Just ask
I have recently read several reports that gun sales, including hand guns and ammunition, have significantly increased. One article in the local News-Registers on March 19, 2020 reported that background checks for gun purchases numbered 4300 on March 17, 2020 in Pennsylvania. This is 3 times the typical daily rate. From what I have read this increase is true across the United States. Apparently gun sales and ammunition are generally up in an election year. “But this past January and February have outpaced 2016 by nearly 350,000 sales.
Thus, it seems both the fact that it is an election year and the fact that the coronavirus has come to visit is prompting many individuals to arm themselves with more guns and ammunition for existing and new guns.
I am not completely uneducated. I do know that many in the United States are very attached to what they claim is their second amendment right to own and carry guns. In many states in the States it is legal to open carry firearms. 30 states have very permissive open carry laws. Some other states have less permissive open carry laws while others now allow for open carry in churches and on college campuses. Six states have limited open carry laws. (alienholsters.com)
I grew up in the country and while some people may have had guns other than for hunting, I was generally not aware of anyone shooting at or even threating to shoot anyone. Certainly there was racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of oppression which could erupt into violence, I was very aware of that behavior, especially in the school yard. Yet, I do not recall a love affair with guns. I do vaguely remember that at some point my father bought my mother a little pearl handle gun to use for protection when he was working away from home, but, to my knowledge she never used it or even threatened anyone with it. For the most part we country folks had open door policies and, God knows, nothing worth stealing.
As a counselor I accept the power of fear in the lives of us humans and the temptation to allow fear to take charge. Both the upcoming November elections and now the side effects of the visit by the Covid-19 virus are proving fertile breeding grounds for fear. I also understand that some people initially panicked and began purchasing most available supplies of food and products such as toilet paper. At this time, however, most are finding that there is little shortage of food or paper products. There is still a shortage of tests and testing facilities for Covid-19 as well as masks, home thermometers and some other medical related products. It may take some time for the manufactures and distributors to correct those shortages.
On a personal and professional level I am finding the same spirit which has been duly noted by many. Any time there are conditions or events resulting in great need, most people gladly donate time, money, supplies, meals and transportation to their near and distant neighbors. Daily I get inquiries about whether I need anything.
At the same time, there are those whose lives have apparently been taken over by fear of Covid-19 and apparent fear that some will attempt to steal their food or rolls of toilet paper. I suspect if we could access such information that those who are purchasing guns are the same people who are hoarding supplies of food and paper products. Perhaps I am wrong and no one is anticipating the need to protect their supply of toilet paper and food with fire power. I do, however, also have to wonder if the same folks who have falsely branded some as criminals, addicts, immigrants and other undesirables by some segments of the population are going to use their fear of Covid-19 as an excuse to fuel these false assumptions.
My advice is to stop buying guns; stop feeding fear and misinformation; lay down one’s prejudices and labels. If you need something just ask. I and most people I know are already busy sharing money, time, love, food and other resources. No more guns needed. We are one people whose hearts can beat in synch with each other. We are neighbors.
Just ask.
Written March 20, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
I have recently read several reports that gun sales, including hand guns and ammunition, have significantly increased. One article in the local News-Registers on March 19, 2020 reported that background checks for gun purchases numbered 4300 on March 17, 2020 in Pennsylvania. This is 3 times the typical daily rate. From what I have read this increase is true across the United States. Apparently gun sales and ammunition are generally up in an election year. “But this past January and February have outpaced 2016 by nearly 350,000 sales.
Thus, it seems both the fact that it is an election year and the fact that the coronavirus has come to visit is prompting many individuals to arm themselves with more guns and ammunition for existing and new guns.
I am not completely uneducated. I do know that many in the United States are very attached to what they claim is their second amendment right to own and carry guns. In many states in the States it is legal to open carry firearms. 30 states have very permissive open carry laws. Some other states have less permissive open carry laws while others now allow for open carry in churches and on college campuses. Six states have limited open carry laws. (alienholsters.com)
I grew up in the country and while some people may have had guns other than for hunting, I was generally not aware of anyone shooting at or even threating to shoot anyone. Certainly there was racism, sexism, homophobia and other forms of oppression which could erupt into violence, I was very aware of that behavior, especially in the school yard. Yet, I do not recall a love affair with guns. I do vaguely remember that at some point my father bought my mother a little pearl handle gun to use for protection when he was working away from home, but, to my knowledge she never used it or even threatened anyone with it. For the most part we country folks had open door policies and, God knows, nothing worth stealing.
As a counselor I accept the power of fear in the lives of us humans and the temptation to allow fear to take charge. Both the upcoming November elections and now the side effects of the visit by the Covid-19 virus are proving fertile breeding grounds for fear. I also understand that some people initially panicked and began purchasing most available supplies of food and products such as toilet paper. At this time, however, most are finding that there is little shortage of food or paper products. There is still a shortage of tests and testing facilities for Covid-19 as well as masks, home thermometers and some other medical related products. It may take some time for the manufactures and distributors to correct those shortages.
On a personal and professional level I am finding the same spirit which has been duly noted by many. Any time there are conditions or events resulting in great need, most people gladly donate time, money, supplies, meals and transportation to their near and distant neighbors. Daily I get inquiries about whether I need anything.
At the same time, there are those whose lives have apparently been taken over by fear of Covid-19 and apparent fear that some will attempt to steal their food or rolls of toilet paper. I suspect if we could access such information that those who are purchasing guns are the same people who are hoarding supplies of food and paper products. Perhaps I am wrong and no one is anticipating the need to protect their supply of toilet paper and food with fire power. I do, however, also have to wonder if the same folks who have falsely branded some as criminals, addicts, immigrants and other undesirables by some segments of the population are going to use their fear of Covid-19 as an excuse to fuel these false assumptions.
My advice is to stop buying guns; stop feeding fear and misinformation; lay down one’s prejudices and labels. If you need something just ask. I and most people I know are already busy sharing money, time, love, food and other resources. No more guns needed. We are one people whose hearts can beat in synch with each other. We are neighbors.
Just ask.
Written March 20, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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