Guns are always a hot topic. In the past few months, it feels as if it's come up more than ever before. It always evokes such crazy emotions from people on either side of the debate. I used to think I knew where I stood on gun ownership and gun control. I guess I still do, but I certainly don't think of it as such a simple issue anymore.
.I grew up in a household with guns - but only hunting rifles (I guess that's what you'd call them, I don't claim to know a lot about guns, although I'd definitely like to learn more). I think I remember knowing that they were stored on a top shelf of the garage in the house we grew up, but I can't remember for sure. I know my dad still has some, but I couldn't tell you where they are, or if they're loaded.
And not that it's really relevant - but I have never touched a gun.
A few years ago my brother was awoken in the middle of the night by a burglar holding a gun in his face as he was asleep in his bed. Pretty much THE EXACT SITUATION you think about when you think of why a person might want to have a gun.... So if someone comes into your house in the middle of the night and you're sleeping, you can protect yourself.
My brother didn't have a gun then. He still doesn't now. He hunts fairly frequently, but as far as a handgun for personal protection, he doesn't have one. I don't know why. We've never spoken about the incident. I have an alert from the federal prisons bureau set up to send me an email any time the guy who held my brother up at gunpoint in his bedroom has a change in custody status, and I forward it to him, but we've never talked about it. It was traumatic. He told the prosecutors he didn't want to testify at trial, and thankfully he didn't have to.
So why doesn't my brother have a gun now? Well, I don't know for sure, but if I had to guess it has to do with the fact that even if he had kept a loaded gun in the top drawer of his nightstand, he didn't even hear anyone enter his home until he was literally staring down the barrel of the gun. There was no time to grab a gun and "protect". While I appreciate the sentiment of being able to protect oneself, I often wonder how much time there really is in these sorts of situations to grab your weapon... especially if you're a woman and keep it in your purse. I can't find my wallet in under 30 seconds, how quickly am I going to be able to fish out a handgun from my satchel?
So what happened with my brother? He gave the guy his laptop and his ipod and all his cash, and the guy left. The police arrested the guy, his friends who were with him, and the girl who was driving the car for them. The guy is in prison, and everyone has moved on with their lives.
What would have happened if my brother had had a gun? Well... who the hell knows.
Maybe he would've grabbed it and shot first. Then my brother would be in a position to defend himself in court for murder. Sure, it's self defense, but you've got to prove it. And yeah, in theory he should never be charged with murder because the police should realize right away it was self defense, but do you really want to trust the police to make that decision? I sure as hell don't.
What if they had shot at each other? Maybe they'd both be dead.
I frequently take an interest in cases that the media is covering. Just as many people all over the world have found themselves interested in the Oscar Pistorious case, I've been fascinated with the whole thing. I don't know if he murdered his girlfriend. I don't know if he thought there was an intruder in his bathroom and that the police would not have come to his rescue. But what I DO know is that if he did not have a gun, she wouldn't be dead.
Am I saying I would never have a gun? Hell no. Am I saying that people shouldn't? NO.
But what I AM saying is that I just wish that people would take it a little more seriously. The relationship that Americans seem to have with their guns terrifies me.
Every time I see someone on twitter or facebook talking about how they have their gun with them to run to the grocery store or pick up their kids from school and they wouldn't hesitate to "bust a cap" in someone who attacked them or "pow pow I'm armed", I just find myself totally floored. I get it that it's your right to carry a weapon, but the attitude towards it terrifies me.
And don't even get me started on the people who were posting that the Chicago teachers who were striking needed to stop being lazy and get their overpaid butts back to work, but when Sandy Hook happens, they're the first ones to post that teachers should be armed. So you want to give guns to the lazy, overpaid, underworked public school teachers, and that's going to solve the problem?? OOOOOKIE DOKIE THEN.
The attitude that so many people seem to have like "oh well if someone attacks me I'll just shoot them down and that'll be fine." ... WHAT?! A GUN IS A DEADLY WEAPON. And you have a right to have one. Especially in the case of people who live in high crime areas where police response is notoriously crappy and there are gangs on the corners and break-ins are normal (South and West sides of Chicago, I'm looking at you), I absolutely believe that people in those situations have a right to have one. But that attitude that it's not big deal to shoot someone... I just can't with all that.
NPR has had some really great stories lately on guns, I wish I could remember when I was listening to one that I heard... basically a woman talked about how she felt as if she HAD to purchase a gun to protect her family after a series of robberies and burglaries in her neighborhood, but how she hoped and prayed that she never had to use it.
And I sat there thinking, THANK YOU. You are someone who should have a gun. And who can. Because you don't think it's a cute accessory that makes you some sort of badass. You recognize the likelihood that at sometime you may find yourself in a HORRIBLE situation where you need a deadly weapon to protect your family.
So maybe someday I'll have a gun. I hope I don't ever live in a neighborhood or a home where I feel like I need one, but who knows. I just hope if I ever live in that neighborhood or home and own a gun, that I don't forget that it's a deadly weapon that ends lives, and not something to tweet pictures of.
.I grew up in a household with guns - but only hunting rifles (I guess that's what you'd call them, I don't claim to know a lot about guns, although I'd definitely like to learn more). I think I remember knowing that they were stored on a top shelf of the garage in the house we grew up, but I can't remember for sure. I know my dad still has some, but I couldn't tell you where they are, or if they're loaded.
And not that it's really relevant - but I have never touched a gun.
A few years ago my brother was awoken in the middle of the night by a burglar holding a gun in his face as he was asleep in his bed. Pretty much THE EXACT SITUATION you think about when you think of why a person might want to have a gun.... So if someone comes into your house in the middle of the night and you're sleeping, you can protect yourself.
My brother didn't have a gun then. He still doesn't now. He hunts fairly frequently, but as far as a handgun for personal protection, he doesn't have one. I don't know why. We've never spoken about the incident. I have an alert from the federal prisons bureau set up to send me an email any time the guy who held my brother up at gunpoint in his bedroom has a change in custody status, and I forward it to him, but we've never talked about it. It was traumatic. He told the prosecutors he didn't want to testify at trial, and thankfully he didn't have to.
So why doesn't my brother have a gun now? Well, I don't know for sure, but if I had to guess it has to do with the fact that even if he had kept a loaded gun in the top drawer of his nightstand, he didn't even hear anyone enter his home until he was literally staring down the barrel of the gun. There was no time to grab a gun and "protect". While I appreciate the sentiment of being able to protect oneself, I often wonder how much time there really is in these sorts of situations to grab your weapon... especially if you're a woman and keep it in your purse. I can't find my wallet in under 30 seconds, how quickly am I going to be able to fish out a handgun from my satchel?
So what happened with my brother? He gave the guy his laptop and his ipod and all his cash, and the guy left. The police arrested the guy, his friends who were with him, and the girl who was driving the car for them. The guy is in prison, and everyone has moved on with their lives.
What would have happened if my brother had had a gun? Well... who the hell knows.
Maybe he would've grabbed it and shot first. Then my brother would be in a position to defend himself in court for murder. Sure, it's self defense, but you've got to prove it. And yeah, in theory he should never be charged with murder because the police should realize right away it was self defense, but do you really want to trust the police to make that decision? I sure as hell don't.
What if they had shot at each other? Maybe they'd both be dead.
I frequently take an interest in cases that the media is covering. Just as many people all over the world have found themselves interested in the Oscar Pistorious case, I've been fascinated with the whole thing. I don't know if he murdered his girlfriend. I don't know if he thought there was an intruder in his bathroom and that the police would not have come to his rescue. But what I DO know is that if he did not have a gun, she wouldn't be dead.
Am I saying I would never have a gun? Hell no. Am I saying that people shouldn't? NO.
But what I AM saying is that I just wish that people would take it a little more seriously. The relationship that Americans seem to have with their guns terrifies me.
Every time I see someone on twitter or facebook talking about how they have their gun with them to run to the grocery store or pick up their kids from school and they wouldn't hesitate to "bust a cap" in someone who attacked them or "pow pow I'm armed", I just find myself totally floored. I get it that it's your right to carry a weapon, but the attitude towards it terrifies me.
And don't even get me started on the people who were posting that the Chicago teachers who were striking needed to stop being lazy and get their overpaid butts back to work, but when Sandy Hook happens, they're the first ones to post that teachers should be armed. So you want to give guns to the lazy, overpaid, underworked public school teachers, and that's going to solve the problem?? OOOOOKIE DOKIE THEN.
The attitude that so many people seem to have like "oh well if someone attacks me I'll just shoot them down and that'll be fine." ... WHAT?! A GUN IS A DEADLY WEAPON. And you have a right to have one. Especially in the case of people who live in high crime areas where police response is notoriously crappy and there are gangs on the corners and break-ins are normal (South and West sides of Chicago, I'm looking at you), I absolutely believe that people in those situations have a right to have one. But that attitude that it's not big deal to shoot someone... I just can't with all that.
NPR has had some really great stories lately on guns, I wish I could remember when I was listening to one that I heard... basically a woman talked about how she felt as if she HAD to purchase a gun to protect her family after a series of robberies and burglaries in her neighborhood, but how she hoped and prayed that she never had to use it.
And I sat there thinking, THANK YOU. You are someone who should have a gun. And who can. Because you don't think it's a cute accessory that makes you some sort of badass. You recognize the likelihood that at sometime you may find yourself in a HORRIBLE situation where you need a deadly weapon to protect your family.
So maybe someday I'll have a gun. I hope I don't ever live in a neighborhood or a home where I feel like I need one, but who knows. I just hope if I ever live in that neighborhood or home and own a gun, that I don't forget that it's a deadly weapon that ends lives, and not something to tweet pictures of.
I totally get this. I feel very conflicted about guns. I come from a family that is "we don't need guns because they're dangerous" but I married a man that's "I must have one in every shape, size, and color!" We have guns in our house. I even have two that are mine. We have a gun safe, a lock box, and trigger locks. It still makes my heart race and me lose my breath every time I hold one. I could kill someone! Kill! Someone! Everytime the hubs is out of town I know I can reach for my handgun if needed but could I really? Would I overcome my fear and reach for my gun with intent to KILL the intruder? I have no idea. We are getting our CWPs in October and I hope that helps me feel more in control of my own weapon. It's still terrifying though!
ReplyDeleteConflicted is probably a good word to describe my thoughts/feelings.
DeleteAs I get further into my career, I'm going to come in to contact with criminals who have done worse and worse things. And at some point I'm sure I'm going to have to go into their terrible neighborhoods and talk to their criminal friends and families who have no respect for authority. And I'll be somewhere where the police can't or won't come if I were to call.
And I can totally see that as a time where I'd want to have a weapon on me.
But other than that? I dunno. I have a 130 lb dog and a doorman.... I think for now that's the only protection I need.
As I said to you on Twitter, this is very well thought out and well written. I absolutely defend Second Amendment rights. But the "yippie kay ay motherfucker!!!" attitude about brandishing a weapon is just so infantile to me. And as you said, a bit scary. They're not toys, even though plenty use them for fun and recreation. Giving a huge caveat that plenty (possibly a majority?) of gun owners are responsible, mature adults, or at least in my super-trusting opinion, I wish that the "vocal minority" of the Shoot Em Up-type people would learn some humility and tact.
ReplyDeleteOne of the things I'd like to do before I'm 30 is learn how to shoot a gun. It scares the hell out of me and maybe learning the proper way to handle a deadly weapon will give me something... a feeling of power? Just knowledge? Adrenaline rush? Not sure.
ANYWAYZ enough of that
I found myself nodding throughout this post. Essentially, I could not agree more and I only wish more people shared this view. I appreciate you taking the time to write this up!
ReplyDeleteWell written!
ReplyDeleteAgree. I own a gun, but the bullets are in a magazine that is NOT located in the gun. If you have a gun and use it for protection, you should be willing to kill. However, it shouldn't be an idea you relish. You should also go to the range and take a class in gun safety, and ALWAYS treat it like it's loaded. Overall, though, I'd say there are way too many idiots running around with guns that have a cavalier attitude or worse, a temper and the attitude that someone deserves to be shot.
ReplyDelete"Overall, though, I'd say there are way too many idiots running around with guns that have a cavalier attitude or worse, a temper and the attitude that someone deserves to be shot."
DeleteYES. this this this.
Just because you have the RIGHT to use deadly force to protect yourself doesn't mean it's something you should be looking forward to.
Related - the right to use deadly force to protect PROPERTY? Hell no. Totally disagree with that.
I grew up in a house with gun. My dad collects them though I'm not sure why (he doesn't hunt). The 23 years I lived at my parents I recall seeing the gun out of its case 3 times (besides when we'd do target practice)-- once when we returned from vacation and our door was open and twice when the house alarm went of in the middle of the night.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, my dad made a point to teach both my sister and I how to use handguns in case we ever found ourselves in a situation where we were in danger. While I know how to use a gun and would use one in an emergency situation- they definitely make me uneasy. In fact, my dad just bought and gave me a gun this weekend but I asked him to take it back until I'm able to retake a gun safety course.
I believe in second amendment rights. I believe that with those rights come responsibility. Dangerous and cavalier attitudes are what, in my opinion, make guns bad. My thoughts-- be safe, know what you're getting into before owning a gun, and figure out if you are mentally prepared to use it in a life threatening situation FIRST.
I grew up in a house with guns. But then when my dad went through his mid-life crisis and became a wananbe yogi who did transcendental meditation while running his construction company he sold all of his handguns. My family has always had hunting rifles and shotguns. That's what happens when you're from the woods in NC. But no one had the shoot-em up attitude a lot of people do. The guns are/were part of life and as a young child I was taught about firearm responsibility and basically "if i ever catch you playing with a gun you will get the worst spanking of your life."
ReplyDeleteAt one point in my life I had a concealed weapons permit and a small handgun I carried in an easily, accessible part of my purse when I travelled through dangerous areas of GA for work. But when I quit the job I sold the gun. It was just kind of pointless. I prefer shooting skeet with a shotgun and a handgun was just pointless to have in my possession.
I think people just don't get it. They don't get firearm responsibility and what it really means. And then they give the rest of us a bad name.
OMG yes. I can't imagine ever owning a gun myself for a number of the reasons you mention, but I'm not going to tell someone else they can't (after all, the most likely time I'd ever need a gun is when I walk the dog every night through some questionable neighborhoods -- what am I supposed to do, tuck the gun into the waist of my yoga pants and pull a Plaxico?), but owning a gun is NOT something to brag about. I feel like 90% of the time it's wealthy women who feel the need to talk about the fact that they're carrying a gun -- WHY? Am I supposed to be jealous? Think you're a badass? Be in awe of your power? You are more than welcome to carry a gun, but there's no need to advertise it to everyone else. Owning a weapon should be for your own security and peace of mind; making sure everyone else knows you have a gun just makes me feel like you own it for all the wrong reasons.
ReplyDeleteI love this post... I too, am super conflicted on where I stand. my dad didn't keep guns in the house until we were in high school or so--and my brothers were all trained on how to properly use them, store them, clean them, load them. I didn't touch a non-BB gun until I was out of college... I'm actually taking a gun handling class Saturday when I come home. I'm very much on the same page--grateful for the right to own and carry, but praying to God I never have to use one to defend myself or my family. In the past, I strongly considered getting my carry permit, and then resolved that 1) I get scared shitless at the drop of a hat--so the odds of me having the wherewithal to snap into action when the time comes is relatively slim. and 2) the bags I carry are HUGE. I can never find my phone/keys/shade/lip gloss within 60 seconds--let alone a weapon to defend myself. and lastly, 3) back to my first point, I think it's entirely likely that while I could learn the safest way to handle a handheld gun, in the heat of the moment, I am realistic enough to worry that I would lose control of said weapon and end up hurt or dead by the gun that I own.
ReplyDeleteanyway... right there with you.
Well written. Great thoughts and I'm glad you shared them. I grew up in very rural Louisiana, and everyone hunted. I grew up in a home with at least 10 guns of different sizes and purposes. Something we were taught from a very young age was respect for firearms and what they can do to someone you fear or someone you love.
ReplyDeleteI suspect most of what you're seeing on twitter and elsewhere are posts by people that don't actually own guns, or people that own guns for the rush and novelty of it.
I remember the first time I got a compressed air nail gun. I dreamed about that thing I was so excited about it, and imagined building houses and skyscrapers with it... Eventually I stopped and realized it was easier to just use a hammer than drag out the compressor, fire it up, hook up the hoses and then build that bird feeder. I suspect most people giving you cause for concern are people that just got their first "nail guns", and they are waiting for hordes of ATF agents and roving bands of rapists to attempt to get through their door. Eventually they will begin to see a gun for what it is, just a piece of metal and/or plastic, that serves a purpose when they need it, but will most likely be relegated to it's place on the top shelf of their closet where they'll cease to think about it unless they have a need.
I so agree with everything you are saying. I hate the cavalier attitude that so many have towards guns - it's so terrifying.
ReplyDeletemy dad still has pistols in the house and hopes he never has to use them. he also always has a gun in the car. but sold all his rifles after coming back from Iraq. I don't think many people who are gun holders have the proper training for self-defense and that is so scary.
ReplyDeleteI like what you have to say here. I didn't grow up with guns and really have no desire to have one. It's almost as though people get so concerned about getting things "taken away" from them that they desire to have these things that they don't really need. Sure, have a gun. Don't have a military grade gun that is designed for WARS.
ReplyDelete