The right to kill
CNN reported on June 14, 2021 that “Gun violence in 6 states this weekend brings US mass shootings to 27 so far this year.” I do not think this number reflects the number of times one or two people drew a gun in response to some disagreement in a public or private place. Daily one reads of such incidences. Yet, individuals such as Oklahoma state senator Nathan Dahn, continues to cite the second amendment of the constitution of the United States as the justification to put guns in the hands of even more people. Senator Dahn has introduced Senate Bill 1093 which would give 18 year olds the right to “constitutionally carry” guns. He cites the right to vote and serve in the armed forces as justification for this bill. While I agree that since we are giving 18 year olds the “responsibility” to fight in a war and often to be traumatized and haunted for life, we should give them all the rights and privileges of other adults. Onne should also ask how many 18 year olds have the ability to fully comprehend the consequences of labeling another human as deserving of death and/or permanent emotional and physical disability. For that matter, which of our politicians or Department of Defense employees have the spiritual and emotional maturity to make such decisions.
I would like to think at 81 I am not as clueless as I was at 18 or even 40. Yet the extent of my wisdom is to know that I am not sure of the questions much less the answers. I certainly do not feel qualified to make the decision the life of another person is less sacred than mine; that my “sins” are so much less than that of another that I deserve to live and “the other” deserves to die. Even if I am not under the influence of alcohol or another drug, lust, or an emotion such as anger, I do not feel qualified to make such a decision. If my thinking was clouded by alcohol, other drugs, lust or some emotion I am even less in a position or make a decision to draw a lethal weapon and point it at another person or persons.
Why would we want to burden the soul of an 18 year old with having to live with such a decision for the rest of his or her days. Does Senator Dahn really believe at 18 or now at 38 he has the right to decide the fate of another human. Perhaps even sadder is that he can make such a proposal in the name of the God of his understanding which in his case is a Christian God. This is the same man who was Dean of a Christian Mission school in Romania, who introduced legislation to outlaw paper ad pasta straws and to revoke the licenses of physicians who perform abortions. Apparently, those who carry guns (anyone 18 or over if his bill passes), regardless of emotional or mental state, have the right to decide whether someone should live or die.
The thinking of Senator Dahn and many others who use the second amendment to justify killing in the name of the Prince of Peace is beyond my comprehension. Do we really want to continue to promote this nation as the Prince of Darkness; the Prince of violence? Is this the world we want to leave our children?
We, as a nation, are increasing aware that even trained police officers are often unable to make rational, unemotional decisions about when to use or threaten to use lethal force. Trained members of the armed forces too often make emotional decisions to use their weapons. Why would anyone think the average sober, drug free 18 year old is consistently emotionally and mentally stable enough to make a rational, just decision to fire a gun at another person? Why would anyone think the average 18 year old when drunk or otherwise under the influence could make a rational decision about the use of his or her weapon? Should he or she shoot someone who seems to have lust for their date? Should the heterosexual person who attracts the attention of a gay or bisexual person shoot the person whose attention makes them uncomfortable? Should the 18 year old whose parents have rules for those living under their roof - possibly rent free - have the right to shoot the parent?
Somehow Senator Dahn has convinced himself that the second amendment of the United States, as he and many others interrupt it, will convey mental and moral health to the person carrying a gun. Somehow, hurt feelings, private ownership of stuff, or feeling emotionally or physically threatened justify the right to carry and use a lethal weapon.
Senator Dahn, you are welcome at my table anytime. You are welcome to share your beliefs and your opinion. I reserve the right to do the same. I do need you, however, to leave your gun at home or in your vehicle. I promise to treat you with loving respect. I promise in the name of the god of your understanding and the god of my understanding to listen with an open heart and mind to your opinions; to not confuse your opinions with the fact that you are my brother whose life the god of my understanding has decided is sacred; more sacred than stuff, emotions or opinions.
Written July 2, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
CNN reported on June 14, 2021 that “Gun violence in 6 states this weekend brings US mass shootings to 27 so far this year.” I do not think this number reflects the number of times one or two people drew a gun in response to some disagreement in a public or private place. Daily one reads of such incidences. Yet, individuals such as Oklahoma state senator Nathan Dahn, continues to cite the second amendment of the constitution of the United States as the justification to put guns in the hands of even more people. Senator Dahn has introduced Senate Bill 1093 which would give 18 year olds the right to “constitutionally carry” guns. He cites the right to vote and serve in the armed forces as justification for this bill. While I agree that since we are giving 18 year olds the “responsibility” to fight in a war and often to be traumatized and haunted for life, we should give them all the rights and privileges of other adults. Onne should also ask how many 18 year olds have the ability to fully comprehend the consequences of labeling another human as deserving of death and/or permanent emotional and physical disability. For that matter, which of our politicians or Department of Defense employees have the spiritual and emotional maturity to make such decisions.
I would like to think at 81 I am not as clueless as I was at 18 or even 40. Yet the extent of my wisdom is to know that I am not sure of the questions much less the answers. I certainly do not feel qualified to make the decision the life of another person is less sacred than mine; that my “sins” are so much less than that of another that I deserve to live and “the other” deserves to die. Even if I am not under the influence of alcohol or another drug, lust, or an emotion such as anger, I do not feel qualified to make such a decision. If my thinking was clouded by alcohol, other drugs, lust or some emotion I am even less in a position or make a decision to draw a lethal weapon and point it at another person or persons.
Why would we want to burden the soul of an 18 year old with having to live with such a decision for the rest of his or her days. Does Senator Dahn really believe at 18 or now at 38 he has the right to decide the fate of another human. Perhaps even sadder is that he can make such a proposal in the name of the God of his understanding which in his case is a Christian God. This is the same man who was Dean of a Christian Mission school in Romania, who introduced legislation to outlaw paper ad pasta straws and to revoke the licenses of physicians who perform abortions. Apparently, those who carry guns (anyone 18 or over if his bill passes), regardless of emotional or mental state, have the right to decide whether someone should live or die.
The thinking of Senator Dahn and many others who use the second amendment to justify killing in the name of the Prince of Peace is beyond my comprehension. Do we really want to continue to promote this nation as the Prince of Darkness; the Prince of violence? Is this the world we want to leave our children?
We, as a nation, are increasing aware that even trained police officers are often unable to make rational, unemotional decisions about when to use or threaten to use lethal force. Trained members of the armed forces too often make emotional decisions to use their weapons. Why would anyone think the average sober, drug free 18 year old is consistently emotionally and mentally stable enough to make a rational, just decision to fire a gun at another person? Why would anyone think the average 18 year old when drunk or otherwise under the influence could make a rational decision about the use of his or her weapon? Should he or she shoot someone who seems to have lust for their date? Should the heterosexual person who attracts the attention of a gay or bisexual person shoot the person whose attention makes them uncomfortable? Should the 18 year old whose parents have rules for those living under their roof - possibly rent free - have the right to shoot the parent?
Somehow Senator Dahn has convinced himself that the second amendment of the United States, as he and many others interrupt it, will convey mental and moral health to the person carrying a gun. Somehow, hurt feelings, private ownership of stuff, or feeling emotionally or physically threatened justify the right to carry and use a lethal weapon.
Senator Dahn, you are welcome at my table anytime. You are welcome to share your beliefs and your opinion. I reserve the right to do the same. I do need you, however, to leave your gun at home or in your vehicle. I promise to treat you with loving respect. I promise in the name of the god of your understanding and the god of my understanding to listen with an open heart and mind to your opinions; to not confuse your opinions with the fact that you are my brother whose life the god of my understanding has decided is sacred; more sacred than stuff, emotions or opinions.
Written July 2, 2021
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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