I've stayed away from discussing weaponry in The Burrow. We had a conversation about it, my family and I, while I was on a morphine drip in the hospital. There are angry people associated with the issue, Mom. I couldn't bear it if you got shot, again. Those are powerful words to hear from your adult daughter. They made an impact. I stayed away, and focused on doing good and healing.
Then twenty children were slaughtered by a young man with a gun.
Little Cuter and I agree; it's time to act.
I'm putting my energies behind Michael Bloomberg's Mayors Against Illegal Guns' effort to bring the record keeping efforts related to gun purchases into the 21st century and to Demand a Plan to end gun violence. Our elected officials must have thought about the issue once in a while. NOW is the time for them to share their thoughts.
We have been silent too long. There is something fundamentally wrong with a system that allows individuals to carry concealed weapons with magazines more than three times the size of those carried by a Pima County Sheriff. If you agree with me, I would like to ask you to take the time you'd normally spend here in The Burrow and click through to Demand a Plan. Spend some time.... watch some videos... sign the petition... and then go and hug your kids, your family, a teacher.
This has got to stop. It hurts too much.
*****
Having spent today reading posts from mothers of mentally ill children, my heart bleeds for those who have to hide the sharp objects and have an escape plan for their other children. I'm not sure where to devote my energies on this issue, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. When I do, prepare to be asked to look into it. Until then, why not start here?
Thanks AB. You know how I feel about all of this. I've been a supporter of Mayors Against Illegal Guns since 2010. I've had it with the senseless deaths. When we put more emphasis on denying healthcare than we do on guns, our priorities are screwed up. I will be damned if I let another 20 children die needlessly because someone wanted their gun.
ReplyDeleteNancy Lanza should not have been allowed to have guns in her house with a mentally unstable child. The difference between Liza Long (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/16/i-am-adam-lanzas-mother-mental-illness-conversation_n_2311009.html) and Nancy Lanza is that she recognizes her son has a problem and hides the sharp objects and she protects her other children. Yes, I do blame Nancy Lanza too. She should never have had those guns in her home in the first place. Liza Long wouldn't. I truly feel for these people that have mentally unstable children or family members. But denying your family member mental health help or even denying there is an issue, you are putting others in harm's way and are culpable when they hurt others.
I'm still so utterly sad today. I'm glad you are supporting this. If anyone can give this issue a voice, it is you. And you write so brilliantly and lovely, you will reach so many hearts.
Sending hugs your way,
Megan xxx
I feel so much and don't quite know how to say it. I wrote this, to friends, earlier today.
ReplyDelete"As horrific a threat as acts of violence perpetrated by crazed, gun wielding criminals are, the thing which is, perhaps, the most scary to me is the paranoia of those who have a deep seated mistrust of government and are determined to have sufficient firepower to fight back, with similar weapons, when the government ‘comes after them.’
Those people are often quite sane acting, contributing members of society. I know some of them. They truly believe the second amendment guarantees them the right to bear arms to protect themselves against the government....not just for hunting or protecting themselves from the criminal element. And they believe that whatever weaponry the police or armed forces have, they should also have. Of course, I don’t know if these people think they should also have tanks and drone missiles, too.
It’s those people, not the crazy ones nor the drug dealer ones, nor the gang-bangers... which fuel the NRA and it’s huge, successful lobbyists.
If it weren’t for them, less paranoid folk would prevail and assault rifles, large capacity magazines, and such things would be banned, quickly, I suspect. I also think all the gun purchasing loopholes would be closed immediately.
I never hear this aspect discussed by anyone. I wonder why that is?"
After hearing and seeing some comments on the topic of gun control today, I am left with the horrible feeling that as bad...as divisive...as the last election was...it was nothing compared to what is coming between the have's (guns of all kinds) and the have not's (some reasonable restrictions.)
God...or what/whoever, help us all. I am truly fearful for the state of this country...and sad beyond the telling.