Playing Fair and Being Kind

GUNS AND NO GUNS

Our population seems to be divided into two groups when it comes to guns. I’m sure we could divide further into subsets but for the sake of this commentary two groups is plenty.

One group is fearful of being harmed. That group’s primary emotion is fear and it is strong. The fear may come from any experience but it is real and the people in this group are afraid that at any time some other person is going to try to harm them and therefore this group wants to be armed with a weapon that will prevent it from happening. This group has nothing to do with hunting, sport, target shooting, or collecting. They are afraid. Being in the possession of a weapon is important to this group as well as having the right to carry the weapon with them often. Even though they have the weapon they continue to be alert and ready to defend themselves.

The other group don’t worry a lot about being harmed. They want to go about their business of enjoying the company of others without having to think about what harm could come to them. This group of people do not carry weapons and if they see a weapon they are immediately repulsed by the thought of the harm that weapon could deliver. They don’t believe that guns are necessary. They fear guns more than they fear people. They believe that a person without a gun is more safe than a person with a gun. The only time that they have been really threatened with death is when someone with a gun has been afraid and angry enough to use the gun on them.

Bad people exist. But they are not as numerous as one would think. The really bad people are pretty rare. Can you name a really bad person living in your town? If you can do you realize that the really bad person is pretty well known by the law enforcement agency that is hired to protect you? When was the last time you were threatened by the really bad person? Do you need a gun and when you carry the gun with you are you really safer? Are the people around you in the supermarket safer now that you have a gun and you are worried that you may have to use it? Do you take that gun into a place where alcohol is being served regularly? Have you broken any laws while carrying the gun? Do others know you have the gun with you? Do you know that your gun scares other people? Are they convinced that you are not “crazy”, that you will not suddenly get angry with them or frustrated with them and hurt them?

Conflicts exist. Conflict is normal because we all have our own ideas how life should be enjoyable. When conflicts arise how does the presence of a weapon influence the discussion? Would you argue with someone who has a gun in their hand? Does it matter if the gun is in the hand or in the pocket or within reach? Could you think clearly and argue confidently with a person who is armed with a weapon but who you are not sure of their mental condition? Did they sleep well last night? Did their spouse leave them with some emotions that are still unresolved? Would you rather they not have a gun or other weapon in their possession? Can you think of any situation in which you would be satisfied that the other person is presently stable enough and comfortable enough to resolve a conflict with you while armed?

My argument is that I am concerned enough about people being able to overpower me and harm me just with their own strength without weapons if they have a mind to. If they have no weapons I have enough chance to protect myself by removing myself from their presence (running) or by delaying their ability to harm me by struggling physically to protect myself. If a person has a weapon I have no chance to do any of this. They can hurt me from a distance and I am helpless. If they are unarmed I can call the police to come to protect me. The system is not perfect but it can often work well enough to keep me alive. (Domestic abuses are related to all of this and need to be addressed. In cases of domestic abuses weapons are really bad things to have at hand. Many guns kept in the household are used against family members way more than against ‘bad people’.)

Finally, I contend that if you have a gun you are living in a world of make-believe. Your expectations are too narrow and your imagination unprepared for reality. When it comes time for you to protect yourself I believe your own fears will overwhelm your intellect and you will make huge mistakes of judgment. You can look it up. Citizens with guns are totally unprepared to deal with guns and tensions at the same time. That is what really scare me. Gun owners with no real experience shooting at bad people properly. Just look at videos of trained police officers in gun fights. They shoot wildly and in panic. They are trained and they practice more than any civilian I know. It would be laughable if not for the tragedy that comes with it.

Don’t take your guns to town, Son. Leave your guns at home, Bill. Better yet, throw them in the drink.

G. M. Goodwin

24 June 2016