Guns/Firearms - Why? Why NOT?
Note: For the best viewing & reading experience of this lesson, on a Smartphone: hold the phone in Landscape position:
It is in the news more and more these days - mass shootings.... extremely unfortunate & sad events with emotions running high for good/valid reasons...
As with all subjects, the key is first to ensure that we remain calm (if not calm - give yourself some time to calm down) - if you've recently lost someone in a mass shooting incident, this will be very hard for you to stomach, for good/valid reasons - you might need to give yourself months, if not years, before you will be in a good place again emotionally, to maybe come back and revisit this lesson when you are in a better emotional state and more open minded etc., and can visualize & appreciate opinions from all sides on the matter again.
Talking of opinions and looking at Social Media: as with other subjects/topics, there are 2 extreme views on it (and the key is to find the truth and balance between them):
extreme View 1/east: Guns/Firearms should be made illegal & banned
Reason/Background:
This is especially true & reflects the points of view of those directly affected either by gun/firearm violence and/or just peace-loving citizens (brothers & sisters).
Extreme View 2/west:
everyone should own a gun/firearm
Reason/Background:
This is especially true & reflects the points of view of those directly affected either by gun/firearm violence and/or just peace-loving citizens (brothers & sisters).
"Wait a minute", I hear you say - "How can both sides have the same reason/background - this must be some kind of mistake" - well, good observation :)
Let's take a deeper dive...
Reason/Background Breakdown:
Some directly affected by gun/firearm violence and/or especially those who lost a body part and/or someone they dearly loved, will tell you with good/valid reason(s) why we will all just be better off without any guns/firearms.
And of course, regular peace-loving citizens (brothers & sisters) would wholeheartedly agree with them for very good/valid reason(s) - and they are right :)
Reason/Background Breakdown:
Some directly affected by gun/firearm violence and/or especially those who lost a body part and/or someone they dearly loved, will tell you with good/valid reason(s) why we will all just be better off all owning guns/firearms.
And of course, regular peace-loving citizens (brothers & sisters) would wholeheartedly agree with them for very good/valid reason(s) - and they are right too :)
"This is no time for jokes", I hear you say - "Stop messing with us! How can both sides have the same reason/background and at the same time both be right with their extreme views - this must be some kind of mistake or sick joke" - relax...., take a deep breath, inhale 3 seconds, exhale 3 seconds :)
Let's take yet a deeper dive...
Reason/Background Justification:
Some directly affected by gun/firearm violence and/or especially those who lost a body part and/or someone they dearly loved, will tell you with good/valid reason(s) that we will all just be better off without any guns/firearms because:
No guns = no possibility for gun/firearm violence.
Everyone will be able to walk around freely & joyfully without the fear of any gun/firearm violence.
And of course, regular peace-loving citizens (brothers & sisters) would wholeheartedly agree with them for these very good/valid reason(s) - and they are right :)
But wait, there is a slight flaw in this approach/suggestion:
To be really truly safe: we will also need to take away or get rid of any sharp object (e.g., knives, forks, screwdrivers, hairpins etc.) as well as blunt objects (e.g., baseball bats, fists [no more hands, arms, legs or feet], rocks, cars, etc.)
Mmm....where do we draw the line....
"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa - Hold your horses!!" - things are starting to spin out of control here....
Reason/Background Justification:
Some directly affected by gun/firearm violence and/or especially those who lost a body part and/or someone they dearly loved, will tell you with good/valid reason(s) that we will all just be better off all owning guns/firearms, because:
Guns = Allows you to defend & protect yourself/others.
When everyone walks around with a gun: any psycho/terrorist/enemy/hurting person/corrupt police officer and/or government agent will think twice before drawing a gun since it will almost certainly = a quick and sudden death for them.
And of course, regular peace-loving citizens (brothers & sisters) would wholeheartedly agree with them for very good/valid reason(s) - and they are right too :)
But wait, there is a slight flaw in this approach/suggestion:
To be really truly safe: we will need to ensure that any psycho/terrorist/enemy/hurting person/corrupt police officer and/or government agent does not get a more powerful weapon than us - where do we draw the line?
Maybe we should all carry a rocket launcher to be safe or drive an army tank, or get an ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) or dare we go as far as the ultimate: a nuclear weapon perhaps?
Mmm....where do we draw the line....
"Whoa, Whoa, Whoa - Hold your horses!!" - things are starting to spin out of control here....
"Man, time to come up for some air", I hear you say - "This is heavy stuff..." - relax...., take a deep breath, inhale 3 seconds, exhale 3 seconds - just make sure it is air/oxygen and not water you are inhaling :)
Let's go back up, up to higher ground & roads...
Conclusion:
Personally, I wish we didn't need/have guns/firearms - but if it is truly a necessary evil, let's look at what we can conclude:
As you can see, both parties seem to have good/valid points however, it is not perfect - not even balanced.
How do we get to a good balance & potential solution:
Let's try to live in peace & harmony with all our brothers & sisters - most folks just want to live in peace & harmony and don't like violence/bullying/corruption/power greed etc. of any sort and would prefer to rather focus and use their energy and resources on their Purpose of [your] life:
Now granted, there are unfortunately some psychos/terrorists/enemies/hurting people/corrupt police officers and/or government agents out there for which we need guns to defend ourselves and maintain peace, law & order:
That being said, "No, not everybody should own/carry a gun/firearm...", the following folks should be prevented from having/owning a gun, for example, irresponsible folks like:
Kids (under 18)
People with a history of substance abuse e.g., alcohol, drugs etc.
Mentally unstable (including control freaks)
Folks with a criminal background/past (including convictions of any type, misdemeanors and/or who resorted to blackmail, physical violence etc.)
Folks with extreme views/beliefs/opinions that endanger the ultimate safety (physically & mentally) of any brother/sister who are in clear contrast to Creator God's will & Purpose of [your] life .
Besides the above gun control measures, it also needs to include:
Initial Competency Training & Certification (in addition to the background checks mentioned above):
Need to go for supervised practical experience + training & test(s) before you get to own a gun.
Including safety training & how to properly & securely store guns/firearms.
Yearly gun/firearm license renewals (similar to car registration renewals, but even better):
Requires a background check + medical & mental fitness exam (performed by medical doctor) to be passed.
If no longer medically/mentally fit, to own a gun/firearm:
The doctor will submit his/her findings to the local authorities (e.g. police).
The person will then be required to hand in their gun/firearm license + guns/firearms at the local police station within 24 hours.
If there is a no show in 24h - the local police will have the right to confiscate it from the person.
Limit the number & type of weapons a person can own:
For example: no need for Automatic Assault Rifles in private hands.
Finally, to ensure there are no loopholes, we also need to ensure that no guns/firearms are available on the black market:
Guns/Firearms should not be allowed to be traded/sold by private individuals:
Required to be traded in or disposed of, at local gun store.
Those that supply or make available guns/firearms on the black market should be tracked down, shutdown & put in jail.
As you can see it is quite possible to attain this Nirvana - it will just take some time & effort + responsible gun control :)
Acknowledgements & Credits:
Just wanted to extend a big THANK YOU!! to the following folks that performed an initial review of this article & provided the following input:
Heinz Küsel (or alternatively on Facebook: Heinz Küsel):
Trusted advisor who suggested:
Limit on number of weapons per person & that no automatic assault rifles needed to be in private hands.
Competency certificate before you can obtain a gun which includes vetting of mental stability, convictions of any type or misdemeanors etc.
Angie Farmer: for suggesting gun/firearm license renewals (as opposed to just the initial competency training & certification).
Gargana_G: for pointing out on Twitter, the importance of ensuring that guns/firearms stay off the black market.
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Purpose of [your] life (if you haven't seen it yet)