children to school.
In recent months, I’ve limited my news intake for my own mental health. Personally, after watching the Marshall Fire ravage entire neighborhoods and devastate our Superior, Louisville and greater Boulder area community, I had to make a decision that I was too wrapped up in local and world events out of my control. As my babies slept, I worried and fretted for my husband at the fire station and his fellow firefighters who were there, saving houses and lives. Knowing he could be called any minute to evacuate a hospital as flames approached some of our most vulnerable, ill Coloradans, I realized my anxiety was not well controlled and keeping myself worldly and informed was coming at a cost.
When the shooting in Uvalde, Texas took place- I privately prayed and mourned but limited what I read or watched about what took place. But I sat last night watching President Biden address the nation in response to that shooting, and as much as I didn’t want to hear it, I forced myself to because I did want to hear what he had to say. It dawned on me how helpless it much feel to be in his shoes. As the President, your role is to show solidarity and love for your American people in their worst moments, but you rely on an entirely different group of people to affect change. Your only role is to implore, beg and reason for change, yet you have no ability to do it. Our “perfect” government system which was designed to separate powers so no one group or person can get too powerful is failing us at every level. And the reason is because we HAVE let a group get too powerful. The gun lobby. The NRA. The holier-than-thou, right wing, money hungry group of people are destroying America. I have a lot of choice words and strong thoughts about what I wish upon them- I’ll leave my vitriol aside, but I am so lost on how to make a change.
Just as President Biden did, I try to show solidarity and love to my family. I try to explain what’s happening in short, easy to understand phrases for my children. I try to keep their innocence and sense of safety intact. Inside, I am roiling, torn apart and broken. I kept my tears in last night but I can’t forever.
I can’t help but now look at gun owners differently. Historically, I am not necessarily “anti-gun” and as I mentioned earlier, I know most people are responsible. But why? WHY on God’s EARTH do you need them?! To feel powerful? To reinforce an idea of masculinity? well, if that’s the case, then we need to discuss one’s mental health because that rhetoric is antiquated and no longer acceptable. I’m sorry, but I just can’t help but feel as though there is literally no reason for any American to NEED to own a gun. Want is a different matter, but there is no need.
What we need to remember is the times in which our constitution was written and the world in which our forefathers lived. The Declaration of Independence was written as a challenge to the British Monarchy. In truth, Colonists did not wish (initially) to completely separate themselves from Britain. They simply wished for representation in parliament so they had a say in what happened in British government, that had consequences for them across the pond. Taxation Without Representation ring a bell? Colonists opposed being taxed for goods or services in which they had zero say in how those goods got to them, or for services they did not have access to. They just wanted their voices heard.
Continuing our history lesson, The Constitution was written in 1787, ratified in 1788. The Declaration of Independence was written in 1776 which says that for 12 years, the founding fathers hashed out how to model our new government, and thought about what rights were “god given” and should then be extended to the American people. The second Amendment says thus: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Let’s really think about this… There were not really any police departments in the 1700’s and the few that may have existed, were a far cry from what we think of as a police force today. Thus, the need to keep arms for yourself during that time WAS necessary. Many historians also point to the 2nd Amendment pertaining to STATE MILITIAS and NOT individual gun owners. This was up held by 4 dissenting Supreme Court Justices in a 2008 court case. However, the thought at the time of the drafting of the constitution was, citizens who were armed could protect themselves and this thought has been upheld as the general understanding of the Second Amendment today. Again, at the time the Constitution was written though, tyranny was a very real threat, as our separation from “tyrannical” Great Britain had barely come to fruition. Free will is something all humans are entitled to, and thus at the time, owning guns was a way to make sure one’s individual free will was not overtaken by someone else.
Fast Forward to today- what free will is being infringed upon on a literal daily basis, that a gun is going to help you solve? The “justifications” (and I use this term loosely, as they’re crap in my opinion) for shooting up schools, doctors offices, churches, grocery store and concert venues have LITERALLY nothing to do with the perpetrator’s free will. Nor the fear of tyranny. Things like bullying, racists beliefs, anger about outcomes (the recent shooting in Tulsa was because the perpetrator was upset about his pain in his back, after having surgery in May) have, again, literally nothing to do with an infringement of free will or tyranny. So why do people feel the need to own a gun to protect their free will? I just don’t know.
Guns are not a solution for any problem, other than a direct threat to ones own life from someone else. If I haven’t been clear to this point, let me outline my opinions on the matter. ALL gun ownership, not just assault rifles, should be limited. You should have to state your case for owning a gun in America. You should outline your intentions in writing, in front of a judge, and take an oath of responsibility. Knowing that is a pipe dream, guns should be monitored like driving- you must apply, take written and field tests to prove knowledge and competency, and a gun ownership license should be subject to regular renewal and review, similar to a drivers license.
At this juncture of our country, I support armed police OUTSIDE of our schools and security guards inside them to manage threats. I support more mental health resources for youth. I support severe discipline for children who bully others in a consistent manner causing stress, unhappiness and severe mental health problems for their victims.
And to those who may read this and want to challenge me on it? I don’t have time for your “don’t tread on me” bullshit. I will not, and refuse to engage in a debate, which to me, has only 1 right answer- keeping our children safe. You are inherently wrong, and I am too busy in mom life to listen to your thoughts. I consider myself an open and accepting person, but not on this. You have continually proven that you cannot handle your rights, that you cannot treat it with respect, and that you cannot keep anyone safe by continuing to allow high powered rifles, high capacity magazines and other such equipment to be out an available for anyone. Your “reasons” or “justifications” are lost on deaf ears here, and I will tread ALL OVER YOU to see my babies home safe every day.
As a country, we’ve abused the Second Amendment so severely, it doesn’t feel like it should be a right any longer. Just like a child, we’ve shown our inability to act responsibly with gun ownership and as a parent, we need to take away the toys until we learn how to play appropriately and with others. So yes, fuck you and your guns and your lobby and your “rights”. you don’t deserve any of it.
Somewhere In Between 