Guns Guns Guns

Live by the sword, die by the sword. Those are not my words; they have been around for centuries, probably in the Bible. Maybe other historic tomes as well. The truth is bold and bare; use guns; die by guns. Guns were made to fire bullets into people and animals. Originally for protection, then for hunting game, guns posed a controlling threat in social situations – the vary presence of a gun caused many to leave, change behavior, or submit to the control of another person. The very threat of it.

When the threat seems tame, shooting the gun gets attention; often hits a target – intentional or not. And damage is done. If a person is hit, death may occur. Serious injury will always occur if death is not also present.

That’s the nature of guns.

When the US Constitution was written the government had no money and little prospect of getting money. The ability to field an army or navy was a pipe dream in those days. So militia were the only way of gathering an armed force. Money was still not available to pay the militia. They were voluntary groups bearing their own arms. Just like the American Revolution. It was an uprising of citizens against the Crown of England. Farmers and shop keepers and blacksmiths and bankers. Not a professional soldier in the group.

Once independence was claimed, it had to be earned. Thus the Revolutionary War of 1776. Eventually financing was secured so General George Washington could wage a war and win it. Munitions, uniforms, ammo and rifles were secured; still much of these were volunteered and owned by the fighting men. And the munitions and uniforms were puny and scarce.

When peace prevailed and financial stability began to grow for the new US Government, armies were still absent. To keep peace both state and federal authorities relied on voluntary militia. Thus the reason behind the 2^nd Amendment to own and bear arms. Those same guns provided a measure of peace and justice in frontier regions. The guns were used to protect homesteads from intruders, Indians, large wild animals and other predators.

It was a practical matter back then. One owned a shovel for coal, gardening and snow. One owned a gun to protect the home and family and hunt game for the dinner table.

In a day and age of supermarkets, police departments, county sheriff departments, state police and national guard, we don’t need private militia. The American military establishment also maintains public order and defense of our borders. Militia are not needed.

Sport and hunting needs carry on. Thus private arms are allowed and encouraged. But broad access to guns of all types and ammunition designed specifically to kill and maim other human beings, has grown to be a travesty of our day.

It is more a travesty when fellow citizens hide behind an archaic reading of the Constitution to hide their fear that the government could take over their private lives and property. Such is not the case and not the historical basis for the 2^nd Amendment.

Anyone can now buy any number of guns and ammunition they want as long as they have sufficient money. Even if they are mentally ill and unstable. They can buy a gun. For whatever purpose they wish. No controls against abuse. Once the damage is done the person is responsible; not very practical in its timing!

Conservatives say they want to preserve the 2^nd Amendment. When guns are used to kill innocent people, they blame the shooter. They blame anyone but themselves for the very presence of the instruments of death.

Conservative wing nuts are most likely members of voluntary militias organized for political purposes. And fear. These conservatives do the damage well documented by history. Not liberals. Not the left. And certainly not middle of the road folks.

But today we hear ‘the left shot the GOP baseball team in Virginia.’ Not true of course; the wrong happened, not the right. And that is neither conservative or liberal.

No, the problem is not ideology. It is honesty and truth and history.

It is time the nuts shut their mouths and the responsible passed laws that control the issuance and ownership of guns. Some reasonable and practical laws and regulation to protect life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Let’s take the time to do this right and quit the nonsense bellyaching. Innocent people are getting hurt and killed. It’s time to stop the slaughter.

June 19, 2017