The love affair with guns in the United States

​The love affair with guns in the United States
 
Some might think that a proposal in Virginia for universal backgrounds checks for perspective gun purchasers,  a ban on military style guns and the ability to temporarily take guns from those deemed dangerous to themselves and others would not be controversial.  Yet, many who refer to themselves s gun rights advocates or second amendment advocates say they will not comply with the law.   This same group of people is asserting that guns save lives.
 
I am fascinated that the rally against the proposed legislation was to take place on the day set aside to honor the memory and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who is best remembered for the power of his non-violent approach to creating a more just and loving society.  I am also fascinated by the tenacity of many in the United States who sincerely believe that guns save lives long term; that responding to violence is consistent with the teachings of the God of their understanding and even, for those who believe Jesus to be their primary spiritual teacher. 
 
I am not a vegetarian.  I eat fish, chicken, pork and beef and have on occasion eaten the meat of other animals.   Although I like to try to  limit my intake to the meat of those animals who are raised and killed with  as little mistreatment or pain as possible, I can hardly assert that I am against the killing and eating of  animals.   I also grew up being grateful for the gift of an animal killed with a gun – a hunting rifle.  My parents also owned a handgun although I have no memory of either of them threating or shooting anyone with any type of gun.  Many of my relatives and friends currently have open carry or concealed carry permits for handguns.
 
Personally, even though I am a Veteran of the United States Navy, I do not own any type of gun and have not allowed guns in my home for many years.  Since I do not have a security check in system I assume that some friends have carried guns into my home although most respect my request to not do so.
 
I am not convinced that guns save many lives or in the long term save more lives than are killed by them.  I do know that there are very concrete examples where, certainly, short term  violence is decreased because someone possessed and used a gun to kill a person who was in the process of killing others with gun.
 
My concerns are:
 

• If we continue to assert that guns are the best way to stop behavior which is dangerous or to some undesirable then those who are unhappy with or disagree with others will continue to believe their only option is to use guns to kill.
• It does not make sense for a person whose mind is not able to experience a shared reality should be encouraged or allowed to possess a gun.
• I cannot envision a situation in which I think a military style weapon is needed by a private citizen or even a law enforcement person.
• I believe that we can develop  ways to restraining others which is not lethal.
• We may need to expand our understanding of mentally competent or incompetent.
• The manufacture and sales of guns  when the primary motive is profit should, I think, frighten all of us.
• Long term non-violence is a more powerful change agent than violence.
• We have legal law enforcement individuals and organizations at the local, state and federal level which could be considered  to satisfy the intent of the second amendment.
• Since the ratification of the second amendment to the constitution in 1791 our ability to mass produce guns of all types has greatly increased.   A 2017 Gallup poll found that the country’s 393 million guns are distributed amount 50 million households.  (June 19, 2018 Washington Post and other sources)
• July 22, 2019 Health Day News reported that “For each 10% jump in home ownership of guns, the risk of someone in the household being killed rises by 13%.  The risk of a nonfamily member getting murdered is increased by 2% with gun ownership, researchers found.”

 
 
I am well aware that one can find a plethora of statistics to support just about any opinion. Thus one has to be careful in quoting statistics.
 
The bottom line for me is that the life and legacy of Gandhi, Martin Luther King and others shows me that non-violence works; that nonviolence leads to more permanent change.    I also believe that the long-term health of the planet and, in fact, the universe (s) are dependent on us humans learning to live in synch with each other and the rest of the universe (s).

Written January 20. 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org