A couple of weeks ago I was challenged by an old high school friend to write a blog about my thoughts on gun control. I thought “Sure, this will be easy, this is a cut and dried topic for me! I know what I believe and I will sit down and express myself eloquently.” Well, did I mention that was a couple of weeks ago? The more I thought about it the more I realized this topic is not “cut and dried” and really has a lot more to do with our Choices than Guns.
First a little background. I grew up in the country on a farm where guns and hunting were commonplace. I was taught gun and hunting safety and learned respect for both. I have carried a pistol since I was 16 years old and I now have my concealed weapons permit. Thankfully I have never had to use or even draw my pistol but there have been many times, especially while traveling alone, that I was sure glad I had it handy.
Ok, having said that let me get to my real point of all this. Obviously I believe in the right to bear arms. It is my choice. Just because I arm myself does not mean I am a violent person. I do not go looking for gunfights at high noon so I can draw my pistol at 10 paces in the middle of the road in Comers Rock. I also respect everyone who does not feel comfortable with or does not believe in carrying a firearm. I would never try to convince you to take up arms. It is your belief and your choice.
Therefore, do not try to mess with my right to choose my way of life. Do not try to take my rights and my choices from me and I will continue to respect yours. Do not assume that because I carry I am no good, I am looking for trouble. There are a hell of a lot more of us who bear arms who are non-violent than those that make the news. Oh but wait, non-violence and good everyday living aren’t newsworthy. Heaven forbid that the media would pollute our minds with headlines about positive stories and good things happening in our world.
Here’s a Newsflash! There are still a lot of good people! There are still a lot of good people who bear arms! Do you want to help this country? Then PRAY! Pray for each other, pray for peace, pray for understanding, pray for guidance and thank God everyday that we are free to choose our way of life. Because ultimately, for the majority of us, it is not the guns, it is not our parents, it is not our environment (I could go on and on), that we have to blame for good and bad choices. It is only ourselves. So lets strive to make ourselves better people, to make better choices, to be thankful for the freedom and the rights we have and to take that freedom of choice and help make the world a better place. God Bless!