I get gun ownership. I've got lots of friends who hunt that like to go out and shoot deer and other animals in the woods. I don’t want to stop people from doing that.
I kind of get owning guns as a hobby and going to a shooting range to shoot targets and things. I don’t totally understand it, but I’m sure those people don’t totally get why I wake up at 6am every morning and go to Colin’s Coffee to write my novels. So while you wouldn’t catch me at the local shooting range, I support others having the right to shoot at target ranges.
Here’s what I don’t get. Why the hell can’t we all agree with keeping guns away from people who want to shoot people?
Seriously, if I had the potential to beat someone over the head with my laptop and aimless murder the guy that just ordered the cappuccino latte, then by all means someone stop me from owning a laptop!
It’s getting to the point that I don’t want to go anywhere at the risk of getting shot. I’m scared shitless that some wacko is going to shoot the shit out my kids’ school, too. And for heaven’s sake, I don’t want any of you walking around with a gun, fantasying that you’re some vigilante who’s going to stop the next James Holmes that pops out of a doorway.
I want to live peacefully. And I’d like my family and friends to do the same. At some point, my rights to live have to supersede the Second Amendment. At some point, my pursuit of happiness has to out rank the right to own a gun.
Folks, this is getting out of control. It seems like every day I go onto Yahoo! and read about the latest shooting someone. Remember when Columbine was a shocking tragedy? Three dead in a Maryland mall doesn’t seem like big news anymore – and that’s a problem!
So let’s try this – you put away your NRA card and I’ll shelf my ACLU card. Let’s meet at a table to talk and start with what this country was really founded on – the chance for a better life. Maybe then we can have a rational discussion on how we keep people from shooting each other.
In the meantime, please say a prayer for the families that lost some one in Maryland last weekend, when all they did was go shopping.
{C}{C}{C}{C}Wal Ozello is the author of Assignment 1989: The Time Travel Wars and is the lead singer of the Columbus hairband Armada. He's a resident of Upper Arlington, Ohio and a frequent customer at Colin's Coffee.