Is It Possible to Have a Civil Conversation About Guns?

     Growing up in Missouri we always had guns in the house. As a young girl my dad would take my brother and I out into the country to shoot rifles, that was our bonding time. Driving down the dirt road outside of town we would eventually reach our destination, a rundown metal bridge that crossed over the 102 River. Dad would throw big, round balloons in on one side of the bridge and as they drifted down the river we would take aim and shoot; I was a poor shot and never much hit anything. I did however learn to respect the power of guns and it quickly became obvious to me that they were not toys. Most of my relatives are still in Missouri and anticipate the coming of each new hunting season.I see pictures on Facebook each year of my cousins and their respective kills. Missouri has an avid hunting culture and I respect the history behind it. Our forefathers provided sustenance for their families through hunting and I know for many it's an important link to their heritage. So, given all this information, you might speculate that I'm a card carrying member of the NRA. I'm not. Statistics show that a gun in the home is more likely to be used in a homicide, suicide, or accidental shooting than in self-defense, which is some of the reason I find myself on the “more gun control” side of the argument. My mother used my father's own gun to try and shoot him some years ago; they are divorced now for obvious reasons. I think I feel emboldened by the Christmas season to express my opinion on such a controversial subject and hope to inspire some of you to think about your stance. I realize I cannot change anyone's mind about anything really but, with an open heart, I simply wish to give my opinion on the subject of guns.

     Most of us learned as children that we can't always have our way and that we need to compromise, but it seems to me as though many of our politicians are more akin to petulant children than adults. My hope is to start a conversation about our differences and finding our way back to the idea of compromise or, at the very least, respectfully agreeing to disagree. If it were up to me I would ban all guns, but I realize the world doesn't revolve around my wants. I also know my ideology would not sit well with all the gun-totin' Americans out there, including many of those near and dear to me. So, I'm willing to soften my stance and head toward the middle. In the middle I see Americans keeping the guns that they have legally obtained, but why does anyone need an assault weapon? I am in no way a gun expert, and I realize some automatic rifles are used for hunting, but why does any civilian need a gun that can fire thirty-three rounds? If it takes thirty-three shots to take down that waterfowl your hunting maybe you need to find a new hobby. Ultimately we all want a safe community for ourselves and our children to not only maintain, but to grow and thrive. I also realize guns are not our only problem, but we have to start making changes somewhere. Had Adam Lanza's mother not have had the ability to build up such an arsenal we might not be mourning the loss of so many innocent lives this Christmas. Let's not let these children's lives be lost in vain. It's time for an intelligent conversation about what is right for all Americans and to stop allowing one very powerful lobby to control our gun laws. It's time we start speaking up not just for what we want, but for what is truly best for our country. As John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country.”