How Long Must We Sing This Song

Our Answer to Gun Violence

This past Tuesday, another tragedy occurred.

The details are different, but the story is the same.

This Must End.

Republicans say it’s the person - not the gun - that’s the problem.

Democrats say it’s the gun, not the person.

It’s not the gun, but We The People.

THE GUN

A gun is a frightening object, but ultimately, it is useless without ammunition. Guns are useless without bullets.

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WE THE PEOPLE

Many people own guns beyond hunting, but for their protection. Republicans, Democrats, the old and young; gun ownership goes beyond political affiliation, age, race or creed.

The only reason anyone owns a gun, whether they admit it or not, is because

They do not feel safe.

I grew up on a calm and pleasant block in an idyllic neighborhood. Everything was just about picture-perfect. And yet, on the block where everyone’s doors were unlocked, where kids ran between yards and stayed out late, where neighbors treated each other like family…

People owned guns.

Why? I felt perfectly safe the entire time growing up.

And yet, there were people who felt they needed protection.

We, together, are on this one planet. Why, I’m not sure. It could be a simulation, our purpose for a higher power, our soul’s mission, or nothing. Either way, we all share it here today. Wouldn’t it be great if we trusted one another? There are reasons we don’t trust our leaders now: Americans have experienced financial collapses every 20-25 years. Our government agencies, sworn to protect us, have killed some of our most prominent leaders, ones that we celebrate even today. And yet these leaders of the most powerful government in the land can’t seem to get anything done. How can they be the most powerful if they can’t get this done?

Recycled article title from The Onion, a satirical website. They post this headline after every mass shooting in our country.

The answers are out there, we just aren’t using them. One answer we were using. Our government banned certain semi-automatic firearms in 1994 for ten years. Then, in 2004, the ban evaporated away under what’s called a sunset clause (allowing for a specific part of a bill to end after a set period of time). Since 2004, we have faced countless more shootings, 85% of which were caused by the use of assault rifles. Despite attempts to reinstate this specific firearm ban, enough of our leaders have prevented it from returning.

We need to make sure the leaders are leading, and we need to get the rest of these buffoons out. They are not only wasting our time, making us angry and making it harder to trust them, they are also killing us.

They are killing us.

It starts with taking the money out of the political game, and then voting them OUT. That is the best answer we have.

We need to change our elected leaders for so many reasons, but this especially. Until the time comes when we have the right people in power with the will to change, we have to practice trusting each other, even if we cannot trust our leaders.

Despite the differences sown between us by the media and government, every one of us, in the end, wants the same thing.