Not So Toy Guns

Over the past year guns have become a bigger topic of interest in America than ever. Within our country we have had almost as many mass shootings as we have days of the year, a little over 350 in all. That is incredible in so many ways. Incredibly tragic, incredibly terrifying, incredibly bleak for what is to come.

I was raised by hippie parents who knew the horrors and violence of the world. They guarded us from many evils; my dad was especially concerned and would not condone horror movies until we were old enough to decide for ourselves, he told us “I don’t want those negative thoughts in your head that otherwise wouldn’t have to be there.” I agree with him now, though at the time I thought it was an utter outraged and ridiculous. My mom has a phobia of guns, she too being raised by very peaceful, nonviolent people. When we were little she made sure to keep the idea of guns out of our heads and never bought us any toy guns.

Once I grew up and left home I began being introduced to this whole gun culture. My husband was raised on the opposite end of the spectrum, he got his first gun when he was 6 years old, and learned how to use it to hunt with his father and brothers. By the time he was a teenager they had a full collection and hunting was a tradition and in their culture. Living in New Hampshire for most of my life I was aware of these ideas, though I was raised mostly vegetarian so never actually partook in it myself. The first gun he bought of his own since living on his own was purchased not too long ago. I was very hesitant at first that innate fear of guns conditioned into my being since birth. After a while I gave in and said okay, and he picked a beautiful 6 round revolver, that actually came from a major company in a town beside my hometown.

Just recently I was told that it is vital that I learn how to use the guns we have in our home and that scared the living daylights out of me. I understand the necessity, especially after the recent tragedies just a state away, I just wish the truth wasn’t so real. The terrifying thing is, we now live in a world where those who are unarmed are the minority and are not safe. Understanding that I have begun the process of learning how to defend myself, though it will not be easy, which I believe just shows that I have the humanity that many have obviously lost.

Let us try to remember our compassion in these violent times.