Orlando, Florida is now known for something other than mouse ears and pricey family vacations: a mass shooting involving one gunman (who was killed at the scene by law enforcement) and 49 victims. Because of this incident, words and phrases are being thrown around to emphasize the enormity of what happened. Of course, it all leads back to one thing: guns. There are 2 arguments going on: "get rid of all guns", and "guns don't kill people, people kill people." With the Presidential election coming up soon, the politicians are weighing in with their opinions and promises. Situations have happened before where a gunman killed many innocent people for no apparent reason, and the public gets all ruffled up about the guns that did it. We hear more and more about these incidents and it's adding to the fire without allowing any time for it to die down. I think I've chosen to ignore the fiery issue of "gun control" because of who I've become, and that I still have family and friends on both sides.
I used to be one of those people screaming "get rid of all the guns!" I used to also vote Democrat without question because I didn't know any Republicans and therefor never heard arguments for the other side. Not only did I finally meet a Republican, but I married him. His whole family couldn't have been more different than my own! But what it did was allow me to ask questions and get straight answers about how a conservative views life. This same man introduced me to things I had feared: motorcycles, guns, hunting. What brought me into this acceptance was his respect for these things. He taught me about gun safety and the inner workings of a gun so that I would understand it better. I then took a Hunter's Education course where they solidified those things he taught me. I also learned about how hunting isn't just sport, it's a respect for the balance of nature. Too many deer means not enough food for other animals in the woods. When this man hunts, it's with the intent to eat the animal, not just to kill it. When we were barely dating, he bought me an expensive motorcycle helmet. He said "I want my girl to be safe." I still have that helmet, and use it every time we go for a ride. He bought me my own gun so that I would enjoy shooting (trap and skeet). He bought me hunting gear so I would be comfortable sitting in the woods for hours not hearing or seeing anything, and go home slightly disappointed but content that we tried. This is the view of life that has changed how I see these public shootings.
In talking politics with my husband, I have discovered that I am actually inlined with Libertarianism. That's what he is, but he votes Republican because it's as close as you can get in the races. My brother has also declared himself Libertarian. So what does a Libertarian say about "gun control"? For one thing, "control" is a hated word. Who wants to be controlled?! No one. No one on any side wants to be controlled. Regulated is better, more tolerable, more accepted. One thing that came to mind when thinking about this issue of guns and control is prohibition. So let's line up guns and liquor:
In 1920 the Prohibition act went into effect why? Because alcohol was the Devil's drink and it was killing good men. What happened as a result? More alcohol (and not the good kind) was being made and sold enmass regardless of the law enforcement's attempt to "control" it. Mob bosses rose and fought with each other, and even innocent people were killed. In the end, Congress repealed the act and alcohol was no longer illegal. This move brought down many operations and ended the horrible issue that had been created.
So let's make all guns illegal to possess, just like alcohol. What do you think will happen? Will the innocent people stop getting killed? Will all the bad guys not own any guns at all? Seriously. if anything, we should expect to see a rise in crime and gun-related deaths, shootings, robberies, etc. So what is forward-thinking America supposed to do?!
Gun Safety. Education. Registration. Let's not take the guns away from those who are responsible enough to respect the tool. Let's instead think about the movement of these tools. That's all a gun is: a tool. Like the wrench or candlestick that killed Mrs. Plum in the conservatory. When a gun is made, where does it go? How does it go from the factory to a 12 year old's hands? All guns are made with serial numbers. Serial numbers are like social security numbers. Each of us has one, and if one is used for two people, a flag goes up. If the number for a deceased person is used, a flag goes up. If a gun is purchased by someone who has never taken a gun safety class, shouldn't a flag go up? If every so many years we are told to take a driving test (written or physical) so we can operate a tool that might or might not be used to kill other people, but guns can be bought by anyone without questioning their intended use, shouldn't a flag go up?!
You don't have the right to take my guns from me. But you do have the right to require me to register each one of them, and take a gun safety course once a year or every few years to maintain my right to use those guns. Fine me if I fail to do so. Jail me if my guns are used in some ill-mannered fashion and I've not cooperated in maintaining registration and a gun safety license. But do not think that by taking away all guns will you stop the violence.