Guns in america: you can’t unring the Bell

When I was asked recently whether I’d take an assignment in France, I told my friends who instantly responded in a chorus of, “Wow, that’s amazing — when are you going?” It’s France, right? A dream destination! As such, you’d think my initial response would also be a series of backflips and a woot right back at my buddies. Instead, as a reporter, I had a moment of pause. I’d no sooner than a day prior read an article outlining the two most dangerous countries for journalists — Syria and France.

I was given this assignment to open up about a topic I mostly keep shut on, and for me, that’s guns. So before I begin, I want readers to know that there are die-hard liberals out here who love the idea of a peaceful nation that doesn’t wake up to news of daily shootings, but also don’t see a lick of good coming from the fallacious notion that guns can be controlled. (Might I remind you of the abysmal failure that the War on Drugs keeps delivering to the American public? Same concept.)

Like drugs, guns are already out there and there’s a voracious love of them from both the “good guys” and the “bad guys.” Tightening restrictions, though well intentioned, only hinders the law abiders. Think about it: bad guys don’t give a rat’s ass about the law — that’s why they’re bad guys! Just as pot was once bought in our state via back-alley dealings that often led to violence — not to mention arbitrary reasons to give someone a criminal record — making good guys jump through even more hurdles is going to guarantee that fewer men and women are able to reach for their Smith & Wesson when someone crawls through their window with a piece of their own. You don’t have to be a wackadoo, violence-loving conservative to understand that.

According to The Washington Post, as of now there are more guns in the United States than there are people. Sounds terrifying when you think about it, but then if you consider it statistically, the majority of those guns are locked in safe places and are being used responsibly. If that weren’t the case, we’d be in utter chaos; a war zone. (And please don’t insult people in war-torn regions by suggesting that America is a war zone.)

Back to Paris: I looked into their gun laws only to find that I won’t be able to carry once I’m there, which makes me touchy. In the land where journalists have been slaughtered by masked gunmen (who illegally obtained their weaponry, of course), I’m going to feel incredibly vulnerable at the pseudo-political event I’ve been asked to attend. I guess for me it’s not so much about “good guys with guns” as it is “good guys without guns.” Some may call that paranoia, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

I’ll add that I never want to use my gun. Ever. But I have to admit that my grandfather’s words about preparedness have stuck with me: it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.