As a western Pennsylvania native, I grew up around a robust hunting culture. I had many school friends who liked to hunt deer when they were in season, so I did not think twice of a “gun rights” platform. But having spent the last nearly thirty years of my life in southern California, I was surrounded by a strict “gun control” milieu, and it was not until more recently did I really think twice about this debate.
Let me state for the record that I see nothing wrong with gun collecting. In fact, it is an avid and legitimate hobby for many people. The more guns, of various kinds, the better. Sure. Whether for recreation and sport, such as hunting and marksmanship, as well as protection of the home and self-defense, and furthermore, last but not least, against a tyrannical government, yes, yes, yes. Perfectly fine.
And I bristle when I see gun control advocates try to undermine this second amendment right. District of Columbia v. Heller (2008) was one Supreme Court case where, with underhanded political sleight-of-hand tactics, certain factions in society tried to outlaw large swathes of guns overnight in the District of Columbia. That is not acceptable! The second amendment must be protected at all costs. Why? Just look at 1930s Germany. The men with the guns were the Nazis, and even if the people wanted to rise up at that point and usurp their Chancellor-qua-Fuehrer, they simply could not do it with knives and pitchforks.
At the same time, the gun control side has a point when they want to abridge (but not repeal) the second amendment. That distinction is crucial: abridge but not repeal. The “crazies” and the “criminals” have no right to bear arms, precisely because their sense of judgment skews them to be suicidal and homicidal. With a gun, it is that much easier for them to break and enter into a residence, murder the husband, rape the wife, steal private property, traumatize the children, and not even think twice of it. Even 18th-century peace officers were authorized to “lock up lunatics” who are dangerous with guns.
What is needed now, more than ever, is understanding between the gun rights and gun control lobbies. And if understanding is not possible, then tolerance, and maybe even just acceptance. As a nation that prides itself on calm and rational deliberation, we the People can do that, even on the gun violence issue.
J.J.
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